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Friday March 1, 2019
No. 883
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FAMILY’S TORMENT AS KILLER GETS LIFE
We continue to grieve the loss of Naseer, who was a loving son, husband, daddy, brother and friend to many ... a kind, caring, hard-working family man who doted on his family. His young daughters (aged two and eight) miss their daddy terribly every day. There is not a day that passes without us thinking of him and the happier times we had together. Ibrahim Mahetar is responsible for dramatically changing our lives forever. Nothing can ever compensate us or fill the void of our loss. Our sentence is a life sentence without Naseer... – MAHETAR FAMILY STATEMENT
Killer... Ibrahim Mahetar
Victim... Naseer Mahetar
Man who stabbed his brother to death had irrational obsession that his wife was unfaithful, says judge A DEWSBURY man who stabbed his brother to death because he believed he’d slept with his wife has been jailed for over 16 years. Ibrahim Mahetar, 35, was found guilty at Leeds Crown Court of murdering his younger brother Naseer Mahetar, 31, in the back yard of their parents’ house on Town Street, Batley Carr, last year. Jurors were told that Ibrahim Mahetar, of School Crescent, Dewsbury Moor, battered his brother with a baseball bat several times during the violent attack on August 31,
before stabbing him three times in the heart, head and arm. Father-of-two Naseer Mahetar, of Lidgate Gardens, Soothill, died from a stab wound to the heart. Although the murder weapon was never recovered, it is believed to have been a tool ‘like a spark plug cleaner’. The victim’s wife, Asma Daji, was holding the couple’s two-year-old daughter on her hip as she tried to defend her husband. Ibrahim Mahetar’s children and the brothers’ mother, Aysha Mahetar,
also witnessed the fatal assault. Leeds Crown Court was told that Ibrahim Mahetar heard of an alleged affair between his wife Sabrina Mamaniat and his brother in April last year. On the day before the murder, Ibrahim Mahetar recorded himself asking his wife about the rumour, and she said that the pair had sex on one occasion. The jury found him guilty of murder by a majority of 10-1 on Tuesday following a seven-day trial. Sentencing the defendant to life
imprisonment with a minimum of 16 years and 188 days, Judge Rodney Jameson QC told him: “All this because of your irrational obsession that your wife was unfaithful.” Richard Wright QC, mitigating, said the defendant’s actions were ‘driven by paranoia’. He said: “It does not justify for a moment the violence that was used but it does explain what happened that night from his perspective. Judge Jameson added: “I do not conclude that you planned to kill him. I am, however, satisfied that you
did intend to kill him when you stabbed him three times.” A family statement following Ibrahim Mahetar’s sentencing read: “As a family we continue to grieve the loss of Naseer, who was a loving son, husband, daddy, brother and friend to many. “Naseer was a kind, caring, hardworking family man who doted on his family. His young daughters (aged two and eight) miss their daddy terribly every day.
Continued on Page 2
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Friday March 1, 2019
Sibling jailed for murder Continued from Page 1
Deaths ADAMSON (NEE FOULSTONE) TINA JANET On February 15, peacefully at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, of Birkby, formerly of Thornhill Lees, aged 65, daughter of Betty and Eric. Funeral service will take place at Huddersfield Crematorium on Wednesday March 13 at 2pm.
ANDREWS JOAN On February 19, peacefully at home after a long illness bravely borne, aged 88, wife of Donald. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Friday March 22 at 11.30am.
APPLEYARD ARTHUR On February 16, passed away peacefully, of Soothill, aged 93, husband of the late Mavis. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Tuesday March 26 at 11.30am.
BLAKELEY MARILYN On February 6, suddenly at home, aged 74, wife of Ray. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Thursday March 7 at 9.30am.
BROSKOM (NEE SYKES) GLADYS EVELYN
FIELD (NEE HUNTER) STEPHANIE JAYNE
On February 19, peacefully at Pinderfields Hospital, of Batley, aged 87, wife of the late Norman. Funeral service will take place at The Twin Chapel, Batley, on Monday March 18 at 2.30pm.
On February 22, suddenly at Pinderfields Hospital, of Earlsheaton, aged 56, loved partner and companion of Paul. Funeral service will take place at Wakefield Crematorium on Thursday March 14 at 1.40pm.
CHAPMAN JIM
FIRTH ALAN
On February 15, peacefully at Bradford Royal Infirmary, of Birkenshaw, aged 81, loving long-term partner, much-loved dad and devoted grandad. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Friday March 15 at 10.30am.
On February 17, suddenly, aged 79, husband of Anne. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Wednesday March 20 at 11.30am.
GAVAGHAN (NEE BADDELEY) SHIRLEY
CLAYTON JEFFREY
On February 17, peacefully after a short illness at Pinderfields Hospital, of Birstall, aged 83, wife of the late James. Funeral service will take place at St Mary’s RC Church, Batley, on Tuesday March 19 at 9.30am.
On February 13, peacefully at Pinderfields Hospital, of Earlsheaton, aged 87, husband of the late Margaret. Funeral service will take place at Wakefield Crematorium on Friday March 8 at 10am.
DALBY DEREK
GOODALL (NEE SNOWDON) EILEEN
On February 16, peacefully at Pinderfields Hospital, of Hanging Heaton, aged 87, husband of the late Iris. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Thursday March 14 at 9.30am.
On February 17, in hospital after a short illness, aged 93, much-loved mum, gran, great grandma, auntie and a friend to many. Funeral service will take place at Grove United Reformed Church, Gomersal, on Wednesday March 6 at 1.30pm.
Place your family notices by calling 01924 470296
GRAY (NEE FYFE) ALICE
Telephone 01924 472178
BOLLANDS (BIRSTALL)
On February 15, peacefully at Dewsbury and District Hospital, of Batley, aged 97, wife of the late Jim. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Thursday March 21st at 11.30am.
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On February 18, at his home in Dewsbury, aged 91, husband of Margaret. Funeral service will take place at Wakefield
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Crematorium on Thursday March 14 at 11.40am.
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HUTCHINSON (NEE STRINGER) ANN
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On February 16, aged 65, wife of Chris. Funeral enquiries to George Brooke Ltd Funeral Directors, 01924 454476.
On February 24, peacefully at Pinderfields Hospital with her family around her, of Mirfield, aged 75, wife of David. Funeral service will take place at Huddersfield Crematorium on Saturday March 9 at 12pm.
KENDREW JEAN ELIZABETH On February 17, after a short illness at Pinderfields Hospital, aged 93, wife of the late Leslie. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Friday March 15 at 9.30am.
LORD AUDREY On February 7, peacefully at Southfield Court Care Home, Huddersfield, formerly of Heckmondwike, aged 88, wife of the late Clifford and John. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Monday March 11 at 11.30am.
LUPTON TERENCE STEVEN On February 10, in hospital, aged 69, son of Fred and Alice, brother of Richard. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Monday March 18 at 10.30am.
OTHICK MICHELLE On February 22, peacefully in hospital, of Batley, aged 52, wife of Tony. Funeral service will take place at Cottingley Hall Crematorium on
PERRY LYNDON GARTH (JIM) On February 16, at Fieldhead Park Nursing Home, Mirfield, aged 93, widow, dad, grandad, great grandad, and a very dear friend. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Monday March 25 at 12.30pm.
STEVENS (NEE O’DONNELL) MARY On February 21, in hospital, of Liversedge, aged 63, wife of Bob. Funeral service will take place at Huddersfield Crematorium on Saturday March 16 at 12pm.
SYKES EDGAR On February 21, peacefully at home, Staincliffe, aged 87, husband of Audrey. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Monday March 18 at 9.30am.
SHAH JAN
THORNE CHRISTINE
On February 11, suddenly in hospital, aged 74, a loving brother, uncle and good friend to many. Funeral service will take place at St Andrew’s Church, Purlwell, on Thursday March 7 at 11.15am.
On February 4, passed away peacefully, aged 69, partner to Peter. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Friday March 8 at 9.30am.
SPEIGHT ANTHONY (TONY) On February 10, after many years of ill health, aged 74, husband to Mary. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Tuesday March 19 at 12.30pm.
STEAD JEFFREY On February 19, peacefully at Dewsbury and District Hospital, of Dewsbury, aged
PARRY (nee Sheard)
Connie
On February 16th 2019, peacefully at Croft House Care Home, Gawthorpe, Connie aged 79 years formerly of Mirfield. Wife of Glyn, mother of Simon and Daniel. Funeral service and committal will be held at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Thursday March 14th at 10.30am. Family flowers only please by request, donations in lieu if so desired for The Alzheimer's Society for which a plate will be available. Will friends please meet at the Crematorium.
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92, husband of Barbara. Funeral service will take place at Wakefield Crematorium on Monday March 18 at 11am.
TOTH ALEX On February 4, suddenly in Pinderfields Hospital surrounded by his family, of Thornhill, aged 87, husband of the late Margaret. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Wednesday March 13 at 12.30pm.
WALSH ERIC AND MARION On February 4, aged 93 and 90, of Lightcliffe, loving and sadly missed parents of Carole. Funeral service will take place at Park Wood Crematorium on Monday March 11 at 1.30pm.
Place your family notices by calling 01924 470296 or visit our office at 31 Branch Road, Batley, WF17 5SB
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There is not a day that passes without us thinking of him and the happier times we had together. “We respect and appreciate the findings of the court and we are grateful to all those involved in the case and thank them for their hard work and support in bringing Naseer’s case to its conclusion. “Despite the outcome of the trial, Ibrahim Mahetar is responsible for dramatically changing our lives forever. Nothing can ever compensate us or fill the void of our loss. Our sentence is a life sentence without Naseer.” Det Insp Emma Winfield, of the homicide and major enquiry team, added: “We welcome the sentence which has been passed down to Ibrahim Mahetar. “I would like to pay tribute to Naseer’s family, who have been left utterly devastated by his death. “They have had the added trauma of reliving the events through the court process, which has been extremely difficult for them.”
Legend Maloney passes away TRIBUTES from across the rugby league world have flooded in for former Dewsbury and Shaw Cross player John Maloney, who passed away last week at the age of 72. Though he played the majority of his rugby – 226 games – for Hull FC, he had a spell at Shaw Cross before signing for the Black and Whites in 1965. John, who played most of his rugby in the centre, is still Hull’s second all-time points scorer and is often regarded as the club’s greatest-ever goal kicker. He signed for Dewsbury in September 1973 before finishing his career at Rochdale. Dewsbury-raised, John was a passionate life member of Dewsbury Irish National Club and was a member of St Paulinus RC Church. He also researched local history and cowrote a book about the men from St Paulinus killed in World War One. His son Francis represented England in rugby league on two occasions, and his grandson Dominic followed in his footsteps to play for Hull FC. FC historian Bill Dalton said: “John was a great player and always someone who had time for the young lads in the clubhouse after the game.” Great Britain and Leeds Rhinos legend Garry Schofield tweeted: “Sad to hear of the passing of my coach and great friend John Maloney, a brilliant bloke and great full-back for Hull FC. RIP mate and condolences to Francis and all the family.” Details of John’s funeral are yet to be confirmed. For enquiries, ring Eric F. Box Funeral Directors on 01924 465402. The Press abides by the principles of the Independent Press Standards Organisation and at all times attempts to report fairly and accurately and correct mistakes or errors as soon as possible. In the first instance, contact the editor, otherwise we will be happy to give details of the Independent Press Standards Organisation. If you notice a factual inaccuracy, please email news@thepressnews.co.uk. You can also write to The Press, 31 Branch Road, Batley, WF17 5SB We adhere to the Editors’ Code of Practice as enforced by IPSO, who are contactable for advice at: IPSO, Gate House, 1 Farringdon Street, London, EC4M 7LG Website: www.ipso.co.uk Email: advice@ipso.co.uk Telephone: 0300 123 2220
Talk on the NHS NORTH KIRKLEES: The next meeting of Batley and Dewsbury Probus Club is on Tuesday (March 5) at Batley Older People’s Centre on Upper Commercial Street. Jeff Jacklin will give an illustrated talk called ‘Life in the NHS – it only hurts when I laugh’ with a 10am for 10.30am start.
Call The Press newsroom on 01924 470296 or email news@ thepress news.co.uk
ThePress
Friday March 1, 2019
‘For years she felt she had no voice and was powerless... but she has a voice now, gentlemen’ Grooming trial judge’s support for victim as nine men, including two from Dewsbury, are jailed By Staff Reporters TWO men from Dewsbury have been locked up for a total of 24 years for their part in the “insidious” grooming, rape and sexual exploitation of two vulnerable girls in care. Kieran Harris, 28, of Fir Parade, Ravensthorpe, was jailed for 17 years for two charges of rape and Fahim Iqbal, 28, of Quarry Road, Westtown, was sentenced to seven years for aiding and abetting rape. The grooming gang of nine men, mostly from Bradford, were sentenced at Bradford Crown Court this week to a total of 132 years behind bars for 21 charges including causing or inciting child prostitution, rape and sexual assault. Sentencing the gang, Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC said: “Your behaviour has been as wicked as it is incomprehensible to our society, and indeed all in the community.” The charges relate to the sexual abuse of the girls in Bradford and Kirklees between 2008 and 2009 and followed an investigation launched in 2014 after both made reports to the police. The girls were residents of a Bradford care home and the first victim was just 14 when Basharat Khaliq, 38, of Bradford, began rap-
Kieran Harris ... 17 years
Fahim Iqbal ... seven years
ing her. He would wait outside the children’s home after midnight to pick her up in his car. He then sexually abused the second girl in a hotel in Bradford, while he was in bed with both victims. He was jailed for 20 years on five counts of rape and one of assault by penetration. The jury heard that the first teenager was abused by all nine defendants and other men from across the country who attended a “party house” in Bradford, where she became addicted to alcohol and cocaine. The “party house” was a property owned by Saeed Akhtar, 55, in Allerton. He was jailed for 20 years for one offence of rape and two of causing or inciting child prostitution. He would send the girl out to exchange sex for drugs. Judge Hall said: “She was treated by you, or some of you, like a toy or a commodity to be used.
“For years she felt she had no voice and that she was powerless, but she’s got a voice now, gentlemen.” He added: “The jury has seen this case for what it is: clear, determined, cynical and insidious grooming.” The court heard how Harris spiked the teenager’s drink to rape her, swapping places with Iqbal, who was having consensual sex with her. The girl described him as an “evil-faced pixie man”. Judge Hall said of Iqbal: “Whether for a laugh or a joke, you thought it was okay for Kieran to take over and that was rape.” The victim, now in her early 20s, read out a personal statement to the court, telling of the mental health issues she has battled as a consequence of the abuse and that she has been scarred for life by self-harming. She told how she was an aca-
Discount deal on garden waste collections RESIDENTS who sign up early for Kirklees Council’s new kerbside garden waste collection service can bag a 20 per cent discount. Those who register for the new service will receive a standard 240-litre brown wheelie bin for domestic garden waste, like grass and hedge cuttings, to be collected fortnightly by Kirklees. Residents can request up to two bins per household, with a rolling subscription charge for the collection service of £37.50 per year for one bin, or £67.50 for two bins. Early birds signing up for the service before March 31 will
receive a 20 per cent discount for one bin for the first year, reducing the cost to just £30. The council is encouraging early sign-ups so households not only benefit from the discounted rate but also ensure their bin is delivered in time to be used for the first collections, which are expected to start in May. Coun Naheed Mather, cabinet member for communities and environment, said: “This new scheme is a clear demonstration of our commitment for Kirklees to have a high-quality, clean, sustainable and green environment.
“People are more aware than ever of their impact on the environment and want to do something about it. “Our garden waste collection helps people to be greener, whilst also offering more convenience, with each collection less than the price of a cup of coffee from some high street shops. “I urge people to sign up now to benefit from the discount and have peace of mind that their bin will be delivered before the first collections start.” For more info and to sign up, visit www.kirklees.gov.uk/gardenwaste.
WE BUY GOLD Driver arrested after AND SILVER pedestrian fatally injured at traffic lights
demic child but committed multiple offences as a cry for help or out of frustration. She became emotional when she told how she was forced into putting her first child up for adoption in her mid-teens. “I can’t change what happened but getting justice is the first step to moving on from this,” she said. A statement from the second victim was also read out. It said she still lives with fear and anxiety, having been “manipulated, used, nothing but a toy to play with”. The other defendants were: Naveed Akhtar, 43, jailed for 17 years for two counts of rape; Parvaze Ahmed, 36, jailed for 17 years for three charges of rape; Izar Hussain, 32, sentenced to 16 years for one charge of rape; Zeeshan Ali, 32, jailed for 18 months on one count of sexual assault; and Mohammed Usman, 31, sentenced to 17 years for two counts of rape. All are of Bradford. A 10th man was found not guilty by majority verdict. Iqbal and Akhtar will face a further sentencing next month after pleading guilty to plotting to supply drugs and to convey phones into prison during the course of the trial. They were caught committing the offences on February 4.
The
A 40-YEAR-OLD man has died following an accident on the A653 Dewsbury Road at Tingley at around 8pm last Saturday. An orange Toyota Aygo travelling in the direction of Dewsbury collided with a pedestrian who was crossing at traffic lights at the junction with Syke Road. The driver, a 19year-old man, stopped at the scene and was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury through dangerous driving. He has been released under investigation.
The pedestrian died later in hospital. Detectives are appealing for witnesses or anyone who saw the vehicle and pedestrian involved in the area before the collision to come forward. Police have taken CCTV footage from local businesses and homes to help their investigation. Anyone with information or who may have dashcam footage is asked to contact police on 101 or use the live chat facility at www.westyorkshire.po lice.uk, quoting reference 13190099619
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MIRFIELD: Three people arrested after a man died at a house in Mirfield last week have been released under investigation. The 39-year-old man, named locally as Danny Fennell, died at a property in Hopton Avenue, Upper Hopton, last Wednesday at around 9.20am. Police are treating his death as unexplained and enquiries are ongoing.
Festivals’ £2m boost CLECKHEATON: Cleckheaton Folk Festival is one of three music festivals to have boosted the economy in Kirklees by more than £2.2m a year. The income is also generated by Marsden Jazz Festival and Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, and equates to support for at least 88 full-time jobs. The economic worth of the events has increased by almost 54 per cent from 2015 to 2017.
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KIRKLEES: Educational outcomes for children in Kirklees are generally below national standards according to a new report. Kirklees Council officers said the Kirklees Annual Educational Quality and Standards Report shows performance across all key stages in comparison to national performance “has not been at the levels we aspire to”. In writing, 67 per cent of pupils reached the expected standard in 2018 compared with 70 per cent nationally, and at Key Stage 1 reading attainment remained at 71 per cent, below the national average of 75 per cent. Presenting the report to the Council’s cabinet, Coun Masood Ahmed (Lab, Dewsbury South) said: “We welcome the detailed analysis that shows the current performance of our district and recognise that there are opportunities to improve.”
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Friday March 1, 2019
‘Democracy has been thrown out of the window tonight’ – Tory leader By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter KIRKLEES approved its controversial Local Plan during a bruising meeting that descended into chaos. There was pandemonium in Huddersfield Town Hall as the “extraordinary” council meeting was cut short with more than an hour still to go. And as rival groups clashed over whether members should be allowed to speak on planning issues affecting their wards there were accusations that they had been prevented from speaking and effectively gagged. Speaking after the meeting disappointed and frustrated Conservative group leader David Hall described events as “the most appalling abuse of power I have seen on this council in 15 years.” Liberal Democrat group pleader John Lawson said the decision to close down debate would “shatter public confidence in our decision-making process”. An order from the government, the Local Plan includes 31,000 homes, many of which will have to be built within the green belt, as there
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is insufficient non-green belt land in the borough. There was little doubt that it would be adopted, given the ruling Labour group’s majority. Recommending the proposed plan for adoption Coun Peter McBride (Lab, Dalton) said it was the culmination of a 10-year “epic journey”. He acknowledged the weight of feeling from some residents who objected to the loss of local amenities. But he added: “Within the council we toiled with the conflict of, on the one hand, the need for a substantial number of houses and on the other an inevitable loss of green belt. “The (planning) inspectors vindicated the view of the council that land was needed for housing and employment on the scale that we proposed and in the places that we proposed. “But it is in no sense of triumph do we maintain our position; rather we have tried to expand sensitively and sustainably.” He called the Local Plan “a complex, finelycrafted piece of work costing many millions” that would deliver growth, jobs, opportunities and houses “which will guarantee the future of this borough for a generation”. Council leader Shabir Pandor (Lab, Batley West) said the Local Plan was about “regeneration, renewal and rejuvenation”. He called it “fantastic news for Kirklees” and said it was a plan for the prosperity and wellbeing of the borough. Coun Hall (Con, Liversedge and Gomersal) offered a different point of view. He warned that the next 15 years will see
Kirklees becoming “a series of congested, overcrowded, dormitory communities for Leeds and Bradford” courtesy of a Local Plan that will “blight” the area. He added: “The inspectors may have ruled that it is a sound plan, but that does not imply that it is the right plan. “Yes, we need more housing, more business and industrial growth and the right planning policies to guard our quality of life. “But this is a plan which will achieve the opposite of what it purports to do.” He said it would inhibit growth and put thousands of houses in places where infrastructure is already “groaning” under pressure. Quoting a report from the National Audit Office Coun Lawson said large parts of the Local Plan had been thrown into doubt because they lacked the supporting infrastructure required to make them viable. He said a third of housing had been taken from former green belt land to be handed over for development “with no firm commitment” about infrastructure such as transport, healthcare, schools and utilities. He said the plan was based on “flawed methodology”. Around a third of members spoke in the debate before Labour’s Coun Gulfam Asif called for the plan to be put to the vote. Amid rancorous scenes and much confusion, and after being challenged by the Conservatives’ Michael Watson (Denby Dale), mayor of Kirklees Coun Gwen Lowe took advice from officers and said she was satisfied that the matter had been discussed sufficiently.
The Local Plan was passed by a 33-23 vote with three abstentions. Speaking afterwards Coun Hall said: “I’m furious. “This is one of the most important issues that we have to debate as a council, but council has been gagged and the plan has been steamrollered through by the Labour group. “Democracy has been thrown out of the window tonight.” Coun Lawson added: “I feel gutted. We had members that felt passionately about what is going on and about what is a very important and long-term plan and they were cut off before they could speak. “They have worked hard, some of them, for years and years and then at the last opportunity to speak Labour shut down the debate. “The whole proceedings were brought to a halt in such a shudderingly chaotic fashion that it makes a mess of council. It’s very saddening.” Other councillors vented their feelings on social media. Coun Kath Pinnock (Lib Dem, Cleckheaton) wrote: “Ended in Labour bullyboy tactics rather than democracy in action.” Coun Vivien Lees-Hamilton (Con, Mirfield) wrote: “Today is the day democracy in #Kirklees died. Gagged by #labour.” Revealing why he pushed for a vote Coun Asif (Lab, Dewsbury South) said: “It was going round in circles. “They weren’t making points. They were ranting on and attacking our group. “This has been going on for years. They have had more than enough time to come back. To come to this final day and then rant, that’s what irritated me.”
Building bridges GIRLS from the Kumon Y’all youth group have been building bridges between different ages and cultures. The teenagers went to the Charles Jones Court sheltered housing complex, off Hayburn Road in Batley, to socialise with the residents. It proved to be a memorable day as the Kumon Y’all girls sat with the elderly and shared stories whilst snacking on samosas and kebabs they had prepared in their weekly sessions in Dewsbury. After getting to know each
other, everyone was split into teams to play a friendly game of Boccia. Safiya Rekhad, 14, said: “It was a great opportunity to talk and play games with the elderly. I made a lovely new friend Irene who I’ll hopefully see again.” Charles Jones Court resident Anne said: “The atmosphere was
great; the girls are wonderful.” The girls also stood up to give their first-ever speech on how important community is to them and the true meaning of Islam, which is peace. Both parties agreed to try and arrange more regular get-togethers to build stronger bridges between the communities.
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ThePress
Friday March 1, 2019
Stolen boilers worth £160k found by police A TRUCK full of stolen boilers worth £160,000 and an Audi SQ5 have been recovered by police in Batley. The truck – an Iveco Ford cargo vehicle – was stolen outside West Yorkshire and used to steal 80 boilers from a business also outside the region. Acting on intelligence, officers found the lorry, boilers and the Audi off Pickles Street in Batley last Wednesday. The car had been stolen from the Penistone area of South Yorkshire on Friday, February 8. Inspector Dorian James, of the Batley and Spen Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This was an excellent piece of police work which has seen the recovery of a substantial amount of valuable property.” Anyone with information is asked to call West Yorkshire Police on 101.
‘Do your bit’, pleads clean-up campaigner By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter BATLEY is the area of Kirklees with the highest reports of fly-tipping – but a clean-up campaigner says it only takes a moment to register problem hotspots online. Paul Young is urging residents to do their bit by photographing regular dumping areas. He credits his own reports for the reason Batley’s fly-tipping status is so poor and calls it “a good indicator, rather than a bad one, because it means the problem is being reported”. Mr Young, who runs the community group Batley Against Tipping, organises regular litter picks. But in the last few days the 43-year-old father-of-two has taken to social media to show how simple it is to highlight fly-tipping areas and to register “BAT it in the bin!” – that’s the issue with Kirklees the message from Batley Council. campaigner Paul Young, One site, a car park who is on a mission to tidy at Providence Street in up the town. Batley, is littered with Mr Young has been out rubble, furniture, work and about this week putbenches – and even ting up stickers for his asbestos. ‘BAT it in the bin’ cam“The car park was paign. BAT stands for part of the old Kirklees ‘Batley Against Tipping’ College site, which was and Mr Young has had persold about a year ago,” mission from Kirklees said Mr Young. Council to place the signs “Since then people around the town, in the have been lobbing their
rubbish on there, including a bag of asbestos. “The problem is that it’s near to a children’s nursery.” He says incidents of fly tipping have increased since Kirklees Council imposed restrictions on the type of waste residents can take to their local tip. “It’s a ridiculous situation,” he added. “Just bonkers. If you have a small piece of plasterboard from your home, you can’t take it to your local tip unless you’re registered. “Some people might do that but a lot more will just dump it. “I’d like to get some prosecutions around hotspots. Unless the policy changes or there is an effectively-policed deterrent, it won’t change.” Mr Young said he was reaching out to anyone in Batley to ask them to do their bit. “The message is: ‘We can do this’. There’s been quite a lot of chathope they will ter on social media. If encourage people to put that inspires some peotheir waste in a bin. Mr Young is also organis- ple to say that fly-tipping isn’t acceptable, ing a town clean-up as part that’s great. of the Great British Spring “I’ve copied in local Clean on March 23. councillors to my variHe’s looking for suggesous tweets. They can tions of places in Batley push it a little more that need a good clean and than me. Shabir Pandor, will also need volunteers to the council leader, is my help on the day. councillor. If someone People can get in touch can get something done with him via Batley BATS it must be the leader of on Facebook or Twitter. the council.”
‘Bat it in the bin’
Two-car crash POLICE were called to a two-car crash in Staincliffe on Sunday evening, after a dark grey BMW and a silver Vauxhall collided at the Halifax Road junction with Staincliffe Hall Road. Two children and a man and woman suffered minor injuries. Picture: Mike Clark
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News In Brief Man, 91, killed on pedestrian crossing MIRFIELD: Police are appealing for witnesses to a road accident in which a 91year-old man was killed in Mirfield on Saturday evening. The man was in collision with a car on a pedestrian crossing in Water Royd Lane shortly before 7pm and was pronounced dead at the scene. Anyone who saw the pedestrian or vehicle prior to the collision is asked to get in touch via 101, quoting crime reference 13190099548, or use the live chat facility at www.westyorkshire.police.uk.
Park flag ceremony BATLEY: The Friends of Wilton Park will be holding a ceremony to mark the Green Flag status conferred on it last July. The international award recognises spaces with the highest possible environmental standards and excellent visitor facilities. Mayor of Kirklees Gwen Lowe will raise the flag on Thursday, March 21 (1pm).
Mayor’s challenge KIRKLEES: Mayor of Kirklees Gwen Lowe is holding a business ‘charity challenge week’ from April 29 to May 3. She is encouraging all businesses in the district, large or small, to hold events – such as a cake bake or dress-down day – during that week to raise money for her two chosen charities, the RSPCA and Kirkwood Hospice. She will attempt to attend each event and then publicise it and the business on social media. “Wouldn’t it be amazing if every business could do something, no matter how small,” said Coun Lowe. To take part or to find out more, email mayorsappeal@gmail.com with your contact details.
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Friday March 1, 2019
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A very real threat of civil strife HEN Conservative defector Anna Soubry was harassed outside the Houses of Parliament by Brexit campaigners, the horrific murder of poor Jo Cox was predictably bandied about.
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The implicit establishment slander was that any dissenters from the neo-liberal doctrine are hateful, racist bigots to be compared to Thomas Mair … and given the Brexit tensions, the next political murder is imminent. It was a narrative that took shape rapidly after the EU referendum went the ‘wrong’ way for the control freaks in the metropolitan-dominated elite and it’s only hardened and been increasingly weaponised by the mainstream media and political classes. It would verge on boring, the way these self-imagined
The Miners’ Strike: Could we see scenes such as this again in the UK?
‘liberal thinkers’ have divided the nation with their betrayal of democracy, if it wasn’t so deadly dangerous. Deadly? I think so. As hap-
less Theresa May is backed further up into the corner of betraying Brexit (because to delay is to effectively abandon) that is today’s elephant
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in the room – civil war, or at least civil strife. No-one’s talking about it, but I’ll bet that a lot of people in authority are seriously considering the very real and present threat of violence. It would be an ultra-optimist to say it isn’t possible. The Anna Soubry aggravation was a storm in a teacup, comparatively. She didn’t even look unduly flustered by the mouthfuls of unseemly abuse, as well she needn’t with some very burly police officers between her and her taunters. But another ‘Jo Cox’? The first was unthinkable that it could happen, unbelievable that it did, unimag-
inable that it might again – but that is precisely what I believe the militant Remain lobby risk bringing about with their ongoing attempts to subvert Brexit. I can’t imagine when this country was as divided as it is now without going back to the 17th century. The General Strike of 1926, or the Miners’ Strike in more recent times? I’m not sure even they compare with the social schism we see today because within a few short weeks, democracy could be rendered well and truly dead. If the Remain lobby are victorious in thwarting Brexit – and complicit will be the ‘no to no deal’ MPs like Batley & Spen’s Tracy Brabin, arch-Remainers taking cover behind a cowardly subterfuge – then the turmoil and the blowback should be on all of their heads. But it won’t be and that’s where the graver danger lies, because if and when the betrayal succeeds and a sizeable number of those 17.4m Leave voters show their righteous anger – and especially if some lunatic does go beyond the pale – then we’ll all be tarred with the Soubry and Co brush. The first innocent to be hurt will become a martyr to the Remain/establishment conspirators’ cause. It will play beautifully into their hands and this will be their logic: ‘See, we told you they were all racist, idiot,
bigots, those Leave morons. Turning nasty, they can’t respect Parliament and democracy, they shouldn’t be allowed the vote…’ I fear this tragic social chasm that widens by the day and which the Remain establishment has deliberately, malignly, divided British society with, could render civil strife inevitable. The Parliamentary fix to kill Brexit appears to be in and if it is, London will witness a sea of angry British men and women like never seen before. People who show relatively restrained dissent are already being demonised as enemies of the state, banned from social media platforms and scandalously libelled with lies the mainstream media will not let them challenge. In those circumstances I believe it could be argued that the people who fight back will have the moral right to insurrection – because democracy will be dead and it will be time to invoke the spirit of Oliver Cromwell when he dismissed Parliament: “It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonored by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice. “Ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government … in the name of God, go.”
Awards have wicked sense of irony ’M NOT sure at what point simple fact transforms into hilarious farce, but I can promise you that it happened, in glorious, vivid technicolour, at the British Muslim Awards in Bradford last week. Either the organisers have a wicked sense of irony or a vile disposition towards mockery – or perhaps even both – judging by them giving West Yorkshire Police their Diversity Champions award. They must have been taking the proverbial. My invitation must have got lost in the post, but I really would have struggled to keep a straight face if I’d been asked to present hapless Chief Constable Dee Collins with that bauble, which is by all accounts a premature retirement present and just about the only ‘achievement’ of any significance in her disastrous tenure. A condition of Collins’s upcoming handsome pay-off package should be a requirement to sit in the gallery at Leeds Crown Court as the next lot of 30 Huddersfield rapists are tried – and following them to sit and bear witness to however many of the 55 Dewsbury and Batley sex abusers are eventually charged. I suspect there are more arrests to come there, too. But back to this award, ‘won’ despite the internal West Yorkshire force rumblings about high-flying Muslim officer Maboob Hussain, who was shunted off into a gift-wrapped senior role as Assistant Chief Constable at the equally troubled and equally politically correct Greater Manchester Police.
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I’m sure ‘Mabs’ (as he is known) will feel right at home because the fact is these two police forces have presided over industrial-scale grooming and raping of thousands of white British girls by overwhelmingly Muslim gangs for decades. Describing the police’s approach to this evil scandal as turning a blind eye, is to insult the visually impaired. It was tacit collusion, but instead of public humiliation and criminal charges, the guilty will all be handsomely pensioned off long before a public inquiry delivers tut-tut admonishments years hence. The only shame is that instead of a trophy or a plaque, Dee Collins wasn’t presented with a few dozen Labrador guide dogs. They would have been handy for not just helping witless West Yorkshire detectives cross the road, but would come in handy for sniffing out the drugs flooding the county’s streets. Maybe they could even be trained to sense the fearful tremors of vulnerable young girls about to be plied with vodka or injected with heroin and passed round a room full of men. The added bonus is that each dog could be presented to Collins, or better still individual detectives from Bradford or Kirklees, by one of the young female victims. The awards ceremony might have to be extended a few hours though, given the numbers of raped children there were. West Yorkshire Police were unsurprisingly crowing their delight at their ‘Diversity’ win. They have no shame.
ThePress
Friday March 1, 2019
Armed raid thugs rob store
A GANG of four armed men robbed a convenience store and injured the shopkeeper as they trashed the premises. The thugs burst into Bennett Lane Stores on Leeds Road, Dewsbury, at around 8.20pm last Thursday evening.
They demanded cigarettes from the shopkeeper and when he refused they started causing damage and he was cut on his hand. All four suspects are described as white males. The first was around 5ft
6ins-8ins tall, of medium build, who wore a grey hoodie, black bottoms, trainers and a balaclava. The second was 5ft 10ins6ft, of athletic build, who wore dark trousers and a balaclava. The third suspect was 6ft tall, of athletic
build, and the fourth was 5ft 6ins, of stocky build. Both wore a balaclava and dark trousers. Anyone with information should contact Kirklees CID via 101, quoting crime reference number 13190096092.
Week of action on slavery leads to three arrests By Steve Martyn
Project workers offer help to a homeless person in Leeds
Mosque alliance helps homeless VOLUNTEERS from almost 30 mosques in Dewsbury teamed up to serve food and distribute warm clothing and sleeping bags to homeless people in Leeds. The Dewsbury Mosques Alliance, a group aiming to deliver social action projects, visited the city centre on Saturday night. Imam Abdul Hakim, of Masjid Noor in Thornhill Lees, said: “The principle of looking after the most vulnerable in society without judgement is established in our faith and
well-practiced throughout the world by Muslims. We want to spread that same message on a much more local level – after all, charity starts at home.” Imam Faizur Rehman, of Masjid-eMadani in Dewsbury Moor, added: “As individual mosques, we deliver charitable and social action projects on a regular basis. “But we wanted to come together as an umbrella organisation to be more effective and hopefully deliver even more good projects locally.”
A WEEK of action to tackle human trafficking and modern slavery in North Kirklees led to three arrests. Detectives and neighbourhood policing teams led an operation last week in partnership with agencies including the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, Kirklees Housing, HM Revenue and Customs, Immigration Enforcement, Safer Kirklees, West Yorkshire Fire Service and Hope for Justice. The aim was to disrupt serious organised crime, identify victims and raise awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery. Officers and partner agencies attended various addresses and businesses in Batley, Dewsbury and Cleckheaton throughout the week. Potential victims were identified and have been offered support and advice, and referrals were made to the National Referral Mechanism, which ensures human trafficking victims receive appropriate care.
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Three people were arrested for immigration offences. Det Insp Damian Simpson, of Kirklees Safeguarding Unit, said: “Together with our partner agencies, we conducted an operation with the aim to disrupt any criminal activity linked to human trafficking and modern slavery. “Modern slavery and human trafficking is a largely hidden crime... pro-active operations the police and other agencies put together... help tackle this serious crime and educate members of the public about how they can help us. “We often have intelligence come to us from residents and communities which can prove vital to our investigations. “I would urge anyone who has any information or concerns about a business premises or something in their local community to contact the police via 101.” The operation was part of Programme Precision, a crackdown on serious and organised crime in West Yorkshire. For more information visit www.westyorkshire.police.uk/precision.
News In Brief Hospital death of ‘hammer attack’ man BATLEY: A man who was allegedly hit over the head with a hammer during a violent attack last month has died in hospital. Firoz Pagarkar, 46, was attacked in Highfield Court, Soothill, in the early hours of Thursday, January 3. He died from his injuries on Sunday. Mr Pagarkar’s neighbour, 49-year-old Abdul Kapade, of Highfield Court, appeared in court last month charged with attempted murder. A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “Court proceedings remain ongoing in relation to the incident and Abdul Kapade will next appear before Leeds Crown Court on Friday, March 22.”
Biker dies after crash BATLEY: A motorcyclist from Batley has died after a crash in Rothwell. West Yorkshire Police confirmed that the 23-year-old man was injured in a collision on Leadwell Lane at around 6pm on Friday. He was taken to Leeds General Infirmary but died from his injuries on Sunday.
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Friday March 1, 2019
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Help discover the club’s rich heritage Batley Sporting Charitable Trust are carrying out a Heritage Lottery-funded project researching the history of Batley Rugby League Club, from its inception in 1880 and a major part of the project is awarding a heritage number to all individuals who played a first team game for the club. We are on the lookout for explayers or family members of ex-players who may no longer be with us so we can present heritage certificates once the full list has been compiled. We are also on the lookout for any memorabilia such as
Stamp increase is appalling From: Mr G Dennis, Birstall This is just to confirm that I will continue to support our local Post Office in Birstall as it remains one of our remaining pillars of the local community and is a total credit to the
Letter of the Week: Craig Lingard, via email photographs, old programmes etc that could be scanned and recorded for the project. Photographs can also be uploaded direct to the heritage website www.gallantyouths. co.uk, which is being used as a data collection tool and will be fully launched at the end of the
staff that includes David, Susan, Chris, Doreen and Karen. However, I am appalled to hear the news of the latest disgraceful postage stamp increases, with the second class rate being higher than the government price cap. To make it even worse the arrogant company announce they will donate the extra prof-
project. Information on the history of the club is also posted regularly on the heritage Twitter account @Batleyheritage. Please email craiglingard@ hotmail.com if you have any information or questions regarding the project.
its to charity. What about the poor end user? With current evolving technology it is plainly obvious that these establishments are under threat and purely profit related. In conclusion, there is absolutely no consideration for our elderly members who not only use the service but rely on it as part of their integration
Speakers’ Corner In this feature, we give a platform to local people to have their say. This week’s Speakers’ Corner is written by PAUL YOUNG, of the Batley Against Tipping community group
Making a real difference KNOW what you are thinking – ‘Here he goes again with another flytipping rant!’ Correct and perhaps this time I feel I should be even more angry as things appear to be getting worse – as this week’s paper suggests. However, behind the headlines is a glimmer of hope. When I put the photos used in this week’s article on Facebook (along with a number of other sites I found on my travels last week), there was a huge outpouring of support for my efforts to highlight the issue. There were a few calls of “What a nosey parker” or “Get a life mate”, but in the main 99 per cent of respondents were positive. I have been contacted by four individuals looking to help. They have seen the problem in their neighbourhood and want to make a difference. These are ordinary folk who have been inspired to pick up a glove (or maybe just a mouse and keyboard!) and get involved in helping tidy up our town. They are now actively
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helping, having been inspired by what we are doing. As I was typing this article, I got a call from Kirklees Council. They have agreed a better way for me to work with them, directing reports to the most appropriate teams. I have already seen that some of the fly-tipping has been moved, so I know our efforts are not in vain and progress is being made. Fly-tipping on private land is more difficult; the problem is down to the owner to sort out at their cost – I have heard from someone who had a
wrecked caravan left on their drive. I hope that the more we report the problem, the more the council will speak to the owners and the greater the likelihood they will fence off these areas or install CCTV to catch the perpetrators in action. The council only has finite resources; they could put the money they spend clearing up fly-tipping into front-line services. This can only happen when we pull together as a community; that’s you and I, the council and landowners, and stop accepting things are the way they are. Let’s all help make a change! Follow BatleyBATs on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for more information.
within our current society. Sadly I am now probably included within that age range, but fortunately I have been involved with the developing technology and can adapt accordingly.
Market used to be an asset From: LR Hirst, Mirfield A reply to the front page of The Press of February 15. I, like many more of your readers, agree with the three ladies who would like something done with the market and all of Dewsbury town centre before it is too late. This problem seems to be in most towns and cities these days. There has been such a change in our towns and surrounding villages since Kirklees got control I would not know where to start. My late father used to say all that is big is not good, and Kirklees has proved that. I will try and write a little about my vibrant and wonderful town, as many people have of my age. I started working on the market in 1937 when I was eight years old as a tea boy for a Mrs Smithson, who lived in a house near the old mill. It was 7am until 7pm and
involved taking tea to stallholders for 2/6 a day which I gave to my mother and received 2 1/2 pence back as spending money. Dewsbury Market was established in 1583 and closed in 1593 because of the plague. It did not re-open until February 1740 in the market square and Crackenedge Lane. It became known as one of the best markets in Yorkshire, and was a wonderful town centre. You could buy most things. I have an official handbook that states: “Dewsbury as an important shopping centre is entirely due to the go-ahead policy of the traders. “This attracts thousands of people from all parts of the country to the borough. Dewsbury’s geographical situation is an admirable one, and having a good bus and train service brings people into the town.” Not now, the public keep away because of Kirklees’ parking policies and parking officers and charges. That is one reason that shops and market stalls are empty, not forgetting high rents and rates, plus the run-down shops in the centre. Dewsbury Market used to be one of the best assets of the corporation. It consisted of 200 open stalls, a covered market with 40 shops all occupied. Opening days were Wednesday and Saturday for
the public, Tuesday and Friday for wholesale. Nothing will change in the once-vibrant town of Dewsbury while you have a council like Kirklees and people like the councillors that run it. Who would ever dream of building 31,000 houses with congested roads and infrastructure, except Kirklees councillors and planners?
Caught short? From: Douglas Parker, via email I would just like to add comment to Mr Roberts’ fine letter last week regarding the closed toilets in our area. Queen Victoria initiated provision for toilets, but not for unseemly acts inside toilets. For a while I did work with people with special needs, and they have all got keys for disabled toilets. While doing my work I got to know a park warden very well. When I asked him why the toilets were closed, he stated ‘as soon as I open the door they are at it’. Yes, men on mobile phones ringing each other, with more going on in the toilets than in the park. Kirklees understands this has been going on for years. With all this going on it seems odd being caught short, wetting a wall then getting a fine.
LATEST PLANNING APPLICATIONS A Ul-Haq, discharge condition 9 (Phase II Intrusive Site Investigation Report) on previous permission 2015/92068 for outline application for residential development, adjacent to 26 Track Road, Batley. T Zaman, four dwellings and associated site works, The Mill, Caulms Wood Road, Dewsbury. Jem Motor Cycle Centre, change of use from motorcycle showroom and sales to mixed use, Brookroyd Mills, 678 Bradford Road, Batley. I Hussain, single and two-storey rear and single-storey front extensions, 11 Old Mill View, Thornhill Lees. Kirklees Council Accessible Homes Team, single-storey side extension, 26 Ravenshouse Road, Scout Hill, Dewsbury. D Turver, first floor side extension with car port below, 27 Woodburn Avenue, Earlsheaton. Kirklees Council Housing Strategy, 2.4m high weldmesh fencing, Crescent Dale, Nunroyd,
Heckmondwike. S Parveen, second floor extension, 5 Savile Grove, Savile Town. N Khan, single-storey rear extension and second floor extension, 12 Savile Grove, Savile Town. M Ayub, single-storey rear extension, 28 Selbourne Avenue, Savile Town. Core Telecom, C/O Agent, alterations to building to form dwelling, Hillcrest, Edge Top Road, Thornhill. Jamia Masjid, two-storey extension, Albion Street, Heckmondwike. Gul Boston, demolition of attached garage and erection of two-storey side extensions and single-storey rear extension, 42 Cemetery Road, Heckmondwike. Z Patel, first floor rear extension (within a Conservation Area), Field House, 4 York Court, Upper Batley. Batley History Group, Listed Building Consent for installation of plaque, Batley Town Hall, Market Place, Batley. McDonalds Restaurants Ltd, non-
material amendment to previous permission 2018/93160 widening of access onto the site and alterations to car park circulation, reconfiguration of parking bays and drive thru lane, and associated works. Installation of island for signage and two new Customer Order Display (COD) with overhead canopies and installation of Goal Post height restrictor and new drive thru signage, McDonalds Restaurant, 2 Northgate Centre, Northgate, Heckmondwike. M A Khan, installation of replacement shop front (Within a Conservation Area), Family Relief Shop, Athlete King, 23 Commercial Street, Batley. Saeed Akbar, variation of condition 2 and 4 (plans) on previous application 2018/92850 for demolition of existing dwelling and erection of detached dwelling (Modified Proposal), 77 Latham Lane, Gomersal. C/O Agent, Dead or Dangerous
Tree, Cote Wall Mews, 2 Sands Lane, Mirfield. Chris Teale, demolition of garage and erection of single-storey side extension, 67 Syke Lane, Earlsheaton. M Shafiq, detached dwelling with integral garage, adjacent to 41 Stockhill Street, Dewsbury. S Fraser, double garage, 5 Cross Park Street, Earlsheaton. Spenborough Flower Fund Homes, discharge conditions 3 (materials) and 10 (Boundary Treatment) on previous application 2016/91214 for demolition of existing dwelling and erection of twostorey residential development for the elderly, Sunnyacres, 672 A Bradford Road, Birkenshaw. Mr & Mrs Walker, two-storey rear extension with recessed balcony and associated external works, 67 Slipper Lane, Mirfield. Bradford Brothers Ltd, dangerous tree TPO 16/94, 41 Healds Road, Dewsbury.
ThePress
Friday March 1, 2019
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District’s mosques join UK open day event MOSQUES in Batley and Dewsbury are taking part in a national ‘Visit My Mosque’ event this weekend. More than 250 UK mosques will hold open days on Sunday (March 3), inviting members of the community inside for refreshments, a tour and a chance to see the day-to-day goings-on of a Muslim place of worship. Mosques taking part include the Al
Fundraisers CLECKHEATON: A church in Cleckheaton is hoping to raise enough money to get rid of a pigeon infestation which has stopped them from ringing
It’s all peachy at Pear Tree A THRIVING riverside hostelry in Mirfield has picked up its third ‘pub of the season’ award. The team at The Pear Tree, on Huddersfield Road at Battyeford, was presented with a certificate for the winter 2018 period by Heavy Woollen CAMRA branch chairman Andy Kassube. Andy said: “On a cold Thursday night in February you would anticipate a pub to be a little quiet, however this certainly was not the case. “Recently we have seen two of the Heavy Woollen branch’s Good Beer Guide pubs put up for sale, so it was great to see so many people enjoying the atmosphere.” The Pear Tree has now won three pub of the season awards since Alan and Emmy Ingle took over in 2010, when the pub was struggling. Alan stressed that the award was down to the hard work his staff and the way they look after the customers, and more importantly thanked his locals for their support over such a long period.
Hashim Academy on Cambridge Street, Batley, Masjid Hira on William Street, Dewsbury, the Salfia Centre on Stoneybank Street, Scout Hill, Dewsbury, and the Darul Ilm Community Centre on Brewery Lane, Thornhill Lees. All local residents are welcome to take part. For more information go to www.visitmymosque.org. Enter your postcode to find more details of local participants.
the bells. St John’s Church, in the town centre, hasn’t been able to ring its bells for six months because of a flock of pigeons in the bell tower. Church members say it’ll cost around £1,500 for a professional pest controller
to sort the problem. They held a ‘nearly new sale’ last Friday in the church hall, and there’ll be a pancake day event at the Church Street site this Tuesday (March 5) from 5pm, with all proceeds going to the tower fund.
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Friday March 1, 2019
Dialect delight
Man jailed after £2m drugs plot
EE BAH GUM! Yorkshire dialect speakers from a Dewsbury-based group scooped a series of prizes at the ‘Mrs Sunderland’ competition at Huddersfield Town Hall. Their speaking skills saw them pick up first and third prize in the dialect speaking section at the prestigious celebration of music, speech and drama. Seven members of the Dewsbury District Third Age Yorkshire Dialect group read traditional Yorkshire pieces, with Alan Walker taking first prize and Edwina Ledgard claiming third. Other members took part in the dialect prose and poetry writing categories. Alan Walker, 84, performed 'Ballod o' Paddock Jack’ by FC Carter and was also asked to appear at a special concert at the end of the event.
MyMirfield Community and Business Award winners celebrate their success at last year’s event
Nominations for town’s awards soar above 1,000 By Steve Martyn Dialect group winners show off their prizes
Travellers move in A GROUP of travellers have set up camp in a Batley town centre car park. Caravans arrived at the New Way site, behind the library and the RAFA club, late last week, with one member of the group telling a Press reporter they would move on by Sunday. The travellers were still there on Thursday morning. Coun Naheed Mather, Kirklees Council’s cabinet member for communities and environment, said: “We’re aware of the situation...our legal team is taking necessary action to get back possession of the site.” See www.kirklees. gov.uk/travellers for updates.
VOTING has opened for the annual MyMirfield Community and Business Awards. For the fifth year, retailers, businesses and organisations will be recognised for what they have achieved for Mirfield and its community over the last 12 months. Winners will be announced at a black-tie evening on Saturday, March 23, at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford. Following over 1,000 nominations, community group MyMirfield created a shortlist for each award category. Co-founder Richard Hartley said: “It was both warming – as we read
the comments – and frustrating knowing we had to create a shortlist. “In the end the decisions became easier as many of those with the most number of nominations also had the community-based reasons attached to them. “We wish to thank everyone who nominated and encourage everyone who didn’t make the shortlist to keep up the good work.” Last year’s winners included The Whole Autism Family, Haighs Farm Shop and Mirfield Co-op. There are nine awards – community organisation, retail business, tradesman, professional or business, hair and beauty business, community project, food and drink business,
sporting organisation, community event and activity-based organisation. There’ll be entertainment on the night, including singer Kayle Asquith and magician Regan Lewis amongst others, as well as a fourcourse meal. The evening is also a fundraiser, with all proceeds going towards the Little Deer Wood activity centre which offers a range of outdoor activities for able-bodied and disabled people. Voting closes on March 18. To vote and to buy tickets (£35) visit www.mymirfieldawards.co.uk. Any prizes for the five-star auction and raffle can be donated via info@mymirfield.co.uk.
A MAN from Dewsbury has been jailed for his role in a drugs conspiracy which saw nearly £2m of heroin and cocaine seized. West Yorkshire Police's Programme Precision Team led an undercover operation to catch the drugs gang between February 2017 and March 2018. It resulted in the criminals, including Shafiq Rafiq, of School Lane, being locked up for more than 94 years. The operation saw Rafiq, 38, jailed for seven years and two months for conspiring to supply class A drugs. Thirteen other men from across West Yorkshire were jailed for a total of more than 87 years for similar offences. More than 27kg of high purity class A drugs, cannabis, £116,000 cash and high value items – including Rolex watches – were confiscated during a series of raids across the county. Det Chief Insp Mark Walker, of the serious and organised crime unit, said: "This was a significant operation which has resulted in these individuals now having to spend a long time in prison to consider the consequences of their actions. "Illegal drugs are a scourge on the communities we serve but these sentences should send out a warning to those involved or thinking of getting involved in the illegal supply of drugs. "It should also help to reassure our communities that we do and will take action against those involved in this vile trade. “This is done through a mixture of overt policing as well as the significant work that goes on that members of the public (and the criminals) don't see."
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 1, 2019
Ahmadiyya community opens doors as part of Visit My Mosque initiative AHMADIYYA Muslims will welcome the community into their Staincliffe mosque at an open day event on Sunday. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association in Dewsbury and Spen Valley searched for more than 30 years to establish a mosque they could call their own. When the Staincliffe Baptist Church on Garnett Street closed at the end of 2017, association president Arif Ahmad asked about
acquiring it and it became a mosque in July last year. Sunday’s open day (11am-4pm) is part of the national #VisitMyMosque campaign. Mr Ahmad said: “I am delighted we are holding an open day this Sunday to further strengthen our links with the local community and to help remove any misconceptions that individuals may have about mosques. The building has been renamed ‘Baitul Atta’
News In Brief Mental health support group
which means ‘A place or gift which is bestowed upon us’. After looking for a mosque for 33 years, we certainly feel this mosque is a gift from God and we want to use it in the best possible way, not just for regular worship but also to benefit all the local community.” Anyone who wishes to attend can contact Mr Ahmad on 07546 272211, or just turn up and register between 11am and 4pm.
Pledge on new rail station By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter RAIL campaigners calling for improvements in Mirfield have been promised a new station. It follows a meeting between passengers, rail bosses and Richard George, who was commissioned by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to review issues around last year’s chaotic timetable changes. Among those present at the meeting hosted by Mirfield councillor Martyn Bolt at the Salvation Army Worship Hall, were senior executives of Network Rail, Northern Rail, TransPennine Express and Grand Central. Coun Bolt challenged
Network Rail to clarify what its £3bn TransPennine Route Upgrade (TPU) would mean for Mirfield. Works to the line between York and Manchester are due to start in the spring. He said: “This is a once-ina-lifetime engineering project, which will massively impact on our station and line structure.
MP wins bus talks BATLEY & SPEN MP Tracy Brabin has secured a meeting with bus bosses over a controversial new timetable. Arriva has made significant changes to routes and the MP
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“We don’t want the end result to be faster train speeds through Mirfield and the station getting only a tickle in passing.” He was told that Mirfield was in line for a new station and certainly would not be left with “just a tickle”. After the meeting, Coun Bolt said: “It was unique to have all parts of the rail
industry together and to be able to have a full and frank exchange of views. “Mr George had no axe to grind so was able to give an unbiased appraisal. “We’re now in a position where rail users can form a united group to share their knowledge and strengthen our campaigns for improvements.”
‘Frank talks’: Martyn Bolt, left, and Richard George
says she has been inundated with correspondence from unhappy travellers. A meeting with Arriva bosses and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority has been arranged for Friday, March 8 at Cleckheaton Methodist Church on Mortimer Street (5pm6.30pm). Ms Brabin said: “It’s clear
from the level of correspondence I’ve received, that these changes are going to have a significant impact on people’s lives – from the woman who may have to give up her job to the 92-year-old who will have to catch a taxi to the doctor’s, the changes are affecting people across our community. “I’d urge anyone affected to
attend the meeting and make sure your voice is heard – this is your chance to tell those who run the services exactly what it will mean for our community.” For information on bus route changes, visit www.arrivabus. co.uk/yorkshire/updates/ your-updated-bus-network-innorth-kirklees.
NORTH KIRKLEES: A mental health support and fitness group is launching a womenonly class tomorrow (Saturday). Following the success of the all-men’s group Luke’s Lads – which aims to tackle the stigma around mental health – dance teacher Rachel Walmsley is launching ‘Butterflies’ for females aged over 16 at Timestep Community Dance studios in Ponderosa Business Park (11am-noon). The junior girls’ class starts on Tuesday (4pm-4.45pm). There are limited spaces, so to book a place, email timestepstudio@gmail.com.
What’s your soup-er idea? NORTH KIRKLEES: Dewsbury Soup, a scheme to help community projects, is taking its next event to Shackleton’s furniture showroom, on Bradford Road, Batley, on Thursday, May 2 (6.30pm). Community group representatives will pitch their ideas to a ‘Dragons Den’-style panel of judges, who pick the best one to win cash raised from a £5 entry fee, which includes a bowl of soup. Pitches, to be submitted by Thursday, April 4, must benefit North Kirklees. Pitch application forms and more details can be found at www.dewsburysoup.org.uk.
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ThePress
Friday March 1, 2019
Cinema packs ’em in for comedy premiere
News In Brief Kirklees is Yorkshire’s worst for potholes KIRKLEES: Nearly 23,000 potholes were reported to the council in 2017/18, according to a new survey. Freedom of Information data obtained by confused.com found that Kirklees topped the list of local authority areas in Yorkshire and Humber with the most potholes. A total of 22,710 potholes were reported, with £1,066,000 spent on repairs and £8,544 on compensation. Kirklees is followed by Wakefield, Leeds, Sheffield and Bradford as the worst-hit areas.
Panto costumes and props up for grabs HECKMONDWIKE: Amateur dramatic groups, fancy dress fans and upcyclers have a fantastic opportunity to grab a bargain in Heckmondwike tomorrow (Saturday). The United Reformed Church is reluctantly having to get rid of all of its old pantomime costumes and props, and the church will be open on Saturday morning from 9.30am to 12noon for people to have a good rummage. A donation to church funds would be welcome. Anyone interested is asked to bring their own bags and boxes to the church on High Street (WF16 0DY). Access to the resources is up two flights of stairs.
Mr Mercury talk NORTH KIRKLEES: 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.
Having a laugh... Destination Dewsbury director Jack Spring, centre, with cast members, from left, Tom Gilling, David Keogh, Dan Shelton and Matt Sheahan Robert Searle Photography
AN IRREVERENT comedy film which shot scenes in locations across the district had its premiere at Birstall’s Showcase Cinema on Saturday. Stars of Destination Dewsbury, which tells the story of a group of friends travelling to see their terminally ill friend, watched the gala screening at a packed cinema before attending the London premiere in Leicester Square the day after. Made on a small budget of £150,000, with an average crew age of 21, first-time director Jack Spring shot the film at the end of 2016 at spots around Dewsbury, Batley, Leeds, York and Bradford and locals were brought on set as film extras and runners. Filming locations in Batley included Bagshaw Museum, The Corner Cafe, Batley Irish Nash and Batley Cemetery. The film, picked up for theatrical release across the UK by Showcase Cinemas, will be showing in select theatres from today (March 1). Tickets can be purchased at https://bit.ly/2IwR18Z.
School ‘has learned lesson’ Safeguarding issue in family’s home triggered ‘inadequate’ ruling By Staff Reporters A SCHOOL in Dewsbury has been rated ‘inadequate’ by education officials, despite being outstanding in two categories. Leaders at Paradise Primary School, on Bretton Street, say the judgement from Ofsted was down to a one-off safeguarding issue – from which the school say they have learned. A spokesman for the school said: “In order to reassure all our parents, staff, well-wishers and other interested parties, we would like to make clear on behalf of Paradise Primary School that the safeguarding issue which led to the Ofsted grading of inadequate did not involve any issue on the premises or any member of staff at the
school. The school received information from a child about the mode of discipline adopted by a parent within the family home. The school responded to the disclosure in what seemed to be the most balanced way at the time. “Ofsted have identified failings in that response and guidance has been issued to the school. “We are confident that lessons have been learned and our procedures have been carefully audited and reviewed to ensure such an issue is never repeated.” Paradise Primary caters for 220 pupils aged two to 11, with annual fees of £1,500. It was previously rated ‘good’ in 2016. Ofsted’s report, published last week, stated: “Leaders, governors and trustees have not ensured that all safeguarding requirements have been met. “At the time of the inspection, safeguarding record-keeping was not sufficiently detailed and the work of the designated safeguarding
leader was not checked carefully enough by senior leaders or governors. “The school’s response to a reported safeguarding incident was poor.” While the school was rated ‘inadequate’ overall, it was ‘outstanding’ in two categories – quality of teaching, learning and assessment, and outcomes for pupils. The report said “the very effective curriculum designed by leaders ensures pupils make excellent progress overall, both in the main school and the early years unit,” and “the leadership and management of the children’s learning and development is excellent”. It also described pupils’ behaviour as “outstanding” and that they “show exceptional attitudes to learning”. Ofsted said “as a matter of urgency” the school needs to ensure that “an effective system is in place which ensures that safeguarding records kept are written, detailed, accurate and stored securely”.
Principal’s delight at ‘good’ rating Est over 45 Years
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THE PRINCIPAL of a primary school in Dewsbury has praised staff, parents and pupils after its recent ‘good’ rating from Ofsted. Kyrstie Joslin, principal at Boothroyd Primary Academy, said: “We are extremely pleased that the hard work of our staff, parents and pupils has been recognised in our Ofsted rating, in particular our exemplary work in supporting the
wellbeing and mental health of our pupils and staff. “Our innovative curriculum, which includes a focus on life and outdoor skills, has been highlighted as preparing our pupils to move on to the next stage of their education and I’m delighted to say that our Early Years team has been recognised as providing an ‘outstanding’ start for our youngest pupils – testament to the dedication they
invest on a daily basis to ensure the best for our children. “Here at Boothroyd, we aim to explore and celebrate all aspects of diversity, ensuring that our pupils value social, cultural and moral differences both within and outside the school community, and so it is excellent to receive praise for our capability to interweave this throughout the curriculum.”
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Friday March 1, 2019
JUST THE TICKET! By Steve Martyn PASSENGERS and visitors say changes at Dewsbury Railway Station following the completion of a £1.2m facelift are just the ticket. The Kirklees Council scheme, funded by West Yorkshire Transport, began in May last year and was completed in February – but there are further improvements in the pipeline at the station on Wellington Road. These include the provision of men’s and ladies’ toilets and facilities for the disabled and mothers and babies. They will be erected on platform one along with a new waiting room, funding for which comes from Kirklees and Transpennine Express. The main changes so far have seen the area at the front of the station pedestrianised, including new seating and planting. Access has also been changed, with the entrance to the car parks redesigned to ease traffic flow. The pedestrian crossing into town has also been enhanced so both cyclists and pedestrians can cross the road. Barriers have been erected on the old forecourt, partly for safety reasons, but also to help solve the problem of cars queuing on a busy area used by pedestrians. It is believed to be the first time in the station’s 170-year history that the approach has been developed in any way. The car park has undergone a transformation, and there are
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Getting creative 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. For details, call 01924 324761.
WHAT’S ON AT The
now free parking bays enabling stays of up to 20 minutes for anyone picking up or dropping off passengers. This combines with the recent introduction of 50p and £1 charges as opposed to the previous minimum of £2. There are also barriers at various entrances to prevent large vehicles gaining admission, but a key has been provided for the West Riding pub to admit brewery vehicles. Coun Eric Firth (Lab, Dewsbury East, pictured inset above) said the transformation had been a partnership between Kirklees Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. He was sure this was the first time there had been changes to
the front of the station since it was built. “The days of dancing around cars and taxis dropping off or picking up people are gone,” he said. “There are now designated areas in the new and improved car park. “I am delighted that this has been welcomed by many people in the town and also the Dewsbury Chamber of Trade.” The addition of new toilets and waiting rooms is the result of a partnership between Kirklees Council, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Transpennine Express. It arose when the regional manager of Transpennine Express, Graham Meiklejohn, told Coun Firth that there was a
pot of money which could be used to provide toilets in Dewsbury, but only if he could get match funding. “After speaking to colleagues at Kirklees and WYCA I was confident this could be achieved,” said Coun Firth. “Graham submitted a bid to the Transpennine board for £160,000, and lo and behold the bid was successful, and Kirklees provided the rest of the cost. “People will soon be seeing many positive things happening in Dewsbury this year.” • Are you happy about the revamp of Dewsbury Station and the changes to surrounding routes for drivers? Have your say by emailing forum@thepress news.co.uk.
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ThePress
Friday March 1, 2019
Kirklees’ LGBT boost KIRKLEES Council has been named one of the best local authorities for tackling anti-LGBT bullying and celebrating difference in its schools. The authority was placed seventh in charity Stonewall’s Education Equality Index, out of 28 others across the country. The index is a benchmarking exercise for local authorities across Britain, showcasing how well they are celebrating difference and tackling homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in schools and supporting LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi and trans) young people in their local communities. Findings from Stonewall’s 2017 school report showed that nearly half (45 per cent) of LGBT pupils – including 64 per cent of trans students – were bullied for being LGBT, while two in five LGBT pupils (40 per cent) are never taught anything about lesbian, gay, bi and trans issues at school. Council leader Shabir Pandor said: “This is great news and the direction we want to go in to support our young LGBT people. Homophobic bullying in any form is unacceptable – as are all forms of bullying. “The measures we have put in place, the policies and guidance that address anti-LGBT bullying, and the ways in which we engage with schools and the community, is working towards tackling LGBT bullying and this is a very positive outcome.”
New lottery launched BATLEY Irish Democratic League Club has joined a new lottery scheme. The ‘Nash’ is now part of the Celtic Community Lottery, and participants will be in with a chance of winning £25,000 every week. The Celtic Community Lottery, developed by the Bradford Irish Society, is intended to help small community organisations across the UK became more sustainable. The first draw takes place on Saturday March 16, and every Saturday following. The lottery is being targeted at all Irish clubs, centres and charities in the UK. According to the Bradford Irish Society, the chances of winning the weekly jackpot of £25,000 – along with many other prizes – are much higher than the national lottery due to the numbers involved. For every pound raised, 45p is retained by each organisation. Anyone over 16 can take part, and officials at the Nash ask that when signing up you select ‘Batley Irish Democratic League Club’ as your chosen good cause. More details can be found at www.thenash.co.uk or direct from www.celticlottery.org.
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.
Back to square one? EWSBURY RAMS made a bright start to life in rugby league’s newly-introduced summer era in 1996, but a decline set in from 1999, and by 2003 they found themselves back to square one with a practically all-amateur team made up of local players. ‘Back to square one’? What exactly does that mean and where does the saying come from? Well, the recent FA Cup games, with the regularly repeated TV footage of one-time Ossett Albion manager Ronnie Radford’s longrange goal for Hereford in a 1970s tie with Newcastle United, we have a clue. The phrase is said to have made its first appearance in the first-ever FA Cup radio commentary for the Corinthians v Newcastle game in 1927. The 1998 Andre Deutsch publication ‘70 years of BBC Sport’ has a footnote explaining. “BBC Radio sought ways of making it easier to follow,” says the writer. “For football and rugby the Radio Times printed a chart showing the pitch divided up into eight numbered squares. “The commentator was then able to refer to the chart as he described the action–‘play is now in square five’ for example. And when the ball was passed to the goalkeeper it was ‘back to square one’. So there you have it! Or do we? Wikipedia, for all the questions over its exactitude, does throw up a variety of thoughts on most things, and the etymology of the ‘back to
D
Huddersfield Town 1926 square one’ expression is no different. While the above explanation is widely accepted there are alternatives offered like board games such as ‘snakes and ladders’ or ‘four square’. In addition the children’s game of hop scotch has been put forward as a candidate. The ‘Phrase Finder’ website examines these theories and there are some interesting arguments for and against all three. The snakes and ladders theory is questioned on the grounds of there being no ‘snake’ in square one in most boards and therefore no counter can be moved back to square one. As for ‘Hop Scotch’, while participants hop from square one to
square 10 and then back to one, the game was first recorded in 1677 yet, according to ‘Phrase Finder” no written record of the phrase is to be found until 1952 – and that in connection with an argument on economics. The 1952 written record of the phrase is also a black mark against the 1927 commentary theory. There is no doubt the chart existed in the Radio Times, but looking at it logically, what is back to one side is forward to the other and as squares (or rectangles) started with numbers one and two alongside each other a move ‘back’ to the goalkeeper could be to either square one or two. It is also suggested that the earliest radio broadcast recordings
show no evidence of the phrase ever being used. In fact commentaries were intended to have a cocommentator simply quietly announcing the square numbers in the back ground as play progresses. So, in conclusion, our quest to discover the origin of this phrase looks as if we are simply ‘back to square one’! Whatever it was, football in the 1920s gave the fans of the Heavy Woollen district much more to think about than a possible origin of a very common phrase still commonly used to express a sense of resignation. Huddersfield Town were league champions for the third year in succession in 1926, the first club to achieve that feat, they were runners-up in 1927 and reached the final of the FA Cup in 1927-28 before losing 3-1 to Blackburn Rovers. As for rugby league, Huddersfield lifted the Challenge Cup in 1920 and Dewsbury were to make their only ever Wembley Cup final appearance in 1928-29, when they lost 13-2 to Wigan.
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Wipesaur comes to town Mirfield men at Tony’s flypast REPRESENTATIVES from Mirfield attended an emotional flypast that garnered international attention. Royal British Legion standard bearer Sean Guy and Mirfield Town Council deputy mayor Martyn Bolt were present in Sheffield’s Endcliffe Park to commemorate the 75th anniversary of an American bomber crashing there. A B-17 aircraft nicknamed Mi Amigo came down in Endcliffe Park on February 22 1944, killing its 10-man crew. Tony Foulds, an 82-year-old retired engineer, was among a group of schoolchildren who were playing in the park before the bomber spiralled down into a nearby wooded area. For decades Mr Foulds has personally tended to a memorial to the 10 men, and a chance meeting with BBC presenter Dan Walker led to a flypast being organised by both the UK and US military authorities. Thousands thronged into the park last Friday and Mr Guy said: “It was incredibly moving to sit and talk to World War Two veterans before the memorial service and flyby.
Mirfield RBL standard bearer Sean Guy “As the service was conducted facing the memorial in the woods, where the plane had crashed to avoid children playing, we hadnít realised that thousands of spectators had arrived to fill the park behind us and all eyes looked skyward for the flyby. “The ‘Missing Man’ formation flown by the F15s of the USAF (only ever flown to salute a fallen flyer) left not a dry eye in the house. It was an incredibly moving occasion and we were proud and honoured to be part of Tony Foulds’ day.”
IF YOU were in Batley town centre on Tuesday afternoon, you may have noticed this strange-looking creature basking in the sunshine. We certainly did here at The Press, and were quick to take a photo and find out exactly what the ‘Wipesaur’ was doing in town. The eight-foot tall dinosaur is on a mission to help educate North Kirklees residents about the problems wet wipes can cause to
their local sewer system, as part of a Yorkshire Water campaign. Households in Dewsbury and Batley experience high rates of blockages caused by wet wipes – up to eight times more than the regional average. The water company is cleaning several miles of sewers in the worst areas across the region to keep them blockage-free and flowing smoothly.
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Head of the campaign, Adrian Flanagan, said: “Our frontline sewer technicians will be carrying out an extensive sewer health check programme to clean the sewers by blasting them with water to clean them out. “We will also have community engagement teams working across these areas for the next month to help spread the message of the importance of looking after the sewer network.”
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Friday March 1, 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.
SATURDAY MARCH 2 TONG CIRCULAR Meet at 10.30am at Keeper Lane, Tong, (BD4 0RS) 7.5 miles – moderate Contact: Norma 01274 685343 or 07951 413012 nleppingwell@outlook.com
Players step out HECKMONDWIKE Players are celebrating their 75th anniversary this year and, to mark the occasion, are staging the hit comedy ‘Stepping Out’ by Richard Harris. 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.
Three walk options DEWSBURY & District Ramblers will be kept busy with three walks this week. Tomorrow (Saturday) there’s a walk in Netherton, meet David Townend at Link Road car park for 9.30am or park at Netherton Community Centre. On Sunday meet Margaret Mitchell at Wellington Road car park at 9am for a walk in Laycock. Wednesday sees a walk from Harewood Village Hall at 11.15am, buses leave Leeds Bus Station every 15 minutes.
Meet up
Tickets priced £9 (£7 concessions) are available from mem-
A SHOW for everyone who has ever danced – in their kitchen, at a wedding, on a stage – and those that like to watch from the wings is coming to Cleckheaton tomorrow (Sat). Creative Scene is bringing award-winning theatre and performance company Quarantine’s ‘Wallflower’ show to the town hall on Saturday March 9 for one evening only. It’s set to be a sell-out, with five-star reviews describing it as “freewheeling and rather brilliant” and “Enchanting…a magical experience.” The town hall will be transformed into an inti-
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BATLEY Older People’s Centre has a number of activities planned next week. On Monday (March 4), there is the popular Movement and Games group at the centre on Upper Commercial Street (10.30am-noon). On Wednesday there is the Midweek Meet and Eat group from 12.30pm to 2pm – bring a packed lunch and join in the activities. On Thursday, the Lunch Club meets from 11.30pm to 1pm – pre-booking is essential. For details on any activities call 01924 446100.
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mate venue with the action taking place at the centre of the audience, seated on three sides. The performers are trying to remember every dance they’ve ever danced. Some are professional dancers, some are not. Some might tell you that they can’t dance at all. Nancy Barrett, director of Creative Scene, which brings art and culture to North Kirklees, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to bring something a little bit out of the ordinary to the beautiful environment of Cleckheaton Town Hall. “Expect music and dancing, a DJ and a disco
ball … memories of dancing alone all night at a party, of dizzily spinning children; of weeping and dancing … “Wallflower is a show about how dancing shapes our lives and promises to be a great night out for anyone who has ever danced – anywhere and anyhow.” The performance is part of a national tour. The show is suitable for anyone aged over 14 and lasts for 90 minutes. Tickets priced £10 (£8 concessions) are available to book online at www.creativescene.org.uk.
Faultless fun and magic Matilda Review by Zoe Shackleton at Bradford Alhambra Theatre, until March 23 www.bradford-theatres.co.uk Box office: 01274 432000 MATILDA has long been on my ‘musicals-to-watch’ list – so when it arrived at Bradford Alhambra last week I jumped at the opportunity to see it. And it didn’t disappoint. From start to finish it was enthralling and entertaining, and while it stayed true to the original children’s book by Roald Dahl – it had its own quirks which were perfect for the stage adaptation. Tim Minchin has created faultless music and lyrics, sung and acted impeccably by the whole ensemble in front of a sold-out audience at the Alhambra last Thursday. Walking into the theatre, you’re greeted with an incredible stage set filled with colourful alphabet blocks, swings, slides which is juxtaposed with the sinister moment we enter Crunchem Hall school later in the musical. We aren’t introduced to Nicola Turner’s Matilda for a few scenes, but from the off Rebecca Thornhill and Sebastian Torkia as Matilda’s parents the Wormwoods are just perfect. Their cruelty to little Matilda, and complete lack of awareness of their child’s brilliant mind, paves the way
for a poignant and moving show conveying an incredibly important message – that whatever life throws at you, there’s always a way to overcome it. The show is fast-moving and the team of children and grown-ups in the ensemble lay the perfect platform for my personal favourite numbers ‘Revolting Children’ and ‘When I Grow Up’. Matilda’s part is rotated between four young actors, and Turner performed with strength and vulnerability – combined with clarity in her delivery and powerful vocals for a touching performance. Elliott Harper as Miss Trunchbull was menacing and comical, yet not too frightening, while Carly Thomas
as Miss Honey was beautiful and tragic. The show is both nostalgic for adults and magical for kids – suitable for everyone in the family.
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DOORS
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Friday March 1, 2019
Window Repairs & Maintenance
FED UP WITH Est 1990 STEAMY WINDOWS? We replace Misted-Up Sealed Units Locks | Handles | Hinges Faulty Door Mechanisms and Much More!
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ThePress
Friday March 1, 2019
Marketplace 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 Bush Bluetooth Radio & CD player, mains or battery. Brand new, unwanted gift, £25. Tel 01924 477122. (2356) Prolectrix handheld steam power cleaner with tools. Brand new, unwanted gift, £12. Tel 01924 477122. (2356) George Foreman grilling machine. Like new, hardly used, £10. Tel 01924 477122. (2356)
E.J.GREENWOOD DRIVEWAYS & PATIO SPECIALISTS
TARMACADAM BLOCK PAVING INDIAN FLAGS etc
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) 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.
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
£1 £2 £3 £4 £5 £7 £9 £11
Includes hose and connectors for propane and butane gas. Three heat settings. £55 ovno. Tel 07925 944885. (2351)
replaced 2018 but little used. Excellent condition. Cost over £1,500, will accept £650. Tel 01274 871098. (2349)
Dehumidifier for sale. Good condition £55. Tel 07816 132472. (2345)
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)
KITCHEN/DINING 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 Eden Mobility scooter, red with chrome bumper. Anti tip wheels, swivel seat for easy getting on/off. Battery
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)
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ALL AREAS OF KIRKLEES into cash £££s & CALDERDALE COVERED 01924 470296 FOR FREE ESTIMATES CALL
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1) Ring Angela on (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.
ThePress
Friday March 1, 2019
21
FOOTBALL
Cunning leaders edge out United Evo-Stik East Division
OSSETT UNITED MORPETH TOWN
0 1
Stephen Ibbetson at Ingfield Stadium OSSETT UNITED’S unbeaten start to 2019 came to an end as league leaders Morpeth Town edged them out at Ingfield. The visitors showed why they top the table, if not by the quality of their play in a match in which United largely matched them, than through some of the darker arts of the game. That was well demonstrated in the two yellow cards that a frustrated Adam Priestley received in the second half, which turned the game in Morpeth’s favour with Chris Reid scoring the winner soon after. “As the game went on I thought the referee was getting conned a lot,” said United manager Andy Welsh after the match. “There was a lot going on and on the sidelines, you’ve got the majority of their squad at the linesman. “It’s not a case of sour grapes, but for me the Adam Priestley sending off was coming because of all these silly little fouls that weren’t getting
dealt with, or he was giving fouls for things that weren’t fouls.” United made two changes to the side that won 1-0 at Pickering the previous weekend, with James Burke and Jack Vann both returning as the side reverted to a back three. Ossett made a good start, coming close when James Knowles’s header from a corner was cleared off the line by a Morpeth defender. The first chance that the leaders had fell to Sam Hodgson, but Vann got behind his shot to block in the area. Priestley then had a chance to open the scoring. He failed to make contact with the initial cross from the right, and only quick thinking from a defender prevented him from tapping in the rebound after goalkeeper Dan Lowson spilled. United almost handed Morpeth an opening goal after giving away possession, but David Carson’s effort was straight at Brett Souter after Ben Sayer played him in. Vann couldn’t get a strong connection on his shot from the edge of the area as United has a good spell, and Priestley’s snapshot went over the bar on the half-hour mark. Knowles came up with a crucial challenge as Carson prepared to
HEADS UP: The two sides compete for PHOTO: John Hirst the ball from a corner
shoot after being played in by Tom Potter, and United then countered with Lowson missing the ball, only for Chippendale to narrowly miss the open target from close to the touchline. Liam Henderson then headed wide for the visitors from Carson’s cross as the sides went into the break goalless. United did have the ball in the net early in the second half. The goalkeeper missed a free-kick delivery and Andy Monkhouse was on hand to finish, but he handled in the process and a foul was given. Morpeth were then inches away
from conceding an own goal, with a dangerous ball headed just wide by Stephen Foster with Priestley ready to pounce behind him. Manager Andy Welsh made a double substitution on the hour mark, with Marko Basic and Tom Corner brought on and the formation switched to a back four. However the game’s deciding incident came 10 minutes later when Priestley, already on a yellow card and constantly being wound up by the canny defence, was involved in an off-the-ball clash and received a second booking. Five minutes later came the win-
RUGBY UNION
ning goal. Ben Sayer’s free-kick landed straight on the head of Reid, who powered in from close range. United put plenty of pressure on in the final 10 minutes, with Chippendale’s free-kick bringing a superb flying save from Lowson before Tyrone Gay saw his header blocked and Basic shot wide. Shiraz Khan came on for their final substitution and his cross gave Corner a great chance to score, but he couldn’t get enough contact on the header. With the help of some questionable play-acting and aggro not just from the players but even the physio on the pitch, the visitors held on for a controversial victory. “First and foremost, they’re top of the league for a reason,” said Welsh. “It’s difficult to turn around and say it was unprofessional because I’d like to think that behind the scenes they are very professional in what they do. “The frustration from both sides ends up coming because the referee’s not dealing with it well enough. “Even the physio coming on today. It’s slowing the game down when you’re 1-0 up. Is it gamesmanship? That’s the most disappointing thing.”
CRICKET
Cleck prepare for crucial run-in Carruthers CLECKHEATON RUFC return to action this weekend ahead of a crucial final six games of the season. A run of six consecutive defeats since the turn of the year has put the club in real danger of relegation from the North One East Division. The concern over the threat of the drop, along with a crippling injury list, led them to withdraw from their planned Yorkshire Cup clash with Wharfedale
last weekend. Cleck sit in 11th place with 40 points, two ahead of the relegation zone as they battle with West Leeds (39 points) and Bridlington (38), while bottom side Consett (20) lie adrift. The crucial run-in begins tomorrow (Saturday, kickoff 3pm) when they travel to East Yorkshire to face mid-table Pocklington.
RACING PREVIEW WITH MIKE SMITH
Rocky to land knockout blow OVICE CHASER ROCKY’S TREASURE can defy top weight and land a knockout blow against the opposition in Doncaster’s valuable Grimthorpe Chase. With just six runs over fences, Kim Bailey’s eight-year-old enters the ring tomorrow (Saturday) with the least experience but carries top weight after winning four of those races since being sent over fences for the first time last October. He loves Doncaster – and the quicker the better – as he showed by rattling home by 17 lengths over Town Moor in a Grade 2 novice in December. His flop last time when he ran third to OK Corral as a warm 6/5 jolly can be put down to not liking Warwick but it’s his other defeat by four lengths at the hands of Santini in a Grade 2 chase at Newbury that would receive a massive boost should that horse, the 3-1 favourite for the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, go on to win the ‘novices’ Gold Cup’ in two weeks’ time. He goes against Alan King’s DINGO DOLLARS but it’s one of the Bunbury handler’s other weekend entries VALDEZ that catches the eye. Abandonments and the bout of equine flu have robbed him of several chances but his time can come in the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury tomorrow (Saturday 2.40) and he’s
N
easy to back each way at 16s with Carrigill’s. I have flagged up COUNTISTER before and will be sticking with her in the following race at 3.10. Nicky Henderson has always thought the world of this mare, who has been denied an appearance this season after the Betfair Hurdle was postponed. A penalty for winning tomorrow (Saturday) would boost her chances of making the cut for a handicap at the Festival, and after a sun-baked week the quicker conditions should suit.
Paul Nicholls can warm up for Cheltenham with a brace north of the border at Kelso with BLACK CORTON (2.45), who has finished second in three of his last four starts, and follow that straight up with GETAWAY TRUMP (3.15). Successful at Plumpton and Exeter he chased home the smart Champ in the Chellow and it could be worth marking his card all the way to the Festival where he’s quoted at 14/1 for the Coral Cup and 16/1 if he opts for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle. At Lingfield (3.20) Jean-Rene Auvrey’s filly FIRST LINK can defy a rise in class despite the fact that she could be forced to race out of the handicap proper. She’s been mightily impressive here on her last two starts and has been fortunate to escape with a 5lb rise after her latest easy win. In the Listed Spring Cup at 3.50 FANAAR makes his first public appearance on the polytrack but the recently gelded son of Dark Angel was a useful juvenile on the turf, and the William Haggas yard is reportedly well forward for the start of the Flat season. CARRIGILL’S NAP: (money back as a free bet if finishes outside top 4): DOLOS, Saturday, Newbury, 2.40. AUGUR’S BEST BET: FIRST LINK (e/w), Saturday, Lingfield, 3.20.
inducted to Hall of Fame HANGING HEATON chairman John Carruthers has been inducted into the Wisden Club Cricket Hall of Fame. Only the 19th player to be inducted, Carruthers has claimed 1,014 wickets over a remarkable 23-year career in the Bradford League. Since becoming chairman in 2010 he has overseen a golden era at the club, with seven trophies in the last two years including last year’s national Vitality Twenty20 Cup triumph. He also still plays for the Hanging Heaton’s second XI. Carruthers started out at Birstall and, after three winters Down Under and a spell at Spen Victoria, made the move to Hanging Heaton. There he racked up most of his remarkable totals, and in 2015 he became only the 13th bowler to claim 1,000 Bradford League wickets. After four years back at Birstall he returned to Hanging Heaton in 2010 as both first XI captain and club chairman, and has overseen the club’s recent stunning success.
LEGEND: Hanging Heaton’s John Carruthers
HOCKEY Slaz firsts continue form Men’s 1st 4 Harrogate 2nd 3 THE SLAZENGER men’s first team hosted Harrogate 2nd for a rearranged game. A well-battled match against a strong opponent saw the lead pass between the sides over the course of 70 minutes, but it was Danny Perry who sealed the game with a late goal. Further goals came from James Swinden, Harry Gunning, and Chris Gascoigne.
Men’s 2nd 7 Kingston-Upon-Hull 3rd 1 THE SECOND team travelled to Hull on Saturday and came away with a comfortable 7-1 victory. Ben Graham opened the scoring after a neat passing move through midfield and Asad Baig doubled the lead before Hull pulled one back through a short corner. Slaz continued to be the stronger side though and Damian Greig’s deflected shot restored a two-goal lead before Harry Buttery scored his
first senior goal just before the break. Ian Hedges got on the scoresheet in the second half before Baig completed his hat trick with a couple of fierce strikes. Ladies’ 1st 1 Huddersfield Dragons 1st 3 IN A tough encounter with local rivals, Slazenger were unlucky to come in second place. Slazenger’s scorer was Alex Gilbert and while Frankie Tyrell went close, Huddersfield were simply more clinical in front of goal to take the points. Ladies’ 4th 5-1 Chapeltown 3rd
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ThePress
Friday March 1, 2019
AMATEUR RUGBY LEAGUE
Shaw Cross: New leaders and new era SHAW CROSS SHARKS will begin their NCL Division Two campaign with a new head coach after the appointment of Mark Barlow. Barlow has taken on the role alongside his playing duties at Keighley Cougars, where the 35year-old recently signed for the 2019 season. ‘Sparky’ is entering his 20th professional season since making his debut for Wakefield Trinity at 16, and has gone on to feature for Dewsbury Rams (twice), Halifax, York, Batley Bulldogs, Gloucestershire All Golds, Oxford and Hemel Stags. The former Shaw Cross junior described how and why he has made a return to the club, taking over the role held for most of last season by Paul March. “I did play a couple of seasons in the junior section for Shaw Cross, from the under 10s up to under 12s, and then I did make an appearance in the first team as well 14 years ago, when I left Dewsbury Rams. “I played for the first team in that one game and then returned back to pro ranks, but I’ve obviously got that link with Shaw Cross and that’s a reason why I’ve re-joined. “I was approached by the club, saying that there’s a head coach role available. I didn’t jump in straight away. I knew I was talking to Keighley and I didn’t know if there was going to be a Keighley club, so I didn’t want to commit. “So I watched them against Celtic, I saw them in the Challenge Cup, and I was really inspired by the performances. They were a young team. Obviously they had a couple of old heads, and all the others were just young lads who wanted to have a go. “They know rugby league. It just inspired me. I knew they just needed a little bit of direction, just someone to lead them a little bit, and that’s what made me think I can do a job here.”
NEW SKIPPER: Sharks’ Dec Naughton Barlow says that he has the help of a good team around him to help manage the workload of his commitments with Keighley, with two new assistants in the shape of fellow exDewsbury players Michael Wainwright and Martin Woodhead. “We’ve obviously got Danny Flowers underneath as well who is going to be playing in the second team. So we’ve created a good coaching set-up to help the first team, 18s and second team,” he said. “It’s not just me, without them it wouldn’t be possible. I thought if I can be head coach and have some good assistants underneath me and just build that positivity around the club, that can only be a good thing.” The new boss admits that the timing of the changes, in the weeks leading up to the start of the new season, is not ideal, but is confident that things will fall into place with everyone pulling together. “Pre-season is about getting combinations with your half-backs, your forwards, your hookers, and I
FOOTBALL Another narrow defeat for plucky Liversedge NCEL Premier Division
LIVERSEDGE FC STAVELEY MW
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LIVERSEDGE fell to a third consecutive one-goal defeat as Staveley Miners Welfare edged their clash late on at Clayborn. Joe Cheeseman scored the decisive goal in the 82nd minute, heading in from a Matthew Davies corner to continue the promotion-chasing side’s good run. Sedge remain in 14th place in the table, with an 11-point cushion to the relegation zone. The result came following
narrow defeats the previous week to both Handsworth Parramore on the road and then Goole at home. They face a Goole side battling for their lives in the division for the second time in a fortnight tomorrow (Saturday, kick-off 3pm), this time travelling to East Yorkshire for the reverse clash. Meanwhile, they have been handed a home quarter-final in the NCEL League Cup against Hallam FC. No date has yet been arranged for the tie, which comes after their impressive win over Penistone Church in the previous round.
haven’t had that opportunity, so it’s going to take one or two games for me to work that out and the players know that,” he said. “The one thing we do have at the club is everybody willing to turn up at training on a Tuesday and Thursday. Everyone wants to push in the same direction, everyone wants to play for Shaw Cross, and that can only be a good thing. “There is definitely enough there to build on to have a good season in this division.” The Sharks also have new captain for 2019 in the shape of Dec Naughton. The experienced forward has called for the squad to pull together after a difficult 12 months. “I’ve been at Shaw Cross for about 10 years now and this is a privilege to step up,” he said. “We had a bad season last year but hopefully if we’ve got a full team together this season we should come out the back end of it. “I’m trying to keep that positivity up, no negatives, because that’s what seemed to let us down last season, everyone being negative and everyone having a say in something instead of just trying to get on with it. I think it’s just about time we pulled together.” Naughton says that the arrival of new coach Barlow has improved things ahead of the new campaign. “It’s good now that the new coach has come in. He’s brought a bit of structure,” he said. “We’ve got all the lads turning up now that we’ve got leaders in Mark and myself, and it feels like something is coming back that we haven’t had for a while and hopefully, just before the season starts, we should be there. “I do know Mark myself and he’s a good rugby league player and he does know what he’s on about. “But the lads have got to put in the work as well. We’ll see how we go, but I think things will go alright and we should get back up to that Division One next season.” Barlow begins his tenure tomorrow (Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm) when the Sharks host Clock Face Miners at Shark Park in the first game of the new season. Thornhill and Dewsbury Moor also get their league campaigns underway at the same time, with both in new divisions following their respective promotions. The Trojans begin their Premier Division season with a tough clash against established top-flight outfit West Hull at Overthorpe Park. Maroons are also at home as they face fellow promoted side Stanningley in their first match of the Division One campaign.
Boys’ dream debut denied at the last by battling Warriors NCL Division Three
HUNSLET WARRIORS BATLEY BOYS
20 18
TWO TRIES in the final seven minutes saw a debut NCL win slip from the grasp of Batley Boys. Newly elected into the league this season, the Boys showed plenty of promise in a tricky away fixture against a Hunslet Warriors side dropping down from Division Two, but they just couldn’t hang on for the two points. The defences were on top in the first half with the deadlock not broken until just before the half-hour mark in a hard-fought season opener. Warriors new coach Jonathan Schofield was absent due to a prior engagement but he would have been proud of his charges as man of the match Daryl Gaunt scored the game’s opening try. He picked up on a loose Boys pass and held off a number of challenges before racing fully 90 metres to the line. Gaunt added the conversion as well for a 6-0 half-time lead. The Boys came out strongly in the second half to turn the game around, with Aaron James scoring
their first NCL try with a powerful charge over the line. Adam Bingham levelled the scores with the boot and skipped round the defence to score a try of his own three minutes later as Batley applied more pressure, with his second conversion making it 12-6. The Boys knocked on from the restart though and the Warriors hit back with Luke Naughton going over on the left, and Gaunt again improved to square things up. It looked like the points would be coming back to Batley when, with 11 minutes remaining, James shrugged off the attention of a defender to touch down and reopen a six-point lead. Hunslet had other ideas though. First Matthew Rymer managed to squeeze the ball down on the line despite the best efforts of a scrambling defence and then, with two points in it and two minutes to go, the hosts produced a thrilling counter attack which finished with Gareth Croft diving into the left corner. Batley will look to pick up their first win when they host Woolston Rovers at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium tomorrow (Saturday, kickoff 2.30pm).
Family duo help Roosters to opening win over Celtic NCL Division Three
SALFORD CITY ROOSTERS 28 DEWSBURY CELTIC 22 DEWSBURY CELTIC’S season started in disappointment as last season’s strugglers Salford City Roosters upset the odds. Celtic had opened up a 10-0 lead inside the first quarter, with Ethan Ferry and Danny Crabtree both crossing the whitewash and Paul Foulstone landing one conversion to give them a strong start. However, the Roosters hit back eight minutes before the break when Rick Openshaw added a try, with 16-year-old son Jonathan converting.
Rick was sin-binned for dissent just before the break with Jonathan following suit on the hour mark for the same discretion. Nine minutes after the restart a converted Jonathan Openshaw try gave the Roosters a 12-10 lead before Celtic hit back to lead by 10 points. Just shy of the hour Tom Bottomley added a try and Charlie Heaton converted, as he did again following a Danny Lee try two minutes later. The Roosters scored three tries in the final quarter though, with 17-year-old Dane Wakefield scoring twice and Andrew Muscat getting the other. Celtic will look to get their first win tomorrow (Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm) when they host Hunslet Warriors.
HEAVY WOOLLEN FOOTBALL
Royal treble puts Deighton clear DEIGHTON WMC moved five points clear at the top of the Heavy Woollen Sunday League Premier Division with a resounding 8-1 win over bottom side Cock of the North. Liam Royal led the way with a hat-trick, Gary Price bagged a brace with Kyle Walton, Coron Rowe and Joel Pusey completing the rout. Adam Cooper-Smith netted the visitor’s consolation. Mirfield Town lie in second spot, five points behind but with two games in hand, after they edged out AFC Chickenley 7-6. Shaun McDaid hit a hat-trick for Chickenley, with James Blaine notching a brace and
Dom Karimi also on the scoresheet. Scott Lightowler and Matthew Bolton netted for Roberttown Rovers as they drew 2-2 with third-placed Walkers Hounds. Raees Lorgat fired a hattrick as M o u n t Pleasant maintained their fivepoint lead at the top of the Championship table with a 3-1 win over third place Snowdon. Birstall Cricket Club came from behind to win 4-3 at St
Ignatius and remain in second place. A hat-trick from Iza Tunkara put St Ignatius in control but a Gary Foley double and strikes from Sean Housecroft and Jack McDermott saw the points head to Birstall. D a n n y Marshall hit a hat-trick as Overthorpe Sports Club enjoyed a 6-1 win over Battyeford. Andy Bates, Reece Patterson and Elliot Brooke bagged the others with Peter Glover scoring for Battyeford.
Ravenswharfe won 4-1 at home to Inter Batley thanks to a double from Stefan Madden plus strikes from Duane Fascione and Ben Smith. Muhammed Navsarka hit Inter’s consolation. Finally, Wire Works comfortably won 6-0 at bottom side Clifton Rangers Reserves thanks to a brace from Jordan McCaffertySmith, along with goals from Nolan St Hilaire, Jack Garrity, Ben Rowland and Niall St Hilaire. The first Heavy Woollen Challenge Trophy Semi-Final takes place this Sunday between Battyeford and Snowdon. The venue is Overthorpe Sports Club with kick-off at 11am.
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Friday March 1, 2019
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RUGBY LEAGUE
Bulldogs grind out scrappy win Betfred Championship
BATLEY BULLDOGS ROCHDALE HORNETS
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Stephen Ibbetson at Fox’s Biscuits Stadium BATLEY BULLDOGS claimed their first win of the season in a game that is unlikely to live long in the memory. Both sides were looking to get off the board in the Championship and it told in a poor-quality contest, but the home side did enough to grind out the result and claim the two points. Lewis Galbraith grabbed a brace of tries, and he was one of three changes to the side that lost at Halifax the previous week with prop Lewis Bienek making his first appearance on loan from Hull FC and Tom Lillycrop also returning. There were five changes for Rochdale from their defeat at Toulouse, including a debut for new signing Paddy Flynn at centre. Scott Moore, Stuart Howarth, Liam Carberry and Adam Lawton all returned to the side. A crucial challenge from Wayne Reittie denied Rochdale a rapid start, taking down Flynn after Mike Weldon and Tyler Whittaker had led a break upfield. Batley pushed forward and a quick move left brought the first score, as James Brown and Sam Smeaton helped the ball on to Galbraith to dive in at the corner. Scott added the conversion from the touchline to make it 6-0. Back-to-back penalties then gave the hosts another chance to attack, and a passing move to the right edge could have brought a try but Sam Wood dropped the ball as he looked to stretch for the line. Reittie then came up with another superb effort in defence to keep the Hornets out for a second time, standing
MATCH STATS BARROW RAIDERS: Tee Ritson Stargroth Amean Jarrad Stack Jake Spedding Deon Cross Lewis Charnock Ryan Johnston Tom Walker Wartovo Puara Josh Johnson Jono Smith Jordan Walne Martin Aspinwall Subs: Willie Minoga Brad Crellin Nathan Mossop Glenn Riley Tries: Stack (8, 26), Johnston (73). Goals: Charnock 3/4, Johnston 1/1.
7 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 6 6 6 6 6
DEWSBURY RAMS: Luke Hooley 6 Rob Worrincy 7 Cameron Leeming 6 Adam Ryder 7 Dale Morton 6 Paul Sykes 7 Simon Brown 7 Tom Garratt 7 Sam Day 6 Callum Field 6 Lucas Walshaw 7 Daniel Igbinedion 7 Kyle Trout 7 Subs: Robbie Ward 6 Michael Knowles 7 Tobias Richardson 6 Jordan Andrade 6 Tries: Trout (16, 52), Sykes (61). Goals: Sykes 4/4. Referee: M Mannifield Half-time: 12-8 Penalties: 9-8 Man of the match: Kyle Trout (Dewsbury) Attendance: 1,321
up to Flynn again and forcing a knock on. Galbraith scored his second of the game in the 27th minute, in an attack which he started with an impressive break. After former Bulldog Shaun Ainscough knocked on trying to intercept, the ball was moved left through Scott and Smeaton again slipped his winger into the corner, with Scott nailing the conversion again from the same spot. Rochdale finished the half on the front foot and managed to halve the deficit going into the break. Ainscough broke through the line from deep and although he was eventually caught by
Dane Manning, Batley then conceded a penalty and Lawton charged through under the posts, with Dan Abram adding the extras. The quality of play wasn’t the greatest in the first half but it got considerably worse in the second period, as both sides struggled to make any great strides up the field and errors hindered any attempts to progress. The first points went the way of Batley in the 61st minute when the visitors conceded a penalty for interference in front of the posts, and Scott slotted the simple kick over to make it a two-score lead. A try finally came with just 10 min-
utes left on the clock. It perhaps inevitably came from scruffy play, as Dom Brambani’s scuffed kick was gathered up by Alistair Leak and he picked out Wood with a long pass, with the centre finding Reittie outside him to sprint into the corner. Rochdale weren’t finished just yet though and responded with their best spell of the match, which brought reward when Howarth smartly offloaded close to the line for Lee Mitchell to cross against his former side. Abram added the extras to make it 18-12, but Batley held on for an eighth consecutive win over the Hornets.
Scott pleased to get off the mark BATLEY full-back Dave Scott admits that the result was “the most important thing” after claiming a first win of the season. The Bulldogs edged a scrappy game against Rochdale for their first two points of the campaign, with Scott an impressive performer. After coming up just short both at home to Barrow in the first game of the season, and then again away at Halifax the previous weekend, the team were unsurprisingly relieved to have finally picked up a victory. “I think in two of the last three games the result just didn’t go our way,” said Scott after the game. “When we looked back at the video on Halifax we had three tries conceded against us, two from kicks and one from an intercept, and then in the second half they were scoreless apart from the penalty goal that they kicked. “So when you look at the game,
we were really unlucky. I think in the second half especially we played really well and dominated field position, but we were just unable to have that clinical edge which we still need to work on, as you could see today. “I know it wasn’t pretty but the saying goes that the sign of a good team is to be able to win under conditions like that and that’s what we did today. “We’re pleased to just come away with the win and have the two points. “When we got into good positions in the first half we were looking really sharp, really good with the ball in hand. I think we had a disallowed try as well. “So it’s coming, we just need to find a way to sustain that for the full 80 minutes and not just do it for one half and be happy to rub our hands, look back and go ‘yeah, we’ve done a good job here’. “We really need to work on getting
that 80-minute performance.” Batley’s next task comes tonight (Friday) with a trip to Sheffield Eagles, who won their opening three games of the season before having last week’s game with Widnes postponed. The Eagles team includes a number of familiar faces, with Jason Crookes, Pat Walker, James Davey and Joel Farrell all making the move from Batley to the Olympic Legacy Park in the off-season, and Scott is relishing the reunion. “It’s going to be a really tough game against Sheffield. They’ve gone unbeaten so far,” he said. “Obviously they’ve got a few of our players from the last few years. It’s going to have that derby feel to it I’d imagine, and I’m looking forward to that. “The main thing is we got the win (against Rochdale), we can build on that and take it into the game on Friday night.”
Trip to in-form Eagles up next Continued from back page as well. They fed off some of the opportunities we gave them and worked really hard, and if they keep working really hard for each other like that then they’ll eventually get the wins that they deserve.” The Bulldogs face a quick turnaround this week as they return to action tonight (Friday, kick-off 7:45pm), facing Sheffield under the lights at the Olympic Legacy Park. In contrast to Batley’s losing start, the Eagles picked up three wins out of three in the opening weeks of the season before seeing last week’s game against Widnes postponed due to the Vikings’ financial difficulties.
MATCH STATS BATLEY BULLDOGS: Dave Scott Wayne Reittie Sam Wood Sam Smeaton Lewis Galbraith Danny Yates Dom Brambani Adam Gledhill Alistair Leak Toby Everett Dane Manning Jack Downs James Brown Subs: Tom Hemingway Joe Taira Tom Lillycrop Lewis Bienek Tries: Galbraith (8, 27), Reittie (70). Goals: Scott 3/4.
8 9 6 7 8 7 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 7
ROCHDALE HORNETS: Dan Abram 7 Shaun Ainscough 7 Jordan Case 6 Paddy Flynn 7 Brandon Wood 6 Tyler Whittaker 6 Stuart Howarth 7 Carl Forster 7 Scott Moore 7 Sitaleki Akauola 7 Mike Weldon 7 Lee Mitchell 6 Matt Davis 6 Subs: Pat Moran 6 Adam Lawton 7 Liam Carberry 6 Ellis Gillam 6 Tries: Lawton (32), Mitchell (74). Goals: Abram 2/2. Referee: L Staveley Half-time: 12-6 Penalties: 12-6 Man of the match: Wayne Reittie (Batley) Attendance: 757
No drop-goal hero as Rams take point Betfred Championship
BARROW RAIDERS 20 DEWSBURY RAMS 20 at Craven Park BARROW and Dewsbury both failed with late drop-goal attempts as the two sides had to settle for a point each from a closely-fought contest. Both teams tested each other in the opening stages and it was Barrow who were first with points on the board. The home side piled on the pressure and on eight minutes Tee Ritson lofted a high ball to the corner and rising high was Jarrad Stack to pull the ball out of the air and score, Lewis Charnock’s touchline kick going in off the post. Dewsbury then tested the home defence with Paul Sykes sending Lucas Walshaw to the line but he was held short. However, there was no denying the visitors on 16 minutes when poor defending allowed Kyle Trout to push off players and cross the whitewash, with Sykes adding the goal to level. It was nip and tuck and when Simon Brown tried to stab the ball over the line, Tom
Walker blocked the ball to keep the Rams at bay. PNG forward Willie Minoga came on for the home side and within a minute he was touching down, only for play to be called back for a knock-on. Barrow regained the lead with an identical act to their first, with Ritson putting in a high kick to the corner for Stack to out-jump the cover and score. Charnock failed to convert but had a hand in Barrow’s next points when he was taken high in a tackle. He left the field and Ryan Johnston kicked the goal to make it 12-6. Barrow weren’t able to see the six-point advantage through to the break though, as Stargroth Amean was caught offside from Ritson’s kick on the hooter and Sykes kept his cool to send the penalty kick between the posts. The second half was barely a minute old when those points were made up. Walker had the ball ripped out in the tackle, allowing Charnock to land a 40-yard goal and make it 14-8. The home side put themselves under pressure when, after Ritson had defused a high ball, he sent out a terrible pass to Spedding and the ball went
into touch. Barrow then counterattacked when, from a scrum, Deon Cross raced 75 yards downfield, only to fall to the covering players. From the play the ball Amean did go over but referee Michael Mannifield ruled that there had been a forward pass. Dewsbury were giving the ball plenty of air with Sykes in the heart of raids, and on a sixth tackle Trout forced his way over for his second of the game, with Sykes adding the goal to level things up. This lifted the visitors as Barrow looked out of sorts, and it was Sykes who added to their woes when he nipped in from a play-the-ball, with the veteran half-back also tagging on the goal. As the pressure mounted on Barrow two drop-goal attempts from Sykes and Brown missed the target. Barrow then worked their way downfield and from a Minoga charge Ryan Johnson fended off three would-be tacklers to score out wide. Charnock steadied himself to land a crucial goal to level at 20-20. Johnston then attempted two drop kicks, but both failed as the final hooter blew.
BRIGHT AS DAY: Sam Day has scored two tries in three games this year
Day remains positive DEWSBURY RAMS hooker Sam Day says that the draw at Barrow Raiders last week represented a “point lost” but remains positive after the opening rounds of the season. The Rams have completed February with a win, a draw and a loss from three matches, and next face league leaders Toronto Wolfpack on Sunday (March 3). He said of the 20-20 draw at Barrow: “It is disappointing, it is a point lost instead of a point gained. We have played okay in the last two games and then got off the bus today and that first 40 minutes was the worst we have played so far this season. “We played better in the second half and could have won it in the end. On another day those drop goals go over, it is just all about practice. We
now have to move on to next week and play in a tough test against Toronto. “We still have a lot to work on to get to where we want to go, it is nice to get another point on the league table, but it should have been two points. “Obviously we’ll work on things (and) hopefully we should beat them when we face them at home. “With how we have performed in the last three games, we can go into the next few games with confidence. If we had lost the last three games and performances had been bad then it would be hard. “We haven’t been bad and we have been good defensively, we just need to keep working hard and keep working together because these next run of fixtures will be hard.”
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Selection headache for Eagles clash
PHOTO: John Hirst
SO CLOSE: Morpeth Town clear their lines on the way to a 1-0 win at Ossett United, which ended United’s unbeaten start to 2019
REPORT AND REACTION: P21
Rams aim to serve Toronto a challenge By Stephen Ibbetson Sports Reporter sport@thepressnews.co.uk
DEWSBURY RAMS boss Lee Greenwood hopes that his side can give Toronto a tough game this weekend. The Canadian outfit sit top of the Championship table with four wins from four and are widely expected to finish the season in that position. However, Greenwood sees an opportunity for his charges to be competitive from the Wolfpack’s mixed bag of performances so far. “Your confidence comes from what you see in their first four games,” he said. “They’ve easily beaten two teams, Widnes and Rochdale, but then been given a really good game by two others, Leigh and York, so I suppose it’ll say more about us on Sunday really. “Are we more like Rochdale, who they beat convincingly, or are we more like York or Leigh who gave them a really good game? “We’ll prepare the team right. We do want to give them a game. We’ve seen two of the clubs do that so far in our division, let alone part-time. “We want to make ourselves difficult to beat, and this is probably the biggest challenge you get in the division. This is the first proper challenge against a fulltime team but we’ll try to make a fist of it.” Dewsbury are looking to make an occasion of the match on Sunday (March 3, kick-off 3pm), celebrating the amateur game with a ticket deal struck with local clubs.
There is also a curtain-raiser ahead of the big clash as the South London Silverbacks, who will tour Canada when the Rams play in Toronto later in the year, playing local side The Baht’ats. Turnstiles at the Tetley’s Stadium will open at 12.45pm. The club have advised that the South Stand will be closed for the game, with Sky Sports using the stand for a gantry and cabling as part of their live match coverage. Greenwood is a big fan of rugby league expansion and hopes to see plenty of interest in Sunday’s game. “There aren’t many competitions that pitch Dewsbury and Toronto! It doesn’t happen very often,” he said. “I’m surprised Toronto are still in this division and I can’t see them being in it much longer, so let’s give them a nice, warm welcome off the field and try to give them a game on it as well. “We should enjoy what they’re bringing to the sport because I like it, I think it’s good for the game. It needs the excitement that they’re bringing. Hopefully there’ll be a few more coming as well if they’re bringing interest into the game.” The Rams were forced into three changes for last week’s 2020 draw away at Barrow Raiders, but Greenwood confirmed that all three are available to face Toronto. Owen Harrison was recalled from his loan spell by Hull KR last week after the Super League club had some injury doubts, but he is back with the squad. Fellow forwards Jode Sheriffe (concussion) and Wakefield loanee Chris Annakin (knee) are also back in the frame for the visit of the Wolfpack.
ADVOCATE: Lee Greenwood likes what the Wolfpack bring to rugby league
After Cameron Leeming, Toby Richardson and Jordan Andrade came in for their first appearances of the season at Barrow, Greenwood says that other fringe players are now pushing for places in the team, while also stating his willingness to use the loan market further. “Guys not in the team are now starting to realise what they need to do to try and get in it, and are stepping up in training, putting a bit of pressure on the lads that are in,” he said. “People will get chances in the coming games and over the course of the season, and we probably will keep bringing people in as well to make sure that we get the short-term results.” The coach says that there is work to be done after having to share the points in Cumbria last weekend, when a late try against them saw victory snatched from their hands. “With the overall performance I think we probably only deserved a point at best anyway, so overall we can’t have too many complaints,” said Greenwood. “But I think if we’d performed right and turned up properly
then we would have won. “I can’t explain why but the players definitely didn’t turn up with the same intent that they did in the two previous home games. “That’s something that as coaches we’ve got to address and makes sure it doesn’t happen again, because we feel like if we do everything that we plan to do and the players are good at, then we can win games like that.” Overall, February has seen a win, a draw and a defeat from three fixtures, and Greenwood reflected on the opening month of the season as one which could have brought much more. He said: “We played York and we were in a very commanding position there and should have gone on to win it with better game management. Swinton obviously we did win, and then we’ve let a lead slip (at Barrow). “There are two games there that we’ve been in a position to win going into the closing stages, so we should be sat on six points. It might sound harsh, but I’m not happy with just being difficult to beat and losing close games, we want to be better than that.”
BATLEY BULLDOGS coach Matt Diskin is pleased to have a “selection headache” as players return from injury to bolster his squad. He admitted that there was “not a lot of quality” from their win over Rochdale last week, but one of the positives to take away were the performances of the three players who came into the side. The front row has been strengthened by the return of Tom Lillycrop, making only his third appearance since the start of 2018, and Hull FC loanee Lewis Bienek. Diskin was pleased to see both put in a good shift in their first matches of the year. “(Bienek) and Tom Lillycrop did okay for their first game in a long time,” he said. “We took the opportunity to play them this week and try and blow some of the cobwebs off going into Sheffield and Bradford, and they’ll both be better for it. “But we’ve got loads of competition in that front row so it’s a real selection headache for me.” The other player who came into the team last week was Lewis Galbraith, who slotted on to the left wing in place of Johnny Campbell and scored a brace of tries in the 18-12 win. “I thought he took his tries really well. With Johnny Campbell missing with concussion, we bring somebody in and they do exceptionally well,” said Diskin. “That’s the same reason why Louis Jouffret wasn’t playing this week; Danny Yates jumped in last week and I thought he did really well so he’s managed to keep his spot. We’ve got a good squad. “We’ll go away because I thought there were some people who were under-par. We’ll look at the performances in a bit more detail and see if the selection is justified next week.” One player in little danger of losing his place this week will be Wayne Reittie, who put in a man of the match performance with two try-saving tackles in the first half and the third try late in the game that effectively sealed the win. “He did the big stuff really well,” Diskin said. “He made some crucial reads when we got our numbers wrong, and came up with some big defensive plays. “Reittie does the big stuff really well; we’re working with him to make sure that he’s concentrating on the stuff that you don’t see, the stuff off the ball, and he’s tried his hardest to improve on that.” It was a scrappy performance against Rochdale overall but Diskin admitted he would “take an ugly win over a pretty loss”, particularly when it is the first of the season. “We didn’t even scratch the surface today. We were pretty poor in a few areas which we’ll look at in more detail,” he said. “It’s easy to blame how poor we were but Rochdale fought really hard for each other
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