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Demolition threat to historic pub
Friday April 26, 2019
No. 891
Outcry over speed limit on key route
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WAR OF WORDS Labour activists reported to police for ‘lies’ and ‘threats’
By Staff Reporters LABOUR Party activists have been accused of dirty tricks and threatening rival candidates in the run-up to next Thursday’s local elections, with both West Yorkshire Police and Kirklees Council alerted over possible offences. Two Independent candidates standing in Batley West and Dewsbury East – Paul Halloran and Aleks Lukic – have been subjected to a mass of personal attacks from Labour supporters on social media. Alexander Ascough, who has campaigned for Batley & Spen Labour MP Tracy Brabin in the past, repeated claims from a Far Left blog calling Halloran and Lukic extremists akin to Jo Cox’s murderer Thomas Mair. He also described Paul Halloran as “a threat to vulnerable adults” after the local businessman visited the Take Ten mental health group and raised funds for them.
The blog also mis-attributed quotes to Mr Halloran stating that he opposed a new Muslim girls’ school, when the quote of a “no-go zone” actually related to traffic congestion issues on Carlinghow Hill in Batley, where he lived at the time. The slurs were shared across several local Facebook groups but most were removed when the two Independent candidates reported them to the police. Mr Ascough refused to delete his own public post. Another Kirklees Labour activist, Richard O’Sullivan, has also been reported to police after calling for associates to “batter” the independents at the election count on Friday May 3. Mr O’Sullivan’s threat has been endorsed by the so-called Kirklees Anti-Fascist Assembly, a branch of the militant extremist Antifa movement that is promoted by Mr Ascough and has over 250 followers. Antifa activists have been involved in numerous violent
protests in England, typically wearing masks. At a public meeting staged by MP Tracy Brabin at Batley Irish National Club before Christmas, Ascough and an associate were asked to leave, after provoking other members of the public.
Batley West candidate Paul Halloran said: “I have found Mr Ascough to be a very hateful individual whose anger towards me has spanned many months, as I have consistently challenged his bullying tactics. “He recently upset a local mental health group that I helped with fundraising, when he tried to tell them that I was a risk to vulnerable adults.” Dewsbury East candidate Aleks Lukic, who has previously stood as a candidate for UKIP, added: “This is the dirtiest, most despicable ambush I have seen at a local election and these Labour supporters should face the full force of the law for their lies and threats.” The online war of words between the two sides showed no signs of abating this week, with claim and counter-claim traded on social media. In a statement to The Press Mr Ascough said: “As far as I am aware I have committed no offence in sharing a post written
by a third party. “The post in question clearly evidences all of its claims and it is up to individuals to come to their own conclusions. “Any further material (screenshots) I have shared regarding Mr Halloran have come from his own pages, and are all his own words. “It is accepted that anybody standing as a candidate will be open to public scrutiny. “I would strongly suggest that if Mr Lukic and Mr Halloran aren’t prepared to be answerable to the public, then they step down as candidates.” Mr O’Sullivan did not respond to our request for comment. Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin said: “Although I am not familiar with all the named individuals involved in these accusations, I would reiterate my call for a civilised and polite debate where we treat one another with respect and dignity. “Nobody should be threatened
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ThePress
Friday April 26, 2019
COUNCIL ELECTIONS: THE CANDIDATES IN NORTH KIRKLEES
Deaths BOLGER PAULINE OLIVE On April 15, at Pinderfields Hospital, of Cleckheaton, aged 82, wife of the late Malcolm. Funeral service will take place at Park
will take place at Cottingley Crematorium, Leeds, on Friday May 3 at 3pm.
Wood Crematorium, Elland, on Thursday May 9 at 11.15am.
CHARLESWORTH BOB
COUSINS SHEILA
On April 16, peacefully in hospital, of Earlsheaton, aged 81, husband of Christine. Funeral service
On April 13, suddenly at home, formerly of Dewsbury, aged 80, wife of Billy. Funeral service will take place at East Riding Crematorium, Driffield, on Monday April 29 at 10.30am.
ELLIS (NEE SUMMERS) MARGARET ‘PEGGY’ On April 14, peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family, of Batley, aged 82, wife of the late Ronald. Funeral service will take place at Wakefield Crematorium on Tuesday May 7 at 10am.
GOODAIR (NEE JONES) DOREEN On April 14, peacefully in hospital, of Hanging Heaton, aged 92, wife of the late Ben. Funeral service will take place at St Paul’s Church, Hanging Heaton, on Monday May 20 at 10.30am.
GREEN JOHN ROGER On April 12, suddenly but peacefully at Oak Park Care Home, Gawthorpe, aged 75, husband of Susan. Funeral service will take place at Wakefield Crematorium on Thursday May 2 at 3pm.
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HOLLAND JEAN On April 14, suddenly at home, of Batley, aged 76, partner of the late Bernard. Funeral service will take place at St Mary’s RC Church, Batley,
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on Friday May 10 at 9.45am.
HUNT ANTHONY On April 16, of Healey, aged 55, much-loved dad of Kristopher and Jonathan. Funeral service will take place at Wakefield Crematorium on Saturday April 27 at 11am.
MEGSON STUART ANTHONY On April 13, suddenly but peacefully, of Cleckheaton, aged 76, husband of Christine. Funeral service will take place at Park Wood Crematorium, Elland, on Thursday May 2 at 3.45pm.
MUNT DAVID On April 12, in Benidorm, of Hightown, aged 70, husband of Christine. Funeral service will take place at St Luke’s Church, Cleckheaton, on Friday May 3 at 11.30am.
ORAM DOREEN On April 9, peacefully at Fieldhead Park Care Home, Mirfield, formerly of Roberttown, aged 92, wife of the late Doug. Funeral service will take place at St Saviour’s Church, Brownhill, on Tuesday May 7 at 1.15pm.
will take place at Huddersfield Crematorium on Friday May 17 at 12.30pm.
SANDERS JOHN WALTER On April 17, peacefully in his sleep, aged 95, husband of the late Lyn. Funeral service will take place at St Aidan’s RC Church, Mirfield, on Tuesday April 30 at 10.30am.
SMITH DAVID On April 19, peacefully, of Roberttown, aged 84, husband of the late June. Funeral service will take place at Huddersfield Crematorium on Thursday May 16 at 11.15am.
SMITHSON HARRY On April 13, surrounded by his family at Pinderfields Hospital, aged 72, husband of Janet. Funeral service will take place at Central Methodist Church, Cleckheaton, on Thursday May 9 at 2pm.
ROUSE ENID On April 13, peacefully at home with her family by her side, of Littletown, aged 99, wife of the late Stanley. Funeral service
THORNES REGINALD DRANSFIELD On April 4, peacefully in Dewsbury and District Hospital after a short illness, aged 92. Funeral service will take place at Huddersfield Crematorium on Thursday May 9 at 1.15pm.
WALKER PERCY CARLETON On April 12, at his home in Heckmondwike, aged 87, husband of the late Nora and latterly the late Mary. Funeral service will take place at St John’s Church, Carlinghow, on Friday May 10 at 1.15pm. Place your family notices by calling 01924 470296 or visit our office at 31 Branch Road, Batley, WF17 5SB
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In loving memory
REGAN DANIEL JOHN On April 17, peacefully at Kirkwood Hospice, aged 45, husband of Ann. Funeral service will take place at Park Wood Crematorium, Elland, on Tuesday May 14 at 12noon.
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BATLEY EAST Keiron Gavaghan: Conservative James Hansford: Green Party Clare Kane: Liberal Democrats Habiban Zaman: Labour *Seat currently held by Labour’s Habiban Zaman. BATLEY WEST Paul Halloran: Batley Borough Independents – Heavy Woollen District Yusra Hussain: Labour Christopher Kane: Liberal Democrats Martin Pelan: Green Party Paul Young: Conservative *Seat currently held by Labour’s Marielle O’Neill, who is stepping down. BIRSTALL AND BIRKENSHAW Charlotte Goodwin: Conservative Christopher Green: Green Party Catherine Pinder: Labour Louise Walsh: Liberal Democrats *Seat formerly held by Robert Light, a former Conservative group leader, who stepped down last year. CLECKHEATON Khalid Patel: Labour Andrew Pinnock: Liberal Democrats Madeline Poutney: Conservative Linda Simmons: Green Party *Seat currently held by the Liberal Democrats’ Andrew Pinnock. DEWSBURY EAST Eric Firth: Labour Sean Guy: Conservative Dennis Hullock: Liberal Democrats Aleks Lukic: Dewsbury Borough Independents – Heavy Woollen District Gideon Barry: Green Party *Seat currently held by Labour’s Eric Firth. DEWSBURY SOUTH Marnie Cope: Green Party Nosheen Dad: Labour Bernard Disken: Liberal Democrats Charlie Reid: Conservative *Seat currently held by Labour’s Nosheen Dad. DEWSBURY WEST Jon Bloom: Liberal Democrats Simon Cope: Green Party Farmida Ishaq: Conservative Darren O’Donovan: Labour *Seat currently held by Labour’s Darren O’Donovan. HECKMONDWIKE Aafaq Butt: Labour Alan Freeman: Green Party
ThePress
George Brooke Ltd
THE FOUR main political parties in Kirklees are each fielding a full slate of candidates as more than 100 election hopefuls go head-tohead for 23 seats across the borough. But Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens must also contend with candidates from UKIP in a third of district wards. There will also be a showing from Independents (4), Democrats and Veterans Party (2), Batley Borough Independents – Heavy Woollen District (1), and Dewsbury Borough Independents – Heavy Woollen District (1). Voters go to the polls on Thursday May 2 and results will be declared from late morning onwards on Friday May 3. Here’s a guide to who is standing in North Kirklees:
31 Branch Road Batley West Yorkshire WF17 5SB Tel: 01924 470296 Fax: 01924 472561
www.thepressnews.co.uk @ThePressLatest /ThePressNews Publisher: Danny Lockwood Editor: David Bentley Reporter: Zoë Shackleton Sports Reporter: Stephen Ibbetson Photographer: Mike Clark Graphic Designer: Craig Moore Sales Manager: Lucy Tissiman Key Account Manager: Jo Gilbert Senior Sales Executive: Janet Black Office Manager: Angela Hall
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
Helen Gavaghan: Conservative Alan Girvan: Independent Josie Pugsley: Liberal Democrat *Seat currently held by Labour’s David Sheard, a former leader of Kirklees Council, who is stepping down. LIVERSEDGE AND GOMERSAL Lisa Holmes: Conservative Jude McKaig: Labour David Snee: Liberal Democrats Nicholas Whittingham: Green Party *Seat currently held by the Conservatives’ Lisa Holmes. MIRFIELD Stephen Bird: Liberal Democrats Keiron Dunn: Labour Kath Taylor: Conservatives Catherine Whittingham: Green Party *Seat currently held by the Conservatives’ Kath Taylor.
ThePress
Friday April 26, 2019
‘No-go zone’ hate signs in Savile Town ‘erected to fuel tension’
News In Brief Jo death ‘most difficult thing’ for police chief
Community will rally, says councillor
Injured man found
By Staff Reporters
An image on Twitter showed the shocking sign being put up by a far-right activist
Far-right protest could spark opposition rally in Dewsbury A FAR-RIGHT group is planning a protest in Dewsbury town centre. The Yorkshire Patriots group has organised a demonstration for Saturday, May 18 – and there could be an opposition rally. The little-known group say they will use the demonstration to discuss recent grooming gang scandals, local politics and Brexit. A police spokesman
said: “We are aware of a proposed event and are liaising with our partner agencies to put appropriate plans in place to police the event. “We aim to manage people’s right to protest, balanced with the wider public’s right to go about their daily business with minimal impact on the local community, residents and visitors to
Police probe ‘dirty tricks’ From page one online and those who are should seek help. “As this matter has now been referred to the police, I hope that the names that have been given to The Press have been done so with the police’s knowledge and permission to ensure it does not hinder any potential investigation.” A spokesman for Kirklees Council chief executive Jacqui Gedman, who acts as the district’s chief returning officer for elections, said: “I can confirm the returning officer is aware and has referred the matter to the police.” A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “West Yorkshire Police has received a report and an assessment is ongoing to establish if any criminal offences have been committed.”
Dewsbury.” An event created on Facebook by the Kirklees Anti-Fascist Assembly says: “We as a community intend to oppose this demo and prevent them from spreading their hateful rhetoric.”
POLICE say that signs put up over the weekend by a far-right group, labelling an area of Dewsbury a ‘third-world no-go zone’, have been recorded as a hate incident. Two yellow ‘warning’ signs which read, “You are now entering a third-world no-go zone. You are 8x more likely to be the victim of crime in Savile Town than in the rest of the UK”, were erected on Savile Road in Savile Town. They were spotted on Easter Sunday afternoon but could have been put up earlier than that. Despite residents reporting the content of the signs as a hate crime, West Yorkshire Police confirmed it is not being investigated as a criminal offence. A spokesman said: “West Yorkshire Police is aware of the incident and have recovered the signs. “The content does not constitute a criminal offence but a hate incident has been recorded and will be investigated. “Members of the public are encouraged to report any incidents to the police so they can be investigated.” Pictures posted on the Twitter page of the far-right Generation Identity movement showed members of the group, who were also identi-
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fied on social media, pinning the signs to lampposts. Dewsbury South Councillor Nosheen Dad said the signs were erected to “stir up community tensions”. She said: “I do understand that some local residents have since reported it to the police as a hate crime. “I have seen an increased police presence in the area. “I don’t think anything like this comes without wanting to stir up community tensions. “I have full confidence in the community of Savile Town that this will be just another moment that defines the community for the better. “It’s not going to help them (Generation Identity England) achieve their goal.”
BATLEY: Retiring West Yorkshire Police chief constable Dee Collins said the murder of MP Jo Cox was “the most difficult thing” she had to deal with in her career. Ms Collins, who is stepping down due to health difficulties after 31 years in policing, said the tragic incident had a “huge personal impact”. Ms Collins, originally from Lymm in Cheshire, was the assistant chief constable of Derbyshire before taking the reins in West Yorkshire. She said: “Without doubt the most difficult thing for me was the murder of Jo Cox. I have to say I have the most upmost admiration for people who put themselves in the positions that Jo did in terms of standing up for the public, trying to ensure that her local community was cared about and looked after.”
BATLEY: A man was found with injuries to his chest and legs near to Batley Railway Station early on Wednesday morning. Police cordoned off Station Road – the cobbled street leading up to the station – after the man in his 20s was discovered at around 7am. He was taken to hospital. A police spokesman said enquiries were continuing and anyone with information should contact Kirklees CID via 101, quoting crime reference number 13190208754.
Books and crafts fair BATLEY CARR: The Holy Trinity Church and Trinity Centre is hosting a books, arts and crafts fair next month. It’s free admission on Saturday, May 4 (10am-3pm) and there’ll be light refreshments available at the centre on Upper Road. For more information, ring 01924 437331 or email thetrinitycentre@hotmail.com.
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News In Brief
‘Friday Feast’ for Mayor’s charities BATLEY: A special black-tie dinner will raise funds for the Mayor of Kirklees Gwen Lowe’s chosen charities. The ‘Mayor’s Friday Feast’ is taking place on Friday, May 3 (7pm) at St Mary’s Parochial Hall in Batley and will be Coun Lowe’s final fundraiser before her term of office finishes. There’ll be entertainment from Il Due Voci and a gourmet supper provided by Dewsbury’s The Catering Shed. To donate prizes for the raffle and auction that will take place on the night, email Wendy Storey on wendy_storey@hotmail. com or call her on 07538 670736. She will arrange to pick donations up before May 3. Tickets are £20 and can be bought by emailing Kimberley Thirkill at heckyjfc @hotmail.co.uk or by calling 07742 251464 (after 5pm). All money raised will go to Kirkwood Hospice and the RSPCA.
Pit disaster tribute DEWSBURY: Grimethorpe Colliery Band will be performing in Dewsbury Town Hall at a memorial concert in July. St John’s Masonic Lodge have organised the concert in memory of the 139 men and boys who lost their lives in the Coombs pit disaster in 1893. There’ll also be a performance from Skelmanthorpe Male Voice Choir. Tickets (£20) for the show on Saturday July 13 (7.30pm) are available from Dewsbury Town Hall (01924 324501) or online at www.kirkleestownhalls.co.uk.
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Friday April 26, 2019
‘I’m a local lad, and it pulls at the heartstrings to do this’ Pub steeped in Spen history may make way for new homes By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter A HISTORIC 18th-century pub with links to the Luddite rebellion could be knocked down and replaced with housing. The owner of the Shears Inn, in Liversedge, has submitted plans to Kirklees Council to level the site and build houses on the plot. Andrew Mitchell, who bought the derelict pub 10 years ago, says he has spent in excess of half a million pounds on refurbishment but that pragmatism has forced his hand. The news has been greeted with disappointment by local historians, who say the pub, which dates from 1773, occupies a pivotal space in the area’s industrial heritage. The Shears provided a meeting place for local textile workers who gathered one night in April 1812 in an upstairs room before
lying in wait on Hartshead Moor and ambushing wagons carrying new cropping frames. The machines could do the work of several workers in their little cropping shop at Hightown. Shortly afterwards, on April 12, around 150 croppers marched on Cartwright’s Mill at Rawfolds in Cleckheaton. The workers – known as Luddites – were repelled by armed soldiers and two were killed. The ringleaders were later hanged. Mr Mitchell said he took the decision to opt for planning per-
over the last 18 months and I haven’t seen that money back. I’ve had to submit to my accountant’s advice. It’s that or face bankruptcy because it’s dragging me down.” Mr Mitchell says he hopes gaining planning permission for the site will make it attractive to developers. But he warned that any changes to the pub are unlikely to happen immediately. And he said he was still hoping to re-connect with an agent for the Co-op, which expressed interest in converting the site into a convenience store. However he said it was unlikely that the pub itself would be retained. Erica Amende, secretary of Spen Valley Civic Society, said it would be a shame if one of the few examples of working class history was to be lost from the mission on the advice of his area. accountant as the pub was haem“It could very easily be bullorrhaging money. dozed and a lot of people are very “I’m a local lad, and it pulls at the heartstrings to do this. It’s upset about it. “The civic society has tried to sad. I don’t want people to think get the Shears Inn listed by that I’m being greedy. Historic England but they said “Ten years ago I took on a condemned pub and put nearly there was nothing remarkable £500,000 into it. I wouldn’t have about the building and that the done that if I had an ulterior history associated with it was insufficient. motive. “That’s because the building “But the licensing trade is struggling. It’s really hard. was stripped out some years ago. Very little remains from the periEverybody is in the same boat. “I don’t want to give up on the od of the Luddites. “Spen Valley people feel like pub but I’ve put £80,000 into it they have lost a lot of heritage. “We have already lost the Red House Museum and the CHILDREN at a nursery in Dewsbury celeWhitcliffe Mount brated St George’s Day by getting creative Foundation Building. and making their own England flags and Soon we won’t have any heritage left.” shields. The youngsters at Child’s Play Mr Mitchell had a nursery also learned about the signifimessage for critics of cance of the national day by watching his plans. videos. They worked on computers to “I’ve never seen expand their technology skills, worked them buy a pint in The Shears. If people together on fashioning their own flags and supported local pubs shields out of various materials and also this sort of thing practised their handwriting. wouldn’t happen.”
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ThePress
Friday April 26, 2019
Controversial ‘25’ scheme starts – and runs into fresh row National award for business pair TWO Mirfield teens have won a national competition to find the UK’s most promising young entrepreneurs. Nineteen-year-olds Joe Taylor and Elliott Rayne beat other finalists in the 19-22 age group to win the Next Generation Award for their EJ Events business. The pair set up the company in October and have hosted various events, including cocktail-making classes, across Kirklees. They won a support package worth £7,500 – which includes £2,500 in cash – and a year of mentoring from the TSB’s business banking executive team. Elliott said: “Myself and Joe are over the moon to win this award; it makes the long days and nights
worth it. “Winning this accolade will really help the business move forward. It’s great that initiatives like this can help young entrepreneurs. Being mentored by the TSB will help give our business a true sense of direction.” To win, Elliott and Joe had to get through an initial selection voted for by the public before going on to a Dragon’s Den-style pitch to judges in London. Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation, which runs the awards, said: “We love Joe and Elliott’s determination and enthusiasm. “Their fresh approach and in particular their focus on social media stands them apart from their competitors.”
By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter WORK is under way on the Mirfield 25 housing and warehouse scheme, which has been planned for more than 20 years. As part of initial development on the site, off the A62 Leeds Road between Mirfield and Liversedge, traffic flow is to be reduced to 20mph for 31 weeks. That will enable £3m of infrastructure work to get begin on the 15.4-acre site. Campaigners who have fought the plans fear the speed limit will create rat runs through surrounding streets and particularly onto the A644 through Mirfield. Mirfield Town Council has called for traffic monitoring in the area to audit numbers of vehicles and check whether motorists find their own diversions. They have also raised concerns that the A62 is already a diversion route for the M62 and that a 50 per cent reduction in speed may have an impact on congestion and air quality. Coun Martyn Bolt (Con, Mirfield) said the council initially put out a legal notice
advising that the speed restriction was to assist with resurfacing works on the A62. He added: “Further enquiries revealed it was not just road surfacing but to enable the developer of the controversial Mirfield 25 to make their entrance and widen the road. “Kirklees say they won’t put up any speed cameras or carry out enforcement as clearly law-abiding drivers stick to speed limits. “That’s nonsense. Why do we have speed cameras if highways officers say that most people drive within the speed limit? “On that basis we should never need speed cameras. They are arguing against themselves.” The site runs alongside Leeds Road with the commercial and housing elements separated by Taylor Hall Lane. Caddick Developments will lead the development of the
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commercial site – to include seven commercial units – with sister company Caddick Civil Engineering carrying out infrastructure works. Taylor Wimpey will build 160-plus homes ranging from two-bed to five-bed properties. They will include detached, semi-detached and terraced houses, with a single vehicle access from Leeds Road. There will be a large area of public open space on the site, which already has a public right of way, and a landscape buffer, in particular between existing housing fronting Sunny Bank Road and Leeds Road, to soften the impact of the new properties. A spokeswoman for Caddick Developments said the Mirfield 25 site represented “a considerable investment” in the area and will create employment space while also delivering many new homes. Kirklees Council was approached to comment.
News In Brief Dad’s marathon run for autism charity MIRFIELD: A Mirfield man who tried to end his own life because he struggled looking after his two autistic sons will be running the London Marathon on Sunday (April 28). Martin Kilgallon will be raising funds for the Whole Autism Family charity which he set up with his wife Anne-Marie shortly after he tried to take his life in 2014. The couple wanted to set up a support group so they could help other families and they now have almost 900 members who benefit from group therapy sessions, emotional support and advice. To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/ martin-kilgallon-london-marathon.
Burglary warning NORTH KIRKLEES: Police have warned residents after a spate of burglaries over the Easter weekend. Houses in Gomersal, Mirfield and Dewsbury were among those targeted after windows were left open in hot weather. A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “Burglaries often increase during the sunny weather, when burglars take advantage of doors and windows being left open. “Always lock your doors and windows even when you’re at home and always take the key out of the lock and keep it in a safe place – do not leave keys on view.”
Huge plume of smoke MIRFIELD: Firefighters tackled a huge blaze on land off Cooper Bridge Road on Monday. A pile of vehicle scrap and tyres caught fire at White Cottage Car Centre at around 11am and plumes of black smoke could be seen across Mirfield. The blaze caused a small amount of congestion on the A62 Cooper Bridge Road but firefighters were able to get it under control by the afternoon.
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Friday April 26, 2019
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LIFE IN BLACK AND WHITE Danny Lockwood
The world really is falling apart NOTHER week, more massacres and murders, and thousands more on the streets bringing London to a standstill in the name of one cause or another. It’s as if the world is in the grip of some zombie-like mass hysteria. Wherever you look, societies are falling apart. I doubt you’d get many of the unwashed and seemingly unemployed Extinction Rebellion rabble who wreaked havoc in our capital standing shoulder to shoulder with the masses of ex-soldiers and bikers protesting the prosecution of troops from the Bloody Sunday tragedy in 1972. At least those rallies met, made their point and left, unlike the climate change crew who would have been watercannoned off Waterloo Bridge if they’d been Brexit protesters. I assume the climate change activists all walked to London, although if they are serious about tackling carbon emissions, they’ll need to board a
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Army veterans gathered to protest in London plane for Beijing. You could turn the UK into one big prehistoric camp-fire commune and it wouldn’t make a blind bit of difference, but China? If they want to carry the fight to the big global polluters I’ll happily chip in a few quid – I hear Tiananmen Square is perfect for glueing yourselves to the railings … best of luck, but be sure to get back in time to protest Donald Trump’s summer state visit! At least the public will have
seen plenty of coverage of the Extinction Rebellion civil disobedience on the BBC, because their cause fits the BBC’s Politically Correct narrative perfectly. But the thousands of bikers, parading peacefully,, outraged at the prosecution of ‘Soldier F’ after almost 50 years? The thousands of beretwearing army veterans marching in the same cause? Where the BBC is concerned, they are probably now categorised as ‘Far Right’ and thus non-caus-
es, non-newsworthy. And speaking of Northern Ireland, cue some idiot spraying bullets towards police and taking the life of journalist Lyra McKee. Tragic, but I did wonder if Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn stopped off for a comradely Guinness with his old IRA sidekicks when he obeyed the three-line whip to attend her funeral. I imagine it made for an uncomfortable few hours for the Republican diehard, who is more used to mourning IRA terrorists than their victims. Desperate not to miss out on stirring up the civil strife, SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon threw her own tuppenny hand grenade into the chaos, demanding another Scottish independence referendum if we leave the EU. Oh yes, Brexit – that’s about to get lively again, following the MPs all swanning off on their Easter holidays. (And someone please educate me here: Wee Krankie is not happy to be in a political partnership with Westminster, but would gladly be ruled by Brussels? Is this really less about Scottish independence than hating, the English?)
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LL OF that before we even get to the big news, the massacre of 359 innocent souls in Sri Lanka, a country that has lived in relative peace – at least since the Tamil rebels and thousands of Tamilsupporting citizens were killed in the civil war the government won in 2009. Strange, isn’t it, how you can legitimise murder by calling it ‘war’? And this in a country 75% Buddhist, which I always thought was the religion of
peace. Hey ho. It’s noticeable that when a maniac ran amok in New Zealand, the world screeched to a sudden halt with everyone in public life looking for the nearest Muslim to hug. I wonder if Kiwi Prime Minister Jacinta Ardern has taken off her virtue-signalling hijab yet? Cue a horde of Islamist lunatics to blow hundreds of innocents to kingdom come and political leaders the world over were offering condolences to the murdered ‘Easter worshippers’. They really are terrified of speaking the truth, aren’t they? You mean more Christians murdered by Muslims? No? Cat got your tongue? Last year 4,136 Christians were killed for faith-related reasons. That’s 11 a day. Most were in strict Islamic states, but even in majority Hindu India, Christians increasingly face extreme persecution. In addition to those 11 killed, six Christian women a day are raped, sexually assaulted or forced to marry a Muslim man under threat of death. You don’t see or hear that on the BBC, do you? But, perversely, you undoubtedly would if the situation was in reverse. The Islamic State-inspired suicide bombers were reportedly avenging the New Zealand Muslims killed by Brenton Tarrant. I can’t find it said anywhere that Tarrant was Christian, just an unhinged Aussie white supremacist. If only we could put all the nutcases on an island together to sort themselves out. It is also true that many Muslims continue to die for their faith, but the reason that
isn’t shouted from the rooftops is because they are killed by fellow Muslims. It’s far more soothing – even if it’s incontrovertibly wrong – to just keep repeating the mantra, ‘Islam is a religion of peace … Islam is a religion of peace’. Tell that to the 37 people beheaded by our westernfriendly allies in Saudi Arabia this week. Apparently their collective sin was promoting extremism, because of course lopping heads off and hacking journalist Jamal Khasoggi to death isn’t extreme at all. No comment on that Mrs May? Mr Trump? Didn’t think so. The fact that – thank God – most Muslims are peaceful people who abhor these hateful acts is a different point altogether. But until society is mature enough to confront the truth of what many of their fanatical brethren believe, we’ll continue walking blindly towards the precipice. I’d like to recommend the words of the eminently sensible Imam Mohamad Tahwidi: “If suicide bombing is a shortcut to paradise, whoever told you would have blown himself up before you.” Indeed, although I should add that Sunni Muslims have been instructed to kill Imam Tawhidi on sight. Wrong kind of Muslim you see. Shia. I don’t suppose those climate change zealots would take much solace in me agreeing that mankind is under threat – but it won’t be the planet waving us bye-bye. We’re well set for wiping ourselves out, long before planet earth burps and decides to start all over. Stop the world please, I want to get off.
Mission accomplished boss with criminal behaviour. T’S ONLY taken six months, but As I ‘filed’ the IOPC whitewash in I’ve finally got the result of the the bin, I pondered over what my IOPC ‘investigation’ (no, don’t reaction would be if I saw a copper laugh, this is serious) into my armed getting a kicking in the street. Would arrest last September. Nothing to I pile in to help him as I would any see here, move right along, you other citizen of whatever colour, asked for it Lockwood. creed or persuasion? The fact that I I expected nothing else because even have to think about it tells you the police force exists firstly to look how far in public estimation these after its own, secondly to enforce pretenders have fallen. Because I Politically Correct doctrines, thirdly very much doubt that if the situation to dress up in Robocop gear, and was reversed, that officer would be lastly, as time allows, to occasionalinclined to assist me. Health and ly bag a baddie. And boy do we safety, don’t you know… have plenty of those round here. Reading the detailed IOPC response, I half-felt I’d wasted valu’VE no idea who I’ll vote for at the able police time because this was local elections next Thursday. I’ve always going to be the outcome. In had one Lib Dem leaflet with not a cleaning three or four malignly motiword from anyone else. If stick Yup Guv, that’s Lockwood, no comes to lift and it’s just the three vated Kirklees officers’ backsides, doubt ... the suspect Kirklees main parties plus the away-with-thethe IOPC left no sheet of bog roll Police decided was DL unbrowned. fairies Greens, I’ll have to spoil my Meanwhile, our streets are ballot paper with a ‘None of the increasingly lawless. I relocated our businesses from above’, which is a shame. Dewsbury town centre because it was a dangerous, For those of you lucky enough to have the opporno-go area after dark, especially for female employtunity to send a message to the mainstream parties, ees. Batley felt safer but now the casual theft, vanbe it the Tories for their Brexit betrayal, Labour for dalism and anti-social behaviour is rocketing. Shop their cynical infection of Kirklees Council, or the Lib break-ins are nightly – all three businesses in our Dems just for being the feeble Lib Dems, I hope you building have had windows put through – and the use it. police neither deter nor care. Even if it is just to actively refuse to endorse the The main response is another hi-vis platitude from trough-snouting usual suspects, please get out and officers adept at PR-speak but useless at dealing make your voice heard.
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Friday April 26, 2019
Texting rowends in court
Restoration of Pioneer reaches new milestone
A MAN from Batley has been banned from contacting his ex-partner for a year after he assaulted her – because she was texting someone else. Anthony Harrop pleaded guilty to assault when he appeared at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court. The incident happened on April 5 when Harrop was told by a friend that his then partner had been texting another man. Prosecutor Jess Lister told magistrates that Harrop became angry and when his ex tried to phone police he took the handset from her and threw it on the floor. Harrop then slammed the door on her wrist when she tried to leave. He was arrested and admitted to taking her phone because he was angry and wanted to see if she was cheating on him. The couple have since split up. Harrop was ordered to pay the victim £50 in compensation and must pay a £40 fine, £85 in court costs and a £30 victim surcharge. He was also given a one-year restraining order which means he must not contact his former partner.
By Steve Martyn RESTORATION work on Dewsbury’s historic Pioneer House has reached another milestone. The prominent town centre site is due to be handed over to its new tenant, Kirklees College, when restoration and structural work comes to an end shortly. The town’s Chamber of Trade has welcomed the removal this week of hoardings from outside the old Co-op building on Northgate as the £7.5m initial renovation project nears completion. Pioneer House will become part of Kirklees College’s town centre ‘Learning Quarter’ and is due to open to students in September next year. “Work is still going on outside laying paving stones, but it is still a clear sign things are moving,” said Chamber president Paul Ellis. Originally built for the Dewsbury Pioneers’ Industrial Society in 1878, over the years Pioneer House was home to a wide variety of tenants, including a theatre, cinema, library, French polishers, butchers, cobblers and a renowned Italian restaurant. In the early 2000s it fell into disrepair and the local authority began legal proceedings in 2009 to compulsorily purchase it from notorious developer Stayton in order to protect it from further decay, resulting in a public inquiry in November, 2010. Kirklees won Government permission to take it from Stayton in March, 2011. After eight years, several delays and millions of pounds of public money, the building is finally close to
‘Don’t denigrate Dewsbury’... Chamber of Trade president Paul Ellis outside historic Pioneer House being handed over to Kirklees College. Kirklees Cabinet member Coun Cathy Scott (Lab, Dewsbury East) said acquiring and restoring Pioneer House had been a long and costly process, but well worth it. “Next year 1,500 students and their teachers will be moving in and this part of Dewsbury will be regenerated,” Coun Scott said. She added that the council is also looking at other eyesore buildings in the town centre, with a view to serving compulsory purchase orders on
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their owners. Cabinet approval has been given, in principle, for officers to pursue the matter. “No decision has yet been made but Dewsbury people can be assured we are moving on this,” she said. Despite well-known firms including Peacocks and Wetherspoons recently taking the decision to close their premises, town centre officials remain upbeat about the future. Mr Ellis said the Chamber of Trade had been liaising with councillors and officers on Dewsbury’s regeneration plans. “We are working with the council at the moment on their £750,000 spring cleaning operation to improve the appearance of the town centre,” he added. “Trees and flower planting has already begun, and gazebos, lamp posts and litter bins are being repainted. “The Chamber is also donating £5,000 for flower beds, trees and hanging baskets on lamp posts and premises in Market Place. “Things are moving in Dewsbury and I urge local people to be patient and not to denigrate our town. “It doesn’t help our hard-working businesses who are trying to attract people to the town if people keep knocking it. “We aren’t the only town with empty shops. It is happening all over the country, but at least we have some new shops opening in Dewsbury. “New businesses are investing in us and Dewsbury is bouncing back.” Kirklees College did not respond to our request for comment.
Easter bunny hunt HUNDREDS of children took part in an Easter bunny hunt in Cleckheaton on Sunday. Hosted by Tesco Cleckheaton and organised by the Spenborough Chamber of Trade, more than 250 children had to find Easter bunnies hidden on the streets and spell out an Easter phrase. Children filled their Easter baskets at each of the shops with sweets and treats. Once they’d completed the challenge, they were given a chocolate treat and their name was put into a draw to win one of three large Easter eggs. Winner of the first prize was two-year-old Joseph Daron. Sami Bouzidi – also two years old – came second and six-year-old Ethan Lawton was third. A total of £350 was collected for the Chamber of Trade’s fundraising efforts. ■ Picture shows Sami Bouzidi with store manager Clare Findlay and community champion Melanie Cropper.
Tribute fundraiser NORTH KIRKLEES: Kirkwood Hospice raised over £1,000 at a musicals tribute night. A number of volunteers from across North Kirklees – including the Batley and Birstall Support Group – helped organise the Dirty Dancing vs Grease tribute event at The Venue in Birstall. Just over £1,200 was raised by the 130 guests who attended.
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Friday April 26, 2019
Unfair to expect elderly to use service Letter of the Week: Sandra Pickles, via email The letter from Mrs E Walker of Mirfield, in The Press last week showed very clearly how some older people have been let down by both Arriva and WYCA (Metro) with the recent bus changes. Is it fair or reasonable to expect elderly people, who need walking sticks or walkers, to hop off one bus and onto another to travel a matter of a few miles? The answer is obvious, although seemingly not to Arriva. It is now impossible to get one bus from the Sunny Bank Road area to Dewsbury, only a few miles away. We no longer have a bank with counter service in Mirfield, so Dewsbury is the nearest option.
So much for us to be proud of From: L Hirst, Mirfield For years I have collected interesting paper cuttings and photographs. While disposing of a lot of them I have been surprised by things printed in past years and things that happen nowadays. Nothing seems to change, especially where government and councils are concerned. In 1910, Thornhill, Ravensthorpe, Earlsheaton and Shaw Cross threw their lot in with Dewsbury. One
West Yorkshire Bus Strategy 2040 states that their policy is “… to create a modern, low carbon bus system which contributes to improved air quality.” I think we can all agree with that. I believe WYCA (Metro) is providing money to Arriva to clean up exhausts, but wait a minute, it also states that “just one bus can take 30 cars off the road.” If the reverse applies, then by withdrawing two bus services (253 Bradford to Dewsbury and 221 Leeds to Mirfield) how many MORE cars is it putting ON the road? As Julia Mitchell said in the Letter of the Week: “The answer – improved public transport systems
year later the town was awarded the status of County Borough and an enlarged population of 54,411. By 1974 every citizen took pride in the achievements of Dewsbury and the worldbeating establishments within its boundaries. On the first of April 1974 (note the date – April Fool’s Day) Dewsbury as a local authority disappeared and its place came the monster Kirklees Metropolitan Council. The high standards that Dewsbury and surrounding towns and villages’ councils provided disappeared. Dewsbury has had many
and fewer cars on the roads.” In reply to Paula Sherriff, Dwayne Wells from Arriva said: “I would like to emphasise that the public transport network locally is most certainly not in decline.” I am not the only person locally to disagree with that. I also obtained the names of the five directors of Arriva Yorkshire and
sons and daughters that have achieved eminence. Space permits me to name two of them. Henry Ellis, later Sir Henry, who became the principal librarian of the British Museum. Clifford Allbutt was the son of the Rev T Allbutt – he was knighted and became a member of the Privy Council. Four of his uncles and a great uncle became medical men and physicians. There is much more history of the great town of Dewsbury in my old papers to write about and make the people proud once again of where they live.
LATEST PLANNING APPLICATIONS A Nadeem, two-storey and single-storey extensions to front, side and rear, 4 Heron Close, Ravensthorpe. Yorkshire Property Estates Ltd, outline application for erection of residential development including means of access to the site north of Old Bank Road, Mirfield (63 dwellings), land off Old Bank Road, Mirfield. Z Mahboob, storage building (modified proposal), Firths Yard, Mill Road, Dewsbury. C Gardiner, work to TPO 06/86, 12 Oxford Close, Gomersal. D Boocock, extensions, 16 Valley Road, Thornhill. WHP Wilkinson Helsby,
telecommunication notification for the prior approval of details for the upgrade of telecommunications apparatus, Yorkshire House, South Street, Dewsbury. M Brown, demolition of existing agricultural buildings and erection of three detached dwellings with integral garages and detached garage to existing dwelling, Brownhill Farm, Old Lane, Birkenshaw. H Patel, single and twostorey extension to rear and porch to front, 47 East Street, Batley. M Arif, extensions to rear, 90 Broomer Street, Ravensthorpe. A Mitchell, demolition of existing public house
and erection of four dwellings, The Shears, 201 Halifax Road, Hightown. J Tyrell, work to tree TPO 16/97, 7 Gregory Springs Lane, Lower Hopton. Z Patel, the proposal is for erection of singlestorey rear extension. The extension projects 6m beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse. The maximum height of the extension is 3.8m, the height of the eaves of the extension is 2.6m, 11 Staincliffe Crescent, Dewsbury. Mr G Walker, work to trees in a Conservation Area, Sunny Bank Riding School, Sunny Bank Road, Upper Batley.
A Hussain, the proposal is for erection of singlestorey rear extension. The extension projects 6m beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse. The maximum height of the extension is 4m, the height of the eaves of the extension is 2.8m, 35 Spen Valley Road, Ravensthorpe. Graham WSG Property (Holdings) Ltd, discharge of conditions 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 & 22 on previous permission 2018/ 90186 for conversion of former fire station to four residential apartments and office and erection of factory outlet, Former Fire Station, Huddersfield Road, Scout Hill, Dewsbury.
wrote separately to each one, almost five weeks ago, explaining the difficulties people had encountered following the changes. Not one has replied or acknowledged my letter, but it seems it was passed on to Dwayne Wells to reply to me. We have been promised that some 261 buses will actually go as
Use your vote carefully From: Harry Teale, Mirfield The moment of truth is upon us! After 12 months of suffering under a council dominated by one political party, we must be careful in our tactical voting! We have witnessed the effect of single party domination – especially in North Kirklees – and so must ensure that we do not accidentally allow that party to ever subject us to that kind of ‘secular’ treatment again. In the six wards currently tenanted by that party, we must not allow our resentment against the pathetic national government to permit the ‘local government’ to retain its stranglehold over us! It is therefore imperative we record our vote on May 2 and remove the members holding those six wards from their cushy additional incomes!
Bewildered on how to vote From: Colin Walshaw, Scholes Voting in the council, EU and general elections. If you are
far as Cleckheaton in May, but still no further than Mirfield in the opposite direction. I’m afraid that is still not going to satisfy the bus users in the Sunny Bank Road/ Roberttown area or help with Sunday (or Bank Holiday) or evening travel. Shame on you Arriva and WYCA (Metro).
as angry as I am with our useless and disobedient politicians, particularly if you voted to Leave, you may be tempted not to vote at all, as they only ignore our wishes. However I am more determined than ever to vote, if only to show them the error of their ways and give them a bloody nose. We should be aware there is a difference between council, general and EU elections. However the council elections have now been weaponised and become party political, particularly by the Liberal Democrats with Vince Cable pronouncing in his party political broadcast, their determination to stop Brexit. Bolstered by our own Baroness Pinnock voting against the Government in the House of Lords. They maybe Liberal, but certainly not Democrats? I am totally bewildered on how to vote. Obviously the Conservatives have totally failed to get us out of the EU, similarly with the Labour party and the Greens blocking progress and wanting another referendum, and again our disloyal, disobedient, local MPs being ardent Remainers. Depending on the offering at the council election, vote for ‘none of the above’, any Independent, UKIP or even the Monster Raving Loony
Please note: Correspondents must supply a name and postal address, even if you do not wish the information to be published. The editor reserves the right to shorten or amend letters for legal or other reasons.
Party will be preferable. Failing these offerings I would spoil my vote, thus showing displeasure with the major parties (they will see the amount of spoiled papers and maybe get the message). In the EU elections similarly ignore the major parties and vote either the Brexit Party or UKIP, again depending on the offer. In the referendum we voted for sovereignty of the people, NOT the sovereignty of parliament, it was our decision not theirs, so let’s show them where they went wrong. Remember a Labour government has never left office with a surplus, who could forget the 2010 letter, “No money left”? What ever you do, vote, even if it’s a protest, these are in fact mini referenda.
Songs from a bygone era From: Michael Stott, Ossett Your correspondent recently created a nostalgic image recalling her recollections of singing ‘The Sunshine Of Your Smile’ around a pub piano. I suspect she was referring to the First World War ballad that Mike Berry revived in 1980 with producer Chas Hodges’ harmony just audible over the understated chorus. However I recall habitually attending the ABC Minors gathering in the Playhouse Cinema each Saturday morning during the early 50s and between the serials, cartoons
Continued on page 9
ThePress
Friday April 26, 2019
‘Politically speaking’ Cuts are causing damage that could take decades to repair
by Paula Sherriff, MP for Dewsbury and Mirfield
From page 8 and cowboys someone had the innovative idea of transcribing the lyrics of popular tunes of the day on to the big screen to encourage a sing-song. One I clearly recall was the similarly titled ‘I Love The Sunshine Of Your Smile’, a 1951 American recording by the Four Knights. Unusually comprised of just one rousing verse reprised over and over and lacking a chorus, it just begged a sing-a-long so maybe that too could have been the one your correspondent referred to. I know of no other similarly titled songs.
Mural looks more like Simon Callow to me... From: Dunbottle Fine Arts Society Call us pedantic, while not supping Pimms at the Tate Modern, the recently commissioned works of modern street art under the railway bridge on Station Road, Mirfield, depict an electic view on Mirfield’s fine heritage and local life. The picture of Mirfield’s very own luvvie Sir, Jean Luc Picard of Trekkie fame complete in uniform and out-of-character stubble. We may be being pedantic by asking the question, has the commissioner to this modern art sent the artist a picture of a non-local luvvie actor Simon Callow by mistake instead of our own Sir Patrick? Or do I need to go to SpockSavers?
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ESPITE Government ministers endlessly trotting out the line that funding for schools in England is at a record high, concerns are still being expressed in Dewsbury, Mirfield, Denby Dale and Kirkburton about the sufficiency of overall school funding and cost pressures faced by schools. I’m listening to those headteachers who have to face the realities of funding shortfalls and make tough decisions over school days, support staff and SEN provision. Their concerns are backed up by the Institute for Fiscal Studies whose figures show that total school funding per pupil fell by eight per cent in real terms between 2010 and 2018. Chronic underfunding is crippling our schools and forcing them to make decisions that cut corners. With fewer support staff our teachers are having to shift their workloads so they can take on caretaking, cleaning or catering duties, leaving less time to focus on what is academically best for the children. I hear too often from par-
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ents who have a child with a disability or additional needs, who tell me of the difficulties they have faced in accessing essential services when they need them. I’ve been concerned to see the latest research from the National Education Union, that special education needs and disabilities (SEND) provision has been cut by an enormous £1.2 billion since 2015. It’s disgraceful that in one of the richest countries in the world, children with special educational needs are not receiving the support they need, and an absolute scandal that the most vulnerable children in our society are paying the price of these Tory cuts. The catalogue of horror stories coming from our schools is undeniable. Schools can’t afford the basic provision they want to provide, with relentless pressures of tests and inspections forcing the prioritisation of league tables, devastating teacher morale, and leading to a crisis in teacher recruitment and retention. It doesn’t have to be like this. As well as supporting
those local heads in their calls for much needed funding and resources, I’m proud that Labour has pledged to scrap SATs testing for primary school children. SATs are another aspect of the current system that disadvantages children with special educational needs and disabilities. They also put huge pressure on all children and divert from the rest of their education and life beyond a specific test. Labour will encourage teaching and assessment that is fairer and more useful in helping children gain the knowledge and skills they will need throughout their lives, and support the teachers and staff in our schools with the investment and resources they need to do their jobs. The damage being inflicted now to our education system will take decades to repair – and it is time that those responsible were held to account.
Paula
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Friday April 26, 2019
Man cut free after crash
News In Brief Bus station gang attack BATLEY: A teenage boy was left bleeding from the mouth after he was attacked by a group of youths in Batley bus station. The 16-year-old was assaulted at around 9.30pm on Easter Sunday. Members of the public called police but the gang fled the scene before officers arrived. A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “We got quite a few calls about a group of youths fighting. “There were non-serious injuries to one person who was bleeding from the mouth..”
Tea dance BATLEY: Older people in Kirklees are invited to a 1940s tea dance on Tuesday (April 30, 1.30pm-3.30pm). The free event at Batley Older People’s Centre is part of the First Time for Everything programme, designed to give older people an opportunity to try something new for free in their local community. Heckmondwike-based Timestep Community Dance will be teaching dance steps and afternoon tea will be served afterwards. To book a place, ring Lindsay Bennett on 01924 446100, or email lindsay.bennett@royal voluntaryservice.org.uk.
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A MAN had to be cut free from his car after being involved in a crash in Batley. The man, in his 30s, was driving a silver Toyota Corolla when it collided with an Audi estate car opposite We Care Motors Ltd on Bradford Road at around 1pm on Thursday afternoon.
Firefighters had to cut the man free before paramedics treated him and took him to hospital with suspected neck injuries. A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police confirmed that two people in the Audi were not injured. The road was closed in both directions and reopened just before 3pm.
Approval of plans for 63 homes would be ‘a farce’, says councillor By Zoe Shackleton A MIRFIELD councillor has criticised a planning application for more than 60 homes on a site not allocated for residential use in Kirklees’ Local Plan. Coun Martyn Bolt said it would be a “farce” if Kirklees allowed plans to develop 63 homes on land off Old Bank Road to go through. Instead he has called on the council “to be
really careful about what they are doing”. A similar proposal to build the same number of homes on the 1.73hectare site – previously used for dumping chemical waste – was thrown out last year. Now developers Yorkshire Property Estates have resubmitted the plans to Kirklees but with little change to the ones that were knocked back. There could still be 34
Thug’s hammer assault on woman in her home A MAN was arrested after a woman was hit with a hammer by thugs who broke into her home in Horbury.
Police are appealing for information after three men approached her house on Ken Churchill Drive on
three-bed and 29 four-bed houses built, as well as an access road at the expense of two existing homes fronting onto Old Bank Road. Coun Bolt said: “There’s very little difference (to the previous planning application). “People are still seeing a high intensity of housing on a small site, knocking down some of the terraced houses so that the people either side of the entrance will
live at the side of the road. One of the crucial things is we’ve gone through the pain of the Local Plan and this is not land allocated in the Local Plan. “We were told when Labour put forward the debate that the land plan would give surety of development for the next generation. “If Kirklees are still allowing developers to come forward and put planning applications in
for unallocated land then again it questions the liberty of the Local Plan.” The planning blueprint for Kirklees was given the green light at a chaotic council meeting in February. An order from the government, it includes 31,000 homes, many of which will have to be built within the green belt as there is insufficient non-green belt land in the borough.
Coun Bolt added: “If Kirklees allow this to progress then it shows just how false (council leader) Shabir Pandor’s promises were that the Local Plan would see some surety for Kirklees. “If developers are allowed to progress sites not in the land plan before the ink is dry on it, then it shows what a farce it is.” The comment period for the application ends on Saturday, May 11.
Tuesday, April 16, with at least two entering the property. Once inside they approached the woman from behind and one of the men attacked her with a hammer. The suspects fled with items from the house,
leaving the victim with facial injuries which required hospital treatment. A 30-year-old man was arrested in connection with the investigation and released on bail pending further enquiries. All three men were
white and had their lower faces concealed. Two of them were described as wearing green-coloured trousers with blue hooded tops, while the third male was wearing a light-coloured top. Det Insp Phil Davis, of
Wakefield District CID, said: “We are continuing to investigate this serious assault on a woman in her home. I would ask anyone who can assist with this investigation to contact Wakefield CID on 101, quoting crime reference 13190196705.”
ThePress
Friday April 26, 2019
MONDAY Staincliffe Cricket Club Halifax Road 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Faye 07852 714364
Dewsbury Town Hall 5.30pm Tel Lyn 07792 032170 We are looking for a ‘NEW CONSULTANT’ for this group Contact Diane on 07961 631257
St Paul’s Church Hall Cleckheaton 5.30pm & 7.30pm Tel Emma 07786 513072
Scout Headquarters Hunsworth, Cleckheaton 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Paul 07848 958798
Battyeford Christ The King Church 5pm 7pm Tel Mandy 07793 732268
Tingley Methodist Church Westerton Road 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Lyn 07792 032170
Roberttown Community Centre 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Kathryn 07906 118636
FRIDAY
Zion Baptist Church Mirfield 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Claire 07768 311351
Trinity Church Hall Mirfield 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Claire 07768 311351
TUESDAY
THURSDAY
Comrades Club Heckmondwike 9am 11am 3pm 5pm 7pm Tel Sue 07790 590763
Batley Town Hall 9am 11am Tel Lynne 07988 662052
Shaw Cross Boys Club Leeds Road 3.30pm 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Lynne 07988 662052
WEDNESDAY Dewsbury Town Hall 9.30am 11.30am Tel Diane 07961 631257 We are looking for a ‘NEW CONSULTANT’ for this group Contact Diane on 07961 631257
Batley Town Hall 5pm 7pm Tel Lynne 07988 662052 Westborough Ratepayers Club Dewsbury Moor 5pm 7pm Tel Lucy 07730 264938 Millbridge WMC Liversedge 5pm 7pm Tel Kathryn 07906 118636
Battyeford Christ The King Church 9am Tel Mandy 07793 732268
SATURDAY St Pauls Church Hall Hanging Heaton 8.30am 10.30am Tel Lyn 07792 032170 Comrades Club Heckmondwike 9am Tel Sue 07790 590763 Howard Park Community School Cleckheaton 8am 10am 12pm Tel Paul 07848 958798 Trinity Methodist Church Mirfield 8.30am 10.30am Tel Debra 07504 973964
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ThePress
Friday April 26, 2019
Film pair wow MPs in talent competition A FILMMAKER and a scriptwriter from Batley made it to the final of a prestigious Parliamentary competition searching for the best new talent in the industry. Chris Cronin, 32, and Zaid Hassan, 25, competed in the annual Film the House competition run by MPs to find the next generation of filmmakers and scriptwriters. The Batley pair were shortlisted in the over-16 category – Chris for his short film Oscar’s Bell and Zaid for his script Dead Endz. Batley & Spen MP Tracy Brabin said: “I’m extremely proud that two of the talented finalists hail from Batley and I’m sure they both have wonderful careers ahead of them.” Zaid said: “It was surreal at times, discussing my script with my MP and chatting with prominent film and TV directors. I learned that there are real opportunities in the film industry and would encourage others to submit to future competitions.” Chris added: “I’ve been a professional filmmaker most of my adult life but the Film the House competition was my first opportunity to represent my home town. “Meeting other creatives from around the country was invaluable and there was something really rewarding about everyone representing their local area in the House of Commons.”
John bows out on winning note after 30 years of coal-carrying By Zoe Shackleton
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Pictures: Mike Clark
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A VETERAN racer retired from the Gawthorpe Coal Carrying Championships a winner after 30 years of taking part. John Hunter, left, has been the coal carrying champion a massive eight times since competing for the first time in 1990 – but was narrowly pipped to the post overall in Easter Monday’s veteran competitions, despite winning the second race. Held for the 56th time this year, competitors lined up to lug sacks of coal around the 1,012m course through the streets of Ossett and Gawthorpe. Starting at the Royal Oak pub and finishing at the Maypole Green, the men carry 50kg bags while the women manoeuvre 20kg of the black stuff.
Fly-tippers force car park closure A WELL-USED car park in Batley has been forced to close because of fly-tipping. The Batley Conservative Club car park on Branch Road, opposite the entrance to
There was a chorus of cheers from the hundreds of spectators as John crossed the finish line for the last time, having taken part every year for the past 30 years. The 55-year-old builder said: “I felt spent at the end – I gave that one everything with it being the last year. “I saw it in the late 1980s and came and had a go in 1990 and won it and I have won my last race – I can’t do any more than that. I would have been disappointed if I had not won that. “I am 55 and the race is the easy part but it is the training that is relentless if you want to get a good position. “I like everything about it, the support and the atmosophere. I will come back next year and help out, it has been part of my life for such a long time." Reigning men’s champion Andrew Corrigan won again
and even improved his time from last year by finishing in four minutes 22 seconds. Danielle Sidebottom, a teacher at Gawthorpe Academy, won the second women’s race and was narrowly beaten overall by Jenni Muston, who finished just seven seconds faster. The oldest competitor, 72year-old David Page, completed the course in 21st and said: “I am happy because I was taking over a few people, a few stragglers!” There were also children’s races after last year’s were cancelled due to the snowy conditions – a huge contrast to this year, as the sun shone throughout the day. Organiser Duncan Smith said: “It is a lovely event and brings people together and is the lifeblood of the community. “Lots of community organisations come together to help us and we help them.”
Aldi, will be closed “indefinitely”, says club secretary Peter Rhodes. The site was regularly used by shoppers and town centre workers as an alternative to on-street parking. He said: “It’s been closed off because the local Conservative association has spent a lot of time and money cleaning it up and it’s being used by fly-tippers and as a meeting point for taxi drivers.
“It’s not something we’ve taken lightly but there’s been fridge freezers dumped there and all sorts of rubbish. “It’s just becoming a dumping ground. I wish we had a way of doing it that would allow people to park there but we can’t.” The ‘Con Club’ was put on the market last year and a sale is expected to be completed soon. The club will keep going until the end of the year.
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ThePress
Friday April 26, 2019
Michael’s marathon effort for charities
Asbestos victim’s family in safety plea to employers By Steve Martyn
VETERAN Dewsbury runner Michael Luby raised cash for two charities by running the Brighton marathon last week. Michael completed the 26.2 mile course in just over six hours to benefit the Rainbow Trust and Get Kids Going, both of which work with disabled children. He would like to thank everyone from Dewsbury and Batley who sponsored him.
THE family of a Liversedge woman who died of an asbestosrelated disease are calling for employers to take more responsibility over the dangerous material. Mother-of-two Celia Brackenbury, from Littletown, died at the age of 82, two years after she was diagnosed with mesothelioma – a cancer of the lining of the lung most commonly linked to asbestos exposure. An inquest earlier this month at Wakefield Coroner’s Court concluded that she died from industrial disease. Prior to her death last August, Celia instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how she developed mesothelioma. The experts launched legal action alleging that her exposure to asbestos happened when she worked at British Belting and Asbestos (BBA) in Cleckheaton as a comptometer operator between 1951 and 1960. She said that her job involved working out the cost of everything made by the company and that she often had to go into production areas to seek further information. BBA was the largest employer in the Spen Valley for many years and was one of the defining features of Cleckheaton during the 20th century. At its height the company employed 3,000 people, with a site
covering 30 acres at Moorend. The firm made brake and clutch linings, asbestos textiles, packings and jointings, conveyor and transmission beltings and industrial plastics. In more recent years the firm diversified and sold off its materials division. Celia’s family are now continuing the legal battle in her memory and have joined with Irwin Mitchell to call on employers to always put safety first where asbestos is concerned. They have made the plea ahead of Workers’ Memorial Day on Sunday (April 28), which this year is based around the theme of ‘dangerous substances: get them out of the workplace’. Celia’s husband Donald, 82, said: “It was truly awful to see how mesothelioma affected Celia in the final years of her life and the entire family misses her so much. “She was an incredible wife, mother and grandmother and not a day goes by when we do not think about her. Asbestos has touched Celia’s family so much down the years and it was hard to take that she herself was ultimately affected by it too. “This year’s Workers’ Memorial Day and its theme on dangerous substances is very welcome as it is putting issues like asbestos firmly in the spotlight. “This material should not be allowed to impact on other lives and employers need to ensure workers are protected from it.”
Make the right choice
Advertising Feature ONE IN 10 children did not get their preferred primary school place last week, leaving some parents wondering what to do for the best. Choosing the right school for your child is a life-changing decision and with one in 10 primary aged children missing out on their preferred place this year, deciding whether to accept the school your child has been allocated can feel overwhelming. At Fulneck School we believe our school is the right choice if you want your child to be happy, confident and stretched academically. With small class sizes of 15
or fewer our children are constantly visible, which allows us to personalise their learning journey in line with their ability and keep a close eye on their progress throughout the year. Mutual respect and inclusivity are central to our community; the children are the life of the school and everything we do revolves around them and their development. Whether it is within our globally-oriented curriculum or our wide range of extra-curricular activities and clubs. Set in a beautifully rural setting, just off the Leeds Ring Road, ours is a warm and nurturing environment for children to explore, with a family feel. Our on-site senior school
also means that when it is time to move up to Year 7, pupils enjoy our continuity of education and a smooth transition. We still have a limited number of places available at Fulneck for Pre-school and Reception 2019 and with wrap around care and meals included, it may be more affordable than you think. Why not come along to our Junior School Open Day on May 1, 2pm-6pm and get a taste for how our children learn and grow. Please register at enquiries@ fulneckschool.co.uk or call 0113 257 0235. If you can’t make the day you are welcome to call in at a time convenient to you. Simply contact us to arrange.
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In Brief Developer’s cash offer CLECKHEATON: A developer is looking to donate £500 to a local charity, neighbourhood project, one-off community event or community group. McCarthy and Stone – who are currently working on the new retirement living development Brooke Dene Court in the centre of the town – want to receive applications by midnight on Friday May 10. Anyone interested should email mccarthyandstone@mcc ann.com with ‘Cleckheaton Community Appeal’ as the subject header, and it must include details on why your group of charity would benefit from a donation of up to £500.
Probus talk PROBUS: The next meeting of the Batley and Dewsbury Probus Club is on Tuesday (April 30). Eric Songhurst will give an illustrated talk called ‘A year I remember’ at the Batley Older People’s Centre at 10.30am. Everyone is welcome. For more information ring 01924 471337.
Asbestos victim: Celia Brackenbury’s family is continuing her legal battle
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Friday April 26, 2019
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Friday April 26, 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 APRIL 27 GILDERSOME AND TONG Starts at 10.30am at Moorland Road above Drighlington Library (BD11 1JZ, SE223285) 7.5 miles – moderate Contact: Norma 01274 685343 or 07951 413012 nleppingwell@outlook.com
Mystery medics and naughty nurses THE PROBLEMS which medically-trained staff can pose for police investigating a wide range of criminal cases will be highlighted by the speaker at next Monday’s meeting of Batley History Group meeting in Batley Town Hall. Dr Michael Green, who has spent many years working for police forces in Australia and Britain, will reveal some of the criminal methods used in his talk entitled ‘Mystery Medics and Naughty Nurses’. Dr Green, an old boy of Batley Grammar School who still lives in Batley, worked as a forensic pathologist in Leeds and Sheffield during his lengthy career and will reveal some of the curious incidents which occurred during his career. The meeting starts at 7.30pm and will welcome both members and non-members, who wlll be charged £4.
Brass at Ebenezer THE West Yorkshire Brass Band will perform an evening concert of light music at Ebenezer Methodist Church tomorrow (Sat). The concert, at the church on High Street, starts at 7.30pm and entry on the door is £7 (£2 children) including refreshments.
Show’s set to return better than ever ORGANISERS are gearing up for the ‘best Mirfield Show yet’ later this year. The annual show is returning to Mirfield Showground on Sunday August 18 – and there’ll be new attractions and competitions as well as old favourites to make this year bigger and better than ever. Over 10,000 visitors descend on the Huddersfield Road site each year to enjoy the host of agricultural and animal-based attractions, as well as the food, trade and craft stalls, competitions and
performances from local artists and groups. Advance tickets (£4) are available online u n t i l Wednesday August 14 and under-16s go free. Chairman Jonathan Evans said: “Mirfield Show is a great family day out and provides the opportunity to show the wide
range of talents and skills we have in Mirfield and Yorkshire. “From the bands and musicians that will be performing to the local designers and artists in the Made in Yo r k s h i r e craft tents, and all the excellent competition entries in the baking, gardening and handi-
craft classes. “With so much variety I encourage everyone to take a look at our website and see if there is a competition or class that fits for you.” The show is always looking for sponsors, and bronze sponsorship packages start from just £150. Volunteers are also needed, and anyone wanting to help should email volunteer@mirfieldshow.com. Visit www.mirfieldshow.com for more details about tickets, competitions and classes.
Hats off to ‘em...
Memorial lecture
MEMBERS of the Mirfield Rifles Volunteers charity enjoyed an Easter bonnet parade on Saturday night. The group raised hundred of pounds for local good causes at the Old Colonial pub on Dunbottle Lane with an Easter raffle and a lighthearted daft hat competition.
SPEN VALLEY Historical Society’s next meeting is on Wednesday May 8, 2019, when The Mabel Ferrett Memorial Lecture will be given by Dave Carter on the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Meetings are held in the Catholic Church Parish Hall on Dewsbury Road, Cleckheaton, starting at 7.30pm, with refreshments served from 7.15pm. The cost is £2 per meeting for members, £4 for guests and membership is £10 per year. For more information email scooper@thecoopersonline.org.uk.
Choice of walks DEWSBURY and District Rambling Club have two walks this week. On Sunday (April 28) there’s a walk in Malham, meet Stuart Gledhill at Wellington Road car park at 9am. Then on Wednesday (May 1) there’s a walk in Saw Wood and Barwick-in-Elmet, park in the car park next to Barwick-in-Elmet village hall and cricket pitch. P Cowan will lead and the meeting time is 10.30am.
Music and dance YOU can dance the night away at Millbridge WMC, with music from Eddie Martell and the Ronnie Bottomley Quartet on the third Tuesday of every month. You can listen and dance to songs from the swing era and the Great American Songbook. The music at Millbridge club, on Bennett Street in Liversedge, starts at 8.15pm, and admission is £3.50. Call 01924 402696 for more details.
Sunday session THERE’S free live music and dancing every Sunday afternoon at Batley Central Club, with the well-known Reg Hargreaves Trio playing at the venue from 1.15pm to around 3.30pm. A variety of guest singers perform each week. The bar is open and the club on Bradford Road in Batley, wants to encourage as many people as possible to come down and enjoy the afternoon’s entertainment.
SATURDAY MAY 4 THORNHILL 4 NIL Starts at 10.30am at Flat Top Inn Thornhill Edge WF12 0HD (SE251180). Park below pub, not in pub car park. 8 miles – moderate Contact: Eddie and Andrea 01924 470091
Photo by Mike Fretwell
Sing song! S O N G S AT I O N A L are returning to Batley Town Hall tomorrow (Sat) to perform their annual fundraising show. This is the ninth year that the group has put together an evening of entertainment to raise money for the Mayor of Kirklees’ official charities, which this year are Kirkwood Hospice and the RSPCA. Show director Melanie Stephen said: “We have had great fun rehearsing our 2019 show, it is
such a varied programme full of song, dance and comedy, with music from Broadway, film, rock and pop, there really is something for everyone!
“It promises to be a whole Saturday evening of fabulousness for only £8.” The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets can be bought from Kirklees Box
Office on 01924 324501 or online at www.kirklees townhalls.co.uk. Pictured are (back row LR) Lisa Cockroft, Patrick Stephen, Adam
Schewstschuck-Hoyle, Jenny Nixon, Richard Wayman and Gareth Jones. Front L-R: Melanie Stephen, Chris Hall and Jane Griffin.
ThePress
Friday April 26, 2019
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.
Who knew cricket could be so political? HE PHRASE ‘It’s just not cricket’ entered into the English language as a metaphor for unfairness, but when the Australian Cricket Board challenged the fair play of the English cricket team on the 1932/33 winter tour of Australia ... well, it was just not cricket!
T
At this time in history Australia’s Don Bradman was the greatest batsman in the world, and he seemed to score runs at will no matter was bowling at him, but England skipper Douglas Jardine had devised a plan to restrict the Australian batsmen – and Bradman in particular. He planned to resurrect a system that had been used sporadically before in the game, which was called ‘leg theory’. A former Nottingham miner called Harold Larwood, his county teammate Bill Voce and Yorkshire’s Bill Bowes were the key to this plan. They would bowl in the direction of the stump nearest the batsman’s legs but frequently land the ball short of the batsman, so it rose to chest or shoulder height and forced the batsman to defend themselves rather than aim to score runs. When this ploy was used the England players would gather on that side of the field in numbers in order to catch anything off the bat. The plan had been put into action for a warm-up game against an Australian XI in Perth, but on Wednesday November 30 1932 the Yorkshire Observer front page previewed the start of the Test series due to start on the Friday with the use of the term ‘shock tactics’. England’s plan to use leg theory was clearly established. As it happened, Bradman didn’t play in the first Test match. Whether it was his commitments with the newspaper he worked for or an ongoing dispute with the Australian Cricket Board is uncertain, but he was back for the second Test and a century in the second innings helped Australia to a win to cancel out a first Test defeat. So, the stage was set. Alarms over England’s tactics were eased with that last win and with England batting first in the Third Test, at Adelaide, the first day passed uneventfully. However, on day two, three balls into the Australian innings, Larwood hit Australian captain Bill Woodfall under the heart and he dropped to the ground. Jardine called ‘Well bowled Harold’ to Larwood, and tempers began to rise. The 50,000 strong crowd were furious, not helped at the start of Larwood’s next over when Jardine slowly, and very deliberately, began moving his fielders on to the leg side in readiness for another leg side attack. Such was the disturbance in the crowd there were fears of an actual riot. When Larwood then knocked the bat out of Woodfall’s hands with another rising ball the anger intensified – as did the diplomatic implications. A leaked private conversation between the England manager Pelham Warner and Woodfall, the Australian skipper stating ‘there are two teams out there, one is trying to play cricket and the other is not’ added more fuel to the fire. Then, when a rising ball from Larwood hit Bert Oldfield and broke his skull the Australian Cricket Board reacted. On January 18 1933, at the end of the fourth day’s play the ACB sent a cable to the MCC,
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Libraries revamp provokes debate By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter KIRKLEES COUNCIL has been urged to look again at its planned revamp of the borough’s libraries. The call came as part of wider concerns over whether cutting frontline library staff will put extra pressure on volunteers and cause libraries to struggle during periods when they are on holiday. The council announced last summer that libraries in the borough would undergo a massive overhaul as the authority looks at how to deliver services in the wake of ongoing cuts that reached £3.5m. Libraries in North Kirklees, including Batley, Mirfield and Cleckheaton, were in danger of closing but campaigners helped stopped that from happening. Proposals mean libraries could act as hubs for a range of services such as the voluntary and community sector, primary care, adult and children’s social care, and communities teams as well as access to networked libraries elsewhere. The redesign by the council’s chief librarian, Carol Stump, will focus on the “wider community function” including more volunteer input. Reacting to savings of £300,000 that still need to be found within the libraries service, Conservative deputy leader Coun John Taylor said he was concerned that a reduction in trained librarians would leave volunteers struggling. In response Coun Graham Turner, portfolio holder for corporate strategy and culture, who is spearheading the library service shake-up alongside Ms Stump, said no frontline staff would be lost. And he revealed that outsourcing some services to a charitable organisation would result in “substantial savings” for the council. But he remained committed to the revamp and to creating a library service fit for the 21st century based on the new model. “They’re not like libraries any more,” he said. “They’re almost like a community hub.”
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cricket’s ruling body in London, stating that ‘Bodyline’, a term coined by a journalist on the first day of the first Test, was in their opinion unsporting and likely to impact on friendly relations between the countries if it isn’t stopped. The MCC refuted the claim in the strongest possible terms and offered to reluctantly cancel the rest of the tour and Jardine offered to stop using bodyline if his players didn’t support his tactics – but they wholeheartedly did. However, he refused to play unless the ‘unsporting’ accusation was withdrawn. The ACB said they wanted to continue the series and would discuss the ‘fairness’ issue after the series was over. But, the MCC response was ‘withdraw the accusation now or we don’t play!’. At this point the situation escalated into a diplomatic incident. Eventually Australian Prime Minister Joseph Lyons met with the ACB and pointed out that, potentially, a severe economic hardship would follow for Australia if the British boycotted Australian trade. After much discussion and debate the ACB sent a cable to the MCC maintaining their opposition to the bodyline tactics but adding ‘we do not regard the sportsmanship of your team as being in question’. Although the crisis was averted, the correspondence continued for nearly a year. England went on to win the series and, as an interesting postscript, Harold Larwood, the scourge of the Aussies, refused to apologise for his bowling as he was carrying out his captain’s orders. He was never selected for England again, was encouraged to move with his family to Australia by bodyline adversary Jack Fingleton, and lived out his retirement in Australia as a welcome guest of the country. He died in New South Wales in the summer of 1995 aged 90 having, albeit belatedly, been awarded an MBE for services to cricket just two years earlier.
While the newspaper headlines in January 1933 were full of the diplomatic conflict born of something as seemingly innocuous as a series of cricket matches, the news back home in Dewsbury was of a rather more genteel kind. The Yorkshire Observer’s ‘Yorkshire News’ had a paragraph on the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr and Mrs Henry Shaw, hosting an ‘at home’ event for the people of Dewsbury at the Town Hall – not to forget the many fine blooms in the reception rooms from the chrysanthemum display at Crow Nest Park.
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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 Mains operated hostess twin wine cooler/ warmer. Unused gift still in box. Cost £50, accept £25. Tel 01274 862769/ 07519 288925. (2394) Electric lawn rake in good working order. £15. Tel 01274 862769/ 07519 288925. (2394) Dark green leather swivel arm chair. Excellent condition, £20. Tel 01924 479647. (2395) Adult walker with bag, £20. Tel 01924 479647. (2395) Set of four plastic drawers, £6. Tel 01924 479647. (2395) Samsung 19” television, £20. Tel 01924 479647. (2395) Two-man tent, 2 x sleeping bags and 2 inflatable beds. Never used, £25 the lot Tel 01924 479647. (2395) New sewing machine, cost £70, sell £25. Tel 01924 479647. (2395) Mountfield Petrol lawn mower. Excellent condition, £80. Tel 01924 469119. (2396) New caravan cover, green, to fit approx 15ft 2ins caravan. Reason for sale, change of van. £25. Tel 01924 443250. (2397) Marcy exercise bike £25 Tel 01924 443250. (2397) Isabella Magnum awning with tall sleeping annex, coal slate chalk colour. Immaculate condition, £750 Tel 01924 443250. (2397) Gas cylinder, 15 kgs with regulator. £10. Tel 01924 443250. (2397) Spear and Jackson twostroke hedge trimmer, £50. Tel 01924 443250. (2397) Black & Decker electric hover mower, £10. Tel 01924 443250. (2397) Flymo XL400 Turbo trim, £25, Tel 01924 443250. (2397) BEDROOM 5ft pale grey unholstered headboard and matching bed base with two integral storage drawers. Bargain at £30, no offers. Tel 07925 127198. (2385) Double bed frame includes headboard and mattress, £70 ono. Collection only. Tel 07894 577256 (Birstall). (2381) 2 x single memory foam mattresses. 5cm thick x 180cm L x 55cm W. £45 each. Tel 01924 496377. (2371) Chair bed to make into single size bed. Includes blan-
kets etc. In good condition, £30 ono, Tel 01274 811232, (2372) CLOTHING Two pairs of Hotter sandals size 7, one salmon pink, one rose gold. £25 each. Tel 07564 739087. (2368) DIY Metal toolbox, red with keys. Four drawers. Full of engineering tools, £90. Tel 01924 430088. (2377) Electric Skill saw 1350 watts with 180 diameter blade, £45. Tel 01924 430088. (2377) Belt and disc sander, £40. Tel 01924 430088. (2377) ELECTRONIC Toshiba 28” widescreen television with remote control. Excellent working condition. Can deliver locally. £50. Tel 01924 471758 (2369) Bush personal CD player plus headphones. Only used once, £20. Tel 07564 739087. (2368) FURNITURE Solid Mahogany TV/DVD unit. Excellent condition, £45 ono Tel 0113 3238837/ 07929 121433 (Rothwell area). (2393) Small beech-coloured dropleaf dining table, £50 Tel 01274 873707. (2391) Cream leather three-piece suite (two-seater sofa), £40. Buyer to collect. Tel 01924 455921. (2379) Schreiber wardrobe unit in teak. Comprising two wardrobes and centre dressing table with light fitting. Complete with dressing table stool. 9ft W x 6ft H x 1ft 9ins deep. £50 ono. Tel 01924 518776. (2384) Mahogany corner TV unit, glass lead effect doors. Shelves for DVDs, Sky box etc. Good condition, £15. Tel 01924 404846. (2374) Solid wood, small folding occasional table. 13ins square x 17ins high, £10. Tel 07564 739087. (2368) Faux leather chaise longue, beige colour. Like new, £50. Tel 01924 453932. (2361) GARDEN Outdoor round wooden table, seats six. Also four white plastic chairs with seat pads. £50 the lot. Buyer to collect. Tel 01924 479297. (2378) HOUSEHOLD Fireplace suite with built-in electric fire, £80. Tel 01274 879707. (2391) Gas fire, Focus HE Slimline SC. Three years old. Serviced, £250. Tel 01924 474062. (2390) Fan palm plants for sale. Various sizes, prices from £10 to £250. Tel 07866 019737. (2383) Mahogany effect pendulum
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 wall clock, plastic. Very good condition, £10. Tel 01924 404846. (2374) Homebrew Kit includes 4 x 25/35ltr buckets, dispensing taps, syphon pump, filler tube and valve, hydrometer, thermometer, bottle corker and bottle capper, shrink cap tool, caps, corks, bubblers, stirring utensils, half steriliser and many other items. Paid over £160, sell for £95 ono. Tel 07486 636196 collection only. (2365) Brother Industrial sewing machine on new flatbed table. Good working condition, £200 ono. Tel 07510 323053 (after 3pm). (2359) KITCHEN/DINING Hostess trolley. Good working condition, £40. Tel 01274 876997. (2392) MISCELLANEOUS Rope 25mm diameter, approx 50 metres long. £20. Tel 01924 430088. (2377) MOBILITY Commode – fold-up, as new plus raised toilet seat. Cost £100, sell for offers within reason. Tel 07522 540908. (2375) MOTORING Halfords side opening roof box. 240 litre capacity. Includes all keys and fittings. Very good condition, £50. Tel 07746 114664. (2382) Reliant Robin spare parts for sale. Various items from clutch cables to gearboxes, starters, doors, bumpers etc. Tel 07414 297858 for more details. (2362) OUTDOOR/CAMPING Caravan lean-to porch awning. Excellent condition plus new carpet, £140 ono. Tel: 0113 3238837/ 07929 121433 (Rothwell area). (2393) 6kg calor propane cylinder with valve, £10. Tel 01924 430088. (2377) Motorhome awning. Kampa Air Motor Rally Pro390. Used twice, £450. Tel 07754 890433. (2367Aqua roll water carrier for fresh water, £25. Tel 07754 890433 (2367) Wastemaster waste water carrier, £25. Tel 07754
£1 £2 £3 £4 £5 £7 £9 £11
890433. (2367) Calor gas bottle 13kg, half full, £15. Tel 07754 890433. (2367) PET GOODS Strong mesh cage, has wooden floor which can be used as lid instead. Suitable for rabbits/ guinea pigs, used for bitch and puppies. Size 46” x 52” x 30”. Cost £90, sell £35. Tel 07522 540908. (2380) Indoor small rabbit/ guinea pig cage, includes feeding dishes and bedroom. Size 100cm L x 50cm W x 33cm H. £10. Tel 01924 468509. (2360) SPORT/EXERCISE MD Golf Driver, newly gripped. £25. Tel 07505 115934. (2388) Archery equipment, hardly used. Compound Bow Hoyt XT 2000 and approx. 60 arrows, £300. Tel 01924 502612/07941 883465. (2389) Shogun Trailbreaker gents’ mountain bike, bright green, 18 gears. Good condition £50. Tel 07974 967055. (2376) Peugeot ladies’ drop handle racing-style bike. White/red stripes, 10 gears, circa 1988, £40. Tel 07974 967055. (2376) TOYS/ CHILDREN’S GOODS Tommee Tippee complete feeding set, Brand new, unopened. Includes steriliser, bottle warmer, 8 bottles, powder dispensers plus more. RRP £60, sell £40. Tel 07938 597738. (2386) Mothercare red stroller, rain cover & shopping net. Hardly used, £25. Tel 07974 967055. (2376) Britax Prince child’s car seat 9-18kgs. Excellent condition, £30. Tel 07974 967055. (2376) 2 x Kids E scooters. Electric scooter with seats. One pink, one blue, £25 each. Tel 07754 890433. (2367) WANTED Wanted: Manual typewriter, must be in good working order. Tel 07729 518086. (2373)
Friday April 19, 2019
ThePress
Friday April 26, 2019
25
FOOTBALL
Late goal puts United on play-off brink Evo-Stik East Division
OSSETT UNITED PONTEFRACT COLLIERIES
1 1
ANDY MONKHOUSE scored a 90thminute equaliser to salvage a point and virtually ensure a play-off place for Ossett United on Easter Monday. They sit three points ahead of Tadcaster Albion, with a much better goal difference, ahead of the final round of fixtures after claiming a draw thanks to the midfielder’s late strike. Against a Pontefract Collieries side guaranteed a home semi-final in the play-offs, they were the second-best team for much of the match but rallied late on to claim that vital point. The game came to life when Pontefract were awarded a penalty in the 20th minute, but keeper Brett Souter came out on top to deny Vaughan Redford from the spot. The visitors continued to threat-
en and, from a counter attack, Nick Guest saw his strike cleared off the line as United hung on. They dominated most of the first half but Ossett had a big chance of their own as well, with Adam Priestley sent through on goal only to see opposition goalkeeper Ryan Musselwhite block his effort. United could have gone into the break behind though as Spencer Clarke had a chance from close range at the end of injury time, but he managed to put his header over from Conner Smythe’s cross. Pontefract carried on where they had left off in the second half, and after only four minutes they were awarded their second penalty of the afternoon. This time Redford beat Souter from 12 yards, and his side deservedly led. Things might have been even more comfortable had the referee brandished the red card that they were calling for after an alleged headbutt from Monkhouse, but he was only shown the yellow – a deci-
sion that would come back to haunt them. United lifted the intensity in the final 10 minutes as they searched for a leveller, although they had to
keep focused at the back as well as a defender again cleared off the line after Chris Jackson had lifted the ball over Souter. But they pushed and pushed and
DECISIVE GOAL: Andy Monkhouse strikes PHOTOS: John Hirst the equaliser for United finally got the rewards Monkhouse had the final say.
as
Ossett let two-goal lead slip for second defeat of the year Evo-Stik East Division
BELPER TOWN OSSETT UNITED
3 2
OSSETT UNITED let a two-goal lead slip as they fell to a disappointing defeat at Belper Town last weekend. Adam Priestley and Andy Monkhouse had put them in control
SCRAMBLE: United attack a corner
RACING PREVIEW WITH MIKE SMITH
Big finale to jumps season in store HERE’S a potentially mouthwatering end to the jumps season at Sandown this weekend. The Bet365 Gold Cup (3.35) is the main event on the final day of the National Hunt season, but in the preceding Grade 1 Celebration Chase tomorrow (Saturday) there’s a chance that ALTIOR and CYRNAME could clash in what would be a fitting conclusion. There may be enough rain around for Paul Nicholls to take his chance with CYRNAME, but ALTIOR would still be fancied to come out on top at a track he clearly relishes, and this is a race where the form book stands up better than many expect so late in the game. Nicky Henderson’s charge has overcome every challenge he has faced over fences so far and took his record to 13 from 13 in the Champion Chase last time out, typically just doing enough to see off Politologue. Favourites have a poor record in the Gold Cup – Tidal Bay was the classiest winner in recent times when hacking up in 2012, and is also the only horse to win with more than 11 stone on his back since Lacdoudal in 2006. Based on the trends over the last ten outings, Philip Hobbs’s ROLLING DYLAN looks to have the most going for him. He was a decent second a few weeks ago, has had 12 chase starts and is set to carry 9st 10lb and could rock on home over LE REVE and CAPTAIN CHAOS. The Nigel TwistonDavies’ trained CRIEVEHILL has each way claims, having last tasted victory
T
at this track in March 2018. He made a lot of the running when finishing fourth in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival and on that evidence should enjoy stepping up to this extreme trip. Dan Skelton rounded off on 200 winners earlier this week to equal Martin Pipe’s record and they can score again in the opener at 1.50 with HUMBLE HERO. A useful type on the flat for William Haggas, he has performed well in his three starts since joining the Skelton’s and should have too much for the rest off a mark of 127. There’s a strong team heading to Haydock from Barbury Castle and it would be no surprise to see Alan King return home with a couple of winners in ESCAPABILITY (3.45) and CHATEZ (4.20). Two Yorkshire tracks host Flat
meetings on Saturday and Brian Ellison’s NIETZSCHE catches the eye on Doncaster’s Town Moor at 5.10. He ran a huge race over hurdles at Aintree’s Grand National meeting after landing the Greatwood at Cheltenham in November, and if he is back to his best on the flat he can return to winning ways. Tim Easterby’s IVA GO was second on her debut at Redcar and should capitalise on the weight she receives from the previous winners in Ripon’s opener at 1.45. The Sylvester Kirk-trained HTILOMINLO has a Derby entry and should mark the most of an opening handicap mark of 72 in Wolverhampton’s (7.00). He was third over a mile at Kempton last month when fitted with a tongue tie for the first time and this extra furlong and a half could be his ideal trip at this stage. Racing returns to West Yorkshire again on Sunday at Wetherby where TRUE HERO can come on from his first run and land the 3.20 contest. Nigel Tinkler’s horse was well supported and travelled strongly for much of the race at Nottingham before holding on for third and can make it second time lucky.
CARRIGILL’S NAP (money back as a free bet if finishes outside top 4): TALKISCHEAP, Saturday, Sandown, 3.35. AUGUR’S BEST BET: HTILOMINLO (e/w), Saturday, Wolverhampton, 7.00.
of the game with their goals either side of half-time, but Belper managed to turn the game around to condemn Ossett to only their second league defeat of 2019. United had the better of the first half and were deservedly in front when Gibraltan international Priestley drove in a superb free kick in the 35th minute. Just three minutes after the break things got even better, as Monkhouse headed in to put them firmly on course for another
three points. However, the home side had different ideas, and began their fightback when Derry Robson flicked in at the near post from a long throw. Just three minutes later Belper were level, with Piteu Crouz winning the penalty and then converting it as well to the left of goalkeeper Brett Souter. And the comeback was complete in the 74th minute as Danny South headed home to ensure Ossett returned home with nothing.
Sedge defeat as focus turns to cup semi-final NCEL Premier Division
BARTON TOWN LIVERSEDGE FC
4 0
AN EARLY red card for captain Tom Jackson set Liversedge on their way to a big defeat at Barton Town last weekend. Sedge had beaten the same opponents less than two weeks previously, but Jackson’s dismissal in the ninth minute for an off-theball incident put them up against it. Barton were quick to try and press home their advantage, with Donald Chimalilo seeing his shot saved before the opening goal came in the 15th minute when Tom Wauby rose highest from a corner to head in. That lead was doubled before the half-hour mark, with a smart move leaving Jack Binns with an open goal to tap into. Liversedge had their chances to get back into the game either side of half time, but couldn’t find the net as the home side made sure of the result with two more goals in the closing stages. Alex Knaggs made it 3-0 with a great finish, finding the top corner after a one-two with Gareth Barlow.
CUP RUN: Jonathan Rimmington’s side are in the League Cup semis Barlow then scored the fourth himself with two minute left on the clock to round off an afternoon to forget for the visitors. Liversedge finish the league campaign at Clayborn this Saturday (kick-off 3pm) against Knaresborough, with the club already guaranteed to finish in 13th place. Their attention will already be on Tuesday (April 30, kick-off 7.45pm), when they take on Swallownest in the NCEL League Cup semifinals. Once again they have home advantage, having completed every previous round on their own turf. They hammered
Armthorpe Welfare 10-2 in the third round of the competition, before beating Penistone Church 4-1 and then edging out Hallam 3-2 after extra time in the quarter-final. Swallownest sit in midtable in the division below, but they have defeated NCEL Premier Division opposition twice already in Goole AFC and Hall Road Rangers, and beat Selby Town on penalties to reach the last four. Hemsworth Miners Welfare and Worksop Town go head-to-head in the other semi-final, with the final taking place on May 13 at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster.
26
ThePress
Friday April 26, 2019
RUGBY LEAGUE MATCH STATS DEWSBURY RAMS: Luke Hooley Rob Worrincy Dale Morton Adam Ryder Andy Gabriel Michael Knowles Liam Finn Tom Garratt Robbie Ward Samy Kibula Lucas Walshaw Dan Igbinedion Kyle Trout Subs: Sam Day Callum Field Ellis Robson Jode Sheriffe Tries: Igbinedion (35). Goals: Finn 2/2.
8 7 6 7 7 7 6 6 6 7 7 7 6 7 6 6 6
BATLEY BULLDOGS: Dave Scott 7 Wayne Reittie 4 Sam Smeaton 7 Sam Wood 6 Johnny Campbell 7 Louis Jouffret 6 Dom Brambani 6 Adam Gledhill 8 Alistair Leak 8 Tom Lillycrop 8 Jack Downs 7 Dane Manning 8 Toby Everett 8 Subs: James Brown 8 Reiss Butterworth 6 Joe Taira 7 Michael Ward 6 Tries: Leak (38), Taira (46), Brown (62). Goals: Scott 4/4. Referee: M Mannifield Half-time: 8-6 Penalties: 14-6 Sin Bin: Ward (32, after team warning) Sent Off: Reittie (30, shoulder charge) Man of the match: Dane Manning (Batley) Attendance: 1,276
12-man Bulldogs claim derby win Betfred Championship
DEWSBURY RAMS
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BATLEY BULLDOGS 20 Stephen Ibbetson at Tetley’s Stadium BATLEY BULLDOGS overcame the first half dismissal of Wayne Reittie to come back and claim bragging rights in the Heavy Woollen derby. Their chances of getting the win looked very slim following that red card and a Dan Igbinedion try that put Dewsbury 8-0 in front. But after getting a score back on the verge of half-time, the Bulldogs produced a superb second-half display in contrast to a poor Rams effort. “The adversity we faced there, to be down to 12 men and then down to 11, the boys showed some real character and they worked their hearts out for each other,” said delighted Bulldogs coach Matt Diskin. “It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t one to be proud of how we threw the ball about, but to be proud of the result and the character that we showed.” On Reittie’s sending off for a shoulder charge, he said: “If it genuinely is an intentional shoulder charge then it might be a deserved red, but I think the game’s gone soft if I’m honest.” That incident looked like
being the turning point of the match, after an uneventful first 30 minutes in which neither side were able to gain a foothold and the Rams led courtesy of a Liam Finn penalty in front of the posts. However, the game came to life when the Batley winger clattered into Luke Hooley and was shown the red card by referee Michael Mannifield. That began a period of extraordinary ill-discipline by the Bulldogs, as the first of six penalties in a row which included Michael Ward’s sinbinning for holding down too long just seconds after his side were placed on a team warning. Eventually the pressure told on the 11-man defence as Igbinedion powered over the line for his first try of the season, with Finn’s boot making it 8-0. Despite the disadvantage, Batley found a response thanks to smart individual play from Alistair Leak to go over from dummy half. The home fans were convinced the ball had been lost but the referee was happy it had been grounded, and Dave Scott converted to narrow the difference to two. Having cooled their emotions during the break, the Bulldogs came out with real purpose at the start of the second half and, four minutes in, levelled the scores when Scott
knocked over a penalty. Things got even better with Ward back in their ranks, and they were soon in front for the first time as Joe Taira smashed his way through the defence and over the line to score. The pressure continued with James Brown held up over the line, while Dewsbury’s second half was summed up when Dale Morton knocked-on in the tackle on the first play from a scrum close to his own line. Batley didn’t punish them then but they did just after the hour mark. Brown drove over the line and saw the ball fall out of his hands before he pounced on it to touch down, but after consultation with the touch judge the ball was ruled to have been stripped by the defender and the try was given. Scott made it 20-8 and although the visitors had some defending to do in the latter stages, they never looked like being tested again by a dysfunctional Rams outfit. “It wasn’t good,” Dewsbury coach Lee Greenwood admitted. “We went alright for 35 minutes or so, some decent performances in there, and at that point Batley were losing their discipline. “The try before half-time obviously hurts, and then in the second half fair play to them. They brought it and we didn’t.”
MARK OF RESPECT: There will be a minute’s silence across the NCL this weekend to mark the passing of Thornhill Trojans’ Martyn Holland (centre)
Tributes for Martyn THORNHILL TROJANS have called off this weekend’s NCL fixture after the passing away of Martyn Holland. A minute’s silence will be held at all matches as a mark of respect for the player, who also appeared for Shaw Cross. Thornhill announced the news on Monday in a social media post, saying: “You were one of our own and you will be greatly missed by all at
Thornhill Trojans.” Shaw Cross Sharks said: “This guy played tough and gave his all for every club he represented. “Rivalries are put aside on days like today as we stand together for a fantastic rugby league player but an even better bloke.” A JustGiving page for funds towards his funeral has already raised more than £3,500.
NCL sides return
day of the season in Division Two as they take on Hull Dockers. In Division Three, both Dewsbury Celtic and Batley Boys continue their promotion efforts after promising starts to their respective campaigns. Celtic go to Eastmoor Dragons, while Batley will look to extend their unbeaten run to six when they travel to Heworth.
DEWSBURY MOOR will look to pick up their first win of the NCL Division One season when they travel to Myton Warriors tomorrow (Saturday). Shaw Cross Sharks have a home game for the first time since the opening
CRICKET
sport@thepressnews.co.uk
Rain looms ahead of opening league ties
IF HANGING HEATON are to retain their Heavy Woollen Cup crown they are destined to do it the hard way. Having travelled to Shelley for a first-round tie on Easter Sunday, the reward for their nine-wicket win is to travel further afield in round two to take on South Yorkshire side Wickersley Old Village. Shelley offered little resistance at the weekend as newcomer Callum Bethel took 3-37 in seven overs for Hanging Heaton and James Byrne returned figures of 4-26 in 25 balls of remarkable variety – conceding four fours and one six, four wides, and taking four wickets while recording dot balls from the remaining deliveries. Chasing a total of just 108 all out in 22 overs, Nick Connelly (42) and Joe Fraser (40) knocked off the runs for Hanging Heaton for just the loss of skipper Gary Fellows. In Wednesday night’s draw for the second round at Gomersal, there was an away tie for Spen Victoria, who travel to Wibsey in Bradford to face Buttershaw St Pauls in an allBradford League clash, but the remaining Dewsbury and district clubs fell at the first hurdle. Conference side Crossbank Methodists were bowled out for 96 at Premier Division New Farnley as Dan Hodgson (192 not out) and Adam Waite (123) posted a total of 376 for two in their 50 overs. Ossett managed only 164 in 43 overs in response to a score of 378-8
AFTER WEEKS of beautiful warm sunny weather, the All Rounder Bradford Premier League season is due to get underway in far more familiar April weather tomorrow, as rain is forecast. In the event of sandwiches, pies and buns not going to waste and games actually being played, the 2019 campaign opens with Cleckheaton hosting the district’s only Premier Division game when they are due to face a visit from Townville at Moorend. Mally Nicholson will once again captain the Moorenders and will doubtless be keen to see his side make a positive start. But only three points separated these two sides in seventh and eighth places last year and it looks like being another close-run affair this time around. Hanging Heaton, having finished second, first and third in the past three seasons, should be among the challengers once again but they can expect a tough contest at Red Lane when they visit Farsley. They cannot afford to be complacent if they want to make up the 43-point deficit on champions Pudsey St Lawrence last season. With Hanging Heaton and Pudsey St Lawrence each claiming a top four place in the last four seasons, it is not unreasonable to expect both of them to be challenging again as well. After dicing with relegation from the top flight for four successive seasons, one-time Bradford
Tough draw for HH after Shelley stroll By Mike Popplewell Cricket correspondent
SAFE PASSAGE: Skipper Gary Fellows leads Hanging Heaton to the win over Shelley by Shepley at Queens Terrace. Birstall were bowled out for 106 at Townville as the home side won by seven wickets in 14 overs and Gomersal went down by 105 runs at Elland. In the remaining second-round ties, with games due to be played on May 12, Huddersfield side Scholes are at home to Shepley, Barnsley Woolley Miners entertain New Farnley, Wrenthorpe are at home to Elland, Townville face Whitley Hall, Treeton are at home to South Kirkby and Hoylandswaine entertain Barkisland.
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League giants East Bierley finally saw that trap door open for them to tumble through last season. They open their Championship One campaign with a visit from nearby Gomersal tomorrow. In the circumstances, any attempt to guess the outcome is futile. It is impossible to know how a club is going to react after a relegation setback and this applies equally to Scholes, who entertain newly-promoted Wakefield St Michaels at New Popplewell Lane. Last year’s Championship Two winners Keighley owed much to the 692 runs from opener Richard Gould, which took his Bradford League aggregate to 15,345 runs, and it will be interesting to see how he, and they, fare at Bankfoot. In this division’s other games affecting our district, Hartshead Moor go to Pudsey Congs, Ossett are at Baildon and Batley have a derby clash at home to Morley. Last year’s Championship Two strugglers Liversedge and Spen Victoria clash at Roberttown Lane in this year’s opener, while Hopton Mills are at home to East Ardsley and Birstall entertain Bowling Old Lane. With only 11 teams in the Conference it is Crossbank Methodists who find themselves with a guaranteed blank week, while Heckmondwike and Carlinghow start the season with a trip to Sandal and, along with everyone else, hope rain doesn’t leave them idle as well.
ThePress
Friday April 26, 2019
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RUGBY LEAGUE
Red-hot Batley tame the Lions MATCH STATS
Betfred Championship
BATLEY BULLDOGS SWINTON LIONS
BATLEY BULLDOGS: Dave Scott 7 Wayne Reittie 8 Sam Smeaton 7 Sam Wood 8 Johnny Campbell 9 Louis Jouffret 8 Dom Brambani 8 Joe Taira 7 Reiss Butterworth 8 Toby Everett 7 Jack Downs 8 Paul Brearley 6 James Brown 7 Subs: Lewis Bienek 7 Alex Bretherton 7 Michael Ward 7 Lewis Galbraith Tries:Wood (6, 54), Jouffret (12, 72), Bretherton (32), Smeaton (44). Goals: Scott 4/7.
32 18
Stephen Ibbetson at Fox’s Biscuits Stadium BATLEY made it two wins from two over Easter with a hard-fought triumph over Swinton Lions. Sam Wood and Louis Jouffret both scored twice as they ran in their highest points total of the year, although they had to fend off a spirited secondhalf comeback from the visitors. Bulldogs coach Matt Diskin praised the spirit of his side to hold on to the two points. “In general I thought we dominated the first half, (then) had a spell from about the 50th minute to the 65th minute where we were a different team, with a few errors and indiscipline letting them back into the game,” he said. “But we showed enough to close it out, which is a real positive for us.” Batley headed downhill in the first half and they took full advantage of the slope to put Swinton to the sword and open up a 16-0 lead. The first try came after only six minutes, as Dom Brambani, Jouffret and Dave Scott combined to send Johnny Campbell away down the left and he passed back inside to Wood in support to finish, with Scott adding the extras. It was then 12-0 after as many minutes after another well-worked try, started from a break by James Brown. He passed to Jack Downs who in turn found Brambani, and while the scrumhalf couldn’t make it all the way himself he managed to offload to Jouffret to go over. Swinton were struggling to make any ground up the hill, even when their opponents were reduced to 12 men as
MATCH STATS LEIGH CENTURIONS: Gregg McNally Jonny Pownall Matty Costello Iain Thornley Mitch Cox Martyn Ridyard Josh Woods Luke Douglas Micky Higham Jake Emmitt Toby Adamson James Laithwaite Joe Cator Subs: Josh Eaves Liam Hood Sam Brooks James Bentley Tries: Thornley (6, 44, 80). Costello (47), Bentley (20, 52, 77). Goals: Ridyard 2/2, Woods 1/4, Costello 0/1. DEWSBURY RAMS: Luke Hooley Rob Worrincy Dale Morton Adam Ryder Andy Gabriel Simon Brown Liam Finn Tom Garratt Liam Mackay Kyle Trout Samy Kibula Michael Knowles Dan Igbinedion Subs: Sam Day Lucas Walshaw Callum Field Harvey Hallas Tries: Brown (31), Trout (55). Goals: Finn 2/2. Referee: B Pearson Half-time: 8-6 Penalties: 8-9 Man of the match: James Bentley (Leigh) Attendance: 3,043
NO WAY THROUGH: Batley hooker Reiss Butterworth tackles Swinton’s Gavin Bennion on the Bulldogs’ way to victory Downs was shown yellow for a late challenge on Rob Fairclough. Instead, Batley stretched further in front as Jouffret slipped the ball to Alex Bretherton to score his first try of the season from close range. Downs made a crucial tackle on Fairclough to prevent a try, although the Lions half-back didn’t make it to the break after a high tackle meant he had to be helped from the field. Batley maintained their momentum at the beginning of the second half, extending their lead to 20 points when Sam Smeaton weaved round the defence and past the full-back to score. There was little indication that a Swinton revival was on its way, but it
began soon after that try as they got on the board for the first time. Matty Ashton moved to go one way and then twisted back inside to find a gap in the defence, with Oscar Thomas converting. The home side remained strong, with Reiss Butterworth held up over the line on the last tackle before, on their next attack, Brambani’s kick to the corner was palmed back by Campbell for Wood to score his second. Swinton weren’t going away though, and two more tries from Ashton in the space of four minutes made it a onescore game. The first came after Thomas and Jack Hensen had combined to put him in position to sneak
PHOTO: SIMON HALL
through the line. He could have had his hat-trick sooner, but he failed to claim Billy Brickhill’s pass after Gavin Bennion had sent them on a break. He didn’t have to wait too much longer though, taking an inside ball from Thomas to secure his treble. However, the Lions couldn’t find a way through again and the job was just about done when Jouffret stepped around his man to claim his second of the game, before Scott added a penalty late on for good measure. Losing coach Stuart Littler admitted: “We probably gave ourselves too much of a mountain to climb, letting the 16 points in in the first half.”
SWINTON LIONS: Jack Hansen 7 Mike Butt 6 Daley Williams 6 Rhodri Lloyd 6 Matty Ashton 8 Oscar Thomas 6 Rob Fairclough 7 Gavin Bennion 7 Luke Waterworth 6 Lewis Hatton 6 Kyle Shelford 6 Frankie Halton 7 Paddy Jones 6 Subs: Billy Brickhill 7 Adam Jones 6 Jose Kenga 6 Harry Aaronson 6 Tries: Ashton (48, 58, 62). Goals: Thomas 3/3. Referee: L Moore Half-time: 16-0 Penalties: 6-8 Sin Bin: Downs (24, high tackle) Man of the match: Johnny Campbell (Batley) Attendance: 759
Rams come up short against Centurions Betfred Championship
LEIGH CENTURIONS 34 DEWSBURY RAMS 12 at Leigh Sports Village DEWSBURY RAMS put in a respectable effort at Leigh Centurions but a dominant second-half performance saw the hosts to victory on Easter Monday. There were only two points in it at the break after Simon Brown’s try for the Rams, but they couldn’t keep in touch as the play-off hopefuls pulled away in the second 40. Leigh overcame a number of injuries to secure the win, with Iain Thornley and James Bentley both notching hattricks. They got on the board after only six minutes, as a neat move left through the hands of half-backs Josh Woods and Martyn Ridyard put Thornley in for the first of his treble. Bentley then got his opener, with the ball this time passed towards the right edge as Woods and Matty Costello combined to send the second rower, on dual registration from St Helens, over the line. The hosts were on top of the game throughout but were struggling to reflect that onto the scoreboard, and Dewsbury forced their way back into the contest when a perfectly-
weighted chip from Liam Finn allowed half-back partner Brown to collect the ball and score on his return to the team to make it 8-6. They could even have led at half-time, but had an effort ruled out just before the break. Rob Worrincy went into the corner after picking up the loose ball from Dale Morton’s offload attempt, but the referee ruled the assist to have gone forward. Leigh came out with much more confidence at the start of the second half, and put themselves well in control with three tries in the first 12 minutes. The first came from Liam Hood’s short pass to send Thornley crashing over for his second of the match before Costello took a pass from Woods and skipped inside Brown to score. Those efforts were followed by the best try of the match. Woods kicked the ball forward from the halfway line and Jonny Pownall knocked the ball back inside from the wing for Bentley to register his second. With two of the three tries converted, they were looking far more comfortable at 24-6. However, the Rams were still determined to make a fist of it, and reduced the deficit when Finn slipped the ball to Kyle Trout and the big forward smashed through Toby Adamson to get through
the line. They had few other chances to score again though as the home side regained their grip, with Hood held up over the line by the defence and Bentley denied a hat-trick – for now – by the referee’s call of an obstruction. The Rams were hanging on but any hopes of a comeback could be discarded when Michael Knowles was directed
to the sin bin, and Leigh extended the scoreline with two more tries in the final few minutes. Bentley was the first to get his treble, gratefully receiving Jake Emmitt’s offload to slide over on the right before Thornley secured his third on the other side following a move through the hands of Hood and Ridyard. It was a win that came at a
big cost for Leigh, with Gregg McNally, Pownall and Woods all forced off through injury, but coach John Duffy was pleased to have at least come away with the two league points. However, he added: “I think we have got to deal better with teams coming trying to frustrate us. That’s what teams have been doing on us when they come to Leigh."
Greenwood: Good effort but little quality DEWSBURY RAMS simply lacked quality in their defeat at Leigh on Easter Monday, according to coach Lee Greenwood. The Centurions pulled away in the second half to condemn the Rams to a third Championship defeat in a row. Greenwood believes that his side put in the effort in the loss, but was left to rue their mistakes. “I would say the effort was there and we did quite a lot of defending in our own half," he said. "However, quality performance-wise it was low with the amount of drop balls. We did allow Leigh to attack us on our line quite a lot. It took a lot out of us and you are probably looking at two levels of teams at the moment. “Leigh are a good side and when you play these teams who are looking to be at the top of the table they will throw plenty of attacks at you. “All the games are tough but they are different types of tough, so when you play Leigh, Widnes and Toulouse it’s not easy and you will be underdogs. "When you go into these games you need to be right on it and with the amount of mistakes we made we weren’t on it. “We obviously know we can pick up the odd result like we did against Featherstone. However these are tough places to come for teams like us at the stage we are at. “It was disappointing as in we don’t like losing, we are looking at teams on a different level. We are where we are
HONEST ASSESSMENT: Lee Greenwood admitted it was a low-quality performance from the Rams at Leigh in the league table and that is our battle." Dewsbury sit in tenth in the table with just two wins and a draw from seven matches, although they remain three points above the relegation zone.
Bulldogs’ delight after perfect Easter weekend By Stephen Ibbetson Sports Reporter sport@thepressnews.co.uk
BATLEY BULLDOGS coach Matt Diskin wants to see his side build momentum after coming out of the Easter period with two wins from two. They managed to overcome Wayne Reittie’s sending-off to come from behind and beat Heavy Woollen rivals Dewsbury 20-8 on Good Friday, and backed that up with a 32-18 success over Swinton on Easter Monday. The Bulldogs have now won three Championship games in a row after taking the points in only one of their first eight, and sit prettier in ninth spot in the table. Boss Diskin wants to see them continue that form as they host Leigh Centurions at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 3pm). “To come out of the Easter period with two wins out of two is massive for us,” he said. “With the momentum we’ve got, let’s try and ride it. There are no expectations on us against Leigh other than our own, but let’s try and build momentum and keep picking up points.” They racked up their highest points total of the season so far in the Swinton triumph, but the coach praised their efforts at both ends of the pitch in that game. “Some of the stuff we did really well. We played some really good rugby and scored some fantastic tries,” he said. “But I thought they defended well, in the first half in particular, to say it’s the second game in three days. “There was a little bit of fatigue in the second half, a few
ALMOST THERE: Andy Monkhouse celebrates his equaliser against Pontefract Collieries PHOTOS: John Hirst
Welsh targets final-day win
FLYING WINGER: Johnny Campbell impressed in Batley’s Easter Monday triumph over Swinton missed tackles and poor decisions, but it’s the Easter weekend so we’ll put some context to that.” There were some outstanding individual efforts as well, with Diskin picking out two players for particular praise. “Johnny Campbell made some really good contributions, in the first half in particular,” he said. “Getting us off our own line and getting us up the field I thought he was very good. “Jack Downs was good again, even if he got sin-binned so he got 10 minutes’ rest! Two full per-
formances from him (over Easter) was a massive effort.” He also applauded the efforts of young hooker Reiss Butterworth, who re-joined the club on dual registration from Huddersfield last week and played the final few minutes of the Rams clash before putting in a full 80-minute stint against Swinton. “I thought he did exceptionally well,” said Diskin. “He’s a very talented player, he’s worked exceptionally hard at Huddersfield in pre-season and got himself in a much better shape.
PHOTO: Simon Hall
“This time last year I don’t think he could have completed 80 minutes so it’s a big step for him, and I thought he showed some brilliant control in and around the ruck area.” Batley suffered only one injury over the notorious Easter schedule, with prop Tom Lillycrop set to miss the next couple of weeks after picking up a calf strain in the Dewsbury clash. Adam Gledhill, Alistair Leak and Dane Manning all sat out the Easter Monday fixture but will be back to bolster their pack against Leigh.
Boss calls for young Rams to mature DEWSBURY RAMS coach Lee Greenwood has admitted that “some of our boys need to turn into men”. The Rams have failed to pick up any points over Easter, letting a lead slip against 12-man Batley in the Heavy Woollen derby last week before defeat at Leigh on Easter Monday. The Rams boss has been honest about the challenges faced in recruitment following his offseason arrival, with the club currently calling on a considerable loan contingent each week. Wakefield’s Luke Hooley and Wigan pair Samy Kibula and Callum Field played both games over the Easter period, while Warrington forward Ellis Robson made his debut in the Good Friday defeat to the Bulldogs. “We’ve got young lads in
there, we’ve got lads on loan, there are quite a lot of quiet characters in there and we probably are looking for leaders,” he admitted after the loss to their nearest and dearest rivals. “Obviously recruitment is hard once you’ve started. The loan guys that we’re getting are good kids and they’re learning the ropes while they’re with us, so that was a good learning curve for them today, just how to lift that intensity. “It’s an old adage of men against boys but some of that looked like that. (Batley) played a conservative game around the middle but ran really hard, and
some of our guys just weren’t ready for it, and it’s really hard to turn that around once you’ve got into that.” Greenwood added that the performances were a reflection of where the two Heavy Woollen rivals are currently at. “Ability-wise there’s nothing in it, skill-wise there’s nothing in it, but just as a team they’re ahead of where we are, and that’s to be expected with where the coaches’ are in their time at the clubs. “They looked like a team full of blokes who had been together for a bit, against a team of individuals with some young lads in
there and some quiet lads. He added: “There’s a bit of soul searching going on for the lads. We’ve just got to take that as a learning curve from the men’s side of it. “Some of our boys need to turn into men and quickly, because it’s a tough competition and it’s pretty ruthless.” It doesn’t get any easier as they travel next to a full-time Widnes outfit, who beat rivals Leigh before going down at York over Easter, this Sunday (kick-off 3pm). The Vikings remain in the bottom two courtesy of their 12point deduction for entering administration, so defeat for Dewsbury on Sunday (kick-off 3pm) would push them to within at least two points of the relegation zone.
OSSETT UNITED manager Andy Welsh wants his side to recover from their disappointing Easter weekend ahead of the final day of the season and the play-offs. His side let a two-goal lead slip to lose 3-2 at Belper Town last Saturday, before a late equaliser from Andy Monkhouse earned them a draw at home to Pontefract Collieries. That point virtually secures their place in the playoffs. They sit three points ahead of sixth-placed Tadcaster Albion in the table, with a goal difference which is superior by nine. Both sides finish with mid-table opposition tomorrow (Saturday), as Tadcaster host Lincoln United and Ossett travel to Stocksbridge Park Steels (kick-off 3pm). However slim the chances of being overtaken in the table are, Welsh is not taking their play-off spot for granted, although he expects an improved performance regardless to regain some form. “I think it’s another huge game,” said the United boss. “We want to get back on the winning trail.
‘HUGE GAME’: Manager Andy Welsh “As big as the disappointment was at Belper on Saturday, I can’t fault the players. “They’ve been top of the form table for such a long time, but they’re only human beings at the end of the day. “If this is a little blip right now, then we have to get together and then kick on, and hopefully we’ll do the business.” After the draw with second-placed Pontefract on Easter Monday, Welsh praised the attitude that saw them fight to the end for a point. “You can see why Ponte are up there,” he said. “I said to their management staff that I think they’ve done an outstanding job this season and they’ll definitely be the team to fear in the play-offs because they’re good at what they do. “But one thing I’ve said all season about our players is that they have a never-say-die attitude. It’s not the first time that we’ve equalised late on and I think that for us, and for the fans as well, we deserved that.” If they do hold on to a play-off spot, they will have a three-day turnaround before a semi-final on Tuesday (April 30). Depending on the final shake-up of the league table, they would travel to either Pontefract Collieries or Brighouse Town.