The Press – Friday December 6, 2019

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Friday December 6, 2019

No. 923

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TRACY ACTIVIST IN TWEET ROW Labour campaigner posts election slur

By Staff Reporters

Search continues for Colin

A KEY supporter of Batley & Spen Labour candidate Tracy Brabin has been accused of making a mockery of a pledge to carry out a respectful and dignified election campaign.

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Lighting up in style

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Mark Martin is the Unite union’s regional spokesman, and as well as signing Ms Brabin’s nomination forms to stand in the contest to be the next Batley & Spen MP, he was present when all the local candidates joined Kim Leadbeater, the sister of murdered ex-MP Jo Cox, to commit to a fair and civilised campaign.

Yet immediately after Monday night’s well-attended election hustings at Batley’s Al-Hikmah centre, Mr Martin re-tweeted a social media post calling Independent candidate Paul Halloran a “racist, militarist, far right gobshite” and a “goon”.

After intervention and condemnation of his comments by Ms Brabin, hard-left activist Martin deleted the tweet from his timeline.

The original post by someone identifying themselves only as @luddites200 was attacking Mr Halloran for launching his general election campaign at the Luddite worker memorial in Liversedge, which was attended by over 100 local people.

It also linked to another attackcolumn warning followers to: “Beware far-right candidates posing as ‘independents’ in local elections.”

Mr Martin later commented on Twitter: “It appears my retweet

Mark Martin poses with Tracy Brabin Photo: Twitter

of this post has upset the local Gammon and their friends in the local Press.”

‘Gammon’ is an insult used to describe middle-aged or older men on the political right, or who

supported Brexit.

In a first for the current UK General Election campaign, Jo Cox’s sister Kim called on all candidates to show courtesy and civility during what always promised to be a heated few weeks on the doorsteps and hustings.

In a gathering at Jo Cox House in Batley, she said: “I had hoped that the murder of my sister Jo would lead to a better way of doing politics, but sadly that hasn’t always been the case.

“So this is the opportunity for us here in Batley and Spen to send a clear message to the country about the kind of democracy we all want.”

The pledge committed candidates to “setting an appropriate tone when campaigning, encourage constructive debate and tolerance of other views, and promote the dignity of others, including political opponents, treating all with courtesy and respect.”

Paul Halloran said: “I am very proud to have signed the Jo Cox Foundation pledge, the premise of which is something that is very close to my heart and which I will always stand by.

“We need to stop dirty tricks in politics so that it is a more civilised place that can be

Continued on page 2

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Friday December 6, 2019

Deaths BARRON WALTER CEDRIC

mother of Adrian and the late Mark. Funeral service will take place at Longcauseway Church, Dewsbury, on Wednesday December 18 at 2pm.

December 19 at 12.30pm.

On December 1, peacefully in hospital, of Roberttown Lane, Liversedge, aged 83, husband of Barbara.

Funeral service will take place at Huddersfield Crematorium on Thursday

CONROY (NEE INGHAM) AUDREY

COWAN (NEE WARBURTON) MARGARET

On November 30, peacefully at home in Heckmondwike, formerly of Dewsbury, aged 90,

On November 26, peacefully in her sleep at Fieldhead Court, of Walker Street Complex, Thornhill Lees, aged 84, wife of the late John. Funeral service will take place at Longcauseway Church, Dewsbury, on Monday December 16 at 2pm.

BEAL Stephen On 1st December 2019, at his home in Mirfield, aged 70 years, Stephen, much-loved husband of Marie, dearly loved dad of Oliver and Amy and father in law of Andy and Lucy, loving grandad of Denver and Aspen, Evie and Ruby, beloved son of Betty and the late Gordon Beal, loved brother of Chris, a dear brother in law and uncle.

Funeral service will be held at St Paul’s Church, Hanging Heaton on Thursday 19th December 2019 at 1.15pm, followed by committal at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium.

Family flowers only, donations in memory of Stephen may be placed in the collection box provided by George Brooke Ltd, for the benefit of Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.

GOULDEN (NEE PEARSON) NELLIE On November 20, suddenly in hospital, aged 88, wife of the late John.

Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Tuesday December 10 at 11.15am.

GREEN NIGEL RODNEY On December 1, of Mirfield, aged 77, son of the late Harry and Dorothy Green. Funeral service will take place at Ravensthorpe with Hopton United Reformed Church on Friday December 13 at 11.45am.

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KEOGH MARGARET On November 30, peacefully in hospital, aged 87, wife of the late Michael.

Funeral service will be held at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Thursday

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December 19 at 10am.

LEDGER (NEE HUNT) RITA On November 28, peacefully at Kirkwood Hospice after a short illness, of Wards Hill Court, Batley, aged 82, wife of Allan.

Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Monday December 16 at 11.15am.

MALLINSON REGINALD KEITH On November 28, of Upper Hopton, aged 74, a much loved husband. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Thursday December 12 at 1.15pm.

SCOTT BARRY SYKES Suddenly on November 27, aged 93, husband of Lilian. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on December 17 at 11.15am.

STEWARD (NEE SCARGILL) WENDY On November 29, at Kirkwood Hospice, aged 73, wife of Don. Funeral service will take at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Monday December 16 at 12.30pm.

TEASDALE DOROTHY On November 24, peace-

PUGH Michael John Retired Milkman, former proprietor of Pugh’s Newsagents, Morley

On 1st December 2019, at his home in Batley, aged 77 years, Michael, deeply loved husband of Margaret, much loved dad of Stephen, Sharon and Daryl, dear father in law of Peter and Sonia, beloved grandad of Leanne, Ashley, Jordan and the late Michelle, loving great grandad of Alisha, Megan, Leah, Jacob, Joshua and Miya and proud great-great grandad of Lucas.

Funeral service will be held at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Wednesday 18th December 2019 at 12.30pm. Friends please accept this intimation and meet at the crematorium.

Family flowers only, donations in lieu may be placed in the collection box provided by George Brooke Ltd, for the benefit of Guide Dogs for the Blind.

fully in hospital, aged 84, mum of Mark, Philip and Michelle. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Wednesday December 11 at 10am.

WALKER PEGGY On November 25, peacefully after a short illness, aged 91, wife of the late Granville. Funeral service will take place at St Peter’s Church, Hartshead, on Tuesday December 17 at 12pm.

WHITELOW EDWARD BRIAN On November 23, peacefully in hospital, husband of the late Dorothy.

Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Birstall, on Thursday December 12 at 11am.

WHITTAM RONALD On December 1, peacefully at Holme House, Gomersal, of Dewsbury, aged 78, husband of Clarice. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Friday December 20 at 12.30pm.

WRIGHTSON PAUL On November 30, peacefully at Fieldhead Court Nursing Home, formerly of Mirfield, son of the late Colin and Kathleen.

Funeral to be arranged by Co-operative funeral care, Heckmondwike. Call 01924 401143.

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www.thepressnews.co.uk @ThePressLatest /ThePressNews Publisher: Danny Lockwood Reporters: Zoë Shackleton & Connor Teale Sports Reporter: Stephen Ibbetson Photography: Mike Clark & YappApp Graphic Designer: Craig Moore Sales Manager: Lucy Tissiman Key Account Manager: Jo Gilbert Senior Sales Executive: Janet Black Classified Sales Executive: Rachael Hall Office Manager: Angela Hall

Campaigner retweets election slur Continued from page 1 respected by everyone.

“I am very disappointed to hear that one of the Labour candidate’s closest supporters, indeed one of the 10 signatories on her election candidate papers, has already crossed the line by seeing it fit to share online complete lies and smears on my character. It’s unacceptable and I expect the Labour candidate to speak out against this behaviour.”

Ms Brabin said: “I have been very vocal about the need to dial down the rhetoric when it comes to

political discourse. I was honoured to sign the Jo Cox Foundation pledge; it’s a great initiative that should improve our politics for the better.

“The retweet in question falls below what I believe is acceptable, and I’m glad Mr Martin has removed it after I spoke to him. I would ask my fellow candidates to ensure they are doing the same with their supporters.”

The Press approached the Mr Martin via his trade union employers, but did not receive a reply.

Teen trio admit Currys robbery THREE teenagers have admitted robbing £14,000’s worth of electrical goods from Currys PC World in Birstall Retail Park.

The youths, one aged 14 and two aged 16, appeared in Leeds Youth Court on Wednesday in connection with the incident on Monday evening.

It happened at around 6.30pm when five males entered the store and stole electrical goods, including iPhones and iPads.

Natalie Chapman, prosecuting, said staff asked the youths to leave the store, with one employee sticking their arm out to prevent them from entering any further.

The court heard that the 14-year-old boy became agitated at this and produced a kitchen knife from his sleeve, threatening people and telling them to stand back.

“An employee was in fear of being stabbed,” said Ms Chapman.

The males stole goods from the Apple display and then fled the scene in a black BMW, which was later located in Huddersfield.

The defendants, who can not be identified, were joined by memThe Press abides by the bers of their family for principles of the Independent the hearing and spoke Press Standards Organisation only to confirm their and at all times attempts to names, age, nationalireport fairly and accurately ties and to enter their and correct mistakes or pleas. errors as soon as possible.

All three youths In the first instance, contact pleaded guilty to robthe editor, otherwise we will bery and threatening be happy to give details of the a person with a Independent Press weapon in a public Standards Organisation. place.

Sentencing was If you notice a factual committed to Leeds inaccuracy, please email Crown Court for news@thepressnews.co.uk.

December 24. An You can also write to application for bail on The Press, behalf of all three 31 Branch Road, Batley, defendants was WF17 5SB rejected.

They were all We adhere to the Editors’ remanded into secure Code of Practice as enforced accommodation until

by IPSO, who are contactable their sentencing. for advice at: IPSO, Gate House, Call The Press 1 Farringdon Street, newsroom on 01924 London, EC4M 7LG 470296 or email Website: www.ipso.co.uk news@ Email: advice@ipso.co.uk thepressnews.co.uk Telephone: 0300 123 2220

ThePress

Friday December 6, 2019

Fundraiser reaches its £2,000 target as Colin hunt continues

News In Brief Eileen collects MBE DEWSBURY: The first woman to swim the English Channel – Dewsbury’s Eileen Fenton – has been honoured at Buckingham Palace.

Eileen, 91, received an MBE for voluntary services to swimming – and she revealed that Prince William had told her the royals were “a family of swimmers”.

Eileen, who swam the channel in 1950, will celebrate the 70th anniversary of her achievement next August.

Legend Dickie in town DEWSBURY: Cricket legend Dickie Bird will be visiting the Black Bull pub on Tuesday (December 10, 7pm).

The former Yorkshire player and Test umpire will be joining local former cricketer and artist John Crowhurst, who is selling his latest cricket paintings on the night. John’s new book ‘A Brush With a Verse’ will also be on sale and all proceeds will go to the Dickie Bird Foundation.

There’ll be carol singing by the Dewsbury Minster Choir and a chance to meet the legend himself. Contact organiser Peter Mason on peterm@ramesses.com for more details.

By Staff Reporters A FUNDRAISING page has been set up to help find missing Dewsbury pensioner Colin Vasey, left.

The 81-year-old has been missing from his home in Shaw Cross for nearly three weeks.

A major search operation has been running with specialist search officers, police patrols, underwater search teams, drones and helicopters all being used to try and find him.

Volunteers from as far away as Kent and Wales have travelled to Dewsbury to help in the search, and a Facebook page called ‘Find Colin Vasey’ has reached over 18,000 members.

An online GoFundMe page has reached its £2,000 target to help fund more specialist search teams. Colin was last seen on the day he went missing, Sunday, November 17, at 6.01am, walking past Dewsbury Minster on Aldams Road. It is thought he was wearing a blue fleece, dressing gown, grey pyjama bottoms and a darkcoloured beanie hat.

Police underwater search teams have been focusing their efforts in and around the River Calder, but there have been no confirmed sightings since he was seen on the CCTV footage.

To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/ support-the-family-of-colin-vasey.

■ Anyone who has information is asked to call police on 999, quoting log 1104 of Sunday, November 17.

Jade Helliwell, SilverFinger Singh and Foxwood Steel are among the performers on stage

Lights extravaganza set to dazzle DEWSBURY’s festive switch-on event will definitely go ahead tomorrow (Saturday) after fundraisers reached their target this week.

This year’s lights extravaganza has been organised by the Dewsbury Partnership community group, and thanks to scores of kindhearted local folk, they raised £9,834 to make sure it happens.

The final pledge of £715 was made by Dewsbury Chamber of Trade on Monday.

It all kicks off at noon spread across various locations in the town centre with a craft market, followed by a variety of performances, from singers, dancers, drummers and rappers

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POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an incident in which a woman fell from her car and became trapped whilst reversing.

The 56-year-old BMW driver collided with the back of a Toyota on Market Street, Heckmondwike, on Tuesday afternoon.

According to a police statement she then reversed and collided with three more vehicles.

While reversing, the driver fell from her BMW and became trapped between two cars, causing her serious injuries. She was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen the incident to call 101, quoting log number 0762 of December 3.

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to community and youth groups and schools.

Batley singer-songwriter Jade Helliwell will be headlining the acts on the main stage, supported by Radio Leeds rapper and DJ SilverFinger Singh.

Ravensthorpe’s Sully Khan Dhol drummers will also be performing alongside the Foxwood Steel pan band and various dance groups.

There’ll be a lantern parade from 5pm before the lights are switched on at 6pm.

‘Pick-me-up’ lunch NORTH KIRKLEES: A community centre in Soothill is trialling a ‘pick-me-up’ lunch and quiz afternoon for local residents who may struggle to leave their house.

The Whitfield Wellbeing Centre, on Soothill Lane, will host a three-course lunch and Christmas-themed quiz on Wednesday (December 11, noon-2.30pm). Volunteers will also run a pick-up and drop-off service within the WF17 area, all for just £7.50.

Booking is essential. Contact the centre on 01924 445222 or email info@northkirklees blind.org.uk.

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News In Brief Man had 1k of drugs and stun gun at home THORNHILL LEES: A man who was found with thousands of pounds’-worth of cannabis and a stun gun at his home has been jailed.

Police discovered the weapon and over 800g of the Class B drug, with a street value of £4,470, at Umar Shezad’s Ouzelwell Road home on October 22, 2017.

He was already the subject of a community order for possession of a bladed article in a public place when the raid took place.

Leeds Crown Court heard that police also recovered a mobile phone which contained text messages offering to supply cannabis between June and October that year.

Shezad, 27, said in a police interview that he found the cannabis and gun in one of his uncle’s tenants’ flats.

He admitted possession of a prohibited weapon and offering to supply cannabis and was jailed for 11 months.

Village festivities BIRKENSHAW: Mulled wine flowed freely at the village’s Christmas Fayre and lights switch-on.

Events organised by Birkenshaw Village Association took place at the Community Hall, Scout HQ and St Paul’s Church, with performances by Drighlington brass band, Oakenshaw community choir and the Victoria School of Dance.

A referee’s recovery PROBUS: Jeff Jacklin will give a talk called “I used to be a football referee, but I’m better now” at Batley and Dewsbury Probus Club on Tuesday (December 10, 10am) at Batley Community Centre.

Friday December 6, 2019

Truss pledge on light railway and mental health funding Members of the Take Ten mental health support group with Liz Truss, rear left, and Conservative parliamentary candidate Mark Eastwood

By Connor Teale SECRETARY of State for International Trade Liz Truss trumpeted a potential new light rail system linking Dewsbury and the Spen Valley to Bradford.

The Tory minister spoke exclusively to The Press about the plans during a visit to Dewsbury on Wednesday.

The Conservatives have pledged that under a future Tory government, £4.2billion would be spent on public transport across the UK. Ms Truss said: “We need to better connect West Yorkshire, and Dewsbury will be a key part of that. “£25million is going into Dewsbury through the Towns Fund and we can announce that more local transport in West Yorkshire will soon be available, including a light-rail system for Dewsbury.”

Officials from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority have been looking into the viability of a scheme for more than a year.

It aims to develop designs for an advanced urban transit system for the Leeds City Region, that could be delivered by 2033.

Maps for the network show routes extending into North Kirklees. One line goes west into

south Bradford and then south into Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike and Dewsbury.

The route of the Spen Valley Greenway, a former railway line, could be used for the Kirklees section, to run from Mirfield up to Low Moor station in the south of Bradford.

Ms Truss also visited the town hall with parliamentary candidate Mark Eastwood to hear about the work being done by mental health

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support group, Take Ten. She lent her full support to Mr Eastwood, who faces a tough battle against Labour candidate Paula Sheriff, Dewsbury’s MP since 2015.

“Dewsbury is a very close race and we need to make sure that we get Mark in, because he’ll be a brilliant MP for the area,” she said.

“But we also need to make sure we get a Conservative majority to get Brexit done and get on with all the really important things that we

want to do.” Ms Truss took the opportunity to praise Dewsbury mental health support group Take Ten, which has recently been nominated as local fundraiser of the year in the Yorkshire Choice Awards.

She said: “I think community groups do something that government can’t necessarily do, which is providing that local word-ofmouth, one-to-one, peer support and I congratulate the ladies who have founded this organisation.

“They have created something really positive out of what has been a really difficult experience for many of the people who come to the group.”

Ms Truss maintained that a Tory government would “put £33billion into a properly-funded health service” in order to help those struggling with mental health issues.

Candidates contesting the Dewsbury and Mirfield seat are: Simon Cope (Green), Mark Eastwood (Conservative), Philip James (Brexit Party), John Rossington (Lib Dem), Sir Archibald Earl ‘Eaton Stanton (Official Monster Raving Loony Party) and Paula Sherriff (Labour).

Stevie’s team on award trail THE founder of a Dewsbury mental health support group is celebrating a host of award nominations.

Stevie Oliver, who runs Take Ten, has been nominated for three individual Yorkshire Choice awards on top of the ‘Let’s make a difference’ honour Take Ten, run by Stevie and a group of volunteers based at Dewsbury Town Hall, has also been nominated for the Yorkshire Choice local fundraiser of the year award.

Stevie, who suffers from depression and emotionally unstable personality disorder, decided to set up the group 18 months ago after a failed suicide attempt.

She says the impact that she’s seen the group make on people’s lives has been “over-

Stevie Oliver and daughter Alana whelming”.

“Coming from nothing and being somebody struggling with mental health, to all of a

sudden seeing the difference that it’s making, I’ve started to realise that what I’ve developed has changed lives,” she said.

“It’s not about winning an award – if we win we win – but just to be nominated is a massive achievement for us all.”

Take Ten’s sessions run every Wednesday (10am2.30pm) at Dewsbury Town Hall.

Voting for the Yorkshire Choice awards, which will take place at Elland Road stadium, Leeds, on March 14, is open until February 1 and people can vote for Stevie at www.yorkshirechoiceawards. co.uk/votehere.

Votes for the ‘Let’s make a difference’ award can be cast until December 20 at letsmakeadifferenceawards.co.uk.

Raving Loony hunting votes DEWSBURY’s election candidate for the Official Monster Raving Loony Party was on the campaign trail over the weekend.

Sir Archibald Stanton Earl ’Eaton toured the constituency in his ‘battle bus’ on Saturday, having breakfast at Jem Speed Shop before singing and dancing down to Dewsbury Market and the town hall.

The rest of the election trail took in Earlsheaton, Chickenley, Shaw Cross, Hanging Heaton, Savile Town, Thornhill, Thornhill Lees, Westtown, Westborough

Raving Loonys: Jimmy Duke of Earl, Johnny Ringo Chickadelphia, Baron Von Rainer of The Hill, Lucan The Big Cigar, Sir Archibald with right hand man Gilly Nicholls, and Mr Andrew Gummudge of Windsor Picture: Peter Townend and Dewsbury Moor with a quick pit stop at The Woodman in Batley Carr.

Sir Archibald will be in Denby Dale, Mirfield and Kirkburton this weekend and said: “The campaign is going well with people now beginning to take

us seriously – but as is the case, having fun along the way.

“We don’t have a big party, we don’t have election funding and we don’t have television time – people are what this election is about. We use humour to provoke political discussion.”

ThePress

Friday December 6, 2019

Halloran defends ‘far-right rhetoric’ answer INDEPENDENT candidate for Batley & Spen Paul Halloran had to defend himself against accusations of exhibiting “far-right rhetoric” at a hustings event (see main story).

Candidates were asked to “define Islamophobia” and outline steps they would take to combat it.

Mr Halloran said: “Racism...should be called out, no matter who perpetrates it. Regarding Islamophobia, I don’t want it to become a word that is used to cover things up and stop debate.

“One thing I don’t see a lot of in the Muslim community is people commenting on grooming gangs and terrorism.

“People of every denomination need to talk openly and honestly because the wider populace will take notice if people say, ‘this is wrong’.

“Let’s not invent a word that will stop us from debating those things,” he added.

A member of the audience voiced concerns that Mr Halloran’s answer perpetuated “farright rhetoric”.

But Mr Halloran responded: “I haven’t got a racist bone in my body, and telling the truth does not make you a racist.”

He revealed that his mother had taken a young Jamaican boy into her home for six months to prevent him becoming homeless.

“I’m still in touch with him now and he acknowledges that he’s forever in our debt,” he said. Please do not lecture me on being rightwing. What I said was we need to have open conversations.”

News In Brief

New choir debuts at lights switch-on DEWSBURY: A new choir is looking forward to its first public performance at the town’s Christmas lights switch-on.

Magic Voices Dewsbury started in early October and its 40-plus members will be singing alongside a number of other acts at the festive extravaganza tomorrow (Saturday).

The choir’s musical director Matthew Lazenby said: “It has been hugely exciting to work with this group of singers at the beginning of their musical journey.”

Help for disabled Batley & Spen election candidates faced a grilling from the audience at a hustings event at the Al Hikmah Centre in Batley

‘If I’m elected’... poll hopefuls face grilling

By Connor Teale FIVE prospective parliamentary candidates for Batley & Spen faced questions from residents at a hustings event.

John Lawson (Lib Dem), Mark Brooks (Con), Tracy Brabin (Lab), Clive Minihan (Brexit) and Paul Halloran (Independent) attended the event at the Al-Hikmah Centre in Batley.

Ty Akram (Green) was the only candidate not present.

The candidates were quizzed on local issues, including social care and the opportunities available to young people.

Mr Lawson claimed “we are in this room because of the failure of government”, and Mr Brooks promised that “the law-abiding working man would come first”, should he be elected.

Ms Brabin described being the area’s MP as “the privilege of my life” and said the election on December 12 is “a two-horse race”. She did not eleborate on who she felt her main rival was.

Mr Minihan promised the Brexit Party would scrap HS2 (a proposed railway line between London and the West Midlands, touted to be completed by 2026) and abolish the House of Lords.

Mr Halloran received a huge response from the public audience and claimed that Batley & Spen “is on

life support” before ending his opening speech with: “I’m here because I feel like I have to be.”

The candidates were then asked what they thought the biggest issue facing the constituency was.

Ms Brabin cited Dewsbury & District Hospital as requiring more funding while Mr Brooks said: “It’s always about more jobs.”

But Mr Halloran was adamant that the area “has become lawless,” and called on the police to become “the biggest gang on the street”.

Ms Brabin was later asked to outline her stance on Brexit and whether or not she would campaign for a deal.

“We’ve got to play this out, we can’t wish away 17 million people,” she said.

“But let’s see what the deal is first, right now I can’t answer (if she would vote in favour of a new Brexit deal).”

When met with an outcry of unrest from the audience, she exclaimed: “I want a deal.”

One concerned parent asked the candidates what they would do to ensure children in Batley & Spen have access to the same

Volunteers join store food drive OVER 100 boxes of food were collected by volunteers for Tesco Cleckheaton’s annual Christmas charity drive.

More than 20 community groups joined store workers for a food collection of 160 parcels of surplus food for FareShare, a Leeds-based charity which distributes them to school breakfast clubs, lunch groups, women’s refuges, community centres and hostels.

Melanie Cropper, community champion at the store, said: “Our customers never cease to amaze me with their generosity and we would like to thank

them. I would also like to thank all our volunteers, the local cubs, beavers and guides, local football and rugby clubs, the Salvation Army, Hightown

Primary School, Slimming World and the charities who are signed up to our food collection through FareShare and of course our colleagues.”

opportunities as children in the south of the country.

“It’s all about focusing on early years and investing in them,” said Mr Lawson.

Mr Brooks claimed it came down to “having a positive attitude” and singled out Labour for “talking down the working class.”

CLECKHEATON: A Christmas fair at the Central Methodist Church Community Centre in Mortimer Street tomorrow (Saturday, 9am-noon) will raise funds for a popular disabled group.

Proceeds are for the North Kirklees Disabled and Elderly Social Club, which has around 200 members and meets at the church on Thursdays. Entry is £1 and includes refreshments.

Church festivities MIRFIELD: Christ the King Church is hosting an evening of festive activities.

‘Light & Fantastic’ will be held on Saturday, December 14, at the church on Stocks Bank Road (7.15pm), featuring music and songs from Huddersfield Gilbert and Sullivan Society.

Tickets (£10) include a first drink, a festive supper and a chance to win the prize draw.

For more information, or to book a place, call 01924 493108.

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Friday December 6, 2019

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LIFE IN BLACK AND WHITE Danny Lockwood

One down, far too many to go...

T WAS the best of Britain, the worst of Britain. A religious fanatic goes on a murderous rampage and courageous men risk life and limb to stop him. Armed officers, seeing his suicide vest, finish the job.

I

What? The bomb wasn’t real? The blade that executed Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones was real enough, so all you feeble apologists can shove those sentiments where the sun don’t shine.

And then, sigh, the politicos get involved. They can’t help themselves, like schoolkids let loose in Willie Wonka’s chocolate factory.

“It was Labour’s fault for introducing laws allowing Usman Khan to be released early,” wheedles the pathetic Boris Johnson, whose gener-

al election campaign is falling apart like Theresa May’s. He looks scared of his own shadow, let alone Andrew Neil.

Given the Brexit mess Johnson’s barbs would be better aimed at the European Court of Human Rights. It’s their laws that mean ideological killers like Usman Khan must be released for ‘rehabilitation’ like misguided shoplifters.

The reply from Corbyn and Co, blaming ubiquitous ‘Tory cuts’ were as bad. “Probation service at breaking point” … “over-crowded prisons” … “no police left…”

Fair enough, but remind us again – who looted the UK’s pensions, sold our gold reserves for buttons, crippled the NHS with PFIs (that’s ‘P’ as in ‘privatised’ Jezza) and

Est over 45 Years

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on terrorists – but can’t while in the EU – and our police and prison services need to be fit for purpose.

But pointing schoolyard fingers over the bodies of two bright, young people is tawdry indeed.

O YOU know where radical Islam’s biggest HEROES: Those who took on the terrorist recruiting grounds are? And it’s not left a ‘hilarious’ note to the Dewsbury’s giant Tablighi incoming Tories that “there’s Jamaat HQ in Savile Town, no money left”? or suchlike.

How Liam Byrne, Gordon Those friendly dawa stalls Brown and pals laughed! And in shopping precincts, prothey were the responsible claiming the peaceful face of economic face of Labour!

Islam? They’re as harmless Wait until the fiscally inconas the Mormons or Jehovah’s tinent lunatics get the Witnesses on your doorstep. chequebook.

Try the British prison sysYes we need to toughen up tem and if you don’t believe me, ask a prison officer or an inmate.

In high security prisons run mostly by gangs, the Muslim gang is by far the biggest, with a toxic mix of drug dealers, sex groomers and jailed terrorists, from failed plotters like Usman Khan to hate-preachers like Anjem Choudary and hardcore ISIS warriors.

That’s one malignant cocktail to cast the worst of our social misfits into – a criminal and spiritual home for anyone who feels failed by British society.

And if that’s not explosive enough, we’ve a prison system as riddled with a politically correct “just keep ‘em happy until it isn’t our prob-

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Time to shake the establishment HIS time next week the nation’s fate will be sealed (please God, not a hung Parliament!) I’ve nothing against Tracy Brabin, but a lot against her hateful supporters like Mark Martin – and more on that lot next Friday. But it would be a momentous day for British democracy if Batley & Spen’s silent majority got off their sofas and sent a proud, local man to Parliament in Paul Halloran.

Boy, would that shake the establishment. Because every revolution has to start somewhere, and local folk have the chance, here and now.

Over in Dewsbury, and especially around my old home in Bywell Road, just up from deceased ward councillor Paul Kane, voters get the chance to send two messages – one to Westminster, one to Kirklees.

The Huddersfield Examiner had the good grace on Monday to take down a website story featuring Labour candidate Eric Firth invoking the memory of Paul, the implied support of his sons and crocodile tears of regret that he was ‘forced’ to fight an election no-one wanted. The man has no shame.

Last week Independent councillor Aleks Lukic told how Firth refused to hand over a charity cheque, miffed that Aleks was present for the photo op. Just this week I spoke to a resident who said ‘hi’ to Eric outside Lidl and was told to eff off.

He’d shown some form of minor disloyalty to a bloke who clearly thinks he owns the place and is owed a living.

Hey Eric … whatever happens next Thursday, don’t think there aren’t more questions for you and Paul Moore to answer. And yes – I would be voting for another Independent, Chris Stoner.

T

lem” philosophy, as every British public body.

And so prisons keep the best lid they can on things until, wiping their brow, they clang their doors shut behind the departing Usman Khans as they head off to the ‘supervision’ of an overworked probation officer.

Oh joy. Because after eight years seething in a cesspit of radical preaching and criminal learning, what could possibly go wrong? Of course ideologically poisoned fanatics will see the error of their

ways! Not. Still, by then it’s not the prison’s problem and, once boxes are ticked, it’s not probation’s problem … just the poor old Bobby, who really hasn’t time to keep an eye on terrorists, what with all those nasty ‘far right’ Twitter trolls he’s pursuing.

Oh well folks, just hope it’s not your son and daughter who’s next – because there will be a next. But if you really want to look on the bright side, at least it won’t be Usman Khan.

Don’t despair! Relief is at hand HIS column, as thrusting as it tries to be, also sees the need for a little occasional light relief …. so to speak. The challenge, in a newspaper which likes to consider itself familyfriendly, is how to navigate the appropriate terminology. It’s literally a touchy subject.

I suspect ailing national The Mirror also considers itself a family paper, but it gushed its admiration over the findings of a survey into the benefits of what might be described as ‘me’ time.

However the Mirror didn’t beat about the bush, oh no; it couldn’t repeat often enough the threesyllable word that could be misheard as describing a General Election forum. You know, a BBC session with lots of party leaders – a mass debate (not that you could hardly call those a love-in).

Apparently a survey by a group called Univia found that people who are, shall we say, ‘self-sufficient’ on a regular basis, are far more likely to hold management positions and earn higher salaries.

The Mirror didn’t quite come right out and call them all a bunch of ‘City bankers’. Indeed its

T

findings were praiseworthy about the many and varied benefits of self-fulfillment, from lowering stress levels to building self-confidence – and of course the previously stated financial benefits that go, erm, hand in hand with it.

Apparently letting off solitary steam makes you eight per cent more likely to demand a pay rise from the boss – so I hope my staff are reading this. When next one does an Oliver Twist “can I have more please, sir?” they’ll know exactly what the gaffer’s raised eyebrow is alluding to.

Anyway chaps, the next time you tell the wife you can’t decide whether to go for a pint or watch the footy on TV, and she replies “please yourself…” you will at least have been given a third option.

PS: I don’t know why I bothered trying to be discreet. In The Sunday Times, the gender Nazis are insisting that trans and gay issues now be taught to kiddies as young as five. Good grief. At least my best mate’s daughter was 18 when he nervously said it was time they had a conversation about the ‘s-e-x’ word and she replied: “Sure dad – what do you want to know?”

ThePress

Friday December 6, 2019

£1m ‘streetscapes’ project in town ‘renaissance’

By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter THE ‘renaissance’ of Dewsbury is set to continue with further investment.

Kirklees Council’s Better Places Strategy has already spent millions on town centre projects such as Pioneer House, Dewsbury Market, the station and the town hall.

Now, in advance of the formal

unveiling of its masterplan in February, the authority aims to improve the town’s ‘streetscapes’ by introducing green features and public art.

More than £1.1m has been allocated to the project, which includes the creation of a ‘pocket park’ on Northgate and a ‘town park’.

An additional £320,000 will go towards improvements at Dewsbury Sports Centre with the

installation of a Dare-2-Air inflatable theme park.

The work aimed at benefiting ‘the totality of Dewsbury’ is expected to be rolled out over a five- to six-year period.

“We are trying to create a place people might want to frequent and be very proud of,” said Coun Peter McBride, who also referred to “developing Dewsbury’s renaissance” at the council’s Cabinet meeting in Huddersfield Town

Hall on Tuesday.

He added that to “show off” the town’s architecture to its best advantage, the council needed to create spaces “to enable people to walk round and appreciate what they might see.

“If they look up, they’ll see something quite magnificent.”

Coun Cathy Scott (Lab, Dewsbury East) described the project as “a fantastic investment for Dewsbury”.

Lights relief for charities Neighbours switch on Christmas spectacular

GOMERSAL: A motorist was found to be under the influence of cannabis – after police stopped the car he was driving, thinking it was stolen.

John Wilson, of Burnley’s Mill Road, was stopped on July 29 because his car’s number plate was similar to that of a stolen vehicle.

Kirklees magistrates heard that as police spoke to Wilson they noticed a smell of cannabis and asked him to co-operate with a roadside drug wipe. He was taken into custody when the test proved positive.

Wilson, 24, an assistant manager at Pizza Express, pleaded guilty to driving with a proportion of a controlled drug above the specified limit.

He was banned from driving for 12 months, fined £225 and must pay £85 court costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

Bin workers treat kids NORTH KIRKLEES: Bin workers are helping to spread festive cheer by delivering presents to children in care.

Kirklees Council is collecting unwrapped boxed gifts for children aged up to 17 who are either living in children’s homes or foster care this Christmas.

A gift can be anything from baby clothes and toys, to activity sets, stationery sets, toiletries, dolls and action figures, books and board games.

Cleckheaton and Dewsbury town halls will be collecting gifts from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday until Tuesday, December 17.

Kirklees refuse workers will then drive two wagons dressed as sleighs and drop off the presents on December 20.

By Zoe Shackleton TWO households in Mirfield are lighting the way this Christmas.

Festive lights stalwart Derek Highe and Sandra and Derek Harper have transformed the outside of their homes to raise money for charity.

It’s the 17th year Mr Highe has turned his Robin Royd Avenue home into a winter wonderland, while Mr and Mrs Harper have decorated theirs for a third time.

Over the years Mr Highe has donated more than £53,000 to Kirkwood Hospice and hopes to raise even more for the same charity this year.

It has become a Mirfield tradition for families to watch Mr Highe’s lights being switched on, and dozens of people witnessed the spectacular on Sunday evening.

He said this year’s display is ‘the best yet’ and wanted to thank his wife Joy, Nigel Cox, Andrew Gray and Ian Auty for their help building the enchanted woodland over the past six weeks.

The lights come on every evening at 4.30pm until 10pm, with a special computerised display each hour.

Mr and Mrs Harper have dozens of light-up inflatables in their festive garden on nearby Littlemoor Grove.

The pair are raising funds for the Alzheimer’s Society after a neighbour was diagnosed with dementia three years ago.

They’ve raised nearly £700 in the past two years and people are encouraged to drop their donations into the collection box outside their home – as with Mr Highe.

News In Brief Police stop ‘stolen car’ - and nick drug-driver

Light show... Derek Highe has raised more than £53,000 for Kirkwood Hospice PHOTO: MIKE CLARK

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Light show... Derek Harper

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ThePress

Friday December 6, 2019

Party politics in privatisation row There are allegations by the Labour Party that if the Tories win the election the NHS will be privatised.

Our two local MPs, Brabin and Sherriff, are members of the Labour Party that should know a lot about the privatisation of the NHS, in particularly locally.

Labour built two new hospitals in Wakefield and Pontefract using Private Finance Initiative (PFI).

And to compound that disastrous mistake they cynically organised the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals group so that Dewsbury District Hospital was included in the PFI debt.

This inclusion of Dewsbury in

Switch-on event thanks

Letter of the Week: John Jennings, Dewsbury other areas of debt has denied our local hospital management vast sums of money over many years past and for many years in the future. This money needed to service the debt and includes outrageous costs in maintenance could have been used to increase medical staff and improved patient treatments.

I seem to recall that Miss

tributed in any way.

I know who I’m voting for

From: Richard Martin, on behalf of the Batley Business Association Thank you to all those who came to the Christmas Lights switch-on event in Batley on Saturday. It was cold but I hope you were warmed up by the entertainment and all that was on offer.

This event was only possible because of the financial support gained through the Crowdfunding exercise.

Appreciation goes to Kirklees Council (the main funding partner) and our local ward councillors as well as local individuals and businesses, in particular Tesco, Ever After Bridal Wear and Skin & Tonic who made substantial pledges.

Thanks also to the small number of volunteers from Batley Business Association who enabled the event to take place and to all who con-

From: Colin Walshaw, Scholes Dewsbury, Batley and Spen have been seriously let down by our hopefully outgoing MPs, it really is a time for change.

Vote “Anyone but Corbyn”?

Sadly there will be no such section on your voting form.

In our area we have a very restricted choice. The Greens and Lib Dems are again on course to lose their deposit for the third consecutive time. The next choices are the “big two”.

Having already hopefully discounted having a Marxist government, we have Boris!

Whatever the outcome of Brexit we will be left with a government to run the country, whom do we trust most?

Big party dogma is outdated, we need people interested in solving regional and local issues.

Sherriff in a previous career worked for a private company that provided services to the NHS. If our two local MPs follow their party’s lead in claiming the future privatisation they may find that history may expose what has really happened locally and which political party was responsible.

PS: I am not a Tory nor am I a Marxist.

Unknown candidates “parachuted in” will not have the local connection to force change in Westminster, let’s give the locals a chance and forget about party politics and age old so-called party loyalties.

The region needs a candidate independent from a nebulous party leadership directive and dogma. A candidate who will forcefully pursue our pressing local needs.

Let’s have a home-grown Yorkshire voice, dispose of the existing failed thespians directed from London.

Guess who I am voting for in Batley & Spen, it’s a man with a chance?

But it’s up to you next week!

Goodwill and peace From: Peter Moreland, Heckmondwike Christians around the world are now in the period of Advent – a time of preparing to

celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ on December 25.

A great occasion of joy, thanksgiving and goodwill lasting 12 days until the epiphany on January 6.

He was born over 2,000 years ago in humble surroundings, living only to the age of 33 and is today remembered globally by millions of his followers who try to emulate his life.

As Christmas begins in churches everywhere, with young and old alike re-telling the story of the nativity, let us hope that this season of goodwill and peace to all mankind will stay with us for the whole year.

Political panto for us to ‘enjoy’ From: Daniel Goodwin, via email If any of you were thinking of spending your hard-earned money on a trip to the theatre to see Puss in Boots or Aladdin this year, save your brass.

LATEST PLANNING APPLICATIONS N Burke, demolition of existing fish shop and erection of fish shop/retail unit at ground floor and four flats above, Old Bank Fisheries, 40B Old Bank Road, Mirfield.

I Hussain, single and two-storey extensions (modified proposal), 13 Fern Close, Soothill.

BDW Trading Ltd/Charles Robert Hirst/J C Nevin/I H Brierley, 133 dwellings, landscaping and associated infrastructure, land at Whitechapel Road, Cleckheaton.

R Khan, single and two-storey rear extensions and dormer windows to front and rear, 19 Myrtle Road, Ravensthorpe.

P Brooke, installation of French window with glass balustrade to first floor elevation, 49C Jackroyd Lane, Upper Hopton.

S Mehmood, single-storey front extension, 14 Royd Avenue, Heckmondwike.

Y Afzal, three-storey rear extension

and exterior alterations, 15 Stonehyrst Avenue, Dewsbury.

C Lingard, first floor side extension and single-storey rear extension, 46 Burnley’s Mill Road, Gomersal.

M Qadri, the proposal is for erection of single-storey rear extension.

The extension projects 6m beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse. The maximum height of the extension is 3.1m, the height of the eaves of the extension is 2.4m, 240 Woodlands Road, Batley.

Canal and River Trust, certificate of lawfulness for proposed works to a Listed Building, Lock 21, Calder and Hebble Navigation/Dewsbury Arm, Lock Street, Dewsbury.

M Saeed, extensions to front, side and rear and front and rear dormers, 56 Parker Road, Thornhill Lees.

K Davis, non-material amendment to previous permission 2019/92182 for erection of bay window and

porch to front, 430 Leeds Road, Dewsbury.

CTS Tree Surgeons, work to tree(s) TPO 13/99, right of 14 Sunways, Mirfield.

Armitage Developments, variation of condition 2 (plans and specifications) on previous permission 2017/92976 for erection of four dwellings with garages and associated site works, 55B Towngate, Mirfield.

Brenntag UK Ltd, extension to existing warehouse and formation of new car park, Union Mills, Oxford Road, Gomersal.

PARKdesigned Architects, erection of shed, 4 Hartshead Lane, Hartshead.

LGS Construction, non-material amendment to previous permission 2017/92713 for increase height of roof to form first floor accommodation with dormer windows to front, two-storey porch to front and rear

extension with two rear-facing gables and off-centre glazed section, 12 Valley Road, Thornhill.

S Halloran, side extension and porch, 1 Patterdale Road, Dewsbury.

A Patel, two-storey rear extension, 17 Wharf Street, Savile Town.

M H Sabir, the proposal is for erection of single-storey rear extension.

The extension projects 5m beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse. The maximum height of the extension is 3.615m, the height of the eaves of the extension is 2.592m, 25 Ravens Crescent, Scout Hill, Dewsbury.

Yorkshire Building Society, security fencing and electric gates to rear car park, Yorkshire Building Society, 26 Church Street, Dewsbury.

S Ali, two-storey side and rear and single-storey front extensions (modified proposal), 183 Soothill Lane, Batley.

W Longley, demolition of existing

garage and erection of detached garage with pitched roof, Field Head Barn, 144a Latham Lane, Gomersal.

MH Sabir, two-storey and singlestorey extensions and external alterations and external alterations, 25 Ravens Crescent, Scout Hill, Dewsbury.

Mr M Akudi, work to trees in a Conservation Area, 10 Northfield Road, Dewsbury.

Stone Menswear, prior approval for change of use of first floor office to two flats, Stone Menswear, 206-208 Huddersfield Road, Mirfield.

A Bennett, discharge conditions 37, 9, 11, 13 on previous permission 2018/92393 for demolition of existing shop and ancillary buildings and erection of shop, ancillary storage, staff room, toilet facilities, ice cream parlour and cafe extension, and formation of additional parking space, Croft Farm, Clough Lane, Hightown.

Candidates signed a pledge last week to take the NHS ‘off the table’ in any future trade deal with the USA Why not tune into the BBC election night special on December 12 for a political pantomime.

We can all boo and hiss at Johnson, sing along with Swinson the panto dame and cheer on the underdog Farage, while the good fairy Corbyn rides in on his pantomime horse Diane Abbott and grants all our Christmas wishes.

Oh and don’t forget sweaty Prince Andrew ... “He’s behind you!”

All you lot on the left shout “Remain”, then you lot on the right shout “Leave”... louder, louder!

Yes the UK is leaving the EU boys and girls ... “Oh no it isn’t!”.

So sit down with your selection box, get a strong drink and hope they throw a bucket of water and a few bog rolls into the audience so we can wipe the mess from our ears when the commentary is over.

But remember it’s only a bit of fun and we will all be back here next year cheering and jeering, while backstage the bad actors all laugh their socks off at us and share out the money again.

Write message of support From: Ms A Rawat, Batley Amnesty International hold ‘Write For Rights’ events at this time every year.

The local Kirklees Amnesty International group are holding two of these in our area: Saturday December 7 at The Parley, Queensgate Indoor Market, Huddersfield and Saturday December 14 at Dewsbury Minster, Dewsbury.

Both are from 10am to 12noon. All welcome, no need to book.

We will write messages of support on cards to be sent to activists and prisoners of conscience all over the world.

These messages show that

they are not alone, also it can persuade people in authority that the world is watching and they need to address cruelty and injustice. When we act together, humanity can win.

Please join us. We will provide everything you need: case studies, non-religious cards and pens. Any donations towards postage will be welcomed.

Where was cash for floods From: JD Scholes, Morley On sorting out some old newspapers, I was attracted by some photos of the Cumbrian floods near the Lake District, quite a while ago now.

Well, in one week this is what the then Labour government gave in Foreign aid: £40million to Nepal, £34m to Sierra Leone, £172m to Ethiopia, £1.5m to the ‘World Bank’, £1m to Sri Lanka, and the final insult: £1m to deal with the Cumbrian floods – not even enough to build a bridge.

Have any of the countries we’ve helped in the past sent their millions for the floods in Yorkshire and Derbyshire?

If these floods would have happened in Africa, there would be a wall-to-wall TV campaign for aid, and earthstopping pop concerts from the likes of Bob Geldof, Annie Lenox, and Bono with his U2 group.

Honest Abe had a point From: TW Beattie via e-mail In view of all the hot air blowing around and in particular from Corbyn and Sherriff, politicians and people might care to be reminded of words spoken by

Continues on page 9

ThePress

Friday December 6, 2019

From page 8 Abraham Lincoln: “You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.

“You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.

“You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.

“You cannot further the brotherhood of man by encouraging class hatred.

“You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.

“You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn.”

Voters take note, because the Labour government of the 70s had Dennis Healey going with begging bowl to the European banks and, more recently, Gordon Brown’s when I believe it was Liam Byrne left a note that the cupboard was bare, and we all know the consequences!

Which party will speak for me?

From: Graham Turner, Gomersal With the country £1.8 trillion in debt and paying £48 billion interest each year, the Conservative and Labour parties are going head to head to see who can spend the most. Not good for our country.

Labour again have fully costed polices to bankrupt our country.

The Liberal ‘Democrats’ are going to ignore the 17.5 million people who voted to leave the European Union, and rescind Article 50, which means we will remain in the EU. The Brexit Party, who I am a supporter of, first appointed a candidate then dismissed them.

Instead of appointing a local candidate, who had been offered seats but wanted to represent Batley & Spen, they brought in an outsider instead. A number of Brexit supporters, after pleading with the Yorkshire regional organiser then a senior party official, went to Hartlepool and spoke to the Brexit Party chairman, all to no avail.

We have told the Brexit Party candidate he will not have our support, and I will be voting for local businessman and Independent candidate Paul Halloran.

With our previous MP refusing to vote for a deal because it will cost jobs and business, just wait and see if Labour win the election how many jobs are lost through their policies and loss of investment.

I also received a leaflet on behalf of the Yorkshire and the Humber Labour Party saying ‘Only Labour will protect Yorkshire pensioners’.

In the Labour manifesto Jeremy Corbyn would scrap the marriage tax allowance, which allows married couples to transfer part of their income tax allowance to their spouse.

There are many pensioners who do that and it makes them £250 a year better off. So much for the Labour Party protecting pensioners.

A word notable by its absence?

From: Heckmondwike Hector Politics is the art of the possible and the media is the art of propaganda.

Put the two together and they collude advertently or inadvertently to create a uniform picture speedily designed for public consumption.

Often it deliberately ignores certain essential factors in the equation to avoid (play it again Sam) ‘causing offence.’

The murders of Saskia Jones, 23, and Jack Merritt, 25 are almost treated as an aberration of the norm; an isolated individual failed by the system; a ‘lone nut’ perhaps.

What utter nonsense. Usman Khan made a decision based on his religion.

He might well have been acting alone but he is part and parcel of a wider network hell-bent on imposing sharia law on the free citizens of our country; it’s a growing movement that will remain a threat for the unseeable future.

Interestingly, there is one word that has never been used in the London tragedy and other related incidents – and it is notable by its absence.

The word is racism.

Had this been an incident perpetrated by a right-wing fascist against others of a different ethnic social group the word ‘racist’ would have been bellowed by newscasters, politicians and

pontificators hour by hour.

The mantra, in such cases would, for example, sound something like this, ‘these victims were targeted simply because they were deemed to be different in terms of race and belief.’

Now; can anyone stand up and tell me that this wasn’t the case in the murders of Saskia Jones and Jack Merritt.

Both were deemed by Khan to be white and Christian and therefore enemies of his beloved Islamist ideology.

I ask again, what is the difference?

The root of the incriminating falsehood against those of indigenous stock is entrenched in the curriculum of the education system; at universities and schools of all denomination.

It is prevalent in the left-wing media, in newspapers, ie The Guardian, along with TV and radio broadcasters, first and foremost, the BBC. Alleged white prejudices are at the forefront of every equality and diversity seminar nationwide.

It has become almost a religion in itself where left-wing councils are concerned. Need an example?

Try a paragraph from Sandwell Council’s Good Practice Guide that was quoted some time ago in a national newspaper: “Because society is institutionally racist, all white people are implicated unless they can demonstrate a commitment to equality and diversity.”

So there you have it! Guilty until proved innocent. It’s all part of the

9

orchestrated incrimination of a whole swathe of people based on stereotypes.

The assertion being that whilst not all white people are racists, it can be automatically assumed that all racists are white!

The example of Usman Khan along with those who carried out the earlier atrocity on London Bridge and the massacre at Manchester’s Ariana Grande concert gives lie to that myth.

If not, whatever will it take for a person of different ethnic origin to be called racist?

Our protection from these people has been undermined by pussy-footing and complacency tied up with political correctness.

This was summed up to some degree by the former chairman of the Parole Board, Nick Hardwick.

Speaking on Radio Four, he stated: “We’ve neglected the criminal justice system, and now the chickens are coming home to roost.”

Sadly, individuals such as Saskia Jones and Jack Merritt are left to pay the price.

Putting the incident involving Khan to one side, what reaches beyond absurdity is the case of Shamima Begum.

Whilst two more innocent victims are lying in a mortuary, Human Rights campaigners are falling over themselves to have her and other Jihadists repatriated back into Britain.

Perhaps Begum will be the future host of ‘Learning Together’ at Cambridge University. The event there was celebrating for one, the successful deradicalisation of the likes of Khan, who was an attendee at said justice conference on prison rehabilitation when he struck the fatal blows.

In the feebleness and naivety of our liberal do-gooders, Khan found out that fooling the authorities is easier than potting peas.

Confuse the eye and you confound the understanding. A lesson that will not be lost on our returning jihadists.

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ThePress

Friday December 6, 2019

£500k rollout of charging points for electric cars

By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter A £500,000 scheme to install electric vehicle charging points is being rolled out in Kirklees.

Seven locations across the borough, including Mirfield, Dewsbury, Birstall and Cleckheaton, will offer free electricity until October, 2021.

It forms part of Kirklees Council’s Climate Emergency and Air Quality Action Plan, which was agreed last month.

The authority has secured money for 17 charging points.

The first seven will be at Crown Bottom car park, Holmfirth; Station Road car park in Mirfield; Dewsbury Station; Low Lane car park, Birstall; St John’s, Cleckheaton; Oldgate, Huddersfield; and New Street car park, Slaithwaite.

Kirklees Council aims to make the borough carbon neutral by 2038.

Its plan includes adding “significantly more” green vehicles to the council fleet, planting more

trees, making sure it assesses the environmental impact of all council decisions, and increasing its recycling rate (see Page 11).

Karl Battersby, the council’s strategic director for economy and infrastructure, said: “These seven charging points will be part of an initial 88-strong West Yorkshire network.

“As this particular scheme is for a limited number of sites, we prioritised those that are strategically located in town centres and outlying areas to provide accessible and well-distributed coverage.

“The selected sites also have enough available space and power supply to support the rapid charging points.

“We will be looking to secure more funding in the future to implement further initiatives that help remove the barriers for people looking to swap to electric vehicles.”

The charging points were paid for via half a million pounds of funding from the Office of Low Emission Vehicles grant through the West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan.

“We will be looking for more funding to help remove the barriers for people looking to swap to electric vehicles”

Mili’s success at prize pub A DEWSBURY hostelry has been named Pub of the Season by the Heavy Woollen

branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

The Shepherd’s Boy, on Huddersfield Road, scooped the prize for autumn 2019.

CAMRA’s branch chairman Mike Roebuck presented the certificate to landlady Mili

Simcakova and her team in a packed pub.

Mili took over the management of The Shepherd’s Boy in April and has a wealth of experience in the trade, including several years at the West Riding in Dewsbury.

The CAMRA branch praised her for her enthusiasm and knowledge for both real ale and the pub itself.

It also recognised that the pub’s custom has doubled since April, which they put down to Mili’s hospitality.

Fire hero’s death: Care workers guilty of neglect TWO workers at a Heckmondwike care home have been found guilty of wilful neglect of a vulnerable pensioner.

David Hustler, 76, died after a fall at the Meadow Green residential facility on Dale Lane in October, 2015.

Mr Hustler was left lying “naked” and “distressed” for 14 hours before he was seen by medical staff.

Mr Hustler, a Bradford City fire disaster hero, suf-

fered from vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.

He was awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for rescuing two people from the Valley Parade fire in May, 1985.

Leeds Crown Court previously heard that when Kaniz Rashid, 51, and Margaret Shires, 63, found the pensioner, they returned him to bed without making a record of his fall or a report to senior staff regard-

ing his condition. During the trial, the jury was told that Rashid and Shires were coming to the end of a long shift and both agreed not to call an ambulance as it would have taken up to four hours to arrive.

He was found “clearly unwell” by another carer the next morning and rushed to hospital, where he died days later after being diagnosed with pneumonia.

The court heard that Mr

Hustler might have survived if Rashid and Shires had provided “appropriate medical assistance”.

A verdict of guilty of “wilful neglect of an individual by a care worker” was delivered on Tuesday, November 26. Jennifer Green, 63, was found not guilty of the same charge.

Rashid and Shires were released on unconditional bail until January 31, when they will be sentenced.

ThePress

Friday December 6, 2019

Recycling rates in Kirklees 20% below national average

Man stored child abuse images on his phone A LIVERSEDGE man who had sadistic child sex abuse images on his mobile phone has avoided jail.

Mark Farrar, 43, of Darley Road, handed over the phone to officers after they received information that illegal images were being accessed from his property.

Amongst the images found were graphic depictions of babies, young children and animals being sexually abused.

Farrar accessed the images over a four-month period in 2017, before his arrest in October of that year.

He admitted three counts of making indecent images of a child, possessing a prohibited image of a child and two counts of possessing extreme pornography.

Judge Geoffrey Mason QC said: “I accept you are thoroughly disgusted with yourself and full of remorse.

“You have no previous convictions and I have to bear in mind that the arrest was two years ago and you have had this hanging over you for some time” Farrar was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

He will also have to take part in 15 rehabilitation days.

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By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter

Christmas crafts – and great food!

OLDER people in Kirklees tried their hand at Christmas crafts during a free session at Birstall Community Centre.

Local expert Claire Westwood taught attendees how to make Christmas trees and bobble hat and dove decorations.

It was part of the First Time For Everything programme, designed to

give elderly people in Kirklees the chance to try something new for free in their local community.

Liversdege resident Marlene Lees, pictured, said: “What a great event, I made a Christmas tree. First Time For Everything needs to happen again and again, it was a very friendly informal setting and there was great food too.”

The next event is a Christmas singalong on Tuesday (December 10) at Howden Clough Community Centre (1.30pm).

Why replace when you can reface for half of the cost?

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

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This option is so much cheaper and easier than a whole new kitchen and it will look fantastic!

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

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RECYCLING rates in Kirklees fell again in 2018/19.

Statistics published last month by the Department for Food, Environment & Rural Affairs revealed the borough’s recycling rate to be 24 per cent – well below the national average of 44 per cent.

It is a three per cent fall on the year before and a six per cent drop on 2016/17.

It equates to more than 40 tonnes of rubbish ending up in landfills every day last year.

The figures come just two months after the council revealed ambitions to lift its recycling rates to become ‘one of the best boroughs in the country’.

Kirklees Council said the new figures, which date back to March this year, do not reflect the authority’s work on recycling.

Kirklees threw out 158,334 tonnes of household waste in 2018/19, the equivalent of about 361kg of rubbish for every person.

But only 38,443 tonnes of that ended up being recycled, re-used or composted, one of the lowest rates of recycling anywhere in England.

A further 29,044 tonnes of non-household waste – including landscaping, construction and demolition waste – was thrown out in the last year.

Only around 22 per cent of that – 6,412 tonnes – was recycled, lower than the national average of 38 per cent.

In total, 142,488 tonnes of Kirklees waste was not recycled in the last year.

A Council spokesperson said: “Our recycling rates have to improve and this is something we are absolutely committed to and have made some big steps forward in recent months.

“Following our recent campaign to improve this, we’re now recycling

an additional 35 tonnes of rubbish each week.

“This set of recycling rates does not reflect this good work, as they are backdated.

“Improvements are expected in future results, with the quality and volume of waste coming into Kirklees’ recycling centre in Huddersfield already visible.

“In addition, the new garden waste collection service we introduced earlier this year has been a big success, with more than 15,000 households signed up.

“We are developing a new and ambitious waste strategy that will invest in the service and significantly improve recycling rates.

“We want Kirklees to not only improve its recycling rates but to become one of the leading boroughs in the country.

“We all have a part to play and we want to work with residents and support them so we can achieve this together.”

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ThePress

Vets send Christmas joy around the world STAFF at Calder Vets in Dewsbury are spreading joy far and wide this Christmas.

Vets, nurses and reception staff are taking part in Operation Christmas Child, filling shoeboxes with toys, stationery and various other gifts, which are then distributed to children all over the world.

The initiative was started by Tegan Wright, picured, a recently-qualified veterinary nurse who works at the animal hospital on Savile Road.

Calder Vets’ operations co-ordinator Hayley Buddery said: “The thought that a little child’s face somewhere in the world will light up on Christmas morning because of a gift we have provided is a really special feeling and we are delighted to help.”

An impressive 30 boxes were collected across Calder Vets’ 13 branches.

Friday December 6, 2019

Angry bin workers denounce crews ‘working half a shift’

By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter BINMEN in Kirklees have lifted the lid on long-simmering frustrations and resentment towards management and colleagues.

They claim bin collections are regularly being missed because some crews are going home hours before their shifts officially end.

Workers blamed managers at Kirklees Council’s Vine Street depot, who they said favour some bin staff above others, with some binmen working only around half of a scheduled 10-hour shift.

The council confirmed refuse workers go home “when their round is completed”.

The authority also stated that 99.89 per cent of bins “are collected when they should be”.

Anger over what they call preferential treatment has now spilled over, with bin workers saying they are tired of blatant inequality.

One binman said: “I am fed up of being discriminated against. I want to be treated equally. We are all supposed to do the same amount of work but we’re not. Other workers are getting preferential treatment and that’s not fair.”

Bin workers who requested anonymity for fear of disciplinary action said some drivers and loaders were leaving work as early as 11.30am.

Drivers are supposed to work from 6.45am to 5.15pm and loaders from 7am until 5pm.

It is understood that agency staff are among the workers going home early.

Another binman said: “What makes this annoying is that we all have the same

Council suspension of union officials ‘shock to members’

By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter KIRKLEES Council has suspended senior union official Paul Holmes.

The Kirklees branch secretary for Unison has been suspended along with branch chairman Nick Ruff and assistant branch secretary Cath Kinder.

A union member who was

present at the meeting where the suspensions were announced said: “Paul Holmes is agitating quite a lot. He has ruffled a few feathers in the branch.

“It was a calm response. The regional officers that were there handled it as well as they could. They said they would continue to support members.

“They are not involved in the investigation. Instead they will run the branch whilst the

contracts of employment.

“For our management to hire agency staff and then allow them to go home after only doing five to six hours’ work is insanity.

“This is disgraceful conduct from the management of Kirklees, who sell a public image of equality and fairness in the workplace that is grossly far from the truth.”

A Kirklees Council spokesman said: “Agency workers are placed with the bin crews each day as extra resource and work with permanent staff to complete the rounds.

“They all finish at the same time, when their round is completed.

“We expect all rounds to be completed and if they are not we meet with the crews to understand the reasons why, and we work hard to resolve any issues.”

investigation goes on. It was a shock to us as members. I never got the sense of any wrongdoing.

“We are trying to find out what is going on. There are a lot of questions that we do not have answers to.”

The suspensions come just a fortnight after Unison members among Kirklees bin workers held a consultative ballot on industrial action.

Several bin workers have been suspended for allegedly buying and drinking alcohol while on duty.

Unison’s recent ballot followed a repeat of claims of vic-

timisation including bullying, racism and ‘heavy-handed’ management.

A Unison spokesperson said: “We cannot comment on the suspensions.

“These are serious and confidential issues that have to be investigated.

“Paul Holmes’s suspension by the council is a separate issue.”

The council was taken by surprise by the ballot and said the way it had been communicated was “disappointing”.

It said it was “not appropriate” to comment on the suspensions at this time.

On Thursday, December 12th 2019, VOTE for change in Batley & Spen

Declare YOUR Independence

VOTE PAUL HALLORAN Choosing Paul won’t split the vote – the Tories and Brexit Party aren’t in the race Paul Halloran, Independent candidate for Batley and Spen, has reassured the local electorate that a vote for him will not ‘split the vote’.

He said: “The indication is that the country may elect a Conservative government. Locally though neither the Conservative Party or The Brexit Party are taking the Batley and Spen seat seriously. They have chosen candidates at the last minute, both of whom live and work in Kent and London. Batley and Spen is not seen as a winnable seat for either party. This is confirmed by both their candidates being virtually anonymous in the campaign.

“A vote for me will not split the vote in Batley and Spen. This is a straight-forward fight between me and the Labour candidate who has betrayed the trust of local people as an MP by putting her own remain views first on Brexit, despite the electorate voting overwhelmingly to leave the EU. The Labour Party knows that I’m their main

threat, therefore a vote for the Conservatives or The Brexit Party is a vote for Labour.”

Paul, who was born in Batley and has lived in the constituency all his life, said he was standing in the General Election on December 12 to serve in the best interests of the people of Batley and Spen.

“Batley and Spen has a very proud heritage but, over the last 40 years, we have been ignored and forgotten. The established political parties have failed us time after time.

I will be the voice who will not back down.

“I am also getting lots of messages from people who don’t usually vote to say that they are trusting me and will be voting for me. I encourage everyone who cares about Batley and Spen to take the same leap of faith. I’m not like other politicians. I keep my promises, I speak the truth by giving straight answers and I will give the people of Batley and Spen a voice that will be heard.”

What Paul Halloran is campaigning for + A full range of NHS services delivered locally. This includes restoring a full A&E department including intensive and high dependency care, and consultant-led maternity services at Dewsbury and District Hospital + More school places for local children and restoration of parental choice over preferred schools + A clean Brexit, restoring our democracy and our independence. Taking back control of our borders, our money and our laws + A managed and controlled immigration system focusing

on the specialist skills we need as a country. An end to mass, unskilled migration. A review and reduction in foreign aid + A crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour, particularly violent crime, drug dealing and grooming gangs.

An end to politically correct policing + More support for our armed forces, including our veterans, and increased investment in our defence + The cancellation of the proposed travellers’ site close to Junction 27 in Birstall

Promoted by Paul Halloran, at 190 Leeds Road, Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire WF16 9BJ

Friday December 6, 2019

ThePress

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ThePress

Staff’s fears after shoplifter incident A SECURITY guard at a bargain store in Dewsbury told a court he’s “lost sleep” after a shoplifter flicked blood at him and threatened: “I’m going to infect you with HIV”.

Two B&M Bargains employees tried to stop Philip Ellis, of Quarry View, Dewsbury Moor, as he fled from the store on July 8.

Kirklees magistrates heard that Ellis cut his hand on a bottle of wine, flicked blood at the guards and punched one of them in the jaw during the incident.

The 47-year-old admitted to two counts of assault by beating, three charges of theft from a shop and using threatening behaviour.

Alex Bozman, prosecuting, told the court that Ellis was evicted from the store for becoming abusive after being challenged over a bottle of olive oil.

“At this point one bottle of wine he’d stolen smashed and he was cut,” he said.

“He was abusive and spat with blood (at a security guard).”

Mr Bozman revealed that one of the attacked men “was genuinely scared about getting HIV and has to have tests as a result of this.”

Magistrates were also told about another incident at Dewsbury’s Costcutter store on June 20.

Ellis took four bottles of wine from the store, on Brunswick Street, and re-entered on June 29 to complain about a Facebook appeal posted by employees in an attempt to trace him.

Mohammed Arif, mitigating, denied that his client was HIV positive and said his rants “were in the heat of the moment.”

Ellis was given a community order with 20 rehabilitation activity days, ordered to pay £100 compensation to each of the security guards and £50 to a victim at Costcutter.

He will also have to pay £30.99 to Costcutter for the bottles of wine and was banned from both stores for a year.

Friday December 6, 2019

Amber says ‘I do’ to her dream wedding and career Advertorial Feature SUCCESSFUL consultant and Slimming World member who transformed her life by losing five stone has just celebrated her 10th wedding anniversary by renewing her vows in Las Vegas.

Amber Kitcher said: “I wish I’d found Slimming World before I got married. I was so overweight and I’d tried so hard on many diets to lose weight and I never did.

“Although my wedding was lovely, I still had that thought in the back of my mind about my weight and how I wasn’t the bride I wanted to be.

“I asked my husband to renew our vows for our 10th wedding anniversary so I could be the bride I truly wanted to be and he said yes!

“It was perfect, I’m so proud of how far I’ve come, I never believed this could be me until I walked through the door of my local Slimming World group and met my consultant and the members in the group, they helped me to change my life and find the real me.”

Amber was asked what the secret of her success was, to not only lose weight but also to maintain the weight loss for over six years.

“Support is really the most important thing. It all starts with feeling that you’re not alone,” she said.

“I couldn’t have lost five stone without the weekly help, encouragement and understanding of my own consultant and group.

“Not only to learn how to cook all our favourite meals in a healthy way like dirty rice, tower burgers and chips or ‘fakeaway’ KFC and of course a classic Sunday roast with all the trimmings, but also to get the support to make lifestyle changes that mean I can still socialise, have holidays and maintain my dream weight.

A

... and in Vegas to renew her vows!

Amber at her wedding...

“With the ideas and tips from other members, I’ve discovered a love for activity too, taking regular walks which I now find effortless.

“I’d always hated doing exercise and would avoid even thinking about doing any. With support in group, I realised that I could build in weekly activity as my confidence grew and doing something I enjoyed, something that easily fitted into life.

“When I first joined the group, I said very little but I listened a lot. My confidence was really low so that hour I promised myself every week really was the most precious hour of my week.

“I always left with something new that I could put into practice. The food choices were huge, so many things I could eat without having to weigh, measure or count like potatoes, pasta, rice, pulses, meat, eggs, fish, beans, fruit and vegetables and I never went hungry.

“In fact, no foods are banned which is just brilliant and means that the plan works for everyone. My husband and my family were all loving the same meals too, so I no longer felt isolated or deprived at home by having to eat foods I didn’t enjoy or having tiny portions as I’d done so often in the past.

“I know the challenges people can face, which is why, along with the group, I will be there to support every one of my members all the way to their chosen target weight.

“Setting targets, sharing recipes and other ideas, and working together as a group to overcome challenges and celebrate success is so important to a successful journey.

“That’s why, at my Slimming World group at Earlsheaton – Dewsbury & District Sea Cadets (just behind Earlsheaton WMC) every Monday at 9am, 5.30pm and 7.30pm, there’ll be tons of support, encouragement and fun.”

Like Amber, Slimming World consultants are all former members who have lost weight at their local group themselves and groups are set up as micro businesses in the heart of local communities.

There are currently around 4,000 Slimming World consultants across the UK and Ireland running 15,000 groups.

Consultants receive training in Slimming World’s healthy eating and physical activity programmes and learn how to use the power of group support to empower members to take control of their own weight loss journey.

As self-employed micro-entrepreneurs, consultants also learn how to build a successful community-based business.

Amber continued: “For me becoming a selfemployed franchise was a great option. I wanted a job that was well paid, flexible and could fit around my busy family life. I wanted to avoid a regular ‘nine-to-five’ routine, so launching my own Slimming World group was an ideal option.”

Diane Cave, who runs Slimming World groups in Tingley and manages Amber as a team developer, said: “Slimming World consultants are chosen for their positive outlook and because they genuinely care about the health and happiness of others.

“With Amber’s experience of being a successful Slimming World member and her kind and warm personality and great sense of humour I know what an amazing support she is to every member that walks through her door in Earlsheaton, cheering them all the way to their target weight.”

To join Amber’s group, either pop along on Monday December 9 or call her on 07471 826774.

For more information visit www.slimming world.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000.

Here for your plumbing & gas needs IF YOU need a trustworthy and competent gas and heating engineer at a fair price, then look no further. “l’m based in Birstall and have been running CR Gas & Plumbing Services for almost ten years after working as a British Gas engineer for 30 years.

“I will take care of all of your heating and plumbing needs, from breakdowns to servicing, from boiler exchanges to fitting appliances and everything in between.

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l’m Gas Safe-registered and I cover all of West Yorkshire, with no call-out charge and free quotes and estimates.

“A major local lettings agency trust me to service all of the properties on their books and most of my work

comes from word of mouth after l’ve done a great job for a customer. ‘’I’m a local Birstall lad who’Il do quality work at a great price — just ask my clients! Call me today on 07921 151177.

Clarke Rothwell, Owner

Friday December 6, 2019

ThePress

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ThePress

Marketplace Turn your unwanted items

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

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

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

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

NEW Focus HE slimline gas fire.

Good condition. Serviced £100 Tel 01924 474062.

(2528) Black glass TV stand with two shelves. Suitable for 43” TV. Good condition £20 Tel 07876 536335.

(2529) Fishing equipment including 3 poles, specialist carp rod & 2 rods, box, weather shelter & umbrella. Pole rigs & floats, reels, rod holder plus misc items inc hooks, telescopic pole roller, bank sticks etc. Cost £1,800, will accept £350. Tel 0113 252 4266. (2530)

radiators, 1600 watt. £25 each. Tel 01924 469537.

(2521) Small upright electric vacuum cleaner. Includes instruction and spare filter. Very good condition, £20. Tel 01924 724680 (Ossett).

(2506) FURNITURE 6 x French hardwood dining chairs with white legs and ladder backs. Complete with seat cushions. £25 each or will sell in pairs. Tel 01924 408171. (2522) 2 x Canterbury office chairs, black, unassembled in box £40 each. Tel 01924 469537.

(2521)

BEAUTY Light box for drying gel nail polish. Only used once. In excellent condition, £10. Tel 01924 450919. (2514)

One True Design Office Chair, black leather task chair, gas lift & tilt, unassembled in box £40 Tel 01924 469537. (2521)

CLOTHING Two traditional cowboy hats as new. One black, one fawn. Suit lady or gent, £10 for both. Tel 07988 955976.

(2515)

Three seater settee and two armchairs. Good Condition.

Pink draylon with plum/ beige loose covers. Buyer to collect £90 ono. Tel 01924 454332 (2519)

Six casual men’s shirts various sizes and colours.

Quality brands. Some worn once or new. £1 each. Tel 01924 519750. (2509)

Small brown wicker sofa with two matching chairs.

Excellent condition, buyer to collect. £30. Tel 01924 408197. (2512)

Gents’ dark brown leather jacket. Size M (40 inch chest). As new, £50. Tel 07988 955976. (2504)

Nest of three mahogany tables. Good condition £10 Tel 01924 403080/ 07548 798908. (2511)

COLLECTIBLES Victorian dolls house dolls, five including maid and baby, £25. Tel 01924 469135.

(2500)

Oakland Furniture Land oblong oak wall mirror, 1,800cm long x 600cm wide.

Unwanted gift £75 ono. Tel 01924 516931. (2510)

Dolls house furniture, white moquette & wood frame couch, high leg chair, matching rocker plus cot, wardrobe, red wood coffee table and red moquette & wood couch. £25. Tel 01924 469135. (2500)

Dorlux single bed with two drawers and Flexiform Viscoelastic mattress. Very clean and good condition.

Little use. £22 ono. Tel 01274 875328. (2503)

Dolls houses, choice of three from £50 upwards. Tel 01924 469135. (2500) DIY Screwfix fire resistant drop down loft access door 562mm x 562mm, £50. Tel 07939 599381. (2507) Envirovent isolate extractor fan. Complete with isolator switch, £20. Tel 07939 599381. (2507) ELECTRICAL 40-inch Bush flat screen TV with remote control and manual, £40. Tel 07933 422024. (2526) Glass TV stand to match above Bush TV, £10. Tel 07933 422024. (2526) Toshiba 28” wide screen television with stand and remote control. Excellent condition, can deliver locally, £50. Tel 01924 471758.

(2524) 3 x Winter warm oil-filled

Sherborne Eton reclining chair. Light green colour with pattern. Good working condition, £25 ono. Tel 01274 875328. (2503) Wooden chest with locks, casters and handles. 3ft long x 2ft deep. Suitable for blankets, storage or toys.

As new, £20 ono. Tel 01274 876814. (2499) GARDEN Two garden strimmers, £5 each. Bosch cordless hedge cutter and charger, £25.

Bosch electric scarifier lawn rake with catching box, £20.

Tel 07988 955976. (2515) Standard holly tree in pot, £10. Standard bay tree in pot, £15. . Tel 07415 238960.

(2513) Hardwood garden chair.

Folds and reclines. Good quality, £15. Tel 01274 876814. (2499) HOUSEHOLD Central heating control, Salus RT510TX with instructions. Only 12 months old,

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 £25. Tel 07939 599381.

(2527) Adey Magnaclean filter (for central heating), £35. Tel 07939 599381. (2527) 12 ltr expansion vessel (for central heating), £20. Tel 07939 599381. (2527) Green/pink/peach lined full length curtains (fits floor to ceiling). Each curtain measures 10ft 6ins W x 7ft D. Includes matching pelmets, tracks, fixtures & fittings plus brass holdbacks. Very good clean condition, £75 ono. Tel 07475 109308. (2525) Love heart mirror 650mm W (25.5”) x 720mm H (28.5”) £45. Tel 01924 408171.

(2522) Royal Albert Old Country Roses coffee set, eight cups and saucers, coffee pot, sugar bowl & cream jug. As new, never used, £40.

Delonghi coffee machine Caffe Corso. ESAM 2600 bean to cup. In black, cost £179, sell £40. Tel 07928 233213. (2516) Dimplex Cheriton coal effect electric fire. Black and brass.

New condition, £25. Tel 01924 403080/07548 798908.

(2511) Solid fuel fireplace set, 16”.

Brass fret, grate and ash pan. Very good condition, very little use. £25. Tel 01924 403080/ 07548 798908.

(2511) KITCHEN/ DINING Glass punch bowl set for 12 people. Complete. No chips or damage. Boxed. Ideal for parties£25. Tel 07773 875472. (2517) MISCELLANEOUS Gaming equipment. Black Jack shoe, 400 casino chips, gaming board etc. £20 ono.

Tel 01274 876814. (2523) Dixon Atlantic universal projector screen, 40 x 40 on tripod legs. Made in USA. Excellent condition in original box. £12 buyer to collect.

Tel 01924 519750. (2509) Erika electric typewriter (Challenge). Excellent condi-

£1 £2 £3 £4 £5 £7 £9 £11

tion, complete with carrying case. Just needs a new ribbon, £30. Tel 01924 475406.

(2501) 110 x DVD films, £50 ono.

Tel 01924 469135. (2500) MOBILITY/DISABILITY Sterling Pearl Mobility scooter. New battery with charger.

Will dismantle for easy transporting. Buyer to collect, £250 ono. Tel 07999 882257/ 01924 463282.

(2508) MOTORING New Ultimate Speed bottle jack. Lifts 3.000kg £12 Tel 01274 876814. (2523) MUSICAL Technics Electronic Organ. 2 Keyboards, floor standing.

Complete with stool.

Excellent condition £60. Tel 01924 490266. (2520) OUTDOOR Five traditional walking sticks, various sizes, £10 for all. Two pairs of Nordic walking sticks, adjustable. Suit lady or gent. £15 for both pairs. Two director chairs in carrying bags. Good condition, £10 for both. Three folding tripod stools with carrying handle. Good condition, £10 for all. Tel 07988 955976. (2515) SPORT/EXERCISE Confidence vibration plate, power plus. Cost £179, sell £50. Total crunch body revolution system. Cost £95, sell £30, Tel 07928 233213.

(2516) Set of golf clubs, suit beginner. Includes 3 woods, 7 irons, putter, umbrella, balls, tees etc. In green canvas bag, £20 Tel 07988 955976.

(2515) Exercise bouncer, £10. Tel 01924 469135. (2500) Two sets of golf clubs, trolleys and balls, £25 for all. Tel 01924 469135. (2500) TOYS/ CHILDREN’S GOODS Thomas the Tank Engine item. Various engines, track, towers and pirate ship. £120 for the lot or will split if required. Tel 01274 600402 (2518)

Friday December 6, 2019

Throughout 2019 local historian Mike Popplewell is 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.

Links to our sporting past MID the general anxiety felt by the people of Britain in the late 1930s, as the spectre of war hung over them, sport and entertainment continued to flourish – and Dewsbury was no exception.

A

Although the main sporting interest of the town was, and had always been, rugby league, 1938 saw Dewbury’s Welshman Gil Morgan collect an international cap, on April 30 that year there was a special moment for the district’s football fans.

There were doubtless many fans making their way to London that weekend for Huddersfield Town were contesting the FA Cup final and Preston North End were their opponents – just as they had been in Town’s 1920 final win at Stamford Bridge.

Over the years there have not been too many professional footballers from Dewsbury.

Town’s post-war England winger and Thornhill cricketer Vic Metcalf was one with strong local connections, but Ken Willingham of the 1938 Cup final team actually died in Dewsbury in May 1975, aged just 62.

Town had appeared in the 1930 FA Cup final, when the Graf Zeppelin had flown over the ground in the middle of the game, but they had gone down 2-0 to Arsenal.

Unfortunately Cup Final day 1938 was not to end any more happily for Town.

After 90 minutes without a goal defender Alf Young tripped Preston’s George Mutch on the edge of the area and referee ‘Jimmy’ Jewell awarded a hotly-disputed penalty. Subsequent photo enlargements appeared to show that contact had been made outside the area, but Town’s appeals fell on deaf ears.

Where was VAR when you needed it?!

It was the very last minute of extra time when Mutch took the penalty himself, though still dazed, and the ball went in off the bar as Town keeper Bob Hesford dived to his right. After retiring from football Hesford became a teacher at Spring Grove Junior School in the Huddersfield centre.

Doubtless there are very few witnesses to this event, either at Wembley, listening in on the radio or even the owners of only 10,000 sets in the country watching this first-ever televised final, who

CHILLING: England’s football team making a Nazi salute are still alive.

However, there cannot be too many football fans in the district that would not have heard of Preston’s Andy Beattie or Bill Shankly – who were to later become successive Town managers.

Although Huddersfield’s exploits were closer to home, events at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium took on a darker feel when England’s players actually gave a Nazi salute as the teams lined up before the game in May 1938.

The British press were horrified at the English players’ gesture and the players themselves were equally unhappy, but the Foreign Office had issued instructions to do this in order not to offend Adolf Hitler.

British PM Neville Chamberlain was still pursu-

ing a policy of appeasement to Germany in an attempt to avoid what was already looking an inevitable military conflict.

In fact, the appeasement policy was to prove an entirely worthless gesture, for in less than 18 months Germany had invaded Poland and we were at war.

The England cricket team were also facing the ‘old enemy’ in 1938, for Australia were here to defend the Ashes and a record-breaking game was to unfold when the two teams met for the final Test at The Oval.

As England’s cricketers return home from New Zealand after a series defeat, we will take a look next week at what was to prove a far better outcome.

Friday December 6, 2019

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Friday December 6, 2019

On December 12th, vote for PHILIP JAMES, THE BREXIT PARTY in Dewsbury and Mirfield

Our contract with the people A CLEAN-BREAK BREXIT IS THE KEY TO CHANGING BRITAIN FOR GOOD

By Nigel Farage & Richard Tice of The Brexit Party UR priority is to Leave the European Union and deliver the Brexit that

O

17.4m voted for in 2016.

Acting on the biggest popular mandate in British history is crucial to restore faith in our democracy. What sort of democratic society do we live in, if a few Parliamentarians can defy the expressed will of the people?

Leaving the undemocratic EU is just the beginning.

It will be the first step in a political revolution.

We want fundamental democratic reforms to fix our broken political system and make Parliament serve the People.

A Clean-Break Brexit can also

Meet your candidate, Philip James he Brexit Party candidate for Dewsbury is Philip Anthony James, aged 51, who was born in Thorpe Maternity Hospital, Sunderland on 14th September 1968.

In 1974 his family moved to Brighouse, West Yorkshire, where he has lived ever since.

Philip attended All Saints’ High School in Huddersfield and subsequently The Percival Whitley School of Further Education in Halifax.

Philip has worked in the construction industry at both grass roots and executive level. He is currently a registered gas engineer and owns a

T

small business in West Yorkshire.

Philip is married with children and lives in Hove Edge, Brighouse. Although he is in the process of purchasing a new family home in the Dewsbury constituency (Mirfield). He is a valued member of the local community and a sponsor for the local cricket club in Southowram. He is a keen sportsman and anxious to promote the importance of sport for young people in the midst of the ‘techno age’.

As a parent, Philip is also interested in education and the importance of language learning. He

has volunteered as an English conversation teacher, at a school in Madrid, on many occasions, in collaboration with a bilingual learning programme set up by one of his Spanish friends.

Although Philip is a newcomer to the political scene, he has previously negotiated and completed contracts with some of the UK’s listed PLC construction companies.

This wide experience in the business world along with a passionate interest in history and world affairs have led him to enter the political scene.

shape the future of our economy and society. It will give us the freedom to shape our future by taking immediate control of our own laws, borders, money, fishing and defence.

We want to cancel HS2, save 50% of the foreign aid budget and save another £13bn a year in payments to the EU. That money can form part of a Brexit dividend to invest billions in Britain’s Regions, cut the cost of living, and build a better future for millions of our people.

The old mainstream parties have made ‘manifesto’ a dirty word. Everybody knows that a manifesto is little more than a set of vague promises that its authors have no intention of keeping.

By contrast, our Contract with the People is a targeted set of deliverable pledges. We are not seeking election as a government. We are seeking to deliver the Brexit that we were promised three and a half years ago.

With a Clean-Break Brexit, we can start changing Britain for good from day one.

There will be no extended ‘transition period’, no more years of wrangling with Brussels, no further entanglement with the EU’s controlling political institutions.

We will be free to start building our future immediately, to change politics and Britain for good. And that’s a promise.

On December 12th, vote for PHILIP JAMES, THE BREXIT PARTY in Dewsbury and Mirfield

ThePress

Friday December 6, 2019

19

On December 12th, vote for PHILIP JAMES, THE BREXIT PARTY in Dewsbury and Mirfield

Political revolution – with you the people our priority HE way the political Establishment has conspired to frustrate democracy over Brexit has highlighted the need for fundamental political reform.

The Brexit Party can deliver real democratic change because we are not part of the Westminster status quo. It is now time for a debate on a written constitution. We pledge to: • Reform the voting system to make it more representative.

• Abolish the unelected House of Lords.

• Make MPs who switch parties subject to recall petitions.

• Overhaul the postal voting system to combat fraud and abuse.

• Reform the Supreme Court – judges who play a role in politics must be subject to political scrutiny. Ensure political balance by broadening participation in the Selection Commission or conduct interviews by Parliamentary Committee.

• Make the Civil Service more accountable to the public – we would require civil servants to sign an oath to act with political neutrality.

• Phase out the BBC licence fee.

• Require Universities to incorporate an obligation to protect legal free speech.

• Introduce Citizens’ Initiatives to allow people to call referendums, subject to a 5m threshold of registered voter signatures and limitations on repeat votes.

– Redirecting 50% of the foreign aid budget (£40bn over a five-year term).

• Invest at least £50bn in local road and rail schemes in our development-starved regions.

• Invest in digital infrastructure: partner with service providers to offer free base level domestic broadband in deprived regions and free Wi-Fi on all public transport.

• Invest in our High Streets: alongside our reforms to Corporation Tax, we will replace business rates with a simpler system to assist small High Street retailers and leisure operators outside the M25, with any reductions funded by an online sales tax.

• Invest in young people: scrap interest on student loans, which will improve the debt recovery rate, and introduce a new work-

Regenerating the regions

HE Brexit Party supports investment in key public services, the environment, fishing and strategic industries – partly financed by saving our annual contribution to the EU. We pledge to: • Invest £2.5bn in our Fishing and Coastal Communities: with a Clean-Break Brexit we recover control of a 200 mile exclusive economic zone (or the median line), creating the opportunity to regenerate our coastal communities with new investment, jobs and tourism.

• Invest in the Environment: in addition to planting millions of

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HE Brexit Party supports policies aimed at regional regeneration, supporting key sectors of the economy and targeted investments in the young, the High Street and families. We pledge to: • Raise £200bn by: – Scrapping HS2 – Keeping the £13bn annual EU contribution – Recovering our £7bn from the EIB

T

Abolish hated ‘grief tax’ ... a double taxation on a lifetime’s assets able apprenticeship scheme.

• Abolish Inheritance Tax (IHT). This hated ‘grief’ tax raises less than 1% of total tax revenue. It is ‘double taxation’ on a lifetime’s assets, levied at a time of family distress.

Boosting our UK industries

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trees to capture CO2 we will promote a global initiative at the UN. • Recycle our own waste and make it illegal for it to be exported across the world to be burnt, buried or dumped at sea.

• Invest in the NHS and Social Care: we need to keep investing in these essential and treasured public services — with more medical staff and less waste.

• Invest in Strategic Industries: freed from EU rules on state aid, we can invest in strategic industries such as steel, railways and defence to create thousands of jobs.

Incentives to invest here E WANT to attract investment and jobs with a series of targeted incentives to drive growth and increase the tax take. We pledge to: • Free up small businesses, the most dynamic part of the economy, to do what they do best – creating new jobs. We will exempt from Corporation Tax those 1 million companies with profit before tax of under £50,000.

• One million companies – some 66% of the total number – pay less than £10,000 Corporation Tax. This represents just 6% of the total Corporation Tax take in 2019; £3.4bn. In addition these smaller firms face the time consuming and costly burden of audit and compliance.

• Maintain subsidies and grants paid by the EU to UK businesses such as farmers, fisheries, universities and research bodies: this is our money anyway, recycled by the EU. • Provide transitional relief to key sectors such as the automotive industry, to ensure a smooth Brexit.

• Create Freeports in certain regions to encourage investment and create new jobs.

• Overhaul financial services regulation, cut red tape, increase competition and boost lending to Small and Medium Enterprises.

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On December 12th, vote for PHILIP JAMES, THE BREXIT PARTY in Dewsbury and Mirfield

Cutting taxes, saving NHS and sensible immigration A CLEAN-BREAK Brexit is a chance to reduce the cost of living for working families. The impact of EU policies on energy prices costs us jobs and punishes the poorest in society, while the EU Customs Union prevents us cutting tariffs on non-EU imports.

We pledge to: • Cut VAT on domestic fuel: EU rules stop us reducing our VAT rates.

We will zero rate VAT on domestic fuel to reduce energy bills — saving an average £65 per household.

• Reduce import tariffs: 20% of UK food items are sourced from outside the EU. A Clean-Break Brexit will allow us to reduce tariffs to zero on certain foods, footwear and clothing.

E NEED to develop a National Health Service fit for the 21st Century. The Brexit Party believes in continued investment in the NHS, better management, increasing the number of medical staff and cutting waste. We want the NHS to be a beacon of excellent care. It was the Labour governments of Blair and Brown that burdened the NHS with billions of pounds of debt

W

Brexit Party candidate Philip James

through their Private Finance Initiatives.

• The NHS must remain a publically-owned, comprehensive service that is free at the point of use. Your postcode should not determine your care.

• There should be no privatisation of the NHS; where existing private initiatives have failed to deliver we will return them to public ownership.

• We support investment in medical research and development and will stop the taxpayer being ripped off by pharmaceutical companies.

• Abolish all politically imposed hospital targets that distort clinical priorities.

• Re-open the nursing and midwifery professions to recruitment without the degree requirement, alongside a new nursing qualification in social care.

• Introduce 24-hour GP surgeries to relieve the strain on A&E depts.

• Withdraw from the European Defence Union. This will mean we leave the EU defence procurement directive ensuring the UK has the right to stipulate defence contracts stay at home.

• Crack down on illegal immigration and stop the human tragedy associated with human trafficking.

• Reduce annual immigration and address wage stagnation and the skills gap by introducing a fair points system that is blind to ethnic origin.

And always provide a humane welcome for genuine refugees.

• Increase police numbers — more visible policing, ensure focus on combating violent crime, robbery and burglary rather than enforcing restrictions on free speech.

• Target the menace of County Lines drug dealers, gangs and the growth of knife crime.

• Abolish distortive targets and introduce sentence ‘ranges’ for young offenders, to encourage rehabilitation.

Promoted by: Norman Collins-Tooth Election address 31 Littlemoor Drive, Mirfield, WF14 8BT Published by The Press News Ltd, and printed by Yorkshire Web, Barnsley

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Friday December 6, 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 DECEMBER 7 THERE AND BACK Starts at 10.30am Cleckheaton Town Hall car park (SE191254) 7 miles – moderate No dogs please Contact: Noel 07780 328561

Victorian Gothic fun BAGSHAW Museum in Batley turns back time with ‘A Very Victorian Christmas’ on Saturday and Sunday.

Visitors can experience some of the festive fun that would have filled the Victorian Gothic mansion when it was home to the Sheard family in the late 19th century.

Children can make Christmas tree decorations and a special card and decorate a tasty treat. There will also be a festive trail around the museum.

The Christmas celebration runs from 12noon to 4pm each day. The cost is £2 per child per session and no booking is required.

For more information contact Bagshaw Museum in Wilton Park, Batley or call 01924 324765.

A trio of rambles THE Dewsbury and District Rambling Club has three walks planned this week.

Tomorrow (Saturday) meet Judith Waterworth at Link Road for 9.30am before a walk in Netherton and Bullcliff Wood. On Sunday David Lodge will lead a walk around local footpaths – meet at the Wellington Road car park at 9.30am.

There’s a Christmas walk followed by a festive lunch at Healds Hall Hotel on Wednesday from 10.30am. Names must be given to Margaret Chamberlain.

Celebration of Xmas MIRFIELD Choral Society present a Christmas Celebration on Saturday December 21 at 7.15pm at the town’s Trinity Methodist Church.

Tickets priced £10 including refreshments are available from any member of the choral society, by emailing mirfieldchoral@gmail.com or calling 01924 494708.

Clock in for a talk SPEN Valley Historical Society’s next meeting is on Wednesday December 11 when Rod Dimbleby will give a talk titled ‘Discovering John Hartley’s Clock Almanacs 1867-1916’.

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.

No audition required!

DEWSBURY Concert Society is on the lookout for new members.

The friendly group of singers meets on Wednesday evenings at Longcauseway Church Hall from 7.30pm to 9.30pm to rehearse a varied programme of songs for concerts throughout the year.

New members are always welcome for all singing parts, but especially tenors and contralto singers. No audition is required and all are welcome. For details contact Keith on 01924 443196.

Learn how to jive PEOPLE keen on learning how to dance are invited to a rock & roll jive class, held every Thursday at Heckmondwike’s Brighton Street WMC (8pm-9pm). It costs £5 and is ideal for those who want to keep fit and have fun.

The class is followed by a social dance (£3) from 9pm-11pm.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 11 AN URBAN WALK WITH SOME LOCAL HISTORY Starts at 11am at Dewsbury Town Hall (WF12 8DG) 4 miles – moderate Contact: Jim 01924 469700 janderegan@hotmail.co.uk

It’s beginning to look a lot like...

OAKWELL HALL is hosting a variety of events to guarantee a merry Christmas for all.

Crafters will have the opportunity to get creative with special sessions at the Hall.

On Wednesday December 11, it’s all about decorations and on December 18 there will be an opportunity to make a festive wreath.

Sessions are 11am to 3pm and places must be booked in advance at a cost of £12 per person per session or £30 for all three.

On Sunday December 15, visitors can step back in time to the 17th century and watch the Leeds Waits entertain Oakwell Hall’s owner, John Batt, and his steward with some traditional seasonal music.

The music is included in the regular admission fee and takes place from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

The team also have something for their younger visitors; children can join ‘Father Christmas in the Woods’, for Christmas crafts around the campfire on Friday December 20, 4.30pm-5.30pm and 5.30pm-6.30pm.

Aladdin adventure this weekend Children must be aged five and over, and accompanied by an adult. The cost is £8 per child and places must be pre-booked.

Coun Rob Walker, cabinet member responsible for culture said: “Oakwell Hall is always an interesting place to visit and Christmas time is no exception, with such a packed programme of activities there really is something for everyone.”

For more information on any of the events or to book places, contact Oakwell Hall Visitor Centre, on Nova Lane, Birstall, by calling 01924 324761 and selecting option 2.

IF YOU head to St Mary’s in Batley this weekend you can join the theatre group on their latest pantomime adventure with Aladdin and co.

These two clumsy cops (above) are in pursuit of Aladdin, who has climbed the walls of the palace to catch a glimpse of Princess Jasmine.

If the bumbling plodders catch him it will be more than a Chinese burn he gets … and will the Princess escape the clutches of the baddie Fajar and marry the hero?

Get along to St Mary’s Social Club and find out! Evening performances are at 7.30pm tonight (Fri) and Saturday.

Matinee performances are at 2.30pm on Saturday and at 1.30pm on Sunday.

Tickets priced £5 are available from St Mary’s Social Club and Parochial Hall on Melton Street, from Jo Cox House in Batley Market Place or by calling 01924 478394.

Rock panto’s all good in the Hood!

By Steve Martyn

Photo: Ant Robling

AUDIENCES are invited to pick up their wicker baskets, throw on their red hooded capes and skip down to the City Varieties Music Hall in Leeds where Red Riding Hood will get the Rock ‘n’ Roll Pantomime treatment.

A very different format to the traditional Christmas pantomime, Rock ‘n’ Roll Pantomimes mix traditional elements of audience participation and corny gags, with a jukebox full of classic rock anthems and chart-toppers.

All the ballads are performed by an ultra-talented cast of actormusicians – and be sure to keep your wits about you though, or you may just get rocked by the legendary Boulder Battle!

Ian Sime, general manager at City Varieties, said: “Our Rock ‘n’ Roll Pantos have been extremely popular since they were first introduced in 2011.

“They have grown year on year and have now become a Christmas tradition for families in Leeds and beyond.

“Red Riding Hood is a brandnew production from the enchanted pen of Peter Rowe and we are very excited to showcase

it at the Varieties.”

Red Riding Hood the Rock ‘n’ Roll Pantomime is at City Varieties Music Hall until

January 12, 2020.

Tickets are priced from £14.

Book online at www.cityvarieties.co.uk or call 0113 243 0808.

Friday December 6, 2019

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ThePress

Friday December 6, 2019

ATHLETICS

FOOTBALL

Bayleigh bags top Spen award

Sands inflict first loss on rivals

SPENBOROUGH and District Athletic Club held their annual presentation night last Friday to celebrate the fantastic performances and achievements of the club’s athletes during the 2019 season.

The Allat Memorial Cup, awarded to the most outstanding athlete, was presented to Bayleigh Lawton, whose season highlights included winning 300m gold in the Under-15 Boys English Championships.

He also earned the Under-15 Boys 200m Championship record in the West Yorkshire League, won 100m and 200m gold at the Yorkshire Championships, and achieved three lifetime bests during the season.

Bayleigh’s coach, Stuart Hall, was awarded the President’s Cup for outstanding service from a non-athlete.

There were awards for the most improved athletes, which went to Holly Martin (track), Joe Sagar (track), Olivia Myers (field), Jake Darby (field), Louise Jansen (road running) and Simon Bolland (road running).

Awards for the best and most promising performances went to Natalie Groves (track), Bayleigh Lawton (track), Olivia Reah (field), Connor Bell (field), Sara Wallace (road running), Craig Thompson (road running), Jenni Muston

AWARD WINNERS: Spenborough and District AC’s best athletes show off their prizes (cross-country) and Joe Sagar (cross-country).

The club competes in Division Two of the Northern Athletics League and in North East Two Division of the Youth Development League, and they retained their places in both after some great overall performances from the athletes.

Winners of the track-and-field league trophies were Glenn Aspindle (senior men), Beth Thomas and Molly Waring (senior women), Ben Maddocks (junior men), Molly Waring (junior women), Daniel Smith (U17), Olivia Reah (U17), Lily Croughan (U15),

James Bell (U15), Sophia Foulger (U13), Ben Whitaker (U11) and Imogen Atkinson (U11).

Winners of the road running and cross-country league trophies were Lynda Robertson (road running), Henry Carter (road running), Martin Peck (Spen20 champion), Jenni Muston (cross-country) and Joe Sagar (cross-country).

Winning the awards for the crosscountry performances were Simon Bolland (senior men), Jenni Muston (senior women), Mia Butler (U17), Matthew Dalton (U13), Sophia Foulger (U13), Ben Whitaker (U11) and Imogen Atkinson (U11).

SANDS LANE inflicted a first defeat of the season on Calder Valley Division Two leaders Spen FC. After eight consecutive wins, Spen were finally undone in Dewsbury as goals from Dominic Howarth and Ethan Walshaw gave Sands Lane a 2-1 win which put them into seventh.

Inter Batley remain pointless at the bottom of the division after a 3-1 home defeat by Barum Top FC, with Ashraf Navsarka scoring their consolation.

Sam Hewitt scored all four goals for Ravenswharfe as they moved into fifth place in the Calder Valley Division One with a 4-1 win away at Wire Works.

Hanging Heaton remain secondbottom of the Wakefield and District Premier Division after a 4-1 loss at Fieldhead Hospital, with Craig Bentley scoring their solitary goal.

In Division One, Howden Clough moved up to third with a 6-1 home win over Rocking Horse. Reece Scholes led the way with a hat-trick, while Warren Carr, Shane Thornton and Joel Loveday were also on the scoresheet.

Division Two leaders Thornhill United had won all seven games going into the weekend but had a day to forget at Last Orders FC, suffering an 8-1 defeat.

Overthorpe Sports Club were on the right side of a big scoreline

25

though, picking up their fourth win of the season with a 7-2 thumping of FC Broadway.

Littletown eye second place LITTLETOWN closed the gap on Yorkshire Amateur League Supreme Division leaders Farsley Celtic Juniors to six points with a 4-1 win at home to Steeton Reserves.

Matty Bugg scored two of the goals with Scott Lightowler and Adam Williams bagging the others.

Mirfield side Lower Hopton remain second-bottom in the table, however, after a 5-0 thrashing at Athletico FC. In Division Four, Old Batelians were turned over 6-1 at St Bedes Reserves.

Horbury Town moved into second place in the West Yorkshire Association Football League Premier Division thanks to a 6-1 home thumping of Knaresborough Town.

Gibril Bojang bagged a hat-trick, Eoin Schofield found the net twice and James Smith added another goal.

Hartshead are in 10th place in Division One following a 4-1 loss at Campion, while Division Two leaders Overthorpe Sports Club were beaten 2-1 at home by Leeds Modernians.

BOWLS RACING PREVIEW WITH MIKE SMITH Contenders aplenty for iconic jumps Bailey fights back for first win of winter INTER double headers in the jumping game don’t come any bigger than this weekend with meetings over the iconic fences at Aintree and Sandown.

Aintree has two races on the Grand National course including the Becher Chase, which is a tried and trusted route to the big one in April.

The fences might not be as intimidating as before, but some horses still take to them better than others and tomorrow’s (Saturday) renewal is bound to have a bearing on the Grand National.

MULCAHYS HILL is a clear market leader at 15/2 with Carrigill’s and the field also includes course specialists VIEUX LION ROUGE and ONE FOR ARTHUR, who hasn’t troubled the judge since his victory for Lucinda Russell in the National twoand-a-half years ago.

At bigger prices BALLYDINE and WALK IN THE MILL have some appeal.

A crack at the big one in April is reportedly the dream for the team behind BALLYDINE (his owner is a prominent figure at Aintree) so he’s going to have to do well between now and then if he’s to stand a chance of making the cut – Tiger Roll is rated 172.

Trainer Charlie Longsdon knows he can go well fresh, he has proved his stamina beyond doubt, and he’ll be fine no matter the ground. A previous spin around the National course would obvi-

W

ously be ideal, but he’s an attractive each-way punt.

Sound jumper WALK IN THE MILL is a decidedly useful chaser at around three miles on his day and looks likely to have benefited from a recent reappearance at Cheltenham where, amateurridden after an absence, he looked rusty. But he has not fallen since coming from France in 2015 and at his best should certainly get involved.

Nigel Twiston-Davies has a good record in this race and his sole entry BALLYOPTIC looks another each-way shout based on the form of his previous Wetherby win.

Just 90 minutes later it’s Tingle Creek time where Sandown’s Railway Fences always provide a proper challenge to horse and jockey, and on the face of it this year’s protagonists look like making this the most exciting race of the year so far.

The absence of Altior has made for a much more competitive race, although the bookmakers don’t see it that

way with Carrigill’s going 11/8 about Champion Chase contender DEFI DU SEUIL, but he’s too short for my liking.

SCEAU ROYAL didn’t handle the testing ground when last of four in last year’s encounter but gave Altior a scare in both Cheltenham’s Champion Chase and over this course and distance in April, and this high-class chaser over two miles can put the record straight this time around.

CLASSIC BEN looks like he has been laid out for the Betfair London National which brings the meeting to a close at 3.35. Stuart Edmonds’ sixyear-old should enjoy the stiff stamina test in what will be his first run over 3m5f.

On the flat, RAAEB can secure his place in all-weather finals day in Lingfield in April by scoring in the Ladbrokes Football Conditions Stakes at Wolverhampton tomorrow night (Saturday).

The Raven’s Pass juvenile is all speed and has impressed on trainer Saeed Bin Suroor’s private facility at Chippenham.

He’s expected be too good for his rivals around these tight turns.

CARRIGILL’S NAP: (money back as a free bet if finishes outside top 4. Write Augur on your slip to qualify): BALLYOPTIC, Aintree, Saturday, 1.30.

AUGUR’S BEST BET: RAAEB (e/w), Wolverhampton, Saturday, 6.20.

LATEST WINNER: Bailey Rice (left) was presented with the prize by Peter Ellis after his first win of the season BAILEY RICE made an impressive comeback to claim a richly-deserved win in last weekend’s winter sweep at Spen Victoria.

The fifth week was the first of the sweeps to be truly winter bowling. With temperatures plunging, the bowlers were greeted to Cleckheaton with a frozen green and frosty surrounds, with the 9.30am starters facing particularly tricky conditions.

The semi-finalists from the previous week were all out early, with three of the four bowing out in the last 32. This left the field open for first semi-final appearances this year for Rice and Michael Heap, facing off against regulars of this round in Mark Regan and Colin Scorah.

Michael and Colin had both seen off some quality players in the earlier rounds but Reggie and Bailey had both been impressive all day, and so it was to be a final between Mark “The Iceman” Regan and Bailey “I’ll play in a t-shirt despite it being -3C” Rice.

Mark raced into a 5-0 lead and things were looking bleak for Bailey. It didn’t seem to matter how close Bailey bowled them, Reggie bowled

them closer still.

Chalks were exchanged in the next several ends and, at 10-4 down, Bailey was in trouble.

However Reggie bowled his lead a yard wide and then uncharacteristically over-compensated, bowling his next a yard narrow and leaving Rice to pick up an easy brace.

Three quick-fire singles brought Bailey back in it at 9-10 but Reggie fought back with six of the next nine points going his way, giving him a 16-12 lead and looking good.

This was where the game reached its pivotal moment. Reg put two within a foot and Bailey struck. A miss would leave him 18-12 down but he didn’t, and he then won five of the next six points to leave the game finely poised at 17-17.

Reggie had been here before though. Heap, Coates, Teale, Hewitt and Slattery had all been in tight matches with Mark in the earlier rounds and came off losing. When the going gets tough, Reggie is as good as they get.

But Bailey chalked up a brace and then, in the final end, Reggie glanced the jack slightly when playing over to give Bailey the win.

26

ThePress

Friday December 6, 2019

FOOTBALL

United thrashed after skipper sees red Northern Premier N/West Division

CLITHEROE OSSETT UNITED

6 1

AN EARLY red card for skipper James Knowles set Ossett United on the path to a thrashing at Clitheroe.

Connor Gaul converted the resulting penalty following the pull which saw Knowles dismissed, and later added another goal while Oliver Stirzaker and Craig Carney also scored late braces to make it an unfairly heavy scoreline.

Ossett had only a Tom Greaves strike as consolation and manager Wayne Benn, in his second game in charge at the club, rued the decision that saw his captain sent off.

“For me, there’s definitely a genuine attempt to win the ball and I thought that, with that being the case, it was only a yellow card,” he said.

“It hurts to concede the penalty and then be penalised twice with the man being sent off. Against a side that has won the last five, with 10 men and 1-0 down it’s always going to be tough. I thought we were really good for 60 minutes, I was very happy with the performance. They were clearly clinical in the last 20 minutes and we made life too easy for them.”

DAY TO FORGET: Clitheroe goalkeeper Connor King claims the ball as 10-man Ossett struggle; goalscorer Tom Greaves picks up the ball out wide The shape of the game was determined by events in the 16th minute, when Gaul ran onto a goal kick and was pulled back by Knowles as he entered the penalty area. The referee judged that there was no attempt for the ball and the Ossett captain was dismissed, with Gaul rolling in the spot-kick to put Clitheroe in front.

Aaron Haswell, himself a late replacement in the starting line-up for Luke Porritt, was substituted to

allow Dylan Cogill to fill the gap at the back, and United rallied well for much of the first half despite the disadvantage.

Clitheroe should have doubled their lead going into the break but Charlie Mulgrew put a fantastic chance wide from six yards.

Marko Basic was only a couple of inches away from levelling the scores in the second half with his curling free kick, but instead the next goal fell the way of the hosts as

Gaul was slipped in behind and finished past Brett Souter.

They added to the lead 10 minutes from time as substitute Stirzaker headed home a corner from the centre of the box, and the points looked secure with Clitheroe.

However, a long Jack Stockdill pass over the defence two minutes later found striker Greaves and he controlled the ball well before finishing past goalkeeper Connor King.

PHOTOS: John Hirst

The best goal of the game would make the points safe soon after though, as Carney found Oscar O’Neil and his flick allowed Carney to strike excellently into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Two further goals in the closing stages would make the scoreline a very harsh reflection of United’s efforts. Stirzaker got his second after being played in behind before Carney dispatched a loose ball in the box for his own brace.

Response pleases Benn as late Liversedge face bottom goals send Ossett through in cup side after postponement Integro League Cup

PONTEFRACT COLLIERIES OSSETT UNITED

0 2

OSSETT UNITED moved into the second round of the League Cup as two late goals earned them a win at Pontefract Collieries.

There was little to choose between the sides for much of the contest on Tuesday night, but Tom Greaves and Elliott Harrison struck in the final 10 minutes to give Ossett the win.

For United it was the perfect response following a 6-1 defeat at the weekend, and manager Wayne Been praised his side.

“It’s a great reaction. Going to Pontefract isn’t great and you’ve got to dig deep and be professional.

You’ve got to defend well because they’ve got good attacking players,” he said.

“The first half (Pontefract) maybe edged in terms of chances but some of our play was good. In the second half I don’t think there was any doubt that we were by far the better side and deserved to win 2-0. The work rate was fantastic and defensively we looked strong.

“Players are getting a little more confident, they’re getting fitter, they’re understanding what we want from them. The togetherness, the spirit, the work rate was fantastic, and it has to be against teams like this.”

Both sides had chances in an exciting opening quarter of the game. Ossett goalkeeper Brett Souter was forced into action for the first time in the second minute to deny Bradley Dockerty, before Nick Guest fired over the bar at the

CHALLENGING AT THE TOP: Liversedge manager Jonathan Rimmington

‘GREAT REACTION’: Boss Wayne Benn was a happier man after Ossett’s cup win other end.

Pontefract came as close as they would all game when Joe Lumsden headed against the post after a cutback from Jack Greenhough. Souter then got down well to keep out Vaughan Redford after another bright move.

Towards the end of the first half Ponte stepped things up again. After having an effort ruled out for offside, Redford curled just past the post on the counter and Dockerty sliced wide after getting in behind.

After a scrappy start to the second half, Ossett thought they had taken the lead when defender Dylan Cogill put the ball in the net, but the assistant’s flag ruled it out.

United were emerging as the better side but they continued to be frustrated until the opening goal finally came with 10 minutes to go.

A free kick from the left was only

punched by Ponte goalkeeper Sebastian Malkowski to the edge of the area, where Greaves was waiting to scuff a volley along the floor and into the corner.

Then frustration kicked in for the hosts as Michael Dunn flew into a late, reckless and unnecessary challenge which wiped out Ross Hardaker and earned the substitute a straight red card.

With the extra man, Ossett sealed the win. Straight from the free kick for that foul, the ball was sent downfield, Marko Basic came inside and chipped the ball over for Harrison to finish.

United will host Brighouse Town in the next round of the competition this Tuesday (December 10, kick-off 7.45pm), but face a challenging league assignment first as leaders Workington come to Ingfield tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).

LIVERSEDGE’S promotion challenge steps up this week with matches against Athersley Rec and Yorkshire Amateur.

Their league tie last Saturday against Bottesford Town was postponed due to a frozen pitch after an inspection on the morning of the game, making it the seventh Sedge match to be called off in just over two months.

The lack of action has seen them slip down to fifth place in the NCEL Premier Division table, two points off the

promotion places, but they have won eight of their 12 matches this season.

Tomorrow (Saturday, kick-off 3pm) they travel to Barnsley to face Athersley Rec, who sit adrift at the bottom of the table with only four points and a goal difference of -52.

Three days later (Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm) Yorkshire Amateur, who are only three points behind Sedge going into the weekend, head to Clayborn.

Ladies halted by Farsley freeze OSSETT United Ladies’ game at Farsley Celtic last weekend was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

United had won two games on the bounce heading into the fixture but were unable to continue their momentum in the North East Premier Division.

This Sunday (kick-off 2pm) Ossett,

who are currently fourth in the table, are due to face second-placed Harrogate Town at Ingfield.

Their reserves side did get some action last week though, coming back from a goal down to beat Huddersfield Amateur 3-1 thanks to goals from Jodie Clarkson, Julia Woods and Georgia Sykes.

ThePress

Friday December 6, 2019

27

RUGBY LEAGUE

Tillotson takes on Burgess on hand to reward young stars top job at Sharks ANDREW TILLOTSON has been appointed as Shaw Cross Sharks’ head coach for next year’s National Conference League campaign.

Tillotson is currently coaching their winter open age team, which have won all four games in the Pennine League Division Two so far.

He will now keep the role for the summer season as the Sharks prepare to play in NCL Division Three, following back-to-back relegations in the past two years.

Mark Barlow coached the side in 2019 but stepped down at the end of the season to take on an assistant coaching role at Batley Bulldogs.

Assistant boss Martin Woodhead will remain next year alongside Tillotson.

Club chairman Brett Turner said: “Tilly and Martin have done a fantastic job so far and it really is encouraging to see them integrating the young lads into open age rugby so seamlessly.

“It was always what we hoped for when we decided to enter the winter league and they really have excelled in the short time they’ve had.

“With this in mind it made perfect sense when they applied for the NCL job to have that continuity and give them the opportunity that they’ve earned with the strong start they’ve made in their coaching careers.

“In Tilly we know that we have a man in charge that really has the club at heart. He’s been with us a

NEW STARS: Dewsbury Moor’s Under12s received the Division Two shield from George Burgess (top centre)

FORMER Dewsbury Moor junior George Burgess was handing out the prizes at the Yorkshire Junior League’s presentation last Sunday.

Two Moor teams were among those receiving their league titles after successful seasons, as both the Under13s and Under-12s finished top of Division Two in their age groups.

Shaw Cross and Dewsbury Celtic also had two title-winning sides to celebrate. The Sharks’ Under-15s Blacks won Division Two while the Under-18s finished top of tier two with an unbeaten record.

Dewsbury Celtic’s Under-16s also completed an unbeaten league season to win Division Three, and their Under-18s also collected silverware after finishing top of tier three.

Davis the big winner as Boys celebrate season BATLEY BOYS held their open age awards evening last Friday in the Ron Earnshaw Lounge at Batley Bulldogs.

It was a highly successful first season in the National Conference Leagues for the team, despite losing out in the Division Three play-offs.

Gavin Davis was the biggest winner with the prop claiming both the Players’ Player of the Year and Forward of the Year prizes.

The top try scorer award had to be split between Davis and Matty Sheridan, who both finished with 15 tries.

Josh Knowles took the Man of Steel while the Coaches’ Player of the Year went to Aaron James and the retiring Adam Bingham was named as Back of the Year. The Ben Morley Memorial Trophy was awarded to Peter and Tracy Bingham.

Stags aim for Yorkshire Cup final spot IN CHARGE: Andrew Tillotson will lead Shaw Cross in the NCL next season long time as a player and the leadership that he showed on the field is really shining through off it.

“It’s an exciting time for us as a club to have a young, enthusiastic coaching team at the helm of a squad that has a very bright future.”

MIRFIELD STAGS host Doncaster Toll Bar tomorrow (Saturday) for a place in the BARLA Yorkshire Cup final.

Head coach Richard Silverwood said: “To get to the final would be unbelievable for us and I hope the lads have a real focus this week.

“Hopefully we can get a good crowd up to Hillrich Park on Saturday and they can help push the lads through to that final on December 29.”

The Stags extended their lead at the top of the Pennine League Division One to four points last weekend with a 36-8 win at local rivals Hanging Heaton.

Brad Delaney and Dom Flanagan led the way for the visitors, weighing in with a brace of tries each, while Mick Hoyle, Omar Alrawi and Lewis Holliday also crossed the line.

Mirfield now have seven wins out of seven while Hanging Heaton

remain in fourth place.

Shaw Cross and Thornhill Trojans are both two points off the top of Division Two. The Sharks earned a 46-16 win over Seacroft while the Trojans were given the two points with a walkover against Clayton.

Both are scheduled to be in action this week, with Shaw Cross going to Eastmoor Dragons tonight (Friday) and Thornhill heading to King Cross Park tomorrow.

CRICKET

Batley head to Wrenthorpe on Premier return BATLEY will mark their return to the Premier Division with a trip to Wrenthorpe when the 2020 Bradford League season begins on April 18.

The club will be back after two years outside the top flight, having suffered instant relegation the last time they went up to the division in 2017.

Despite a late-season slip, Batley managed to win on a dramatic final day to get over the line and win the 2019 second-tier title.

They will start their challenge next season at Wrenthorpe, before their first home tie the following week sees them welcome neighbours Hanging Heaton.

After three trophy-laden seasons, Hanging Heaton underachieved last time out despite an eventual thirdplaced finish, outside of title contention from the early stages of the season and finishing without any silverware to their name.

They will look to regain the Premier Division title that they claimed in 2017, starting their campaign at Townville. They will have to wait until round three for a

CHAMPIONS: Batley claimed the Championship One title in 2019 to secure their return to the top flight first home clash, when they welcome the district’s other top-flight side, Cleckheaton.

Back-to-back champions earlier in the decade, Cleckheaton will be looking to improve on three consecutive bottom-half finishes.

They begin the 2020 season at New Farnley before hosting Townville in round two.

The 22-game Premier Division season will finish on September 5, a week earlier than the last of the leagues, with Batley hosting Townville, Hanging Heaton at New Farnley and Cleckheaton away to Morley.

Birstall earned promotion back to Division One at the second time of asking in 2019,

and they begin their campaign away at Lightcliffe.

Ossett, Gomersal and Hartshead Moor will be hoping to build on fourth-, sixthand seventh-placed finishes respectively, with Ossett going to Undercliffe to start the season while Gomersal host Carlton and Hartshead Moor are visited by

Pudsey Congs.

Spen Victoria finished fourth in Division Two last time out and begin their latest challenge at home to Wakefield St Michael’s, while Hopton Mills travel to Hunslet Nelson for their opener following a fourthfrom-bottom placing in 2019.

Liversedge finished bottom of the third tier last season so join the Bradford League’s bottom two, Heckmondwike and Carlinghow, and plumlast Crossbank Methodists, in Division Three.

Oulton are the visitors at Liversedge in the very first round while Heckmondwike go to Altofts and Crossbank welcome Adwalton.

The fixtures have also been released for the second-team divisions. Hanging Heaton won the Premier Division title last season and begin their defence at home to Lightcliffe, while Batley host newly-promoted Gomersal.

Cleckheaton are the sole Heavy Woollen representatives in Division One and begin at home to Northowram Fields, while five of the district’s sides will compete in Division Two next year.

Hopton Mills, Ossett and Birstall have home ties against Altofts, Undercliffe and Townville respectively, while Liversedge begin at Oulton and Hartshead Moor go to Sandal.

Finally, Spen Victoria travel to Brighouse, Heckmondwike and Carlinghow welcome Hunslet Nelson and Crossbank Methodists begin at Adwalton in Division Three.

THE DATES for the 2020 cup competitions have been released.

The Priestley Cup and Jack Hampshire Cup will both have 24 clubs competing this season, while there are 35 second teams entered in the Priestley Shield.

The eight first-round ties in the Priestley Cup and the three Priestley Shield firstround games will be played on April 26. The Jack Hampshire Cup gets underway with eight matches on May 3.

The Jack Hampshire Cup final will be played on August 16 with the Priestley Cup final being held a week later, while the climax of the Priestley Shield will be staged on September 6.

Hooley out to show his skills at Batley

By Stephen Ibbetson Sports Reporter sport@thepressnews.co.uk

LUKE HOOLEY is hoping to get his career up and running this season with Batley Bulldogs after making the switch to the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium.

The signing of the 21-year-old was confirmed back in September following his release from Wakefield Trinity at the end of last season.

Hooley was a star of the local amateur game as a junior, first at Shaw Cross Sharks and later across town at Dewsbury Moor.

He signed for Bradford Bulls on scholarship in 2014 before signing a professional contract with Wakefield three years later.

The goal-kicking full-back failed to make a competitive appearance for the Super League side but has gained experience in the Championship and League One over the past three years, playing in both divisions for Oldham and making 19 appearances for Dewsbury Rams.

After leaving Trinity at the end of last season, Hooley signed a one-year deal with Batley

POINT TO PROVE: Local lad Luke Hooley in training with the Bulldogs Bulldogs, and his aim for the upcoming season is to play as many games as possible.

“I’m a local lad from Dewsbury myself, I’ve always gone on Boxing Day and (I’ll go to games) every time I’m local,” he said. “I didn’t get an opportunity at

Wakefield so I’ve got an opportunity here to show what I can do.

“It’s just game time this year and showing what I can do.

Playing week in, week out is my main goal at the moment. If I can do that I’ll be happy.”

Having amassed more than 40

Bulldogs kit throwback to 2010 cup triumph BATLEY BULLDOGS have launched their shirts for the 2020 season, with the home strip providing a throwback to their Northern Rail Cup triumph 10 years earlier.

The Bulldogs will don red and white, rather than the traditional cerise and fawn, as they did back in 2010, while the club have gone for blue for their away shirt.

At the launch last week, head coach Criag Lingard also announced the squad numbers for next season.

Seven new signings received their numbers including Ben White, signed from Barrow, who will wear the number six, while Dewsbury addition Lucas Walshaw also has a starting shirt at 12.

Luke Hooley has got the 14 jersey after his move from Wakefield, former York man Jack Blagbrough will wear 15 and Sheffield signing Shaun Pick has 17.

Dale Morton will have 22 on his back and Shaun Lunt, captured from Hull KR, will wear 24. Danny

Bravo has been given the number 23 shirt as he aims to make a comeback while George Senior has 18 after signing his first contract.

Full squad list: 1 Dave Scott, 2 Wayne Reittie, 3 Keenen Tomlinson, 4 Lewis Galbraith, 5 Johnny Campbell, 6 Ben White, 7 Danny Yates, 8 Tyler Dickinson, 9 Alistair Leak, 10 Toby Everett, 11 Dane Manning, 12 Lucas Walshaw, 13 James Brown, 14 Luke Hooley, 15 Jack Blagbrough, 16 Michael Ward, 17 Shaun Pick, 18 George Senior, 20 Niall Walker, 21 Joe Taira, 22 Dale Morton, 23 Danny Bravo, 24 Shaun Lunt.

appearances in the professional game on loan over the last three years, Hooley is confident that he can make his mark in the second tier.

He said: “I went on loan to Oldham in the Championship when they got relegated (in 2017), then I went on loan to Dewsbury and back to Oldham last season, so I’ve played quite bit of Championship. It’s a tough league and there are a lot of teams pushing for Super League.”

Hooley has made his name as a full-back but will have to dislodge the incumbent number one at the Bulldogs, Dave Scott.

The Scotland international has been first-choice for the past four years and Hooley is hoping to learn from his new teammate.

“I’ve played full-back most of my life,” he said. “I started out at half-back but moved to full-back.

Hopefully I can learn a few things from Dave and compete with him, and if not I can play halfback as well.”

RETRO: Johnny Campbell, the last remaining member of the 2010 squad, models the new home shirt

Scott ready to make step up NEW Dewsbury Rams recruit Connor Scott says that he is confident of stepping up to Championship level this season.

The prop forward is one of 12 new faces in a very new-look Rams squad which has been in pre-season training for the past month.

This will be a second spell in the Championship for 26-year-old Scott, who the club have shown great faith in by handing out a two-year contract.

Scott made his debut for Sheffield Eagles in 2011 but only played 12 matches before a move across South Yorkshire to join League One side Doncaster. In his four seasons with the Dons he made 80 appearances, scoring 18 tries, and he is now glad to have the opportunity to step back up to the second tier.

“It has been something that I have wanted to do for a while now, play in the Championship and at a good club like Dewsbury,” he said.

“Everyone knows League One is a tough division and there are some not-very-nice places to go. It has been good for me getting a lot of game time. I have played just short of 90 games for Doncaster so game time was good, but I am glad now I can move up to the Championship.

“I am 26 now, I feel like I am at the age and stage of my career where I can say I have matured into a decent prop. I am ready to learn a lot more at Dewsbury and again at this level.”

On his own style of play as a front-rower, Scott said: “I like to take a good carry in, be on the front foot, but also I think I have a good defence game too. I like those background carries off kick-offs (and) I don’t mind getting over the try line either.”

The top team of head coach Lee Greenwood and assistant Jack Howieson were key in Scott choosing to make the switch to the Tetley’s Stadium.

“I know Jack Howieson from my days at Sheffield Eagles, he was my captain at the club when I was there,” he said.“As soon as I spoke to Lee about the club he sold it to me to be honest.

“My main aims are to enjoy it and step up to the challenge and to get as many games as I can.”

DEWSBURY are hosting their kit launch evening on Wednesday (December 11) in the Royal Suite at the Tetley’s Stadium, starting at 7.30pm.

Supporters will be able to meet the squad while the new home shirt, along with other merchandise and season tickets, will be on sale.

Season ticket prices have been frozen for 2020, starting at £185 for adults, £135 for concessions and £100 for 16-24-year-olds, while under-16 tickets are free.