The Press – Friday March 20, 2020

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Friday March 20, 2020

No. 937

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Community’s lasting tribute to beloved Jo

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THE FIRST VICTIMS

By Staff Reporters TWO ELDERLY people have died after testing positive for coronavirus.

The man and woman in their 70s, who were under the care of the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, both had significant underlying heath conditions.

It has not been made clear at which of the trust’s sites – which includes Dewsbury Hospital – the pensioners died.

Martin Barkley, chief executive of Mid Yorkshire, said: “Sadly, we can confirm that two patients who were being cared for at our hospital sites and had tested positive for Covid-19, have died.

“Both of these patients were in their 70s and had significant underlying health conditions.

“Clearly it is a distressing time for the families and our thoughts are with them.

“The trust is continuing to follow all of the appropriate infection control guidance to provide safe and effective care to our patients.”

There are now more than 3,000 confirmed cases of the flu-like virus in the UK, and the death toll has reached 137.

The UK government has told everyone in the country to avoid “non-essential” travel and contact with others and crowded places, such as pubs, clubs and theatres, in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.

All schools in the district will close their doors at the end of today (Fri), except for vulnerable pupils or children of key workers.

The advice from Public Health England states: “The most common symptoms of

coronavirus are recent onset of a new continuous cough and/or high temperature.

“If you have these symptoms, however mild, stay at home and do not leave your house for seven days from when your symptoms started. You do not need to call NHS 11 to go into self-isolation.

“If your symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after seven days, contact NHS 111.”

Trust officials have announced further restrictions on visiting times across all its sites due to the pandemic.

One immediate family member or carer will be allowed to visit patients at the Trust’s hospitals, including Dewsbury, between 2pm and 3pm or 6.30pm and 7.30pm.

People will not be able to attend both sessions, with visitors being asked to choose one of the two slots.

No children under the age of 12 are permitted to visit without permission of the ward manager or a senior nurse.

A spokesperson said the decision had been taken to “protect everyone as much as we can” from the spread of coronavirus.

Yesterday North Kirklees GPs instigated a ‘total triage’ system. This means patients will receive a consultation either on the phone or by video link with a clinician.

The clinician will then decide if the patient needs a home visit or to come to the surgery, or an alternative nearby practice.

A face-to-face appointment will then be made if necessary.

Coronavirus impact: More news on pages 2, 3 and 15

• Important announcement on the future of The Press – Ed Lines p6 •

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ThePress

Friday March 20, 2020

News in Brief

Praise from Jean for mystery shopper SAVAGE DEREK

Deaths COLLINS (formerly Peacock) Kathryn On 6th March 2020, peacefully at Kirkwood Hospice, of Birstall, Batley, aged 61 years, Kath, dearly loved partner of John, much loved mum of Thomas, a very dear and loved sister, sister-in-law and auntie.

Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Tuesday 24th March 2020 at 2pm. Friends please accept this intimation and meet at the crematorium.

Family flowers only please, donations in lieu may be placed in the collection box provided or sent to George Brooke Ltd, Funeral Directors, for the benefit of Kirkwood Hospice.

FIELD (NEE TATTERSFIELD) EVELYN MARY On March 10, of Mirfield, formerly of Dewsbury, aged 82, wife of David.

Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Wednesday March 25 at 11.15am.

FRASER PAT

Telephone 01924 472178

On March 17, aged 80, wife of Ian. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Tuesday March 24 at 10am.

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HODDINOTT JOHN BARRY On March 13, of Mirfield, aged 83, much loved cousin, uncle and friend.

Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Monday

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March 23 at 10.30am.

HUDSON MAUREEN On March 14, at home in Gomersal, aged 87, wife of the late Kenneth.

Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Friday March 27 at 10am.

JOHNSON STEVE On March 4, of Hanging Heaton, aged 90, husband of the late Margaret. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Friday April 3 at 2.45pm.

MILLER DOROTHY On March 15, at The Priestley Care Home, Birstall, and of Lincoln Drive, Roberttown, aged 90, wife of the late Bryan. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Thursday March 26 at 11.15am.

SMITH HENRY

On March 9, suddenly in hospital, of Staincliffe, aged 57, partner of Collette. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Friday March 27 at 12.30pm.

On March 13, of Birstall, aged 85, husband of Judith.

Funeral arrangements and enquiries to Bollands Funeral Directors, 01924 472178.

Acknowledgements CHILD Harry The family of the late Harry Gibson Child wishes to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy and gestures of kindness and support shown following their sad loss.

Many thanks to everyone at Earlsheaton Medical Centre, especially Dr. Yaaqub Hussain, the doctors and nurses on Ward 43 at Pinderfields Hospital as well as the team at Manorcroft Nursing Home.

Special thanks to Revd Canon Mark Umpleby for his poignant service, the Directors and Staff of Dewsbury Rams RLFC and Eric F. Box Funeral Directors for their efficient and friendly expertise.

CORRIGAN Betty

Thanks also to Dr C Lynch, Grove House Surgery and Manorcroft Nursing Home for their care and attention and to Mr S Paterson for his visit and comfort at this time. Finally to Helen and staff of George Brooke Ltd for caring funeral arrangements.

Family Notices Call: 01924 470296

ThePress Friday March 20, 2020 Issue No: 937

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Grammar pupils fill boxes for food bank BATLEY: Students at Batley Grammar School have supported their local food bank by organising a collection to help replenish stock.

Batley Food Bank issued a plea after they had run out of food.

Pupils and staff filled a minibus and car of boxes filled with food, toiletries and household essentials.

The food bank, based in Batley town centre, is asking for donations of tinned meat, fish, vegetables and potatoes, long-life milk, tea, coffee, sugar, jam, fruit juice, biscuits, cereal, dried goods, baby products, toiletries and toilet rolls.

Handwriting prize

Sincere thanks to everyone for their thoughtful words of comfort, expressions of sympathy, flowers and donations for the benefit of both Wakefield Hospice and Manorcoft NH (Residents Fund) received following the sad loss of Betty.

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MIRFIELD: A visually-impaired pensioner from the town is appealing to trace a kind-hearted man who bought her groceries for the week.

Jean Liley, 86, of Wellhouse Avenue, said the man first knocked on her door to ask if she knew of anyone on the street who needed additional support with their shopping.

After telling the stranger, who Jean believes to have been in his late 20s, that she had just been shopping but struggles to do so because of her disability, he returned later with a “bagfull” more from Lidl.

“He must have spent a good few pounds,” said Jean. “I have more than I’m going to need for the next week.

“I want to say a very big thank you, I wish there were more people like him around.”

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

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

CLECKHEATON: A Birkenshaw Primary School pupil has won this year’s Cleckheaton Rotary Club annual handwriting competition.

Michael Shires was chosen as the best out of 317 entries for his copy of the poem Half-way Down by A. A. Milne.

He was rewarded with a certificate and prize of pens and craft materials, as well as a trophy.

Post Office launched at Shillbank Stores MIRFIELD: A Post Office which closed its doors last year has reopened at a new location.

The shop on Greenside shut in February due to the resignation of the operator and the withdrawal of the premises for Post Office use.

A new branch opened on Wednesday at Shillbank Stores. It’s open from 7am-10pm Monday to Sunday.

The Press abides by the principles of the Independent Press Standards Organisation and at all times attempts to report fairly and accurately and correct mistakes or errors as soon as possible.

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

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

You can also write to The Press, 31 Branch Road, Batley, WF17 5SB We adhere to the Editors’ Code of Practice as enforced

by IPSO, who are contactable for advice at: IPSO, Gate House, 1 Farringdon Street, London, EC4M 7LG Website: www.ipso.co.uk Email: advice@ipso.co.uk Telephone: 0300 123 2220

RVS curtailed KIRKLEES: The Royal Voluntary Service, which runs a series of activity groups for the elderly across the district, has suspended all its services because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Staff and volunteers will still be offering support, including shopping and prescription drops where necessary.

Fazila Aswat, community service manager, said: “We know this will have a big impact on older people we support but in light of the exceptional circumstances we feel their safety is the most important thing.”

ThePress

Friday March 20, 2020

Panic and profiteering Local shoppers and traders join the national ‘shame game’

By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter INDEPENDENT stores have been accused of hiking up prices as supermarkets run out of essentials.

Overcharging in some shops is said to be as high as 500 per cent, with items such as long-life milk, baby food and nappies in big demand.

Some shops are limiting purchases to one item per customer.

One woman was reportedly left in tears after being unable to buy baby milk for her child.

Dewsbury councillor Gulfam Asif (pictured) has appealed for people to use common sense – and for shops not to profit from the coronavirus crisis.

“Lots of people are complaining about what’s going on. Facebook is going red and people are angry,” he said.

“I went to have a look at some stores and something that should be 30p was costing £1.

“Prices are going up for the essentials: meat, rice, flour. Overcharging is rife. This is blatant profiteering.

“In one shop I found a woman crying because she couldn’t get any baby milk.

“Some shops are blaming a lack of supplies from Europe but some of them have stock-

Child abuser with guilty conscience went to police A PAEDOPHILE from Thornhill who confessed to police that he had sexually assaulted two young children has been jailed for three years.

Jacob Daniel’s admission was the only evidence that Leeds Crown Court had regarding the offences which took place in 2018. The 21year-old, of Partridge Crescent, contacted police in March 2019, the court heard.

Philip Standfast, prosecuting, said Daniel told officers that “he should not get away” with what he had done.

He admitted one charge of sexual assault on a girl and one of sexual activity with a girl, as well as one charge of sexual assault on a boy and

Jacob Daniel - jailed

sexual activity with a boy, both who were under the age of 10.

The court was told that in February last year the girl told her mother that Daniel had kissed her and she phoned police.

He was given a caution and a month later admitted he had committed the other offences.

Jailing Daniel for three years, Judge Simon Phillips QC said: “It’s on the strength of your voluntary admissions that this indictment is brought before the court and that is an indication of not only co-operation but also remorse and contrition.”

Daniel’s name will also be on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

£210k plan for town centre walk/bike route: views, please

By Steve Martyn RESIDENTS are being asked for their views on a £210,000 scheme to improve walking and cycling links in Dewsbury town centre.

The plan, part of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s CityConnect programme, aims to make it easier for people to travel on foot and by bike to Dewsbury Railway Station via the Eightlands Road entrance.

Wider pavements with improved surfacing, better crossings and street lighting, a 20mph zone and a new cycle route are among the proposals.

Coun Kim Groves, chairman of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, said: “We’re pleased to be working in partnership with Kirklees

Council on this important scheme, which will make it safer and easier for both residents and visitors to travel on foot and bike to Dewsbury Railway Station.

“We know encouraging more of us to travel on foot and by bike not only boosts people’s health and saves individuals money, it also brings wider environmental and economic benefits for us all, which is why we want to make walking and cycling a natural choice for short, everyday journeys.”

Kirklees cabinet member for regeneration Peter McBride said: “This important scheme will make travelling into town on foot or by bike safer and easier. It will help us to combat climate change, improve people’s health and support the local

economy.

“There will be some big changes in Dewsbury town centre over the next 10 years, with £200 million of investment to create a familyfriendly town where people will enjoy spending time throughout the day and into the evening.

“Sustainable, active travel is an important part of the Dewsbury Blueprint, and this is an early step towards making the entire town more accessible for all.”

The plans are available to view online on the Combined Authority’s ‘Your Voice’ website and people are invited to comment before the consultation ends on Monday April 13.

See www.yourvoice.west yorks-ca.gov.uk/bcsdewsbury for details.

piles of stuff in the back. They are simply taking advantage of the situation.”

Coun Asif (Lab, Dewsbury South) said some independent shopkeepers were guilty of feeding off people’s fears.

“People are turning up at supermarkets and buying trolley-loads of goods. These stores should now be limiting people to how much they can buy. There should be a system for people to buy what they need.”

Sainsbury’s chief executive Mike Coupe has written to customers who are stocking up urging them to only buy what they need.

In an email he said: “If we all shop just for the food that we and our families need, there will be enough for everyone.”

Over the past two weeks Sainsbury’s has set limits on items including some cleaning products, soap and pain relief.

Mr Coupe added: “This is a precautionary measure – if everyone shops normally, there will be enough for everyone.

“Please think before you buy and only buy what you and your family need.”

News In Brief Mystery of foxes dumped in village GOMERSAL: More than a dozen dead foxes were found by a pedestrian at the side of a road in the village.

Police were called to Muffit Lane at around 4pm on Monday, March 16, where they came across 14 dead foxes strewn along the roadside.

A police spokesperson said the animals appeared to have been killed elsewhere before being left out of sight at the location.

A Facebook post by Kirklees’ Wildlife Crime Officer, PC Newsome, stated the foxes were at “various stages of decomposition”.

Officers want to speak to anyone who can assist with enquiries.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting log 1060 of March 16.

Watch out – the virus is about DEWSBURY: The Neighbourhood Watch Association for North Kirklees has been forced to cancel its annual meeting due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Patricia Crisp, chairwoman of the group, said the decision to cancel the meeting – which was due to take place on March 25 at Dewsbury Police Station – was made in accordance with “Government guidelines”.

The meeting is expected to be re-arranged at a later date.

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ThePress

Friday March 20, 2020

Public consultations on £10bn railway upgrade go online FACE-TO-FACE public consultation events ahead of a £1bn railway project have been cancelled due to the Coronavirus crisis.

Meetings were planned this week in Mirfield and Huddersfield, with another event in Dewsbury next Saturday, but Network Rail has called off the public part of the consulation, following Government advice.

Residents can still have their say online on proposals to upgrade the eight-mile stretch of railway between Huddersfield and Westtown as part of the massive £1bn Transpennine Upgrade.

It is believed to be the biggest single rail upgrade scheme in the country.

Extra land would be needed on either side of the current railway for the project, which would create a 100 mph railway but affect hundreds of homes and businesses and lead to years of disruption and diversions.

Network Rail says it wants to fully rebuild Mirfield Station, scrapping the current westbound platform area and moving all facilities to the eastbound side, with new platforms and station buildings there.

Ravensthorpe Station will be moved about 100m closer to Mirfield to allow passengers access to the Wakefield line. A new bridge or tunnel and a new road would be needed,

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and the move would almost certainly affect the Newlay Concrete site on Calder Road.

The project will eventually cut journey times between York, Leeds and Manchester and boost capacity, but all trains between Huddersfield and Leeds – including all of the route through North Kirklees – could be diverted for up to five years.

All of the information which would have been available at the public events can be viewed online at w w w. n e t w o r k r a i l . c o . u k /transpennineengagement.

Network Rail has also confirmed that the engineers, designers, environmental specialists and other experts who were going to be at the public information events will be available to speak to residents over the phone and answer any queries.

Anyone who has questions is invited to call the 03457 114141 or email TranspennineEngagement @networkrail.co.uk.

Officials will then arrange for the most appropriate specialist to call residents back at a convenient time.

This second stage of public consultation will close on Friday April 10.

This first stage of consultation showed that 85 per cent of residents supported the upgrade.

In this stage, residents will be asked to provide further feedback on the proposals.

1,000-tree tribute to Jo’s memory

By Steve Martyn MORE THAN 100 people gathered to celebrate the official opening of the new Jo Cox Community Wood in Liversedge.

Following months of hard work by the Spen Valley Civic Society and volunteers from across the community, the site off Quaker Lane was opened to the public on Sunday.

The 1.5-hectare stretch of land has been transformed – with help from Biffa Award funding, Kirklees Council, the Woodland Trust and the Department for Environ-ment, Food and Rural Affairs – into a haven with over 1,000 trees planted and new paths, fences, gates, picnic tables and

benches installed. Created in memory of the late Batley & Spen MP, the wood will be a communal area as well as being used by local schools for outdoor learning.

Mrs Cox’s parents Jean and Gordon Leadbeater, and sister Kim, attended the official opening and have already planted an oak tree in her memory.

They also unveiled an information board which includes details of Mrs Cox’s life and work, plus pictures drawn by her children Cuillin and Lejla.

MP Tracy Brabin was among special guests who attended, alongside local councillors and volunteers who made it possible.

Kim said: “This is a fantastic tribute to Jo. “She loved nature and the outdoors and the idea of such a beautiful place where people from all backgrounds can come together is

Event axed – but charity gift accepted A CHARITY event organised by the Spen Valley branch of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association was cancelled because of concerns over the spread of coronavirus.

But the group still donated a cheque for £300 to Kirklees’ WomenCentre, which provides advice, support, training and counselling to women and their children experiencing domestic abuse and poor health.

Maxine Edwards, communications manager at the charity, collected the cheque which will go towards supporting women locally.

Rashda Ahmad, outreach coordinator at AMWA, said: “Service to mankind is the essence of Islam and our religion teaches us that we must be a people from whom goodness flows towards others.

“We are delighted and honoured to be able to help the WomenCentre.”

Photo: Maxine with the charity gift

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something she would have loved.

“I would like to thank everyone from Spen Valley Civic Society, the funders and all the amazing volunteers who have worked so hard to make this project happen, and I look forward to seeing many people enjoying spending time in Jo’s wood in the coming months and years.”

Max Rathmell, chairman of the civic society, said: “This is our biggest-ever project.

“Thank you to our funders and the hundreds of people from all sections of the community, who’ve come together to create this wood.

“We feel it is a fitting tribute to Jo Cox and her values. We now ask local people to visit regularly, enjoy the outdoors and help share the responsibility for looking after this wood so that humans and wildlife can benefit from it for many years to come.”

ThePress

Friday March 20, 2020

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Trio’s big coastal challenge

By Zoe Shackleton THREE women will be donning their walking shoes to trek from Ossett to Whitby next month.

Lauren Gregory, Saskia Whiting and Sally-Anne Wilson are making the 100-mile journey in memory of Lauren’s step-dad Michael Cottam, who was killed in a motorbike crash in 2010 on his way back to Ossett from Whitby.

The trio, from Ossett and Drighlington, are raising funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Lauren, who works in

customer service at HSBC, said: “It was a really important charity to my step-dad and at the funeral we wanted to raise money for a charity instead of flowers so we chose the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and decided to carry on raising money for them afterwards.”

Lauren, mum Tracy and their family and friends have raised over 60,000 for the charity since Michael’s death.

And to mark 10 years since his passing Tracy, who is a volunteer at Drighlington Parish Council, has set a fundraising target of £20,000 in 2020.

The walk starts on April 21 in Ossett and the first stop will be Wetherby, before the group moves on to Sutton-on-the-Forest, Malton, Scarborough and finishes in Whitby on April 25.

They had planned on taking pitstops at local B&Bs which had been generously donated along the route, but because of the recent coronavirus outbreak Sally said they might have to resort to sleeping in a tent.

The ladies are hoping to raise £1,000 and donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/fun draising/Wakefieldto Whitby.

BEST FOOT FORWARD: Lauren Gregory, Saskia Whiting and Sally-Anne Wilson

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LIFE IN BLACK AND WHITE Danny Lockwood

Time for The Press to sign off ALWAYS knew the day would come when I had to write this column. I just never knew when.

Last week I got a letter from a gent in Lincolnshire who used to get The Press sent by a pal who sadly died recently. He was asking if he could get it posted. I had to write back and tell him there was no point – because next week will be the final Ed Lines, and the final edition of both The Press and our new Morley edition.

It’s particularly poignant coming just two weeks after our 18th birthday on March 9th, but sadly it’s become inevitable.

Looking back, we haven’t done badly, given that people gave us six weeks when we launched and even our friends didn’t think we’d

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make more than six months.

How has it come to this?

Well, it isn’t the coronavirus, although it would probably have finished us off anyway.

But the die was cast last October – and as they read this, the Labour councillors and senior executives of Kirklees Council will be raising glasses and toasting our demise. Finally, they’ve done it. Seen us off.

No one left to expose their electoral fraud cover-ups or their collusion with criminal fraudsters; no more front pages holding bent councillors and officers to account.

It’s a great day for them, a sad day for democracy.

It took us 14 years to get to tender for the council’s public notice advertising and when we won the contract in 2016, our price was so competitive

Quite a journey ... edition one of The Press, as we became

it saved council tax payers tens of thousands of pounds a year. The council officer who made our bid possible paid for it with his job. Kirklees brought in a particularly malign individual named Mark McAdam as head of

media and communications. I was already singularly unimpressed by chief exec Jacqui Gedman’s hatchet-man before I heard McAdam had a screaming fit at the editor of the Huddersfield Examiner and a Local Democracy reporter over the coverage the council gets.

Hmm. I can’t imagine why I wasn’t invited to the PR functionary’s bollocking … he obviously has a strong personal survival instinct.

Anyway, the public advertising contract went out to tender last autumn and despite ours being far and away the most competitive price, Kirklees Council dreamt up a way to disqualify us, based on our circulation and distribution data.

It was all kosher – it hadn’t changed from 2016 – and it was all independently verified, but Kirklees had contrived a way to sink us.

So, did the contract go to The Reporter Group?

No. Kirklees gave it to a

Scottish media agency who don’t publish anything, but buy space in Reporter newspapers and take a cut. It’s costing Kirklees readers at least a fortune.

There was one problem though – the Scottish firm couldn’t deliver on the contract, so McAdam asked if we’d keep carrying the ads for several more weeks, even though he’d decided we weren’t qualified to! ’M NOT laying our closure directly at Kirklees’s door.

Any business that is reliant on one customer isn’t a viable business. The fact is, North Kirklees has changed beyond all recognition since 2002, both the ethnic/community demographic, and the retail/commercial profile.

Yes, there’s still a massive appetite for a professional, independent newspaper like The Press that tries to hold people in power to account and I have no doubt a lot of people will miss us. But there just isn’t the advertising-base to sustain the business.

That’s one reason we

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launched the Morley edition, to try offset the lost Kirklees revenue, but it simply hasn’t worked out. So it’s time to go, with one last edition, next Friday, March 27th.

Just to put it on the record, that piece of Kirklees skulduggery cost nearly 40 teens, active elderly, and our fabulous Social Services specialneeds delivery team their part-time jobs.

Another six full-time staff, plus me, and about 10 freelance staff for whom we were the primary source of income, will be out of work.

Another town centre office will be empty and a significant chunk of money will be lost to the local economy.

I wish McAdam had been in our office when the distraught Social Services people came in asking for their jobs back, thinking they’d done something wrong.

No guys, none of you have.

If anyone’s to blame it’s me, for thinking we could fight malignantly corrupt institutions.

So, I’m sorry. We tried our best.

Experts? If you really say so T HE following may well prove to be my editorial epitaph: ‘Here lies Locky – we told him it was more than a cough...’

Like the mum watching her son march off to war: “Ooh, look at my little Johnny, he’s the only one marching in step!” I am still calling BS on the global hysteria, which threatens to decimate far more lives than any of the seasonal flu outbreaks that routinely hit us.

According to social media I’m a “retarded denier”, and a “spreader of dangerous disinformation” (inferring I’m the problem, not Covid-19).

But here’s why I remain sceptical – experts. True, there are plenty of invaluable ones. Crack on, guys. But do you know when I think experts get dangerous? When you put them in front of the rabid MSM – the mainstream media.

These mostly introverted academics, faced with the spotlight, go all Brexit. Brexit? Yes, Brexit. Remember those ‘experts’? “A vote to leave will wipe out a million jobs, empty the City of London, ruin the economy, bring a generation of 1940s-like hardship?”

They were all experts. They all knew best, with no “ifs, buts or maybe”. It was Armageddon,

‘Expert’ medical officer Prof Chris Whitty full stop. Except of course it was the exact opposite.

I wonder where those ‘experts’ are now? Probably looking over their bifocals at a spreadsheet, sighing at how their 15 minutes of fame was so sadly misjudged. They’ll be blaming someone/something else. Experts are good at that.

And we have the same now.

‘Experts’ scrambling to out-predict each other on the impending Black Death-like toll if we don’t heed their infinite wisdom, revelling in the limelight. Except that none are so expert that they’ve actually been through this before. It’s “statistics” and “projections” and most troubling to me, completely without a balancing argument.

Where’s the other side?

Because there is one, although good luck finding it. The MSM

aian’t interested in that.

Scaremongering sells.

I totally agree we need to protect the elderly and sick – much like every winter. In 2014/15 there were 43,850 excess flu deaths above ‘the norm’ in England and Wales alone and in 2017/18 another 50,100 excess flu deaths. Why? The ‘experts’ predicted the wrong strain. The vaccines didn’t work. So much for the experts, eh? But I don’t recall anyone stopping the world.

Like Brexit, only one hysterical side fits the MSM agenda and sheep-like populist politicians follow on, terrified of being the ones to call BS, ramping up the coronamania in a fantastical game of “I’ll see your £50 billion and raise it £100 billion”.

Let me know when the NHS announces the first CV death of an otherwise healthy individual, because you know they’re desperate for one, to ratchet up the public terror.

Still, better skint for a generation, albeit with probably more suicides of broken, hardworking people, than ever there will be unseasonal deaths from CV. And if half you lot actually have expired by midsummer?

My apologies. Shame there’ll be no Press for you to rant back…

Friday March 20, 2020

ThePress

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ThePress

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Dave On Film

Friday March 20, 2020

Sixties drama brought to life

Bloodshot Review by Dave Woollin

*****

LOODSHOT has no right to be a decent film, but I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Vin Diesel plays Ray Garrison, a soldier who often goes against the rules but is highly skilled.

Following a successful mission his wife is captured and killed by a group, and Garrison is shot and killed.

His body is donated to a private company building a super soldier. They replace his blood with little robot-like machines which can repair damage as well as making him super strong. His mind has been wiped but he soon starts to have memories and sets out to find the guy who killed him and his wife.

What happens next is difficult to talk about without spoiling the film for you.

There’s plenty of action throughout, with twists and turns around each corner. As the film begins to unfold and you find out what the company is trying to do, everything sparks to life.

If you can get past Vin Diesel’s incredibly deep voice and sub-par acting, you will find a fun action adventure that pumps up the adrenaline with great set-pieces and crazy action.

It’s absolutely not without its flaws though. When Lamorne Morris’ Wilfred Wigans comes into the film to try to inject some humour, it feels very forced and not all that funny, but a few of the lines definitely do get through and make it enjoyable.

Eiza Gonzalez’s Katie stands alongside Vin Diesel in a lineup of beautiful modellike characters.

She is unable to breath properly following a tracheotomy and has her breathing controlled by a device supplied by the tech company. She lends some muchneeded female presence on screen amongst all the masculine flexing.

If you want the type of film to take your mind off everything that’s going crazy in the world, add this to your list of ones you will want to see.

LOCAL theatres, cultural institutions and amateur groups have temporarily closed and postponed shows, performances and events as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the local arts and culture sector increases.

Creative Scene, the Arts Council-funded organisation that brings cultural events to the district, has postponed its entire calendar. A statement on its website reads: “Our work is designed to bring people together, to support artists to develop and create amazing events and activities.

“Whilst we can’t carry out public-facing events in the community, we will be considering how we can support artists and communities in the coming months.”

Society dates pushed back

B

• Read more of Dave Woollin’s reviews at DaveOnFilm.co.uk.

A raft of cancellations

MIRFIELD Choral Society’s Spring Concert on Saturday April 4 has been postponed and will now hopefully by held in the autumn.

The group has also had to delay their 80th anniversary concert, in conjunction with Morley Choral Society, at Dewsbury Town Hall on July 11. Officials are planning to re-arrange it for next summer.

No walks either...

L-R: Hugh Raine as Wilf Cotton, Susan Saville as Poppy Swallow and Catherine Bailey as Marguerite Fisher

Ask Me Tomorrow at Dewsbury Arts Group Review by Tom Ellis THE LATEST offering from the excellent Dewsbury Arts Group was Ask Me Tomorrow, a lesserknown 60s ‘kitchen sink’ drama, and it was well worth a visit.

There’s plenty to like about this play from local writer Stan Barstow – a strong script, believable characters all wrapped in a northern setting that, whilst evoking a sense of nostalgia, still makes relevant points today.

There’s plenty to like about this production too, starting with a terrific multi-roomed set by David Fletcher which reproduces the boarding house of Poppy Swallow.

Director Richard M Brook makes good use of this excellent set throughout and brings out a lovely balance of humour and pathos from his strong cast.

The whole piece is superbly lit and costumed and is augmented by the good use of period music between scenes.

Hugh Raine has a boyish charm as the aspiring writer Wilf Cotton, sparring verbally with a number of the characters and slipping easily between lofty cynicism and more intimate exchanges.

Complimenting Wilf are three strong women, all with something to say.

Susan Saville is excellent as Poppy, the older wiser woman and gives an assured and sympathetic performance bringing out a range of emotions as we follow her journey through the play.

Catherine Bailey’s performance as Marguerite is first-rate. She has a great balance between confidence and vulnerability and delivers a touching portrayal of the returning native with a troubled past.

The scenes between Wilf, Poppy and Marguerite are the highlights

of the play as the warmth and pathos is brought skilfully to life.

Fellow lodger, the brash and brassy Sylvia, completes the trio and she is brought beautifully to life by Karen Riding in her first Arts Group production.

Also making an Arts Group debut is Paul Lightowler, giving a intimidating performance as Ronnie Bentley.

Simon Beaumont, as Wilf’s roguish elder brother Harry, sparks well with Hugh’s Wilf and confidently works the dark humour in his scenes.

Completing the cast is Allan Liles as one of Sylvia’s “men”.

All in all this was a first-class production.

Well done, Dewsbury Arts Group.

• THE GROUP has now cancelled all remaining performances of Ask Me Tomorrow and has also postponed all other activities at the theatre until further notice.

THE DEWSBURY and District Rambling Club has had to cancel its Easter trip to Durham, the holiday to Jesmond in May and all its planned future walks due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Wrestlers in new film A FEATURE film following the story of an Estonian man trying to make his way in the world of wrestling is using Batley as a backdrop.

Scenes for the movie ‘Babyface’ have been shot at locations around Batley, including the UKW Wrestling Centre on Branch Road.

The story is the brainchild of actor, director, writer and producer Taavi Peelo, who plays the main character.

“I wanted to make something extraordinary that people have not seen yet,” said Taavi.

“It’s an inspirational and emotional story about going after your dreams.”

ThePress

Friday March 20, 2020

We’re all in it together?

I am currently witnessing some of the most pathetic, ungrateful and selfish people of the UK who are currently stripping the shelves in our shops and supermarkets, all fuelled by the current Coronavirus panic created by numbers of our politicians, certain members of the UK press, the TV, radio and social media.

My comments exclude all people who are acting with sensible restraint under the present circumstances.

However, do any of the former individuals remember or even cast a thought about what their parents and grandparents sacrificed for this country during the First and Second World Wars, including all the hardships they had to bear?

The current “I’m alright Jack” mentality amongst these individuals sadly reflects how our standards have slipped in this country!

Why sudden interest?

From: Harry Teale, Mirfield The Labour MP for Batley & Spen is suddenly concerned

Letter of the Week: Mr G Dennis, Birstall

From: Mrs Eccles, by email May I through your column thank all the people who came to my husband’s aid after he fell outside Cleckheaton Town Hall on Thursday March 12 after we saw The Full Monty.

He did not suffer any permanent damage but was shaken up a little.

This goes to show you just how nice people are.

Timepiece has come of age From: Chris Jenkinson, Dewsbury Moor Wetherspoons has always been a popular brand, based mainly on a formula that works – great buildings for pubs, great atmosphere and great prices for quality products.

For the last year I have been visiting The Timepiece on Wednesday morning for my breakfast, a coffee and a general chat with some of the customers.

A successful day, whilst adding to my feelgood factor for good with the lack of ‘step-free’ access to trains at Batley Railway Station.

A more suitable concern for her is the stupid inconsiderate parking of vehicles on pavements (a number of these vehicles are driven by Kirklees Council employees),

causing impediment to far more people than the lack of facilities at Batley Station!

Since this problem at Batley Station has been known of from 2004 (which party was in power then?) why a sudden interest in 2020?

LATEST PLANNING APPLICATIONS John Brooke Builders Ltd, erection of 19 dwellings, land at Lands Beck Way, Hightown.

D Maddox, single and two-storey front extension and increase roof height to form rear second floor, 12 Nook Green, Thornhill.

Mr & Mrs Rivers, single-storey rear extension, 7 Dunstan Grove, Cleckheaton.

J Bean, extensions and alterations to existing dis-used building to form one dwelling, Lands Farm, Cliffe Lane, Gomersal.

Mr & Mrs Asquith, dormer extension with balcony and increase in gable height, 11 Oakfield Drive, Lower Hopton.

D Duffill, two-storey side and rear extensions, 24 Strawberry Avenue, Liversedge.

F Hussain, first floor side extension and single-storey side extension, 7 Purlwell Crescent, Batley.

D Pinder, single-storey rear extension, 10 Park Avenue, Mirfield.

Mr Malcolm, work to trees TPO 90/90, 46 Church Lane, Mirfield.

J Midgley, conversion of barn to dwelling and change of use of land to domestic curtilage, adjacent to 237 Cliffe Lane, Gomersal.

M Mayet, detached outbuilding, 91 Bywell Road, Dewsbury.

M Holroyd, Variation Condition 2 (Plans) on previous permission 2018/93359 for demolition of existing dwelling and erection of detached dwelling and attached garage, 249 Upper Batley

Thanks for help

Lane, Upper Batley.

A Shah, certificate of lawfulness for existing use of premises for vehicle repairs and MOT station, Unit 1, 6 School Street, Ravensthorpe.

Charlotte Goodwin Developments Ltd, discharge conditions 2 (materials), 9 (footway crossing), 10 (retaining walls/structures) on previous permission 2019/92739 for variation conditions 2 (plans) and 4 (materials) on previous permission 2015/93715 for erection of detached dwelling, extension to existing dwelling and formation of parking area, 51 High Street, Hanging Heaton.

Mr Ali, single-storey front and rear ground floor extensions and singlestorey rear first floor extension, 11 Ashcroft Close, Staincliffe.

J Phillips, work to TPO(s) SP2/70 within a conservation area, Flat 1, Pollard Hall, 279 Oxford Road, Gomersal.

S Mitha, erection of porch, detached garage and exterior alterations, Alpha House, 48 Whitley Road, Thornhill.

R Elsby, change of use from yoga studio/retail (A1) to sui generis (beauty salon and tattoo studio) (within a Conservation Area), 2-4 Gelderd Road, Birstall.

B Simpson, demolition of existing conservatory and erection of single-storey rear extension, 7 Ashley Close, Gomersal.

M Barnes, first floor rear balcony, 65 Mill Lane, Hanging Heaton.

D Adolf, alterations to existing flat roof to form pitched roof, 254 Woodlands Road, Batley.

Danny Whiteley, work to TPO 34a/97, Hollybank Trust, Roe Head, Far Common Road, Mirfield.

D Maddox, work to TPO 15/82, 12 Nook Green, Thornhill.

Longley Concrete, discharge conditions 5 (construction management), 6 (remediation strategy), 14 (landscape), 16 (materials) on previous permission 2019/92570 for variation condition 2 on previous permission 2017/94080 for erection of precast concrete production unit, demolition of existing casting shed and ancillary buildings, associated site works to modify external storage areas and installation of gantry cranes, Ravensthorpe Road, Thornhill Lees.

C/O Agent, dead or dangerous tree, 110 Oaks Road, Soothill.

B Rafique, 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 4m, the height of the eaves of the extension is 3m, 62 Carr Side Crescent, Batley.

Mr Bauer, work to trees TPO 22/95, 49 Jackroyd Lane, Upper Hopton.

Mr & Mrs Kay, the proposal is for erection of single-storey rear extension. The extension projects 4.5m beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse.

The maximum height of the extension is 3m, the height of the eaves of the extension is 3m, 106 Moorlands Road, Birkenshaw.

Batemans’ Tree and Gardening Services, work to TPO(s) SP2/70, 39 Knowles Lane, Gomersal.

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measure. I heard a few weeks ago that the place had been sold and they were moving on.

To say the least l was disappointed, and did not for one minute think my Wednesday feelgood factor would continue.

But how wrong was I? I can’t believe my luck. I waited a week or two for the new Timepiece to open and settle in.

On Wednesday (of course) I popped in to see how the land lies, expecting disappointment all round.

The interior had been slightly changed and I considered it a slight improvement ... the tables were better and the atmosphere was all in order, so I placed my order.

Small breakfast and a coffee with a smile and most of my old fellow Wetherspooners still in attendance.

Absolute magnificence all round.

I never believed for one minute that this could happen.

The icing on the cake was the background music, enhancing the atmosphere even more.

My Wednesdays are back on track – a great feeling and proof that a small independent can pro-

Continued on p10

10

ThePress

Continued from page 9 duce the goods and still compete with one of the giants.

Wednesdays are still great and the new Timepiece has easily come up with the goods. So a big thank you from me.

Let’s hope for a cure From: Ben Marshall, Liversedge I’d love to know who’s making big money from the Coronavirus crisis and be just a pound behind them.

I understand we must work together, but really everyone is looking out for themselves and their family.

I’m too young to remember the war (think Uncle Albert from Only Fools and Horses) and rationing, but to be honest I think people will have been much the same as today, just less vocal.

The last event I can remember with a similar feeling was the Fuel crisis, which opened my eyes to people’s selfishness.

I clearly remember driving in the middle of Flushdyke, Ossett, from top to bottom

Friday March 20, 2020

with a police escort on service 279 as the queues for the tiny now-defunct petrol station (now a car wash) went as far as the eye could see.

Let’s hope a cure or that the ridiculous twit Johnson’s ‘sombrero’ goes away soon.

Group mentality From: ‘Heckmondwike Hector’ Reading Ed Lines’ ‘The PC brigade are going nuts’ (The Press, April 13) had me wondering if Danny might be ordering a copy of the recently published book ‘Groupthink: A Study in Self Delusion’ by Christopher Booker.

The term ‘Groupthink’, says Booker, refers to a “Group of individuals fixated on a particular view of the world ... So convinced are they that their opinion is correct that they cannot believe any sensible person would disagree.

“Most insidiously, this leads them to treat all those who differ from their beliefs with contempt and hostility.”

(This precisely was the attitude of the fanatical remainers).

Booker traces the ‘genesis’ of Groupthink to a talk given by civil rights leader Jessie

Jackson to 500 American students in 1987.

This seemingly hypnotised audience quickly adopted the chant “Hey hey, ho ho, western civ has got to go!”

This pernicious mantra swept through universities in the western world faster than Covid-19, where it mutated into the doctrines of multiculturalism, transgenderism and a host of other viral obsessions. Political correctness was born!

This is the real pandemic affecting society. Today it rules the streets of Britain via the left-wing media, the BBC, the police, social services, the judiciary and the courts.

One of the latest fetishes of ‘Groupthink’ surrounds ‘Islamophobia’, whatever that happens to be.

Not too surprisingly ‘Defining Islamophobia’ was the subject of debate on this week’s ‘The Moral Maze’ on Radio Four, a weekly live broadcast presented by Michael Burek, where a selected panel throws questions to invited guests, or ‘witnesses.’

The chosen topic was influenced by the left-wing vilification of the former Equalities and Human Rights Commissioner Trevor

Philips, following his past comments about Muslims being apart from mainstream society.

On the panel on Wednesday evening was the ever-astute Melanie Philips, social commentator of The Times.

Melanie put forward the suggestion that attacks on Muslims (whilst abhorrent) are being conflated as attacks on Islam itself in order to shut down debate.

She also suggested they often defend themselves with a “self-indulgent victim culture.”

Responding to Melanie Philips was Miriam Francois, a white Muslim sociologist (presumably a ‘scholar’).

Having listened to her I could recommend that she be awarded a First Class Honours Degree in prevarication.

When Melanie Philips asked: “Is it legitimate to draw attention to the fact that grooming gangs are predominantly from an Asian Muslim background”, the answer from Franswar was as contemptuous as it was dismissive.

Nevertheless her diatribe was appropriate for the approach to child abuse in general whenever the Muslim community are implicated.

When it comes to the victims, their claim is that complaints to the police have been institutionally ignored for decades.

This is a fact that the police themselves have

recently admit.

been

forced

to

Blood boiled on reading this From: Steve Cass, by email I wonder how many other Press readers’ blood boiled as mine did when I read in a recent edition (6/3/20) details of the pitiless and contemptible scam carried out by Mohammed Mansha Abbas, Mohammed Zulfgar Abbas and Mohammed Vagaas Abbas on defenceless elderly folk.

A message found on one of the criminal’s phones identifying a potential victim said everything about the calibre and worth of these low-lives: “Perfect profile. Single lady, 89 years old, blind, disabled.

Alzheimer’s.”

Such evil is beyond the comprehension of any decent selfrespecting person who’d be ashamed to even think such thoughts never mind act on them. This targeting of vulnerable elderly English people brought to mind the targeting of vulnerable girls by Muslim rape gangs.

I blame the politicians for this. Their weakness and dishonesty has brought about the ruination of Britain. There has got to be a reckoning.

An obsession From: Alec Suchi, Bradford It is significant that International Women’s Day can no longer be celebrated

without attracting the outrage of the progressive liberal left, who contend that the sex of a person is decided by means of self-identification and not through biology.

It has become characteristic of the left to deny reality in an erroneous belief that everything is possible for us, and only adverse environmental circumstances prevent their realisation.

In the past the progressive elements embraced scientific findings via the Enlightenment to undermine traditional beliefs and superstitions.

The Earth’s position in the universe was found to be less prominent than previously claimed and Biblical accounts as to its age did not correspond with geological and historical findings.

A woman’s sex is determined through the possession of XX chromosomes and a man’s through XY chromosomes and all attempts at sex change is doomed to ultimate failure; it is a biological impossibility.

The left tend to employ the term “gender” instead of the sex of a person and it is a term which has no actual correspondence with the known physical world.

A very small proportion of people are troubled genuinely by their biological circumstances and they need to be offered every support and compassion and need to be protected from hostility and intolerance. But the current obsession with “gender” is unhealthy and erroneous.

ThePress

Friday March 20, 2020

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Tenant’s mouldy flat ‘ignored’ for months KNH official apologises for communication problems

By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter A WOMAN living in a mouldy Dewsbury council flat has been battling to get it fixed for almost six months.

Nicole Downes moved into her flat on Ashworth Close after undergoing spinal surgery which meant she was unable to continue living in her previous home, an 11th-floor flat.

But the 26-year-old found that the double-glazed flatroofed porch of her new home leaked, causing condensation and mould.

Months of phone calls to Kirklees Council have not DAMP DISMAY: Nicole Downes surveys her rotted ceiling

Mid Yorks Trust nominated for health awards THE NHS trust that runs Dewsbury District Hospital has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Leading Healthcare Awards 2020.

The awards celebrate and share great work and best practice in the NHS. The trust has been shortlisted in three categories which all involve implementation of eMeds, an electronic prescribing and medicines administration system (ePMA).

The electronic medication management project has revolutionised prescribing and improved medicines’ safety.

Benefits to patients include fewer missed doses of critical medicines, improved timelines of medicine supply requests, fewer prescribing incidents in patients with allergies and standardised prescribing which reduces the risk of prescribing errors.

Paul Curley, deputy medical director at the Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust said: “The eMeds project was large-scale, complex and challenging. It has highlighted a successful template for clinical and non-clinical staff partnerships working across disciplines to achieve a common goal.

“The delivery of eMeds at substantial scale and at rapid pace was an impressive achievement and the trust is incredibly proud of this implementation and the team involved.’’

Mid Yorkshire is in the final for the team of the year category, clinical improvement and patient safety.

The implementation of eMeds has been rolled out to more than 1,100 beds across nearly 50 wards in the trust, with training delivered to more than 3,200 staff.

Positive benefits include a safe prescribing system with pre-built protocols to aid decision-making, accessible and legible drug charts, a simpler method to request medicines and a clear audit trail of a patient’s medicines.

The winners and highly commended entries will be announced on April 2 at Leading Healthcare’s innovative digital awards evening.

Leading Healthcare provide healthcare news and opinion for healthcare leaders.

resulted in any repairs.

She says the damp conditions have damaged the wooden door to her living room, making it impossible to shut and preventing her from heating her home as warm air heads straight out of the porch. The damp conditions also aggravate her asthma.

Despite regularly wiping down the porch she has already slipped and fallen on the wet floor, which further injured her back.

“I had to put a towel down on the floor of the porch because it was so wet, but I still slipped,” Miss Downes said.

“I’ve hurt myself again after already hurting myself before. My consultant said I might have to have another procedure due to the pain.”

Miss Downes, who

moved into her flat last September, says she has repeatedly contacted Kirklees Council for support but has been “fobbed off”.

After initially agreeing to fix the porch the council said the job had been cancelled.

Three members of council staff came to view the damage, followed by an inspector – but no-one turned up to do any work.

The council denied any appointment had been made but then claimed to have sent out staff in January and February.

Miss Downes said she was at home on both occasions and that no-one had called.

Miss Downes, who suffers from depression and anxiety, said: “I’ve had no support from anyone and

I’m getting really fed up now. It’s a struggle.

“I’ve wiped the porch down but the mould still comes back. It’s everywhere. My flat is cold. It just keeps getting worse and worse.

“I wish I’d never taken this flat. It’s got me down.

“I spoke to a lady at the council last week and she said someone would get back to me but no-one did.”

Joanne Bartholomew, chief operating officer at Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, said: “We’re sorry the tenant has had to wait for this repair to be sorted.

“It’s not a routine repair, which means we’ve had to contract it out to a specialist company and unfortunately this had not been communicated to the tenant, for this we are very sorry.”

Mayor? About time too!

MP TRACY Brabin has described the announcement of a West Yorkshire devolution deal as a “victory for the North”.

Last Wednesday, in his first budget as Chancellor, Rishi Sunak announced the county will be able to appoint a metropolitan mayor in 2021.

West Yorkshire will now have control over how public money, totalling £1.8billion, is spent in areas such as housing, transport, culture and regeneration.

The deal includes £38million every year – for the next 30 years – being put into the West Yorkshire Investment Fund to be spent on local priorities.

MP Tracy – victory for the north Around £317million will be available to spend on public transport, cycling and walking routes and improvements, and £3.2million will be allocated for new housing across the county.

West Yorkshire will also receive £25million to create a British Library North and will gain control of the Adult Education Budget, worth £63m per year.

And the government has also committed to work with West Yorkshire to develop a modern mass transit system.

Tracy Brabin (Lab, Batley & Spen) said: “This deal has been a long time coming.

“Its inclusion in the Budget is testament to the hard work everyone in West Yorkshire has put in since 2015 to make this vision a reality.

“It was so important we got devolution, so money could be spent where we know it’s needed most.

“We can now sort out our bus services, build much-needed houses and address the problems unique to our county, and finally get our mass transit system moving so people can get around more easily.”

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ThePress

12

Friday March 20, 2020

65 magic years together Care home couple celebrate in style

By Steve Martyn A COUPLE at a care home in Dewsbury are celebrating 65 years of marriage.

Peter and Alice Burton, who are residents at Ashworth Grange Care Home, received a card from the Queen to mark their blue sapphire wedding anniversary.

The pair first met in 1951 on a bus ride to work, and Peter proposed several months later.

“Alice was so beautiful, from the moment we met I knew I would be seeing her again for a date – I wasted no time in asking her out to the pictures,” said Peter.

On their first date, the pair visited Knaresborough where they stopped off at a

restaurant for lunch.

They finished the day with a trip to the local cinema, which along with trips to the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford, became a ‘date night of choice’ for the couple.

The pair eventually tied the knot on Alice’s 22nd birthday at Hartshead Church in Liversedge.

Peter said: “Alice is such a special lady, she is kind, caring and everything I wanted in a wife.

“I knew she would be the one I proposed to when the time was right.”

And Alice reminisced about her big day: “I remember waking up on my wedding day and looking out of the window to see it was thick with snow,” she

Bus driver attacked by teenage girl A BUS driver who confiscated a girl’s bus pass was then attacked by the teenager. The incident happened on Sunday morning on board a 254 service at Cleckheaton bus station.

The girl had tried to use a halffare pass that was out of date, and when the driver – a man in his early 60s – took it from her she assaulted him, grabbed the pass and ran off.

A passenger who saw the attack wrote on Facebook that the girl was hitting the man in the face inside his cabin.

A police spokesman said: “At 9.19am on Sunday police received a report of a bus driver having been assaulted on a bus at Cleckheaton bus station at about 8.20am.

“The driver triggered the alarm

and the girl fled towards Cleckheaton town centre with the pass. The driver was not injured but his shirt was ripped.”

The girl was described as black, about 15, 5ft 2ins-5ft 4ins, and of slim build. She was wearing a bright red jacket. Anyone with any information is asked to call 101 quoting crime reference 13200133456.

said. “It was like a winter wonderland.”

The snow was so heavy that Peter and his uncle had to dig a pathway for guests to make the walk to the church.

The pair celebrated the milestone with a gathering at the home’s cafe, where they were joined by friends and family.

A local Buddy Holly tribute act provided live entertainment.

According to Peter, the secret to a long and happy marriage is to never go to bed without resolving an argument.

“I’ve always made sure regardless of what we have fought about that we made things right before bed,” said Peter.

“You are never guaranteed tomorrow so you must make every day count.”

Debbie Campey, regional director at Ideal Carehomes, said: “Alice and Peter have such a wonderful relationship and are a pleasure to be around.

“They have such a fantastic dynamic as a couple and I am always keen to hear their stories.

“I would like to wish them both a very happy 65th wedding anniversary.”

Islamic school gets critical Ofsted report A MUSLIM boarding school is taking action after a critical report from education officials.

Ofsted rated the Institute of Islamic Education in Savile Town as ‘requiring improvement to be good’ – a step down from its previous ‘good’ rating two years ago.

Inspectors visited the school, which caters for 244 boys and young men aged between 11 and 25 in February and found that “not all the required background checks on staff employed to work in the school are in place”.

A report said “at least one adult male unknown to the school was working in the school grounds in close proximity to pupils” and “access to the school building was insecure at several times”.

It also said “leaders and managers have limited understanding of the progress that the boarders are making” and there was “no formal system of assessment and review to show what progress is made”.

Officials said the South Street school’s governing body needs to monitor the effectiveness of the leadership, management and delivery of the boarding and welfare provision, among other things.

A school spokesman said: “We are, of course, disappointed about the inspection.

Upon receiving feedback from inspectors, we immediately began to take remedial action to secure improvements.

“Now that the full report has been published, the governors and staff had already begun to develop a detailed action plan to tackle and address the remaining issues that were raised in the report.

“We are confident that the actions taken will lead to a positive report at our next inspection.”

FOOD FOR THOUGHT...

An evocative all-time classic that never fails TEAK and ale. As a duo, it’s up there with Ant and Dec, tea and biscuits and Marks & Spencer as an all-time classic.

S

It conjures up memories of cold, wet socks at a country pub after a walk through the Yorkshire Dales when dad PROMISED that it wouldn’t rain...

Sometimes the prospect of a steak and ale is all that got you through.

Maybe it’s those memories that make steak and ale pie such a comforting meal for me.

Or maybe it’s the fact that it’s just bloody lovely. It all just works. Tender steak in a rich and boozy gravy, with a perfect, golden flaky crust.

This may be an unpopular opinion, but when it comes to hot savoury pies like steak and ale or an equally gorgeous leek, mushroom and tarragon pie, it just HAS to be puff pastry.

I’ve made puff pastry a few times – if you want to make your own go for it,

power to you, but I almost never do.

The pre-made pastry is just as good, and makes what would be a complicated dish a wonderfully simple one.

Just brush with a little beaten egg and sprinkle.

Leftover pastry? Whip up some chicken and veg tartlets or cut into strips and twist with sharp cheddar to make your own cheese straws.

Getting the right steak is important. It might seem like the best option would be top-end rib-eye or sirloin, but as we’re cooking this low and slow, you want to go for some good-quality braising steak, which you can pick up from any supermarket or butcher.

This could easily be done as a veggie dish with some big, bold chunks of meaty mushroom – go for a Portobello and just reduce the time the gravy cooks by half an hour or so.

Next, the star of the show, and the indomitable other

Speaking of gravy, if you’re serving this with mash and veggies, you’re going to want some gravy.

Before you fill your pie tin, scoop a couple of spoons of the gravy filling and set aside.

Loosen with a little beef stock or water and you’ve got yourself a deep, flavourful gravy that complements your pie in minutes.

A classic dish like this wants to be paired with classic flavours – think mash, roasted carrots or roasted tenderstem broccoli, but really, the gravy is so delicious that you could smear it on a coaster and I’d still probably eat it, so fill your boots and have it with whatever takes your fancy.

half of the double act – the ale. You want a nice dark ale, but something that still has a bit of sweetness.

It’s going to be one of the

main flavours in your pie so make sure it’s a good one. I like to use Riggwelter from Black Sheep.

It’s got a really deep nutty

flavour but it’s not overpowering and it makes for an outrageous gravy, but experiment and try whatever you like.

• I have my own food blog, called Dan’s Always Hungry, which is packed with my own recipes and even more ramblings about food.

You can check it out over at dansalwayshungry.com, and follow me on Instagram at @Alwayshungrydan.

Friday March 20, 2020

ThePress

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14

ThePress

Extra cash for local food banks FOOD banks in Dewsbury and Batley will benefit from a cash pot of £100,000 thanks to Kirklees Council.

The council has announced that it has approved additional grant funding available to support local food banks.

The news comes as recent figures show a sharp increase in the number of food bank referrals, as well as residents seeking help and support for fuel vouchers, welfare and homelessness advice.

Kirklees leader Coun Shabir Pandor said: “The pressures brought by the introduction of Universal Credit have seen an increase in referrals to the Fusion Food Bank in Dewsbury of over 300 per cent in the past three years … we have to act now.

“I am pleased to be able to approve a package of financial measures which will help to ensure we can continue to support people in welfare and financial crisis.”

Friday March 20, 2020

New home means Take Ten can help even more

By Zoe Shackleton THE FOUNDER of a mental health support group says there is “no stopping us now” after securing a permanent base to operate from.

Two years ago Dewsbury woman Stevie Oliver launched Take Ten, having suffered from mental health problems all her life.

The 42-year-old decided she needed to help not only herself but others who were struggling – and now she is excited to be able to support even more people from the group’s new premises in Batley.

Having operated from Dewsbury Town Hall in their early stages, the community group have been trying to function without a permanent home for the past year.

Last week they signed a one-year lease on the former Learning Hub building on Rouse Mill Lane – which boasts a large communal area and several other rooms.

And Stevie says she has big plans for the future of the group.

She said: “This gives us a massive opportunity to make a massive difference.

“Two years ago we said we eventually wanted somewhere of our own where we could open more regularly, have more of a safety hub and a crisis

place where people can drop in whenever they need to.

“That’s what we’ve got ... it’s the culmination of our determination and contributions from the public.”

Stevie has also spent the last year studying for qualifications which means she can provide official advice and help to people suffering with their mental health.

She said: “We’ve got loads of ideas.

We’re going to be able to give extra support to people, including relax-

ation classes, arts and crafts.

“It’ll be a base for people to come and there’ll be more structured talks, as well as specific days and times for specific events.

“We just want to grow our group.

“We’ve got so many different qualifications now, we’ve worked so hard over the past year getting more qualifications than you can think of.

“One of the barriers we faced was that people said we weren’t professional ... now we’ve got all the certificates

that people wanted us to have on top of the ‘lived life’ experience that we can help and support with.

“Everything that everybody wanted we’ve gone out and done, so there’s no stopping us now.”

If all goes to plan the group will be officially opening its doors on Saturday April 4.

And they are calling on any local businesses that could support them in getting the building ready to email taketensecretary@outlook.com.

MIKE POPPLEWELL takes a look at wartime and post-war life in both the Heavy Woollen District and Britain at large.

We are entering an era that I can personally recall and, as always, comments and memories from readers are welcomed.

This year’s theme is ‘2020 vision’, where we will look at historical events from today’s viewpoint and, as ‘the person with hindsight has 20-20 vision’, we will be taking an ‘if only we had known’ look at events...

Where would we be without it?

T IS SOMEWHAT ironic that we find ourselves in such a crippling health crisis just when this series reached the point of discussing the advent of the National Health Service in 1946.

I

The Government today is offering financial support to help with all the consequences of the coronavirus, medically, socially and economically ... but what was life, in respect of health care, like immediately prior to, and just after, the formation of the NHS? I only have to look at my own

life to get a picture.

In October 1945 I was just six months old and when I developed gastroenteritis there was, apparently, little treatment available to help.

I was given up as ‘lost’, not expected to last the night, and a priest was called in to christen me.

Well, here I am 75 years later writing about it.

In between, I have had treatment for whooping cough, measles, German measles, chickenpox, mumps, countless trips to A&E, lumps removed, gastro-

Now offering half days Come and look round!

07920 272975 nikniksbizzybees@yahoo.com nik niks, 78 The Town, Thornhill

scopies and I don’t know what else – all without charge thanks to the NHS. But my parents didn’t have the same options for care in 1945.

Although there was some access to free treatment, there was little coordination between the various insurance and charitable schemes, and it was Welsh politician Anaurin ‘Nye’ Bevan who came up with the NHS as a solution the following year.

There may be those who are quick to criticise the NHS, but turn the clock back a century and look at the devastation caused by Spanish Flu in a world without healthcare systems.

In 1918/19 it is thought that 500 million people, a third of the world’s population, were infected, 50 million may have died, 228,000 died in Britain alone and there were certainly more deaths from flu than there were in First World War conflict.

Going back further to outbreaks of bubonic plague (the Black Death) in the 14th, 15th and 17th centuries, each outbreak is thought to have claimed the lives of at least 25 per cent of the population, a modern-day equivalent of three million lives, so the Government’s target of a maximum of 20,000 deaths from the coronavirus looks extremely modest in comparison.

So, any success in fighting this cur-

The former Mirfield Memorial Hospital rent epidemic in Britain can be largely down to the NHS and that lifechanging decision way back in July 1946 with the passing of the National Health Act. But, there is also a down side.

While the current situation is calling for more hospital beds across the country, it is perhaps worth noting

that in 1946 Moorlands (Aston Manor) was still a hospital, Batley had its own General Hospital, Birstall had Oakwell Hospital, at White Lee there was a fever hospital, Mirfield had the Memorial Cottage Hospital, later Mirfield District Hospital, at Crow Lees, and there was the Mitchell Laithes Fever Hospital in Ossett.

ThePress

Friday March 20, 2020

15

Local Democracy Reporter TONY EARNSHAW with the latest news from Kirklees Council

Public meetings cancelled in wake of outbreak

Covid puts poll on hold THE GOVERNMENT’S decision to postpone May’s local elections will inevitably have a cost for Kirklees Council.

But the authority has backed the order, saying “you cannot put a price on people’s health.”

And politicians in Kirklees have described the decision as “an understandable precaution.”

It means the Labour-led Kirklees Council, which has a majority of just one, will go on to 2021.

Despite the current frustration, campaigners can look forward to a bumper “Super Thursday” next year when the country will go to the polls for district, county, metropolitan councils, and police and crime commissioners as well as the mayoral elections in London and West Yorkshire.

The latter follows the recent signing of a devolution deal for West Yorkshire.

Prime minister Boris Johnson took the decision to postpone elections as polling day would have coincided with the expected peak of the coronavirus outbreak.

On Thursday (March 12) the Electoral Commission had proposed delaying elections until the autumn to “mitigate” the effects of Covid-19.

A Kirklees Council spokesperson said: “Our preparations to host the local elections in May 2020 were well

underway but the decision has been made by Government to postpone them until next year.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our residents so we absolutely support this decision.

“It might mean some of the money spent on preparations for this year is lost but you cannot put a price on people’s health.

“We are waiting for further advice from Government and will continue to work hard to deliver the elections for when they are rearranged.”

Coun Shabir Pandor, council leader and head of the ruling Labour group, said: “The decision to defer the election is the right thing to do in the interest of public health.

“It would make no sense to have an election. Party members would be knocking on doors, meeting people that would increase the risk to infect others.

“On polling day and at the count there would be a high risk of infection passing to others. At the moment what the public want is assurances from all politicians in how best we solve this together.

“The health and wellbeing of our residents comes first and is always a priority for me.”

Reacting to the news Coun Andrew Cooper, leader of the Green group on Kirklees Council, said postponement

was “the sensible thing to do.

“We have to ensure that we limit the potential for deaths.

“Discussions over what to do about the elections have gone backwards and forwards over the last couple of days.

“We were expecting the Government to take the Electoral Commission’s advice and delay until the autumn but they have gone for a full year. It’s the right decision.”

Coun Charles Greaves, leader of the Independent group, said the postponement raised questions about members’ roles and responsibilities in the 12 months to come.

“Many councillors’ terms are due to expire. Do we continue in our posts or are we in a limbo land? Will the Government bring in emergency legislation?

“This situation throws up many, many questions.”

And Coun David Hall, leader of the Conservatives, gave his thoughts.

“I am sure the Government will have taken this decision in the best interests of public health.

“I feel sorry for those potential candidates who were gearing up to the local elections, many of whom had already prepared literature and campaign plans, but I suspect that this decision won’t prompt a great deal of response from the general public.”

Roles to be split after Battersby quits KIRKLEES Council is to split work being done across “very challenging agendas” such as climate change in the wake of the resignation of one of its most senior managers.

Karl Battersby, currently the council’s strategic director for economy and infrastructure, will leave the authority in August. He is taking on a new role with North Yorkshire County Council.

Since joining Kirklees Mr Battersby (pictured right) has overseen a broad portfolio of responsibilities that has included waste management, planning and major project delivery.

He was at the heart of negotiations with union officials to prevent potentially crippling bin strikes.

He has fielded criticism over the council’s response to extreme weather events such as Storm Ciara.

And he presented the

£200m “Dewsbury Blueprint” at its official unveiling last summer.

The council is now planning to split in two his role as strategic director, disestablishing it to create roles with separate focuses. That role currently comes with a salary band of £115,000 to £134,999.

One role would focus on

environment and climate change whilst bringing together property functions and the delivery of the council’s capital programme.

The second role would focus on growth and regeneration covering housing growth, town centre regeneration, planning and major project delivery.

In a report to the council’s Personnel Committee chief executive Jacqui Gedman said the level of focus on environmental services, particularly cleansing, had taken “a disproportionate amount” of Mr Battersby’s time during a period of growth and regeneration.

She added that given that the council was “firmly in delivery mode” the authority required “additional capacity and focus.”

She commented: “Karl has done a sterling job but that directorate has been so

big in terms of challenges that it seems right to focus an individual on climate change and those broader environmental issues that we’ve been tackling.”

Ms Gedman acknowledged the key strategic element of the roles and said the capability of those fulfilling them was paramount.

“They have to be the right people. The challenge is that everybody is going to want this skill base. We need to get off the mark really quickly – really scan the horizon and see if there are people out there that have that skill base.”

In response to a question from Coun Sue LeeRichards (Green) as to whether the council currently has sufficient officer capacity to support the evolving climate change agenda Ms Gedman said, “Not currently. We have to do something creative (to attract the right people).”

NOT TAKEN LIGHTLY: Chief executive Jacqui Gedman has justified the decision POLITICS in Kirklees “have been put aside” as council staff and elected members combine efforts to tackle the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The authority has now cancelled all meetings for the next month except those considered “business critical.”

Officers and councillors will instead focus on supporting local people through the coming weeks and the expected peak of the virus.

The decision was made following Government advice on March 16.

Kirklees’ Full Council meeting, which was due to take place at Huddersfield Town Hall on March 18, did not go ahead.

However meetings of the decision-making Cabinet, as well as planning and licensing committee meetings will still take place.

The council will ensure measures will be put in place to ensure social distancing at these meetings.

The council’s chief executive, Jacqui Gedman, said the decision to cancel meetings was not “taken lightly” and that the council remained “absolutely committed” to promoting and protecting democracy.

She added: “Whilst coronavirus continues to spread, as a local authority we have a duty to keep residents as safe as possible. This has to be our priority at the moment.”

The council has also set up a “command team”, pulling services from across the authority and partners such as the NHS, West Yorkshire Police and Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing.

It will make “joined-up deci-

sions” about containing the spread of the virus as well as sharing information.

Ms Gedman also reiterated advice from Public Health England around minimising the risk of Covid-19 by regularly washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds at a time.

She urged residents to regularly check official guidance from organisations such as Public Health England and the Government for updates, help and advice.

Coun Shabir Pandor, leader of Kirklees Council, said: “The situation with coronavirus is changing daily and the very best thing we can do as an authority is to make decisions that best protect local people.

“Public health and wellbeing of all our residents is my top priority.

“Nothing is more important than public safety and I’m proud that all political leaders at Kirklees Council have been able to put politics aside and support the council’s decision.

“This will also help ward councillors to focus on helping residents in their communities. In times like these we all have to pull together and look out for those who need our help the most.”

Coun John Lawson, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said: “Our public meetings are crucial to the running of Kirklees but now is the time to pull together and do everything we can to support local people.”

And Coun Charles Greaves, leader of the Independent Group, said: “It's right that we should do everything we can to free up council resources to help and as councillors work with our communities in this testing time.”

16

ThePress

Friday March 20, 2020

Friday March 20, 2020

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.

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

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.

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HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? ITEM bands

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All in excellent condition (seat pads still have protective cellophane on them), £120 ono. Tel 01132 523709/ 07716 186487. (2551) GARDEN 6 x white outdoor post lights, Georgian style. Mains operated. £3 each. Tel 07943 114801. (2572) Black & Decker electric hedge trimmer in very good working order. Long 51cm blade, £25. Tel 01274 862769/ 07519 288925. (2570) HOUSEHOLD Hostess electric twin bottle wine cooler or warmer. Unused, still in original box £25 Tel 01274 862769/ 07519 288925. (2570) Debenham made-tomeasure curtains 90 D x 2 widths wide (100 ) Taupe colour

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Excellent condition as new, very little use (health reasons) cost £495 plus extras.

Accept £350 Tel 07764 300959 (Liversedge) (2563) TOYS/CHILDREN’S GOODS Approx half hundredweight of mixed Lego including 200 figures and weapons for figures etc. £250. no offers. Tel 01924 469135. (2566)

ThePress

17

ThePress

18

Classified Want to advertise in our Classified section? Call 01924 470296 or 0113 457 2900 or email advertising@thepressnews.co.uk

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Friday March 20, 2020

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Friday March 20, 2020

CRICKET Bradford League reveal contingency plans

By Mike Popplewell THE THREAT posed by the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc in the social and economic life of the country and the inevitable threat to the region’s forthcoming cricket season became a reality on Wednesday, when the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced a recommendation to suspend all recreational cricket.

This was intended to include all training/practice sessions and preseason friendly matches.

‘Recommendation’ in this sense is superfluous really. The fact is local cricket is effectively suspended immediately, and indefinitely, with David Young, chairman of the Gordon Rigg Bradford Premier League, writing to clubs in all four divisions announcing a proposed three-stage plan formed by the league manage-

ment even before the ECB announcement.

Firstly, all non-essential meetings and events are cancelled. Stage two plans to postpone all April’s fixtures with the hope that it may be possible to fit these in later in the season if the situation changes in the next five weeks to allow further assessment.

None of the current scientific forecasts suggests that is likely, so stage three suggests that in the event of being unable to play games in May and June, the first half of the season would be cancelled and only the second half played.

This would mean putting the start of the season back to the beginning of July and each team playing the other only once.

Should this plan be instigated there are the added problems of just what form the competition would take. For example, would it be classed as a

competitive season with championships, promotions and relegations at stake?

Mr Young emphasised the fact that these suggestions are not set in stone but merely “a reasonable template for action, with flexibility built in”. Clubs will be consulted on all these matters.

There are extra complications with regard to contracted overseas players in respect of their travel and visa issues and it will fall on the clubs, and not the league, to sort these problems out.

In any event it is a chaotic start for the Gordon Rigg Garden Centres in their first season of sponsorship.

Apart from the lack of exposure as sponsors they will doubtless suffer some financial loss from reduced trade in-keeping with the current economic crisis.

HOCKEY

Slaz firsts finish with defeat

21

FOOTBALL

Littletown stay second while Battyeford bag 14 LITTLETOWN stayed in second place in the Yorkshire Amateur League’s Supreme Division with a 4-0 win at Toller last weekend.

Scott Lightowler bagged two of the goals with Adam Williams and Matthew Bugg getting the others.

Lower Hopton remain bottom of the division, however, after a 2-1 loss to Leeds Medics and Dentists, with Connor Langford scoring their goal.

In the Championship, Dewsbury Rangers lost 5-2 away at Mount St Mary’s, while third-placed Norristhorpe were held 4-4 at Gildersome Spurs Reserves despite two goals from Lewis Collinson and others from Daniel Mountain and Andy Taft.

In Division Three, second-placed Norristhorpe Reserves lost 2-0 to Woodkirk Valley Reserves, and Savile United won 4-1 at Morley Town 3rd through Shaahid Patel, Hamzah Taram, Mohammed Numan Ali and Adam Patel goals.

Dewsbury Rangers Under-23s, who are fifth in Division Five, won 4-0 at home to Old Centralians.

Gibril Bojang and Luke Playford were on target for Horbury Town as they won 2-1 at Robin Hood Athletic

in the quarter-finals of the West Yorkshire League Cup. In the Calder Valley Division Two, Battyeford Sporting Club Juniors ran out 14-0 winners over Halifax Rangers.

League leaders Spen FC were beaten 2-1 away at Old Pond while Inter Batley picked up their first point of the season, at the 15th time of asking, as Mahfoozur Kola’s goal earned a 1-1 draw at Sands Lane.

Hanging Heaton progressed to the quarter-finals of the Jim Callaghan Cup with a 2-1 win at Red Lion Alverthorpe. Craig Bentley and Jack Armitage got the goals.

Ossett Dynamoes won their second-round tie at Great Preston, with Harry Rawson’s strike separating the sides.

Wakefield and District Division One leaders Howden Clough lost 4-3 at home to West End Terriers, despite Reece Farnhill, Joe Hampshaw and Oliver Sullivan goals.

Thornhill United remain top of Division Two by a point after a 5-1 win at Crofton Sports Reserves.

Ryan Laffey led the way with a hattrick while Rob Spiers followed with a brace.

ATHLETICS

Sanitisers on hand as Spen 20 goes ahead

SLAZENGER MEN’S SECOND TEAM: (L-R, back row) Joe Minchella, Josh Swallow, Sam Haigh, Lucas Smith, James Taylor, Alex Stacey, Ian Hedges; (front row) Amir Khalil, Dam Grieg, Darren Buttery, Matthew Green (C), Ben Graham and Asad Baig SLAZENGER’S men’s first team were beaten 5-2 at home by Huddersfield 1st in their final game of the season.

The visitors came out quicker and more aggressive and a sleepy Slazenger were caught on the back foot, quickly finding themselves four goals down.

The team finally got organised.

James Swinden converted a penalty flick, and Richard Tuddenham netted a second.

However, it was too much to chase down and Huddersfield scored a fifth in the final moments.

Slazenger’s second team were 4-0 victors over Leeds 7th, gaining revenge for defeat earlier in the season.

The first 10 minutes were closely fought between the two sides.

However, as time went on Slaz settled into a rhythm and began to create scoring opportunities.

It was a slightly lucky touch from midfielder Sam Haigh which saw

the ball beat the keeper and trickle home. Asad Baig converted a short corner quickly afterwards to put the team 2-0 up at the break.

The second half began similarly close but again Slaz emerged the stronger. A visionary through ball from Damo Grieg found Ian Hedges, who flicked the ball clear over the keeper for the third.

Baig wrapped up a final goal to put the game beyond doubt with a well-taken strike from the top of the D. Their third team were hammered 10-2 by Adel 4th, while the fourth team were held to a 1-1 draw by Leeds 8th with Andy Birkett getting their goal.

The ladies’ first team had a tough task at home to top-of-the-table Sheffield Hallam 2nd, and their opponents managed to secure the league title with a 4-0 win.

Slazenger were on a good unbeaten run but Sheffield dominated the first half to go into the break four

goals up.

They woke up in the second half and made Sheffield work, with chances going begging for both sides, but could be pleased with a final third-place finish in the table.

The ladies’ second team struggled against a side top of the league as well, with Doncaster 3rd picking up a 5-1 home win.

Doncaster scored the first goal and Slaz responded quickly with their own, only for it to be disallowed. That allowed the determined hosts to increase their lead to 3-0 by half-time.

Slazenger started the second half with a stronger desire to score but Doncaster scored again before Mia Davies swept the ball in for a welldeserved goal. Another goal for their opponents finished the match.

The third team drew 1-1 at home to Pudsey 1st with Caro Schofield getting their goal, while the fourth team were beaten 5-0 by Wakefield 5th.

RACING AWAY: The runners tackle the Spenborough course THE SPEN 20 went ahead last Sunday despite other races across the North of England being cancelled due to the concerns regarding coronavirus. Precautions were taken, with hand sanitisers being available along with instructions on hand-washing and social distancing notices from England Athletics.

The 20-mile road race started at 10am and the marshals were out on the course until the last runner was home just before 2pm. They were thanked by many of the competitors after the race, as were the organisers and volunteers at race control.

The winner of the men’s race was Andrew Grant of Harrogate Harriers in 1 hour, 53 minutes and 46 seconds, which also made him the Yorkshire champion.

Gary Briscoe from Penistone (1:54:16) and Tom Owens from Scottish club Shettleston Harriers

(1:58:05) were the only other runners under two hours, while Neil Emmerson of Radcliffe AC nearly made that mark in fourth with 2:00:21.

The best Spen runner was Edward Revell, who placed 14th (2:10:58) with Craig Thompson coming home in 25th (2:18:14).

Tom Jagger (Stadium) won the Masters 40 category with 2:02:42 and Glen Johnson (St. Theresas) won the Masters 45 category with 2:11:04.

The women’s race was won by Niamh Jackson of Roundhay in a time of 2:31:01, with Julia Say (Roundhay) second and Rachel McCusker (Dewsbury) third.

Angela Hall was the best Spen woman, finishing sixth (2:40:49).

Emma Moore (York Acorn) won the Masters 35 category (2:32:17) and Karen Bowman (Unattached) won the Masters 40 category (2:34:45).

22

ThePress

Friday March 20, 2020

RUGBY LEAGUE

Celtic go top of the table NCL Division Two

DEWSBURY CELTIC BRADFORD DUDLEY HILL

26 10

DEWSBURY CELTIC made it two wins from two on their return to Division Two to go top of the table with the notable scalp of Bradford Dudley Hill, in a game that saw two yellow cards and two dismissals.

Three tries in the first 20 minutes had Celtic on their way. Pat Foulstone scored the first of his two tries after five minutes and he was

quickly followed over the line by Harry Copley and Charlie Heaton, with Heaton also adding a goal.

The encounter then exploded in the 20th minute as Anthony Huby from Dudley Hill was sin-binned for a late challenge. This resulted in a confrontation where Paul Foulstone (Celtic) and Hill centre Dan Lee were sent-off for running in and punching.

Three minutes later another incident brought a yellow card for Dudley Hill’s Joe Walton, but just as the game threatened to descend it was Dewbury Celtic that went fur-

ther ahead when Heaton added a penalty goal.

Just before the break Martin Southwell pulled a try back for the Bradford side and Elliot Couzens converted. Within minutes of the restart Celtic increased their lead with a try from centre Nathan Waring.

The win was confirmed for Paul Heaton’s men eight minutes from time when Pat Foulstone went over for his second try, although there was enough time for a late Dudley Hill consolation score from Neil Wall.

Johnson lands winning drop-goal NCL Division One

MILFORD THORNHILL TROJANS

12 13

A 75TH-MINUTE drop goal from Casey Johnson maintained Thornhill’s unbeaten start to the season in a low-scoring tussle.

The visitors took the lead in the 12th minute when George Scott carried several men over the line in the left corner and Johnson converted brilliantly.

The hosts were level pegging again after 25 minutes when winger Mark Judge scored and hooker Jake Payne added the conversion.

It was 6-6 at the break and Milford had the better of the opening to the second half – eventually scoring through stand-off Zak

Snellgrove. Payne’s conversion made it 12-6.

The lead lasted 12 minutes before Thornhill and Jake Wilson struck.

Johnson goaled and was then on target with his winner.

Sharks victory NCL Division Three

WATERHEAD WARRIORS SHAW CROSS SHARKS

10 19

SHAW CROSS were given a stern test but overcame Waterhead to win their first league game of the season.

The visitors largely had the better of the first half and crossed for two tries, both through stand-off Jake Smart. That first score came after a

tight first 15 minutes while the second score came just before half-time.

Just before the break, Sharks halfback Josh Pinder kicked a penalty to make it a 14-point advantage.

Waterhead struck back after 49 minutes when substitute Harry Godfrey found a way through the defence and Josh Fitzgerald goaled.

Shaw Cross saw full-back Callum Barker sin-binned on the hour for delaying the game but this had little impact before a crazy last few minutes which brought two tries and a drop goal.

Hooker Joel Russell scored for the Sharks to make it 18-6 before an almost immediate response from Matthew Holland made it 18-10.

With seconds remaining Pinder stepped up and delivered the onepointer to wrap up victory for the visitors.

Sport In Brief

Defeats for Ossett RUGBY UNION: Both of Ossett’s teams suffered defeat last weekend, with the first team losing 16-7 to Harrogate.

An outstanding try from Connor Stevenson and conversion from Will Martin proved to be their only points against strong opposition.

Ossett’s second team lost 24-22 at the death, but can take positives after making a spirited comeback from 17-3 down at halftime.

Signing at Sedge FOOTBALL: Liversedge last week announced the signing of attacking midfielder Ehsan Mohammed.

Mohammed joins the Clayborn club from Handsworth, having previously featured for Sheffield FC. Their promotion push in the NCEL Premier Division is in doubt with the league postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Second-placed Sedge’s game away at Grimsby Borough did not go ahead last weekend and all matches for the rest of the season are currently postponed.

Kestrels’ run ends RUGBY UNION: Cleckheaton’s second team Kestrels fell to their first defeat since November with a 19-15 loss at a fired-up Old Brodlieans last weekend.

They got off to a slow start, conceding two tries in the opening 15 minutes before Ed Curley got them on the scoreboard.

Richard Noble and Ben Etchells scored to make it a four-point game but the Kestrels couldn’t find a way through late on.

Defences on top as Maroons edged out in tough conditions NCL Division Two

BARROW ISLAND DEWSBURY MOOR

14 6

IT WAS Barrow Island that mastered the conditions better to claim a close win on home soil against Dewsbury Moor.

In a game of precious few chances Island took the lead after stand-off Adam Jackson got over the line in the fifth minute and centre Sam Jones converted.

The scores were all locked three minutes later when prop James Samme touched down and secondrow Brad Foster converted.

Things remained unchanged for much of the next half-hour before Joe Mallinson claimed a crucial score and Jones goaled to hand Barrow Island a 12-6 advantage.

As the weather deteriorated, it was a case of who could control the ball better. With defences well and truly on top it was Jones who broke the deadlock with a penalty after 55 minutes.

It proved to be the only score of the second half, although there were an interesting last couple of minutes for Dewsbury Moor who just couldn’t take advantage after Dan Wright was dispatched to the sin bin for a high tackle following on from a team warning.

Injury to Davis overshadows dominant Batley Boys victory NCL Division Three

BATLEY BOYS ASKAM

56 0

BATLEY BOYS inflicted a 10-try defeat on Askam in a win that was overshadowed by a serious injury to captain Gavin Davis.

Davis had to leave the field in the latter stages at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium with a suspected broken jaw.

Boys have promotion ambitions this season and it showed as they romped home for a second win from two matches in the new campaign.

Terry Bairstow’s side played up the slope but still managed to have

the game sewn up by half-time, leading 34-0.

The rout began after four minutes when Liam Ward opened the scoring and Luke Sheridan hit the first of eight goals.

Josh Richter, Josh Scrutton and Jake Hickling all added scores before the 20-minute mark before Tom Ripley and Charlie Sandell rounded off that impressive first 40 minutes.

Adam Allerton opened Batley’s second-half account and, between Ripley’s second and third tries, Dec Tomlinson added a try on the hour.

Richter was sin-binned for a high tackle after 73 minutes and prop Davis was forced off in the only negatives for Batley.

RUGBY UNION

Last-gasp try sees Cleckheaton beaten North One East

CLECKHEATON POCKLINGTON

28 33

CLECKHEATON fell to defeat in the final play of an absorbing game against Pocklington at Moorend.

Thiu Barnard’s side were not at their best but looked set for a draw with the scores locked at 28-28 after three tries apiece.

However, a chipped kick and wicked bounce allowed Pocklington to claim the win in the most dramatic of circumstances, dealing a blow to the play-off aspirations of Cleckheaton.

Player-coach Barnard started in the second-row in the only change from the one-point victory at Morley the previous week with Matt Wood, Archie RikaRayne and Ben Dearing occupying the bench.

Pocklington started strongly with their big pack carrying the ball well. On six minutes, as Cleckheaton were trying to launch a counter attack, Dale Breakwell threw a long pass but it was intercepted by centre Richardson who raced away to score an easy try, with Pollack adding the goal.

On 11 minutes, Breakwell reduced the arrears with a penal-

LEADING FROM THE FRONT: Player-coach Thiu Barnard carries the ball PHOTO: Gerald Christian forward in the Pocklington defeat ty goal. Both teams continued to probe for openings but defences were on top and Pocklington were having the edge with some aggressive play at the rucks.

Breakwell atoned for his earlier mistake on 26 minutes when he spotted a gap and sprinted clear for a fourth try of the season, and he also added the goal to put Cleckheaton into the lead at 10-7.

The lead was short-lived as Pocklington got a second try when the left wing sped clear to score in the corner, kick

was wide.

There was more to come two minutes before the break as second-row Barnard did a decent impression of a flying winger to dive over in the corner for a spectacular try and make it 15-12 at half-time.

Early in the second half, Breakwell kicked a straightforward penalty to extend that advantage to 18-12, but the lead changed hands again when a kick out of defence failed to find touch and Pock went through several phases before an inside pass saw

them over again.

Pollack added the goal from in front of the posts and then added a simple penalty a couple of minutes later to extend their lead to 18-22.

Mikey Hayward made some determined runs out of defence and, up front, Brad Marsden and Tom Austin got through a ton of work in both attack and defence.

On 56 minutes, right wing Jack Marshall got on the end of a Breakwell cross-field kick and scored a great try, taking the fullback, corner flag and the Cleckheaton touch judge across the line with him.

Breakwell added a towering conversion and Cleckheaton regained the lead at 25-22.

Pollack added another penalty on the hour mark before Breakwell replied to restore the lead to 28-25. Three minutes later it was a level game after another Pollack penalty.

The intensity continued with both sides battering each other in an attempt to force a win. The turning point in the game came with what was the final play.

Pocklington put the ball into a scrum 30 metres from their own line, Pollack chipped over the defence and a wicked bounce took the ball away from the cover, allowing Pollack to race 50 metres to score the match-winning try.

ThePress

Friday March 20, 2020

23

RUGBY LEAGUE

Rams out of cup in ‘first setback’ Coral Challenge Cup

NEWCASTLE THUNDER DEWSBURY RAMS

DISAPPOINTED: Lee Greenwood

38 30

at Kingston Park DEWSBURY helped to serve up a thrilling cup tie last weekend, but it was their defensive deficiencies that allowed Newcastle to grab the win and end their hopes of a strong Challenge Cup run.

Just four days after impressing to win away at Whitehaven, the Rams headed to the North East with the BBC cameras watching and a place in the sixth round at stake.

It was end-to-end stuff throughout and the result was in the balance right to the final hooter, with the scores tied at 30 points apiece until Alex Clegg’s try won the match for Thunder with five minutes to go.

Dewsbury coach Lee Greenwood said: “There were some good bits but I think some individuals will be disappointed in how they performed, and they don’t need telling about that.

“We have won four games on the spin and so we win together and now we lose together, and although it sounds strange losing, it might do us some good.

“It might just remind players that if we aren’t playing above ourselves this is the outcome that can happen. It might make some players realise they aren’t as good as they thought they were.

“We had people filling in, in different positions, it took us a while to adjust to those positions and maybe we never really properly adjusted.

“We don’t want those sorts of games where it’s you score then we score.

Newcastle are probably used to that

sort of game on this pitch. However we don’t like those sorts of matches, we like to be in control and certainly better in defence.

“On Sunday we just weren’t quite good enough, but we have won four in a row. Let’s dust it off and go again whenever that may be.

“It is our first setback and it’s the first loss we have had since the opening day. It’s the first really disappointing performance of the season. Teams go through this and you have to deal with it, it’s now how you react to it. It’s a test for your group now and how they can bounce back.”

A superb first half produced seven tries between the teams as both sides found ways to exploit their opponents’ defence; Thunder down the edges and the Rams directly through the middle.

After a bright start from the visitors,

Newcastle raced into a double-digit lead as they scored back-to-back tries after forcing an early goal-line dropout.

Kieran Gill struck first as the centre backed himself after opening a gap in the defence with a feint to his left, showing good strength to shrug off three attempted tackles and get his side off the mark.

Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e then finished off a superb break by Lewis Young after the full-back straightened his line to streak down the wing, with a well-placed pass back inside finding the Samoan half-back who finished under the posts.

The Rams hit back on 14 minutes through former Thunderman Michael Knowles, with the second-row latching on to a well-placed pass from Frazer Morris after a neat tip-on from Liam Finn, but Newcastle restored their

advantage four minutes later.

Brenden Santi sparked the move with a strong charge in the middle of the park before Tyler Craig shipped the ball out wide, where Ashley Gibson finished the chance by backing himself and speeding in from 30 metres out.

Finn proved to be a real pain for his former club as he made tries for Paul Sykes and Connor Scott with the Rams targeting Thunder’s Rhys Clarke as a weak link.

However, a short-range effort from Bob Beswick in the middle allowed the hosts to maintain their lead.

After a slow start to the second half with both sides locked into an arm wrestle, it was almost the hour mark before the hosts struck with another quick-fire double.

Adam Lawton was the first to score as he was fed from Clegg on the wing, before the giant second-row turned provider moments later as a neat offload found Gill for his second and to establish 12-point cushion.

The Rams though showed the determination and credentials that have taken them to the top half of the Championship table and set up the grandstand finish with Martyn Reilly and Will Oakes converted tries, tying the match at 30-all.

Newcastle were able to summon up enough resolve to make sure they progressed into the next round of the cup as they got their noses back in front with just two minutes to go.

A cut-out pass from Reece Dean was pinpoint in its accuracy, finding Clegg out on the wing who dived in before the half-back sunk a sublime touchline conversion.

Playing out the remaining seconds, the Rams conceded a penalty directly in front of the posts which allowed Dean to make absolutely sure of the result.

MATCH STATS NEWCASTLE THUNDER: Lewis Young 8 Ashley Gibson 6 Tyler Craig 7 Kieran Gill 8 Alex Clegg 7 Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e 7 Reece Dean 8 Brenden Santi 7 Bob Beswick 7 Mikey Wood 6 Adam Lawton 7 Rhys Clarke 6 Sam Luckley 7 Subs: Evan Simons 7 Harry Aldous 6 Colton Roche 7 Sam Blake 6 Tries: Gill (4, 63), LauluTogaga’e (7), Gibson (18), Beswick (27), Lawton (57), Clegg (75).

Goals: Dean 5/8.

DEWSBURY RAMS: Joe Martin 6 Andy Gabriel 6 Will Oakes 7 Liam Johnson 6 Davey Dixon 6 Paul Sykes 7 Liam Finn 8 Frazer Morris 7 Dom Speakman 6 Martyn Reilly 7 Sonny Esslemont 6 Michael Knowles 8 Chris Annakin 6 Subs: Sam Day 6 Connor Scott 7 Jon Magrin 7 James Thornton 6 Tries: Knowles (15), Sykes (24), Scott (34), Reilly (68), Oakes (72).

Goals: Sykes 5/5.

Referee: B. Pearson Half-time: 20-18 Penalties: 5-5 Man of the match: Lewis Young (Newcastle) Attendance: 689

Sport across district brought to halt by coronavirus Continued from back page Cricket Board (ECB) have recommended that all forms of recreational cricket be suspended, extending to training and pre-season friendlies.

The Bradford League season, which was due to begin on April 18, has not yet been delayed but the League outlined on Wednesday their three-stage contingency response. The first stage, involving the cancellation of non-essential meetings and events in April, including the pre-season meeting, has been activated.

If the situation escalates further, the second stage will see the postponement of all of April’s fixtures until later in the season. The third stage would see the first half of the season cancelled altogether if cricket is unable to resume by June (see Mike Popplewell, page 21).

Bradford League chairman David Young said: “It is important that clubs know our absolute priority is the health and welfare of everybody in the Bradford Premier League community, our players, officials, umpires, scorers, groundsmen, tea ladies, volunteers and supporters.

“These are unprecedented times and we appreciate the challenges facing our clubs and as a league we will do all we can by putting in the hard work and planning that is going to be needed in the coming

weeks.”

The ECB said on Wednesday: “Over the coming weeks we will work with the game to understand what support is required across the cricket community, particularly local clubs and leagues – who will have such a huge role to play in our nation’s response to coming out of this situation.”

England Boxing have postponed junior championships and advised that senior championships and other tournaments are likely to follow suit.

Purge Boxing Academy in Batley has closed until further notice “with the health and safety of the kids, coaches and parents in mind”.

England Hockey took the decision to suspend all national activity until April 15 and Yorkshire Youth Hockey have confirmed that all junior hockey has been postponed.

Slazenger Hockey Club, in Horbury, has followed in suspending activity.

England Athletics has advised that all events, competitions, club training sessions and running groups should be suspended until at least the end of April.

Consequently, Dewsbury Road Runners and Spenborough AC have suspended all sessions for that timeframe, including Spen cancelling the Spring Open Meeting which was due to take place on March 29.

In bowls, the British Crown Green Bowling Association has can-

AT RISK: The Bradford League have contingency plans in place which could see the start of the new cricket season postponed celled all events until further notice, postponing the British Club Championship that was due to begin this Sunday (March 22) at Spen Victoria.

England Netball have suspended the sport at all levels until further notice, while Ready Steady Active

have postponed all activity including their rounders league.

British Cycling has suspended all of its sanctioned activities, initially until April 30, and Ravensthorpe Cycling Club have followed the guidance of the sport’s governing body.

Heckmondwike Cycle

Speedway have also cancelled events until the end of April.

Welcome to Yorkshire and the Amaury Sport Organisation have also jointly decided to cancel this year’s Tour de Yorkshire, which was scheduled to take place between April 30 and May 3.

SPORT PUT ON HOLD...

By Stephen Ibbetson Sports Reporter sport@thepressnews.co.uk

SPORTING activity across the district has been wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic after government advice this week against mass gatherings and all unnecessary social contact.

The announcement of these measures by the prime minister, Boris Johnson, on Monday led to an immediate raft of sporting suspensions, with football, rugby league, rugby union and cricket authorities among those to declare a complete shutdown of all levels of their sports.

In rugby league, matches went ahead last weekend, including Dewsbury Rams’ defeat at Newcastle in the Challenge Cup, but the Rugby Football League (RFL) announced that the season would be suspended until April 3 at all levels following a six-hour meeting on Monday.

Dewsbury had already announced that their home match with French club Toulouse this weekend would have to be postponed, and the decision means that games in at least the next two rounds of the Championship season for the Rams

and Batley Bulldogs will not go ahead.

Championship and League One clubs held a conference call with the RFL on Tuesday to consider the implications of this suspension.

Ralph Rimmer, chief executive of the RFL, said: “This will have a significant impact on clubs at all levels, as on all businesses, in all sectors. It is important for us as a governing body to be able to represent those clubs, given what a powerful force for good they are in our communities.

“It was a positive meeting at which all agreed on the importance of a collegiate approach, both for the Championship and League One clubs and the game as a whole – focusing on three key areas of player welfare, club sustainability, and the integrity of the competitions.

“We will maintain regular dialogue with the clubs, as well as with Government, broadcasters and sponsors, over the period of our initial suspension until the weekend of April 3, as we work together and look forward to the resumption of games.”

All amateur rugby league competitions have been suspended, including the National Conference League and Yorkshire Men’s League, while the Yorkshire Junior and Youth League (YJYARL) have suspended

NOTHING TO SEE: There will be no action at sports grounds across the area, including Batley’s Fox’s Biscuits Stadium (top) and Ossett’s Ingfield (above), in the coming weeks all junior activity for a further two weeks, until April 18-19, to include the Easter holidays.

“We advise clubs to refrain from training for the time being,” the YJYARL said. “We appreciate this is an unsettling time for all clubs, in an ever-changing situation. We will communicate with clubs should anything change.”

The Heavy Woollen ARL have postponed their Under-23s tour to Malta, but say that they hope to be able to reschedule the trip later this year.

In football, some semi-professional and amateur leagues followed the lead last Friday of the Premier League and English Football League in calling off matches, with

Liversedge FC’s Northern Counties East Football League (NCEL) postponing the remainder of the season.

That was followed on Monday by the remaining leagues, including Ossett United’s Northern Premier League (NPL) and all amateur leagues, shutting down.

The NPL played on last weekend although some individual games were called off, including Ossett’s trip to Kendal as a precaution by the hosts. The divisions were suspended on Monday until further notice.

The Football Association then took the measure on Monday evening of advising the postponement of all grassroots football for the foreseeable future.

The

Yorkshire Amateur League have suspended all games until further notice, as has the Heavy Woollen District FA. The suspension also includes the entire women’s game, with Ossett United Ladies out of action for the coming weeks after the North East Regional Women’s Football League decided to postpone all games until April 5.

The Rugby Football Union announced on Monday evening that all rugby union activity at both professional and community level was suspended until April 14, subject to continued review.

The move means there is a chance that the current season will not be completed, throwing into doubt Cleckheaton’s push for promotion in the North One East division.

The RFU said: “The decision has been taken following government advice in the interests of players, coaches, referees, volunteers, supporters and the wider rugby union community.

“The RFU will continue to review and monitor government advice and will provide detailed updates on the impact to the season in the coming weeks.”

In cricket, the England and Wales

Continued on page 23