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Jade’s here to Stay
Friday November 29, 2019
No. 922
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THE FINAL SNUB Paul Kane tried to withdraw Kirklees Council resignation day before being found dead EXCLUSIVE By Staff Reporters FORMER Dewsbury East Labour councillor Paul Kane tried to retract his surprise resignation from Kirklees Council the day before his tragic death, The Press can reveal. Close friends of Mr Kane, who was found at his home in Bywell Close, Dewsbury, on Tuesday November 5, have spoken about the pressure he had been put under to resign by Labour ward colleagues Paul Moore and Eric Firth, and how he had considered leaving Labour and standing as an independent candidate. The people, who spoke at length to Mr Kane in the hours before he died, asked for their identities to be kept private. A police file into the circumstances of his death is being prepared for the West Yorkshire Coroner but no date for an inquest has been set. Relationships between the three Dewsbury East Labour members had been strained for months, with Moore and Firth – both former employees of disgraced Dewsbury MP Shahid Malik – understood to be pressing for the chance to replace Mr Kane, who had been in ill health. In documents seen by The Press,
then-councillor Kane said he had assured Moore that he would make an able replacement as and when the 2015 Kirklees mayor decided to step down. However Moore’s social media and personal text campaign to undermine him continued. And the pressure was ramped up after Eric Firth lost his seat to Independent Aleks Lukic last May. One source told The Press: “Paul (Kane) felt he was getting the blame from Eric because he hadn’t been well enough to campaign for him in the May election. “Moore was posting some pretty nasty stuff on social media and sending Paul texts including one that said he ‘knew people that crack heads’. Matters came to a head with more social media posts and Paul decided to go clear the air with him.” On August 7 the long-serving councillor went to Chickenley Community Centre to speak to Moore, where he works as a community development worker. Mr Kane had been a trustee and treasurer at the centre until resigning abruptly in September 2018. “Paul had been seriously ill and had open heart surgery,” said his friend. “He wasn’t well and went to talk to Continued on page 2
PAUL MOORE: Pressure to resign
JACQUI GEDMAN: Nothing to say
PAUL KANE: Changed mind about decision to resign from Kirklees Council
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ThePress
Friday November 29, 2019
COULSON (NEE KILBURN) ENID
Deaths
A service of remembrance
On November 21, peacefully in hospital, of Roberttown, aged 87, wife of the late Dereck. Funeral service will take place at All Saints Church, Roberttown, on Monday December 9 at 12.15pm.
will be held at The Longcauseway Church, Dewsbury Sunday 8th December 2019 6pm - 6:45pm This will be a simple act of remembering loved ones with carols and music. Neil, Helen & Judith invite the families they have supported to come along.
CROPPER FRED On November 22, peacefully at Ashworth Grange Care Home, of Upper Hopton, aged 88, husband of Mary. Funeral service will take place at St John’s Church, Upper Hopton, on Wednesday December 4 at 1.30pm.
FISHER BRIAN On November 25, at home, aged 82, husband of Jean. Funeral service will take place at Christ Church, Liversedge, on Tuesday December 17 at 11.30am.
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On November 21, peacefully at Fieldhead Park Nursing Home, aged 91, wife of the late Tommy. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Wednesday December 11 at 2pm.
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GREEN (NEE FIRTH) WINNIE
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On November 16, at Hartshead Manor Care Home, aged 88, wife of the late Gary. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Monday December 9 at 11.15am.
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On November 23, peacefully at home in Dewsbury, aged 91, husband of Mary. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury
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Moor Crematorium on Thursday December 12 at 10.30am.
JOHNSON JEAN On November 26, at home in Dewsbury, aged 86, mum of Denise, Susan, Julie, Paul and Steven. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Friday December 6 at 10am.
KEENAN BOBBY On November 15, suddenly at home in Chickenley, aged 52, a loving and loved son, dad, grandad, brother, uncle and friend. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Tuesday December 10 at 12.30pm.
KEY (NEE WILSON) MARY On November 16, whilst on holiday in Spain, aged 77. Requiem Mass will take place at St Mary's Church, Batley, on Friday December 6 at 9.30am.
LYONS GEORGE On November 15, on The Isle of Wight, aged 96, husband of the late Marion. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Monday December 2 at 11.15am.
MAUDE DEAN On November 10, suddenly at St James' Hospital, aged 50, son of Margaret. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Thursday December 5 at 10am.
MCFARLANE TONY On November 14, peacefully at Pinderfields Hospital after a short illness, aged 78. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Tuesday December 10 at 10am.
MURRAY (NEE RUDDLESDEN) DOROTHY On November 16, peacefully fol-
lowing a short illness, of Ossett, aged 73, wife of Jack. Funeral service will take place at Wakefield Crematorium on Thursday December 5 at 2.20pm.
PATTERN (NEE BUCHANAN) JACQUELINE On November 20, suddenly at her home in Thornhill, aged 73, wife of David. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Tuesday December 10 at 2pm.
RHODES MARLENE On November 24, suddenly at hospital, aged 79, wife of the late Walter. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Thursday December 12 at 11.15am.
ROBINSON SUSAN On November 17, peacefully at Kirkwood Hospice, of Mirfield, aged 68, daughter of the late Dorothy and Brian. Funeral service will take place at St Mary's Church, Mirfield, on Friday December 13 at 1pm.
SHEARD (NEE BOND) MAUREEN On November 11. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Friday December 6 at 11.15am.
SMITH JACK On November 21, at Ashworth Grange Nursing Home, aged 89, husband of the late Rene. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Friday December 6 at 2.45pm.
STOCKS MO (MURIEL) On November 16, at Holme House Care Home, aged 78, wife of Brian. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Friday December 6. Enquiries – 01924 401143.
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Councillor tried to rescind resignation before his death Continued From page 1 Moore about all the backbiting and plotting. But he was in no shape to be physically confronting a much younger man.” Moore called the police and reported Mr Kane for threatening behaviour and assault, which the Labour veteran vehemently denied in his statement to them. However police did not carry out the interview under caution until the end of October – the week before he died. “He was terribly ashamed about the whole situation,” said his friend. “Here was a man who had given so much to the town being unjustly treated like a common criminal, and it was all the doing of someone he’d considered a colleague and friend.” Another friend who spoke to Mr Kane on the night before his death said he was incredibly bitter. “He came out and said Moore, Firth and (Council leader) Shabir Pandor had it in for him.” A number of friends and political colleagues reached out to Mr Kane after hearing of his sudden decision to resign.
Hustings event won’t be broadcast after objection A BATLEY & SPEN electoral hustings event will not be live-streamed to local people after an unknown candidate objected. The public event, at 7pm on Monday December 2, is being hosted at the IMWS AlHikmah Centre on Track Road in Batley featuring all candidates standing for election. Independent candidate Paul Halloran had asked that the debate be record-
ThePress Friday November 29, 2019 Issue No: 922
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However few knew that he had tried to reverse that decision. “On the day he sent in his resignation (Monday November 4) we talked about things and he had second thoughts,” said a colleague. “He wrote to Kirklees Council chief executive Jacqui Gedman and requested that his resignation be withdrawn. It was only a matter of a few hours. His request was refused. “Paul had been very ill, they were all well aware of that, but this was their chance to get rid of him. And they did.” Asked to comment about Mr Kane’s request to retract his resignation, Coun Pandor said: “At this moment in time my thoughts and prayers are with the family, it would be inappropriate to make any comments prior to the funeral and ahead of a Coroner’s inquiry.” There was no response from Ms Gedman, Mr Firth or Mr Moore. Paul Kane’s funeral is next Saturday (December 7) at Dewsbury Minster at 10.30am.
31 Branch Road Batley West Yorkshire WF17 5SB Tel: 01924 470296 Fax: 01924 472561
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ed and live streamed, in order that voters who were unable to attend could view it. However the IMWS AlHikmah Centre has replied that other candidates had refused to support it, so no broadcast would be allowed. Mr Halloran said: “We know previous hustings events at the IMWS AlHikmah Centre have been recorded, so what’s the problem? Why would other candidates refuse consent 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
to have this particular hustings recorded and streamed live? “I think it’s important that anyone in the constituency could view this debate, if they wished, listen to what the candidates have to say and then make their own minds up as to who they want to vote for. Why would other candidates want to deny their constituents that opportunity? “I’ll let the voters of Batley and Spen make their own minds up on that one, but I will attend this hustings and I, and my team, will consent to not recording it, providing nobody else does.”
Housing plans MIRFIELD: Plans for four new bungalows off Fox Royd Drive have been submitted to Kirklees Council. The proposed development, submitted by the Johnnie Johnson Housing Trust, who offer homes for the elderly, will consist of four one-bed bungalows, an access road, car park and landscaping. The planning application states that it will have no detrimental impact on the surrounding residential properties and will provide affordable housing.
ThePress
Friday November 29, 2019
More arrests turn up heat on suitcase smugglers By Staff Reporters MEN from Dewsbury and Cleckheaton were among nine people arrested on Wednesday as part of an investigation into organised crime gangs smuggling cash to Dubai hidden in suitcases. Eight were arrested by National Crime Agency officers at addresses in Cleckheaton, Dewsbury and Bradford, and one was arrested in Bridlington. NCA investigators believe the nine men are part of an organised crime group that smuggled millions of pounds out of UK airports last year. Border Force officers previously arrested nine linked suspects trying to smuggle money out of the UK, and a further six have been arrested and questioned about their suspected roles as money-laundering facilitators and co-ordinators. In total there have now been 24 arrests linked to the investiga-
News In Brief Body of missing 93-year-old found
tion. Some £2.3m has been seized as part of the wider investigation into the gang. It was the second time in a week that the NCA has publicised arrests and charges connected with money being smuggled to Dubai through UK airports. Last Thursday, the agency announced the charging of 10 suspects – in an unrelated operation – believed to be part of a group that has laundered £15.5m from the UK over three years. NCA operations manager Jon Hughes said of Wednesday’s arrests: “Border Force have done excellent work preventing the money leaving the UK and we have a series of lines of enquiry to pursue and are working effectively with our partners in Dubai Police. “Organised crime groups rely on money launderers and cash is their lifeblood. “We believe we have significantly disrupted an extensive crime group responsible for try-
CLECKHEATON: The body of a missing 93year-old man has been found in the town. Barry Scott, who suffered from dementia, was last seen on Turnsteads Close at around 5.50pm on Tuesday. An appeal to trace his whereabouts garnered a huge response on social media before police released a statement on Wednesday confirming that a body had been found. Whitechapel Church opened its doors yesterday (Thursday) for people to leave condolences in an informal book of remembrance. The death is not being treated as suspicious.
Police garage riddle
Picture Mike Clark
ing to wash drugs money.” The National Economic Crime Centre – which was set up to bolster the UK’s fight against eco-
Extensive searches for missing Colin continuing EXTENSIVE searches for missing Dewsbury pensioner Colin Vasey are continuing. The 81-year-old has been missing from his home in Shaw Cross for nearly two weeks. A major operation has been running since November 17, with officers looking for Colin with the help of search dogs, drones and divers. A police spokesman said yesterday (Thursday) that “extensive searches remain ongoing around and in the river (Calder) and the police focus remains on returning Colin to his family.” Members of his family and the public have also been out in the wider district searching, and a Facebook page called ‘Find Colin Vasey’ has now reached over 17,000 members. Despite these efforts, offi-
cers have been unable to locate him and they are becoming increasingly concerned for his welfare. Colin is thought to be wearing a dressing gown, a blue fleece top, grey pyjama bottoms and a dark-coloured beanie hat. The last confirmed sighting of Colin shows him on CCTV footage walking past Dewsbury Minster on Aldams Road at its junction with Wilton Street at 6.01am on the day he went missing. Unconfirmed reports suggest he was then spotted outside the nearby B&Q store, heading towards Savile Town. But there have been no official sightings since. Anyone with information, or anyone who believes they may have seen Colin, is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log 1104 of November 17.
Big turnout expected for lights switch-on A HUGE turnout is expected as Batley gets ready for its Christmas lights extravaganza tomorrow (Saturday). The town is set to light up at 6pm – with Deputy Mayor Coun Nigel Patrick joining Santa himself to do the big switch-on. Organised by Batley Business Association, the
event is set to be an afternoon filled with Christmas cheer and entertainment. The whole family can enjoy fairground rides, Santa’s Grotto, a giant snow globe and a Christmas market right in the heart of Batley. There’ll be festive performances, kicking off from 3pm with the Batley Musica Rock Band on the main stage in the
Market Place. That will be followed by Acorn Theatre Group, Batley Community Choir, Batley Xplosion Cheerleaders, vocalist Vicky Denton and Sarah Taylor Dance Studios pupils. Local singer Sean Harrington will round off the entertainment before the lights are switched on.
nomic crime – is assisting the investigation and coordinating the response to cash smuggling with international partners.
STAINCLIFFE: Mystery surrounds a prolonged police search in Staincliffe believed to be connected to a shooting earlier this month. A number of police vehicles, including vans containing several officers, were seen outside the GT Autos premises on Staincliffe Hall Road until Wednesday of this week. Last week a police spokesperson confirmed officers were searching the garage “as part of an ongoing investigation into the double shooting in Liversedge on Monday, November 4.” Two men were shot and injured whilst waiting in a car outside Sainbury’s Local store in the Fountain Court retail park. Police would only confirm to The Press that officers were present at the premises as part of “a pre-planned operation”.
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ThePress
Friday November 29, 2019
News In Brief Man ‘assaulted baby’ left fighting for life BIRSTALL: A man has denied assaulting a baby boy who was left fighting for his life in hospital. Taylor Biggins, 24, of Middlegate, pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent when he appeared via a video link at Leeds Crown Court on Monday. The baby was found unresponsive at an address in Birstall on Friday, October 25, and was taken to hospital with serious head injuries. Biggins was remanded in custody until his trial at the same court on April 14 next year.
Did you learn to swim here? Pool demolition ends an era By Tony Earnshaw, Local Democracy Reporter
Spenborough Pool has been demolished to clear the way for a new £15m leisure complex. It’s been described as “the end of an era”. The forthcoming Spen Valley Leisure Centre is the first major
leisure infrastructure project in North Kirklees for decades. Demolition of the old pool and fitness complex, which closed on August 31, is expected to be complete by February next year. Its
replacement is due to open in September, 2021. The new centre on Bradford Road in Liversedge will have an eight-lane 25m pool and a secondary activity pool with an adjustable depth. All facilities – a 600sqm gym, exercise studios and changing rooms as well as the pools – will be under one roof. The current staff of 40 is likely to be reduced. Prior to bulldozers arriving on site, one lifeguard, who joined the pool’s staff in 1979, said it was an old building that was past its prime. He added: “The new building is what the community deserves.” A much-loved facility, Spenborough Pool was opened by the Duchess of Kent on March 7, 1969. Thousands of children learned to swim there over half a century.
Bin workers treat kids
IT WAS once a magnet for youngsters wanting to learn how to swim. Now, 50 years after it was opened,
NORTH KIRKLEES: Bin workers are helping to spread festive cheer by delivering presents to children in care. Kirklees Council is collecting unwrapped boxed gifts for children aged up to 17 who are living in children’s homes or foster care. Cleckheaton and Dewsbury town halls will be collecting gifts from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, until Tuesday, December 17. Refuse workers will then drive wagons decorated as sleighs and drop off the presents on December 20.
Tories and Labour ‘as bad as each other’ over health care By Staff Reporters
Woman lashed out
THE Independent general election candidate for Batley & Spen has launched a blistering attack on the two main political parties over the NHS. Paul Halloran said residents expected to be able to access a full range of health, social care and mental health services locally. He said: “Let’s be honest, the Labour Party and the Conservative Party have both got away with treating our NHS like a political football for years. They both argue over privatisation and selling off our NHS – they’re as bad as each other. “Both parties have introduced charges to see the dentist, the optician, for prescriptions and for car parking at local hospitals over the years. “Both parties have introduced and expanded the Private Finance Initiative that has led 01924 to massive debts with490118 in the NHS and for MIRFIELD local hospital trusts to WF14 0DQ be effectively bankwww.facebook.com/haighsfarmshop rupt. “This, in turn, has TURKEY CROWNS HOME GROWN IN MIRFIELD seen health services locally, for people in (NOWT BUT TURKEY Batley and Spen, BREAST) FOR XMAS reduced or removed NOW ONLY £2.99/LB altogether from local health care proviBUY NOW (& FREEZE) BEFORE THE INEVITABLE PRICE INCREASE sion.” Mr Halloran’s wife YOU SELECT A GROWING TREE Debbie has been a COMPARE OUR PRICES AND nurse with the NHS SIRLOIN 5LB FOR £25 QUALITY BEFORE YOU BUY for 35 years. RIB-EYE 5LB FOR £25 24X330ML GLASS He said: “I’m very proud of my wife and RUMP 5LB FOR £19.99 BOTTLES COKE ZERO of the absolute care ONLY £5.99 I CAN’T BELIEVE ITS and compassion that (<25P EACH) EVEN BUTTERIER 500G she and her colALSO: 330ML CANS COKE/ ASDA PRICE: £1.30 leagues in the NHS DIET COKE / FANTA ETC OUR PRICE: 69P / ALL AT PRICES CHEAPER THAN CASH & CARRY give to their patients. “As Debbie’s hus2 FOR £1.20 NORTH KIRKLEES: A missing woman returned to her home by police lashed out when they refused to let her use the toilet. Monique Ellison-Barrans, 21, of Providence Street, Scholes, was described as a ‘high risk’ missing person before she was found. Kirklees magistrates heard that she told police she needed to go to the toilet but was also being abusive to her father. Officers decided to handcuff her when she became violent. She kicked out with both legs, catching one officer in the chest. Magistrates gave her a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered her to pay a £21 victim surcharge.
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‘Health services in Batley & Spen have been reduced or removed’, says Paul Halloran band, I’ve had a front row seat in how our NHS has changed beyond recognition over the past years. “The UK has one of the largest economies in the world, so it is unacceptable that people often have to travel to hospitals outside the constituency, such as Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, for many of the most common medical needs. “This puts strain not only on the patient but on their families too, for example in travel time and travel costs. “I am campaigning for a full range of health, mental health and social care provi-
sions being available locally with a full A&E department including intensive and high-dependency care and consultant-led maternity services at Dewsbury and District Hospital.” He said both parties had presided over under-investment of social and mental health care. He added: “Yet another scandal is that we currently have a situation where people have worked hard all their lives, scrimped and saved to buy their own home, only then to fall ill with dementia and have to sell their homes to pay for their
care. This is plain wrong. “They’ve already paid for their care through their National Insurance and tax contributions all their working lives. If elected, I will also fight and vehemently campaign against this ridiculous and unfair policy.” On the subject of “selling off” the NHS he went on: “Again, we have the rank hypocrisy of both main parties. “Labour accuses the Conservatives of selling off the NHS, yet they support TTIP, the Transatlantic and Investment Partnership.
“This is the EU/US Trade deal being negotiated. Although TTIP is currently suspended pending a review by President Trump, it would permit the USA providers to have access to all health services in EU member states, including the UK. “Moreover, neither Labour nor the Conservatives have ruled out selling off our NHS in any future trade deal with the EU when we finally leave. “No political party will get my vote to sell off our NHS. “It’s as simple as that.”
Call for ‘fresh approach’ in Dewsbury DEWSBURY man Chris Stoner, who will be standing in the Dewsbury East by-election on December 12, has called for the district to get a better deal from Kirklees Council. The by-election is taking place following the sudden death of Coun Paul Kane. Mr Stoner, Dewsbury Borough Independent candidate, said: “Dewsbury East deserves better than we’ve had from Kirklees – a fairer share of the resources which mostly seem to be centred around Huddersfield. “What we raise locally from council
tax payers and business rate payers in Dewsbury should be spent locally – not filtered away to Huddersfield. “We need to address the issue of free parking in Dewsbury and enhanced CCTV and other public safety measures around the town centre, but it seems Labour are not committed to any of these initiatives. “Coun Aleks Lukic (Ind), through public pressure, has secured a commitment from the Labour cabinet that they wouldn’t pull out of existing funding commitments in Dewsbury if the next Government decides to invest.” He added: “Instead, all Dewsbury
East gets from Labour-controlled Kirklees Council is a recycled Labour candidate who was rejected by local voters as recently as May, making recycled promises about recycled initiatives with recycled money he has announced several times previously. “We need a fresh approach and real change, not a step back. We began the process of change in May, when the good people of Dewsbury East elected my friend and colleague Aleks Lukic to be our local councillor. “I am asking them all to do the same again so we can strengthen the voice of Dewsbury on Kirklees Council.”
ThePress
Friday November 29, 2019
Look out for town angels... A HOST of angels is making an appearance in Heckmondwike over Christmas. Fourteen businesses in the town have agreed to display the knitted angels, crafted by members of the United Reformed Church on High Street. One business also has a nativity scene in the window. Shoppers have been told to keep a lookout for the angels, which could put them in with a chance of winning a prize. Each angel has a sash with its name on. People can pick up an entry form from Watch Wise UK at Morrisons supermarket, or from one of the local churches, fill it out with the names of all the angels and answer a question before sending it off as indicated on the form. The first correct entry opened on December 31 will win a prize.
Campaigners and election candidates in NHS pledge By Connor Teale CAMPAIGNERS in Dewsbury and Mirfield are demanding that general election candidates pledge to take the NHS ‘off the table’ in any future trade deal with the USA. As part of a week of action across the country, activists and prospective parliamentary candidates staged a protest outside Dewsbury & District Hospital on Wednesday. Paula Sheriff (Lab, Dewsbury), Tracy Brabin (Lab, Batley & Spen) and Philip James (Brexit Party, Dewsbury) joined campaigners from the ‘Keep our NHS Public’ and ‘We Own It’ groups to publicly pledge to protect the NHS from trade deals and privatisation. The Press was informed
Fake news? ‘Donald Trump’ and ‘Boris Johnson’, foreground, join election candidates and NHS campaigners that all candidates in both the Batley & Spen and Dewsbury constituencies were invited to attend. However Mark Eastwood (Con, Dewsbury) claimed he had no knowledge of the event when contacted on Tuesday morning. The week of action comes
Trust’s award scheme celebrates excellence THE Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust has launched its staff awards scheme for 2019. The ‘Celebrating Excellence’ awards aim to recognise and celebrate patient care, compassion, skill and innovation of 8,500 staff and volunteers in the Trust’s hospitals, including Dewsbury. Members of the public are being given the
chance to vote for individuals and teams who are making a positive difference to patients in a special category called the Dr Kate Granger Compassionate Care Award. The accolade gives patients, relatives and visitors of Dewsbury Hospital, plus Pinderfields and Pontefract, the opportunity to say thank you for outstanding personalised care and treatment given to them. To nominate a member of staff or team for recognition, visit www.midyorks.nhs.uk to complete a nomination form. Nominations close on Monday January 6, 2020.
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as thousands of emails were sent to parliamentary candidates nationwide asking them to sign the online pledge. John Rossington, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Dewsbury, confirmed that he had done so. It is believed more than
News In Brief Christmas fair in aid of disabled group
250 candidates have also signed. Ms Brabin, said: “This is such an important issue – everywhere I go, most doors I knock on, the one local issue of deep concern is Dewsbury Hospital. “These campaigners have been active for a number of years because they and I have seen encroachment of privatisation in our amazing NHS – we have to ensure that it keeps free at the point of use. “It’s the jewel in the crown of the Labour party and we will protect it with passion.” Ellen Lees, campaigns officer at We Own It, said: “The NHS is the most important issue for voters in this election. The public don’t want to see it sold off as part of a trade deal with Donald Trump. “It’s absolutely vital that all parliamentary candidates join other leading politicians in pledging to take our NHS off the table once and for all by ending privatisation.” A public petition calling for the NHS to be kept out of trade deals, which has already received more than 900,000 signatures, can be signed online at change.org.
CLECKHEATON: A Christmas fair at the Central Methodist Church Community Centre next Saturday (December 7, 9amnoon) will raise funds for a popular disabled group. Proceeds are for the North Kirklees Disabled and Elderly Social Club, which has around 200 members and meets at the church on Thursdays. The money raised pays for trips out. Entry to the fair is £1 and includes refreshments.
School in top 10 HECKMONDWIKE: The town’s Grammar School has been named in the top 10 state secondary schools in the North of England. Heckmondwike came seventh in a Sunday Times list of top-performing schools in the region, with 55.1 per cent of pupils achieving A Levels at A*-B grades and 58.6 per cent claiming A*/A/9/8/7 in GCSEs.
Veterans get together BATLEY: Dozens of people enjoyed a ‘veterans get-together’ on Saturday. Local singer Natasha Harper provided the entertainment at the event organised by the town’s Royal British Legion branch at Batley RAFA Club. Members of the audience, which included 93-year-old Royal Navy veteran David Beard, who lives in Soothill, shared their photos and memorabilia. Wendy Storey, who helped organise the get-together, said the branch is already planning next year’s event.
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LIFE IN BLACK AND WHITE Danny Lockwood
I pity the poor, confused voter AVE we ever known such confusing times, politically, socially, environmentally (or simply ‘mentally’)? It’s a wonder we’re not all queueing up at the madhouse door. Everyone’s getting a serving today, so don’t despair if you’re a Labour/Leave voter agonising over whether you can bring yourself to vote for whimpering Jeremy Corbyn. Such voters’ other problem is that their excellent constituency Labour MP helped get gran a council flat – while obviously considering Leave voters pig-thick bigots and howling that we’ll depart the EU over their dead body. What on earth do you do? Those tormented Labour voters are not alone in this maze of electoral uncertainty. Take the Liberal Democrats for example (and I instantly
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hear people shout ‘please, take Jo Swinson somewhere far, far away’ – many of them kindhearted Liberal Democrats). If the rest of society possessed the Marvel superhero Cyclops’s power of x-ray vision, you would be able to identify Lib Dem die-softs walking along the street (you can never describe a sweethearted Lib Dem person as a die-hard; not a mean, uncharitable bone in their bodies). Even without first noting the sensible shoes and cardigan with leather-patched elbows, your x-ray eyes would spot the rose-tinted spectacles invisible to other mortals. They live in a wonderful world, our Lib Dem brethren, where it’s pure coincidence that nine out of 10 asylum seekers are single men in their 20s, all with iPhones and able to afford £10,000 bungs to peo-
A POWER WE ALL NEED: Cyclops ple traffickers, while their mothers and sisters starve in squalor in some distant land. Come on in folks, make yourselves at home in our land of boundless bounty! How could there possibly be any polling station perplexities for such simplistic souls as Lib Dems? It’s a quick-tick
of their candidate’s box, before they head off to volunteer at the food bank – turning an innocent-eye to the 18-stone single mum who bundles out of a taxi (she can’t get to the bus stop in her condition) loads up her shopping bag, takes a call on her mobile, then lumbers back out to the cab and home. I say home, although apparently there’s a great black market in secondhand food bank gear. And I’m not kidding there. But a kind-hearted Lib Dem could never countenance such behaviour – unless that is they actually put some value in the ‘Democrat’ part of Liberal Democrat. Cancel Brexit outright? Not even the pretence of a second referendum? No matter that millions would rather cancel Christmas than Brexit, their fanatical leader Jo Swinson believes she has found a cold, calculating, electoral niche. She can ignore 17.4m uneducated racists, because the 48% of enlightened Remainers clearly have to go with the Lib Dems, don’t they? Number 10, here Jo comes! But do they? Or are there more shades of dark and light amongst the Lib Dem rank and file (and other Remainers) than that rose-tinted myopia suggests? She’ll find out soon enough – and be forgotten possibly even quicker than
Menzies (it’s pronounced Ming) Campbell, Nick (fill my boots) Clegg, Vince (away with the fairies) Cable, and Tim (who?) Farron. HICH brings us to the party that has spent the thick end of 10 years trying to cancel Christmas, Brexit and the fiscal deficit, while attempting to nobble each other in a backstabbing manner befitting Stalin’s Politburo. The Tories have failed on each and every count – thankfully in some instances but sadly in others. My, what a horrible bunch they are. Hen-pecked Michael Gove did the old ‘et tu Brutus’ on Boris, who passed-the-parcel to Theresa May, who cocked her leg over the entire Cabinet, who then spent 18 months wrestling about in Westminster’s cesspit trying to dirty or drown (or both) each other before kissing and making up out of cynical necessity. (In Boris’s case it seems there’s an awful lot of kissing but very little making up, although thankfully it was mostly in Londontown’s back streets and bordellos). And now here the bumbling old lothario is, two weeks from election day, offering combinations of Jeremy/Jo’s imaginary money trees, while thanking his lucky stars that
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Randy Prince Andy’s vile shenanigans make his gadding-about look like sitting on Santa’s knee as opposed to Jimmy Savile’s. But what of the ‘poor’ (pun intended) Tory voters, who of all camp followers are most adept at holding their noses and voting despite everything for their chap or chapess? A great many Tories (plenty with business interests not coincidentally EU-wide) voted Remain, and yet their man Boris remains intent on getting Brexit done, damn his eyes and their share options. You could imagine those conflicted Tories voting Lib Dem at a push, but not for a Labour party that’s intent on asset-stripping them, both personally and corporately. What a conundrum. The Greens? I was going to say we don’t need to worry about the radical wing of the Lib Dems, but given how the great mass of the electorate must be in such a head-thumping quandary, maybe a vote to save the planet will unexpectedly hold sway. I doubt that they’d make any more difference than the others in respect of saving the planet, because it’s like mosquitos campaigning to turn the animal kingdom vegetarian – but at least voters could all feel smarmingly pleased with themselves.
PC brigade starts choosing sides UR courts have been interesting places in the ongoing battle for minority supremacy, if that isn’t too much of a contradiction in terms. Seems it’s first blood to the sexual liberators in the war of words and philosophies between the gender fantasists and Islam. That’s a rare judicial setback for the UK’s future ruling religio-societal class – and if you don’t believe me, just cast a glance at the latest UN studies on sustainable western populations. I suspect the LGBTQi-xyz lobby need to celebrate their minor victories while they can. A judge has ruled against Muslim parents who have turned a Birmingham primary school into a protest zone against teaching transgender issues. So far, on everything from barbaric halal practices to mass sexual misogyny, British authorities have been typically, but not surprisingly, mute. Judges pass sentences on the rape gangs while local authorities nod sagely and mutter “lessons have been learned”. But always too late and never with any actual redress on the directors, managers and social workers who presided over this child holocaust. My partial sympathies at least are with the protesting parents, because I barely trust millennial teachers to develop ABC-123 skills without a politically correct agenda attached. Get them on a proper hobby horse and vulnerable young minds are going to be twisted all sorts
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of ways. And no, that’s no prejudice whatsoever, by the way, but these quasi-liberal causes are turned into fashion statements by the Left’s softheaded ultras – and I don’t know about you, but I grew out of my high-waisted Oxford bags and platform shoes a long time ago. It’s not that easy to grow out of a pre-pubescent sex change. Let the kids grow up in their own time and space, and let their personal needs be met and respected as they emerge – and not because young Sam-antha suddenly wants to impress Sir. In closing and to explain ‘victory no.2’, I might in the past have introduce this piece as a battle between Muzzies and Trannies, not believing such a casual shortform necessarily insulting. My caution would normally be fuelled by the actions of Humberside Police, who cautioned a man for Tweeting something he found funny about gender issues, at which Plod came at a gallop (probably ignoring a mugging, robbery and drug deal on the way). Plod actually accepted his jokey tweet was not hateful – but was being recorded as a hate crime anyway. Because that’s their job these days. The Plods have tried to defend their ridiculous PC-mania in court, where my new hero Mr Justice Knowles (pictured) very sensibly tore them a new wotsit. Could the tide of common sense possibly be turning? I won’t hold my breath. Sorry, got to go. There’s a forceful pounding on my front door…
ThePress
Friday November 29, 2019
Kindly butcher is backing Sherriff DEWSBURY’S Labour hopeful Paula Sherriff visited a local butcher – to thank him for helping residents who have hit hard times. Kind-hearted Dave Jones met with Miss Sherriff and Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner at his shop in Earlsheaton on Monday.
Mr Jones, owner of D Jones Quality Butchers, has previously supported Universal Credit claimants facing delays and sanctions in their payments by offering to buy their children school uniforms and giving out free hampers over the festive period. Miss Sherriff said: “I’m
proud we have such a fantastic local business owner – and even more proud that he is backing me in this general election. “It was a delight to take our Shadow Education Secretary, Angela Rayner, to meet him before we hit the doors and spoke to residents.”
News In Brief
Celtic wrap up big year of celebrations KIND-HEARTED: Butcher David Jones with Paula Sherriff and Angela Rayner
We’ll clear up crime: Patel EXCLUSIVE By Zoe Shackleton HOME SECRETARY Priti Patel vowed to take knives and firearms off the streets as she visited Dewsbury this week. The Tory minister was in Thornhill on Wednesday with parliamentary candidate Mark Eastwood to hear about the work being done by a newly-formed neighbourhood watch scheme. Ms Patel spoke at length with Brian Leach, the man behind the project, at his Mountain Road home before talking exclusively with The Press. In recent months, North Kirklees has experienced a number of high-profile incidents involving firearms and violent crime. Ms Patel said: “My party is the only party that’s serious about law and order, and banging up those criminals and perpetrators of crime that basically go out there
Tough talk: Priti Patel with Thornhill couple Brian Leach and Susan Hemingway and parliamentary candidate Mark Eastwood and do harm across our communities and to people. “We’re not tolerating that at all and I’m very vocal about this. We’re giving (police) powers on stop and search, and backing them in terms of the actions they need to take to get criminals off the streets, to get knives and violent weapons off the streets as well. “That’s a massive contrast to every other political party; the rest of them are all soft on crime. We’re
going to end that and that’s why we need to get Mark elected – we need to get a majority to do that.” She gave her full support to Conservative hopeful Mr Eastwood, who faces a tough battle against Labour candidate Paula Sherriff, Dewsbury’s MP since 2015. A national YouGov poll released yesterday suggests that the race between Eastwood and Sherriff in the Dewsbury and Mirfield seat is
currently too close to call. Ms Patel said: “It’s as simple as this: for real change to happen locally, he needs to become the next member of Parliament here in Dewsbury. That’s straightforward. “It is time for a change. Labour have had a stranglehold here for far too long. They have taken people for granted here, they’ve taken the electorate for granted for too long. “Importantly, regions and areas like this have been left behind because of Labour and there is a great opportunity now to really unleash the potential of this region by having a strong Conservative voice in Westminster who’s going to fight for investment, that will actually work with a Conservative government to really look at Britain’s potential beyond Brexit. “Mark has a local record anyway, he’s local and that’s great for the community here – a local voice in Westminster is definitely what is needed.”
NORTH KIRKLEES: Dewsbury Celtic RLFC will be holding its final 140-year anniversary function tomorrow (Saturday) at the Dewsbury Irish Nash on Park Parade (4pm). All past and present players are invited to share memories and meet up with old friends. It will be the culmination of a year-long celebration during which the open-age first team won promotion from the Kingstone Press National Conference League Division Three and embarked on an Australian tour. The no-ticket event will include live entertainment and a pie and peas tea. The club is appealing for anyone with memorabilia to get in touch with Kev McGrath, Dean Foley or Clare Wightman.
‘Fantastic’ night MIRFIELD: Christ the King Church is hosting an evening of festive activities. ‘Light & Fantastic’ will be held on Saturday, December 14 at the church on Stocks Bank Road (7.15pm), featuring music and songs from Huddersfield Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Tickets (£10) include a drink, festive supper and a chance to win the prize draw. For more information, or to book a place, call 01924 493108.
Clough craft fair BIRSTALL: Howden Clough Community Centre is hosting a Christmas craft fair tomorrow (Saturday, 11am-3pm). The event will feature craft stalls, entertainment and a visit from Santa.
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ThePress
Friday November 29, 2019
Case of ‘now you see me...’
I don’t expect any answers
‘Nice guy’ Eric walked out
Letter of the Week:
From: John Jennings, Dewsbury
From: Coun Aleks Lukic (Independent, Dewsbury East)
‘Dewsbury East resident’ LIKE many local people he helped, including me, I was terribly saddened to hear of Coun Paul Kane’s tragic death and like many I felt it would have been appropriate to leave his seat empty until May. I guess political needs must, with Labour’s Kirklees majority now paper thin. The tributes to Coun Kane were as fulsome as deserved and from the expected quarters, although this being politics I’m not sure how sincere all of them were. In this regard they say actions speak louder than words, so it was with some surprise that I noted the Remembrance service photo Paula Sherriff used in her tribute, a particularly nice photo of Paul, and the same image Eric Firth used in the election pamphlet that dropped through my letterbox this week. The same, but with Paul chopped off the end. Having read Eric’s long tribute to his great friend, I guess it was just a party colleague who must have inadvertently edited the photo and not a deliberate snub.
‘... now you don’t’. Miss Sherriff’s Facebook tribute to Paul Kane (above) and Mr Firth’s election leaflet this week (below) with Mr Kane cropped out
I have recently heard opposition MPs state more than once that there are 14.5 million people living in poverty in this country. As a ‘privileged pensioner’ I would like to see some figures of income and benefits in kind published so that these claims can be verified. My generation’s recollections of poverty are of a war time childhood and food rationing until our teens. Eventually some of us raised the deposit for a house in our middle age, paying a mortgage of up to 15 per cent interest. We paid that off around retirement age, 65 years old, after 50 years of work. Now in retirement, on our average income, we pay income tax, council tax, dental fees etc. We get no help from the state apart from a bus pass and a television licence, neither of which is edible. Most of the examples we hear of are of single mothers. Where are the fathers? What do they pay? And where are the facts supporting these claims of poverty? Any chance of answers? I doubt it.
I have much respect for Liz Exley and her many years of service to the community, but I cannot agree with her contention that Eric Firth is ‘a man of great integrity’ (Forum, 22/11) following a recent interaction I had with him. When Mr Firth lost to me at the local elections in May I took over his work supporting a local amateur sports club who were applying for a grant from the Dewsbury Endowed Schools Foundation Trust. The schools trust is a registered charity managed by Kirklees Council and Mr Firth retained his chairmanship of the advisory committee that reviews grant applications. At the end of September Mr Firth arranged to present a giant cheque for the awarding of the grant. The club invited me to attend this presentation as they were grateful for my support with their application and for assisting them
Continues on page 9
ThePress
Friday November 29, 2019
From page 8 with an additional grant scheme. When Mr Firth arrived at the presentation and saw me, he immediately said: “You’re not in this, you know.” I pointed out that the club had invited me there, to which Mr Firth immediately picked up his things and stormed out with his giant cheque. Mr Firth’s actions that night as advisory committee chairman risked bringing both the schools trust and the council into disrepute. He set a very poor example to the children who were present, and club volunteers expressed concern about applying for future grants. It appeared Mr Firth may have intended to use the presentation of charity funds for personal publicity. It would be illegal for a charity such as the schools trust to support a particular political party or candidate. I was going to keep this incident private, but as Mr Firth is now standing to be reinstated as a councillor I feel that the public have a right to know so that they can make an informed choice. My personal recommendation for this local by-election is that Dewsbury East residents support my Dewsbury Borough Independent colleague Chris Stoner, who would always put the needs of local constituents first.
Editor’s note: The Press contacted Mr Firth for comment but has not had a reply.
No chance of utopia now... From: J Scholes, Morley Many great writers, economists and social reformers of the past, such as Sir Thomas More and Robert Owen, had many ideas for a utopian society. One idea was on the basis that human beings are, in general, naturally good if allowed to follow their requirements and desires. Workers should be assured an adequate income with any surplus shared on an equitable basis. Necessary work should receive the highest pay. Useful work, the next. Pleasant work,
the least. ‘Parasitic’ occupations, such as stockbroker, banker, middleman, politicians etc. should only get the crumbs. The gap between rich and poor continues to rise, starting with Brown and Blair’s ‘socialist’ governance (the latter said to be worth £60m). All the rules for the utopian society have been reversed. Does anybody wonder why there is such disillusionment, drug problems, crime, depression and resentment when ‘necessary’ workers are on a minimum wage and unproductive people are amassing fortunes? Typical examples are some news readers and TV presenters, such as Graham Norton, Jonathan Ross, Zoe Ball and Claudia Winkleman. Unemployed university graduates would be happy to do these jobs for £20k a year. Simon Cowell has been reported to be worth more than £200m!
Key issue lost in election fog From: Robert Cowan, Sandal You can only imagine the shock and horror of the mother of Helen McCourt (pictured) when informed recently that her daughter’s convicted murderer Ian Simms is soon to be released from prison after stubbornly refusing over three decades to reveal the whereabouts of her daughter’s remains. Officials confirmed that Simms had now met ‘the test for release’, having failed on six previous occasions to secure parole. The unfortunate mother of the murdered young lady has worked tirelessly to urge the government to introduce a new bill called ‘Helen’s Law’ which would deny parole to killers who choose not to disclose the location of their victims’ bodies. The bill was going through its various stages in parliament but was then necessarily abandoned when the general election was called. Understandably we are all so preoccupied with the economic measures that the next government will take, as well as of course the burning question of
Tesco Stores Ltd, notification for prior approval for installation of solar photovoltaics (PV) on the roof of non-domestic buildings, 49 Northgate, Cleckheaton. Assetree Batley Ltd, internal and external alterations to convert disused warehouse to eight apartments (Listed Building within a Conservation Area), 22 Station Road, Batley. Gomersal Cricket Club, ball stop netting to boundary, Oxford Road, Gomersal. Mr Wood, discharge conditions 3 (materials), 7 (public right), 8 (Ecological Design Strategy), 9 (boundary treatment), 10 (drainage) on previous permission 2018/ 93390 for erection of detached dwelling, former Village Hall, Briestfield Road, Dewsbury. A Hoolet, work to tree TPO 02/03, 1 Hopton
Use your vote and remember
From: Dean Mitchell, via email
From: Harry Teale, Dewsbury
Yet another takeaway has opened in Ravensthorpe. Just what’s needed, to go with the other 50 that are there already. Who is in charge of giving permission, I wonder? Ravensthorpe, once a lovely clean friendly place, now a much-littered dumping ground. Pity the street cleaners.
Thanks for a great show From: Steve Brahan, Norristhorpe Brexit, that it is easy to overlook other issues which require urgent attention from parliament. I feel strongly that this is one such issue. A murderer who plunges a victim’s family into grief initially through his or her heinous crime and then compounds that misery by refusing to say what became of the body, thus denying the family closure, is perpetrating acts of extreme cruelty which should automatically deny that murderer the right to even apply for parole. To do otherwise would be totally unacceptable and provide yet another example of how the powers that be often seem to put the rights of criminals above the rights of the victim and the victim’s family.
Promises need to be kept From: BC McErlain, Birstall By now we must all be sick of election promises. It is all well and good that our local candidates can agree to play by the rules, and not insult one and other. But how about the electorate, don’t we deserve a promise from them? How about if each and every one of them takes whatever holy book they believe in, and swears on it, that they will keep the promises that they make, and the ones included in their party manifesto? And should they find for whatever reason they are unable to abide by this promise, they will instantly resign their seat, no crossing the floor, or claiming to be an independent. They should give the electorate the chance to either reelect them or choose another MP to represent them.
LATEST PLANNING APPLICATIONS Batley Grammar School, erection of temporary classrooms (within a Conservation Area), Carlinghow Hill, Batley. J Fennell, change of use from A1 Retail hairdressing salon to Sui Generis for dog grooming business, 42 Westgate, Cleckheaton. YM Lakha, the proposal is for erection of singlestorey rear extension. The extension projects 5m 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, 4 Sefton Rise, Thornhill Lees. A Qadeer, certificate of lawfulness for proposed erection of rear dormer extension, 14 Ouzelwell Crescent, Thornhill Lees. N Saleem, single-storey front extension, 86 Broomer Street, Ravensthorpe.
Takeaway? They should...
Lane, Lower Hopton. C/0 Agent, dead or dangerous tree, Laburnum Lodge, 1 Low Lane, Birstall. Mr & Mrs J Oakman, demolition of existing garage, erection of extensions and exterior alterations, 39 Sunnyside Avenue, Roberttown. Y Patel, the proposal is for erection of singlestorey rear extension. The extension projects 4.35m beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse. The maximum height of the extension is 4m, the height of the eaves of the extension is 2.8m, 12 Cowper Street, Savile Town. Kirklees Forestry, dead or dangerous tree(s), land off Reservoir Street, Oxford Road, Dewsbury. C/0 Agent, dead or dangerous tree, 4 Burgh Mill Gardens, Dewsbury Moor.
My grandson took his dad and I to see the Christmas Lights switch-on in Heckmondwike town centre. Despite the poor weather it was a great evening. Thanks to all involved, the organisers, lighting and display technicians, you put on a wonderful show. Thanks to the fun ride operators and stall holders for braving the weather and sticking with it. Special thanks to The Firm Band Baja, I’m not sure I’ve heard Christmas classics played in that particular style before, but you sounded brilliant. It was an excellent turn-out which will hopefully encourage the organising team for next year. Thanks again.
If you don’t vote, you don’t have the right to complain about the mess we’re in. When you vote remember: Tracy Brabin (when a Labour MP) betrayed her oath of allegiance to HM the Queen and 59.63% of Batley & Spen voters! Paula Sherriff, when a Labour MP, betrayed her oath of allegiance to HM the Queen and 57.15% of Dewsbury & Mirfield voters! Unfortunately due to the corrupt politics either Labour or Conservative will form the basis of the next Government! Whilst Independent MPs are desirable, there would be insufficient numbers to make an impact in Parliament.
We have short memories From: Colin Walshaw, Scholes We now have Mr Corbyn’s dynamic plans for the country, and a “fully costed” spending formula. One question: If all these exciting changes are needed, why did Labour not institute them during their 13year reign from 1997 to 2010? The revolutionary ‘New Labour’ Party under the dynamic Tony Blair and the not-so-dynamic Gordon Brown, managed to dramatically overspend, despite saddling us with a proliferation of hugely expen-
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sive NHS Private Finance Initiatives, (which they strenuously attacked when a Conservative government first introduced them in 1992), for our children to pay off. Corbyn’s new fan club of students were politically unaware eight to 11-year-olds at the time, and oblivious of the mess Labour left, and the infamous letter left at the treasury by the then Chief Secretary under Gordon Brown and Chancellor Alistair Darling, Liam Byrne. It stated: “I’m afraid there is no money left”. Will we be in danger of going back to the dark days of the 1970s? Why am I now getting a feeling of déjà vu?
Independence is the future From: Alan West, Batley As old as I am (over 80 years) I like to think I have seen something of life. I have never voted Conservative and I admit I used to vote Labour until I became disillusioned by their policies. Oh yes, ‘LD’ who are they? Now I vote Independent. My pipe dream is that all members of parliament will be Independent and be able to vote as their constituents want them to, with the speaker deciding the acts to be voted on. Perhaps then, that whenever an act is passed or rejected we will have some common sense in the decisions. After the council voting the Remainers did not say ‘let’s have another vote’, I wonder why? So come on you voters think hard before you put your ‘X’ on the ballot paper.
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ThePress
Friday November 29, 2019
School prize night
News In Brief Police warning on counterfeit notes NORTH KIRKLEES: West Yorkshire Police have warned shopkeepers and the public that counterfeit cash is circulating in Heckmondwike and Cleckheaton. One shopkeeper in Cleckheaton unwittingly accepted £60 in fake notes last week and an arrest was made on Monday after a 23-yearold woman attempted to buy items using fake £20 notes at Birstall Retail Park. She has since been released under investigation.
Hot food heroes DEWSBURY: A community group is serving up hot food to the homeless and members of the public struggling to pay bills. Dewsbury Community Street Kitchen, run by a group of 30 volunteers, is into its 10th week of giving out food on Thursday nights. Mayor of Kirklees Coun Mumtaz Hussain recently visited the team and said: “They are our unsung heroes. I went to spend some time with them to thank them for their care and compassion for those who need support.”
Drink-drive ban DEWSBURY: A drink-driver was pulled over by police on his way home from a wedding in a car he’d hired for the event. Mohammed Akram, of Pilgrim Crescent, was reported to officers by a concerned witness on Huddersfield Road, shortly after 10pm on August 20. Steve Higgins, mitigating, told Kirklees magistrates that 29-year-old Akram had “tried unsuccessfully to estimate how much he could drink before he was unsafe to drive”. He was banned from driving for 12 months, and fined £120 with £85 court costs and a £32 victim surcharge.
Top marks... Upper Batley High School headteacher Sam Vickers with award-winners
UPPER Batley High School welcomed parents and carers to their annual presentation evening. Prizes were handed out to students from all year groups and two new careers awards were presented to Birstall-based paint company PPG, for its ongoing work with the school, and Fairfield School for work placement of the year. Head boy Huzaifa Jasat made a speech on school life and Mr Rodwell closed out the evening with his team of African drummers. Mr Farrar, who organised the event, said: “It was so pleasing to see a full school hall of parents and family members who were brimming with pride to see their boys receive recognition for all their hard work.”
Labour rejects Independent’s claims of voter intimidation By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter THE Labour Party has rejected an accusation that its members have sought to intimidate voters during elections. It follows the setting up of a confidential telephone hotline in the Batley & Spen constituency to prevent “illegal election practice” in the run-up to the general election on December 12. The Press reported last week that Independent candidate Paul Halloran said he took the step following reports of people being threatened or intimidated at polling stations to vote for a cer-
tain party “against their own instincts”, which he blamed on Labour. A Yorkshire and the Humber Labour Party source dismissed his comments as “a malicious slur by a man desperate for attention” who was “willing to engage in dirty, underhand tactics”. Mr Halloran’s claims came just days after he and his fellow five candidates signed a pledge to run a “decent” campaign in Batley & Spen. The phone line was set up to report threats and intimidation as well as other illegal activity such as postal vote fraud and vote harvesting. It will be manned by a member of Mr Halloran’s team.
Mr Halloran has urged West Yorkshire Police and Kirklees Council election officials – including Returning Officer Jacqui Gedman – to clamp down on such matters over the next three weeks. He added that some individuals had been “prepared to compromise the integrity of the ballot” by committing postal vote fraud and used examples of the names of dead people being used in ballots as well as postal votes being sent from empty properties. He warned that if the authorities did not act promptly, he and his team would upload recordings of “suspicious activity” outside and inside the grounds of polling stations to social media.
“The authorities are on notice,” he said. The Yorkshire and the Humber Labour Party source said: “Labour candidates and campaigners abide by and respect the law and guidance issued by the returning officer. We hope Mr Halloran will clean up his act.” Batley & Spen is being contested by Ty Akram (Green Party), Tracy Brabin (Labour), Mark Brooks (Conservative), John Lawson (Liberal Democrat), Clive Minihan (Brexit Party) and Mr Halloran. Together they became the first candidates in the country to sign an agreement to run an election campaign “free of abuse and intimidation”.
ThePress
Friday November 29, 2019
MONDAY
WEDNESDAY
St Pauls Church Cleckheaton 9am & 11am Tel Tracey 07970 722726
Dewsbury Town Hall 9.30am 11.30am Tel Lesley 07534 500138
St Pauls Church Cleckheaton 5.30pm & 7.30pm Tel Shirley 07578 568245
Staincliffe Cricket Club 6pm Tel Lyn 07792 032170
The Trinity Centre Batley Carr 9.00am Tel Hameedah 07983 445501 Earlsheaton WMC 5.30pm & 7.30pm Tel Amber 07471 826774 Staincliffe Cricket Club Halifax Road 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Diane 07961 631257 Tingley Methodist Church Westerton Road 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Lyn 07792 032170 Zion Baptist Church Mirfield 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Claire 07768 311351
TUESDAY Comrades Club Heckmondwike 9am 11am 5pm 7pm Tel Sue 07790 590763 Earlsheaton WMC 9am Tel Amber 07471 826774
Thornhill Social Club 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Sarah 07539 452622 Scout Headquarters Hunsworth, Cleckheaton 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Paul 07848 958798 Roberttown Community Centre 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Kathryn 07906 118636 Trinity Methodist Church Hall Mirfield 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Claire 07768 311351
THURSDAY Batley Town Hall 9am 11am Tel Lynne 07988 662052 Batley Town Hall 5pm 7pm Tel Lynne 07988 662052
Gomersal Public Hall Gomersal 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Sharon 07904 650476
Westborough Ratepayers Club Dewsbury Moor 5pm 7pm Tel Lucy 07730 264938
Shaw Cross Boys Club Leeds Road 3.30pm 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Lynne 07988 662052
Millbridge WMC Liversedge 5pm 7pm Tel Kathryn 07906 118636
Battyeford Christ The King Church 5pm 7pm Tel Mandy 07793 732268
FRIDAY Thornhill Social Club Edge Top Road, Thornhill Friday 9.30am Tel Sarah 07539 452622 Battyeford Christ The King Church 9am Tel Mandy 07793 732268
SATURDAY St Andrews Methodist Church Liversedge 7.30am 9.30am Tel Emma 07786 513072 St Pauls Church Hall Hanging Heaton 8.30am 10.30am Tel Lyn 07792 032170 Comrades Club Heckmondwike 9am Tel Sue 07790 590763 Howard Park Community School Cleckheaton 8am 10am 12pm Tel Paul 07848 958798 Trinity Methodist Church Hall Mirfield 8.30am 10.30am Tel Jo 07553 747875
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Roundabout to be relaid
News In Brief £30m coup for engines firm
By David Spereall Local Democracy Reporter
BATLEY: A fire engine manufacturer in the town has secured a £30m deal to replace and service most of the UK Ministry of Defence’s emergency fleet. Angloco, which opened a factory on Alexandra Road in August, will supply more than 80 state-of-the-art fire vehicles as part of the new contract. Managing director, Alistair Brown, said: “This is great news for both the company and the local area – this project will help to secure more jobs for the long term.”
Cancer care cash boost DEWSBURY: Cancer screening at the town’s hospital has been given a cash injection. Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust is among 78 hospital trusts to receive a slice of £220m in extra funding. It will allow Dewsbury & District Hospital to replace, refurbish and upgrade CT and MRI scanners over the next two years. It will also have cash to improve breast screening imaging and assessment equipment, making scanning quicker and more efficient.
PEOPLE young and old got together to plant hundreds of trees at Dewsbury Country Park on Sunday. Representatives from Dewsbury and Wakefield Soroptomists, Ansaar Beaver Scouts and Ravensthorpe Residents’ Action Group planted nearly 800 trees at the site off Park Road, with the help of ranger Pete Banks. Patricia Thornes of Dewsbury Soroptomists, said: “Thank you to everyone who came along to make it such a special community event.”
Lights cash appeal nears target By Steve Martyn THE Dewsbury Christmas Lights cash appeal has almost reached its target of £9,850 – but it needs another £1,000. This year is the first time the switchon has been organised by the Dewsbury Partnership community group, and there’s plenty planned for the lights spectacular if it happens on Saturday, December 7. The group’s event organiser, Bruce
Bird, is urging people to pledge £5 so the target can be reached and Christmas in Dewsbury can be special. He said: “This is the first year the lights event has been organised by a community group and we’ve had tremendous support from many residents who want to see life coming back to Dewsbury, as well as from the council and councillors. “We have a fantastic combination of community and professional entertain-
ment planned for December 7, the night of the lights switch-on, so if we want to see things happen in our town it’s down to all of us – and that includes putting our hands in our pockets to make sure we hit the target.” Mr Bird said that businesses in the town have donated £6,000 to cover the cost of requirements, including event equipment, road closures and security. Donations can be made at www. spacehive.com/dewsburylights.
PART of one of the district’s busiest roads is to be resurfaced next year. One of the roundabouts on the Ossett bypass, which was described as “atrocious” by one resident, will be completely relaid, Wakefield Council has said. The roundabout connects the A638 with the B6128 Owl Lane and is a busy route between Ossett and Dewsbury. The scheme has been delayed previously because of housing developments on the Kirklees side of the district’s boundary with Wakefield. The work is expected to be completed next spring. Speaking at a meeting of town and parish clerks last Wednesday, Peter Daniels, from Crigglestone Parish Council said: “The road around the Ossett bypass is atrocious. As you come from the junction at Shaw Cross towards the motorway just off the roundabout, they fill the surface in, and then three weeks later they’re back again. It’s been like that for a few years.” Martin Barnes, of Wakefield Council highways department, said: “There was a scheme in Kirklees where they had a development planned. We were waiting for Kirklees to do that. But there’s a scheme being developed to resurface that whole roundabout for next year.”
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Throughout 2019 local historian Mike Popplewell will be searching through his newspaper collection from the 1920s and 30s for some of the biggest headlines from home and abroad – while also taking a look at stories making the news in our own district. Readers are welcome to provide feedback if any of these features are remembered personally, or you can recall being told them by an earlier generation.
When Dewsbury was living the life of Riley FTER a year in which there had been a death of a king, the abdication of another and the coronation of a third, there must have been great hopes of a more settled time in the UK with the advent of 1938. But, no such luck! Internationally there was worldwide uncertainty, primarily due to Germany’s expansionist policies, with Austria and Czechoslovakia proving particular hot spots. Interference in Austrian affairs in the preceding years eventually resulted in its annexation in March of this year by Nazi Germany, and now Hitler was talking about a plan to annexe the largely Germanspeaking Sudetenland area of Czechoslovakia. At this point the fondness for some German policies expressed by the ex-King Edward, now the Duke of Windsor, appeared to be echoed by some in high places of English society, with The Times advocating the idea that the Czechs should actually cede the Sudetenland to Germany. There were many advocating a policy of appeasement but, in fairness, few had any real idea of the depths of depravity to which Germany was actually sinking in
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onth Dish Of The M Panettone Bread Pudding It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Italians love spending time with family and eating delicious food, so naturally Italians love Christmas. Christmas is a little different in Italy though, with some very different traditions. For example, it is only in recent years that Italians have had a Santa Claus type character at Christmas time. In traditional Italian folklore, it is said that La Befana, an old woman, gives children presents on Epiphany Eve (the night of January 5). Christmas cuisine is also quite different in Italy. Forget turkey and the trimmings, Italians opt for fish dishes instead, as meat and other animal products are not supposed to be consumed on holy days. Another big difference is the kind of cake Italians eat at Christmas, the most popular of which is the panettone. Panettone is more of a sweet bread than a cake, and while it can be served as a dessert it is most often eaten for breakfast during the festive period. For a festive, Italian spin on an English classic, panettone can be used to make bread pudding. Whether you want to use a traditional fruit panettone or a chocolate one, you can put your own spin on this dish. Perfect for a warming up on a cold winter night.
Ingredients 50g softened butter 250g panettone 2 eggs 140ml double cream 230ml milk 1tbs vanilla extract Icing sugar Method 1. Preheat the oven to 160C/gas mark 3 before taking a shallow rectangular baking dish, large enough to hold 1.5 pints. Greasing it with a little butter. 2. Cut 250g panettone into wedges leaving the darker, outside edge of the panettone intact. Butter the slices lightly before cutting them in half and arranging them in the baking dish, butter side up. 3. Whisk the eggs before adding the cream, milk, vanilla extract and sugar. Once the ingredients are well mixed, pour over the panettone. 4. Place your baking dish into a roasting tin and pour hot water around it, until the water is around 2.5cm/1 inch up the side of the dish, inside the roasting tin. 5. Bake your bread pudding for 35 minutes, until the pudding is just set. You will know when it is ready because it will be yellow inside and nicely browned on the top. 6. Dust your bread pudding with icing sugar and serve. Enjoy as it is or add a dollop of whipped cream.
Bradford Road, Batley, WF17 6JD Tel: 01924 473970 www.zucchinirestaurant.co.uk
respect of their ethnic cleansing. But while talks were being held with national leaders, on an all-too-regular basis the news at home still centred on people’s fight for work and basic sustenance with Hansard, the Parliamentary proceedings record, reporting a question in the House on unemployment from Dewsbury MP Benjamin Riley. It was a cause Mr Riley had fought for many years. He was a master bookbinder and had his own company in Huddersfield. But after unsuccessfully challenging for the Dewsbury seat for the Independent Labour Party in 1918, despite pushing the Liberal Walter Runciman into third place, he won two out of the three elections in 1922, 23 and 24 (losing out in 1923) and held his position until 1931. Although he was a relatively wealthy businessman he was certainly not born with the proverbial ‘silver spoon in his mouth in fact he was already working half time as an apprentice bookbinder by the time he was nine. Ben Riley’s concerns for the working man’s rights saw him take on the role of secretary to the National Union of General
and Municipal Workers which is now known, after several mergers, as the GMB. He also held the post of Private Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food during his political career. In addition he had shares in the eponymous Ben Riley dance hall, on Union Street in Dewsbury, but when he later sold
these they went to the Labour Party. As an early car owner the MP had a little run-in with the law in the mid-30s when he had a ‘bump’ with a bus but he failed to report it – an act which cost him a fine! Sitting in the House alongside the likes of Winston Churchill guaranteed Ben Riley would be involved in some momentous decisions during the pre-war years, but he was already 72 in 1938 and though he was involved in the wartime coalition Government he decided not to contest the Dewsbury seat in 1945 and tendered his resignation. He was to die at his Huddersfield home the following year, and though he left around £30,000 in his will, worth over £2million today, his question in the House regarding the unemployment problem never did get a satisfactory answer – but then, conscription into the Armed Forces for the Second World War solved that problem for a great many people. As always, in particularly typically British style, sport and entertainment continued like nothing was happening and we were treated to a fantastic summer of events in 1938. But, more of that next week...
Council’s carbon Shoplifter breached town centre order neutral pledge By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter KIRKLEES Council has embraced a pledge to become completely carbon neutral by 2038. There was broad support for a plan suggested by the crossparty Climate Emergency Working Party (CEWP), established after the authority declared a district-wide ‘climate emergency’ in January. But there was dissent from opposition groups, notably the Greens, whose group leader refused to back the report. The plan includes proposals to increase the council’s electric vehicle fleet and to encourage the use of
electric and low-emission vehicles with free council parking for hybrid and electric vehicles. The council also intends to establish a Kirklees Climate Commission and Kirklees Green Charter and to hold a Kirklees Youth Summit. Council Leader Coun Shabir Pandor said he was “really proud” and that it would be “a top priority” when the authority sets its next budget. He added: “This is much bigger than politics. It’s the most important issue of our time and the right way forward for Kirklees is for us all to work together.” But there was concern from green campaigners. Chris Herring of Kirklees
Climate Emergency Group said: “The level of aspiration in this report on building energy efficiency is well behind what some local authorities are already doing right now. “Much more important than this, it is simply not commensurate with the nature of the crisis we now face.” Liberal Democrats said the proposals, while worthy, did not go far enough. They said the report lacked action and timescales. Tories, who were criticised for noninvolvement in the working group, said they considered the report to be a Cabinet responsibility that could have avoided the 10 months it took to create a report.
A SHOPLIFTER banned from entering Dewsbury was caught re-offending within the exclusion zone. Sulaiman Masud, of Lodge Farm Close, Thornhill Lees, was handed the Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) in May this year. It bars him from entering any part of Dewsbury town centre from the ring road. The order also includes the Sainsbury’s store on Railway Street and Asda on Mill Street West. But on October 10, the 25year-old was caught red-handed with a £30 bottle of Grey Goose vodka from Asda and was also seen taking two bottles of Jack
Daniel’s whisky at the Sainsbury’s store nine days later. Kirklees magistrates heard that Masud’s re-offending was a product of his problem with alcohol and that he had turned to drink after splitting up with his girlfriend. Mark Higgins, mitigating, told the court his client “didn’t think that he was in breach of his CBO.” Masud was sentenced to a community order, including 15 rehabilitation days and 80 hours of unpaid work, as a direct alternative to custody. He was also ordered to pay £30 compensation, £85 court costs and a £90 victim surcharge
A DANGEROUS driver led police on a 10-minute chase through Heckmondwike before ditching his car and trying to run away. Philip Pickering, of Arncliffe Road, Batley, reached speeds of double the limit and travelled along the wrong side of the road during the incident on October 10. The 20-year-old now faces sentencing at Leeds Crown Court after Kirklees magistrates heard that he already has a dangerous driving conviction. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, using a vehicle without insurance and driving whilst disqualified.
Pickering fled from court in September 2017 when District Judge Michael Fanning warned him that he faced jail over a high-speed chase in a stolen car. On that occasion, Pickering crashed a stolen Ford Focus into a garden wall with a 14-year-old passenger inside the vehicle – he was jailed for 26 weeks and banned from driving for 18 months. Pickering was obliged to take an extended retest before getting his licence back but failed to do so, meaning he is still banned. He will appear at Leeds Crown Court on December 6.
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4,000 turn out for light spectacular By Connor Teale MORE than four thousand people flocked to Heckmondwike on Saturday to see the town transform into a magical world of light and wonder. HeckmondLIGHT returned for its seventh annual event with a giant flaming momentum wheel, AstroAliens, hands-on workshops and performances from the Firm Band Baja. With digital projections, gas-powered kinetic sculptures and electrical displays, the event celebrates the heritage of the town’s illuminations while showcasing artistic innovations and light displays. Organisers Heckmondwike Community Alliance partnered with Creative Scene to add new attractions for 2019. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Moon landings, two glittering aliens delighted
Man spat in partner’s face A MAN attacked his partner and spat in her face during a spate of abusive incidents, a court heard. Phillip Burgin, of Waltons Heights in Liversedge, later sent the victim over 150 threatening text messages. Kirklees magistrates heard that Burgin hit his partner on numerous occasions, grabbed
Pictures: Nathan Towers families in Green Park with their moon-walk dancing and light-up costumes. The town also became a canvas for Sound Intervention’s ‘Light Bikes’, who illuminated the event with digital projections throughout the evening. Families visited Santa and his Elf in the light-up big top and joined in as they brought seasonal tales to life.
her by the hair, and spat in her face during the incidents between January 6 and 11. He pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating and sending a malicious communication. The court heard that Burgin’s texts to the victim became more abusive after she ended the relationship. In one message he threatened: “I want to smash your f****** horrible, devious face in!” Magistrates ordered a probation report before sentencing can take place on December 4.
Simon Thirkill, community producer of HeckmondLIGHT, said: “I am overwhelmed at the number of families that braved the great British weather on Saturday. “HeckmondLIGHT is a passion project not just for me, but for the team of volunteers, residents and Heckmondwike Community Alliance members who ensure the event
Theme park plan for sports centre By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter INVESTMENT in Dewsbury continues with the town’s sports centre set to get a cash injection of £320,000 to pay for a ‘Dare-2-Air’ inflatable theme park. The new family attraction, which could be open by summer 2020, is dependent on creating improved lift
Dewsbury East by-election: On November 12, vote for your Independence! VOTE CHRIS STONER
keeps lighting up our town.” Vicky Holliday, senior producer at Creative Scene, said: “It was great to welcome so many families this year to help them kick off their festive season in style. “It’s always a pleasure to support organisers in bringing Heckmondwike’s illumination tradition right up-to-date.”
access to the sports hall, at a cost of £200,000 which has already been agreed. Early indications are that introducing Dare-2-Air could attract more than 37,000 visitors a year. The introduction of the theme park, due to be decided at next week’s meeting of Kirklees Council’s Cabinet, would coincide with a rebranding of the site. The building, on Longcauseway, is to be re-named Dewsbury Leisure Centre. The council has been asked to fund the Dare-2-Air attraction as operator Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL) has indi-
cated that anticipated revenue returns ‘do not justify the estimated establishment costs and risks in delivering the project’. In total it will invest more than half a million pounds into the centre. Any additional money, should costs go up, will have to be found by KAL, which leases the site from the council. Announcement of the improvements form part of the council’s vision to make Dewsbury a ‘thriving market town’. The money will come from the authority’s capital plan, leaving just over £10.5m to spend on other projects.
PAUL HALLORAN THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR BATLEY & SPEN
ON DECEMBER 12TH
dewsbury east by-election, December 12, 2019 Chris Stoner (Dewsbury Borough Independents)
Result of may 2019 kirklees council election Aleks Lukic (Dewsbury Borough Independents)........................... 1,766 Eric Firth (Labour)............................................................................1,695 Sean Guy (Conservative).....................................................................489 Dennis Hullock (Liberal Democrat).....................................................150 Gideon Richards (Green Party)............................................................141
Only Chris can beat Labour in Dewsbury East Promoted by Aleks Lukic at 6 Boundary Terrace, Dewsbury, WF13 4PN on behalf of Chris Stoner at 24 Ullswater Road, Hanging Heaton, Dewsbury, WF12 7PR.
Showbiz entertainer SAMMY KING says: “Paul is our man, he knows us and this area. I support Paul because I know he’s standing because he cares and that means everything to me.”
PAUL HALLORAN (INDEPENDENT)................... Promoted by Paul Halloran at 190 Leeds Road, Heckmondwike, West Yorks WF16 9BJ
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On December 12th, vote for PHILIP JAMES, THE BREXIT PARTY in Dewsbury and Mirfield
Our contract with the people A CLEAN-BREAK BREXIT IS THE KEY TO CHANGING BRITAIN FOR GOOD By Nigel Farage & Richard Tice of The Brexit Party UR priority is to Leave the European Union and deliver the Brexit that
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17.4m voted for in 2016. Acting on the biggest popular mandate in British history is crucial to restore faith in our democracy. What sort of democratic society do we live in, if a few Parliamentarians can defy the expressed will of the people? Leaving the undemocratic EU is just the beginning. It will be the first step in a political revolution. We want fundamental democratic reforms to fix our broken political system and make Parliament serve the People. A Clean-Break Brexit can also
Meet your candidate, Philip James he Brexit Party candidate for Dewsbury is Philip Anthony James, aged 51, who was born in Thorpe Maternity Hospital, Sunderland on 14th September 1968. In 1974 his family moved to Brighouse, West Yorkshire, where he has lived ever since. Philip attended All Saints’ High School in Huddersfield and subsequently The Percival Whitley School of Further Education in Halifax. Philip has worked in the construction industry at both grass roots and executive level. He is currently a registered gas engineer and owns a
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small business in West Yorkshire. Philip is married with children and lives in Hove Edge, Brighouse. Although he is in the process of purchasing a new family home in the Dewsbury constituency (Mirfield). He is a valued member of the local community and a sponsor for the local cricket club in Southowram. He is a keen sportsman and anxious to promote the importance of sport for young people in the midst of the ‘techno age’. As a parent, Philip is also interested in education and the importance of language learning. He
has volunteered as an English conversation teacher, at a school in Madrid, on many occasions, in collaboration with a bilingual learning programme set up by one of his Spanish friends. Although Philip is a newcomer to the political scene, he has previously negotiated and completed contracts with some of the UK’s listed PLC construction companies. This wide experience in the business world along with a passionate interest in history and world affairs have led him to enter the political scene.
shape the future of our economy and society. It will give us the freedom to shape our future by taking immediate control of our own laws, borders, money, fishing and defence. We want to cancel HS2, save 50% of the foreign aid budget and save another £13bn a year in payments to the EU. That money can form part of a Brexit dividend to invest billions in Britain’s Regions, cut the cost of living, and build a better future for millions of our people. The old mainstream parties have made ‘manifesto’ a dirty word. Everybody knows that a manifesto is little more than a set of vague promises that its authors have no intention of keeping. By contrast, our Contract with the People is a targeted set of deliverable pledges. We are not seeking election as a government. We are seeking to deliver the Brexit that we were promised three and a half years ago. With a Clean-Break Brexit, we can start changing Britain for good from day one. There will be no extended ‘transition period’, no more years of wrangling with Brussels, no further entanglement with the EU’s controlling political institutions. We will be free to start building our future immediately, to change politics and Britain for good. And that’s a promise.
On December 12th, vote for PHILIP JAMES, THE BREXIT PARTY in Dewsbury and Mirfield
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On December 12th, vote for PHILIP JAMES, THE BREXIT PARTY in Dewsbury and Mirfield
Political revolution – with you the people our priority HE way the political Establishment has conspired to frustrate democracy over Brexit has highlighted the need for fundamental political reform. The Brexit Party can deliver real democratic change because we are not part of the Westminster status quo. It is now time for a debate on a written constitution. We pledge to: • Reform the voting system to make it more representative. • Abolish the unelected House of Lords. • Make MPs who switch parties subject to recall petitions. • Overhaul the postal voting system to combat fraud and abuse. • Reform the Supreme Court – judges who play a role in politics must be subject to political scrutiny. Ensure political balance by broadening participation in the Selection Commission or conduct interviews by Parliamentary Committee. • Make the Civil Service more accountable to the public – we would require civil servants to sign an oath to act with political neutrality. • Phase out the BBC licence fee. • Require Universities to incorporate an obligation to protect legal free speech. • Introduce Citizens’ Initiatives to allow people to call referendums, subject to a 5m threshold of registered voter signatures and limitations on repeat votes.
– Redirecting 50% of the foreign aid budget (£40bn over a five-year term). • Invest at least £50bn in local road and rail schemes in our development-starved regions. • Invest in digital infrastructure: partner with service providers to offer free base level domestic broadband in deprived regions and free Wi-Fi on all public transport. • Invest in our High Streets: alongside our reforms to Corporation Tax, we will replace business rates with a simpler system to assist small High Street retailers and leisure operators outside the M25, with any reductions funded by an online sales tax. • Invest in young people: scrap interest on student loans, which will improve the debt recovery rate, and introduce a new work-
Regenerating the regions
HE Brexit Party supports investment in key public services, the environment, fishing and strategic industries – partly financed by saving our annual contribution to the EU. We pledge to: • Invest £2.5bn in our Fishing and Coastal Communities: with a Clean-Break Brexit we recover control of a 200 mile exclusive economic zone (or the median line), creating the opportunity to regenerate our coastal communities with new investment, jobs and tourism. • Invest in the Environment: in addition to planting millions of
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HE Brexit Party supports policies aimed at regional regeneration, supporting key sectors of the economy and targeted investments in the young, the High Street and families. We pledge to: • Raise £200bn by: – Scrapping HS2 – Keeping the £13bn annual EU contribution – Recovering our £7bn from the EIB
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Abolish hated ‘grief tax’ ... a double taxation on a lifetime’s assets able apprenticeship scheme. • Abolish Inheritance Tax (IHT). This hated ‘grief’ tax raises less than 1% of total tax revenue. It is ‘double taxation’ on a lifetime’s assets, levied at a time of family distress.
Boosting our UK industries
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trees to capture CO2 we will promote a global initiative at the UN. • Recycle our own waste and make it illegal for it to be exported across the world to be burnt, buried or dumped at sea. • Invest in the NHS and Social Care: we need to keep investing in these essential and treasured public services — with more medical staff and less waste. • Invest in Strategic Industries: freed from EU rules on state aid, we can invest in strategic industries such as steel, railways and defence to create thousands of jobs.
Incentives to invest here E WANT to attract investment and jobs with a series of targeted incentives to drive growth and increase the tax take. We pledge to: • Free up small businesses, the most dynamic part of the economy, to do what they do best – creating new jobs. We will exempt from Corporation Tax those 1 million companies with profit before tax of under £50,000. • One million companies – some 66% of the total number – pay less than £10,000 Corporation Tax. This represents just 6% of the total Corporation Tax take in 2019; £3.4bn. In addition these smaller firms face the time consuming and costly burden of audit and compliance. • Maintain subsidies and grants paid by the EU to UK businesses such as farmers, fisheries, universities and research bodies: this is our money anyway, recycled by the EU. • Provide transitional relief to key sectors such as the automotive industry, to ensure a smooth Brexit. • Create Freeports in certain regions to encourage investment and create new jobs. • Overhaul financial services regulation, cut red tape, increase competition and boost lending to Small and Medium Enterprises.
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On December 12th, vote for PHILIP JAMES, THE BREXIT PARTY in Dewsbury and Mirfield
Cutting taxes, saving NHS and sensible immigration A CLEAN-BREAK Brexit is a chance to reduce the cost of living for working families. The impact of EU policies on energy prices costs us jobs and punishes the poorest in society, while the EU Customs Union prevents us cutting tariffs on non-EU imports. We pledge to: • Cut VAT on domestic fuel: EU rules stop us reducing our VAT rates. We will zero rate VAT on domestic fuel to reduce energy bills — saving an average £65 per household. • Reduce import tariffs: 20% of UK food items are sourced from outside the EU. A Clean-Break Brexit will allow us to reduce tariffs to zero on certain foods, footwear and clothing. E NEED to develop a National Health Service fit for the 21st Century. The Brexit Party believes in continued investment in the NHS, better management, increasing the number of medical staff and cutting waste. We want the NHS to be a beacon of excellent care. It was the Labour governments of Blair and Brown that burdened the NHS with billions of pounds of debt
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Brexit Party candidate Philip James
through their Private Finance Initiatives. • The NHS must remain a publically-owned, comprehensive service that is free at the point of use. Your postcode should not determine your care. • There should be no privatisation of the NHS; where existing private initiatives have failed to deliver we will return them to public ownership. • We support investment in medical research and development and will stop the taxpayer being ripped off by pharmaceutical companies. • Abolish all politically imposed hospital targets that distort clinical priorities. • Re-open the nursing and midwifery professions to recruitment without the degree requirement, alongside a new nursing qualification in social care. • Introduce 24-hour GP surgeries to relieve the strain on A&E depts. • Withdraw from the European Defence Union. This will mean we leave the EU defence procurement directive ensuring the UK has the right to stipulate defence contracts stay at home. • Crack down on illegal immigration and stop the human tragedy associated with human trafficking. • Reduce annual immigration and address wage stagnation and the skills gap by introducing a fair points system that is blind to ethnic origin. And always provide a humane welcome for genuine refugees. • Increase police numbers — more visible policing, ensure focus on combating violent crime, robbery and burglary rather than enforcing restrictions on free speech. • Target the menace of County Lines drug dealers, gangs and the growth of knife crime. • Abolish distortive targets and introduce sentence ‘ranges’ for young offenders, to encourage rehabilitation.
Promoted by: Norman Collins-Tooth Election address 31 Littlemoor Drive, Mirfield, WF14 8BT Published by The Press News Ltd, and printed by Yorkshire Web, Barnsley
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Ramblers’ corner FORTHCOMING walks with the North Kirklees Group of the Ramblers – non-members are always welcome. Please call the walk leader for more details.
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 30 ST IVES 7.5 miles – moderate Starts at 10.30am at St Ives lower car park, Bingley (BD16 1AS, SE098390) Contact: David Parkinson 01274 879794 or 07704813715 david.parky@tiscali.co.uk
Celebration concert MIRFIELD Choral Society present a Christmas Celebration on Saturday December 21 at 7.15pm at Trinity Methodist Church in Mirfield. Tickets priced £10 including refreshments are available from any member of the choral society, by emailing mirfieldchoral@gmail.com or calling 01924 494708.
Clock in for a talk SPEN Valley Historical Society’s next meeting is on Wednesday December 11 when Rod Dimbleby will give a talk titled ‘Discovering John Hartley’s Clock Almanacs 1867-1916’. Meetings are held in the Catholic Church Parish Hall on Dewsbury Road, Cleckheaton, starting at 7.30pm, with refreshments served from 7.15pm. The cost is £2 per meeting for members, £4 for guests and membership is £10 per year. For more information email scooper@thecoopersonline.org.uk.
New members wanted DEWSBURY Concert Society is on the lookout for new members. The friendly group of singers meets on Wednesday evenings at Longcauseway Church Hall from 7.30pm to 9.30pm to rehearse a varied programme of songs for concerts throughout the year. New members are always welcome for all singing parts, but especially tenors and contralto singers. No audition is required and all are welcome. For details contact Keith on 01924 443196.
Jive the night away PEOPLE keen on learning how to dance are invited to a rock & roll jive class, held every Thursday at Heckmondwike’s Brighton Street WMC (8pm-9pm). It costs £5 and is ideal for those who want to keep fit and have fun. The class is followed by a social dance (£3) from 9pm-11pm.
MONDAY DECEMBER 2 ROUND DRIGHLINGTON 4.5 miles – moderate Starts at 1pm at Oakwell Hall top car park A circular, local area walk. No dogs please. Contact: Kathleen 01924 471473
Jade’s here to Stay AWARD-WINNING Batley singer-songwriter Jade Halliwell is back with an emotive new single titled ‘Stay’, which is released today (Fri). Jade has been making huge strides in the UK country music scene in 2019, beginning with a three-week tour of Australia and performances at the high-profile Country 2 Country music festival in London. Her singles Stormchaser, Drive and recent release Put It On You have racked up nearly 350,000 Spotify streams, with Jade’s music reaching 13k monthly listeners on the platform. October saw her join Jess and the Bandits as part of their UK tour, and earlier this month she won two gongs at the British CMA Awards – for Best UK Video and UK Song of the Year. After years of gigging in pubs, clubs and at public events across the district, Jade really burst on to the scene in 2017, when she joined busker Dawid Osial for an impromptu rendition of Hallelujah in Leeds city centre, and a video of their on-street duet went viral. After 30 million views, global media coverage and an army of new fans on board Jade quit her job as a teaching assistant at Ravensthorpe Junior School to focus on her music career fulltime. Last year she performed at fes-
tivals such as Nashville Meets London, Country on the Clyde and Buckle and Boots, as well as releasing her EP Infatuation, and further stand-alone single Drive, which not only saw her receive critical acclaim but also nominated for several awards.
Having gone back to the studio in early 2019 to start work on new material, the year has also included acclaimed performances at Millport Festival, FSA, The Nashville Sessions and Manchester’s Country Music Weekend.
Jade has again collaborated with writer and fellow artist Jess Thristan. This time, taking the listener on a journey of love and betrayal, Jade said: “‘Stay’ is a good old fashioned country cheating song – but with a twist! We wanted to write from the perspective of the person who is unfaithful, but we still wanted the listener to be able to relate to him (or her). “This song explores the emotional dilemma of falling for someone else, and the guilt that follows. It’s different from anything I’ve released so far so I hope people will enjoy this storytelling style of song ... as that’s the part of country music that I love.” It is officially released on Spotify and many other digital outlets today (Fri). For more information visit www.jadehelliwell.com.
And I will always love ... this musical The Bodyguard Review by Zoe Shackleton Bradford Alhambra Theatre, until December 7 I DIDN’T think you could improve the 1990s blockbuster film The Bodyguard – I was wrong.
Festive mayhem awaits IF YOU head to St Mary’s in Batley next month you can join the theatre group on their latest pantomime adventure with Aladdin and co. These two clumsy cops (above) are in pursuit of Aladdin, who has climbed the walls of the palace to catch a glimpse of Princess Jasmine. If the bumbling plodders catch him it will be more than a Chinese burn he gets … and will the Princess escape the clutches of the baddie Fajar and marry the hero? Get along to St Mary’s Social Club and
find out! Evening performances are at 7.30pm on Friday and Saturday December 6-7. Matinee performances are at 2.30pm on Saturday December 7 and at 1.30pm on Sunday December 8. Some performances sell out very quickly, so make sure to book your tickets early. Tickets priced £5 are available from St Mary’s Social Club and Parochial Hall on Melton Street, from Jo Cox House in Batley Market Place or by calling 01924 478394.
The hit musical version was outstanding from start to finish, and Alexandra Burke’s performance as Rachel Marron was close to flawless. She portrayed Whitney Houston’s character with ease, and her vocals brought me to tears by the end. But it wasn’t just her voice that got the hairs on the back of my neck standing up, she’s also a fine actress. The audience was hooked on her every word as she took us through Marron’s story of being a world famous singer and Oscar nominee left fearing for her and her family’s life as a stalker pursues her in sinister fashion. That’s where Frank
Farmer, played by the impressive Ben Lewis, saves the day as her bodyguard – each expecting to be in charge but neither expecting to fall in love. The twists and turns of this heartbreaking tale are told perfectly by an incredible cast, including Nikki Marron – the slightly bitter sister of Rachel played by Emmy Willow. It has everything you want from a musical and Burke is the perfect choice for the lead role, her control on big Whitney ballads like I Have Nothing, One Moment In Time and, of course, I Will Always Love You to end the show, is simply breathtaking. And after all that, the audience are up singing and dancing along to I Wanna Dance With Somebody in a highoctane finale which is a brilliant end to the show. The Bodyguard is a mustsee and it’s on at Bradford Alhambra until next Saturday.
Friday November 29, 2019
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Friday November 29, 2019
Mickey, Minnie and Santa light up village! HRISTMAS will officially start in Birstall next week as the annual lights switch-on extravaganza hits the village. And this year promises to be the best yet, with more stalls and performances, plus a few special guest appearances! The event will throw open its doors at 3pm on Tuesday December 3rd – and there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Kids can go and see Santa in his grotto before he helps switch the lights on at 6.30pm. Before that though, take a look at the various stalls – and you could find that Christmas gift you’ve been seeking, for that special person who’s virtually impossible to buy for! Keep the children entertained with face painting, arts and crafts and even fairground rides as well as the chance to meet everyone’s favourite Disney duo Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
C
Dancers from the Chris and Lucy Beaumont School of Dance will be performing at 5.30pm, followed by the Musica Kirklees Teachers Choir. Dollhouse Dramatics Academy will be joining in the festivities by putting on a performance at 4.45pm. The usual road closures on Market Street, part of Carr Street and Smithies Lane through the centre of Birstall will be in place from 1pm – but there’s access through Low Lane and local residents and visitors have been assured that local bus services will still be running. It’s a festive event for the whole family, with more stalls, more lights features and even a carousel, and promises to be the best extravaganza yet. So get in the Christmas spirit and come along for a whole bunch of festive fun in Birstall ... and who knows, with a little bit of luck we might even get some seasonal snow!
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Friday November 29, 2019
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TV thief led police on high-speed car chase A THIEF has been jailed for stealing a television from Asda and leading police on a high-speed car chase through Dewsbury. Jamie Tattingham, of Victoria Crescent, Dewsbury, reached speeds of 70mph in 30mph zones, collided with cars and almost hit a pedestrian during the incident on December 21 last year. He was spotted leaving the supermarket on Mill Street West with the TV and officers followed when he accelerated from the scene. Leeds Crown Court heard that after a short pursuit, Tattingham pulled over near the Lidl store on Commercial Road and fled on foot. He was arrested nearby. The 34-year-old, who pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods, theft and dangerous driving and has 33 previous convictions for 59 offences, represented himself in court and did not offer any mitigation. He was jailed for two years and four months and disqualified from driving for two years.
MIRFIELD IN BLOOM and West Yorkshire Print Workshop have been handed thousands of pounds as part of the Co-op’s Local Community
£20,000 boosts dental charity A SUPERMARKET giant has donated thousands of pounds to a dental charity. The Morrisons Foundation has pledged £20,000 to help Dentaid – an organisation that provides free dental care for people who can’t afford a dentist. The cash will go towards funding equipment for the
Fund. Each year, one per cent of every transaction made by Co-op members on selected ownbrand products goes directly to funding local
charity’s mobile dental unit, which visits hostels, day centres and night shelters giving emergency treatment by professional dentists. Dentaid has run drop-in services throughout the district for the past year, most recently in Ravensthorpe and Thornhill. Dentaid CEO Andy Evans said: “We are very grateful to receive this grant. It is a sad fact that 70 per cent of homeless people in the UK are suf-
fering from dental problems and many have lost teeth while living on the streets. “By taking our mobile dental unit to hostels and shelters where our patients already feel safe and supported, we can relieve their immediate pain and help to re-engage them with dentistry. “By improving their smile, we can improve their self-confidence and general wellbeing, which can help our patients’ prospects”.
community projects. A total of £23,481.23p was raised at the store on Huddersfield Road, which was divided between the two initiatives.
In the money... Dentaid volunteer Sue Baker and training programme director Fleur Kellett
Drink-driver’s shame A MIRFIELD man told a court of his shame at making “the worst decision of my life” after he was caught drink-driving. Andrew Lewis, 27, of Fenton Street, was reported to police by the landlady of the Railway Inn Pub, Mirfield, where he had been drinking on November 2. Kirklees magistrates heard Lewis was pulled over shortly after 1am, arrested by officers, and found to be more than double the drink-drive limit. Lewis told the court that the pub owner is a good friend of his and made the call out of concern for himself and other people. “I made a stupid decision and thought I’d drive home. It was the worst decision of my life,” he said. He was banned from driving for 20 months and will take part in an alcohol awareness course to reduce the length of his disqualification. Magistrates also fined him £570 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £57 victim surcharge.
Getting into the festive spirit THE VILLAGE of Roberttown will join together to celebrate the festive season next Friday, December 6. The annual event will see the Christmas lights switched on by Santa himself at around 5.30pm at
the Jubilee Garden on Church Road. He’ll arrive on his sleigh at 5.15pm and after the switch-on he’ll be in his grotto at All Saints Church from 6pm, where there’ll also be a secret gift room for children. Huddersfield Youth Brass Band
Liversedge Cricket and Athletic Club
our friendly & community spirited club welcomes you
will be playing festive music and carols will be sung by the Christmas tree, with performances from Roberttown pop choir. There will be funfair rides and a Christmas tree festival at Roberttown Community Centre, whilst a mini Christmas market is
planned in the Geordie Pride Lodge Hotel. The Roberttown social club is hosting a disco and karaoke from 7.30pm and many local businesses will be open late to get into the Christmas spirit, offering tasty treats and special offers for visitors
and residents. Roberttown Lane through the village will be closed to traffic during the festivities, as will part of Church Road and Child Lane, and villagers hope for a big turnout for one of the highlights of the community’s year.
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Friday November 29, 2019
A whole day of festive fun
ORDERS NOW BEING TAKEN FOR CHRISTMAS Turkeys, Boneless Turkey Crowns, 3&4 Bird Roasts, and all your other Christmas favourites
IRFIELD is getting ready for one of its biggest and most spectacular community days of the year. The date for your diary is Sunday December 1 when the town will be hosting the annual Mirfield Christmas Lights Switch-On. All across Mirfield town centre there will be stalls, entertainment and activities, with the lights switch-on taking place at 6pm. Local bars and shops will be joining in the fun with festive cocktails and lots of special window decorations.
M
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As well as the big switchon itself, there will be a variety of stalls, on-stage entertainment and a family funfair, which is open from 12noon and goes until 7pm. Organised by the Mirfield Town Council, the festival will be the perfect event – for an hour, or all day – to get you and your family in the festive spirit, and buy some Christmas presents locally. On-stage entertainment includes performances from local acts like Bad Ideas, Jake Frood, David McCormack, Distortion, plus magician Tom Kent.
Town centre shops are being encouraged to open throughout the event, so you can shop on the high street and support your local businesses as you start buying gifts for Christmas. Organisers are also expecting another year of creative festive window displays in the Best Dressed High Street Window competition – which will be judged on the day by the Mayor of Kirklees, Coun Mumtaz Hussain. So, get yourselves down to Mirfield for some festive fun on the very first day of December.
ThePress
Friday November 29, 2019
SEASONS GREETINGS TO CLIENTS OLD & NEW
rogers of mirfield Gentlemens Hairdressing est.1964 Visit our renowned MEN’S HAIRDRESSING ESTABLISHMENT Where courtesy & care matter Roger and his team of experienced barbers extend a warm welcome
101 • Knowl Road • Mirfield
Telephone: 01924 493800
New Years Tickets available soon!
What’vsemobner!
30th No ‘T&J Band’ 14th December ‘Joe Medlock’ 28th December ‘T&J Band’
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26TH DECEMBER
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Contact us:
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Forget me not Friends
MEMORY CAFE ELVIS WILL BE IN THE CAFE WEDNESDAY 4TH DECEMBER 1pm-3pm
ALL FREE Tea, Coffee & Cakes Everyone Welcome Our location: St Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church Woodkirk, Dewsbury Road, Tingley, WF12 7JL
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Friday November 29, 2019
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Providing 24-hour Care, Respite & Day Care 27 Church Street, Heckmondwike 01924 404122 CAR BOOT SALE The Area’s Biggest and Best Car Boot Sale every Sunday at Dewsbury Rams, Owl Lane, Dewsbury OPEN AS USUAL DURING GROUND DEVELOPMENT WORK Price £12 per car, opens at 6.00am, ring 01924 465489 for further details
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DENCROFT GARAGES Concrete Garages & Sheds Dismantle & Bases Garage re-vamps Garage Doors 230 Bradford Rd, Batley Tel: 01924 461996 dencroftgarages.co.uk
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Car body repairs Imperial Motor Company 107 Bradford Road, Dewsbury Tel: 01924 461607 or 07860 754984
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Friday November 29, 2019
PUBS AND CLUBS
Millbridge CLUB One of the area’s friendliest clubs.
TOP CLASS TURNS • BINGO - SNOOKER
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★ EVERY SUNDAY ★ ★★ BINGO NIGHT ★★ ★ Starts 9pm ★ ★
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Marketplace Turn your unwanted items
into cash £££s 1) Ring Angela on 01924 470296 (9.30am-4.30pm). Have your advert ready and you can pay by debit card (30p surcharge). 2) Call into the office at 31 Branch Road, Batley WF17 5SB and pay by cash, cheque or debit card (30p surcharge). 3) Post your advert and include your name and a contact number, along with cheque for payment. ADVERTS must be no longer than 50 words. (We cannot accept the following items: Motor vehicles, caravans, livestock. All listings will stay in Marketplace for a maximum of two months. If you wish to amend your listing, or cancel when sold, contact or call 01924 470296. NEW 6 x French hardwood dining chairs with white legs and ladder backs. Complete with seat cushions. £25 each or will sell in pairs. Tel 01924 408171. (2522)
£25. Tel 01924 469135. (2500) Dolls house furniture, white moquette & wood frame couch, high leg chair, matching rocker plus cot, wardrobe, red wood coffee table and red moquette & wood couch. £25. Tel 01924 469135. (2500)
Love heart mirror 650mm W (25.5”) x 720mm H (28.5”) £45. Tel 01924 408171. (2522)
Dolls houses, choice of three from £50 upwards. Tel 01924 469135. (2500)
Gaming equipment. Black Jack shoe, 400 casino chips, gaming board etc. £20 ono. Tel 01274 876814. (2523)
DIY Screwfix fire resistant drop down loft access door 562mm x 562mm, £50. Tel 07939 599381. (2507)
New Ultimate Speed bottle jack. Lifts 3.000kg £12 Tel 01274 876814. (2523)
Envirovent isolate extractor fan. Complete with isolator switch, £20. Tel 07939 599381. (2507)
Toshiba 28” wide screen television with stand and remote control. Excellent condition, can deliver locally, £50. Tel 01924 471758. (2524) Green/pink/peach lined full length curtains (fits floor to ceiling). Each curtain measures 10ft 6ins W x 7ft D. Includes matching pelmets, tracks, fixtures & fittings plus brass holdbacks. Very good clean condition, £75 ono. Tel 07475 109308. (2525) 40-inch Bush flat screen TV with remote control and manual, £40. Tel 07933 422024. (2526) Glass TV stand to match above Bush TV, £10. Tel 07933 422024. (2526) Central heating control, Salus RT510TX with instructions. Only 12 months old, £25. Tel 07939 599381. (2527) Adey Magnaclean filter (for central heating), £35. Tel 07939 599381. (2527) 12 ltr expansion vessel (for central heating), £20. Tel 07939 599381. (2527) BATHROOM Triton Cara electric shower 10.5 watt. Brand new in box. Genuine reason for sale, £25. Tel 07943 114801. (2497) CLOTHING Two traditional cowboy hats as new. One black, one fawn. Suit lady or gent, £10 for both. Tel 07988 955976. (2515) Six casual men’s shirts various sizes and colours. Quality brands. Some worn once or new. £1 each. Tel 01924 519750. (2509) Gents’ dark brown leather jacket. Size M (40 inch chest). As new, £50. Tel 07988 955976. (2504) Untold Pale green lace & chiffon dress. Size 14, worn once for a wedding. Immaculate condition, £30. Tel 01924 407400. (2495) COLLECTIBLES Victorian dolls house dolls, five including maid and baby,
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? ITEM bands
Up to £7: £8 - £25: £26 - £50 £51- £100 £101-£200 £201-£500 £501-£1450 £1,451 plus 876814. (2499)
Joiner’s wooden toolbox with various tools included. £25. Tel 01924 430088. (2498) Aluminium step ladder, 7 steps, £20. Tel 07751 575165. (2494) ELECTRICAL 3 x Winter warm oil-filled radiators, 1600 watt. £25 each. Tel 01924 469537. (2521) Small upright electric vacuum cleaner. Includes instruction and spare filter. Very good condition, £20. Tel 01924 724680 (Ossett). (2506) FURNITURE 2 x Canterbury office chairs, black, unassembled in box £40 each. Tel 01924 469537. (2521) One True Design Office Chair, black leather task chair, gas lift & tilt, unassembled in box £40 Tel 01924 469537. (2521) Three seater settee and two armchairs. Good Condition. Pink draylon with plum/ beige loose covers. Buyer to collect £90 ono. Tel 01924 454332 (2519) Small brown wicker sofa with two matching chairs. Excellent condition, buyer to collect. £30. Tel 01924 408197. (2512) Nest of three mahogany tables. Good condition £10 Tel 01924 403080/ 07548 798908. (2511) Oakland Furniture Land oblong oak wall mirror, 1,800cm long x 600cm wide. Unwanted gift £75 ono. Tel 01924 516931. (2510) Dorlux single bed with two drawers and Flexiform Viscoelastic mattress. Very clean and good condition. Little use. £22 ono. Tel 01274 875328. (2503) Sherborne Eton reclining chair. Light green colour with pattern. Good working condition, £25 ono. Tel 01274 875328. (2503) Wooden chest with locks, casters and handles. 3ft long x 2ft deep. Suitable for blankets, storage or toys. As new, £20 ono. Tel 01274
Cost per item
2-3 seater settee (76 inch long), light turquoise colour. Good condition, £60. Buyer to collect. Tel 07434 365269. (2492) GARDEN Two garden strimmers, £5 each. Bosch cordless hedge cutter and charger, £25. Bosch electric scarifier lawn rake with catching box, £20. Tel 07988 955976. (2515) Standard holly tree in pot, £10. Standard bay tree in pot, £15. . Tel 07415 238960. (2513) Hardwood garden chair. Folds and reclines. Good quality, £15. Tel 01274 876814. (2499) HOUSEHOLD Light box for drying gel nail polish. Only used once. In excellent condition, £10. Tel 01924 450919. (2514) Royal Albert Old Country Roses coffee set, eight cups and saucers, coffee pot, sugar bowl & cream jug. As new, never used, £40. Delonghi coffee machine Caffe Corso. ESAM 2600 bean to cup. In black, cost £179, sell £40. Tel 07928 233213. (2516) Dimplex Cheriton coal effect electric fire. Black and brass. New condition, £25. Tel 01924 403080/ 07548 798908. (2511) Solid fuel fireplace set, 16”. Brass fret, grate and ash pan. Very good condition, very little use. £25. Tel 01924 403080/ 07548 798908. (2511) KITCHEN/ DINING Glass punch bowl set for 12 people. Complete. No chips or damage. Boxed. Ideal for parties£25. Tel 07773 875472. (2517) Set of four Aldo Zilli solid copper based pans. Brand new, still boxed. Genuine reason for sale. Will accept £22. Tel 07943 114801. (2497) Haier chest type freezer suitable for kitchen or garage (33.5”H x 22.5”W x 20.5”D). Excellent condition and working order. £40, buyer to collect. Tel 01274 876997. (2496)
£1 £2 £3 £4 £5 £7 £9 £11
MISCELLANEOUS Dixon Atlantic universal projector screen, 40 x 40 on tripod legs. Made in USA. Excellent condition in original box. £12 buyer to collect. Tel 01924 519750. (2509) Erika electric typewriter (Challenge). Excellent condition, complete with carrying case. Just needs a new ribbon, £30. Tel 01924 475406. (2501) 110 x DVD films, £50 ono. Tel 01924 469135. (2500) MOBILITY/DISABILITY Sterling Pearl Mobility scooter. New battery with charger. Will dismantle for easy transporting. Buyer to collect, £250 ono. Tel 07999 882257/ 01924 463282. (2508) MUSICAL Technics Electronic Organ. 2 Keyboards, floor standing. Complete with stool. Excellent condition £60. Tel 01924 490266. (2520) OUTDOOR Five traditional walking sticks, various sizes, £10 for all. Two pairs of Nordic walking sticks, adjustable. Suit lady or gent. £15 for both pairs. Two director chairs in carrying bags. Good condition, £10 for both. Three folding tripod stools with carrying handle. Good condition, £10 for all. Tel 07988 955976. (2515) SPORT/EXERCISE Confidence vibration plate, power plus. Cost £179, sell £50. Total crunch body revolution system. Cost £95, sell £30, Tel 07928 233213. (2516) Set of golf clubs, suit beginner. Includes 3 woods, 7 irons, putter, umbrella, balls, tees etc. In green canvas bag, £20 Tel 07988 955976. (2515) Exercise bouncer, £10. Tel 01924 469135. (2500) Two sets of golf clubs, trolleys and balls, £25 for all. Tel 01924 469135. (2500) TOYS/ CHILDREN’S GOODS Thomas the Tank Engine item. Various engines, track, towers and pirate ship. £120 for the lot or will split if required. Tel 01274 600402 (2518)
Friday November 29, 2019
ThePress
Friday November 29, 2019
29
HOCKEY
Elsworth the late hero as Batley keep on winning
ALL SMILES: Slazenger’s Under-10s were happy after a challenging tournament last weekend. (L-R) Owen Coughtrey, Owen Wiper, Rhuben Foster, Seth Hoole, Leo Sheen-Meakin, Tori Richardson, Aleks Thompson and Charley Thomas
Slaz take credit from loss SLAZENGER’S ladies’ first team were beaten 1-0 at Brigg 1st last weekend, but came away with credit having travelled with a depleted team of 10 players. Expecting the worst but determined to give all they had, Slaz went all out from the start to the surprise of the Brigg defence and the home crowd. However, this allowed Brigg to take advantage of their overload and they managed to score against the run of play, but as the half went on Slaz kept a strong defence despite tiring legs. The half-time whistle was a welcome sound but, with just a onegoal deficit, the game was far from over and the second half saw the ladies demonstrate true Slazenger spirit. Simple passing was the name of the game and Slaz, after continually
denying the Brigg attack, used this to pressure their defence. Despite a number of chances, a goal never materialised but Slaz left with their heads held high. The ladies’ second team picked up two wins in one weekend. They were 3-2 victors at home to Chapeltown 2nd on Saturday before returning to action again the following day and beating Sheffield Uni Bankers 2nd 4-3. The thirds had a game to remember, taking the opportunity to increase their goal difference with a 7-1 smashing of Harrogate 5th. Meanwhile, the Slazenger men’s firsts stretched their unbeaten run to four matches with a 4-1 victory over Harrogate 3rd. The sides went into the game only separated by a single league position but it was Slaz who comfortably took the three points in the
end. Goals came from James and Mark Swinden, Ben Jackson and Paul Wiper, while Harry Buttery made a strong impression in his guest appearance. Slazenger’s seconds came out 6-4 on top in a thriller against Wakefield 4th. Alex Stacey scored their opener and Asad Baig scored a hat-trick before setting up late goals for Sam Haigh and Ben Graham to win the match. The men’s third team were defeated 3-0 by Leeds Adel 4th while the fourths were 4-1 victors over Driffield 3rd, with Pete Gunning, Andy Birkett, Matt Smith and Damian Greig scoring goals. Their fifths lost 4-1 to Sheffield Hallam with only a late Adam Seattle goal to show for their efforts.
BATLEY LADIES scored a lastminute winner to defeat Huddersfield 3-2 and move up to second place in the Yorkshire Division Four North West table last weekend. After taking maximum points from their two games the previous weekend, beating Otliensians and Harrogate 5th, Batley headed to bottom side Huddersfield and were made to work hard, requiring a strike at the end from Gemma Elsworth to get the win. Batley, with a slightly changed attacking line, started the game well. Vicky Almond, starting as a winger, quickly found herself in the mix of things, slotting the ball across the circle as Batley won their first penalty corner of the game. Rach Stewart passed into Sarah Fretwell who crossed to Almond to score the first goal of the game. Batley quickly gained another penalty corner and this time it was Elsworth who sliced one home for the away team. With just 15 minutes gone, it was 2-0 to Batley. There were some strict umpiring decisions which stilted the flow of
the game. Huddersfield attacked and during the last five minutes had a chance to pull one back, but good work by Katie Amis-Hughes at the back meant Batley finished the half 2-0 up. The second half saw Huddersfield come out of the blocks hard. Some sleepy defensive work from Batley meant they managed to pull one back and it was game on. During a heated exchange with the umpire Stewart received a green card and was benched for two minutes. Huddersfield took advantage of this and capitalised with another goal scored from another defensive blunder. Nevertheless Batley continued to plug away. Hayley Reynolds and Mel Neal looked sensational on the right-hand side of the pitch, working the ball high up the field to Almond who sent some balls across field but Huddersfield’s defensive line held on. In the dying minutes Fretwell passed the ball to Elsworth who cooly slotted the ball into the net to secure victory.
BOWLS
Ash sweeps up the prize
FOOTBALL
Littletown take their chances as Bugg and Lightfoot move them into second LITTLETOWN moved up to second place in the Yorkshire Amateur League’s Supreme Division last weekend with a 2-1 win at home to Wortley. The opening goal for Littletown was a spectacular goal from Matt Bugg, after a pass at an awkward height from Tim Clark was excellently volleyed home from the edge of the area. Leading scorer Scott Lightfoot added his ninth goal of the season when he cleverly headed the ball over the Wortley keeper. It was a lesson on how to take chances from Littletown as two superb, athletic saves at full stretch by Michael Williams kept them in the lead before Wortley reduced the arrears to 2-1 thanks to Joe Hudson. Littletown’s reserves were also victorious, extending their gap to five points at the top of Division Three
with a 6-2 win at Ealandians 3rd. Dominic Simpson scored a hattrick for the Liversedge outfit while Callum Brown, Matthew Thompson and Lewis body also netted. West End Park are now nine points clear at the top of Division Five after continuing their winning start to the season with a 5-3 win at Shire Academics 4th. The goals were shared out by the Cleckheaton club with Nathan Clarke, Paul Fryer, Kyle Kershaw, Lyndon Wells and David Hague all on target.
High-scoring exits from cup RAVENSWHARFE and Battyeford Sporting Club Juniors were both elim-
inated from the Brighouse League Cup last weekend. Ravenswharfe lost 5-1 at Wire Works, despite a goal from Cory Joseph, while Battyeford were thrashed 12-4 at home to Woodhouse with only Levi Ward (2), Joshua Auty and William Evans goals to show for their efforts. In the Calder Valley Division Two, Sands Lane picked up their third win of the season as Daniel Carr and Dominic Howarth goals helped them to a 2-1 win at Clifton Rangers Athletic. In the Wakefield and District Division Two, Overthorpe Sports Club were beaten 7-1 at AFC Sheaf. Overthorpe Sports Club missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of the West Yorkshire Association Football League’s Division Two, suffering a rare defeat at home to Old Centralians.
ASH TATTERSLEY won the Spen winter sweep for the second time in three weeks, beating Chris Mordue 21-17 in the final. He had picked up some comprehensive wins on his way to the final after another impressive day at Spen Victoria Bowling Club, but had to work hard for the prize in a tense final. Chris made a great start to go 7-2 ahead but Ash responded strongly to bring it back to 9-9, and the two continued to add to their scores as it went to 14-14. At this point Chris had the block but one poor roll allowed Ash to edge 16-14 in front, and he would keep hold of the lead from there. At 20-16, Ash first bowled a yard off and then went wide and off the green to give his opponent some hope of victory, and the tension was rising in the crowd. However, two good bowls saw him get the job done next time around to win the game.
TOP TWO: Peter Ellis presents the prizes to winner Ash Tattersley (top) and runner-up Chris Mordue
30
ThePress
Friday November 29, 2019
FOOTBALL
Winning start for new manager Benn Northern Premier N/West Division
OSSETT UNITED PRESCOT CABLES
3 2
WAYNE BENN’S tenure in charge of Ossett United got off to the perfect start as an excellent first-half display got them on their way to victory over Prescot Cables at Ingfield last weekend. A Tom Greaves double and a Marko Basic stunner had them flying and although the visitors threatened a late comeback, Ossett held on for only a second league win of the season. “I thought they were exceptional in the first half and fully deserved to be 3-0 up,” said a happy Benn after collecting his first three points at the club. “They made life difficult for 15 minutes towards the end of the game, but equally when we were under pressure we showed good character and stuck together, and it was all just about getting the win. “The performance was fantastic first half, not so good second half, but that will all come as confidence grows and as we get them fitter.” After a promising opening 20 minutes, Ossett took control of the game with two goals in two minutes
UP AND RUNNING: New Ossett United boss Wayne Benn (front) and assistant Andy Hayward; the Prescot goalkeeper gets his hand to a corner under pressure from top scorer Greaves. Ross Hardaker received the ball fortuitously in the box and made the most of the opportunity for the opener, displaying great feet to dance past several defenders before presenting Greaves with a tap in. Just moments later, the striker made a great run to the near post to tap in an excellent Luke Porritt cross and double that advantage. United pushed for more in the lead up to half-time and, after a James Knowles header looped over the bar, Basic found the top corner with a fantastic strike to make it 30 at the break.
There was little in the way of chances for either side for much of the second half, which suited a flying Ossett side just fine, but that all changed with two quick-fire George Hassell goals. He was left free to tap in a James Edgar cross from close range to get them on the board, and the comeback looked truly on when another delivery from the left was hooked in by the forward five minutes later. Ossett have developed a habit of seeing results slip from their grasp late on and there was unease in the final 10 minutes as they clung on, but they recovered their grip on the
game. Greaves could have had his hat-trick had he connected with an Aaron Haswell cross, but they had done enough for the three points. Benn’s first away trip comes tomorrow (Saturday) when Ossett will look to climb out of the BetVictor Northern Premier N/West Division relegation zone with victory at Clitheroe (kick-off 3pm). The new boss has hinted at new arrivals at the club but isn’t in a rush, with the current squad impressing him so far. He said: “We’ve identified a couple of areas where we think we
PHOTOS: John Hirst
might need to strengthen, but what we wanted to do first is assess the players. “Everybody who played (last week) performed and they’ve got first run. There are some seriously talented players here and our job is to make sure that talent shines through. “There are a couple of injuries and when they come back the squad is going to be more competitive. Andy Monkhouse and Chris Chantler are a couple of weeks away. Slowly we’ll add to the group but they’ve got to be better than what we’ve got.”
Ossett exploring their options Liversedge away run ended by late stunner OSSETT UNITED continue to consider their future options following a bombshell court order, but over £60,000 which is due today (Friday) will not be paid. Two weeks ago, a court in Manchester ruled that Ossett Town were liable for the injury costs of an opposition player who broke his ankle from a tackle in 2015 which, combined with legal costs, resulted in a £135,000 order. Town merged with Ossett Albion to form United in 2018, and the only asset held by the old club is the Ingfield ground which is leased rent-free to United. The sale of the ground by Town is increasingly looking like the only option for the survival of the new club. Fundraising efforts have so far fallen well short with their GoFundMe page collecting only just over £4,500 as of yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. With half of the mammoth court order due today, United won’t be paying as they continue to receive advice on the situation. Chairman Phil Smith said: “We actually haven’t seen the full court order. When it’s sent to us we’ll have more of an understanding of the implications but we are aware that we are supposed to have paid £60,000 by (today). It’s not happening!” With Smith admitting that finding the money through fundraising is now “a big ask”, the only realis-
NCEL Premier Division
HEMSWORTH MW LIVERSEDGE FC
AT RISK: Ossett United’s Ingfield home may have to be sold tic option will be the sale of Ingfield. There is the fallback option of a move to Dimple Wells, which is owned by Ossett Albion Ltd and currently used by some of United’s teams. Smith said: “The ground (Ingfield) is worth just under £3million. If it got sold the football club would have a lot of money but where would we play? Ossett Albion’s ground is not up to scratch at all, it wouldn’t meet the criteria that we need to play in our division. “Do we invest the money in Dimple Wells, do we build a new ground somewhere else? It’s a massive challenge.”
In-form Ladies move into the top three with win OSSETT UNITED Ladies moved into third place in the North East Premier Division last weekend with a 4-0 victory over York City. Emma Lee, Lauren Swailes, Danielle Sidebottom and Emily Ward all scored goals in a comfortable win at Dimple Wells, where the game was held due to a waterlogged Ingfield. After a thrashing of Ryton two weeks previously, co-coach Dan Jarvis is happy with how the team is shaping up. He said: “We’re really pleased. We’ve had a couple of good wins, a couple of dominant performances. The real positive today was the strength in the squad because we rotated a lot.” Ossett were on top from the outset. Aleathia Smith and Ellie Betteridge were denied by the goalkeeper, Alayna Millard shot over after good
work from Lee, and Sidebottom twice came very close, all inside the first 15 minutes. Eventually the pressure had to tell and Lee broke the deadlock, after an inch-perfect pass from Smith and an excellent Sidebottom cross found her at the back post. Lee was denied a second goal by the keeper before Swailes made it 20, with Smith and Sidebottom again combining to set up the goal. After assisting the first two goals, Sidebottom got on the scoresheet herself in the 37th minute, excellently volleying a Betteridge cross into the far corner. She could have had a double on the stroke of half-time but another York save kept the score at 3-0 at the break. Swailes was denied moments after the restart and there was also a dou-
ble chance for another Ossett goal. Smith had a volley blocked on the line, and Swailes then set up Lee whose shot flew wide of the far post. Niamh Ryalls had a shot saved before a fourth goal came after 68 minutes. A Swailes shot was deflected for a corner, from which the ball was only cleared as far as Ward and she brilliantly found the bottom corner. The York goalkeeper also kept out Chelsea Schofield and Jordane Allison, before Laura Wilson was forced into her only real saves of the game at the other end. Sidebottom was denied once more after a good team move but United could be more than happy with their afternoon’s work. Ossett Ladies are back in action this Sunday at fourth-placed Farsley Celtic.
2 1
A BRILLIANT last-minute goal saw Liversedge lose on the road for the first time in the league this season. The battle between two promotion-chasers was as eagerly fought as might be expected, despite Hemsworth’s chairman and manager both resigning in the week ahead of the game. Instead that seemed to galvanise the team as Liversedge, after a great start which saw Oliver Fearon put them in front, saw the points slip away in added time thanks to a Sidney Santos screamer. Joe Walton had a number of chances early in the game with Sedge on top. He headed over from close range in the opening minutes, and then fired over the top with a rebound following a save from Hemsworth goalkeeper Jordan Greaves. A goal was coming and Fearon got it a few minutes later. A long throw-in wasn’t dealt with and the striker was able to prod the ball in to break the deadlock. The lead lasted only five minutes though as Eddie Cass headed in a free-kick to level against the run of play. Things got tasty with some forceful challenges turning up the heat of the game, but the sides made it to half-time at 1-1. Hemsworth created the more promising opportunities at the start of the second half but Seon Ripley dragged a shot wide and Harry Viggars was denied by Sedge stopper Sam Andrew. Ripley missed another good
LAST-MINUTE HEARTACHE: Liversedge manager Jonathan Rimmington chance before Liversedge’s best chance for a winner. Walton was played in behind but ended up at a tight angle and could only shoot wide. The home side must have thought it wasn’t to be their day when Jason Davies struck the post with two minutes left on the clock, but fellow sub Santos found the net in the fourth minute of added time to spark jubilant scenes and send Sedge, for whom Walton was redcarded at the end for dissent, home with nothing. The loss sees Liversedge slip down to fifth in the league table ahead of tomorrow’s (Saturday, kick-off 3pm) clash at Clayborn against second-bottom Bottesford Town. LIVERSEDGE have added to their squad with the signing of Billy Mole from Nostell Miners Welfare. The 21-year-old midfielder has spent his whole career so far at Nostell but has now made the move to Clayborn, and he made his Sedge debut last weekend off the bench at Hemsworth. Mole joins a group which has also been boosted in the last couple of weeks by the signing of goalkeeper Sam Andrew from Grantham Town.
ThePress
Friday November 29, 2019
31
RUGBY LEAGUE
Mirfield through to semi-finals Beevers’ dual ambitions MIRFIELD STAGS progressed to the semi-finals of the BARLA Yorkshire Cup with an 18-0 home win over East Leeds. The Pennine League Division One leaders have won every game since reforming in the summer and will host Doncaster Toll Bar in the last four on December 7. Before then, they will look to
extend their gap at the top of the league tomorrow (Saturday) in a local derby at Hanging Heaton. Hanging Heaton go into the clash in fourth place after suffering a narrow 26-22 home loss at the hands of Almondbury Spartans last week. Shaw Cross moved into second place in the Division Two table with a third win from three this season,
edging out Allerton Bywater 14-12 in Dewsbury. There is an all-Shark clash tomorrow as Shaw Cross head to Seacroft, while third-placed Thornhill Trojans welcome Clayton. Thornhill used their free weekend to take on Almondbury Spartans ‘A’ in a friendly, winning 18-10.
Lunt excited to get going Anniversary do at Celtic
SHAUN LUNT says that he is looking forward to playing in the Championship after his shock move to Batley Bulldogs. The experienced Super League hooker has chosen to step down to the second-tier and the part-time game with a view to his career after rugby. Lunt, 32, has started a job this week with Signature Resin Floors and is also studying at university. “Iestyn (Harris), my manager, put it out there. I spoke to Batley, had a couple of meetings with them and realised this was the best option for me,” said the former Huddersfield, Hull KR and Leeds star. “I’d spoken to another club, too, but this is very close to home and is definitely the right decision for me and my family moving forward. “I’ve got a job at Signature Resin Floors and I’m looking forward to getting back into it (work). “I’m just really glad to be going
back into the Championship. “That’s where I started my career and I always wanted to go back to the Championship at some point.” On now dropping down a division, he added: “Obviously with the transition of moving into work, I’m coming to the end of my career now, and so this is a perfect fit. “I didn’t want to carry on playing full-time and then literally stop needing to look to get back into work so this is ideal.” Lunt took part in his first training session with his new club on Tuesday night, and Bulldogs boss Craig Lingard was immediately impressed with his latest recruit. “We’re really looking forward to what he can bring to us this year,” he said. “Straight away you could see he’s different quality around the ruck, and I think he’ll be massive for Alistair Leak and our middles as well.”
DEWSBURY CELTIC will be holding their final 140-year anniversary function on Saturday (November 30) at the Dewsbury Irish Nash from 4pm. All players who have worn the Celtic green and white shirt are invited to share memories and meet up with old friends. This is the culmination of a year-long celebration during which Celtic won promotion from the Kingstone Press National Conference League Division Three after beating Heworth in the promotion final and also embarked on an Australian tour. It is a no-ticket event and on the day there will be a band playing and a pie and pea tea available. The club are still appealing for anyone with any memorabilia such as photographs or medals to get in touch with Kev McGrath, Dean Foley or Clare Wightman.
Continued from back page bows and arrows,” recalls Caitlin. “One of them pointed at me ... I was scared for my life! “I didn’t expect it to be like that. Rugby league is their national sport and that was very evident. They didn’t care if you were male or female, or what country you were from, if you played rugby at a decent level you were seen as celebrities, as gods. “They gave us exactly the same reception as the men and I think that’s amazing. It was lovely to be a part of it and I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.” Beevers achieved another feat on tour; she and her international teammates became professional rugby league players, with each member of the Nines squad paid $2,000, but for now the stars of the Women’s Super League remain amateurs. Caitlin, a former St John Fisher student, is currently at college studying sports and exercise science and has ambitions to go on to university next year, but the time will come when she has to put money first. Luckily she also has a fallback option for a career in the game she loves – refereeing. Beevers has already blown her whistle at Wembley, handling the 2018 Champion Schools Year 7 Boys Final, and this year officiated matches in the Yorkshire Men’s League and the NCL for the first time. She was also one of the touch judges for the Academy Grand Final. Ironically given the current growth spurt for the women’s game, she
actually only took up the whistle because she couldn’t get a game anywhere. “I played at Birstall Victoria with my twin brother (Joshua) until I was 11 and then I had to go to a girls’ team,” explains Caitlin, who would continue her junior development at Dewsbury Moor – but not before a 12-month hiatus. “It was hard finding a girls’ team back then, there weren’t many around, so I had a to take a gap year from playing. “So I took up refereeing – it was only supposed to be for a year until I found a team, but then I didn’t end up dropping it. “It wasn’t something I’d ever have thought I’d do, it was just something to keep me occupied and keep me in the game, but I’d definitely say it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made.” She adds that a full-time career refereeing could be an option: “I wouldn’t mind that. I really enjoy refereeing and if I did get that opportunity I’d probably grab it with both hands.” But, for now, she retains ambitions of being a playing star – and there’s plenty to be excited about. As well as a title defence with the Rhinos to consider, the ultimate showcase of the 2021 World Cup is beginning to loom large on the horizon. “We’ve got a lot of players like myself who are only 18, 19 or in their early 20s. By 2021 we’ll have had some experience in the international game and hopefully it’ll all come together.”
RUGBY UNION
Cleckheaton get back to winning ways North One East
CLECKHEATON RUFC 29 MALTON AND NORTON 22 CLECKHEATON got their season back on track with a bonus-point victory over Malton and Norton at a soggy Moorend. Consecutive defeats to Morley and Pocklington had set them back after a positive start to the campaign, but they rediscovered their groove to see off Malton and keep pace with the top five. Three tries in seven sensational minutes had the bonus point in the bag by half-time for Cleck, although they had to hold on towards the end when Malton threatened a comeback. Tom Austin and Ryan Piercy missed out along with player-coach Thiu Barnard, leaving the pack without a recognised second row. Josh Plunkett and Ben Etchells, normally back-row forwards, covered the positions while Brad Marsden was unavailable. Malton kicked off and a mix-up in the home defence gave possession to the impressive second-row Jack Hobbs who charged downfield, but the chance was lost by a supporting player nudging the ball forward. Cleckheaton got a foothold
SO CLOSE: Matt Piper is held up over the line early in the game in the visitors 22 and from a scrum, captain Matt Piper made a charge for the line but the referee deemed the ball to be held up. The next attack saw Cleckheaton almost breach the Malton defence after a good combination by Olly Depledge and James Wilson put Jack Marshall into space but the winger was tackled into touch.
The first try came after 21 minutes from a scrum deep in the Malton 22. Dale Breakwell and Matt Piper exchanged passes and created a gap for Mikey Hayward to cross in the corner. Malton’s pack was taking a bit of a battering in the scrum but the back line looked to be capable of scoring and from an attacking position outside-half Bulmer
PHOTO: Gerald Christian
threw a long pass that was intercepted by Breakwell. He galloped 60 metres down the field, Depledge was on hand and Hayward eventually crossed for his 10th try of the season to give Cleckheaton a 10-0 lead. On 35 minutes, a perfect cross-field kick from Breakwell sat up for Marshall to gather 30 metres out and he blasted past the
winger to touch down. The next score came just before half-time and it was a long-range effort that started deep inside the Cleckheaton half. Depledge made a clean outside break and fed Hayward who gave a return pass to Depledge to race under the posts for the bonus-point try. Breakwell converted to make it 22-0 at half-time. Within two minutes of the restart, Malton opened their account when Bulmer sold an outrageous dummy that foxed the home defence and flanker Lowry was in support to cross for the try. However, Breakwell and Marshall combined on 51 minutes for the pacy winger to cross for his fifth try of the season. Breakwell converted, that goal giving him 100 points for the season, and the lead was 29-5. From the restart, Jack Seddon claimed the ball but was tackled in the air and Bowman was sent to the sin bin. Marshall joined him on the naughty step moments later after a contentious deliberate knock-on decision. Chris Piper and Archie Rika-Rayne gave some fresh legs, replacing Andy Piper and Niall Jackson, but there was fight left in the visitors and Bulmer got through the narrowest of gaps to score a
good try on 62 minutes, converting himself to make it 2912. Six minutes later, Bulmer crossed again to the left of the posts but screwed the conversion wide. The final score of the game came after concerted pressure on the Cleckheaton line, with Lowry driving over from the rolling maul to secure Malton two bonus points. But Cleck held on for the win, and can go into the twoweek break in good spirits before returning to action at local rivals Bradford and Bingley on December 7.
Ossett win OSSETT moved into the top half of the Yorkshire Division Three table with a 26-10 bonus-point win away at Hemsworth. Sam Wilkinson, James Wood, Sam Tattersfield and Joseph Paul scored the tries for Ossett with Will Martin adding three conversions. They have won five and lost five so far this season, and travel to bottom side Aireborough tomorrow (Saturday). Ossett’s second team was also in action last weekend, losing 35-22 at home to Sandal in a friendly.
Cash to spend but no panic at Rams By Stephen Ibbetson Sports Reporter sport@thepressnews.co.uk
DEWSBURY RAMS boss Lee Greenwood is happy with the squad at his disposal but says there is money left to recruit further players if they will improve the team. The Rams have 25 players on their roster for the 2020 season, along with a dual-registration agreement in place with Super League side Hull KR which will allow them to bring players in on a week-to-week basis. Last season the Championship club were still bringing in players during pre-season but their squad has been in place from the start this time around. However, Greenwood has not ruled out any further signings. “You never stop looking at any level for players that can improve your team, but if there was a game tomorrow we’d have no issues,” said the head coach. “There is money left in the budget and if players come to our knowledge as being available, that I feel would improve our starting team, we’ll look at making a move.” Dewsbury are into their fourth week of pre-season training and Greenwood says that things are progressing well so far. “We’re able to focus a bit more on team stuff, and we’re starting to build a picture of what the
‘NO ISSUES’: Lee Greenwood is happy with his Dewsbury Rams squad but has money left to spend if required team is going to look like,” he said. “Last year we couldn’t do that because we still had to recruit big. “It’s a much better feeling and vibe around the place, but we’ve got to make sure that translates into results, and that’s what a lot of the messages will be. We understand that we’re a smaller club in the Championship so we need to bat above our weight to compete.” The Rams have confirmed
their pre-match schedule, with a trip to Keighley in the diary for January 12 alongside the previously confirmed Boxing Day game at home to Batley and a tie with Bradford (January 19). Greenwood said of the Cougars clash: “Keighley will provide us with a real test. “I was conscious of not playing another team from the Championship but also wanted a meaningful game. “I can see what Rhys
Lovegrove is trying to do with the Cougars and I think this game will be beneficial to both of us.” Meanwhile, the club have announced that their 2020 kit launch evening will take place on December 11 in the Royal Suite at the Tetley’s Stadium at 7.30pm. Supporters will be able to meet the squad and the new home shirt, along with other merchandise and season tickets, will be on sale.
A year to remember for Caitlin! SHE’S won a league and cup double, represented her country on the world stage and been treated like a ‘god’ ... all at the age of 18. No wonder, then, that one of the most recognisable faces of the burgeoning women’s rugby league’s scene was last week in the frame to be named Young Sports Personality of the Year. Caitlin Beevers was named as one of the top 10 rising sports talents of 2019 by the BBC, and while the Dewsbury teenager ultimately missed out on the prize at Sunday’s Radio 1 Teen Awards, the nomination nevertheless put an exclamation point on a stellar season. Beevers was “gobsmacked” to learn she had been shortlisted during a stop-over in Abu Dhabi last
Tuesday, while on the way home from the England Women’s groundbreaking tour of Papua New Guinea. “I’m privileged to be part of such a selection, it’s not something I’d ever have thought about,” she said after arriving back in the UK. It’s been a remarkable 2019 for Caitlin: in July she was a try-scorer in Leeds’ 16-10 Challenge Cup final win over Castleford in the first of a BBCtelevised triple-header at Bolton. She then celebrated her 18th birthday by completing the double as the Rhinos again beat the Tigers, 20-12, at St Helens’ Totally Wicked Stadium in the first ever women’s game shown live on Sky Sports. The following day she was on a plane Down Under to compete at the inaugural World Cup Nines in Sydney,
scoring the opening try of the women’s tournament in a 25-4 win over Papua New Guinea. Beevers then returned to the Southern Hemisphere in November for a two-test tour of PNG, playing in game two of the drawn series. “The two tours with England have been a massive highlight and a definite eye-opener, I’ve got memories for life with the girls,” she says. “When we walked out of the airport there were Mudmen (men in tribal costume and masks of mud) all around with wooden swords and
Continued on page 31 NUMBER ONE: Caitlin received her international shirt ahead of the PNG test from the RFL’s rugby director Kevin Sinfield
Recruitment ‘slow burner’ CRAIG LINGARD continues to be disappointed in his search for another half-back and has described the process of bringing one into Batley as a “slow burner”. With pre-season several weeks old, the club still have only two halves in the squad, following the mutual termination of Reece Dean’s contract to allow him to start a new job. That left Danny Yates, going into his second season since joining from Rochdale, and new recruit Ben White, formerly of Barrow, as the only dedicated half-backs in the squad. “We’re making enquiries and we’re still waiting on clubs to make decisions, so we’re bound by other clubs rather than us holding up the process,” said coach Lingard. “I think it’s going to be a pretty slow burner bringing another half-back in at this stage.” The Bulldogs boss says that he hoped to have one new signing wrapped up this week but it has been forced onto the back-burner. “We thought we were going to get one over the line on Tuesday but there are a couple of snags with that one so it might be the New Year now, we could go back to that one,” he said. “We are still on the lookout and actively trying to bring players in, but we’re not in a rush to get anybody in.” Meanwhile Batley, who have an opposed training session with Keighley tonight (Friday) as pre-season work continues, have confirmed their line-up of friendlies. After the Boxing Day derby at Dewsbury, they will travel to League One side Hunslet (January 12) before welcoming Super League sides Hull FC (January 19) and Huddersfield Giants (January 26) to the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium. Lingard expects both top-flight sides to bring good teams and says the players will be looking forward to facing top opposition. “By all accounts, the vibes we’re getting from Hull is that they’ll send a really strong side,” he said. “We’re excited to be getting some big names up at Batley for that one. “Huddersfield I think will have a mixture of first-team players and fringe players so we should be looking at a decent squad there. “I know the players want to pit themselves against the best possible players, so they’ll be excited to play against some internationals.”