The Press - Friday March 22, 2019

Keep up to date – and join the debate

www.facebook.com/ThePressNews

ONE PAPER ... ALL THE NEWS from Dewsbury, Batley, Ossett, Mirfield, Liversedge, Birstall, Heckmondwike, Cleckheaton & Spen Valley

All-clear joy for brave Taegan

Friday March 22, 2019

No. 886

50p

Would ewe believe it!

p3

p5

COUNCIL ‘YES’ TO RIVERSIDE PLAN

■ 4,000 new homes ■ New roads, shops and schools ■ Public park ■ Woodlands ■ Walking and cycle routes ■ Bridle paths ■ Play areas ... but plenty of criticism too CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 4,000 homes on green belt land in Dewsbury and Mirfield have been given the go-ahead.

The Dewsbury Riverside development was approved by Kirklees Council’s cabinet on Tuesday, despite years of vocal opposition from campaigners and politicians.

The ‘masterplan’ promises up to 4,000 quality homes supported by new schools, roads and shops.

It will be located on a 160-hectare site in south Dewsbury, on land to the south of Ravensthorpe and south east of Mirfield – meaning around 500 homes would be built over the ward boundary in Mirfield.

The development forms part of the Local Plan development blueprint, which was approved by Kirklees councillors on February 27.

But ruling Labour officials and developers Miller Homes have been criticised for not considering the impact the thousands of new homes would have on the infrastructure of Mirfield and Dewsbury.

Mirfield councillor Martyn Bolt said the council’s decision not to develop any new roads until after thousands of the homes were built ‘hadn’t been thought through’.

“In 2013 there was going to be a Ravensthorpe relief road,” said Coun Bolt. “But nobody has been able to find a report that it was going ahead.

Where have the plans gone?

“Look at Wakefield Council: they are building new roads first and then housing.

“We haven’t got any roads built before a major development.”

Coun Peter McBride, cabinet mem-

Critic ... Coun Martyn Bolt said the council’s decision not to develop new roads until after thousands of the homes were built hadn’t been thought through ber for regeneration, said the council has money to develop the North Kirklees Orbital road, which he said “will take the pressure away” from roads in Ravensthorpe.

Kirklees say the new riverside vil-

lage will have a large public park at its centre, with six neighbourhoods around it, connected and surrounded by woodlands, walking and cycle routes, bridle paths, allotments and natural play areas to encourage residents to live healthy lifestyles.

The first 1,869 new homes, a village centre, a new primary school and parks and public facilities will be built over the next 15 years.

The centre of the village will include a GP practice, pharmacy, care provision for elderly people, a relocated mosque and small retail outlets, as well as community sports pitches and play areas.

The remaining 2,131 homes would be developed in phases up to the year 2045, with a secondary school and another primary school to be delivered alongside.

Kirklees said that proposed improvements to Ravensthorpe railway station and the Transpennine rail link would make the development attractive for commuters.

But Coun Bolt pointed out that in the documents there are plans to move the railway station, despite it previously being earmarked for refurbishment.

He said: “There are so many flaws.

It hasn’t been thought through at all.

You can build 4,000 homes but you have to consider the community. I think people have been shortchanged.”

The council has submitted a Local Growth Fund bid of £4.6m to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and a bid of £22.5m to the government’s Continued on Page 2

2

ThePress

Deaths ANDERSON JACK (Retired market trader and treasurer) On March 5, peacefully in hospital, of Thornhill, aged 92, partner of Joyce. A wellrespected member of the Dewsbury Market Association and treasurer for many years.

Funeral service will take place at Wakefield Crematorium on Thursday March 28 at 2.20pm.

BATLEY JAMES ‘JIM’ On March 13, peacefully in Pinderfields Hospital after a long illness bravely fought with dignity and strength, of Liversedge, aged 73, husband of Jackie. Funeral service will take place at Huddersfield Crematorium on Friday April 5 at 3.15pm.

BEDFORD (NEE MELLOR) KATHLEEN On March 14, in hospital, of Knowl Road, Mirfield, formerly of Liley Hall Farm and Gregory Farm, Upper Hopton, aged 88, wife of Bryan. Funeral service will take place at St John the Evangelist Church, Mirfield, on Thursday April 4 at 12.30pm.

BENTLEY ROBERT On March 2, peacefully at Kirkwood Hospice, aged 71, husband of Dee. Funeral service will take place at

Friday March 22, 2019

29 at 11.30am.

Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Thursday April 4 at 10.30am.

GROVES JOSEPH HENRY

COE SIDNEY

On March 2, peacefully in hospital, of Ashworth Gardens, Dewsbury, aged 88, husband of Dot. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Tuesday April 2 at 10.30am.

On March 2, peacefully at Pinderfields Hospital, aged 85, husband of Ann. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Thrusday April 4 at 9.30am.

JACKSON DAVID

DALBY (NEE SMITH) MARY

On March 11, peacefully, of Birstall, aged 76, husband of Julie. Funeral service will take place at Cottingley Crematorium on Thursday March 28 at 12.20pm

On March 15, peacefully at Linson Court Nursing Home, Batley, formerly of Carlinghow, aged 89, wife of the late Donald. Funeral service will take place at Huddersfield Crematorium on Saturday March 30 at 12pm.

KNIGHT DAVID On February 27, suddenly at home, of Birkenshaw, aged 80, husband of the late Christine.

Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Wednesday March 27 at 9.30am.

ELLIS RONALD On March 15, peacefully at Dewsbury Hospital, of Mirfield, aged 85, husband of Judith.

Funeral service will take place at Park Wood Crematorium, on Wednesday March 27 at 9.45am.

LANE REGINALD On March 14, peacefully in Lydgate Lodge Care Home, formerly of Batley, aged 91, husband of the late Marie. Funeral service will take place at Cottingley Crematorium on Wednesday April 3 at 11.40am.

GREENWOOD (NEE HEATON, FORMERLY BERRY) MARY On February 18, at Dewsbury Hospital, aged 86, wife of the late Eddie and the late Philip.

Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Friday March

LOCKWOOD ALFRED On March 10, peacefully at Ashcroft Nursing Home, for-

Place your family notices by calling 01924 470296 or visit our office at 31 Branch Road, Batley, WF17 5SB

Telephone 01924 472178

BOLLANDS (BIRSTALL) Funeral Directors

Prepaid Funerals Funeral Flower Service Contact Robert Edmond 24 hours Available

18 KIRKGATE, BIRSTALL, BATLEY, WF17 9PB www.bollandsfuneraldirectors.co.uk

merly of Sandal, Wakefield, aged 81, son of the late Annie and Fred. Funeral service will take place at Huddersfield Crematorium on Wednesday April 3 at 11.15am.

PINDER MALCOLM On March 10, suddenly with his wife Sandra by his side, chair of governors at Heckmondwike Grammar School, aged 75. Funeral service will take place at Whitechapel Church, Cleckheaton, on Tuesday March 26 at 2pm.

SHEPHERD (NEE SMITH) NELLIE On March 13, at Hartshead Manor Care Home, Cleckheaton, aged 92, wife of the late Gordon. Funeral service will take place at Park Wood Crematorium on Tuesday April 2 at 1.30pm.

SLANEY JEFFREY On March 9, peacefully at Pinderfields Hospital, of Mirfield, aged 86, husband of the late Wendy. Funeral service will take place at Huddersfield Crematorium on Wednesday April 3 at 12.30pm.

SMITH PETER CLIFFORD (The legendary DJ, ‘Me Dad’) On March 16, at his home, suddenly but peacefully, aged 79, husband of the late Joan.

The horsedrawn cortege will process to Staincliffe Parish Church on Friday March 12 for funeral service at 1pm.

STEAD AUDREY FRANCES On March 13, peacefully at Avery Mews Care Home, Heckmondwike, formerly of Gomersal, aged 88, wife of the late Peter. Funeral service will take place at St John’s Parish Church, Cleckheaton, on Friday April 5 at 10.30am.

VASEY (NEE JARMAN) EILEEN On March 9, peacefully at Dewsbury Hospital, of Shaw Cross, aged 79, wife of Colin.

Funeral service will take place at Wakefield Crematorium on Thursday March 28 at 1.40pm.

WALKER CHARLES ERIC ‘CHARLIE’ On March 13, peacefully at Linson Court Nursing Home, of Batley, aged 86, husband of Margaret. Funeral service will take place at Cottingley Crematorium on Thursday April 4 at 11.40am.

WARD MAVIS MELITA On March 12, at Hartshead Manor Care Home, formerly of Cleckheaton, aged 91, wife of the late Wilf. Funeral service will take place at Park Wood Crematorium on Thursday April 4 at 12pm.

WESTERMAN DAVID On March 12, of Gomersal, aged 72, husband of Pat. Funeral service will take place at Park Wood Crematorium on Wednesday March 27 at 1.30pm.

WHITTAKER (NEE HOLLINGS) CATHERINE On March 9, in hospital, of Dewsbury, aged 84, wife of Frank. Funeral service will take place at Cottingley Crematorium on Friday April 5 at 1.40pm.

Thousands of homes planned Continued from Page 1 Housing Infrastructure Fund.

Leader of the council Shabir Pandor said: “This is a great example of how our Local Plan helps us map out where the new, good-quality housing we need is built in Kirklees.

“In Dewsbury Riverside we’re creating something truly unique and innovative with a new community, complete with the facilities and infrastructure needed.

“This exciting development will not only help us meet the growing need for quality housing but will

Boost to hourly pay rate

On March 9, peacefully in her sleep at her home in Hopton, aged 89, wife of the late Kenneth. Funeral service will take place at Ravensthorpe with Hopton United Reformed Church on Monday April 8 at 1.30pm.

WILSON (NEE ALDERSON) (FORMERLY HELLINGS) RITA ANNETTE On March 13, at her home in Mirfield, aged 77, wife of the late Jack. Funeral service will take place at Huddersfield Crematorium on Saturday March 23 at 12pm.

Place your family notices by calling 01924 470296 or visit our office at 31 Branch Road, Batley, WF17 5SB

ThePress Friday March 22, 2019 Issue No: 886

George Brooke Ltd 01924 454476 / 497352

www.georgebrooke.co.uk

Professional & Caring Cremation Service from £1765 This includes all necessary third party fees. No hidden costs

01274 653115/891335 Southfield Terrace, Birkenshaw 53 Bradford Road, Cleckheaton

Pre-Paid Cremation Funeral Plans Fully Guaranteed From

£1550

01274 852885 01924 658770 Available 24 Hours Fully guaranteed funeral plans from £1714 Funeral directors AND necessary third party fees fully guaranteed

Golden Charter Double Award-Winning Funeral Planner of the Year and Butterfly Award Finalist

Necessary disbursements & funeral director’s fees fully guaranteed offered by award-winning funeral director At Need Cremation Funerals From Includes All Fees & Disbursements

£1200

www.gatewayfuneralservices.co.uk

also encourage those living there to lead healthy lives by making use of the large amount of public green space.

“We have a great ambition for Dewsbury and the whole of Kirklees. This development, alongside the investments we’re making to regenerate Dewsbury town centre, are all part of our commitment to see all of our towns, villages and valleys thrive.

“Ambitious schemes such as this are all part of the council’s vision to ensure Kirklees is a great place to live, work and do business.”

WILSON (NEE KILNER) BETTY

A Family Business providing a complete and caring service for over 65 years Golden Charter Pre-Payment Plans 24 Hour Service Head Office - 14 Sharp Street, Dewsbury Chapel Of Rest - 9 Battye Street, Dewsbury Room Of Repose - 14a St Paul’s Road, Mirfield

Artist’s impression of Dewsbury Riverside

Proudly caring for families for 60 years

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

www.thepressnews.co.uk @ThePressLatest /ThePressNews Publisher: Danny Lockwood Editor: David Bentley Reporter: Zoë Shackleton Sports Reporter: Stephen Ibbetson Graphic Designer: Craig Moore Sales Manager: Lucy Tissiman Key Account Manager: Jo Gilbert Senior Sales Executive: Janet Black Office Manager: Angela Hall

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

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

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

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

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

NORTH KIRKLEES: Councillors have agreed to increase the pay of the council’s apprentices.

A full council meeting this week approved Kirklees’ annual pay policy, which includes an increase in the hourly rate of pay for apprentices from the current £3.70-£7.70 for Year 1 of the apprenticeship and from £4.20-£8.21 in Year 2. These changes will be introduced from April 1.

Clean-up BATLEY: A number of litter picks are taking place in the town tomorrow (Saturday) as part of the Batley Spring Clean.

There’s one at Wilton Park, off Bradford Road, meeting at the bottom car park near the play area at 10am.

At 12pm there’ll be a litter pick at Warwick Road and Taylor Street before moving onto the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium (2pm) and then the PKWA community centre on Manor Way (4pm).

For more details, ring Paul Young on 07930 587308 or get in touch with Batley Bats on Facebook.

ThePress

Friday March 22, 2019

Family’s joy as ‘superhero’ Taegan, 11, beats cancer

By Zoe Shackleton THE mum of a brave Birstall youngster has paid tribute to her “superhero” daughter after she was given the all-clear following four months of cancer treatment.

Eleven-year-old Taegan Pickles was one of the youngest girls in the country to be diagnosed with ovarian germ cell cancer back in December.

After six rounds of pioneering trial-based chemotherapy and having her left ovary and fallopian tube removed, as well as a large grapefruit-sized tumour, Taegan and her family found out on Monday that she is now cancer-free.

Taegan will still have to attend regular appointments at Leeds General Infirmary – where she was treated – to check her bloods and for any lasting damage.

But now, mum Kelly Lister says the family are trying to get back to normal life.

“It’s just brilliant,” said Kelly. “We have just lived in an adrenaline bubble for the past four months, getting through treatment and day-to-day life.

“Now things are starting to settle down a little bit, we’re just starting to realise what the hell we’ve just gone through.

“We’re just trying to calm down a little bit, thinking about what we’re going to do every Monday when we don’t have to go for treatment.

“There was a time when we just seemed to be getting so much bad news at once that we never thought it was going to end, so to get that news that the treatment has worked and she hasn’t needed any followup chemotherapy, it’s just brilliant.

“We’ve been a success story and I’m so proud of Taegan and how she has dealt with it all. She is a superhero. There were times when it got bad, she just seemed to pull herself round and I don’t know where her strength came from.”

Taegan, who attends Windmill CofE Junior School in Batley, was diagnosed with the cancer – which affects only 43 children in the UK – on December 4.

She started her first round of the pioneering chemotherapy, only previously used on adults, on

“I’m so proud of Taegan and how she has dealt with it all. She is a superhero. There were times when it got bad, she just seemed to pull herself round and I don’t know where her strength came from.”

December 18. The treatment ended on March 4.

Kelly said: “Taegan was the only child to ever have undergone the trial.

There’s always the worry

when you’re doing something like that, is she going to be like a guinea pig?

“But we were given the reassurance that wasn’t the case, and because

Play equipment set to be thrown out in big upgrade SCORES of playgrounds could have their equipment removed entirely – as Kirklees Council tries to boost play provision across the district.

The council has put together recommendations that officials claim will improve fixed play provision.

Smaller play areas with ageing pieces of apparatus will have the equipment ripped out and replaced with open play spaces. Residents have been asked to give their views on the recommendations, which aim to ensure all council-man-

aged play equipment in the district is less than 15 years old by 2022.

A plan to create three categories of play spaces was approved by Council cabinet members this week. They are either ‘Destination Park’, ‘Community Play Area’ or ‘Doorstep Playable Space’.

Officials have designated 137 playgrounds as ‘Doorstep Playable Space’, most of which only have small amounts of equipment.

Over the next three years , these spaces will have all their

equipment removed and will be converted into open areas to “encourage and facilitate informal play”.

Kirklees says the remainder – 107 play areas – will be improved with all-new equipment for a wider age range, including natural features such as logs, mounds and boulders.

Larger ‘Destination Parks’ will have the best equipment and skate/wheel parks. In North Kirklees, these include Hyrstlands and Wilton Parks (Batley), Oakwell Hall (Birstall), Earlsheaton Park, Rectory Park and Crow Nest Park (Dewsbury), Holroyd Park (Ravensthorpe) and DEWSBURY SOUTH Royds Park (Liversedge).

The Sidings, Ouzelwell Estate, Park There are 314 play spaces in House Drive, Lees Hall Road Kirklees which have fixed play equipment, with a furDEWSBURY WEST ther 28 multi-use games areas Moorside Estate 1, Moorside Estate and skate parks.

2, Moorside Estate 3, The council says the quality Heckmondwike Road, Dewsbury of equipped play areas is Moor, Oastler Street, Kingfisher Crescent, Lee Street, Sackville declining because of the high Street, Park Road number of sites and reduced resources available.

HECKMONDWIKE Coun Naheed Mather, cabiAsquith Fields, Fairfield Way, net member for communities Priestley Gardens, Brighton Street, Lobley Street, Horton Street, Mallard and environment, said: “We want our children to have the Close best start in life and access to LIVERSEDGE & GOMERSAL play spaces should be seen as Windybank Rec, Church Meadows, part of this.

Popeley Rise, The Coppice, Priory “Physical activity is an Court, Aspen Close, Red House essential element of health Museum and wellbeing and is one way to maintain a healthy weight, MIRFIELD prevent long-term conditions Northway Gardens A, Northway enjoy good mental Gardens B, Kiln Avenue, Ings Grove and Park, Huddleston Court. health.”

PLAYGROUNDS SET TO LOSE EQUIPMENT BATLEY EAST Chinewood Estate, Springfield Avenue, Hume Crescent, Hamza Close, France Street, Beaumont Street, Grafton Street, Heaton Grange, Howard Street, Hyrstlands Flats, Batley Carr Community Centre, Warwick Road BATLEY WEST Bleak House, Arncliffe Road, Burnsall Road, Woodsome Estate, Millbrook Gardens A, Millbrook Gardens B BIRSTALL & BIRKENSHAW Turnpike Close, Millers Croft, Brow Wood Road CLECKHEATON Pavillion View, Whitechapel Rec, Brooklyn Estate 1, Brooklyn Estate 2, Brooklyn Estate 3, Manor Park Road 1, Manor Park Road 2 DEWSBURY EAST Smallwood Road, Carr House Park, Naylor Court, Battye Street, Milton Walk, Hazel Crescent

adults had gone through it and it had worked, my thought process was that I just wanted it over and done with as fast as possible.

“If we’d have opted not to go for the trial we’d have still been going through treatment now. We definitely made the right choice.”

Taegan will be going back to school part-time next week and is preparing for a few special holidays over the next few months.

She’ll be heading to Centre Parcs with the Candlelighters charity, who make the trip available for every child who’s had chemotherapy. Then, in August, she is going to Scotland on a sailing holiday with the Leeds Cancer Trust.

Birstall’s Irish Democratic League Club is hosting a fundraising night in May to be able to pay for Taegan and her family to have another trip away.

Kelly said: “We are so grateful to everybody who has fundraised, asked about Taegan, the messages we’ve had and everybody who has donated.

“Everybody has been amazing and the way the community has come together is just fantastic.”

News In Brief Man charged with dangerous driving NORTH KIRKLEES: A 22-year-old man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after two people were killed when he allegedly drove the wrong way down the motorway.

Dewsbury dad-of-two Adam Afsar, 34, was driving on the M62 doing his first shift for Harris Pets Company when he was in collision with the other driver on the westbound carriageway at junction 26.

His passenger in the Skoda Octavia was Jason Wilby, 27, who was accompanying him in because it was late at night.

Both men were found dead at the scene after the crash, which happened at around 2.30am on April 2 last year.

Taryl Moxam, from Barlborough in Derbyshire, has been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

His case has been sent to Bradford Crown Court, where he will appear on April 16.

MP’s plea for unity after terror shootings NORTH KIRKLEES: Dewsbury MP Paula Sherriff has spoken out after 50 people were murdered in a terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand last Friday.

The Labour MP said: “We, now more than ever, must come together to reject the anger of extremists. We must refuse to allow those with hate in their hearts to shape society and shape our communities.”

Groups from around the district united to pay their respects to the victims. The Indian Muslim Welfare Society (IMWS) and Kashmir Welfare Association held a gathering at the Al-Hikmah Centre in Batley. Over 100 people attended the service, including Batley & Spen MP Tracy Brabin.

3

4

ThePress

Friday March 22, 2019

List of schools serving non-stunned halal meat

By Staff Reporters

Residents urged to give their views on £14m leisure centre RESIDENTS have been sharing their views on plans for a new multi-million pound sports complex in the Spen Valley.

The £14m leisure centre is set to be constructed on the site of the current Spenborough Pool in Liversedge, replacing its ageing facilities and those lost when Whitcliffe Mount Sports Centre was knocked down in 2016.

Outline plans – including a new two-storey leisure centre, an eightlane 25m pool, a five-lane 20m activity pool, fitness suite, exercise and cycling studios – were approved by the council’s cabinet in August last year.

Some £13.25m for the centre will be provided by Kirklees Council, with the remaining £750,000 provided by Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL).

A new fly-through video of the planned centre has been produced and can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v =lIMt-dN0PEg. Some users aren’t happy though, as it has emerged that the existing skatepark to the rear of the site will be lost in the redevelopment, and an online petition has been launched in an bid to save it.

The current Spenborough Pool, on Bradford Road, was opened in 1969 and is well used but the pool’s concrete structure is on an ‘at risk’ register due to an ageing water tank that could leak.

Drop-in sessions organised to give residents the opportunity to view and comment on the plans

began at the pool and there will be further sessions at local libraries in the coming weeks.

The consultation period runs until Monday April 1.

The council hoped to gain planning permission by the autumn.

Coun Shabir Pandor, leader of Kirklees Council, said: “It’s great to see the plans for this fantastic new centre.

“They really bring it to life.

Whilst we have already consulted with a number of interested parties, the public engagement sessions are a great opportunity for local residents to look and feed back with their comments.

“The plans show an excellent community facility which will promote healthier lifestyles and complement the growth of the area in the years to come. As a council we’re committed to investing in our communities, both financially and in the wellbeing of the residents.

“We’d like to encourage everyone to come along to one of the many engagement events we’ve arranged to learn more about these fantastic plans and share your thoughts with us.”

Drop-in sessions: Heckmondwike Library Monday March 25, 10am-12pm Cleckheaton Library Tuesday March 26, 10am-12pm Tuesday March 28, 3pm-5pm Mirfield Library Saturday March 30, 10am-12pm Monday April 1, 1pm-3pm

SCHOOLS in North Kirklees which are believed to only serve meat produced from non-stun halal slaughter have been named for the first time.

Towards the end of last year, it emerged that Kirklees Council uses halal meat procured via nonstunned slaughter methods, to cater for religious requirements in schools, even though the majority of certified halal meat in Britain is pre-stunned.

The council has stated that the meat is supplied to 40 schools in the district – and that 16 of these schools with predominantly Muslim pupils do not offer an alternative meat choice.

The Information Commissioner is examining the council’s refusal to release an official list of the schools involved.

But now former teacher and Dewsbury East independent candidate Aleks Lukic has assembled a list based on school menus and leaked documents.

He claims the majority are primary schools located in Dewsbury and Batley.

Mr Lukic says the list is primarily based on school

DEWSBURY Carlton Junior & Infant School, Diamond Wood Community Academy, Eastborough Junior, Infant & Nursery School, Headfield CE (C) Junior School, Pentland Infant & Nursery School, Ravensthorpe CE (C) Junior School, Savile Town CE Infant & Nursery School, Thornhill Lees CE (VC) Infant & Nursery School.

BATLEY Field Lane Junior, Infant & Nursery School, Hyrstmount Junior School, Manorfield Infant & Nursery School, Park Road Junior, Infant & Nursery School, Purlwell Infant & Nursery School, Staincliffe CE Junior School, Warwick Road Primary School.

HUDDERSFIELD Birkby Infant & Nursery School, Mount Pleasant Primary School, Paddock Junior, Infant & Nursery School, Spring Grove Junior, Infant & Nursery School.

menus, which can be accessed by the public at www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/ schools/primary-and-middle-school-meals.aspx.

The online menus only say ‘halal’, not the specific method of slaughter, but Kirklees has stated that they only use non-stunned halal meat.

Mr Lukic’s list suggests there are actually 19 schools where the council does not offer meat produced by pre-stunning animals.

A recent online petition calling for all meat served in the borough’s schools to be stunned before slaughter was signed by more than 7,000 people. In January,

there was a bad-tempered exchange in Huddersfield Town Hall, when critics of the council’s policy were accused of using animal welfare as a tool to stir up racial hatred by council leader Shabir Pandor, who shut down the debate.

He said the moral outrage demonstrated by anti-halal campaigners was “politically motivated”.

Mr Lukic said: “British law states that non-stun slaughter is only allowed for people who hold that belief, so the lack of choice in school meals is driving segregation between our communities.

“It is unacceptable that the council’s menus in so

Schools that only offer meat produced from nonstun slaughter, according to Mr Lukic’s research:

many schools do not properly cater for non-Muslim families, or Muslim families who are not content with the pain and distress caused by non-stun slaughter.

“Thousands of local families signed a petition against the council’s use of non-stun slaughter and just last month the RSPCA renewed its campaign to stop this practice.

“I will continue the fight against Labour’s culture of secrecy in Kirklees.

“It is time for council leaders to listen, to provide an official list of schools and to stop forcing so many animals to endure unnecessary suffering.”

Batley West independent candidate Paul Halloran added: “I am genuinely shocked to find out that the council is now serving nonstunned meat in many schools in Batley, and that they do not offer an alternative choice in so many of these schools.

“Labour’s culture of secrecy is creating huge divisions and mistrust within the local community.”

Kirklees Council did not respond to our request for a comment.

Driver rescued from flood after downpour A DRIVER had to be rescued from deep water in Mirfield following more than 12 hours of torrential rain.

Large parts of North Kirklees were affected by Saturday’s deluge, with river levels rising and areas hit by surface water floods.

The Environment Agency had 50 flood warnings active by 5.30pm – including in Mirfield, Ravensthorpe and Dewsbury.

Mirfield was one of the worst-hit areas, particularly the flood-prone underpass to Calder View in Lower

Hopton. One motorist had to be towed from the five-feet deep water by the Mirfield Rescue Services volunteer group.

The Ship Inn, on Steanard Lane, was forced to close following the downpour, which left most of the road under water, although a spokesman said the damage “could have been a lot worse”.

A statement on Facebook read: “Unfortunately, The Ship Inn will remain closed until further notice, as the relevant repairs must be made to

ensure the safety of our staff and our guests.” The pub paid out thousands of pounds in repairs when it was hit by the Boxing Day floods in 2015.

Mirfield councillor Vivien LeesHamilton said: “I’m so angry. Kirklees knew this weather was going to happen. They knew the ground upstream was saturated and they haven’t got enough men on the ground."

The River Calder burst its banks at some of the lowest lying areas, which resulted in the flooding of Battyeford playing fields.

ThePress

Friday March 22, 2019

Would ewe believe it! TV vet fan Sheila stages lamb rescue

Marathon tribute to Max A BIRKENSHAW man is running the London Marathon in memory of a local rugby league player who collapsed and died during a match last year.

Max Blakeley, who also played rugby union for Cleckheaton, became unwell during a game for Birkenshaw Bluedogs in July and died shortly after.

Now Ian Stuart, 42, who used to play for the club, is taking on the marathon to raise funds for the Take Heart charity, which benefits the Yorkshire Heart Centre at Leeds General Infirmary.

Ian himself had a life-changing operation there and said without that operation the same thing could have happened to him.

He said: “If Max had made it to hospital and survived, he and his family would undoubtedly have used the services of Take Heart at the LGI. “So in his memory and to contribute to a great volunteer-based charity, please donate what you can.”

By Zoe Shackleton

Climate change creations STUDENTS at Heckmondwike Grammar School have been raising awareness of climate change by getting creative.

Rather than taking part in the nationwide protests of students walking out of school on a Friday, year 8 geography pupils at Heckmondwike have been working on creative projects.

Instead of wasting school time by walking out, classmates have been designing board games that educate players on climate charities; creating webpages on carbon

sequestration; and making a working model that converts wind energy into electricty.

They have also received responses to letters written to the Environment Secretary and MPs. One student even went as far as sending electronic questionnaires around the world to ask what people see as the most important environmental issue in their region.

Students will also participate in ‘Earth Hour’ on Saturday, March 30, a global initiative to do something positive for the environment.

A BIRSTALL woman sprang into action when she noticed a ewe giving birth in a field opposite her house.

It was thanks to her love of television shows Countryfile and The Vet Life that Sheila Whiting knew what to do when a sheep is lambing.

Sheila was enjoying her day off when she spotted the distressed sheep in the field opposite her Park Street home on Tuesday afternoon.

The 55-year-old kitchen worker said: “I could see something moving at the back as though she was giving birth.”

Sheila immediately phoned the farmer who owns the field but he wasn’t nearby.

So she decided to jump over the fence to assist the ewe while it gave birth to two more lambs.

“The first lamb came running up to me so I picked it up and took it to the mother,” said Sheila. “Then I could see more legs coming out again.

“As I brought the lamb to her, another two popped out in the sack. I’ve watched Countryfile and The Vet Life, so I broke the sack and brought them out.

“I’d always thought I was really squeamish but that just disappeared and adrenaline kicked in.

“I started cleaning and rubbing them and wrapped my coat

2019 Brochure now available MARCH Sat 23rd Skipton Market & Boundary Mills £14.00 Wed 27th Bury Market £10.00 Sat 30th Scarborough or Filey or Bridlington £14.00 £14.00 Sun 31st Whitby (Mothers Day) APRIL Wed 3rd Bury Market £10.00 Fri 5th Pickering or Whitby £14.00 Sat 6th Morecambe £14.00 Sun 7th Scarborough or Filey or Bridlington £14.00 Mon 8th Bakewell Market £14.00 Wed 10th Hull or The Deep Aquatic Centre (transport only) £14.00 Sat 13th Whitby Goth Day £14.00 Sat 13th Bury Market £10.00 Sun 14th Whitby Goth Day £14.00 £10.00 Mon 15th Yorkshire Wildlife Park (transport only) Wed 17th Southport £14.00 Thu 18th Yorkshire Dales & Lunch in Leyburn £22.00 Fri 19th Llandudno £16.00 £14.00 Sat 20th Blackpool or Blackpool Zoo (transport only) Sun 21st Skirlington Market & Bridlington £14.00 Mon 22ndSouthport £14.00 Pick-Up & Drop-Off at: Ossett, Horbury, Wakefield, Mirfield, Heckmondwike, Batley, Dewsbury and Cleckheaton

TEL: 01924 477 230 Call now to request our new brochure

www.stationcoaches.co.uk www.daytripsbycoach.co.uk

Sheila, inset, and the lambs with mum around them to keep them warm.

“I wouldn’t have known what to do if I hadn’t watched those programmes. I probably would have sat there leaving it up to her to do. I don’t know what would have happened if I wasn’t there.”

From start to finish, Sheila said the birthing of the lambs took about an hour.

The farmer then came to pick up the lambs and took them with their mother to his farm – where Sheila was able to visit.

She said: “It was absolutely amazing. I just got stuck into it, it was brilliant being able to hold them.”

News In Brief £1,000 bill for vandalism DEWSBURY: A shop in the town centre was targeted twice in the space of four days – hours after staff had finished refurbishing their new cafe.

Creative Crafts, on Union Street, had two of its windows smashed some time between last Thursday night and Friday morning and overnight on Sunday into Monday.

While the suspects didn’t gain entry into the building, owner Jennie Williams will have to pay out around £1,000 to replace the windows.

The shop was due to open a cafe area to provide spaces for workshops and community events but the incidents caused them to postpone the opening.

Anyone with any information can contact Kirklees police via 101, quoting crime reference numbers 13190135720 or 13190140446.

Clean-up days MIRFIELD: The Mirfield in Bloom committee has organised a litter pick in the town next month (April 13-14).

Everyone can take part and do it in their own time, work alone or in a group, and choose where they want to clean up.

To get involved, contact Ruth Edwards on 07840 395096 or email raedwards@virginmedia.com.

5

ThePress

6

Friday March 22, 2019

NOW ON SALE The fully updated edition.

Reserve a copy in office hours on 01924 470296, order via www.thepressnews.co.uk or call in at our office, 31 Branch Road, Batley

LIFE IN BLACK AND WHITE Danny Lockwood

The impasse and the great unwashed HIS seems a timely moment to relate how I managed to become ‘persona non grata’ in the Houses of Parliament, given how nothing would delight me more than to see many of its current occupants turfed headlong into the Thames.

T

I don’t think I’m alone in that sentiment – even Theresa May apparently agrees – but you have to be careful about making such throwaway statements these days because shrieking accusations of being the next Thomas Mair are only one hysterical MP or a BBC news presenter away.

The All Party Parliamentary Rugby League group of MPs and Lords holds an annual dinner on the terrace of the House of Lords – it’s actually held in quite an unfetching plastic marquee, but the wider sur-

roundings are magnificent. I used to look forward to it immensely.

On the fateful night I was seated next to Labour MP Karl Turner, who succeeded John Prescott in Hull East and as the speeches began the heat at our end of the room was stifling.

I thought one or two of the old duffers present were about to expire, so I tip-toed to the sliding terrace doors and cracked them open a few inches to let some air in.

There were a few appreciative nods, but then one selfaggrandising prat said out loud “a gentleman would ask permission before doing that”.

I don’t recall my exact words or profanities, but they were to the effect that it was a good job I was a gent, or he’d go head first through that bloody door and into the Thames. MP Turner nearly wet himself laughing and

‘Gentlemen’ on the terrace at the Houses of Parliament kept looking towards the entrance to the House of Lords.

“What are you gawping at?” I asked, still fuming at the unnecessary and embarrassing confrontation.

“I’m looking for the Serjeant-at-Arms to come and

at ion Tav er n T he Nav igMIRFIELD Purveyors of

2014

Legendary Ales

★★ The

Home Of Real Ale ★★

The We are on Home of the Trans Real Ale in the Heavy Pennine Real Woollen Ale Trail District

We’re Off & We’re Racing!

THEAKSTON’S

CHARITY RACE NIGHT

In Aid Of Motor Neurone Disease Friday 12th April, 7.30pm for 8pm start ★ Motown & Soul ★ Night Extravaganza ★

★ Saturday 23rd March ty Rail Enthusiasts Soceriey month) Monday 1st April (First Monday in ev

6 Station Road, Mirfield, WF14 8NL T: 01924 492476

drag you off to the Tower,” he said. “That’s the Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, you’ve just threatened to sling in the river.”

Hoyle was not only sorcerer’s apprentice to that preening little cuckold John Bercow, but son of Lord Doug Hoyle, chairman of Warrington Wolves and president of the Parliamentary RL Group. Scratch that date off the social diary, Locky.

It’s not much of a tale, but it does serve to reflect the current impasse between the impostors in the Houses of Parliament and their attitudes towards the great British public, who put those privileged upstarts there.

With the same sneering arrogance towards we plebs that came so naturally to Lindsay Hoyle that evening, so the insulated denizens of Westminster plunge ever onwards, twisting, manipulating but ultimately betraying the specific instructions of the UK electorate in June 2016. Get. Us. Out. Someone will no doubt take offence at me drawing the next parallel but if, heaven forbid, the next Mair-like madman takes violent redress against an MP or MPs, you can guarantee the only people to avoid blame will be the politicians themselves. They are like Pontius Pilate in their collective ability to absolve themselves of any responsibility for the chaos they’ve brought down on the nation.

It’s the same syndrome we’re witnessing regarding the New Zealand mosque massacres.

Let me be clear – I’m as horrified and appalled on a human level as anyone, but I am equally aghast at the institutional myopia, hypocrisy and denial.

With one broad, rhetorical brushstroke, evil killer Brenton Tarrant’s despicable act becomes incontrovertible proof that Islamophobia and far right doctrine is an existentialist threat to society.

Except no it’s not. Tarrant is a vile and violent psychopath who speaks for no one except – thank God – a scattering of deranged loners like himself. Like Thomas Mair in fact.

But for all the political hyperbole there is no army of Zombie-like Nazis itching to declare war on peaceful places of Muslim worship.

Not that it stopped Scottish police saying they were stepping up patrols near mosques in the hours after Christchurch. Nearly 12,000 miles away, for crying out loud. What hysterical, virtue signalling idiots.

But what the establishment cannot and will not accept in such instances, is the part they have played in triggering these psychotic ticking time bombs.

The wife of Finsbury Park mosque attacker Darren Osborne said he cracked after watching a BBC documentary about the Rochdale grooming scandal.

Targeting innocent Muslim worshippers for the crimes of depraved men who happen to share their faith is manifestly evil. No question, and such warped hatred has to be targeted and tackled where it exists.

But it must also be considered in the round because if police and social services from Rochdale to Rotherham, from Bradford to Batley, do their job in applying the law and duty of care to all British citizens regardless of cultural or religious differences, the situation never even occurs.

It’s been conveniently overlooked that Tarrant described himself as a former

WOULD love to know what parallel universe some of the clowns at Kirklees occupy. I’ve been reading their imagined Masterplan for Shariahtown – sorry, Dewsbury Riverside – complete with bridle paths and country walks, woodlands and new schools. I was going to say it sounds like paradise, but maybe that’s not the most appropriate comparison.

On page nine, officers praise the benefits of the nearby Dewsbury & District Golf Club, which is hypocrisy on a staggering level given that they also plan to bulldoze the fabulous (council-owned) Bradley Park Golf Course to make way for more houses. They won’t understand why the fuss.

However, given what happened to the sportsmen and women who once used Savile Town playing fields in the 80s and 90s, the Dewsbury & District members might want

I

Communist, then anarchist and libertarian before defining as an ‘eco-fascist’ (whatever one of those is). That makes him more an ideological cousin of Jeremy Corbyn than the Ku Klux Klan, if we’re being at all objective – but of course we’re not.

As the world beats its breast in mourning for New Zealand, at least 4,305 Christians were murdered by Muslims in Nigeria last year.

It is a daily genocide, but hey, it’s Africa and there’s no brownie points (pun intended) in looking that way.

His apologists would call it meaningless that Labour leader Corbyn called the massacre of 22 innocents at the Manchester Arena an “incident”, but the New Zealand murders “terrorism”. But it really isn’t. It’s right there in front of you folks, no more evidence required.

It is symptomatic of exactly the type of attitude that helps nudge the Tarrants and Osbornes towards their violent cliff-edge, and the biggest travesty is that it always seems to be innocents who pay.

If Parliament ultimately fails democracy, as looks ever more likely, and if – again, heaven forbid – violence is directed towards the political establishment, the divisive rhetoric aimed at 17.4 million voters over the past two years will be ramped up to fever pitch. The tens of thousands marching in London next Friday will not be patriots or democrats but far right bigots and thugs.

And if there is blood on the streets, under no circumstances will it be anything to do with the contempt that MPs hold us in. Not in their minds.

You know, come to think of it, perhaps being physically thrown in the Thames is the very least these people deserve. With flotation aids and lifeboats on stand-by of course, because their disgracing needs to be mindful of reasonable health and safety protocols. We are English after all!

I hope to see some of you in London next Friday, March 29th.

to invest in a few miles of barbed wire fencing.

Maybe they can get a grant from Kirklees…

HE streets of Batley and Birstall get more lawless by the day, and with exquisite timing West Yorkshire Police apprently decide to sell Batley police station on the quiet.

Oh well, I suppose if we look on the bright side, more flats to potentially burgle mathematically dilutes the chances of the victim being you.

No consolation, you say? Thought not. If anyone wants to set up vigilante mobs – sorry, street-safety groups – we’ll give them all the publicity and support they desire. In everything except backside-covering rhetoric, the police have given up on you, folks.

T

ThePress

Friday March 22, 2019

Head urges vigilance as students flee ‘knifeman’

By Steve Martyn A HEADTEACHER has warned people to be vigilant after a group of students saw a man with a knife as they walked home from school in Dewsbury.

Jim Taylor sent a letter to parents at St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy following the incident last Wednesday afternoon.

The three girls were walking along Staincliffe Hall Road, near to Dewsbury Moor Crematorium, at around

3.45pm when they said a car stopped at the side of the road next to them.

The students said they saw a man get out of the car with a knife, so they ran to safety in a nearby shop.

Mr Taylor’s letter read: “This incident does highlight the need for all our students who walk home to stay together wherever possible and on the main roads.

“They should never speak to strangers or to anyone in a parked car, or go near a car that pulls

News In Brief Double-marathon man raises £1,500

over. Thankfully, incidents like this are extremely rare but we felt this information needed to be shared.

“Please would you repeat this message to your son/daughter so that we can all do our best to ensure their safety.

“We will also reinforce these messages in school.”

He added: “I am really proud of the way that the students concerned conducted themselves in a difficult situation.

“The students informed adults at home and in school as soon as they could.

“They knew how to keep themselves safe and acted accordingly.”

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “Police were contacted at about 3.48pm on Wednesday by a resident reporting that three schoolchildren had witnessed a man holding a knife on Staincliffe Hall Road, Dewsbury.

“The male got into a car with other persons and drove off, before then driving back past the three females, heading towards Heckmondwike.

“The girls then went into a shop to speak with an adult about what they had seen.”

Enquiries remain ongoing and anyone who may have seen anything is asked to contact Kirklees CID on 101, referencing crime reference number 13190132850.

Free screenings of NHS battle documentary Three held after fight A FILM documenting the fight against the privatisation of the NHS will be screened at two venues in North Kirklees next month.

Documentary ‘Groundswell: The Grassroots Battle for the NHS and Democracy’ is inspired by the 999 Call for the NHS march from Jarrow to London in 2014.

Made over three-and-a-

half years by John Furse for just over £7,000, the film highlights the battle “ordinary Britons” face in saving the NHS. Christine Hyde, organiser of the screenings, said: “We realise that NHS services are stretched to the limit, both locally and throughout England, and hope the film will help shine a light for people in Kirklees and dis-

trict threatened with another local hospital reconfiguration on why exactly that is.

“John Furse has followed the journey of discovery taken by ordinary people shocked at what has happened to their services.”

The film will be shown free at Dewsbury Town Hall (Monday, April 1, 7pm) and at Jo Cox House in Batley (Tuesday, April 2, 7pm).

THREE people were arrested following a fight at a property in Batley on Sunday night.

Rumours online suggested a man had been stabbed during the incident off Field Lane but police have not confirmed whether a knife was used.

Officers sealed off the road close to the New Ings Mill flats following the inci-

QUALITY KITCHEN MAKEOVERS by simply replacing the doors and worktops

Est.1999

20%

DISCOUNT

FOR MARCH 2019

dent, which happened at around 6pm. An air ambulance also landed at a nearby car park.

A police spokesman said: “Police were called to reports of a fight at a property on New Ings Mill in Batley shortly before 6pm on Sunday, March 17.

“A 22-year-old man suffered a minor injury.

Enquiries are ongoing.”

NORTH KIRKLEES: A Dewsbury man raised £1,500 for Comic Relief after completing a 52-mile run on Friday.

Abubakar Adam ran non-stop through Dewsbury and Batley to complete the equivalent of two marathons in 12 hours – starting at 4am and finishing at 4pm.

The 47-year-old UK Greetings employee chose a route that ran between the company’s two sites, while also taking on some of Bradford Road.

He said: “Everyone was amazing, especially my colleagues, but people out on the route too.”

Divers surface with £5,000 for charity HECKMONDWIKE: Scuba divers raised over £5,000 for charity after completing a 24-hour dive last weekend.

The underwater challenge was in aid of scuba-based therapy charity Deptherapy – a cause close to the heart of dive organiser Tom Oates, a former serviceman who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A group of 18 divers took part, and Tom said: “It was hard but we kept ourselves occupied by playing games underwater – we always had two people down there at any one time.”

A Dame’s life THORNHILL: The next meeting of the Thornhill Probus Club is on Thursday (March 28) at the Thornhill Social Club on Overthorpe Road.

Denise Adlard will give a talk about Dame Cicely Saunders, the founder of the hospice movement, from 10.30am. Everyone is welcome. For more info ring 01924 423363.

7

8

ThePress

Friday March 22, 2019

ENJOY A RELAXED WEEKDAY LUNCH Choose from table service from our Lunch Menu or select from our...

ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET BAR! Mon-Fri

Opening Times: Monday-Saturday 12pm-3pm, 5pm-10.30pm, Sunday 12pm-9.45pm

Still Only £6.50 p.p

Bradford Road, Batley, WF17 6JD Tel: 01924 473970 www.zucchinirestaurant.co.uk

Two hubs is the only logical conclusion An open letter to Arriva and Metro: At the recent meeting in Cleckheaton on Friday March 8, the Arriva representative started by saying that North Kirklees was unusual in not having a single central hub.

He then virtually contradicted himself by saying that Heckmondwike was to be the ‘hub’ of the whole system. This is like trying to push a size nine foot into a size five shoe!

1) It is logistically nonsense to make Heckmondwike the single hub.

Heckmondwike is on the east of the area and is central for Roberttown, Norristhorpe, parts of Liversedge and perhaps Mirfield and Batley and faces naturally towards Dewsbury and Wakefield.

Cleckheaton, however is naturally the hub for Gomersal, Scholes, parts of Liversedge, Hunsworth and East Bierley in the west of the area and

Commuters are not the priority From: Chris Bulmer, Cleckheaton An open letter to Arriva Yorkshire: I am writing concerning the recent bus changes in North Kirklees and would like to add my concerns following the public meeting held in Cleckheaton on Friday March 8.

Unfortunately I was unable to attend the meeting but I share the frustrating experiences of bus users following the overhaul of local services.

In particular, our household is directly negatively affected by two of these major changes relating to the withdrawal of the X25 and 253 services.

The X25 motorway service was a fast and reliable com-

Letter of the Week: Caz Goodwill, Cleckheaton flows towards Bradford, Brighouse and Halifax.

2) Economically it makes sense to use Cleckheaton as one of the hubs as it already has a perfectly good bus station and money would not be required to extend Heckmondwike.

This money could then be used to reinstate the 253 which is so vital to the area.

3) Environmentally it makes no sense to increase bus traffic into Heckmondwike, which has traffic light barriers going both in and out of the town. Buses idling in the congestion to get in and out of the town will

muter bus between Leeds and Cleckheaton, particularly in peak traffic times travelling home from Leeds.

My experience since the service was axed is one of overcrowded alternative journeys on the 254 or 255 with increased journey times of often well over an hour.

These buses use the same congested route so their regularity is of little convenience.

There appears to be no logic to the axing of the X25 as it was well used and provided an often traffic-free alternative to the 254/255, especially for those living in Hunsworth or Moorend.

Secondly, the axing of the 253 service has had a hugely detrimental affect on my partner’s ability to travel to and from her evening job for the NHS at Mirfield Health Centre.

There is now no direct link

increase pollution from their diesel engines. It will also cause problems keeping to timetables because of the delays.

4) Futureproofing – do Arriva and Metro realise that at least 500 new dwellings are being built or planned in Cleckheaton area this year? To use Cleckheaton Bus Station as a second hub will be necessary with all these new residents and will help to ‘futureproof’ the system.

5) Transport to Greenhead and New College sixth forms. In the wisdom of Kirklees Education, our sixth forms in Cleckheaton and surrounding areas

between Cleckheaton and Mirfield, an inconvenient timeconsuming connection via the Heckmondwike Hub and an evening service that ends before 8pm Monday-Saturday, with no Sunday service.

This means two single-fare journeys or a £5 day ticket simply to get from Cleckheaton to Mirfield and no return journey after 8pm.

These connections mean a journey of close to an hour from Cleckheaton to Mirfield if both services are running on time.

I am now often required to transport my partner home from Mirfield after my own time-consuming commute home from work in Leeds.

When I have observed the new 261 service between Mirfield and Heckmondwike, the evening service has been completely empty on several

LATEST PLANNING APPLICATIONS F Hafejee, two-storey side extension, front porch and formation of new vehicular access (within a Conservation Area), 6 Osborne Terrace, Batley.

M Brown, outline application for erection of two dwellings, Brownhill Farm, Old Lane, Birkenshaw.

D West, variation condition 3 (materials) on previous permission 2015/90184 for re-use and adaptation of existing outbuilding to form dwelling, Meadowside, Falhouse Lane, Whitley.

Okep Ltd, change of use from meeting hall (D1) to office (B1) and shop (A1) with ancillary storage area, 14 Huddersfield Road, Birstall.

Dome Regeneration Co Ltd, change of use from old sewerage works to agricultural land, former Spenborough Wastewater Treatment Works, Smithies Lane, Heckmondwike.

MJ Bostan, alterations to convert former building to 25 dwellings (Listed Building within a Conservation Area), Thornpark House, 31 Station Road, Batley.

K Wood, change of use from vacant B1a (Office) to wedding venue D2 (Assembly and Leisure) at 1st and 2nd floors and associated parking, 1 King Street/parking at 13 King Street, Upper Hopton, Mirfield.

A Chappelow, single-storey

extension, new entrance and open porch and installation of rooflight, 12 Sands Lane, Mirfield.

S Harrison, detached garage to front with associated works, 6 Francis Street, Mirfield.

J Popek, two-storey rear extension and single-storey side extension with balcony, 79 Fall Lane, Hartshead.

Bluubean Ltd, Listed Building Consent for external alterations, 1 Listing Drive, Littletown.

T Zaman, advertisement consent for erection of high level digital billboard sign, Yorkshire House, South Street, Dewsbury.

Mr Hodkinson, conservatory to side and replacement chimney pot to roof (within a Conservation Area), Rose Cottage, Church Lane, Thornhill.

Carlinghow Mills Ltd, singlestorey industrial unit (within a Conservation Area), Unit 41a, 501 Bradford Road, Batley.

S Render, work to tree TPO 22/95, 30 Cheviot Way, Upper Hopton.

Madressa Mahmoodia, singlestorey side extension, 26A Mill Road, Dewsbury.

R Sykes, front and rear dormer extensions, 752 Halifax Road, Hightown.

K Mahmood, the proposal is for erection of single-storey rear extension. The extension projects 6m beyond the rear wall of the

original dwellinghouse. The maximum height of the extension is 3.6m, the height of the eaves of the extension is 2.65m, 24 Lee Road, Ravensthorpe.

M Rasheed, extension to existing garage, 775 Bradford Road, Batley.

A Patel, discharge of condition 3 (materials) on previous permission 2017/91257 for erection of detached dwelling and alterations to convert existing dwelling to garages, land adjacent to 11 Halifax Road, Staincliffe.

A Khan Bostan, single-storey rear extension, 50A Halifax Road, Staincliffe.

Mr & Mrs S & L Halloran, twostorey side and rear extension, 5 Spring Bank Drive, Norristhorpe.

Kirklees Council, Listed Building Consent to install a defibrillator in a locked case, Cleckheaton Town Hall, Bradford Road, Cleckheaton.

Kirklees Council, Listed Building Consent for installation of defibrillator (within a Conservation Area), Batley Town Hall, Market Place, Batley.

Mr Archer, alterations to flat roof to form pitched roof, 3 Ghyllroyd Drive, Birkenshaw.

Z&F Properties, installation of fire escape door, Savers Health And Beauty Ltd, 62 Commercial Street, Batley.

Z&F Properties, certificate of lawfulness for proposed alter-

ations to convert office to dwelling, first floor, 84 Commercial Street, Batley.

Musa Limalia, three-storey rear and single-storey front extensions, 18 Baptist Street, Staincliffe.

S Bromby, split level decking, 20 Daleside, Thornhill Edge.

Sovereign Signs Ltd, installation of 10 non-illuminated signs, City Plumbing Supplies, Cannon Way, Savile Town.

Fernbrook Associates Ltd, discharge conditions 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14 on previous permission 2014/93864 for outline application for erection of up to 4 dwellings, Brewerton Lane, Dewsbury Moor.

Mr Taylor, work to trees TPO23/77, Oakwood House, Upper Batley Low Lane, Upper Batley.

U Asad, the proposal is for erection of single-storey rear extension. The extension projects 6m beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse. The maximum height of the extension is 3.5m, the height of the eaves of the extension is 2.4m, 17 Hill Top Estate, Heckmondwike.

Mark Brook, work to TPO(s) 51/93, The Dell, 23 Cornmill Lane, Liversedge.

H Din, discharge conditions 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 14, 16, 19 on previous permission 2018/92390 for erection of 7 dwellings, land at Battye Street, Dewsbury.

were lost.

However, why cannot Greenhead and New College put on their own buses for students from this area, as they do for students from Mirfield?

This would save Arriva and Metro

occasions.

So why create a useless connection to Heckmondwike Hub instead of a bus between Mirfield and Cleckheaton (253)?

My feeling on the increased use of Heckmondwike Hub as a connection point is that it represents a convenient way for Arriva to accommodate driver shift patterns and terminate services to the nearby Heckmondwike depot.

All that we hear in response from Arriva to the concerns of passengers is that there are more buses (although not necessarily going where people want) and certain routes are commercially unviable.

The priority would appear to be serving shareholders not communities, while in light of the recent changes the £5 daily or £19 weekly travel tickets represent increasingly poor value for money at a time when people are being asked to ditch their cars in favour of public transport.

I would welcome further responses from Arriva Yorkshire answering and addressing these issues, and look forward to attending the follow-up meeting.

Thank you to our MP Tracy Brabin for voicing these important concerns locally and nationally.

Summer here we come!

From: Alan Greenwood, Batley On Friday March 29 we are going on holiday to several places in this country and abroad.

The trip will cost us a fiver each, with free tea and biscuits en route.

And we’ll be home in time for News at Ten. Yes it’s that time of year again, when the best way of banishing the winter blues and looking forward to brighter days ahead is to get yourself down to see Batley Audio Visual Club’s ‘Showcase 2019’.

You really do feel as if you’ve

money which can be used to reinstate other much-needed services.

Surely the logic for Cleckheaton as a second hub for the system is the sensible step for all the above reasons.

been on a lovely holiday when you’ve had an evening of beautiful photography, entertaining commentary and well-chosen music.

And not only does the programme engage your imagination and refresh your spirit, it also gives you lots of ideas for trips and travel.

The evening is always a delight. The welcome is warm and the free biscuits usually include my favourite Jammie Dodgers.

The show is on Friday March 29 and Saturday March 30 at 7.30pm, in the Brimer Hall behind Central Methodist Church in Batley Market Place.

I hope to see you there!

the infection off.

When entering and again, when leaving where there are ill, weak or vulnerable people, please use the hand sanitiser provided.

We all want to think it’s not our hands that cause the problem, but our hands might look clean, but we can’t see germs, so hand-washing must become a habit, not just after going to the toilet, but as soon as we return home, and always before preparing and eating food.

Hygiene is so important

From: John Jennings, Dewsbury

From: David Honeybell, Heckmondwike Any of us, at any time, are likely to be carrying some form of infection on our hands.

Even if we have clean hands on leaving home, coughs, colds and a multitude of different germs could have been picked up as soon as we set off on a day out.

If like me, you travel by public transport, you hold the handrails that everyone else has held.

If you shop at a supermarket, you push the same trolleys that everyone else has pushed. You might open a door with the same handle as every other shopper has used.

So from one unwitting person carrying an infection on their hands at the time of boarding a bus, there could be a bus full of people with that infection by the time they all get off, and so it spreads so quickly and easily throughout the day.

The problem gets worse when doing a hospital visit, where there are ill and vulnerable patients who must be protected from any kind of infection that because of their condition, they have a weakened immune system, and can’t fight

Disregard for democracy Some members of Parliament have shown contempt and disregard of the result of a referendum that they promised to respect.

They have demonstrated their opposition to democracy, much like their preferred option of remaining in an antidemocratic European Union.

It beggars belief that at the next General Election these MPs will seek the votes of the people they hold in such contempt.

I predict that some political parties will need different candidates if they want to win the votes of the people.

A town that’s being cut off From: Barbara Schiff, Mirfield It seems these days as if the bus companies are trying to cut Mirfield off.

When we first moved here there were direct buses to Ossett and Wakefield, Cleckheaton and Bradford and Halifax.

Now we have none of these services.

I know it is possible to get

Continued on page 9

ThePress

Friday March 22, 2019

www.abblindsandcurtains.co.uk

From page 8 anywhere by changing buses, but this requires far more strategic planning, especially when some buses only run hourly.

Arriva will probably point out that sometimes the 253 did not have many passengers between Mirfield and Dewsbury. This might have something to do with it coming at the same time as the 203.

If it had been better timed I’m sure it would have been different.

Then we hear there is concern over loneliness and that fewer people are using buses!

My son and his family live off Mill Forest Way, and are awaiting a planning permission decision on 309 houses and 60 apartments, which will cover green belt land right up to Soothill.

Traffic pollution, gridlock, infrastructure, wildlife, health, environmental destruction, building on a bridle way and high-risk mined land. With Post Office staff parking all down one side of Mill Forest Way, turning it into one-way, there is plenty of gloom to look forward to.

Quizzing for a Plenty of gloom great cause From: Tim Wood, Old still about!

Colonial, Mirfield From: Graham Turner, Gomersal ‘It’s not all doom and gloom says Labour chief’.

Well tell that to the people who are looking forward to thousands of houses being built around them, if planning permission succeeds.

Around 4,000 homes could be built on a south Dewsbury site which will spill over the border into Mirfield.

Up to 127 new homes could be built on former green land in Birkenshaw.

Preparations are now under way for the organising of the 2019 Remembrance parade and service held in Mirfield each November.

There are hundreds of facets of information to be pieced together to make the Remembrance ‘jigsaw’ complete.

Marching bands and music play a massive part of the parade march through Mirfield.

As you would expect, band equipment from time to time needs renewing and bringing

up to the highest standards possible.

One of the many bands that take part is 868 Sqdn ATC (Mirfield), whose steps, timing, carriage and deportment is always of the prestige required.

On Saturday April 6 the Old Colonial pub in conjunction with Mirfield Rifle Volunteers and 868 Sqdn, will be hosting a general knowledge quiz, raffle and auction to raise funds for new band equipment for the Air Cadets Drum Corps.

Tickets are on sale at £6 per head, which includes entry to the quiz and a hot supper.

The quiz usually starts at about 9pm and is open to everyone.

Tickets are available from the Old Colonial and 868 Sqdn, or just ring the pub on 01924 496920 and book your team in and pay on the night.

All of the money spent on tickets will go directly to the band fund, we shall not take any costs for the food.

We would be grateful of any raffle prizes that could be donated, but like all fundraising events we need people to attend to make it a success.

The future growth and development of organisations such as 868 and the Remembrance parade depends on the kindness and generosity of the public pocket, so please let us make this ‘one of our finest quiz hours’ (pun intended).

FAMILY RUN BUSINESS Est. 20yrs

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM M O N - F R I 9 A M - 5 P M , S AT 1 0 A M - 4 P M

9

10

ThePress

Friday March 22, 2019

Dining night a big hit

News In Brief Watch meeting NORTH KIRKLEES: The Neighbourhood Watch Association for North Kirklees is holding its annual general meeting on Wednesday (March 27, 7pm) at Dewsbury Police Station, with speakers from West Yorkshire Police force and Mayor of Kirklees Gwen Lowe.

Helping homeless NORTH KIRKLEES: The Batley Homeless Project, which helps homeless and vulnerable people, is holding a coffee morning and bake sale at their new premises on Bond Street, Dewsbury, on Saturday, March 30 (10.30am to 2.30pm).

Charity shop appeal DEWSBURY: The British Heart Foundation shop in Dewsbury is appealing for donations of bric-a-brac, summer accessories, shoes, handbags, jewellery and unwanted toys.

Customers can drop off before 10am and after 4pm at the store on Foundry Street, or there’s a collection service from Monday to Friday (call 01924 485882).

PET FOOD – OPEN 7 DAYS - Manufacturing over 50yrs -

TURKEY BEEF & CHICKEN MINCE 15kg WORKING DOG FLAKE £10 SPRATS, VENISON STICKS, DRIED CHICKEN BITES, FILLETS, HEARTS, PIGS EARS, FILLED BONES, NECKS, WINGS, FEET, TRIPE, BEEF HEARTS, LIVER, KIDNEY, TONGUES, TROTTERS, TINS SARDINES 35p, 5L DISINFECTANT KENNEL & STABLE CLEANER £2.50, BALES SAWDUST £7 B L U E H I L L S FA R M S H O P B I R K E N S H AW, B D 1 1 2 D U TEL: 01274 682007 Lic: 49/529/8119A8P/PTF

Friends reunited, from left, Paul Brumwell, Louise Hardy, Lindsey George, Caroline Maughan, Paul Crowther and Andrew Laycock

A GROUP of old school friends raised over £12,000 at a charity night in Mirfield in aid of three charities – Northorpe Hall Child and Family Trust, Different Strokes and Breast Cancer Now. ‘Northorpe19’, billed as a fine dining experience, was almost a year in the making and came to fruition on Saturday night at Northorpe Hall.

The event was the brainchild of a team of former Mirfield High School students, including Michelin-starred chef Andrew Laycock.

Organiser Paul Crowther said the event, which sold out, was “utterly spectacular”.

Talks on changes to buses - but axing of 253 will stay

By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter TRANSPORT bosses have revealed they are working with bus chiefs to address timetable changes that critics say have wrecked the bus network in North Kirklees.

But they have warned that one contentious decision will not be altered – the withdrawal of the 253 service which covers Dewsbury, Mirfield, Roberttown, Hightown, Cleckheaton, Gomersal and Bradford.

Bus company Arriva said it cut the 253 and made other changes to focus on routes “with greater commercial potential”.

A spokesman for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), which works in conjunction with bus companies and subsidises some services, said: “The initial proposals resulted in some communities losing their bus service.

“The Combined Authority invited

tenders to fill those gaps and have awarded Arriva a contract to do so at a marginal cost, partly offset by savings in evening service contracts with Arriva arising from the company’s service changes.”

He added: “The Combined Authority is unable to provide a replacement of service 253.”

At a meeting of WYCA’s Transport Committee, Dave Pearson, Director, Transport Services, said the authority had “taken steps” with Arriva to ensure that areas previously serviced by the 253 were covered.

A suggestion by Kirklees councillor Martyn Bolt (Con, Mirfield) to subsidise a commercial service rather than fund a tendered service to support schoolchildren and older students, was defeated by a 5-3 vote.

He said: “It needs to be reviewed before we turn it down.”

Chair of the committee, Leeds councillor Kim Groves, commented: “I do feel from the public’s point of view that this has not been handled

well by the operators. We are doing everything we can to resolve it. It’s not the type of situation we like to have as we’re entering into a partnership.”

She added that budget cuts prevented WYCA from offering subsidies as it had in the past.

Coun Bolt, who sits on Kirklees Council and Mirfield Town Council, said the changes pointed to a wider problem around WYCA and its partnership with bus companies.

“WYCA is a voluntary partnership.

It’s weak. It’s not a fair partnership so the bus companies will do what they want to do,” he said.

He also questioned why WYCA was giving an estimated £3m in subsidies to bus operators to clean up exhaust emissions when services were being axed.

“The authority is subsiding services to make them cleaner but it’s not being reciprocated by the bus companies running services when and where people need them.”

Drunk’s racist rantatPC A BINGE drinker shouted racist abuse at a police officer while he was being arrested.

Paul Kelly was drunk when police were called to reports of a domestic incident on December 16 last year at his parents’ house on Berwick Avenue, Heckmondwike, between him and his father.

Officers arrived at the property and tried to get information from Kelly about what had happened.

They took the 39-year-old out to the police vehicle and he shouted to one of the officers: “You f*****g P**i, stealing our jobs.”

The PC cautioned and arrested him, to which Kelly, of Knowl Grove in Mirfield, replied: “You monkey a***hole.”

The officer said he was highly offended by Kelly’s words, and that it was unacceptable to speak to anyone like that.

Mitigating, Zara Begum said that Kelly had a tendency to binge drink and couldn’t remember much of the incident.

He was ordered to complete a six-month community order with 10 days of rehabilitation activities, including the Stop Binge Drinking course.

He will also have to pay an £85 victim surcharge.

Law firm’s new home Advertising Feature DEWSBURY’S best-known law firm, Jordans Solicitors, has a new home.

Established in the town in 1949 and now celebrating its 70th year, Jordans is moving 400 yards down Wellington Road from its offices in Neil Jordan House to number 7A. The new office opened on Monday March 4 and is now located next door to another firm of Dewsbury professionals, Walter Dawson & Sons Accountants.

The move comes at a time when the legal services sector is undergoing change and progressive firms like Jordans look to reflect those changes in the services they offer to a discerning public, remaining committed to the communities in which they have always worked.

Jordans’ professionalism is evidenced by its attainment of the Law Society’s Lexcel Quality Mark, which is given to solicitors meeting the highest case management and customer care standards.

The firm is also a member of the Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme, as well as belonging to the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and Family Law Panels.

Perhaps the best evidence of the quality of Jordans’ legal services is provided by testimonials from satisfied clients, some of which can be seen on Jordans’ website at www.jordanssolicitors.co.uk.

One of the many testimoni-

Jordans managing partner Christine Sands

als reads: “All I can say is you did an amazing job and kept me informed and at ease.

“Thank you for everything you have done for me.”

– from a criminal injuries compensation authority client.

Said Jordans managing partner, Christine Sands: “We will be sad to leave Neil Jordan House, which was opened by Lord King of British Airways fame in 1992 and is named after our founder and probably Dewsbury’s best-known solicitor, Neil Jordan, but the time is right to move to more modern premises where we can provide even better services for our clients in Dewsbury.

“It is a privilege to manage the firm Neil Jordan founded. He was a ground-breaking solicitor and a wartime hero, as he was one of the UK’s first bomb disposal experts of the Second World War. He was invalided out of the services after a German

bomb went off close to him.

“We continue to follow his example in continuing to offer the very best legal services for our clients in areas as diverse as family law and mediation, wills and probate, personal injury claims including abuse cases, company and commercial property law, employment issues, professional negligence and criminal defence.

“This move has been prompted by our continued growth, such that we also have offices in Wakefield, North Leeds and Selby.

“The law never stands still and here at Jordans we are committed to making sure that everyone in the firm – partners, solicitors, paralegals and administrative staff – are fully trained and able to respond to the legal needs of our clients.

“We now look forward to welcoming those clients both new and old at our new offices at 7A Wellington Road, Dewsbury.”

ThePress

Friday March 22, 2019

School head considers cutting costs by closing early on Fridays

By Zoe Shackleton THE HEADTEACHER of a cash-strapped primary school in Mirfield says he is ‘exploring various options’ on how to cut costs as budgets are squeezed – including closing early on Fridays.

Andy Blakeley explains in a newsletter to parents of Hopton Primary School pupils about the struggles he is facing after revealing “the allocation of money to the school falls short of the costs for the coming year”.

Despite making more than £150,000 in cuts over the past few years – including losing a teacher and teaching a combination of five classes himself –

there still isn’t enough funding for the school because of reduced grants from the government.

Mr Blakeley said it was “clear that we will need to make changes to how the school is run”.

Speaking to The Press, Mr Blakeley said: “Funding is my number one priority and we’ll have to make incredibly difficult decisions which will unfortunately have a negative effect on the children.”

One of the options being considered is to close the school on Friday afternoons, although he stressed that the idea isn’t set in stone.

He said: “If it was possible we would explore it further, if

not we would explore the next idea. I would involve parents as much as possible. Parents would be given the opportunity to keep children in school, they wouldn’t just be sent home, it would just be a different Friday afternoon perhaps, with non-curricular lessons.

“We want to save money in a way that doesn’t affect parents.”

Some of the cost-cutting ideas highlighted in Mr Blakeley’s newsletter include changes to nursery and starting an after-school care club, ideas which he described as “drastic but reflect the real financial difficulties we are facing”.

He said: “Until the day I cease to be your headteacher I will fight for your children’s education. All that I ask of you is to continue supporting the school in the way that the vast majority of you do, and no matter how daft an idea is, give it your consideration.

“I must admit each Friday afternoon when I take 120 children into the hall, I think it is a daft idea! However, each week it saves about £600 for the school.”

Hopton isn’t the only primary school in the district facing problems, with others struggling to make ends meet and some even relying on parent donations and fundraising to keep afloat.

Mr Blakeley blamed the lack of support from the government: “We are certainly not the only school to be facing these challenges, which I feel brings shame to the politicians who make decisions on funding and answer real concerns with glib soundbites.”

Dewsbury MP Paula Sherriff is working on setting up a meeting with schools minister Nick Gibb to talk to him about school cuts.

She said: “The minister says the government are spending record amounts on our schools but their ‘little extras’ won’t fool parents and teachers who can see that school budgets are at breaking point.”

Good neighbours ‘can ease demand on health services’ A NEW campaign is aiming to tackle loneliness and social isolation.

The ‘Looking out for our neighbours’ scheme encourages people to do simple things to look out for one another and improve the wellbeing of others.

The campaign has been backed by Kim Leadbeater, the ambassador for the Jo Cox Foundation.

According to research, social isolation can increase the risk

OPEN WEEKEND

FREE DELIVERY

ON MOST PRODUCTS IN STORE

of having a stroke by a third, and older people who live alone are 50 per cent more likely to visit A&E than those who live with others.

The campaign hopes to inspire people to reach out to those who live alone or might need help – anything from picking up some shopping, to saying ‘hello’ or simply giving someone a wave.

Kim Leadbeater, the sister of Jo Cox, said: “I believe if we all work together to prevent loneli-

News In Brief Man denies cabbie assault BATLEY: A man has appeared in court this week accused of attacking a taxi driver.

Billy Pryce denies charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage relating to the alleged attack in Batley on August 28 last year.

Kirklees Magistrates’ Court heard that 23-year-old Pryce punched the cabbie, which caused him a split lip and cuts to his cheek that needed stitches.

He is also accused of causing £300-worth of damage to the car.

Pryce, of Town Street, Batley, admitted his presence but said he has been misidentified as the person responsible.

He was granted unconditional bail until his trial at the same court at a later date.

Knife charge

Executives and officers of health and community organisations at the campaign launch in Dewsbury ness and its associated health risks, we can reduce the demand on health and care services and have a positive impact on the wellbeing of everyone.”

Around 200 organisations

have pledged their support, from local dementia-friendly cafes, to sports clubs, hospitals, councils and mental health and wellbeing organisations.

The campaign is running in West Yorkshire and Harrogate

and 30,000 households will receive a hand-delivered ‘neighbour pack’ that will encourage residents to champion togetherness in their area.

The campaign website is at www.ourneighbours.org.uk.

e a S l y w B e e n d r R u o ange w e i V MATTRESSES SOLD SEPARATELY

REMOVAL & DISPOSAL OF OLD BEDS AVAILABLE BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT

Birstall Mill

3 FLOORS OF FLOORING, BEDS & FURNITURE

LIVERSEDGE: A teenager is due to appear in court next month after being charged with possession of a knife following an incident in Liversedge.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police confirmed: “A 17-year-old boy has been charged with possession of a bladed article in connection with an incident on Roberttown Lane, Liversedge, on March 14.

“He is due to appear at Leeds Youth Court on April 2.”

NOW HIGHLY RECOMMENDED STOCKISTS OF SEALY BEDS

OVER 40 BEDS IN STOCK

STOCKISTS OF HIGHGROVE & SHIRE BEDS

FREE PARKING OUTSIDE STORE AND WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

CARPETS & BEDS LTD

t:

11

01924 420894

934 Bradford Road, Birstall, Batley, WF17 9PH ONLY 1 MILE FROM M62, JUNCTION 27

www.birstallmillcarpets.co.uk OPENING HOURS: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm • Saturday 9.30am-4pm • Sunday 11am-4pm

In front of Fuzzy Lemon Self Storage

12

ThePress

Friday March 22, 2019

Labour’s cry: enough is enough

Curiosity festival planned A COMMUNITY group in Dewsbury is celebrating 126 years since Crow Nest Park opened with a festival.

The Dewsbury Park Mansion Community Hub (DPMCH) had planned for the inaugural Curiosity Festival to happen last year on the park’s 125th anniversary, but plans never came to fruition.

Now they are working hand in hand with sister group Friends of Crow Nest Park to put on the festival which will explore the town’s culture, heritage and values, while also commemorating the Coombs Pit Disaster in 1893 – which almost prevented the park from opening when 139 men and boys lost their lives just two weeks before.

There’ll be outdoor performances, craft and food stalls, community and business stalls, street theatre, activities, competitions and much more.

The DPMCH are also hoping to showcase their vision for the park’s mansion if their bid to take over the building is successful.

Gill Young, chairman of the Friends of Crow Nest Park, said: “It’s about time Dewsbury had the opportunity to create a festival in the park where local people can get involved this year and continue to enjoy it in the future. We’re making a huge effort to kickstart that process this year but we need support from local folk to make it happen.”

There will be a meeting on Monday (March 25) for anyone who wants to help out with the festival. Meet at the Brigantia offices on the fifth floor of Empire House, next to the town hall, from 7pm.

LABOUR candidates standing in May’s local elections joined together for the party’s manifesto launch on Monday.

Council leader Shabir Pandor (Batley West) revealed some of the aims of the party were to ensure children in Kirklees are given the best start in life, that people in Kirklees feel safe, and for the authority to have sustainable growth for communities and businesses.

He said: “This year, in launching our manifesto we also want to send a strong message to central government that enough is enough, austerity isn’t over and we, Kirklees Council, along with all other local authorities in the country are at breaking point.

“We are joining with others in the local government community to support the Local Government Association’s campaign ‘Breaking Point’ to bring pressure on the government to support local government not to work against them.”

Labour’s candidates for the North Kirklees wards are: Coun Habiban Zaman (Batley East), Yusra Hussain (Batley West), Cath Pinder (Birstall and Birkenshaw), Khalid Patel (Cleckheaton), Coun Eric Firth (Dewsbury East), Coun Nosheen Dad (Dewsbury South), Coun Darren O’Donovan (Dewsbury West), Aafaq Butt (Heckmondwike), Jude McKaig (Liversedge and Gomersal), and Keiron Dunn (Mirfield).

Take pride in the town, say Tories

By Zoe Shackleton

BE POSITIVE: Tory hopefuls Paul Young and Keiron Gavaghan

HAIGHS FARM SHOP

01924 490118

MIRFIELD WF14 0DQ Like our Facebook Page to keep updated with special offers: www.facebook.com/haighsfarmshop

WARNING: FAILURE TO READ 12 X 200ML SCHWEPPES PREMIUM THIS ADVERT MAY SERIOUSLY CUCUMBER TONIC FOR ONLY £1.99 (LESS THAN 17P EACH) DAMAGE YOUR WEALTH! 390G NAPOLINA CHOPPED TOMATOES, OCADO PRICE: £1.36 – OUR PRICE: 45P / 2 FOR 80P (OR BUY 10 FOR £3.50) HEARTSEASE FARM 750ML GINGER BEER, OCADO PRICE: £2.29 – OUR PRICE: 59P / 2 FOR £1 (OR BUY 6 FOR £2.70) 500ML CHERRY COKE OR DR PEPPER: 69P / 2 FOR £1.20 (OR BUY CASE OF 12 FOR £5.99 - <50P EACH) 18 X 330ML COKE ZERO FOR ONLY £4.50 (=25P A CAN) 24 X 250ML CANS COCA COLA: ONLY £7.20 =30P A CAN (80P EACH IN TESCO) 8 X 330ML CANS DIET COKE ONLY £1.99 (<25P A CAN) – ALSO AVAILABLE IN FIESTY CHERRY 500G FLORA: MORRISONS PRICE: £2 OUR PRICE ONLY: 39P EACH OR 3 FOR £1 SEASONED LOGS:– BUILDERS BAGS: £39 – NETS: £2.99 / 5 FOR £14 WHOLE LEGS OR LOINS OF PORK: ONLY 99P/LB 5LB PRIME SIRLOIN STEAK: ONLY £25 15 X HOME MADE BEEFBURGERS: £9.49 10LB HOME MADE PORK SAUSAGE FOR ONLY £17.50 450G BIG POT ONKEN PEACH CRUNCH ONLY 59P EACH OR 2 FOR £1

PLUS 1000S MORE BARGAINS *e&oe

IT’S WORTH A RIDE OUT - YOU WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED

BATLEY’S Conservative candidates for this year’s local elections are urging people to forget their party allegiance and vote for what’s good for the town.

Paul Young, who is standing in Batley West, said: “Drop the fact that I’m a Conservative and see that there’s somebody here doing something positive.”

Mr Young spends a lot of his time spearheading campaigns to clean up Batley – and that’s something he intends to do more of if he is elected in May. He’s up against Labour’s new candidate Yusra Hussain and Heavy Woollen Independent Paul Halloran.

Mr Young and Batley East candidate Keiron Gavaghan have called for a concrete plan for Batley – because they feel like the town is getting left behind.

“There’s no plans for Batley,” said Mr Young.

“People say that everything is going to Huddersfield or Dewsbury.

“There’s no ideas and you speak to residents and group leaders, influential people within the town, they know exactly what needs doing – we

need to get it so people take pride in where they live.

“If you look above the shops, the windows are plastic bags taped up.

Architecturally we’ve got a fantastic opportunity.

“These are places where you can get small businesses in.

“Unfortunately a lot of the buildings are owned by people outside the town, and really we need to be reengaging with those people – if I had an asset that wasn’t bringing in any money it doesn’t make any sense to just be sat on it.”

And Mr Gavaghan, who is hoping to unseat Labour councillor Habiban Zaman, agreed: “We have to lead by example and look at buildings that are within our gift, buildings like the town hall and the police station, how we can better utilise them and the space.

“You’ve got to have the footfall and unfortunately Kirklees’ solution, and councils up and down the country, seems to be to build out of town business centres, shopping centres, and they sit quizzical as to why the high street has died a death.

“To me if you’re diverting people everywhere but the high street, what do you expect?”

Both Mr Young and Mr Gavaghan

have vowed to make full use of the discretionary budget made available as a councillor to help constituents – something they believe isn’t being utilised enough.

Mr Young said: “Last year in each ward (East and West) the three councillors got a £10,000 discretionary amount to spend around the town. As far as I’m aware each ward has only spent around £2,000 each.

“This year it’s gone up to £20,000 so you’re talking about a spare £55,000 pot. There is money there and nobody’s telling anyone.”

And Mr Gavaghan said that money could go towards making a ‘subtle difference’.

He said: “For me it’s things like the planters on the high street, improving the look and feel of the place.

“It’s not a huge sum of money, it’s not going to revitalise the town but it will at least improve the aesthetics and if people think the place looks better then it lifts people’s moods.

“If the town itself isn’t appealing for people to bring their business to, then you’ll never change things.

You’ve got to start with the aesthetics.

“We’re the forgotten end of Kirklees, but we want to change that.”

Taxi drivers short-changed by air zone

By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter TAXI DRIVERS in Kirklees who transport passengers to Leeds are being hit by thousands of pounds’ worth of charges for entering the city’s clean air zone.

The charges are waived for drivers based in Leeds.

Now councillors in the borough have called for a “unified approach” that stops local drivers being penalised as the authority gets set to adopt a new licensing policy for hackney carriages and private hire cars councillors.

Drivers from Kirklees are understood to be setting up a petition, and preparing a deputation, in reaction to the new policy prior to its

introduction on April 1, 2020.

Raising the issue of congestion charges at a meeting of Kirklees Council’s Licensing and Safety Committee, Coun Cathy Scott (Lab, Dewsbury East) called for Kirklees drivers to receive the same exemption as their Leeds colleagues.

Currently drivers from outside Leeds face a surcharge of £12.50 per day as they enter the city’s clean air charging zone (CAZ).

Said Coun Scott: “This is going to impact on a lot of businesses because some of them do up to 7,000 trips a year. That’s going to impact on jobs.”

Leeds is able to reduce the financial burden on its taxi drivers via funding given to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority

(WYCA), a group of leading councillors and officers from West Yorkshire councils, plus York, that works on major infrastructure projects.

Coun Scott added: “I’ve received a lot of lobbying in regards to the fairness of it.

“Kirklees didn’t receive that funding. It was actually given to Leeds authority. But if we’re talking about a combined authority surely the word ‘combined’ can be introduced into this negotiation?

“This isn’t only about Leeds. It’s about Wakefield and others.

“It’s a small industry in some cases. If we talk in Kirklees about supporting businesses across the borough it should also be involving taxi drivers.”

Officers with the council said the authority was investigating whether it could access government funding to assist local drivers.

The proposed new policy includes adopting a revised standard for testing vehicles: upon first licensing and then annually on renewal.

The council is looking to encourage the use of low emission vehicles, including electric vehicles and is working with WYCA to install a network of electric charging points.

Drivers have also expressed concern that the policy only accepts applications for vehicles up to six years of age, and that vehicles over 10 years old (but not London-type cabs) will be refused further licences.

ThePress

Friday March 22, 2019

Club’s bill for £800 after two break-ins in a month

By Zoe Shackleton AN amateur rugby league club is counting the cost after it was broken into for the second time in a month.

Two men broke into Dewsbury Moor’s clubhouse in the early hours of Sunday morning by smashing a window, making off with a small amount of money from the till but causing hundreds of pounds’ worth of damage in the process.

Club president Pete Charlesworth said the two break-ins will leave the club £800 out of pocket after they’ve forked out to repair the windows and replace the till drawers that were taken.

He said: “It’s not so much the money, it’s the damage they do getting in. They’ve been round the back of the bar, rifling through all the drawers and throwing stuff on the floor trying to find what they could.

“They took both till drawers this time. We don’t leave much in the till, there might be only £100 in there.

“It’s costing lots of money to repair the windows and tills that they’re smashing. It’ll be £300/£400 each time and that comes out of the club’s coffers.

It’s money we can ill afford to be spending.”

The club has just received funding to extend the clubhouse and build additional changing rooms but Mr

Spike in Clare’s Law requests for disclosure of partner abuse WEST Yorkshire Police say there has been a spike in right-to-ask requests made through ‘Clare’s Law’ since launching a media campaign in January.

The force wanted to raise awareness of the Domestic

Violence Disclosure Scheme (Clare’s Law) which was introduced in 2012 after Clare Wood, a former pupil of St John Fisher High School, was murdered three years earlier by her exboyfriend. George Appleton. boyfriend,

13

Lecturer’s bluebadge cheating

The price of crime, clockwise from above: one of the burglars attempts to enter the clubhouse; damage caused in the bar area; the broken window where the thieves gained entry.

Clare’s Batley-based father Michael Wood campaigned for the introduction of the law, which gives people over the age of 16 the right to ask police if a partner or ex-partner has a record of abusive behaviour.

If police checks show that the partner or ex-partner does have a record of abusive behaviour or there is information to indicate the applicant may be at risk, a multi-agency decision will be

Charlesworth said they are considering getting shutters fitted throughout the premises to prevent further break-ins.

CCTV footage of the incident has been handed to police but Mr Charlesworth isn’t happy with the way they have dealt with it.

He said: “They said they haven’t got time to look into it properly. I know they’re underfunded but, at the end of the day, this sort of stuff needs to be sorted.”

The break-in won’t affect games being played and both senior and junior teams will be in action this weekend.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “Police are investigating a report of a burglary at Dewsbury Moor ARLFC on March 17.

“It is believed to have happened between 6.10am and 6.30am, when two suspects gained entry to the building.

“The suspects carried out a search before making off with a quantity of cash. They then made off on foot in the direction of Heckmondwike.

“Enquiries remain ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting crime reference 13190138835.”

taken on what information should be shared. During the awareness campaign, right-toask requests in February were nearly triple the previous year, with 30 requests in 2019 compared to 11 in 2018. There were 27 in January, in comparison to 15 in January last year.

Det Supt Jon Morgan, head of WYP’s safeguarding central governance unit, said: “It is hugely encouraging that more people

are taking advantage of their right to ask whether a partner or ex-partner has a history of domestic abuse.

“Where a disclosure is made, it puts that person in a better informed position to make a decision as to whether to continue any relationship.

“It also enables us to discuss any concerns the person may have and signpost them to other support available.”

A COLLEGE lecturer from Batley has been found guilty of multiple fraud offences relating to blue badge misuse.

Yasin Hussain, 35, of Woodfield Avenue, was caught using a defunct disabled blue badge in a vehicle on a number of occasions in the Huddersfield area.

The former Kirklees College lecturer was arrested on college premises on December 11, 2017.

The badge he was using was a family member’s and had been reported lost or stolen in 2016.

Hussain was charged with fraudulent use of a blue badge and denied that he worked or lived in Kirklees.

He was found guilty at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court and was given an 18-month conditional discharge but must pay costs of £1,500.

PC Steve Nicholls, of Kirklees District Police, said: “The misuse of blue badges will not be tolerated and we will prosecute anyone we find to be abusing this.

“Anyone who continually flouts the rules will risk a criminal conviction, as this case demonstrates.

“Hussain was continually dishonest, using the blue badge for his gain in order to evade parking charges whilst working as a college lecturer.”

14

ThePress

Meat and greet at Bespoke!

Friday March 22, 2019

Throughout 2019 local historian Mike Popplewell will be searching through his newspaper collection from the 1920s and 30s for some of the biggest headlines from home and abroad – while also taking a look at stories making the news in our own district. Readers are welcome to provide feedback if any of these features are remembered personally, or you can recall being told them by an earlier generation.

A tumultuous period S THE ‘roaring 20s’ drew to a close there was much to reflect on for the people of Dewsbury and district as, despite the much-publicised hardships of unemployment and disease, there were also innovations and discoveries that would enhance the quality of life for many.

This was particularly so in the field of medicine. Today’s medical ‘demonology’ is focused on our ever-increasing resistance to antibiotics, but a century ago there were no antibiotics!

Penicillin had been discovered in France in the late 19th century, and ignored by the Pasteur Institute, but it was rediscovered, by accident, by Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming in 1928.

The 1920s also saw the development of understanding the value and function of vitamins - particularly the debilitating effect on bones of Vitamin D deficiency. This was something I experienced myself in the late 1940s when things like butter were only available ‘on ration’.

In the meantime the whole process of vaccination was becoming streamlined and mechanical aids to diagnostics and subsequent treatment, like the ECG, which won Einthoven the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1924.

The whole issue of medical advances is a subject in its own right, while here I am also looking at sociological advances and historical events during this decade.

One event that crosses over plenty of categories is the fire at Flush Mills in Heckmondwike in 1928.

TF Firth and Son had become the

A A DESIGNER kitchen firm is celebrating the relaunch of its stylish Gomersal studio with a special event next weekend.

Create Bespoke Kitchens, founded by businessman Bryan Munslow and based on Bleak Street, will welcome in the public for an open day that will also see a talk by a craft beer expert, a free raffle to win a home beer machine and artisan charcuterie for guests to sample.

Create designs, supplies, and installs designer kitchens throughout West Yorkshire and has now forged links with two new top-quality kitchen brands.

The showroom, based in a disused coach building, now features fully installed working kitchens from Leicestershire-based Gaddesby Kitchens and German brand Nobilia.

Founder Bryan (pictured above) said: “It’s two years since we launched and we want to celebrate working with our new suppliers, so we’re inviting everyone to come along, sample some craft beers from the experts at Beer Hawk and enjoy food and drink from local artisan cured meat specialists, The Cure Fine Charcuterie.”

The open day takes place on Saturday March 30 from 10.30am until 5pm and everyone is welcome.

Bryan, who also runs a successful local electrical firm, is also keen to work with local builders and architects on the supply-only side of the business.

He came up with the idea of Create Bespoke Kitchens after undertaking his own kitchen renovation and getting frustrated with the customer service and sales process he experienced.

Since launching in 2017 the firm has completed scores of design-led kitchens across the region with a team of dedicated installers.

To cement the new partnership with Nobilia, Bryan travelled to Germany to receive full product training and says: “Now we’re ready for the next level.”

For more details visit www.createbespokekitchens.com.

Flush Mills burned down in 1928

A Zeppelin over Wembley!

largest employer in the Spen Valley before and after the Great War, and anything affecting the business was destined to have an effect on the people of the town itself.

In 1921 the last of the Firth family left the ownership of the business. Sir Thomas Freeman Firth, my relative by a somewhat complicated connection (he was descended from both the Popplewell and Firth families), had died in 1909 and his son, Sir Algernon, was still on the board but no longer in ownership.

The Firths’ carpet and blanket business was now in the hands of Sir William Aykroyd.

On the night of November 4 1928, fate appeared to pre-empt Bonfire Night and Flush Mills was destroyed by fire.

It was ironic really as Sir Thomas’ son Charles had actually been instrumental in establishing a fire brigade at the mill many years earlier. In any event, the fire that began in the printing offices at the

back of the oldest part of the building on the main road spread rapidly and was to cause an estimated damage that would be valued at around £9 million today.

A history of the company that was once kept in Heckmondwike Library recorded: “Fire brigades from Heckmondwike, Spenborough and Dewsbury were called in and help was given by the Heckmondwike Co-op Brigade, the brigade of Cooke, Sons and Co. Ltd, Millbridge and the Flush Mills Brigade, of course.”

Despite 20-30 jets of water the roof was to collapse, and part of the wall fell into the main road.

It was 11.30 the following morning before the brigades got on top of the fire and another three hours before the first was allowed to leave. It was seven the following morning before the exhausted Heckmondwike men finally left the scene.

However, the mill was rebuilt

and work for the people of Heckmonwike and beyond were soon back at work.

The short day factory working on Saturdays gave rise to a boom in attendances at sports events during the inter war years, and while the 1928 Rugby League Challenge Cup saw Dewsbury competing in the first ever Wembley final, losing to St Helens, just down the road Huddersfield Town, so successful under Herbert Chapman in the league, found themselves facing Chapman’s new side Arsenal at Wembley in the 1929-30 FA Cup final.

The facts of the game, Arsenal won 2-0, were overshadowed by the strange appearance of the German Graf Zeppelin airship ‘buzzing’ the stadium. One report stated that the airship appeared just after the start of the second half, and it is hard to imagine just how much consternation this may have caused in the 94,000 strong crowd.

This must have been particularly the case for the fans behind one of the goals, for the airship flew so low it was almost within touching distance of the crowds at the top of the then open terracing.

But, no matter how frightening this event may have been, there was so much worse to follow just over a decade later with the German V1 and V2 flying bombs wreaking havoc up and down the country.

Alongside the Battle of Britain and repeated air raids throughout World War Two that airship over Wembley was a horrifying portent of the shape of things to come.

ThePress

Mothers Day

Friday March 22, 2019

Show her that she’s the Best. Mum. Ever!

MUM’S the word a week on Sunday – and woe betide anyone who forgets!

Mothers’ Day is the one day of the year when all mums deserve to be made a fuss of.

Everyone thinks their mum is the best mum in the world and Mothers’ Day is the day when you can show her just how much you love her.

Mums are taken for granted 364 days a year but here at The Press we want to ensure, for one day at least, your mum is the most important mum in the world.

All mums will say they have a lot to put up with day in, day out and you don’t have to push the boat out or break the bank to make your mum feel special.

There are stacks of ideas, from a little pampering at a local beauty parlour to Sunday lunch out with all the family, a hot air balloon trip for the more adventurous or a simple, specially-framed photograph which captures that cherished family memory.

Mothers’ Day gives every mum the chance to put their feet up and be waited on for a change. What about breakfast in bed as a (not so early) treat?

The simplest things often give the most pleasure and a little thought goes a long way.

A few well-chosen words on that special card can touch a heart.

Why not think about what would make your mum feel extra special?

Flowers, chocolates and perfume never go amiss but what about something more personal to go along with the more traditional gifts?

Take your mum out for a meal on Mothers’ Day – but don’t forget to book NOW. All the best places are filling up fast and you don’t want to leave the family, especially mum, disappointed.

Rounding up the whole family for this special day is often all any mum could want.

Everyone leads busy lives and it is not always possible for families to meet up at the same place at the same time.

But Mothers’ Day is a day to celebrate the person who is at the heart of the family and it is not too much to ask to ensure everybody is round the table for one day in the calendar.

Your mum should be made to feel as if she is the most important person in the world.

She is.

And that shouldn’t just apply to Mothers’ Day. However, that special day is the time to show just how much you appreciate what your mum does. Go on. Show her how much you care. Make Mothers’ Day extra special this year!

15

Flowers by Annie Thornhill’s local florist

Beautiful flowers & gifts for

y a D s r e h t o M Special offers everyday Specialising in wedding & funeral flowers, plus amazing bouquets from as little as £5!

T: 01924 518665 M: 07854388506 Opening hours: Tues/Wed 10-4, Thurs/Fri 10-5 Saturday 10am - 3pm 82 Edge Top Rd, Thornhill

flowers by Annie

Bring your special mum to our beautiful country hotel nestled in the middle of pretty Tong Village, to spend a wonderful afternoon to celebrate her special day

Holiday Inn Leeds Bradford, The Pastures, Tong Lane, Bradford, BD4 0RP Telephone: 0113 285 4646 www.holidayinn.com/leedsbradford

16

ThePress

Friday March 22, 2019

Ramblers’ corner FORTHCOMING walks with the North Kirklees Group of the Ramblers – non-members are always welcome. Please call the walk leader for more details.

SATURDAY MARCH 23 SEARCHING FOR THE CRAG VALE COINERS Starts at 10.30am at Mytholmroyd Community Centre (HX7 5DW SE011260) 7 or 8.5 miles depending on weather Contact: Maria 07932 610031

So much to enjoy

Oakwell tai-chi session FOR THOSE who enjoy relaxing in the great outdoors, Oakwell Hall Country Park is the place to be this Sunday.

You can find out more about the popular activity of tai chi with an introductory session led by tai chi practitioner Les Hughes.

Les will introduce participants to the philosophy of tai chi, some basic exercises and meditation before moving onto the 24-movement Yang style of tai chi.

The session runs from 10am to 12noon on the rear lawn of Oakwell Hall and costs £5 per person. Places must be booked in advance at the Visitor Centre shop or by calling 01924 324761.

Missing it is criminal THE METHODS of investigation used by police during the Victorian era will be explained at next Monday’s meeting of the Batley History Group.

The revelations will come from speaker Gaynor Haliday, who has investigated the activities of Victorian policemen for quite some time.

The meeting, which starts at 7.30pm, will be slightly different as it is held in the council chamber at Batley Town Hall, instead of the larger main hall.

Members will be able to give their comments at the close of the session.

Everyone is welcome to attend, admission is £2 for members and £4 for non-members.

Win cash, help Nash BATLEY Irish Democratic League Club has joined a new lottery scheme.

The ‘Nash’ is now part of the Celtic Community Lottery, and participants will be in with a chance of winning £25,000 every week.

The Celtic Community Lottery, developed by the Bradford Irish Society, is intended to help small community organisations across the UK become more sustainable.

The first draw took place last Saturday and for every pound raised, 45p is retained by each organisation.

Anyone over 16 can take part, and officials at the Nash ask that when signing up you select ‘Batley Irish Democratic League Club’ as your chosen good cause. More details can be found at www.thenash.co.uk or direct from www.celticlottery.org.

Pirates reunited ONE OF THE stars of Batley Gilbert & Sullivan Society’s latest show is hoping to bring back some happy memories for a group of people who appeared in Wheelwright Sixth Form College’s production of The Pirates of Penzance in 1976.

Malcolm Parkinson is trying to contact cast members from 43 years ago to form a group booking to see him reprise his role as the MajorGeneral in Batley Gilbert & Sullivan Society’s production of Pirates at Batley Town Hall next month.

Back in 1976 the venue was the hall at Birkdale High School – previously known as Wheelwright Boys’ Grammar School.

Pirates boasted a cast of over 50 people, a figure unheard of in most Gilbert & Sullivan societies today.

It was produced by Mavis Roberts

and musical direction and accompaniment was provided by Ray Wood.

Both were teachers at the college, and costumes were also made in-house.

Wheelwright College was created in September 1974 as one of the last major decisions of the former County Borough of Dewsbury, but in 1987 it merged with Dewsbury & Batley Technical and Art College as part of a re-organisation.

Some of the cast of that 1976 production, however, continued their involvement with the works of Gilbert & Sullivan. Elizabeth Ward, who played Ruth, and Joe Zserdicky, who played Frederic, would eventually marry and become leading lights of Wakefield Gilbert & Sullivan Society.

Carol Aveyard, who was a chorus member in 1976, and Malcolm Parkinson, who played Major-

General Stanley, would also marry and become long-standing members of Batley Gilbert & Sullivan Society, a group which this year celebrates its 70th anniversary.

Their production of Pirates at Batley Town Hall runs from Wednesday April 10 to Saturday April 13 at 7.30 pm nightly, plus a matinee on the Saturday at 2.30pm.

The show also features Carol as Mabel, and Jennifer Day (nee Jones) who played Mabel in the 1976 production.

If you were in Wheelwright College’s 1976 production and would like to join the party, please ring Malcolm on 01924 456780.

Alternatively, tickets can be obtained by calling 07810 447183 or through the Kirklees box office.

A blockbuster, adventure and rom-com A holiday in Heaton HANGING Heaton’s Ebenezer Methodist Drama Group are currently presenting the comedy ‘Holiday at Home’ by Colin Barrow.

Produced by Allison Pollard, performances began last night and take place in the school room this evening (Friday) and Saturday at 7.15pm.

The cast includes Margaret Brooke, Dorothy Cape, Howard Gray, Sue Gray, Nigel Harrison, Karen Holmes, Brian Middleham, Keith Senior and Rosi Smith.

Tickets including refreshments are priced £6.50 for adults and £4.50 for children.

For information call 01924 769513 or 07889 258997.

SATURDAY MARCH 30 B.B.N.G.WYKENSHAW Starts at 10.30am at the Walkers Arms, Scholes (SE166259) 8 miles – moderate Contact: Geoff 01422 379921 geoff.terry11@btinternet.com

THE LATEST performance from North Kirklees arts organisation Creative Scene is a blockbuster, adventure and a rom-com all rolled into one.

Somewhere between a dance performance, sketch show, a night at the movies and an epic game of charades, Desert Island Flicks will shine a spotlight on life lessons learnt from the big screen at venues in Birstall and Roberttown tonight and tomorrow (Sat).

The fun performance comes from Spiltmilk Dance, who brought Little Love Cabaret to the Dewsbury and Batley area last summer.

It presents two leading

ladies who re-imagine, remake and spoof the most memorable movie moments of all time.

Creative Scene is bringing the feisty duo to the district for two nights only as they take on all the lead roles, stunts, and special effects.

From timeless classics to modern-day marvels, the show celebrates how iconic characters and thrilling plot twists have captured imaginations the world over, bringing people together to laugh, cry, and cheer along in a room full of strangers.

Adele Wragg, co-director of Desert Island Flicks, who also stars in the show along with Sarah Boulter,

said: “It is primarily a sketch show using dance.

We re-imagine iconic, memorable moments from some smashing films.

“We remember up to 90 films on the night appealing to different age groups.

It is filled with plot twists and cliff hangers, swoony romances and full on tearjerkers.

“Grab your popcorn for a whistle stop tour of suave spies, talking toys, singing nuns and pesky icebergs that have kept us glued to cinema seats over the last 80 years.”

Creative Scene, which brings art and culture to north Kirklees using funding from Arts Council England, is staging the

show at Birstall Community Centre tonight (Fri) and Roberttown Community Centre on Saturday (both starting at 7.30pm).

Nancy Barrett, director of Dewsbury-based Creative Scene: “We are delighted to welcome Spiltmilk Dance back to the area for another wonderful show.

“They are specialists in the art of uplifting entertainment and always guarantee a good laugh for the audience. Why not come along and try something different?”

Tickets are priced £6 or £20 for a group of four.

Book at www.creative scene.org.uk.

THE ROYAL Voluntary Service has a number of activities planned in the district next week.

On Monday (February 25), there is the popular Movement and Games group at Batley Older People’s Centre on Upper Commercial Street (10.30am-noon).

On Tuesday the First Time For Everything project brings African drumming to the Older People’s Centre and everyone is welcome to take part from 1.30pm to 3.30pm On Thursday, the Lunch Club meets from 11.30pm to 1pm – pre-booking is essential.

On Friday the Happy Trippers group will be out visiting M&S at Pudsey and Tong Garden Centre from 1pm to 4.30pm – meet at the Older People’s Centre.

From 4.30pm to 6pm there is also an annual showcase event to celebrate everyone’s achievements.

Then on Sunday there is a special Mother’s Day social session at the Older People’s Centre from 2pm to 4pm, with entertainment from from Sarah Taylor Dance Studios and refreshments.

For details on any activities call 01924 446100.

• DEWSBURY and District Rambling Club have a week off before the next walk on Wednesday April 3.

A group of ramblers enjoyed an 11.5-mile walk from Yateholme to Digley Reservoir and Blackpool Ridge last Sunday.

Welcome!

THERE’S free live music and dancing every Sunday afternoon at Batley Central Club, with the wellknown Reg Hargreaves Trio playing at the venue from 1.15pm to around 3.30pm.

A variety of guest singers perform each week. The bar is open and the club on Bradford Road in Batley, wants to encourage as many people as possible to come down and enjoy the afternoon’s entertainment.

Classified

ThePress

Friday March 22, 2019

Want to advertise in our Classified section?

Call 01924 470296 or email advertising@thepressnews.co.uk

BEDS

BUTCHERS

Stockists of Leading Brand Beds

173-175 Bradford Road, Cleckheaton, BD19 3TJ (Next to The Horncastle Pub)

www.junction26beds.co.uk t. 01274 879100

Up until recently however, he’d not given much thought to those people who don’t have social media, prefer not to use it, or simply prefer to pick up a copy of their local newspaper every week.

Steve picks up a copy of The Press every Friday, he says it’s a great read, it’s informative, honest and relevant. There are thousands of people locally who think the same.

Steve soon realised he was missing a trick and decided to contact us.

He now advertises on a regular basis, and business has never been better!

Contact us on 01924

470296 for more info

Remember folks, not everyone uses social media!

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

AERIAL & SATELLITE

Reliable Drivers And A Great Service

The Airport Specialists ALL UK AIRPORTS SAME FARES 24/7 TAXIS & MINIBUSES

10% DISCOUNT ON ALL AERIALS WITH THIS ADVERT

01274

PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES

www.europrivatehire.com

MALCOLM’S AERIAL SHOP

80 Town Street, Earlsheaton, WF12 8JL

• SKY TRAINED AUTHORISED ENGINEERS • AERIAL / SKY 2ND ROOM £39 • TELEVISION / PC & LAPTOP REPAIRS Open 7 Days until 8pm - Est 20yrs

FREEPHONE 0800 074 8967 or 01924 450999

The Press – no other local paper can touch us on advertising prices!

AerialVision Established 1980

4Year

GUARANTEE

Reliable Local Family Firm • Aerial Installations Repairs and Extensions • Sky and FreeSat Work TV Wall Mounting • Burglar Alarms • CCTV Our Engineer has over 30 years experience Neat work, No mess

Tel: 01924 441294 Mob: 07922 017909 ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS! Contact 01924 470296

Euro Cars Private Hire Ltd, 387 Tong Street, Bradford, BD4 9RU

SPECIALISTS

Your Local Quality Butcher

5kg Chicken £28 2.5kg Chicken £15 5lb Steak Mince £12.99 See instore for more details 128 Huddersfield Rd, Mirfield

470296

AUTOCARE Supporting Visit us for Breast all your Cancer motoring needs Care

MOTs, Servicing, Repairs, Tyres, Batteries, Exhausts Hi-Q Gold Award for customer service and Retail Tyre Centre of the Year finalist Hi Q, 499 Huddersfield Road, Ravensthorpe, WF13 3JW Tel: 01924 468210 www.hiqonline.co.uk

www.facebook.com/ThePressNews

Follow us @ThePressLatest

MOUNTAIN - ELECTRIC BMX - ROAD - KIDS ACCESSORIES CLOTHING COMMUTER/LEISURE MAINTENANCE Finance Available Free Delivery

www.hargreavescycles.co.uk 27 Bradford Road, 01924 Dewsbury, WF13 2DU 461283 10mins M62 jn28

CAR BOOT SALE

CARE HOMES

DRIVES & PATIO SPECIALISTS

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

GARLANDS

The MOST affordable advertising with the MOST readers in North Kirklees CHARTERED SURVEYER

Residential & Dementia Care Home

Providing 24-hour Care, Respite & Day Care 27 Church Street, Heckmondwike 01924 404122

18 Broadgate, Ossett, Wakefield, WF5 0PU Tel.Wakefield (01924) 275275 Email: davidghorner1@btconnect.com Fax.Wakefield (01924) 271860

T 01924 474777 01924 422218 www.banglalounge yorkshire.co.uk

DRUMS, MUSIC, AMPS

E.J.GREENWOOD GUITARS, AMPS DRIVEWAYS & PATIO & DRUMS SPECIALISTS BEST DEALS IN TOWN TARMACADAM BLOCK PAVING INDIAN FLAGS etc ALL AREAS OF KIRKLEES & CALDERDALE COVERED

FOR FREE ESTIMATES CALL

07973 959968

COACH TOURS

PART EXCHANGE & CASH DEALS ALWAYS WELCOME 39b Westbourne Road, Marsh, Huddersfield, HD1 4LQ Tel: 01484 321388

www.keithdawsonmusic.com ELECTRICAL

FENCING

Carols TS FENCING DAVID G. HORNER Travel & PROPERTY CHARTERED SURVEYOR VALUER BUILDING ENGINEER BUILDING SURVEYOR

38 LOW LANE BIRSTALL WF17 9HB

Mon: 9:30-6pm, Tues: CLOSED, Wed-Sat: 9:30-6pm, Sunday: CLOSED

T: 01924 492185

QUALITY COACH TOUR HOLIDAYS

Prices include excursions Wheelchair & Scooter Friendly No Single Supplement Executive Coach Travel with Hostess Service All Our Chosen High Quality Hotels Are Ensuite Up To 4* Rating Spenborough & Mirfield Pick-ups are Door-ToDoor at No Extra Cost 93 Killinghall Road, Bradford, BD3 8AB

01274 851477

REPAIRS

All type of fencing, gates, decking, flagging & patios etc All types of property repairs, general handyman work.

Any Odd Jobs Big or Small

Call Tony 07939 018428

01924 402578

www.carolstravel.co.uk

CALL OUR OFFICE IN Computer Problems?

Sick of Cowboys?

BATLEY ON MAIN

68-99-99 01924

DINING OUT

HARGREAVES cycles

Family Run Business Open 7 Days

Steve is a local joiner, he makes the most of every opportunity social media offers. Steve’s business has picked up since using Facebook.

He says it’s easy, it’s instant, and sometimes it gets him work!

CYCLES

17

COMPUTING

PC DOCTOR 07976 877 768 23 Years Experience

• No Repair, No Charge • No call out charge • We repair on site

Park House, High Road, Dewsbury

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS! CONTACT 01924 470296

ANYTHING ELECTRICAL

ALARMS, OUTSIDE LIGHTS Electrical Cookers Repaired Supplied & Fitted, No Job Too Small, 35 Years Experience, Same Day Service Available Ring Batley:

0113 285 4563 or 07801 063911

GARAGE DOORS

UP+OVER DOORS fitted, repairs,

remote supply only

from £295 PENSIONERS DISCOUNT AVAILABLE All major debit/credit cards available

01924 850141 07836 723821

Classified ThePress

18

Want to advertise in our Classified section?

Call 01924 470296 or email advertising@thepressnews.co.uk GARAGES

DENCROFT GARAGES Concrete Garages & Sheds Dismantle & Bases Garage re-vamps Garage Doors 230 Bradford Rd, Batley Tel: 01924 461996 dencroftgarages.co.uk

Car body repairs Imperial Motor Company 107 Bradford Road, Dewsbury Tel: 01924 461607 or 07860 754984

PLUMBING & HEATING

ROOFING

COMPETENT ASPHALT Co Ltd

CHECK FOR CARBON MONOXIDE

YOU PAY HOW MUCH TO ADVERTISE?

MOTOR CARE

Friday March 22, 2019

CALL US ON

01924 470296

Any gas appliance serviced £50+VAT then £20+VAT for each of others.

Combi boilers fitted with For All 7 year guarantee Your Heating Choose Experience & Plumbing T: 01924 666669 Needs M: 0758 1552797 36 Greenacres Drive, Birstall, WF17 9RA www.ecoheatingyorkshire.co.uk

11556

PUBS AND CLUBS

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS! Contact 01924 470296

MOTORCYCLE LESSONS & MORE

SIX LANE ENDS

GOMERSAL CRICKET CLUB FREE • 80-100 FUNCTION people ROOM HIRE • Kitchen use available • DJs, Bands, Entertainment organised • Low drinks prices

Public House HAIR & BEAUTY

Snooker & Pool Table All Sky & BT Sport

HGV TUITION

LAGER & BITTER FROM ONLY £2.70 A PINT

T utti F rutti N ails H air B eauty P ackages

• PAMPER PARTIES • WEDDING MAKEUP • PROM • SPECIAL OCCASION

Tel: 01274 864902 Tutti Frutti 141 Birkenshaw Lane Birkenshaw, Bradford BD11 2HD

Obtain your HGV or PCV Licence With Ease Use The Professionals Over 30 Years Experience

Open 12 noon - 12 midnight

PAGEANT, PROM & EVENING WEAR Find us on

All Aspects Of Driving

Tel: 01274 686211 www.atkinslgv.net

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

KITCHENS & BEDROOMS Makeovers, Facelifts, Revamps, Repairs, Alterations

PROM, PAGEANT & EVENING WEAR WORLD LEADING DESIGNER DRESSES FROM THE UK AND USA

Independent

LLoockcsmaithl

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Emergency Lock Replacement Locks Changed Locks Fitted Snap Safe Cylinders Fitted UPVC Specialised

Police Approved Call Now

07977 127676

MASTER LOCKSMITH

HARFORD’S SECURITY LTD NELSON STREET, DEWSBURY, WF13 1NA

TEL: 01924 467269 FAX: 01924 430800 MASTER LOCKSMITHS ACCESS CONTROL INTRUDER ALARM INSTALLERS WEBSITE: www.harfordssecurity.co.uk

Exterior & Interior

07884 495530 01924 476432

TO ADVERTISE TIM PRYKE CONTACT PLASTERING Too Small OUR SALES No JobQuality TEAM ON Workmanship!

Free Quotes 01924 01924 492272 470296 07765 542409 Telephone

A.T BELL PLUMBING & HEATING

From a dripping tap, to a full central heating system, bathrooms designed supplied & fitted

DISCOUNTS FOR PENSIONERS

Landlord Servicing & Certificates

Call Tony today for a quote on Mobile: 07831 260466 or 01924 492556

11557

BUILDING & PROPERTY SERVICES • ROOFING • gutters • pointing • TILING • FENCING ETC Free Estimates

07788 850824

Call KEVIN FLYNN

01924 469633

SCAFFOLDING SERVICES

Chem Scaffolding Limited Providing excellent service since 2006 Fast, Reliable Service & Competitive Rates Smithies Mill 883-887 Bradford Road Batley, WF17 8NN Phone: 01924 474 384 Fax: 01924 420 199 Email:

info@chemscaffolding.co.uk www.chemscaffolding.co.uk

SCRAP METAL

SCRAP METAL MERCHANTS

SELF STORAGE

All Types Of Metal

Low Beer/Lager Prices! ★

EMPRESS

Sat 23rd ★ Mar FEMALE FRONTED ROCK COVERS BAND FREE ENTRY ★ ★ ★★ ★

EVERY SUNDAY BINGO Starts 9pm

CONCERT ROOM FOR HIRE • PRIVATE PARTIES WELCOME

FIND US ON FACEBOOK 01924 402696

IMMEDIATE PAYMENT

• Copper • Brass • Lead • Aluminium and all types of cable (01924) 469409 14 Heckmondwike Road, Dewsbury, WF13 3PH

SIMPSON DENNIS (Roofing Services)

All roof repairs. Insurance work Re-roofing, lead and chimney work – Reduction for OAPs All work guaranteed, free estimates Established 25 years Tel Mirfield

01924 497776 Mobile 07768 298739 www.simpsondennis-roofing.co.uk

Approved by leading insurance companies

ALLAN BELK

Mob: 07880 581977 Tel: 01924 468148 Roofing & property repairs, chimneys lowered, new roofs, strip and re-fix flat roofing.

Free estimates.

All work guaranteed

FURNESS ROOFING & PROPERTY MAINTENANCE • New Roofs • Flat Roofs • GRP • Chimney Stacks • Gutters, Pointing • Fascia and Soffits • Insurance Work • General Building Work • Leadwork • Velux Windows

ALL WORK GUARANTEED email: mark@furnessroofing.co.uk 01924 406941 07850 786270 www.furnessroofing.co.uk

TRAVEL INSURANCE

TRAVEL INSURANCE FULLY COMPREHENSIVE TOP QUALITY COVER • Single trip cover now with NO AGE LIMIT • Annual multi-trip cover maximum age 86 • Air Ambulance get you home service • 24-hour customer support telephone numbers • FREE medical screening service AUTHORISED AND REGULATED BY THE FCA CONDITIONS APPLY PLEASE CALL FOR DETAILS

WANTED

House Clearances No Job Too Small

ALL INSURANCE WORK UNDERTAKEN

07901 750921 • 01924 485168

07980 767167

RW Roofing & Property Repairs

WANTED

SCRAP CARS & VANS WANTED Cash paid & free collection Open 7 days a week

07743 134616

S.D Metals Recycling

0116 272 0500

Quality WATCHES BOUGHT Foreign Currency All available currencies bought & sold Cheques Cashed All cheques considered CALL ANDREW ON

Pointing, guttering and general maintenance work

Check us out on

LAWRENCE HARVEY / ROOFIX

TOP CLASS TURNS • BINGO - SNOOKER

ALL TYPES OF ROOFING REPAIRS

PLUMBING & HEATING

Seamless Aluminium, Cast Iron, Wood, Plastic All roofing work & repairs New roofs Insurance work undertaken Plus all flat roofing

www.competentasphalt.co.uk

Millbridge CLUB ★

REPAIRS OR RENEWAL

clubsecretary@gomersalcc.com

ROOFING PLASTERER

Tel: 01924 480992 Mobile: 07778 809295

LTD

Email:

One of the area’s friendliest clubs.

★

Station Road, Bradley, HD2 1UW

WILKINSON BROS

www.misselegance.co.uk info@misselegance.co.uk

YOUR LOCAL TRUSTED PLUMBER ESTABLISHED OVER 40 YEARS

Tel: 01274 874100 / 07422 510043

joIN US AT THE

Tel: 01924 473892

www.kitchenbedroom.co.uk

The MOST affordable advertising with the MOST readers in North Kirklees

PAINTING & DECORATING Telephone Steve

31 Low Lane, Birstall WF17 9EY

Free quotes 01924 506616 LOCKSMITHS

PAINTER & DECORATOR

146 Leeds Road Heckmondwike 01924 402764

Roofing Specialists Est Over 50 Years All Work Fully Guaranteed

JUST

GUTTERING

YOU PAY HOW MUCH TO ADVERTISE??

CALL US ON

01924 470296

Classified

ThePress

Friday March 22, 2019

WINDOW REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE

FED UP WITH Est 1990 STEAMY WINDOWS? We replace Misted-Up Sealed Units Locks | Handles | Hinges Faulty Door Mechanisms and Much More!

HOME SECURE WINDOW MAINTENANCE T: 01924 412279 M: 07974 700789 Find us on

www.repairs4windows.co.uk

EASY ways to book your advert:

â&#x2DC;&#x17D;

01924 470296

(Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)

advertising@thepressnews.co.uk The Press, 31 Branch Road, Batley, WF17 5SB PUBLIC NOTICES

www.facebook.com/ThePressNews

Follow us @ThePressLatest

19

Want to advertise in our Classified section?

Call 01924 470296 or email advertising@thepressnews.co.uk PUBLIC NOTICES

20

ThePress

Friday March 22, 2019

A healthy eating Marketplace plan that comes into cash £££s with a sense of community Turn your unwanted items

Special advertising feature

New mum Faye Richardson has lost more than four stone and is relaunching Slimming World’s Staincliffe group on Monday. Here, in her own words, is her inspiring weight loss story: I JOINED Slimming World when my daughter was four months old as I’d been struggling to lose the baby weight.

I was really unhappy with my weight and my confidence was at rock bottom. I hated going to any social events and would spend the evenings sat down, so nobody would look at me.

I wouldn’t go shopping so was still wearing my maternity clothes. Worst of all, I wouldn’t have any pictures taken so I have none together with my daughter in the first four months.

Someone had mentioned they’d lost weight through Slimming World and there was a voucher for free membership in the paper that weekend, so I took it as a sign that I needed to join.

I was so nervous about joining and I thought about backing out numerous times.

I knew I had to do it though, as I’d been trying to lose weight for four months and got nowhere. I needed help and guidance and knew Slimming World could provide it.

So off I went one Wednesday, feeling more nervous the closer I got. It was massive step walking through those doors into the unknown.

I was shocked at how busy it was but also pleasantly surprised that nobody stared at me when I walked in. I’d built up this idea of what it would be like, and it was the exact opposite. Everybody was really friendly and helpful.

I was the only new member that night and while listening to the ins and outs of the plan I was secretly thinking, this can’t possibly work. I can’t eat all that and lose weight; there must be more to it.

Then another member came over and showed my consultant a half-stone award.

My consultant congratulated her and after she’d walked away she told me it was the lady’s first week. I couldn’t believe it. I’d being trying to diet for four months and hardly lost anything and this lady had lost half a stone in one week.

That made me believe that if I could follow this it would work and I would lose the weight. I went home feeling inspired and excited for my week ahead.

The next week I went back for my first weigh. It was still nerve-wracking but not as much as the previous week. I

“

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 Gents Barbour breathable coat, size large. Dark green colour.

Hardly worn and in excellent condition, £100 ono. Tel 01924 497679.

(2366) Aqua roll water carrier for fresh water, £25. Tel 07754 890433 (2367) Wastemaster waste water carrier, £25. Tel 07754 890433. (2367) Calor gas bottle 13kg, half full, £15.

Tel 07754 890433.

(2367)

Faye before

Faye now!

got on the scales holding my breath and was told I’d lost 2.5lb.

Initially I was disappointed as I’d hoped for more, but then it started to sink in that I was 2.5lb lighter in one week. I was going the right way.

Each week it got easier going to group and by week four I’d achieved my own half-stone award and for the first time stayed for image therapy.

That was when I really started to understand what Slimming World was all about.It’s not just a diet, it’s a lifestyle.

It’s a healthy eating plan that comes with a sense of community. If you are a Slimming World member you are never alone.

Once I started staying to group my weekly losses tripled.

As a new mum I was worried how I would find the time to prepare all the meals. However, it actually made life so much easier. I plan my meals on a weekly basis while doing the shopping list.

There’s also no need for extra trips to the supermarket so our food bills are a lot more reasonable.

It also works for family life.

We prepare one meal for the whole family from scratch every night in as little as 30 minutes.

There are so many Slimming World recipes you never get bored. Variety is the key to keeping it interesting and helping to ensure you get good losses every week. It also means you don’t feel segregated at meal times as everyone is eating the same meal.

It took me eight months to get to my target weight and in total I have lost 4 stone 3lb. I am now a target member and still enjoy going to my group.

Slimming World has changed my life in so many ways. Not only has it helped me achieve my dream of losing my baby weight, it’s also helped me overcome anxieties that have held me back so many times before.

I now have the confidence to do things I never dreamed I’d be able to do before, like being a Slimming World Consultant.

I’ve come so far since joining Slimming World and when I think back to the old me that didn’t dare walk through those doors as a new member, to now be stood up at the front leading a group of my own, I’m so grateful I didn’t let my nerves get the better of me and stop me from joining that Wednesday night.

I feel honoured that I am going to be helping people achieve their dreams and I cannot wait to get started.

2 x Kids E scooters. Electric scooter with seats.

One pink, one blue, £25 each. Tel 07754 890433.

(2367) Motorhome awning. Kampa Air Motor Rally Pro390. Used twice, £450. Tel 07754 890433.

(2367) Two pairs of Hotter sandals size 7, one salmon pink, one rose gold. £25 each. Tel 07564 739087. (2368) Bush personal CD player plus headphones. Only used once, £20. Tel 07564 739087.

(2368) Solid wood, small folding occasional table. 13ins square x 17ins high, £10.

Tel 07564 739087.

(2368) ANIMAL GOODS Western saddle, cob size. Black leather with suede seat.

Hardly used.

Complete with sad-

dle pad, £50. Tel 07758 609661. (2358) FURNITURE Faux leather chaise longue, beige colour.

Like new, £50. Tel 01924 453932. (2361) Nest of three tables, dark wood. Good condition, £10. Tel 07548 798908. (2354) CD rack, dark wood.

Takes approx 80 CDs. 42 inches high.

Very good condition, £5. Tel 07548 798908. (2354) All wood table with centre leaf, 47” L x 95” W x 30” H, £75.

Tel 01484 656666.

(2352) Leather three-seater reclining sofa.

Burgundy colour.

Very good condition, £150. Tel 01484 656666. (2352) HOUSEHOLD Homebrew Kit includes 4 x 25/35ltr buckets, dispensing taps, syphon pump, filler tube and valve, hydrometer, thermometer, bottle corker and bottle capper, shrink cap tool, caps, corks, bubblers, stirring utensils, half steriliser and many other items. Paid over £160, sell for £95 ono. Tel 07486 636196 collection only. (2365) Brother Industrial sewing machine on new flatbed table.

Good working condition, £200 ono. Tel 07510 323053 (after 3pm). (2359) New portable gas heater on wheels.

Size 720mm x 420mm x 330mm.

Includes hose and connectors for propane and butane gas. Three heat set-

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? ITEM bands

Cost per item

Up to £7: £8 - £25: £26 - £50 £51- £100 £101-£200 £201-£500 £501-£1450 £1,451 plus tings. £55 ovno. Tel 07925 944885. (2351) Dehumidifier for sale. Good condition £55. Tel 07816 132472. (2345) KITCHEN/DINING George Foreman grilling machine. Like new, hardly used, £10. Tel 01924 477122. (2356) Royal Doulton set of four display plates featuring different cats. With certificate of authenticity. Make a lovely gift, £15. Tel 07925 127198. (2350) Kenwood Mixer (small) with liquidiser and other tools, (£90 in Argos) sell £40 ono. Tel 01924 430088 (2343).

MOBILITY Disability aid – raised toilet seat with safety handles.

As new, cost £50, will accept £20.

Tel 07931 003053.

(2357) Disability aid – kidney-shaped over armchair dining table. As new, cost £120, will accept £50. Tel 07931 003053. (2357) Eden Mobility scooter, red with chrome bumper. Anti tip wheels, swivel seat for easy getting on/off. Battery

£1 £2 £3 £4 £5 £7 £9 £11

replaced 2018 but little used. Excellent condition. Cost over £1,500, will accept £650. Tel 01274 871098. (2349) MOTORING Reliant Robin spare parts for sale.

Various items from clutch cables to gearboxes, starters, doors, bumpers etc.

Tel 07414 297858 for more details. (2362) MUSICAL Reynolds USA good quality tenor trombone, in original quality case with Reynolds logo. Serial no 237455. The gold lacquer shows signs of normal wear which does not affect the playing.

No plate loss on inner slide legs, comes with original mouthpiece no 3. £120. Tel 01924 477016. (2355) Small violin and bow in case, £25. Tel 01924 402931. (2353) PET GOODS Indoor small rabbit/guinea pig cage, includes feeding dishes and bedroom. Size 100cm L x 50cm W x 33cm H. £10. Tel 01924 468509. (2360) Pets at Home rabbit playpen. Use inside or out, 35 inch x 20 inch, £6. Tel 07925 127198. (2350)

ThePress

Friday March 22, 2019

21

FOOTBALL

United climb back into play-off spots Ladies reach League Cup final

REACHING HIGH: Ossett United Ladies are close to a league and cup double QUICK START: Adam Priestley (number seven) knocks the ball in to give United a sixth-minute lead at Frickley

Evo-Stik East Division

FRICKLEY ATHLETIC OSSETT UNITED

1 3

THE PLAY-OFFS are beckoning for Ossett United as they returned to the top five with a confident away victory at Frickley Athletic.

Both sides faced trying conditions but United managed the better, leading 2-1 at the break after a dominant start and adding a third late on after holding the fort effectively in the second half.

United snatched a last-gasp point the previous weekend at home to AFC Mansfield, and manager Andy Welsh made two changes to the side that started that game.

One of those was Adam Priestley, and it took the winger just six min-

utes to justify his selection and punish his former side. Frickley goalkeeper Hugo Warhurst only pushed the ball back into danger at the near post from a corner, and Priestley was in the right place to tap in and give his side the early lead.

The home side did have their chances to respond, but Greg Young saw his effort disallowed by the referee and Ossett stopper Brett Souter denied Jameel Ible’s header.

Priestley and Tom Greaves both had chances to extend the lead but couldn’t, and in the 38th minute Frickley hit back thanks to a superb individual goal by Ousman Cham who, making his debut on loan from FC Halifax Town, lobbed Souter from the edge of the penalty area to equalise.

There was plenty more drama left in the first half though, firstly with

PHOTOS: John Hirst

a lengthy stoppage as the referee had to go off injured and a new assistant referee was found.

That meant that the clock was well past 45 minutes when Sam Liversedge headed an Ossett corner over his own goalkeeper, giving the visitors a half-time lead.

The conditions hardly got better after the break and the second period was a very scrappy affair.

This suited United’s stubborn defence down to the ground though, and they rarely looked under pressure to concede again as the half progressed It was Ossett who got the next and final goal to seal the contest two minutes from time, with tricky footwork down the left setting up Aiden Chippendale for a tap in to secure victory and a return to that allimportant top five.

North East Women’s League Cup

YORK CITY LADIES OSSETT UNITED LADIES OSSETT UNITED Ladies are one match away from securing the double in their first season after a comfortable victory at York City in the League Cup semi-finals.

They managed to seal the North East Division One South title before Christmas, earning a spot in the fifth tier of the women’s game for next season.

0 3

Since then their attention has been on securing more silverware, and they beat Barnsley FC Development and Sheffield Wednesday in the previous rounds to earn a place in the last four of the competition.

The cup is now within Ossett’s grasp after a superb win, with Emily Starkie, Chelsea Schofield and Danielle Sidebottom scoring the goals.

The final is scheduled to take place on April 7 at Storking Lane in Wilberfoss, and United will learn their opponents this weekend when Hartlepool United and Durham Cestria play their semi-final fixture.

£150,000 grant for Ossett changing rooms OSSETT UNITED have received £149,155 to help build new changing facilities at Ingfield Stadium.

The grant comes from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, which

is funded by the Premier League and provides money to EFL and non-league clubs for ground projects.

United chief executive Phil Smith said: “Behind the scenes we are working tire-

lessly to push this club to the next level.

“Securing this funding is vital to our progression and now allows us to make some much-needed changes to our facilities.”

HEAVY WOOLLEN FOOTBALL Nicholls can extend lead at Kelso Hounds and Linthwaite face off in cup RACING PREVIEW WITH MIKE SMITH

AUL NICHOLLS can extend his lead at the top of the trainers’ championship at Kelso this weekend.

The Ditcheat handler is close to £400,000 clear of Nicky Henderson and on course to land his 11th title.

He sends three runners north of the border tomorrow (Saturday) and has targeted the two feature handicaps.

WORTHY FARM bounced back to form when scoring at Ascot last time out and this extreme trip of 3m2f over hurdles at 3.35 looks right up his street.

ADRIEN DU PONT goes over the same trip but over fences in the Liz Adam Memorial Chase at 3pm and can defy top weight and a step up in trip. He was third behind Walt and Double Shuffle in a valuable contest at Kempton a month ago over 3m, and while this distance will be the furthest he has raced over he looks to have too much class for this opposition.

Carrigill’s feel he also has an excellent chance of victory in the juvenile handicap hurdle at 2.40 and make FRIEND OR FOE their popular weekly nap, now a 7/2 shot from 5’s.

Sue Smith’s JOKE DANCER missed the Coral Cup at Cheltenham last week due to unsuitable ground but can make it two from two this season in the 2.25 at the Scottish track, and this lightly raced progressive sort is one to watch in handicaps for the remainder of the Spring.

Jockey Noel Fehily’s illustrious career draws to a close at Newbury

P

tomorrow (Saturday) and he can sign off with a win in the bumper with GET IN THE QUEUE. Fehily and trainer Harry Fry have teamed up to take this contest for the past two seasons, and owners Paul and Clare Rooney opted to swerve the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last week and come here with this exciting prospect for novice hurdles next year.

The EBF Mares’ Final tops the bill at the Berkshire track and Lucy Wadham’s THE WHITE MOUSE has already seen strong support. But Henderson has won this race four times and has a live contender with the inconsistent SHE MITE BITE. A mark of 119 looks attractive so long

as her confidence has not been dented after being brought down at Ludlow last time.

John Quinn’s gelding AL KHERB makes the long journey down from his Malton yard looking to follow up on his win at Catterick last time out, and the handicapper looks to have been more than fair with an opening mark of 123.

It is still early days for LOVENORMONEY over fences but he is worth a market check in the opener at 7lb lower than his highest hurdles mark.

Newmarket trainer John Ryan has carried on the family tradition from his legendary father Mick and is one of my favourite handlers with a knack of placing his small string very adeptly. His lightly raced nine-yearold SHINING ARMOR is back from a spell in Dubai and is expected to be suited to a drop in sprint distances in the Class 2 handicap at 3.45 tomorrow (Saturday) at Lingfield.

Our old favourite NONIOS takes another step towards his target of retaining a valuable Chelmsford handicap at the end of the month when he lines up in the mile handicap at 3.10, and it’s hard to see him not challenging for this lesser affair.

CARRIGILL’S NAP: (money back as a free bet if finishes outside top 4): FRIEND OR FOE, Saturday, Newbury, 2.40.

AUGUR’S BEST BET: GET IN THE QUEUE (e/w), Saturday, Newbury, 5.00.

THE FIRST semi-final in the Heavy Woollen Challenge Cup takes place this Sunday (March 24) as Linthwaite and Walkers Hounds prepare to battle it out for a pace in the final.

It will be played at Overthorpe Sports Club with an 11am kick-off.

Walkers Hounds regained top spot in the Heavy Woollen Sunday League Premier

Division last weekend with a 2-1 win against fifth-placed Roberttown Rovers in the only game to survive the wet weather.

Danny Stocker and Ryan Wadsworth hit the back of the net for Hounds with Matthew Bolton firing Roberttown’s consolation. The win sees Hounds lead Deighton WMC by a single point having played an equal number of games.

HOCKEY Men’s third team seal another Slaz promotion with a week to spare Men’s 1st 1-4 Sheffield Hallam SLAZENGER’S first team were at home to Sheffield Hallam last weekend, and it was always going to be a tough ask against a promotion-chasing side.

With key players Wiper and J Swinden out, and defensive blocker White off injured early in the game the big ask got even bigger. Slazenger did well to contend for good spells of the game, but ultimately Sheffield’s quality won through despite great performances from Loftus, M Swinden and man of the match W Gascoigne.

Men’s 2nd 0-4 Hull 2nd AN under-strength second team travelled out to Hull 2nd expecting a good competition, but only had themselves to blame for a disappointing 4-0 reversal.

Thanks to a couple of yellow cards they had to battle for much of the game a man short, and to make matters worse, defensive bulwark Will Buckley limped off injured before the first half was over.

With no subs, Hull took advantage of their full bench and made it count, and Slaz didn’t find form until 10 minutes from the end. They host Worksop for the final game this season knowing that promotion and a cup final are already in the bag.

Men’s 3rd 3-0 Hull 3rd WITH major structural changes to the league coming this season, a win would see the men’s third team take a second promotion for a Slazenger team this year.

They didn’t disappoint, running in

three goals from from Sam Haigh, Alex Stacey and a well-taken goal from Joe Minchella.

The 3rds have a final fixture away at Barnsley next week.

Men’s 4th 0-1 Wakefield 5th Men’s 5th 0-8 Chapeltown 5th Men’s Veterans 4-4 Sheffield Hallam (Yorkshire Cup semi-final, 4-5 on penalties) Ladies’ 1st 2-5 THE ladies’ first team suffered a 5-2 defeat, with Holly Tyers netting both of their goals.

Ladies’ 2nd 0-0 Canalside Terriers Ladies’ 3rd 1-2 Doncaster Independent Ladies’ 4th 3-1 Chapeltown 2nd

ThePress

22

Friday March 22, 2019

AMATEUR RUGBY LEAGUE

Super performance rounds off tour

SUCCESSFUL TOUR: The Heavy Woollen Under 23s tour squad line up ahead of the game against a valiant Athens XIII in Greece (left), and Heavy Woollen’s Owen Lumb takes on the defence during the match (right) Tour Match

ATHENS XIII 0 HEAVY WOOLLEN U23 60 at Daniel Batista Sports Centre THE HEAVY Woollen Under 23s touring team put on an exhibition of rugby to brush aside the valiant efforts of the Greek team.

The game was watched by a good number of locals as well as a smattering of Heavy Woollen supporters.

The Yorkshire team featured players from Thornhill Trojans, Dewsbury Celtic, Shaw Cross Sharks, Birstall Victoria, Batley Boys, Dewsbury Moor and Ossett Trinity.

Under the Athens floodlights, the Heavy Woollen team cut loose in

the opening quarter of an hour, using a fine combination of pace and support play to effectively put the result beyond doubt.

The Greek team steadied and turned this into an interesting encounter. Ultimately the experience and fitness of the Heavy Woollen team ensured the visitors finished the game with a comfortable victory.

The first try of the game came after three minutes when quick hands from Nathan Waring put Joe Halloran away and over for an unconverted try in the corner.

George Woodcock then came charging into the attacking line to burst through Greek defenders and plant the ball down over the try line before converting his own score.

There was no let-up from the vis-

itors when Aiden Ineson sprinted clear from the halfway line to score a try which Woodcock converted.

This was quickly followed by another try when swift handling of the ball put Waring over for a try outwide. Woodcock converted.

After 16 minutes, the Heavy Woollen team were 22-0 up. The Greek team then began to contain the visitors and put together attacking rugby of their own with their large props testing the Heavy Woollen team. The score remained 22-0 at half-time.

Early in the second half, Owen Lumb made a dash for the try line and finally emerged from a pile of defenders for the try to be awarded.

The goal was missed.

Another rampaging run from Woodcock took the Heavy Woollen

team forward and George Croisdale proved unstoppable to score.

Woodcock converted.

The next try came after the ball took a very unfortunate rebound off Josh Scrutton. As Scrutton laid on the floor clutching himself in agony, Ben Ripley latched on to the rebound and scored an unconverted try.

Matthew Goodwill then scored a try when he backed up a break which covered over half the length of the field.

By now the Greece team were running out of steam as the different fitness levels began to show.

Ineson backed up another Heavy Woollen break to race over for a try which he converted himself.

Brandon Bates then followed up a kick to gather the ball and sprint

over for an unconverted try.

Waring then broke clear to score a try which man of the match Ineson converted.

In the final act of the game Billy Yarrow managed to ground the ball to score an unconverted try. This score wrapped up an excellent performance from the Heavy Woollen team with the Greece Rugby League proving to be superb hosts.

HEAVY WOOLLEN UNDER 23s: George Woodcock, Josh Scrutton, Luke Sheridan, Nathan Waring, Joe Halloran, Owen Lumb, Aiden Ineson, James Samme, Will Poching, Cameron Bruce, George Croisdale, Brad Foster, Paul Foulstone. Subs: Ben Ripley, Tom Bottomley, Matty Goodwill, Billy Yarrow, Brandon Bates.

REFEREE: Paul Spivey (Heavy Woollen Society)

RUGBY UNION Celtic survive the weather to earn win Nathan’s big day at Twickenham NCL Division Three

DEWSBURY CELTIC LEIGH EAST

16 12

DEWSBURY CELTIC were the only Heavy Woollen side in the NCL to see their fixture go ahead on a wet weekend, and their efforts were rewarded with a second win of the season.

It took only seven minutes for the home side to open their account, as a George Senior try and Charlie Heaton conversion earned them an early 6-0 lead.

It stayed that way until nine minutes from half-time when Ellis Noon crossed the whitewash.

Adam Holland added a conversion to put the sides level at the break.

Six minutes into the second half, a Lewis Else try and Holland conversion gave the visitors a 12-6 lead, but back came Celtic with two tries in three minutes.

Danny Thomas got the first before Joe Walton added the second, with Heaton landing one of the conversions to earn a four-point lead which Celtic held on to until the final whistle.

Local sides ready for action after washouts HEAVY WOOLLEN’S amateur sides will hope for better luck this weekend after a number of games were called off in the National Conference League last week.

Both Dewsbury Moor’s trip to Saddleworth Rangers in Division One, and the Division Three clash between Batley Boys and Hensingham, had already been written off by the Friday

morning due to waterlogged pitches.

Thornhill Trojans’ away Premier Division tie against Wath Brow Hornets went on to suffer the same fate, as did Shaw Cross Sharks’ home tie against East Leeds in Division Two. Thornhill are scheduled to host Kells tomorrow (Saturday, all kick-off 2.30pm) as they look for their first win since returning to

the top flight, while Dewsbury Moor will look to climb off the bottom of the table when they go to firstplaced Pilkington Recs.

Shaw Cross go to Beverley, while in Division Three Dewsbury Celtic go to Millom and Batley Boys look to back up their first-ever NCL win a fortnight ago when they visit Oldham St Annes.

MEETING THE STARS: Nathan Boote, in the school’s new kit he helped design, with England’s Sam Underhill (left) and Zoe Aldcroft HECKMONDWIKE Grammar School student Nathan Boote has had the honour of representing the school at Twickenham.

The opportunity came after Nathan and fellow Year 11 pupils Katherine

Walker, Edward Brown and Sam Eastwood designed a bespoke rugby shirt for the school back in October, as part of the CBRE All Schools programme.

The design reflected the traditions of the school,

and England kitmakers Canterbury chose it as one of 58 in the country to produce for the whole team.

Nathan travelled down to the unveiling event at the home of English rugby union, and had the

chance to meet England stars Sam Underhill and Zoe Aldcroft.

He was then a flag bearer on the Twickenham pitch ahead of the Six Nations match between England and Italy and enjoyed a front-row seat.

Cleckheaton battle for survival in crucial run-in CLECKHEATON RUFC face a fight for survival in the North One East Division over the next four matches as the season reaches its climax.

They face a crucial fixture tomorrow (Saturday, kick-off 3pm) away at bottom side Consett, to begin four big weeks for the club.

They then face Morley at home and Percy Park away before finishing with a tie against Malton and Norton at Moorend.

With two teams going down, only four points currently separate Cleck from the drop zone.

They hold the advantage over their rivals for now, sitting in 11th on 46 points ahead

of Bridlington (43 points), and then West Leeds (42 points) who currently occupy the final relegation spot.

Bottom-placed Consett are far adrift and have only won four times all season, although one of those victories did come over Cleckheaton with a 39-37 triumph back in November.

ThePress

Friday March 22, 2019

23

RUGBY LEAGUE

Wolfpack too strong in Hull Betfred Championship

TORONTO WOLFPACK BATLEY BULLDOGS

34 12

Stephen Ibbetson at KCOM Craven Park BATLEY BULLDOGS took pride in defeat as they put in a strong secondhalf performance against league leaders Toronto, who ultimately had too much.

The contest was effectively over following an opening 40 minutes in which spells of really classy play helped give Toronto a healthy lead, but Batley battled back in the driving rain to draw the second half and claim some positives from the game.

Toronto made four changes to the side which suffered a first defeat of the season last time out at Toulouse, including a first appearance for Brad Fash on loan from Hull FC. There were four switches for Batley as well including debuts for Olly Russell, on dual registration from Huddersfield, and Niall Walker, a winter signing from Hunslet who began the season with injury.

The Wolfpack needed just five minutes to get the first points of the game, with a neat move from right to left seeing Blake Wallace and Gareth O’Brien combine to send Matty Russell into the corner.

The Bulldogs remained under pressure early on and the defence was beaten again when, after a drive under the posts was halted, Jon Wilkin slipped Andrew Dixon through a gap to touch down, with O’Brien converting for a 100 lead.

MATCH STATS DEWSBURY RAMS: Andy Gabriel 7 Rob Worrincy 8 Owen Trout 8 Adam Ryder 8 Alex Brown 7 Paul Sykes 7 Liam Finn 6 Chris Annakin 7 Sam Day 7 Owen Harrison 7 Michael Knowles 7 Samy Kibula 6 Kyle Trout 7 Subs: Danny King 6 Muizz Mustapha 7 Liam Mackay 6 Jordan Andrade 7 Tries: Sykes (47), Worrincy (51).

Goals: Sykes 2/3.

Drop Goals: Sykes (61).

SHEFFIELD EAGLES: Josh Guzdek Ryan Millar James Glover Jason Crookes Ben Blackmore Pat Walker Anthony Thackeray Matty James James Davey Rory Dixon Joel Farrell Oliver Davies Aaron Brown Subs: Paddy Burns Black Broadbent Corey Makelim Brad Knowles Tries: Thackeray (57), Farrell (76), Blackmore (78).

Goals: Walker 2/4.

6 7 7 6 7 6 8 6 7 6 7 7 7 7 7 8 6

Referee: J Smith Half-time: 2-0 Penalties: 4-10 Sin Bin: Farrell (11, high tackle), Annakin (21, fighting), Ryder (68, high tackle), Finn (77, holding down) Man of the match: Anthony Thackeray (Sheffield) Attendance: 977

It looked like it would be a long evening for Batley from there but they provided some joy for their travelling contingent with a 15th-minute try. It came out of the blue with Dane Manning breaking through the Wolfpack line from deep, and Dave Scott was in support to finish off the move and convert as well.

Only four points separated the sides until the 26th minute, when a defensive mis-read left acres of space for Jack Logan on the right wing, with Josh McCrone’s pin-point kick leaving him with one of the simplest tries he’ll ever score.

Within six minutes Toronto had scored twice more. The first came from a move to the left edge, with Ricky Leutele rounding the defence and running into the corner, before a cut-out pass from Wallace allowed Russell in

for his second.

The Wolfpack were then gifted a sixth try of the half two minutes before the break, with Leutele intercepting a poor pass on halfway and dashing in for this own brace.

The ‘home’ side continued their momentum early in the second period.

Less than three minutes after the restart, another rapid move to the left gave Russell the opportunity to launch himself over for his hat-trick, but his foot had strayed into touch and the try was chalked off.

Batley responded in a more positive spell, with Louis Jouffret earning a drop out to give them a good scoring opportunity before Sam Wood was carried into touch.

The Canadian side came straight back at them though and, with the help of a penalty, went over as Wallace

slipped the pass out for Wilkin to skip through a gap down the middle. After missing four out of five attempts in the first half, O’Brien finally slotted over another conversion to reach the 1,000point landmark for his career.

With the rain now driving down, Batley refused to let their spirits drop and claimed their second of the match.

Jouffret’s kick in behind looked to be running past the dead-ball line, but Manning managed to flick the ball backwards and the Frenchman was there to touch down.

Toronto struggled to re-establish themselves in the increasingly boggy conditions as the Bulldogs stayed on the front foot in the final 20 minutes, earning consecutive drop outs but not finding a way over the try line again as the Bulldogs left with pride while the Wolfpack took the points.

Toulouse a great team but ‘beatable’ Continued from back page complemented the group really well.”

Batley will search for only a second win of the season when they take on Toulouse, and Diskin knows it will be a difficult task.

The Frenchmen sit second in the table and come into the game in great form, with a stunning win over Toronto two weeks ago followed last weekend by a 50-0 rout of Barrow, and no side in the division has scored more points.

“Toulouse are a fantastic side if you look at how they’ve performed in the Championship over the last few years,” Diskin said.

“They’re a fantastic side with some real athletes and there are some real quality footballers across the park, so it’s going to be a really tough task.

“They’ve got some really good footballers. (Stan) Robin, (Johnathon) Ford and (Mark) Kheirallah are three fantastic players that do a lot of close work with each other, and that’s the benefit

you get when you’re full-time, you can build those relationships to a depth that you can’t do at parttime level.”

However, he adds that “they’re also a team that’s beatable. If we can continue the form from last week into this one then come the end of the game I don’t think we’ll be far off. We’re playing at home, we always look to give a good representation of ourselves at home, so I don’t expect it to be any different this week.”

Diskin says that last year’s 46-

22 home win over the same side holds no relevance as they aim to repeat the feat.

“Last year is last year, that’s gone now. Things have changed.

We’re going into the game confident that we can get a result, as we do every game.

“I know it’s going to be tough, I’m not under any illusions that it’ll be easy because Toulouse are a great team, but we want to play at home with some confidence off the back of the performance against Toronto.”

MATCH STATS TORONTO WOLFPACK: Gareth O’Brien 7 Jack Logan 7 Chase Stanley 7 Ricky Leutele 8 Matty Russell 8 Josh McCrone 7 Blake Wallace 9 Adam Sidlow 7 Andy Ackers 7 Gadwin Springer 7 Andrew Dixon 8 Tom Olbison 7 Jon Wilkin 8 Subs: Ryan Brierley 8 Darcy Lussick 7 Anthony Mullally 7 Brad Fash 7 Tries: Russell (5, 32), Dixon (11), Logan (26), Leutele (29, 38), Wilkin (55).

Goals: O’Brien 2/6, Brierley 1/1.

BATLEY BULLDOGS: Dave Scott Niall Walker Sam Wood Lewis Galbraith Johnny Campbell Louis Jouffret Olly Russell Adam Gledhill Alistair Leak Tom Lillycrop Sam Smeaton Jack Downs Dane Manning Subs: James Brown Tyler Dickinson Keenen Tomlinson Paul Brearley Tries: Scott (15), Jouffret (59).

Goals: Scott 2/2.

7 6 6 6 7 8 6 6 6 7 6 7 8 6 7 7 6

Referee: G Dolan Half-time: 28-6 Penalties: 6-6 Man of the match: Blake Wallace (Toronto) Attendance: 7,203

Familiar story for Dewsbury Greenwood calls for more leniency Betfred Championship

DEWSBURY RAMS 13

SHEFFIELD EAGLES 16 at Tetley’s Stadium DEWSBURY RAMS’ worrying habit of losing games from winning positions continued with defeat to Sheffield Eagles on Sunday.

The Rams have now lost three of their four games at the Tetley’s Stadium after leading at advanced stages of the second half.

The hosts had established a 12-point lead early in the second period and were 13-6 up with less than 10 minutes remaining.

But late tries from Joel Farrell and Ben Blackmore snatched a dramatic victory for Mark Aston’s side.

Referee Jack Smith showed six cards throughout a badtempered affair that saw players from both sides sent off and four more sin-binned.

Paul Sykes edged the hosts in front with a penalty goal in the eighth minute.

Farrell was sin-binned for a high tackle moments later and the visitors remained on the back foot.

And the Eagles’ task was made even harder when centre Jason Crookes was withdrawn with an apparent shoulder injury.

Neither side could get over the line during the first quarter of a penalty-strewn first half.

But the game exploded into life for the wrong reasons when Sheffield’s Brad Knowles

was shown a red card after swinging a punch at Chris Annakin.

Annakin was shown a yellow card for his role in the melee, and less than 10 minutes later Dewsbury were down to 11.

Referee Smith showed a second red card of the match, this time to Samy Kibula, for a high tackle on Sheffield’s Farrell.

Despite the reduced numbers, neither side were able to cross for a try in the first half, though the hosts looked the most likely.

And Sykes’s goal ensured Dewsbury held a 2-0 advantage at the interval.

Sheffield made an energetic start to the second half and James Glover looked to have released Ryan Millar on the left wing only for the pass to be ruled forward.

Instead the Rams extended their lead with the game’s first try.

Sam Day hared upfield following a break from dummy half, and on the next play Owen Trout collected his own grubber kick before feeding Sykes, who crashed in under the posts.

Sykes converted his own try to make it 8-0 and they went further in front five minutes later when Rob Worrincy squeezed over in the corner.

Sykes was this time unable to convert, but the Rams held a 12-point lead.

The Eagles forced repeat sets and eventually got off the mark when Anthony Thackeray produced a trademark show-and-go to dash over under the posts.

Pat Walker’s goal made it 126 with more than 20 minutes still to play but the Rams responded positively and kicked a drop goal to put two scores between the sides.

However, Glover’s powerful kick-off forced a drop-out and the Eagles were quickly back on the attack.

James Davey was held up over the line, before Sykes did well to claim Thackeray’s dangerous cross-field kick.

Referee Smith produced a fifth card of the afternoon when he sin-binned Dewsbury’s Adam Ryder for a high tackle that stopped Farrell in his tracks.

The Eagles again pressed, but play was brought back for a forward pass after Thackeray had crossed the line.

Incredibly, the Rams were reduced to 10 men when Liam Finn was sin-binned for holding down following a Sheffield break, and this time the Eagles capitalised.

Farrell made the most of the extra numbers to force his way over on the right and Walker’s goal made it 13-12.

And moments later, from a penalty, Blackmore somersaulted over the line to give Sheffield the lead for the first time in the contest.

Walker was wide with his conversion attempt and missed a penalty moments later, but the Eagles held on for a dramatic win.

The victory ensures Sheffield’s positive start to the season continues, while Rams boss Lee Greenwood once again lamented his side’s apparent inability to close out games.

HARSH DECISIONS: Lee Greenwood would like to see fewer players sent off DEWSBURY coach Lee Greenwood believes that his side’s defeat to Sheffield last weekend, which featured two red cards and four yellows, was refereed harshly and would like to see more players kept on the field.

Both Sheffield’s Brad Knowles and the Rams’ Samy Kibula were dismissed in the first half, the former for punching and the latter for a high tackle.

Joel Farrell and Chris Annakin also spent time on the sidelines in the first half for the respective teams, while Dewsbury were down to 10 players at one stage after both Adam Ryder and Liam Finn were shown yellow late on.

On the Knowles red card, Greenwood said: “I didn’t even see what started it, I just saw one of our players getting hit loads of times, so their player got a red card and ours got a yellow.

“Samy Kibula has gone in a little bit high on their player who’s come back on after his sin binning, and the ref’s decided that it was a red card.

“You’ve got to be a bit smarter.

Following that then, the other two yellows for us were more for technical offences, a high tackle then the last one was for slowing it down.

“It doesn’t help when you’re trying to defend with 10 men, does it? You don’t really train for that too often, defending 12 v 10.

“There was always going to be space and numbers, and at the point it came there was no way back then.

“Was it a feisty, horrible game? No, it was just two teams having a bit of a go at each other. I wouldn’t have lost any sleep if nobody had been carded, I’m alright with just penalties. Leave the players on the pitch unless it’s something really bad.

“They probably went a bit too harsh on it but once you’ve given the first one you’ve set a rod on your own back, you’ve almost got to keep following it through then. It makes for a bit of a different game.”

Rams ‘need a win’ after another slip

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

LEE GREENWOOD says that his Dewsbury Rams side must pick up a Championship win in the next few weeks.

On four occasions so far this season the Rams have been in a winning position late on, only to see victory snatched away from them – most recently in last weekend’s 16-13 home defeat to Sheffield Eagles.

That has left them with only three points to their name after six matches, and Greenwood believes that they must pick up more points soon with a trip to Featherstone Rovers on Sunday (March 24, kick-off 3pm) before a visit to Bradford Bulls two weeks later.

The coach was able to reflect on the positives after pushing play-off chasers Sheffield all the way, but was also left with a familiar feeling of disappointment.

“After a game it’s hard to find any positives from it, you feel like you’ve had a win snatched away from you,” he said.

“A couple of days later when you look back, it is better than being beaten convincingly, like you see some of the teams doing and like we did at Halifax.

“That’s probably a bit more depressing to be honest, because we’re not even in with a shout in the game. In all but one of our games we have been.

“That’s a learning thing rather than much else. We’re not doing a lot wrong, but this is professional sport and the Championship’s a good level and just getting one or two things wrong you end up losing the game from a commanding position.

“We’ve got to keep working hard to make sure we’re in that position, but then there are a couple of things that we need to work on and learn from. It’s happened too many times now to be coincidence.

“Without doing too much differently we could be sat there

QUICK RETURN: Tom Garratt should be available again this weekend joint-top and it’s a totally different conversation, and I’m in for Coach of the Year. But at the minute we’re not, and it is about picking up points and picking up wins.

“In this division there’s the threat of relegation as well, which nobody likes to talk about but it’s there so you’ve got to think about it. Just running teams close doesn’t give you points.

“Over these next few weeks we need to win. I feel like we’re a good side and I’m looking at some of the teams towards the top end and I don’t think they’re too much better than us. They’ve just found a way to win.”

Featherstone are one of the sides in the play-off picture, having picked up four wins out of seven so far in the campaign, and Greenwood is aware of the challenge facing his Dewsbury side.

“They’re good, especially at home,” he said. “They’re averaging 30-40 (points) to about 14 (against), so that’s the par for the course at the minute. Then if you look at the results against Dewsbury last year, all three games were very similar to that.

“We’ve got some work to do to be better than the teams that have already gone there, Batley, Sheffield and Halifax, who have been beaten comfortably there, and we want to better than last year’s Dewsbury team.

“There were a few lads getting a chance on Sunday and they’ve

come close and should have beaten Sheffield, who are sat second in the table, and there are a few established players that were left out at the weekend, so that gives us a bit of competition for places that we maybe didn’t have a few weeks ago.”

Several players have been running with knocks in recent weeks with Tom Garratt missing out against Sheffield but he is expected to return this weekend, while Sam Day hobbled off last week and is a concern.

Meanwhile, a number of fringe players in the Rams squad have been sent out on loan to League One sides for more regular action.

Charlie Martin is heading to Hunslet, while both Toby Richardson and Jacob Thomas will spend the next month with Coventry Bears.

Richardson signed for the Rams from Dewsbury Moor towards the end of last season while Thomas made the move from Australia for this year, but the pair have made only one appearance each so far this season.

“As it panned out, maybe Toby would have got a chance on Sunday, but it’s definitely better for his development to go there and play three or four games,” said Greenwood.

“He’s a young forward who came to the club last year from the amateur game and played a few games in the last part of the

season. But the Championship is a step up this year, there’s no bottom eights where you’re just playing the teams around you, they’re all very tough.

“I want to turn Toby into a regular Championship forward. He’s from the area and I think he’s got the right attitude to succeed. He knows himself he’s got a lot of things to work on but his attitude is right to do that.

“Jacob struggled to get the games. His utility value sometimes doesn’t help him, because he can cover three or four different positions and he’s happy to play anywhere, but that’s probably stopped him nailing one and really going for it.

“These conditions are different to what he’s ever come across, it’s slower than what he’s used to but a lot more physical as well, so it’s different to what he’s come across in Australia.

“I’m interested to see him as the grounds firm up, but for him it’s a good chance now to go play games, which is what he’s come over to this country for.”

GAME TIME: Toby Richardson (above) is heading on loan to Coventry The club also confirmed this week that forward Matt Nicholson has been released from his contract.

The prop suffered some injury problems over pre-season after re-joining the club, and has since been unable to force his way into the first-team picture.

Reasons for cheer ahead of French test BATLEY BULLDOGS fell to a sixth defeat from seven Championship games last weekend, but head coach Matt Diskin felt there were plenty of positives to build on ahead of this week’s visit of Toulouse.

The French outfit come to Batley tomorrow (Saturday, kick-off 3pm), and it will be the second time in as many weeks that the Bulldogs have come up against full-time opposition after the loss to Toronto.

They went down 34-12 to the Wolfpack in Hull but their coach believed that there were positives to take out of the game, and not only from a second half in which they matched their opponents for points.

“I thought we could take positives from the first half as well. I thought we actually delivered for the first time in a while some of the stuff that we actually practised,” said Diskin.

“Some of the tries they scored were exceptionally good, we made them work for it and there were some really good aerial finishes.

“There wasn’t a lack of effort. When we had the ball we weren’t bad with it, and I thought we showed a lot of character to draw that second half.”

Diskin dropped a number of players the previous week against Bradford, and was pleased with the response he got from Dane Manning, who played at loose forward and assisted both tries, along with Louis Jouffret and Sam Wood.

“Manning I thought was really good in that middle channel, he’s got loads of energy and he’s really tough to handle around there. For me it’s more his natural position and I thought he played really well,” the coach said.

“I thought Louis Jouffret played nice and square at the line and created some space for the people outside him, which is what we’re asking our half-backs to do, so I thought those guys that came back in, Sam Wood included, were pretty solid.”

Niall Walker also came into the side for his longawaited debut, having had surgery in pre-season following his move from Hunslet, and Diskin was pleased to see him finally get on the field.

“It was a good opportunity to give Niall some game time coming up to a busy period before and after Easter, and I thought he did okay,” said the Bulldogs boss.

“He carried the ball, he’s a handful and he’s got some good acceleration into contact. He was a little off the pace in defence because he hasn’t had much practice with the rest of them but I thought that for his first hit-out, he gave a good account of himself.”

There was also a debut for young half-back Olly Russell, who has joined the side from Huddersfield Giants as part of the loose dual registration agreement between the two clubs.

Russell was due to spend the season on loan with Leigh Centurions but failed to make an appearance in the early rounds, leading to his recall by Huddersfield.

He was made available to Batley last weekend, and Diskin says that he will be in his plans again this week against Toulouse.

“He played right at the line, was prepared to take the line on, created space for runners on the outside of him, and I thought his kicking game was quite good as well,” Diskin said of the youngster’s performance.

“He’s in our plans until Huddersfield pick up any injuries in the half-back positions, and he has

We will arrange everything for your convenience

Obtain Your LGV or PCV Licence With Ease Use The Professionals Over 30 Years’ Experience Instructions On All Aspects Of Driving

TIME NOW TO RENEW YOUR DRIVERS CPC COURSE 7hrs ONLY £45 +upload fee £8.75

Continued on page 23

W VISI T OU NO THE E AR R E R W BO EBS GUS EAL D ITE FOR BRO EAL FUR KER THE S R IN FO

ADS approved instructors CAR & Fantastic pass rates Training available 7 days per week TRAILER Lessons can be taken in blocks (B+E) of 4 hours 8hr course One-to-one tuition Personal and friendly service Tel: 07711 771685 www.atkinlgv.net

Atkins LGV Training, Fieldhead Lane, Drighlington, BD11 1JL