News

BARNSLEY Garden Party is returning to Barnsley town centre later this month.Taking place from 11am-4pm, on Saturday May 24, the free, family-friendly event offers a line-up of spectacular performances, outdoor arts and creative activities.The Glass Works Square will come alive with some of the UK’s leading artists and most incredible performances including: BAMBOO, a high-impact outdoor circus production using only bamboo and human bodies; Ancient Giants, 10ft puppets in a spectacular...

A SPECIAL constable who has completed almost 3,000 hours’ service in Barnsley has been rewarded for his efforts.Last week Special Constable Joshua Booth was named Barnsley District’s Special Constable of the Year at the 2025 Barnsley District Awards held at Barnsley Town Hall.Joshua has been a Special Constable for six years and in that time has completed almost 3000 hours for the Special Constabulary in Barnsley. Working with response teams...

A MAN who was charged with a town centre burglary will appear for his trial in November.John Green, of Honeywell Street, Barnsley, is alleged to have entered the former National Tyre Service premises, on Shambles Street, between November 30 and December 2 last year.The 52-year-old is accused of stealing power tools with a value of more than £3,000. He will appear for his trial at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on November 13....

A NEW initiative has been launched to improve energy efficiency in houses across Barnsley.The initiative, known as Home Energy Experts, aims to support homeowners and landlords in making their homes more energy efficient through the installation of external wall insulation (EWI).This upgrade not only reduces energy bills but also enhances thermal comfort and property value.Westdale North Ltd, who have a base in Goldthorpe, have created the scheme.Beshad...

SIX Barnsley establishments have been handed new food hygiene ratings – and they all picked up a five-star score.Rigby’s in the Metrodome, Mermaid Fish and Chips on Burlington Arcade and Market Kitchen’s Meze Turkish Kitchen all received five-out-of-five ratings following an assessment last month.As did Nero Artisan Pizza and Paul’s Cafe – both in Barnsley Market – as well as The Pack Horse pub in Royston.

A BURGLAR who stole cash from a till during a raid on a town centre shop will be sentenced later this month.Little Prims Baby Boutique on Market Street was targeted by 39-year-old Johnathan Mars, of Queens Road, Barnsley, on February 7.He stole approximately £90 in cash and was bailed in order for a pre-sentence report to be compiled. Mars will appear at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on May 15.A MAN...

A LOCAL club is inviting residents to a Big Bowls Weekend event as part of a campaign to attract some younger members.The club has launched the appeal with a vision of building a youth team for the future.All ages are welcome to the Locke Park Bowling Club event on Saturday May 25 from 11.30am until 2.30pm.The family fun day includes a Bring a Friend Challenge and taster sessions will...

A NEW initiative designed to support wellbeing will be held over the next few months.The ‘Look Around The Garden’ sessions will be hosted at Springvale Community Garden and will run from May to July, offering local residents a chance to engage in gentle garden-based activities, conversations, and creative expression.This free pilot scheme, supported by the Mental Health Innovation Fund in partnership with Barnsley Council and South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB),...

MORE than 5,800 complaints were made to Barnsley Council regarding messy gardens over the last five years – the second most in the UK.A Freedom of Information request shows that a total of 5,883 complaints were made to the council between 2020 and 2025.The most common reason for reports was due to dog fouling – responsible for 6.7 per cent of complaints – with overgrown gardens making up 5.1 per cent...

MORE than 150 jobs are now at risk of redundancy after Southern Water announced plans to deliver its customer services activities from South Africa.It was announced last month that Capita’s contact centre subdivision had secured a contract extension worth £92.4m over five years with Southern Water.The current customer service centre is based in Wath-upon-Dearne – but it has been revealed that all of the roles in the ‘blended’ customer services team...

A PROLIFIC Barnsley shoplifter has been jailed after breaching his Criminal Behaviour Order.David Heeley, 51, has been handed a 16-week prison sentence after he committed two shoplifting offences in Dodworth, just four months after he was handed a three-year CBO for the same offences in October 2024.Sergeant Paul Allen, from Barnsley Safer Neighbourhood's Service, said: "Heeley's prison sentence was increased from eight weeks to 16 weeks, as he broke the conditions...

AN investment will be made into parks and play areas across Worsbrough in the coming months.The first £14,000 was signed off recently, which will see works carried out at Ward Green Park to improve safety and rejuvenate existing play equipment and activities.Further works will be delivered at Worsbrough Dale Park and Bank End Park.The works – funded by Section 106 money from housing developers – have been praised by...

MORE adults in Barnsley met the recommended amount of exercise last year, new figures show.The NHS recommends adults should do at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week – such as brisk walking, cycling or swimming – or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, such as running or interval training.Sport England’s latest Active Lives Adult Survey received 861 responses from adults in Barnsley and found 61 per cent met the 150...

MONEY raised at a charity race night was handed over last weekend. The Outpost, on Sheffield Road, raised around £1,000 in aid ofMichael Keen and his family following a fatal collision in December which left the toddler hospitalised for four months and sadly killed his grandfather, Leon. The money was handed over to Reuben and Craig Yould by Craig Coward. Picture: Andrew Copley.

PLANNING permission is being sought to build six new properties in Oxspring.If approved, the properties will be built west of Millstones. Nine neighbouring properties have been made aware of the application with no appeals to date. Public consultation ends on May 19.PLANS to demolish a number of garages in Cawthorne have been approved by the council. An application for work to take place at Clay Hall Farm, on Darton Road, was...

ALMOST 40 people attended the Barnsley annual Workers’ Memorial Day event outside the town hall last week.People from a range of trade unions and a number of councillors were at the event on Monday afternoon.Mayor of Barnsley John Clarke opened the event with a moving speech of how sad it is to mark every year the numbers of workers who set off to work and failed to return home because of...

A 36-YEAR-OLD woman has been given a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) after a town centre shoplifting spree.Vizma Beckova committed five separate shoplifting offences in the centre of Barnsley, from January to April this year. The value of the items stolen was over £560.Working closely with the stores affected, officers ensured that Beckova was given a CBO preventing her from entering certain retail premises within Barnsley that she targets.Beckova...

POLICE are appealing for witnesses and dash cam footage following a fatal collision on the M1 near Barnsley yesterday (Thursday).At 9.23am police were called to reports of a road traffic collision between Junction 36 and 37 on the M1 southbound.It is understood that a grey Volvo XC40 hit the central barrier of the motorway and left the carriageway.Emergency services attended, and despite their best efforts, a 71-year-old woman sadly...

A BARNSLEY pet owner has been fined after his dog bit a police officer.Paul Asquith, 40, of North Street in Darfield, appeared before Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (April 30) after his Staffordshire Bull Terrier swung off the arm of a response officer and left him requiring hospital treatment. On August 8, 2024, at 12.40pm two officers attended a property to carry out enquiries. As the officers approached the house, they spotted...

THE Young Champions awards for 2025 have been running for four months and the deadline to nominate your talented youngsters is now just ONE week away.It has been another incredible year for the awards, after the Barnsley Chronicle brought them back in 2024, and it’s safe to say that there’s already a lot of talent on display with those we’ve put forward.But there’s always room for more and we’re continuing our...

PLANS have been submitted to convert a former town centre nightclub into a branch of a national restaurant chain.The former Truth 32 nightclub, based on Peel Street, could soon be turned into a Pepe’s branch if plans are deemed acceptable.An application was submitted to Barnsley Council’s planning board this week for the ground floor of the venue to be turned into a 70-seater restaurant.A report states: “The existing site...

TRIBUTES have been paid to a cherished member of a Barnsley Hospital craft group.Sandra McIntyre, 78, played a leading role in the group affectionately known as ‘The Sensational Six’. Its members knit weekly to create items that are sold in local vendors and hospitals.In a touching tribute, family and friends donated £270 at her funeral at Barnsley Crematorium in support of the Barnsley Hospital Charity’s new breast care appeal....

PLANNING permission is being sought to create a ‘dog exercise area’.If approved, the land off Mitchell Street in Worsbrough Dale will be converted.An application states: “It is proposed to change the use of the land to a dog walking paddock for exercise of dogs in a safe and secure environment.“The site will be bounded by fencing at a height of two metres and the fencing will be installed on...

CARRIAGEWAY resurfacing will take place on a busy Barnsley road for up to five weeks from Tuesday. The work on the A61 Sheffield Road, Birdwell, will be carried out in sections under temporary traffic lights, from New Plantation Wood to Worsbrough Road, and will take up to five weeks.MOTORISTS have been warned to expect delays on one of the main routes into the town centre this weekend. Temporary traffic lights will be...

A CARE home has been rated ‘good’ following its latest Care Quality Commission inspection.Byron Lodge Care Home, based on Dryden Road, West Melton, received the rating following an inspection earlier this month.The report was released to the public earlier this week.It states: “Risks to people’s health were managed well, and people were supported safely.“The environment was accessible to people living with dementia and their bedrooms were homely....

A BARNSLEY police officer who was clocked driving at 107mph in a 60mph zone is the subject of a misconduct hearing today.PC Luke Meakin, who was based in Penistone, was clocked speeding on May 21 last year.He was subsequently disqualified from driving for a period of three months, on January 15.He will be the subject of a misconduct hearing at The Professional Standards Department in Chapeltown.A police...

CELEBRATIONS to mark VE Day will get underway in Worsbrough this bank holiday Monday.Community celebrations will commence around Swaithe WMC and Ward Green Club following funding from the Worsbrough Ward Alliance.The celebrations will be part of the 80th anniversary commemorations, with national celebrations to be centred on a fly-past at Buckingham Palace and a balcony appearance from the Royal Family.Coun Jake Lodge said: ‘’I’m delighted to see these community...

POLICE UPDATE: Teenagers Savannah, Libby, and Thomas have been found safe and well.POLICE are appealing for help to find three missing teenagers who were last seen on Tuesday.Savannah and Libby, both aged 17, and Thomas, aged 14, were last seen in the Worsbrough Common area and it is believed they have travelled together to London, Nottingham and Leeds and could now be in Wakefield.Savannah is described as white, 5ft...

POLICE have issued a statement following reports of a heavy police presence near the former Cutting Edge pub in Worsbrough this morning.A police statement said: “We were called today (Thursday May 1) at 8.10am to reports of a woman with a suspected firearm in Hoyland, Barnsley.“It is reported that the woman threatened a group of children before travelling towards Sheffield Road in Worsbrough.“No injuries were reported.“Officers attended...

BARNSLEY Market has welcomed five new traders to the indoor market.Two businesses, Stitch Express and Reena Jewellers, have relocated from the Alhambra Shopping Centre as the Health on the High Street project begins to take shape.Stitch Express brings 25 years of trading experience to Barnsley Market. The second, Reena Jewellers, is aprevious trader in the market, providing a wide range of high-quality jewellery.Caroline Poskett, owner of florists Anthophila...

A FORMER teacher is preparing to take part in an exhibition at Barnsley Civic.Ann Jones taught English at Darton College before leaving teaching to launch her board games events business – Cards or Die. Now in her eighth year of business Ann has been invited to exhibit her board games at the theatre.As part of Artangel’s ‘Come as you really are’ exhibition, Barnsley Civic are collaborating with Cards or Die,...

WORSBROUGH Mill will continue celebrating its 400th anniversary with an action-packed programme of events next weekend.The family-friendly activities on Saturday, May 10, will be part of National Mills Weekend, an annual event where visitors are encouraged to share their favourite memories of milling heritage from across the country and embrace new cultural experiences.From 10am until 3pm, visitors can take part in a variety of fun-filled activities for all ages, such as...

POLICE are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a motorcyclist was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries following a single vehicle collision.A police spokesperson said: “We’re appealing for witnesses, those with dashcam footage or information to come forward and assist with our inquiry into a road traffic collision in West Melton.” At 11.07pm yesterday (Tuesday), police were called to reports of a road traffic collision on Barnsley Road in West Melton....

AN ambitious expansion at a logistics firm in Goldthorpe will help unlock major employment growth in the Dearne Valley, according to Barnsley Council.Mallinson Properties added two extensions to the premises of its logistics arm, KMS Transport, after receiving a £1.2m funding grant from the Goldthorpe Towns Commercial Investment Fund.The investment has increased warehouse capacity at the site on Goldthorpe Industrial Estate and helped to create more than 20 jobs.It’s...

LOCAL fundraising hero Ian Lane has raised almost £300 by completing his latest mission.The 59-year-old lives at Lavender Court in Kendray and is well known to the Barnsley community through his fundraising for the British Heart Foundation.He managed to raise £289 on Saturday by walking three laps around Locke Park.He said: “It was tough at the start but we managed to finish it. I’m hoping to maybe raise £300....