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THE deadline for kids to send their letters to Santa this year is rapidly approaching.Every year the Royal Mail receive thousands of letters from children explaining what they want for Christmas, and this year will be no different.If you want to get a reply in time for Christmas then make sure to get your letter posted by December 10 - and don’t forget your stamp.A spokesperson for Royal Mail...

In a surprising turn of events, Annie Kilner has recently announced her decision to part ways with her partner of many years and a famous footballer, Kylie Walker, triggering discussions not just about celebrity gossip but about a critical aspect affecting divorcing couples nationwide: the financial equality in divorce settlements.Here we will explore how financial settlements work, emphasising equality in English courts, and shed light on the often-misunderstood 50-50 split dilemma.Equality in...

MEMBERS of a sequence dancing club have used their free time in lockdown to help make scrubs and facemasks for NHS workers. After the members of the U3A group could no longer meet due to lockdown restrictions, they decided to help in any way they could and began making scrubs hats and masks for medical workers. The idea came when about the granddaughter of member Pat Butcher asked for some scrub hats...

A BARNSLEY bowling complex will not require customers to wear a face covering.Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed that there would be stricter measures in regards to face coverings in a press conference last weekend, but Barnsley Bowl, based in Carlton, have released a statement saying that anyone attending will not currently be required to wear a face mask.A spokesperson added: “Any customers or staff who choose to wear one will be...

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COUNCIL bosses are urging residents to have their say on climate action across the borough as part of a new survey.The council has commissioned a team of experts to help the borough to achieve its goal of becoming carbon net zero by 2045.Surveys have been created to discover how best to go about enacting the changes necessary.The topics range from transport, waste and recycling to energy supply.A...

A WORLD record-holding football freestyler took to the streets of Barnsley this week dressed as Santa to spread festive cheer.Ash Randall, originally from Cardiff but now living in Dodworth, has almost 250,000 followers on social media app TikTok, accumulating more than nine million likes in just two years.The 32-year-old went to Locke Park, as well as the town centre, to show off Santa’s new-found footballing skills to the public – and...

A DEDICATED winter welfare support service has been introduced to help vulnerable Barnsley residents.The council’s Covid-19 support service has been contacting people who have tested positive for the virus over the last 12 months, aiding them through their isolation with advice and information on financial support.This service will now be expanded to include advice on local support, financial aid information and flu and winter illnesses.Information packs will also be...

BARNSLEY Council is encouraging residents to speak up about domestic abuse in the run-up to Christmas.Through their new Christmas campaign, dubbed Speak Up, the council is reminding people that although the festive people can bring families together, it isn’t always a happy time for everyone.The council’s partners, IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Services) offer help to support people in domestic abuse situations - and the new campaign hopes to lets residents know...

BARNSLEY will take on Barrow in the FA Cup next month after their second round replay win earlier this week.The Reds were drawn against either Ipswich Town or Barrow in the third round - and the League Two side won 2-0 at home against the League One outfit on Wednesday night.Barrow are currently 19th in the fourth tier of English football and beat non-league side Banbury United in the first round...

WITH bad weather on the horizon, one animal charity has released ways we can keep our furry friends warm this winter.PDSA has compiled the list in a bid to keep pets safe and warm.PDSA Vet Lynne James said: “Winter can be a dangerous time for all animals, but fine coated, poorly, young or elderly pets are at higher risk of hypothermia in freezing temperatures.“Thankfully, there are simple steps we...

AFTER this weekend’s bad weather the gritting team was out in force in a bid to help keep roads across the borough safe for commuters.The team head out during the night to help minimise disruption to commuters - they pre-grit the roads ahead of forecast snowfall which can help the snow to melt quickly and allow roads to reman open. They receive weather reports which allow them to understand when to grit...

A CHRISTMAS charity event and light parade will take place a week on Sunday.The motorbike light parade will start at 5pm, and riders will take three round trips around Laithes Lane, Rotherham Road, Carlton Road and then back around to Laithes Lane.The Christmas event in honour of Macmillan will be held from 1pm to 5pm.There will be raffle prizes, an opportunity to take photos with Santa, and a tombola...

AN appeal has been launched to trace a man who reportedly assaulted a supermarket worker in Cudworth.On August 19, at 5.15pm, two men entered the Co-op store on Barnsley Road and attempted to steal items.They were then challenged by staff, which led to one of the suspects becoming aggressive and assaulting a member of staff.The second suspect then tried to assault another member of staff who came to help...

BARNSLEY Council is urging residents to remain wary after receiving reports of bogus emails claiming to be from the NHS.The email asks you to order an ‘Omicron PCR test’ with a link to order - but this is a scam and the NHS will never ask for bank details or payment.PCR testing kits are free from testing sites or by ordering online to be delivered to your home.A council...

ALMOST 40 people died with Covid in Barnsley in November.A total of 39 residents died within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test, bringing the total number of people to 950.On November 12 five residents died with the virus.Barnsley’s death rate is still the highest in the country at 383 per 100,000 residents.

A YOUNG musician has won two awards at a national competition.Tom Masters, 23, took the top spot at the Real Live Music Awards 2021 for the best original song with ‘Breakthrough’.The young musician from Wilthorpe – who is a leading member of Barnsley Youth Choir – was also awarded with a special surprise award which was announced on the night, the dedication to music award.“I think my initial response...

STAGECOACH services will be back to normal tomorrow after a week-long strike – but it won’t be long until drivers take further action.Bus drivers at the company began their strike last Saturday, which resulted in almost all services being cancelled following a pay dispute.Drivers are due to return back to work tomorrow – but from December 11 until December 17, services will once again be affected in Barnsley.A Stagecoach...

A PETITION with hundreds of signatures is to be put to the council by fed-up residents who say a pedestrian crossing has been ‘sorely needed’ for years on a busy road just outside the town centre.Led by Liam Hardcastle, who created the online petition last week, more than 600 signatures have already been garnered in favour of a crossing on Racecommon Road.There are three primary schools – Joseph Locke Primary, Shawlands...

AS we head towards snow and icy weather, a lawyer has shared tips so you know what your rights are if you slip on ice.This week, the MET office issued weather warnings across the country as Storm Arwen continues to rage.This could bring snow and ice, and a lawyer from Lime Solicitors has shared a list of your rights in cold weather.If you are injured at work you could claim compensation.Employers...

A LOCAL homebuilder is inviting the Barnsley community to a Christmas event in Royston tonight.Taking place at Barratt Homes Yorkshire West’s Notton Wood View development, from 6pm to 8pm, residents are being encouraged to go along and enjoy the Christmas light’s switch-on.There will also be a Santa on-site delivering some festive cheer, as well as ‘magic keys’ to children whose houses don’t have a chimney.Sam Wood, sales director at...

STAGECOACH bosses have asked Unite to delay the bus strike this weekend as a ‘gesture of goodwill’ after new pay proposals. The company are expecting a decision from Unite tomorrow after the union agreed to take a vote on offers of an ‘above-pay inflation pay proposal’.Stagecoach drivers are currently set to strike once more on Saturday for a week following a pay-dispute with their employer.They were also on strike earlier...

BARNSLEY College students gained valuable experience this month by taking part in an event to raise awareness about the importance of first aid.College construction technician and St John Ambulance unit manager, Arran McCallum, supports the NHS on the frontline in the town by providing essential services to care.A number of college students got the chance to find out about what St John Ambulance does whilst on duty and the action required...

BARNSLEY travel to Preston tomorrow hoping to get the first win of Poya Asbaghi’s reign.The Reds currently sit second-bottom of the Championship, eight points from safety.New head coach Asbaghi is yet to win at Barnsley but the performances are on the up - and a 1-1 draw against Huddersfield last weekend at Oakwell showed positive signs that things are improving.But, with only two wins all season, the Reds will...

NEW coronavirus rules come into effect today as the government's Plan B begins.The plan was created to help fight the spread of new variant, Omicron, and the restrictions only apply to England.Wearing masks in shops, hairdressers and on public transport became mandatory on November 30 but the new plan aims to extend restrictions further.From today (December 10) masks will have to be worn in most public indoor venues such as cinemas.The...

A TOWN centre door supervisor - who was found with around £6,000 worth of cocaine - will be sentenced next year after pleading guilty to a number of offences.Ricardo Hudson, 42, of Bly Road, Darfield, was arrested on Hanson Street on November 19.He pleaded guilty to possession of class A drugs with intent to supply at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on November 22, before appearing at Sheffield Crown Court yesterday.Officers...

BARNSLEY’S Public Health team will be offering a range of advice at Barnsley Markets tomorrow.They’ll be speaking, from 10am to 12pm, on a number of winter wellness topics such as heating your home, stopping smoking and mental health support.A council spokesperson said: “Everyone should have the best possible chance of enjoying life in good physical and mental health. “Our health and social care services are coming together so you can...

FOOTBALL mad children will be able to take part in a festive football camp which are accessible to anyone who is eligible to receive free school meals.The camps will be held at Astrea Academy Dearne, Goldthorpe and 5ives, Kendray and will be run by Reds in the Community.The sessions are accessible to all eight to 16 year olds and will run from 10am to 2pm from December 20 to 23.For more information,...

STAGECOACH drivers will take ‘indefinite strike action’ in Barnsley starting in the new year after ongoing disputes were not solved.Unite the union confirmed yesterday that due to bosses ‘dragging their heels’ they have been forced to step their action up a notch.This means that from January 1 and January 2, Stagecoach services across South Yorkshire - Barnsley, Rotherham, Sheffield and Doncaster - will be affected.A spokesperson for the union...

IF you are fully vaccinated you will not be required to self-isolate if you have been in contact with someone with Covid-19 – new guidance shows.You will not be required to self-isolate if you are also below the age of 18, have taken part or are currently part of an approved Covid-19 vaccine trial, or you are unable to get vaccinated for medical reasons.Guidance on gov.uk states: “You are fully vaccinated...

BARNSLEY’S Healthy Holidays programme will be supporting children across the borough once again this October half-term.The clubs are free to attend and places will be offered first to children who receive school meals.The scheme is being funded by the council as the government funding doesn’t stretch to this half-term – and council bosses wanted to ensure that families got the extra support they need.The summer scheme was deemed a...

POLICE have released an appeal to help find the owner of a German Shepherd which reportedly bit someone. The incident allegedly took place on Bluebell Bank, Barnsley, at around 7.40am on September 30. During the incident an 18-year-old woman suffered minor injuries. A spokesperson for Barnsley Central Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “We are now trying to trace the dog, and its owner and believe they are local to the area. “Do...

POLICE bosses are asking Barnsley residents to take part in a survey to help shape the way they work.The survey, which closes on October 29, asks people about their priorities, what it’s like living in their community from a policing and crime perspective and where they feel spending priorities should be focused.Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Each year I refresh my Police and Crime Plan to...

A BARNSLEY MP has backed a campaign which supports local pubs and breweries.John Healey, Labour MP for Wentworth and Dearne, is supporting the Long Live the Local campaign by calling on the government to lower VAT and business rates for pubs.In John’s constituency, there are currently 65 pubs and nearly 100 jobs that are reliant on the sector which contributes £25m to the local economy.He said: “Pubs are at...

TWO people were searched in the town centre last week following police patrols in the town centre.South Yorkshire Specials teamed up with Barnsley Central Neighbourhood Policing Team on Thursday night.Two people were stopped and searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act after causing issues for security issues at the Superbowl.Another person was removed from the Town Centre by officers after causing a nuisance on Eldon street.A spokesperson...