BARNSLEY MP John Healey has been campaigning for fairer energy prices for months.

Following a debate in the House of Commons, he wrote to energy regulator Ofgem calling for them to make
gas and electricity prices fairer and clearer.

He said: “The current system penalises the poorest and low users of energy while benefiting the better off and higher users. That needs to change.”

Mr Healey’s proposal included simplifying tariffs and limiting standing charges. Ofgem wants to set a standing charge, meaning suppliers will only be able to change the unit price to consumers.

What do you think could be done to make energy prices fairer? Has rising energy bills affected you lately?

Comment in the box below and join our debate.

We Are Barnsley’s friends at the Metrodome have given us four VIP tickets for one family to attend the official opening party for Calypso Cove.

On March 9, pirate Jack Sparrow will be joined by stilt walkers and entertainers for a special party only open to ticketed guests.

To join Nicky at the party and have a dip in the pool and a go on the slides, complete this sentence. “I’m VIP because…”

Deadline for entries is March 7 at 10am.

Our friends at Picture Proud Photography, based at Elsecar Heritage Centre, have offered an amazing prize worth over £200.

To win a family photo-shoot (for up to 6 people) with ten copyright-free images on disc (in colour and black-and-white) and a framed 12×8 print simply enter by commenting in the box below.

All you need to do is provide a caption for the picture shown below  by typing it into the comment box below – deadline for entries is March 15 at 10pm. Entries after this time will not be accepted.

* Picture Proud’s Facebook page can be found here *

Barnsley Premier Leisure has invested almost £1 million in creating the new pirate-themed water-park Calypso Cove. It opened yesterday (February 15.) If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s a sneak peek.

Our friends at the Holiday Inn have put up an amazing VIP prize worth over £200 so enter here and spoil yourself.

The prize includes two tickets to see Joe Egan and Cass Pennant when they appear at the hotel on February 24. Cass will be talking about his book and how it feels to have a film made about you – and Joe will be talking about what it feels like to be described by Mike Tyson as ‘the toughest white man on the planet.’

You will also get an overnight stay, dinner, breakfast and access to Bannatynes.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER: Paul Perk. You should be getting an email anytime now with details on how to claim your prize.

Check out nine-year-old Harvey Finlay from Wombwell absolutely rocking it. He’s been to the auditions for Britain’s Got Talent and is waiting to hear if he got through.

Barnsley girl band Dolly Mix – made up of sisters Nicky and Paige and their friend Alesha – have only been singing together for three months but they made it through to a shortlist that was selected by the producers of Britain’s Got Talent.
The YouTube competition encouraged people to vote for the favourite YouTube act to get the chance to perform live on stage in front of the BGT judges.
The band will find out on Sunday if they made it.

Barnsley lad Darren Hayes is offering a pair of tickets to his amazing Casino and Race Night which is going to be held at the Holiday Inn on March 3.

The prize, worth over £40, will mean you can join in the party and play on the roulette and black jack tables, with live horse racing on giant screens. There will be entertainment by comedian MC Malcolm Lord and a late bar.

The event – part of a successful run of race nights organised by Darren – is in aid of Weston Park.

To enter, comment in the box below by completing this sentence: “I have a poker face because…”

To find out more about Darren, and his battle with cancer, go here. For more on the event, go here.

Musician Jon Gomm – who performed a gig in a car park in Barnsley – has shot to stardom thanks to intervention from Stephen Fry.
The comedian tweeted just one word to his four million followers, which read ‘Wow!’ and since then Jon’s music has gone viral.
People are now clambering for his distinctive style and his latest single, Passionflower, (shown here) has had over two million hits on You Tube.
He’s so far performed on national TV in Turkey, Portugal and Holland and this year, will be touring in around 15 countries on three continents.

We Are Barnsley is searching for community champions who help to make Barnsley great.

These don’t need to be official people, these can just be average folk who go out of their way to help someone else. It could be that woman on the bus who gave up her seat for you, it could be that person in the check out ailse who let you step before them because you only had one item to buy…anything that has made a difference to your life – let’s share it.

There’s much going on in our home town and people are struggling – our Name and Praise contest is to shine a light and show there is some positives, despite our troubles.

This is a pat on the back for anyone who has helped you – and, at the end of the year, we will promise to pick our favourite and sort them out a special prize.

So have at it – who do you want to name and praise and what have they done for you?

* Thanks to WABer Jo Hague for the suggestion – please make your nominations about local people, not businesses. Thanks all! *