A WOMAN has been found dead following a major incident in Middlecliffe yesterday.
Police were called to Windsor Crescent shortly before 5pm yesterday following reports of a disturbance and concern for safety.
A spokesman from South Yorkshire Police said: "A woman in her thirties was pronounced dead at the scene.
"A man, also in his thirties, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into police custody.
"There is now a cordon in place and we will be carrying out enquiries."
Ongoing incident in Middlecliffe
WE are aware of a major incident unfolding in Windsor Crescent, Middlecliffe.
Residents have informed the Chronicle and We Are Barnsley of extensive police presence and a tent has been set up in the middle of the road.
The Chronicle and We Are Barnsley understands there may be a link between this and an incident in Belmont, Cudworth which required a response from armed police officers.
As this is a breaking incident, we will update the story as more information becomes available.
Hand sanitiser stolen
BARNSLEY Hospital has been forced into issuing a reminder to people after reports that hand sanitizer was being stolen from wards.
A statement said: “We would like to remind people that the most effective way of combating coronavirus is through regular and thorough hand-washing which is why it is important for the hospital wards to have easy access to these gels.
“Hand gel in wards is there to protect staff, visitors, patients and are not to be removed for any reason.”
Shed heaven for school pupils
A CLASS in desperate need for outside storage received more than they bargained for when a summerhouse was installed in their playground.
Our Lady and St Joseph’s, Fitzwilliam Street, Wath-upon-Dearne, needed storage for outdoor equipment for their foundation class and looked to get a shed.
With no funding available to purchase one, the pupils wrote a letter to local businesses who supply sheds, asking them if they would be able to donate one to the school.
Gemma Pegg, a foundation one teacher at the school, said: “The children wrote to local businesses asking if they would be willing to donate and Mark’s Sheds and Fencing, based in Swinton, was the only one to respond and instead of a shed, offered to donate a summerhouse free of charge.
“We were overwhelmed by their generosity. The summerhouse is too good to be used as storage it is now a wonderful space where are pupils can go and play.”
Staff club together in the crisis
STAFF from a popular working men’s club have banded together to help their community during the coronavirus outbreak – despite the club being closed due to renovation works.
Staff from Oaks WMC, Doncaster Road, may be out of work due to renovations of the building but that didn’t stop them giving back to their local community this week.
They decided to put together care bags full of necessities which are to be distributed among the vulnerable and elderly within Ardsley, Stairfoot and the surrounding areas.
“We realised that some elderly members who come to the club can’t go to the shops to get what they needed so our bar staff came up with the idea of the care packages,” said club secretary Graham Tate.
The packages will feature a range of supplies from toilet roll, to tea and coffee, and porridge and biscuits.
“It’s basically anything they need to keep going. The people can take whatever they want from the packages – it’s completely up to them.
“I am so proud of the bar staff for thinking of this and for thinking of other people while they aren’t working themselves. It’s great that they are thinking of people worse off than themselves and putting in the effort to help them.”
The club is calling for donations and recommendations of people who could be in use of a care package. To contact them, visit the club's Facebook page.
Amelia given new lease of life
THE parents of a toddler who was left in constant pain due to a rare disorder have spoken of how their lives have ‘transformed’ following her life-changing operation.
Amelia Royers, two, of Westfield Crescent, Thurnscoe, was born in April 2018 via emergency Caesarean four weeks early, weighing 2lbs 8oz.
As she grew, it was initially believed she had cerebral palsy, but it became more apparent that this was not the case.
When she tried to bear weight on her legs, she would scream out in pain.
Amelia was sent for an MRI of the brain, spine and pelvis and they found a large cyst on her spinal cord. She was diagnosed with syringomyelia.
Syringomyelia is a rare disorder in which a fluid-filled cyst forms within your spinal cord. It can make it difficult to use your hands, causes problems walking and problems with bladder or bowel control.
Following her diagnosis, Amelia’s parents, Nicole, 23, and husband Sander, 43, were told Amelia would need to have an urgent operation to remove the cyst, as leaving it would leave her potentially being unable to walk.
The procedure however was only available in Barcelona and would cost £20,000.
Following months of fundraising, raising £4000, model and social media star Maya Henry donated the remainder of the money to allow Amelia to have the procedure, which took place in August.
Following her procedure, Nicole said that Amelia is a completely different little girl.
“She’s been doing amazingly well since her surgery,” said Nicole.
“We’ve seen a massive change in her. You can now converse with her, she’s no longer in pain and cries when she wants sweets. She’s just a normal toddler.
“She runs around and loves to play with other children. She’s just a happy little girl. She has also grown a little taller and we’re planning our first family holiday together.
“She has been diagnosed with epilepsy so she does suffer with seizures and she will be undergoing brain surgery at some point as the doctors have discovered that part of her brain didn’t develop when she was growing in the womb.”
Amelia has been nominated for a Young Champions award in the ‘Young Conquerer’ category.
“It’s put a smile on my face to hear that Amelia has been nominated,” Nicole added. “People have only really heard that she was born poorly and now she’s better but our lives have really transformed.
“Small things like going to the supermarket to do the weekly food shop is something we could have never done before.
“I’m now back working full time and Amelia goes to a childminder. Things that we never thought would have been possible to do is now a reality for us. Our lives really have transformed and we can’t thank everyone enough who donated.
“Amelia has come a long way and she has some more battles ahead, but she’s thriving and she’s happy.”
Oscar
Marley
Marley came into the branch as his owners could no longer take care of himthrough no fault of his own.He is a sweet and gentle boy, though still a little bewildered by his sudden change of circumstances he is very laid back with not a nasty bone in his body.Marley is 3 years old and pure black with emerald green eyes.This boy so deserves his second chance of happiness and we hope he will find it very soon.
Gracie
Gracie was originally re-homed by us as a kitten, she is now 3 years old and has been returned to us as her owners could no longer look after her, through no fault of her own. This recent upheaval has left Grace missing her creature comforts and feeling quite upset with the world and even a little grumpy....and we really want to help her by finding her the perfect cat-experienced home with adults who will let any handling of her be on her terms, until she comes to terms with her change of circumstances, starts to come out of her shell and return to being her old happy self.
She is looking for a quiet relaxing home where she can be the only pet as she prefers to have her human slaves all to herself.
The show might not go on
A BARNSLEY theatre group has been left ‘heartbroken’ as the cancellation of two of its shows have left the group struggling to survive.
LS Theatre Productions, a group made up of Barnsley residents and performers, was due to perform at The Lamproom later this month and in April.
Both Ireland’s Call and Avenue Q have been cancelled due to coronavirus fears, after the government agreed to close down theatres for the foreseeable future.
Lee Semley, director of LS Theatre Productions, said: “This decision was taken out of our hands due to the government advising people to not attend theatres.
“In our 12 years, we have never had to cancel a production and we are all extremely heartbroken to have had to do this, however everyone’s health must come first.
“But sadly, the theatre saying ‘the show must go on’ is not the case at this time.
“Our performers are very upset having rehearsed tirelessly for months to be ready to bring these shows to our loyal audiences.”
Lee is now concerned that without additional financial support, the future of the group is now uncertain.
“We survive from show to show and each must be a success and sell tickets so that we can invest in the next show,” he added.
“An average cost to produce a musical can be anything from £7,000 to £10,000 and without our shows going ahead we can not guarantee our future and worry that we will not able to move forward and put on another show.
“We have shows scheduled for June and October that may now also be cancelled, and even if they did not get cancelled, without ticket sales these shows will sadly not go ahead.
“The closure will hit us hard.”
Lee has now started an online campaign that aims to raise £5,000 for the group.
The money raised will be used to reimburse the damages left by the cancelled shows.
“The donations will help us pay the production bills and give us much-needed funds,” he told the Chronicle.
“This will help us continue, when we are allowed to, to bring live theatre to local audiences and give our members the opportunity to perform.”
To donate, visit the team's Go Fund Me page.
Cawthorne teen given farm backing
A CAWTHORNE teenager has proven that she really hits the right note with her neighbours – after a local farm agreed to sponsor her to take part in an international singing competition.
Lottie Dry, 13, of Oaklea, Cawthorne, has been a member of Barnsley Youth Choir for four years.
The Penistone Grammar School student began in the children’s choir, before becoming part of the senior choir.
After auditioning to be part of the World Choir Games which will take place in Flanders, Belgium, in July, Lottie’s mum Libby began contacting businesses to sponsor her trip.
She said: “I contacted Cannon Hall Farm and explained that Lottie was the only Cawthorne member attending the competition, and I was delighted when they responded to say that would sponsor her. We’re grateful for their support.
“It’s not the first time she’s been away with the choir as she’s been to South Africa and performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, but this is the first competition she will be part of.”
Barnsley Youth Choir currently stand at an astonishing number three in the world rankings and will compete against around 600 choirs with a total of over 20,000 singers from more than 100 nations.
The choir are still looking for sponsors for the upcoming competition.
Richard Nicholson, a director at Cannon Hall Farm, said: “We’re really delighted to be helping to support these talented kids in putting our home town of Barnsley on the map.
“The choir is a registered charity, run by volunteers which seeks to provide outstanding opportunities for young people who live in Barnsley.
“If local businesses and individuals can help out I’d suggest it’s a very worthwhile cause to support. We wish Lottie and all her friends in the choir lots of luck in the competition.”
Diamond duo to spend day in isolation
A COUPLE who met on the dance floor will celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary – despite being in isolation.
Gladys and Steven Aranyi met at the former George’s Dance Hall – where The Lamproom now stands – and were married on April 2, 1960, at St Mary Magdelene’s Church, Lundwood.
The couple met after Steven left Hungary after the 1956 uprising where people fought to remove the Soviet Union from power.
“He moved to Bradford initially, but then moved in with my mum while she was living at her parents’ house when they first got engaged,” said the couple’s daughter, Andrea Whitman, 55. “My grandma really liked him so I think that’s why he was allowed to stay despite them not being married.”
Steven, whose Hungarian name is Istvan, worked as a glass worker at Beatson Clark at Stairfoot, and Gladys worked in the cafeteria at Barnsley College for more than 20 years.
In their spare time, they love to travel and have been to Spain, Florida and went on a cruise to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
The couple, of Elm Court, Worsbrough Bridge, originally planned to have a party with their two children, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren but the recent outbreak of coronavirus has stalled their plans.
“They are the hub of the family,” added Andrea. “We were going to have a big party for them for their wedding anniversary but we have decided to hold off on celebrations until they can really enjoy it.
“They will still get a card from the Queen and a cake, but they can celebrate with the family later in the year.”
Despite the setbacks, Gladys and Steven, now 84 and 85 respectively, are looking forward to their anniversary celebrations.
“They are young at heart and they join in with everything,” said Andrea. “I think that's what keeps them going and keeps their bond strong.”
Extra time for Robledo plaque
THE unveiling of a plaque on the childhood home of two successful footballers has had to be postponed.
The blue plaque had been set to be fixed to the house on Doncaster Road, West Melton, on Tuesday April 14 but will now be rescheduled due to the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and because of suggested travel restrictions which meant George’s daughter Liz Robledo would not have been able to fly in for the ceremony from Chile.
The brothers, who died in 1970 and 1989, had incredibly successful careers in the beautiful game.
Both won the FA Cup in their spells with Newcastle United and both represented Chile, the country of their birth, with George playing in the 1950 World Cup.
He was also a well regarded figure on Tyneside after forming a partnership with club legend Jackie Milburn as the Geordies won back-to-back FA Cups.
It is a blow for organiser Chris Brook who had launched the campaign last year after researching the brother’s time spent playing junior football locally and feeling like more recognition was needed for their careers.
He is now looking at alternate dates.
Chris told the Chronicle: “As soon as it was confirmed that the flight would be cancelled then with everything else going on it seemed the right decision.
“The Chilean ambassador had been involved and was due to come but he is in his 70s.
“It is a little bit frustrating but it doesn’t take long to realise that there are so many worse stories out there. Everyone has organised things that have had to be cancelled.”
The date of the unveiling had been significant as it would have been George’s birthday.
Chris is now looking at potential dates in September but had hoped to squeeze trips to watch Barnsley FC and Newcastle United (the brother’s former clubs in England) as well as a visit to Wembley into the itinerary for Liz.
With little clarity as to when football will restart that is proving difficult.
“I don’t really want to do it in the depths of winter,” he added.
“But everything is still up in the air really.
“It had been set up for Liz to meet Bobby Moncur up at Newcastle and a trip to see Barnsley play Wigan as well.”
The plaque, which has been paid for entirely by Barnsley FC, has already been made and Chris had worked on a programme for the event.
