A LOCAL artist has paid tribute to his lifelong favourite sport on what would have been the start of its new season.
Mick Wilson, from Darton Road in Cudworth, is a pointillist painter with his artwork being featured all across the UK.
During the lockdown, Mick has taken inspiration from his favourite sport – cricket – which has been put on hold due to the outbreak.
Mick said: “I’m a huge cricket lover, especially village cricket and I have been a member of the Wombwell Cricket Lovers’ Society for nearly 30 years.
“With this lockdown and all the cancellations that go along with it, I decided if can’t watch any cricket, I’ll paint it instead.
“I have started on a series of village cricket scenes purely from my imagination and memory.
“I used separate points to depict the scene that I imagined in my head.
“I would love to exhibit them when we get back to something resembling normal so that people can come and reminisce about the time we didn’t have cricket.
“I just hope it brings a smile to sports fans faces during a time when we’ve had to go without.”
Monk Bretton street could be the happiest in the UK
A MONK Bretton street could become Britain’s friendliest street, after reaching the final of a national competition.
Eshlands Brook has made the shortlist of the Britain’s Friendliest Street competition hosted by InGoodCompany, who are offering artwork to residents of the winning street.
Rebecca Asquith, 36, was inspired to nominate her street thanks to the community spirit shown by her neighbours during the lockdown.
“We’re so thrilled to be in the top ten friendliest streets in Britain. We’re the only ones from South Yorkshire to make the shortlist so we’d love for people to get behind us and vote.
“Everyone on the street is so lovely and kind, we’re like a little family. All of our children play together, and we all have a group chat where we check in with each other.
“It’d be amazing to put Barnsley on the map, we’re such a lovely and supportive town and it’s about time we showed people what we're made of.”
To vote for Eshlands Brook, click here.
Brothers take on monster marathon task
TWO brothers from Monk Bretton who are running four marathons in as many weeks for a local charity have been nominated for a Young Champions award.
Oliver and Lucas Brennan, 12 and ten, have been nominated as a fundraising team after raising more than £700 for Barnsley Hospice.
The boys were inspired to start the challenge after hearing about the charity’s social media appeal for urgent donations during the coronavirus outbreak.
Heather Brennan, the boys’ mum, said: “They approached me one day asking if they could do a challenge that would raise money for a local charity during the outbreak.
“They chose Barnsley Hospice because it’s a Barnsley charity going through a tough time at the moment and they knew they wanted to step up.”
The campaign has had a lot of support on social media and the brothers have exceeded their initial goal.
“We set a target of £100 which they’ve absolutely smashed and we’re currently exceeding £700 now.
“The boys can’t believe their support and want to thank everyone for their generosity at this tough time.
“They’re half way through the challenge at the moment and are doing really well, despite some of the recent weather.”
The brothers have been nominated for a Young Champions award for their efforts as a fundraising duo.
“The boys are absolutely thrilled to be nominated for this award. All they wanted to do was use their spare time for good.
“To both be nominated together is fantastic as it’s been a complete joint effort from them both.
“So to be recognised like this is unbelievable. I’m incredibly proud of them both and they’ve never moaned or complained.
“I’m sure they’ll continue to think of new challenges to complete for local causes.”
First class response to help out brave youngster Oliver
POSTAL workers from Barnsley took to the streets dressed in an array of costumes to raise money for a young boy with neuroblastoma.
Posties ditched their uniforms and instead opted for fancy dress while doing their usual rounds around Worsbrough, Sheffield Road and the town centre.
Staff were raising money for four-year-old Oliver Stephenson who has neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer, to help fund vital treatment.
Oliver needs to raise £230,000 for an innovative new vaccine.
Rachel Biggins, one of the Royal Mail workers, said: “Oliver is absolutely amazing and we knew we wanted to continue to help him get the support he needs.
“The reaction has been amazing, we have walked around with charity boxes and people have always been so generous.
“We’ve had postal workers out on duty dressed as bananas and whoopee cushions which has really brought a smile to people’s faces.
“In house, the managers have still dressed up as super heroes, we’ve also been raising money through raffles and cake sales.
“It’s really boosted morale at a time like this and we want to thank everyone who has donated.
“We’ve raised more than £1,500 for Oliver which we are so thrilled by.”
Firm favourite is passed on to brothers
A WELL-KNOWN blacksmith who’s been in the business for 20 years is handing over the reins to his company.
Nigel Tyas, 65, has run the Millhouse Green-based firm with his wife Elizabeth Stocker, 54, and supplied ironwork for settings as varied as the Tower of London and Leeds Castle, and TV sets such as Emmerdale and Game of Thrones.
The couple will pass the company on to former trainee Dan Lowe and his brother Gareth.
Nigel said: “We are delighted to announce that brothers Dan Lowe and Gareth Lowe are the new owners of Nigel Tyas Ironwork.
“Elizabeth and I are proud and pleased to be securing the future of our craft business for our staff and customers.
“We look forward to seeing it prosper long after I’ve hung up my hammer and Elizabeth has snapped shut her laptop.”
Nigel taught Dan his first blacksmithing skills, before he left to train as a farrier – a smith who shoes horses – returning in the last couple of years to work with Nigel.
Dan, 35, said: “Gareth and I are looking forward to taking on this adventure and building on the legacy of what Nigel and Elizabeth have achieved here.”
Gareth, 39, added: “This is obviously a very difficult time to be taking on this opportunity but that can’t be helped.
“We are determined to succeed and will work hard with the team to get to grips with the business in the next few months and take forward the full potential of Nigel Tyas Ironwork in the future.”
Gareth will take over the management and sales side of the company.
Elizabeth said: “Dan and Gareth make a great team and I am confident they will carry forward our business values and commitment to quality products and customer service as well as bringing in their own energy and ideas. We are leaving the business in very good hands.”
The sale was completed immediately before the lockdown, with the business – supported by Nigel and Elizabeth – operating online with a reduced capacity.
Police appeal for missing man
POLICE have launched an appeal to find a man after his family grew ‘concerned for his welfare’.
Philip Hooley, 32, was last seen on Summer Lane, near Barnsley Hospital, at around 12.20pm yesterday.
A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said: “He is believed to be driving a yellow transit van, with a stripe on the front.
“Philip was last seen wearing black denim shorts, a black long sleeved top and a green bomber jacket.
“His family are growing increasingly concerned for his welfare.
“If you see Philip, know where he is, or have heard from him, please contact us.
“You should call 101 quoting incident number 458 of May 24.”
Fab Four
Duchess
Our lovely Duchess was brought into the branch by RSPCA Inspectors along with 4 newborn kittens.....her kittens have now flown the nest and settled into new homes....and finally with mum-duties behind her it's her turn to find her forever home.
Duchess and her babies have been raised in the home of one of our amazing fosterers and when she first arrived this beautiful black and white girl was fearful if approached suddenly and generally a little wary about the world, but once she realised that there was nothing threatening in this home she began to visibly relax and show her true colours,
She will now sit next to her fosterer and "talk" to her, and she really loves her chin tickles.....she is now much bolder and is happy to explore and play with her toys.
Despite only being a couple of years old Duchess has gone though a lot, so we feel that she needs a quiet, adult only home where she can be the only pet ....someone gentle who will allow her to allow her confidence to grow by letting her do things at her own pace.
She has not at any time shown any aggression to the fosterer or her family, and in the right home she will make an adorable pet.
College kids' virtual gig replaces usual show
MUSIC students at Barnsley College performed a virtual gig as part of their degree last Friday.
Usually students from the popular music course would complete their studies with an end-of-year show, but due to lockdown restrictions this was cancelled.
Students came up with the idea to perform the virtual gig after being inspired by artists on social media.
Andrew Toth, a student on the course, said: “I have been responsible for creating the backing track using the guitar, base and drums for the band to perform over.
“I have really enjoyed putting this together as it was a challenge and it has definitely taught me that anything is possible if your put your mind to it and maintain a can-do attitude.
“All of my peers are hard-working, supportive and very willing to try new things in order to get the results we want.”
Bekki and Hannah climb Mount Everest on stairs
TWO women from Barnsley have been completing an array of challenges – including climbing the equivalent of Mount Everest on their stairs – to raise money for charity during lockdown.
Bekki Priestley, 34, and 39-year old Hannah Kendall both had fundraising events that were planned for this year that had to be cancelled due to lockdown restrictions.
Bekki, of Longfields Crescent in Hoyland, said: “We were going to do some events this year, I was supposed to be doing the London Marathon and Hannah was taking her black belt in karate, but obviously that’s been cancelled.
“We wanted to do something together so that we can keep up our motivation, and we thought we may as well raise some money for our charities at the same time.
“We didn’t want to do things that we usually do, we both wanted to push ourselves and come out of our comfort zone with everything we’re doing.”
The pair are raising money for Ashgate Hospice and Phab Kids, and have thought of various challenges to help fundraise for them.
“We’ve done all sorts so far, we’ve done a half marathon in the garden, a full marathon in the house without leaving it, and even climbed Mount Snowdon and Everest by going up and down our stairs,” Bekki added.
“It was over 3,000 flights of stairs for the Mount Everest challenge which we completed just a few days ago, and that’s where people really started to notice about what we were doing.
“It was a fairly slow start when it came to receiving donations, but we’ve seen a rise since the Everest section and we’re hoping to do more in the future as we have plans to row the Channel.”
To donate to the pair, click here.
Why going walkies had paid off for Layla
A YOUNGSTER and her beloved dog walked more than five miles along the Trans Pennine Trail to raise nearly £1,000 for the charity that changed her life.
Layla Reid, of Townlands Close, Wombwell, spent her Saturday walking more than five miles to raise £960 for the Children’s Heart Federation.
In 2012, Layla had to have open-heart surgery and was supported by the charity, who explained the procedure and helped with her recovery.
The nine-year-old has taken on the 2.6 Challenge for the team, where people are encouraged to complete a task involving the numbers two and six.
Adele Reid, Layla’s mum, said: “Layla had heard that the Children’s Heart Federation was struggling to continue during the outbreak and knew that she had to do something to help.
“She was adamant about bringing our pug Olly along with her to keep her company, and they did amazingly well.”
Adele believes that the charity helped to change Layla’s life.
“She’s old enough now to understand what happened to her when she was younger and she’s aware of what’s going on in the world around her at the moment.
“It’s a charity that is close to all of our hearts. They were amazing with Layla when she had to have open heart surgery in 2012.
“They supported us with accommodation during that awful time, supplied her with her favourite toys and reassured us as a family when times were tough.”
Layla has exceeded her modest £26 target, and has currently raised more than £950.
“Layla set her target at £26 which would be enough to buy a child a special doll.
“When she was in hospital we had a special doll made that had a scar put on it to highlight that she wasn’t so different to everyone else.
“That has really stuck with Layla and now she wants enough donations to buy the children a special doll that has a heart warrior scar on it too.”
Adele hopes that this challenge will bring more awareness to the service and support them through the coronavirus outbreak.
“I think the more awareness for the charity the better, they’re quite a small charity but they do life-changing work and we can’t thank them enough.
“Layla can’t believe how many people have got behind her, and she’s thrilled to have completed it with help and support of those who took the time to donate.
“I’m so proud of her.”
Town centre mural says thanks to key workers
A LOCAL bar has been transformed during the lockdown to say thanks to key workers.
Yesterday, Digital Bar, on Wellington Street, unveiled its new mural on the side of its building, after it was forced to close its doors during the pandemic.
The mural was commissioned by owner Daz Donoghue, 31, who wanted to show his gratitude for the NHS workers who saved his life.
“I had to have a kidney transplant and without the Barnsley NHS workers who looked after me, I wouldn’t be here today,” he told We Are Barnsley.
“That’s why it’s incredibly important for us to unite together during a time like this.
“We used to have a window fitted there but it was due a refurbishment and thought what better way than to honour those risking their lives for others.”
Daz asked for key workers to come along and have a photo with the mural, which has received huge support online.
“The reaction by people online has been fantastic. The picture was uploaded late last night and has already been liked more than 100 times with people commenting about how uplifting it is.
“We were so pleased to have nurse Jessica Dean and PCSO Anna Trickett come down and support the mural.
“It’s obviously a tough time for the night-club industry, but if we can continue to help boost people’s spirits and keep people safe - that’s all we can ask for.”
