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Friday July 1, 2016

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No. 744

50p

Steve Horsfall

Hero Bernard joins clubs in tribute to Jo Cox p5

SHEARD BACK AS LEADER Kirklees power vacuum over as councillors unite

By David Miller News Reporter davidmiller@thepressnews.co.uk

LABOUR big beast David Sheard returned as Kirklees Council leader on Wednesday amid tributes to Jo Cox. Councillors put the politicking which has caused six weeks of paralysis to one side in a refreshingly brief Huddersfield Town Hall debate.

In doing so it was revealed the cabinet will be axed in favour of a committee system of governance.

About five minutes of action came after tributes, some emotional, some witty, to murdered MP Mrs Cox. Councillors including Paul Kane (Lab, Dewsbury East), Coun Masood Ahmed (Lab, Dewsbury South) and Coun John Lawson (Lib

Dem, Cleckheaton) spoke.

Coun Gwen Lowe (Lab, Batley West) said she had been due to spend time with the Cox family at their houseboat in London that weekend.

Former Tory leader Coun Robert Light came close to tears in stating his belief that Birstall “will be in shock for a long time to come”.

He also paid tribute to Birstall Library workers, saying their lives would never be the same.

Coun Light (Con, Birstall and Birkenshaw) recalled first meeting Mrs Cox on general election night in May 2015.

She bounded over, full of enthusiasm, addressed him as “Hi Rob!” and then held him and a Tory campaigner in rapt conversation.

He said: “It was one of the most disarming moments –

and it was automatically clear we’d be able to do business beyond the political divide.

“And when we got back to the car my colleague asked if he could change his vote.

That was the measure of the impact she had on people.”

He added: “We must make sure the events of June 16 change our world for the better and change our politics for the better.”

Labour had already put forward Coun Sheard and Coun Shabir Pandor as “unity” candidates.

The weeks up to Mrs Cox’s death had seen infighting amid an alleged Labour coup which toppled Coun Sheard.

Coun Sheard (Lab, Heckmondwike) and Coun Pandor (Lab, Batley West) put aside differences in favour of party and council unity.

Beforehand they said jointly: “Since the annual council just a few weeks ago unforeseen events both locally and nationally have shocked and appalled us.”

They added “whatever has gone before between us is resolved” and Labour would now come together.

But to make sure all councillors got the message Mayor and former army major Coun Jim Dodds gave them a stern warning.

He said: “I feel we can’t go another six weeks without a leader of the council in light of the current situation.”

Coun Dodds said the debate would therefore go on for as long as necessary to elect a council leader.

But within minutes and with little fuss it was all over, with Coun Sheard as

Continues on p5

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ThePress

Friday July 1, 2016 Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Monday 4th July 2016 at 10.30am.

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Deaths ACKROYD WILFRED (BILL) On 22nd June 2016, aged 81 years, of Batley. Funeral serv-

ice will be held at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium today (Friday 1st July) at 2pm and afterwards at St Marys Parochial Hall, Batley.

Enquiries to Bollands Funeral

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ALLATT NEE MICKLETHWAITE MARJORIE Formerly of Chickenley, on 24th June 2016 aged 92 years. Funeral service will be held at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium Thursday 7th July 2016 at 1.15pm.

Of Liversedge, on 15th June 2016, aged 76 years. Funeral service takes place at Christ Church, Liversedge, on Thursday 7th July 2016 at 12.30pm. Enquiries to Co-Op Funeralcare 01924 401143.

CROWTHER DORIS Of Thornhill, on 24th June 2016, aged 97 years. Funeral service and comittal to take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Wednesday 6th July 2016 at 10.30am.

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Peacefully on 22nd June 2016 at Roberttown Care Home, Sheila aged 81 years of Mirfield.

Loving Wife of Les also a devoted Mum, Grannie and a good friend to all who knew her.

Funeral service and committal takes place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Monday 4th July at 12.30pm. By request family flowers only, donations in lieu if so desired for the Alzheimer’s Society for which a plate will be available.

Messages of condolence and donations may also be made online at www.josephsheardfuneraldirectors.co.uk An item of Red clothing to be worn please at the families request and can all friends please meet at the crematorium.

Any enquiries please contact Joseph Sheard Funeral Directors, 8 Nettleton Road, Mirfield, WF14 9AA. Tel: 01924 492219.

Of Birkenshaw, on 20th June 2016, aged 77 years. Family and friends are invited to meet at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Tuesday 5th July 2016 at 2pm. All enquiries to Gateway Funeral Services 01274 653115.

Of Dewsbury, on Thursday 23rd June 2016, aged 69 years. Funeral service will be held at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Friday 8th July 2.45pm. All enquiries to Eric F Box Funeral Directors 01924 465402

Of Mirfield on 26th June 2016 aged 75 years. Funeral service will be held at St Mary’s Church, Mirfield on Friday 8th July at 2pm. All enquiries to George Brooke Ltd Funeral Directors.

KING NEE BIRD JOAN MARY On 23rd June 2016. Funeral service to take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium today (Friday 1st July) at

Of Batley, on Wednesday 22nd June 2016, aged 66. Funeral service will take place at

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Of Batley, on 24th June 2016, aged 67 years. Funeral service will be held at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Wednesday 6th July 2016 at 12.30pm. All enquires to George Brooke Ltd Funeral Directors.

Of Mirfield. on 22nd June 2016 aged 86 years. Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St Aidan’s RC Church, Mirfield, on Friday 8th July 2016 at 11am followed by committal at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium at 12.30pm. All enquires to George Brooke Ltd Funeral Directors.

SHUTTLEWORTH DEREK Of Gomersal, on 22nd June, aged 64 years. Funeral service

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WARDELL NANCY ELIZABETH On 23rd June, aged 91 years.

Funeral service will be held at Batley Central Methodist Church on Friday 8th July at 1pm, followed by the committal service at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium at 2pm.

WOOD MARGARET JULIANA Of Mirfield, on 23rd June 2016. Funeral service will be held at St Mary’s Parish Church, Mirfield, on Monday 11th July at 2pm followed by a private committal at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium.

Jo’s office still open NORTH KIRKLEES: The Batley and Spen constituency office will remain open in order to continue helping constituents until Jo Cox’s successor is elected.

The constituency staff will be responsible for winding down the office and will work under the supervision of Holly Lynch, MP for Halifax.

They will also be able to provide assistance with matters that require urgent attention.

A spokesman for the office said: “No date has yet been set for the by-election but until then, Jo’s staff are very keen to do what they can to continue her good work. Jo worked very hard to help her constituents and would want them to go on getting any help they need.”

Constituents can contact the office in Batley, by calling 01924 910499 or by emailing jo.cox.mp@parliament.uk

31 Branch Road Batley West Yorkshire WF17 5SB Tel: 01924 470296 Fax: 01924 472561

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Of Dewsbury, on 21st June 2016, aged 91. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Wednesday 6th July 2016 at 2pm.

Friday July 1 2016 Issue No: 744

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/ThePressNews Publisher: Danny Lockwood Editor: David Bentley Reporter: David Miller Sports Reporter: Joe Link Graphic Designer: Craig Moore Sales Manager: Lucy Tissiman Sales Executives: Nicola Finch Janet Black Wayne Farkas Office Manager: Adele Latham The Press abides by the principles of the Independent Press Standards Organisation and at all times attempts to report fairly and accurately and correct mistakes or errors as soon as possible. In the first instance, contact the editor, otherwise we will be happy to give details of the Independent Press Standards Organisation.

ThePress

Friday July 1, 2016

MP’s murder: Attempts to save Mrs Cox were in vain

MP ‘died at scene’ of brutal attack: Inquest

By Staff Reporters MP Jo Cox died from multiple stab and gunshot wounds in an ambulance outside Birstall Library, a coroner heard.

An inquest into the death of Mrs Cox was opened and adjourned at Bradford Coroners’ Court last Friday.

Mrs Cox was attacked on Market Street near the library on June 16 as she went to hold a surgery with constituents.

Coroner Martin Fleming was told she was pronounced dead by a doctor in an ambulance attending the attack.

Det Supt Nick Wallen, of West Yorkshire Police, said it was immediately clear to officers and paramedics Mrs Cox was “very seriously injured indeed”.

Mr Wallen said medics worked desperately to save her life but were unable to do so.

The 41-year-old Batley and Spen Labour MP was pronounced dead in an ambulance at the scene at 1.48pm.

Her body was identified by her sister, Kim Leadbeater, at a mortuary in Bierley, Bradford.

Det Supt Wallen confirmed a post-mortem examination showed a preliminary cause of death as “multiple stab and gunshot wounds”.

Lawyers for Thomas Mair, the man accused of murdering Mrs Cox, did not request a second postmortem examination.

Mr Fleming said this meant he could release her body “so the family can get on with the grieving process”.

He then adjourned the hearing, which lasted six minutes, until after the end of criminal proceedings.

Before that Mr Wallen gave brief details of what happened when emergency services first arrived at the scene.

The officer told the court: “On Thursday June 16, 2016, at just after 12.52pm, both the police and ambulance service were called by a number of emergency calls to Market Street in Birstall

town centre, where initial information was that a man armed with a gun and knife had attacked and seriously injured a man and a woman.

“Police officers and paramedics arrived quickly at the scene and firstly found a male named Bernard Carter Kenny, aged 77, being tended to by members of the public.

He had sustained a stab wound to the abdomen.”

Mr Wallen said emergency services also found a woman being tended to by members of the public.

“A number of people informed the police that the lady was Jo Cox, Member of Parliament for Batley and Spen,” he said.

The detective said Mrs Cox was taken into an ambulance by paramedics and emergency doctors “tended to her but were unable to save her life.”

He added that Mair has been charged with murder and other offences and is due to appear at the Old Bailey later this year.

News in Brief David Miliband set to be next MP? BATLEY & SPEN: Internet rumours have linked a big political name to the parliamentary by-election – David Miliband.

Steve Hawkes, deputy political editor at The Sun, posted on Twitter on Monday: “David Miliband 7-1 to be next Labour leader – presumably via the uncontested Batley and Spen by-election?”

Two days before that Mr Miliband was allegedly seen arriving at Heathrow Airport, according to a tweet on gossip site Eye Spy MP. Mr Miliband was Foreign Secretary from 2007-2010 and left UK politics in 2013, moving to a humanitarian role in the USA after losing the Labour leadership election to his brother Ed. But Siraj Datoo, a political reporter at Buzzfeed, tweeted: “Just rumour-based.

It’s an all-women shortlist anyway.”

Local sources however said Mr Miliband was due to meet with local party activists next week.

Kirklees voters were determined to Leave KIRKLEES: The electorate voted to leave the European Union last Thursday by a bigger margin than the national picture.

Leave gained 118,775 votes in the district to Remain’s 98,485, for a majority of 20,270 (9.33 per cent) on a turnout of 70.75 per cent. Observers said the figures from north Kirklees were significantly higher than the Huddersfield area.

Nationally the Leave campaign won by 51.89 per cent to 48.11 per cent for a majority of 3.78 per cent. Leeds was the only part of West Yorkshire to vote Remain, and then only by 2,389 votes (0.62 per cent) out of nearly 400,000 cast.

Jo Cox MP, pictured outside the Houses of Parliament

Glastonbury voices its song of praise to Jo THOUSANDS of Glastonbury festival-goers sang ‘We Shall Overcome’ in memory of Jo Cox MP. Folk troubadour Billy Bragg led the crowd at the event’s Park Stage last Friday.

He was joined on stage by Glastonbury co-organiser Emily Eavis and her new-born baby.

They were backed by more than 100 women wearing sashes in the white, green and purple colours of the Suffragettes.

Brigid McConville of the safe motherhood charity the White Ribbon Alliance spoke.

She worked with Mrs Cox for three years and told the crowd: “It feels like the attack on Jo was an attack on all of us.

“Jo knew that women were not only at the sharp end of social injustice all over the world, but that we are the solution to it.

“As a campaigner in the charity sector, even before she became an MP, she saw for herself how women particularly suffer in conflict and poverty, and how fast things can change for the better when their voices are heard.”

She added that pressure from Mrs Cox on maternal health issues saw the G8 and the UN take up the matter. “Since then, the numbers of women dying in childbirth has halved, so that’s an extraordinary contribution of Jo’s,” she said.

Ms McConville organised

Glastonbury’s More In Common event, which was postponed from last Wednesday, when similar tributes were held around the world.

It included a minute’s silence, after which there was a march to the festival’s first women-only venue, The Sisterhood, which was officially opened in memory of Mrs Cox.

EU president pays tribute to victims THE PRESIDENT of the European Parliament called a minute’s silence for Jo Cox last Wednesday.

Martin Schulz opened a session in Brussels with a speech about Mrs Cox – who was formerly an advisor to MEP Glenys Kinnock.

He said staff at the European Parliament knew Mrs Cox as a woman of high ideals.

“She stood up for others, believed in a better world and fought for it every day,” he added.

“We must unite to fight against the hatred that killed Jo,” Mr Schulz urged in his tribute.

He then called a minute’s silence, which also commemorated the shootings in

Orlando, Florida, and the shooting to death of two police officers in a terroism related attack in France.

It was timed to coincide with the worldwide More in Common events marking what would have been Mrs Cox’s 42nd birthday last Wednesday.

On the parliament’s agenda was an item about “preventing radicalisation leading to violent extremism and terrorism”.

One-minute silences were also held for Mrs Cox at EU referendum counts in the region last Thursday.

Those working on the Kirklees result in Huddersfield were among those who stopped for reflection at 11.30pm.

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ThePress

Friday July 1, 2016

News In Brief Man kicked officer DEWSBURY: A man was told to pay £50 compensation for attacking a police officer.

Ryan Crouch, 32, of Occupation Lane, admitted assaulting a constable acting in the execution of his duty.

Kirklees Magistrates’ Court heard the incident happened after a domestic row on May 22. Crouch was arrested for a breach of the peace at his former girlfriend’s home in Batley.

As he was being taken to a van he lashed out, kicking an officer and spitting in his face. Crouch was given an eightweek curfew and told to pay compensation plus £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Learner driver jailed BATLEY: A novice driver has been jailed for a town centre police chase at speeds of up to 60mph.

Luke Craven, 22, of Howley Walk, Soothill, drove a VW Polo at high speed in the early hours of February 22.

He admitted charges of dangerous driving, having only a provisional licence and no insurance. The court heard Craven “panicked” when he realised police were behind him.

He was jailed for 16 weeks, banned from driving for 20 months and ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge.

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EU referendum: Local reaction

It’s business as usual

By David Miller THE EU referendum vote may not have an immediate effect on residents, a councillor has claimed.

Tory leader Coun David Hall (Con, Liversedge and Gomersal) believes public services will stay as they are for now.

Last week local residents voted by a margin of 55 to 45 per cent for the UK to leave the EU. Dewsbury Lib Dem activist Ednan Hussain disagrees and says the impact will be felt soon – and all the more in poorer areas.

But Coun Hall said: “In

Coun David Hall the short term I don’t think people will see

much difference – council services will stay as they are.

“And the chancellor has said there’ll be no changes to the budget until after we have a new Prime Minister.”

But he warned: “In time to come it will make a difference because if it didn’t there wouldn’t be any point in doing it.

“I’m very much hoping that the fall in the pound will make it cheaper for our exporters to find new markets in other parts of the world.”

Coun Hall, who was at the referendum count last week, said the vote in his

ward was about four to one in favour of leaving the EU. He claimed people in poorer areas such as the Shirley estate and Windy Bank may have found proEU messages irrelevant.

Coun Hall said: “When you think about Remain’s arguments they were all about things that appeal to people who have money in the first place – the cost of foreign holidays, mobile phone tarriffs abroad and the need for work visas for business travel.

“When you’re trying to make ends meet you’re not likely to be worried

about things like that.”

Lib Dem Ednan Hussain said: “It’s already clear how the economic uncertainty is putting at risk jobs and future investment.

“That will hit the poorest hardest. And we know how the Conservatives will deal with a weak economy – by further slashing public expenditure and on top of that council budgets.

“As a result Kirklees residents will lose yet more vital services.

Brexit will also make it even harder to get funding for the regeneration of Dewsbury.”

‘Thank you’ for giving politicians a bloody nose JONATHAN SCOTT (right) campaign director for the Vote Leave campaign in Dewsbury and Batley and Spen constituencies, told The Press this week: “I am delighted at the result and our country’s clear decision to leave the European Union and take back control of our country.

“I would like to pay a particular tribute to the Vote Leave teams in Dewsbury and Batley and Spen.

“We worked very hard for several months, talking to local people and listening to their concerns about the direction of the EU. “The result locally was excellent.

We managed to secure over 70% of the vote in both Dewsbury and

Batley and the turnouts were higher than any we have seen for any

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election for decades. I would like to thank all the people who voted for us.

“The result shows that local politicians, who overwhelming supported the Remain campaign were completely out of touch with their voters on this issue and they need to start listening instead of paying lip service to their concerns.

“What we need now is for the new Prime Minister, whoever that may be, to prepare a negotiating team and a clear strategy for our exit that reflects the clear instruction given to them by the British people.

“There should be a date given for the triggering of Article 50 of

the Lisbon Treaty that formally begins the process of our leaving the EU. “We argued during the campaign that we are a great country, with a great people, and that we are more than capable of creating a vibrant and prosperous economy outside of the EU if we took back control of our own country.

“Project Fear and the talking down of our country and its prospects must now stop and the country should come together and build a new political and economic future for our nation that includes us working closely with our European neigbours and the rest of the world for the benefit of Britain.”

What happens next in the Brexit process?

THERE have certainly been a lot of surprises over the last week. People have found their voices, expectations have been crushed, and the political establishment has been plunged into turmoil.

I can only begin by addressing the ugliest side of these surprises.

If you’re writing signs that say ‘No More Polish Vermin’ or ‘Old White People, Please Die,’ you are guilty of racist idiocy on a criminal scale and I hope you face the full force of the law.

In heartening contrast, we have seen the overwhelming majority of politicians putting aside their differences and accepting the result of the referendum. The Brexit debate is now looking at the strategy for taking back control and regaining our sovereignty.

The most important fact to consider is that we have not yet actually started the process of leaving the EU. This needs the Government to invoke ‘Article 50’ of the Lisbon Treaty.

After promising to implement our decision, David Cameron has instead chosen to hand over this responsibility to the next Conservative Party leader.

This is going to be a tactical dispute we will grow tired of hearing about. EU chiefs are keen for us to activate Article 50 as soon as possible

By Aleks Lukic – Branch chairman of UKIP Dewsbury, Batley and Spen

rather than prolong any uncertainty.

They say there will be no Brexit talks until this has been done.

Article 50 will be a key issue in the Tory leadership contest. Candidates will be grilled on exactly when their Government would make Brexit certain.

I expect that some will pledge to trigger it immediately, while others will find some reason for delay.

There will also be questions over our future arrangements with the EU. Some factions want Britain to remain a member of the single market, the European Economic Area (EEA). This is often called the ‘Norway option.’

Doing this would secure

EU trade on almost exactly the same terms as we currently have, while permitting us to pursue our own arrangements with other countries.

We would no longer be in political union, and we would also reclaim our right to our fishing waters.

The disadvantages are that we would continue to have open borders to the EU, our economy would continue to be subject to most EU rules and we would continue to contribute billions of pounds to the EU budget. The benefits of Brexit that the British public were sold on would not become reality.

To take back control as we were promised, the new Government needs to assemble a crack team to negotiate a custom deal with the EU. In my opinion, this is how we should proceed straight away. There is no need to delay or hesitate on a deal that would end the uncertainty we are experiencing at the moment. This is the road to stability and prosperity for both the UK and the remainder of the EU. Once Article 50 has been activated, the UK automatically leaves the EU after two years unless all EU members agree on a different timetable.

As things stand, we can look forward to becoming a truly self-governing nation again by Christmas 2018.

ThePress

Friday July 1, 2016

A new normal ... but we’ll never forget Jo Rev Paul Knight became the face and voice of Birstall when Jo Cox died. Here Press reporter David Miller finds out how he coped in the media spotlight...

ON FRIDAY June 17 Rev Knight of St Peter’s Church in Birstall was interviewed 27 times by worldwide media.

His first appearance was at 6.15am on BBC Breakfast News and the last was at 9.50pm on CNN. In between were constant phone calls and he ended up carrying dozens of scraps of paper with contact details for journalists.

There was also the visit of Prime Minister David Cameron and other dignitaries to deal with.

But over four traumatic days Rev Knight was the voice of calm – a “tour de force” as chamber of trade chairman Anne Thompson put it.

Rev Knight said of Jo Cox’s death on June 16: “I wasn’t immediately on the spot but by 3.30pm I’d given myself over to it.

“There’s no training for something like this.

And nothing can prepare you for the shock.

“One of the first emails I got was from the vicar of Woolwich who was there when Lee Rigby was killed.

“He said all you can do is dive in, and that’s what I did, I had to make things up as I went along.”

One of the first questions he was asked by the media that afternoon was about a vigil.

Without having organised one at that stage, he said there would be a service that night at St Peter’s.

Rev Knight and his parish team then set about arranging and promoting a vigil while continuing to field countless media enquiries.

He said: “I realised a vigil was important in that we needed a space for people to come together. We could show our solidarity with each other, comfort one another and express our sadness.”

He added: “I feel it’s been an incredible privilege to be the vicar of Birstall for 19 years.

“And I felt that here I could help tell Birstall’s side of the story – that Birstall is not a place full of extremists, it’s a community full of kind and caring people.”

Rev Knight said that Thursday afternoon schools in Birstall were put in lockdown.

At St Patrick’s RC Primary children were all

Bernard joins clubs in tribute HERO pensioner Bernard Kenny laid a sunflower in tribute to Jo Cox MP – the woman whose life he tried to save.

Bernard, 78, made the gesture in a service at the Heavy Woollen rugby derby between Batley Bulldogs and Dewsbury Rams last Sunday.

He was guest of honour at Mount Pleasant along with son Philip and grandson George.

Also present were MPs Paula Sherriff (Lab, Dewsbury and Mirfield), Greg Mulholland and Marie Rimmer.

Other dignitaries included Coun Gwen Lowe (Lab, Batley West) and RFL chief executive Nigel Wood.

Before kick-off the Kenny family and others laid sunflowers, a favourite of Mrs Cox, on the centre of the pitch.

Bernard was badly hurt when he intervened in an attack on her near Birstall Library on June 16.

Steve Horsfall

The Bulldogs donated all proceeds from the match programme to the Jo Cox Memorial Fund.

During a minute’s silence, fans held aloft the match programme, which had an image of Mrs Cox on the front.

Bulldogs chairman Kevin Nicholas said: “We hope we can all

moved into the school hall and watched a Euro 2016 football match.

On the Friday Mr Cameron and others visited St Peter’s Church and also held private prayers there.

Further public services were held, including a week on from Mrs Cox’s death last Thursday.

Rev Knight said: “A week to the day was I think the right time to bring things to a full stop.

“It was mainly Birstall people who came, some from Batley, and a few from elsewhere, and most of the media had gone by that stage.

“Now we need to get moving and back to some sort of normality, but we’ll never forget Jo.”

Labour end feud and unite From page one leader and Coun Pandor as deputy leader. Tories voted against but promised constructive opposition given that no party has a majority.

Group leader Coun David Hall (Liversedge and Gomersal) said: “I will lead a robust opposition that will hold the administration to account.

“We will criticise where we feel it is necessary, but we will also work with them where we think we can do business.”

Coun Lawson said: “This impasse threatened to cause serious damage to the council.

“Not only day-to-day running, but also in the budget going forward. We’re glad to see what’s on offer is a period of stability.”

Coun Sheard vowed to change the way the council works to involve elected members more.

It follows claims the coup was partly inspired by unhappiness with the cabinet system - that some councillors felt left out of decision making.

Coun Sheard said: “I don’t think anyone here is unaware of the difficulties we are facing as a council.

“I’m also sure that everyone in the chamber wants to do the best they can with the resources we’ve got.

“And we’ve got to be aware that one of the most powerful resources we’ve got are the 69 councillors in this chamber. I want to tap into that resource.”

He added: “We had the cabinet system imposed on us. But now we have more freedom.”

Cabinet appointments are to follow, though there will be changes as two from the last administration were voted in to lead other functions.

Coun Cathy Scott (Lab, Dewsbury East) is the new

licensing panel chairman while Coun Steve Hall (Lab, Heckmondwike) becomes chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee.

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come together and demonstrate how proud we are of one of our own in Jo Cox and also the pride we have for the bravery of local man Bernard Kenny.

“It is a very sad occasion but we also wish to highlight the joy and goodness she brought to our community.”

Healing process started in Birstall BIRSTALL is coming to terms with the death of Jo Cox more than two weeks on from the tragedy.

A service in Market Place last Thursday did much to bring the initial community grieving to an end.

Chamber of trade chairman Anne Thompson said: “It’s not the first topic on people’s lips any more.

“That indicates there’s a healing process and that people have said what they wanted to say.”

Anne, of the Sea Spray fish and chip shop on Low Lane, added she was proud of last Thursday’s commemoration.

Hundreds of people joined hands in a ring around the floral tributes at the Joseph Priestley statue.

There were moments of silence, hymns and eulogies led by Rev Paul Knight of St Peter’s Church from 12.50pm to 1.50pm.

It was timed to mark the hour between when MP Mrs Cox was attacked on June 16 and her death.

Anne said: “It was great to be part of that last Thursday and I think it drew things to a close.

“We’ve been through the full spectrum of emotions. Hopefully some good can come because Birstall doesn’t want to be remembered for that tragic day.”

Traders have tentative plans for a permanent memorial - which could be a garden of remembrance.

Various groups, including Birstall in Bloom and the Friends of Birstall Library, are involved.

Anne hopes the town will come to be seen for its reaction in the aftermath, from people such as Rev Knight, whose efforts she described as a “tour de force”.

She said of the media circus: “He showed the kindness of Birstall and what Birstall really looks like.

“It’s a kind community, a little oasis to some degree, quite calm and a community full of caring people.”

5

ThePress

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Friday July 1, 2016

BACK IN PRINT Now on sale, the updated edition. Reserve a copy in office hours on 01924 470296, order via www.thepressnews.co.uk or call in at our office, 31 Branch Road, Batley

LIFE IN BLACK AND WHITE Danny Lockwood

Elite get their marching orders GOT up last Friday morning fully expecting a croissant and coffee for breakfast, and found myself facing a full English and pint mug of builders’ tea.

Surprised? You could have knocked me over with a wet haddock – and given the referendum result, we may now have an abundance of that when we get our fishing grounds back. That’s going to put a few continental noses out of joint, n’est-ce pas?

In all seriousness – which is difficult, given the circus grin I walked round with for days – this was a wake-up call for the world.

The man and woman on the street can’t be told what’s good for them, or made to walk like lambs to the slaughter as 19,240 British soldiers did 100 years ago today (July 1st) at the start of the Battle of the Somme.

I’ve tried not to gloat, and I won’t start here, but boy has

I

Yup – you blew it, Dave it been tough given the pathetic, knee-trembling sulk from some of the apron-clinging Remainers, crying themselves to sleep for a week.

Bleating and whining about wanting a referendum re-run, wailing “it’s not fair!” Aw diddums. They shame both themselves and the country.

That is not to criticise all Remain voters by any means;

thankfully the UK is largely more grown-up than that.

I dare say there would have been petulant Leave losers too and the fact is that in turbulent times both options carried – still carry – risks.

But some of the infantile histrionics of supposedly ‘intelligent and enlightened citizens of Europe’ who are now “ashamed to be British” and “despairing at the racists and bigots who voted Leave” are beneath contempt.

Those 19,240 lads walked into and fell before German machine guns out of devotion to King and Country, to preserve a sovereign nation for their children and grandchildren – and for us, 100 years on. I don’t suppose we’d have seen many of today’s bleating cowards at their sides.

Field Marshal Douglas Haig (later the 1st Earl Haig) already had two years of evidence that feeding men into mincers was pointless when

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he ordered the whistles blown on that fateful morning. Of the 100,000 men who went over the top 57,470 were casualties – including those 19,240 dead whose sacrifice is being remembered today.

Sacrificed on the whim of the political and officer classes, the cynical cull of human beings at the Somme alone cost 419,654 British and Empire casualties – men who, to listen to this week’s strident anti-Britons, would no doubt be considered bigots, racists and xenophobes – not patriots, far less heroes.

I saw one comment bemoaning “our loss of European cultural brotherhood”. As the social media shorthand has it, FFS. Listen sunshine, Europe is sacrificing its culture full stop – just ask the poor Germans trying to make neighbours of a million thirdworld migrants. They’ll be giving Mother Merkel the heave-ho next year.

S

the UK was a multi-party democracy again and it’s difficult to see anything other than a repeat of the 1980s SDLP/Labour split, magnified in multiples. Love it!

As for the Tory leadership catfight?

They at least have some functioning brains and personalities to pick from, unlike Labour and I think it was very smart of Boris to keep his powder dry and bide his time.

I think whoever he supports – I’d guess Theresa May – will walk the contest, leaving Boris to get a plum job and work on his ‘serious’ persona for when his turn comes along. I think it inevitably will.

be turned on each other in such bestial fashion again.

Large swathes of Europe are today envying and admiring what the UK has done. All of us have been dealt losing hands by the corrupt cardsharps in Brussels, year after year, but it took the awkward Brits to call their bluff.

The greatest number of people in a British plebiscite ever, almost 17.5 million, called time on the patronising, bullying deceit of their so-called betters – at home and abroad.

Douglas Haig ordered hundreds of thousands to their death on his moronic whim.

David Cameron tried to terrify us with a similar prospect – and so far, he’s the only victim. Good. I hope that the shame and betrayal stays with the man for a long time.

That wasn’t the honourable thing the Prime Minister did last Friday morning – it was the petulant throwing of the Downing Street teddy out of the cot.

He should have immediately invoked Article 50 which begins our process of EU exit and even reneged on that.

But no, having threatened economic meltdown and political chaos, he did his best to ensure it – to cause as much temper-tantrum damage to

“the country I love” as he could. If Cameron had a patriotic bone in his privileged body, he’d have fulfilled his pledge to continue leading until a suitably respectful time had passed.

Instead, he threw his own hand-grenade into the mix of inevitable uncertainty – I expect he was perversely cheered by the initial collapse in the markets and sterling.

But they’re on their way back, Dave. They’re recovering already (and I wouldn’t be surprised if you and George Osborne’s investment bankers weren’t cynically buying and selling and enriching you in the process. But it’s scant consolation, isn’t it?).

The ordinary private soldiers, the mothers and daughters of this country, put their own flag in the sand last week and showed a resolve most of our political class are incapable of even understanding, let alone representing.

I expect many of our European cousins to follow that lead in rebuilding a continental fraternity that was in dire need of the shock to its system the UK gave it.

Give yourselves a pat on the back folks – and graciously lend a hanky to that weeping softie next door.

It’s about the cash for NI/Scots OU know why the Scots and Northern Irish voted overwhelmingly Remain, don’t you?

It’s got nothing to do with cultural exchange programmes with Slovakia, let alone admiration of the heroic EU President Jean-Claude Juncker (I feel sick at the thought). Nope, it’s pure greed. Selfish me-me disregard for anything other than the next financial hand-out.

The Scots are a financial basketcase anyway.

Independence? Using what for a currency, the Haggis? Even if we gave them the North Sea oilfields – and we shouldn’t – the collapse in global oil prices means they’d be potless.

Yorkshire would have a bigger GDP than Scotland.

And when the naval shipyards come south? We’re all

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UCH lessons as we learned from last week and mindful of the two European armageddons, it’s that far from witnessing David ‘Project Fear’ Cameron’s threatened World War III, the ordinary men and women of Europe will never

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E JOURNOS are spoiled for choice at the moment. Talk about letting kiddies loose in the sweetshop! One political bunfight is great for business, but you can’t stop to tie your shoelaces at the minute without another one erupts. I’ll have to save the Kirklees shenanigans for next week, because the Labour and Tory kerfuffles make for magnificent viewing.

Jeremy Corbyn – my hero! – couldn’t lead a lemming off a cliff but I love the guy. As thick as 1950s school custard maybe, but principled at least.

You stick to your guns Jezza – it’s about time

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being driven to drink but I’m not sure even wee Nicola Sturgeon (right) can float a country on malt whisky.

Spain has already said it would veto their membership, so that’s that. It would take them years to qualify, but the fact is they would add nothing to an EU that’s got enough of its own problems – and pours hundreds of millions it now hasn’t got down the Scottish gullet.

It’s the same with Nor’noirlan. If the ‘Troubles’ could possibly have had an upside it was in attracting bottomless economic aid from

everywhere from Westminster to Brussels. It too is milk-fed as a ‘poor’ region of Europe. And so Stormont, like Holyrood, is wetting its panties at Brexit.

I actually think that’s where Boris and Gove missed a trick – if they’d reassured the Scot/NI electorate that all the current EU funding would continue (because it’s only ‘our’ money that goes out and comes back anyway) then the vote could have been different.

Could they leave? I can’t see it, especially when things settle down and the bright dawn awaiting the UK becomes clear, as will the looming EU crisis.

As we saw in the last Scottish referendum they know when they’re well off – and free university education and prescriptions won’t last long without the English chequebook.

ThePress

Friday July 1, 2016

White Lee homes plan is rejected

By Staff Reporters PLANS for homes in Heckmondwike were blocked – and the developer may have seen it coming as they did not attend a council meeting.

Jones Homes wanted to build 66 properties off White Lee Road on the border with Batley.

The proposal was listed for refusal as the land between Carlinghow and Healey is ranked as urban green space.

Kirklees Council’s Strategic Planning Committee rejected the scheme at a meeting on June 16.

Coun Paul Kane (Lab,

Dewsbury East) said: “It speaks volumes that nobody for the developer is here.”

He called it urban sprawl at its worst and added: “They’re not even bothered to be here to speak for it or answer any of the questions or comments.”

Coun Steve Hall (Lab, Heckmondwike), who is not on the committee, spoke against the plan.

Council officials revealed the firm made a last-minute offer of 10 properties designated as ‘affordable housing’.

But they said there was not enough detail about this to change their view that the application should be refused.

The proposal, which featured alongside plans for the Frontier in Batley, was unanimously rejected.

Afterwards residents thanked elected representatives including the late Jo Cox MP for their support.

Wendy, Rose and Alan Pearman and Ian Taylor, of Enfield Drive, Batley, wrote a letter of behalf of campaigners.

They said: “... we have finally been allowed to rest without the threat of 66 homes being built practically in our back gardens.”

Of elected representatives they added: “This was not only our victory, but theirs as well.”

Red House Bronte bash Sacrifices revealed GOMERSAL: A flower festival is being held at Red House Museum later this month in celebration of the Charlotte Bronte bicentennial.

It has been organised by the Rotary Club of Cleckheaton and District and the museum's friends group for Saturday and Sunday July 9-10, starting at 12noon on both days.

There will be floral displays inspired by the lives, work and creativity of the Bronte family.

On Saturday July 9 at 2.30pm there will be flower arranging by Jane’s Floral Designs of Dewsbury.

Entry is £2, which includes a prize draw ticket.

The award-winning Clifton and Lightcliffe Brass Band are due to perform on Sunday July 10.

Further attractions on both days include a Bronte book sale, staff in period costumes and a display of flower prints by Charlotte Bronte.

DEWSBURY: Work in progress charting the lives of First World War heroes goes on display for the first time tomorrow (Sat).

The Dewsbury Sacrifices project will form part of a Battle of the Somme commemoration event at the minster from 11am onwards.

On show will be information gathered about some 400 people listed on the war memorial at Crow Nest Park.

It is timed to coincide with a Battle of the Somme centenary event at the minster.

Dignitaries due to attend include Mayor of Kirklees Coun Jim Dodds and MP Paula Sherriff. Researchers from the Dewsbury Sacrifices group hope to document the lives of all 1,053 servicemen named on the memorial.

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See just how far your bigotry gets you Dear Sir, It appears that a ghastly, if not deliberate misunderstanding has arisen as to what the referendum was about in some people’s minds.

The decision made was about whether we should remain or exit the European Union – it was nothing, absolutely nothing to do with repatriation of foreign nationals who live and work here in the UK. This threat made against immigrants which many of us hear about or witness is racist bigotry of the worst kind which should make us ashamed.

We know that local agriculture would close down without migrant labour to work the

United against hate and fear From: Paula Sherriff MP Dewsbury and other West Yorkshire MPs Dear Sir, The EU referendum result is a shock to the political system – a moment of great significance in our region as well as across the country and in Europe.

In this turbulent time, we need to act to heal the divisions that have come to the fore in our communities.

As we move forward in working for the best possible deal for the UK, the discord that we have seen in recent days poses a real and tangible challenge on our streets.

Whilst there is anger and fear about the future to be found on all sides – we, as the region’s Members of Parliament join together, regardless of our political differences, to appeal for calm and to reassure our communities that we are united in our rejection of xenophobia, racism and the politics of hate.

As elected representatives we commit to future campaigning that will make people from all backgrounds feel that they belong.

We are stronger together and in these turbulent times we call on our communities to unite now more than ever, it is key that we move forward with love and acceptance for all.

Letter of the Week: Tim Conolly, Mirfield rhubarb crop and most other crops are similarly affected – jobs our own home-grown people won’t do.

Those migrants who are better qualified hold down better paid jobs and our National Health Service is held together by migrant doctors and nurses.

It is just appalling that these people are being abused because they talk with an accent or look different.

No-one seems to be spared – even the Polish people who I have viewed as real welcome friends for all of the 70 years of my life.

The Federal State of Europe is starting to crumble.

The German motor manufactures have already broken ranks and demanding we have a free trade deal.

We were told there would be a black future with austerity budgets galore, we were told there will be austerity.

Well, there’s been that for the last eight years. The trouble is the so-called elite are panicking because their chums in the City are at risk.

Nobody bothered about the textile workers, steel workers and fishermen, we know what the Geldoff Remain camp think of them.

Over the last few weeks we have been lied to, threatened and called idiots by people only interested in looking after their interests.

Our MPs on the Remain side have proved to be a total disgrace. Totally in denial of the feelings of the people they are supposed to represent.

Now we have a call that the old guard have betrayed our youth. A youth in which only 35 per cent voted. Well a message to all those in their bedsits, get out of bed and vote next time, don’t wait for it to go against you and then whinge.

Mr President, we thank you for your intervention, it was put in the pile with all the other useless information.

The week Great Britain became great again. For the war heroes that paid the ultimate price, you did not do it for nothing.

What happened this week?

The lion woke up and roared and the world shivered.

You did not let What you got them down was democracy From: S Crossley, Hanging Heaton

Dear Sir, To all people that voted leave, your first job: Pick your children and grandchildren up.

Look them in the eye and say I did not let you down.

Then hope you’re still around when they come to the chapter in their history book and ask you were you one of the famous 17?

The 17 million that took a chance for our future. Not only have we saved future generations, we have also again saved the ordinary people of Europe.

From: Name and address supplied Dear Sir, I suppose it was only to be expected. The ashes of 35 million voting papers were still smouldering when the cry went up from the Europhiles for another EU referendum.

A smirking Tony Blair crawled out of the woodwork to claim that it shouldn’t be ruled out, whilst MP David Lammy, had the audacity to suggest that the government should simply reject the result.

Nice one, David, good to see

the democratic principle still burns bright at the heart of Labour.

Remember, this is the guy who accused the BBC of racism when it wondered if the smoke coming from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, denoting the choice of a new Pope, would be black or white. So much for a Harvard education.

Many on the ‘Remain’ side clearly respect the democratic process only when it produces the result they want.

If it doesn’t, then it should be repeated until the outcome conforms to their view or, better still, ignored altogether.

The guy responsible for the online petition calling for another EU vote (3.5 million at the time of writing) alludes to the examples of Ireland and Denmark who had re-runs of their referendums until they came up with the choice their respective Establishments wanted.

Tellingly, that 3.5 million includes 39,411 residents of the Vatican City which, oddly enough, has a population of only 800, which demonstrates how much faith we can put in that particular exercise.

Alistair Campbell, that beacon of democratic fair play during the time of New Labour, describes the referendum as ‘a bad idea’.

Other political heavyweights have referred to it as a ‘miscalculation’. This seems to represent a barely-concealed contempt for the average man and woman in the street whom they regard as not having the nous to be able to decide the implications of such a profoundly significant decision.

I just wonder if this applies to everyone who voted, or only to those who voted to leave.

Arrogance doesn’t come close to describing the effron-

They provided some very good soldiers to the cause in World War Two and some of the famous fighter squadrons only had Polish pilots during the Battle of Britain .

The Czechs did the same, while India and Pakistan provided more support for the cause.

One of the expressed objectives of the referendum was to put some controls on new migrants to the UK and nothing to do with those folk already here.

Whether you voted in or out in the referendum makes no difference and nothing justi-

tery of those crying out for another EU vote.

The ‘Remain’ campaign held all the aces from the start.

They benefited from a huge injection of money and bias from a government that should have remained impartial.

They threw every catastrophic, doom-ridden prophecy they could think of into the pot, each of which was clearly designed to bully and scare the masses into voting to stay in.

They had Obama threatening that we’d be at the back of the line (sorry, back of the queue) in any future trade talks, they had the Notting Hill set, rock stars, authors, actors and sporting celebrities all signing their petitions to the press and given prominence on TV. Cameron stood at his podium before the doors of Downing Street to give the government’s ‘official’ view, despite half his MPs opposing it.

And then there was the disgraceful ploy by George Osborne, playing on the fears of the elderly, the ones he knew were high on the list of those wanting to leave the EU, warning that their pensions would be at risk were we to leave.

But despite this bombardment of fire and brimstone, they lost the vote. And yet, the ‘Remainers’ still have the brass neck to whinge about the appalling unfairness of it all.

I keep hearing about the young, who claim the older generation have ‘robbed them of their future’ and other misguided nonsense.

What they should realise is that their elders have the benefit of having lived in a Britain which steered its own course long before being suckered into a benign Common Market which they never imagined would evolve into the rampant, contemptible, EU behemoth

fies the situation where our foreign guests feel threatened or are intimidated.

To make it personal and comprehensible to the racist bigots, let me ask them a question – were all the migrants to leave where would you find your Chinese takeaway, the Indian restaurant, the pizza house, sushi and authentic Italian food?

Of course this is to completely undervalue all the other benefits provided by migrants to the UK so get realistic – go and bang your head on another wall and refuse to be treated by anyone who is not a “true Brit” and see how far that gets you.

Best of luck with that one, from a fifth generation Irish immigrant.

that it is today and are, therefore, better placed to know which is the better way.

I see demonstrations looming in those hot spots of disenchantment with the decision of the majority, shrieking for another vote because the one they got wasn’t theirs.

I expect debates and Question Time exchanges in which the attitude of those who lost out will be along the lines of ‘You will listen to me but I have no intention of listening to you’.

I fervently believe that future generations will look back on this momentous vote and thank us for extricating us from an increasingly despised conglomeration of disparate nations run by a bunch of faceless, unelected nonentities who struggle to suppress their sneering disregard for everything we stand for.

And if there are those among us who are so enamoured with the EU that they feel they can’t live without it, then maybe they should take full advantage of the unfettered free movement their beloved EU provides and move to a country which offers them that privilege.

I read a tweet from Harry Potter author and remain supporter, JK Rowling, which said “I don’t think I’ve ever wanted magic more”, to which one wag replied “You may have wanted magic, but what you got was democracy.”

I couldn’t have put it better myself and it’s a sentiment those who are calling for another referendum would do well to take on board.

We need to work together From: Ednan Hussain, Dewsbury Liberal Democrats parliamentary spokesperson Dear Sir, For a second time in a row I find myself writing about extraordinary, unthinkable events.

Last week it was the murder of a much-respected MP in broad daylight in a market town in the middle of West Yorkshire.

Now Britain has voted to leave the EU, the PM has resigned, and Labour is in meltdown.

Many people have used the

word “heartbroken” to describe their feelings about the result of the referendum.

That’s because they feel what’s happened undermines Britain’s claim to be an open, outward-looking and tolerant society.

This isn’t about the action of a lone individual but millions of people who seem to have turned their back on our European neighbours.

The majority of our fellow citizens are not racist or even xenophobic.

They are anxious about changes that they fear will leave them behind, and have been mis-led by the worst elements of our political class into thinking leaving the EU will stop them.

Globalisation will roll on regardless, all that has happened is that we have fatally undermined our influence in the world.

Already those same people are back-tracking on the ridiculous claims they have made which they know they can’t deliver.

This is an opportunity for all shades of progressive opinion across the political spectrum.

For once let’s not try to find someone to blame but work together to build the kind of Europe we all want to live in.

As I write nearly 7,000 have responded to these unprecedented events by joining the Liberal Democrats.

That is because our leader Tim Farron has spoken up with such clarity in the midst of chaos and committed our party to campaign for Britain to rejoin the EU as soon as possible.

Our fight for an optimistic, tolerant and forward-thinking Britain isn’t over. It has only just begun.

Join us.

Door opened for Boris From: David Honeybell, Heckmondwike Dear Sir, So the result of the EU referendum is known. The consequences of the decision to leave the EU will affect all of us, not just now, but forever.

The people have spoken, but when the dust settles and reali-

Continued on page 9

ThePress

Friday July 1, 2016

water, apart from it being passed through a fair number of people before they drink it.

From page 8 ty dawns, will the Brexit supporters still be singing and dancing in the street?

When the Leave brigade suddenly change the £350m gross weekly payment to the EU to the real £180m net payment, and they don’t have the money they promised to spend on our NHS, when the workers lose the protection of the rights gained by our EU membership, when the promise of a heaven on Earth scenario fails to materialise.

The door has opened for Bouncing Boris, Jovial Johnson, the worker’s friend, one of the boys, to become PM. The real Boris will show his true colours and a very different Boris will emerge.

Our NHS will face more cuts in funding, and the privatising will happen on a quicker timescale, but money suddenly appears to give the higher rate tax payers yet another tax cut.

But what about the ex-pats who left our shores to live in Gibraltar? Why they had a vote at all I don’t know.

But as they overwhelmingly voted by 96% to 4% to remain in the EU, we should give them their wish and give the rock back to Spain, where it belongs.

And while we’re at it, the six counties of Northern Ireland should be returned to the Republic, and the Falklands given back to Argentina.

Better that we feel in control From: Ms A Rawat, Batley Dear Sir, The British population voted and they chose to leave the EU. After feeling dismayed and even a little traumatised on result day, only a day later I began to feel happier with the situation.

There was a lot of dissatisfaction amongst the general public and it’s better to deal with it than stay with the stagnation.

JULY Sat 2nd Sun 3rd Tue 5th Fri 8th Sat 9th Sun 10th Tue 12th Wed 13th Thu 14th Sat 16th Sun 17th Mon 18th Wed 20th Fri 22nd Sat 23rd Sat 23rd Sun 24th

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Rock against Racism display From: John Appleyard, Liversedge Curiously the win margin was only four per cent, although I thought the dissatisfaction was higher.

After considering Leave, I in the end voted Remain. I felt that I just couldn’t stand the nasty side which some sections of the Leave side were on, and there was that torrid poster that I could not give my support to.

I very much appreciated that Boris Johnson and Gove did not give a celebratory front to their win but were more magnanimous and conciliatory.

I am happy with the Leave win because as Boris put it, “it will take the wind out of the sails of the extremists and those who would play politics with immigration”.

A man who I thought was a joke may be turning out to be a different person altogether.

Although I also thought Boris and Gove looked quite scared with the position that they found themselves in and certainly Boris I think has decided that he needs to be more responsible and serious.

Our leaders told us that the EU provides us with more jobs and cheaper housing etc, but the people did not believe there was enough for everyone and decided that they did not want to share with people from outside.

That which we have in common, our needs, also divides us (sorry Jo).

“If you take, then what is left for me?”

It is when what we have in common, our basic needs, are met, that we can then become more united.

I hope I have not offended anyone with my comments and my reference to Jo’s words. She was a better person than me.

Make or break, it is better for people to feel that they have some control

and stay in the workings of their country.

There is going to be no change over the next at least two years anyway, but when there is, and ordinary people find themselves in a position to feel that workers from outside are needed, then they will be more appreciated.

Bad outweighs the good of EU From: Andy Howard, via email Dear Sir, As you may know from my last letter, I voted to leave the EU, but I am not a racist!

Our local resident turncoat Baroness Warsi tried to make people believe that anyone thinking of voting Leave must be racist, when she suddenly jumped ship at the last minute from the Leave campaign to the Remain campaign (did anyone know she was part of the Leave campaign?

No I didn’t either!).

Don’t believe the polls love, they’re never right!

My vote was for freedom, democracy and for the control of my country handed back to the people I elected.

It was however a vote against a flawed immigration policy that does not work and needs an urgent review and many changes.

A vote against a trade ban that stops the UK trading with half the world, surely the more customers we have the better off we will be (I’m just a window cleaner but it works for me).

A vote against unelected bureacrats who won’t listen to the concerns of the

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UK people, and a vote against unelected EU judges who tell our own judges we can’t send murderers thieves and rapists back to their own countries because of the crazy human rights laws.

I will end this letter by saying there are a lot of good things about the EU, but for me and many others they don’t outweigh the bad and that is why I voted OUT!

A vote against London focus From: R Spreadbury, Liversedge Dear Sir, For the Londoners out there of all political persuasions who have yet to get or fail to understand the message sent to them by the referendum result.

Here it is in black and white: We are sick to death of London bleeding resources and talent from the rest of the UK. We are sick to death of middle class Londoners, along with their casino banking friends, setting the political agenda, and economic policy.

We are sick to death of their arrogant superiority concerning all things.

We are sick to death of their stratospheric unearned property wealth which will guarantee them a retirement of luxury.

And now, to cap it all, they have set up a petition signed by 3m that the UK should hold another referendum until they get the result they want, ie to best benefit themselves.

Unbelievable!

There must be something in the

Dear Sir, I called at the ‘Impressions’gallery in Bradford recently to view Pontefract-born photographer Syd Shelton’s ‘Rock Against Racism’ exhibition which covers the period 19761981 when far right groups such as the National Front were in the ascendancy in local and parliamentary elections.

Rock Against Racism’s slogan ‘Love music, hate racism’ would I am sure have been welcomed today by my late MP Jo Cox who was a tenacious campaigner against those who sought to divide us and gender hate.

The music brought together artists and audiences of different races, musical styles and age groups.

Bands who played included Sham 69, Elvis Costello, Tom Robinson, the Clash and the ‘Specials’ who played Potternewton Park, Leeds, in 1981, their last gig before splitting up.

The success of Rock Against Racism brought about the demise of the National Front and their failure to make a breakthrough at election times.

The exhibition is free and is on view until September.

Help the fight for our hospital From: Christine Hyde, Dewsbury Dear Sir, So England and Wales have voted to say “No!” to Hungarian prices for plastering and kitchen fitting, to ‘take back control’ and ‘spend £350m a week on front line NHS services’.

Continued on page 10

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ThePress

In Brief Sunday fun at Ossett fair OSSETT: An afternoon of family fun, games, stalls and live entertainment is on the cards at a school summer fair on Sunday.

The event is at St Ignatius Primary on Storrs Hill Road at 12noon and includes an auction and raffle.

Last week pupils celebrated the return to Earth of astronaut Tim Peake with a visit from a pop-up planetarium.

Polestar Planetarium brought an inflatable dome which uses special projectors to create a 360-degree image of the night sky.

£1,000 raid on newsagent’s DEWSBURY: A man denied stealing goods worth more than £1,000 from a newsagents. Andrew Ellis, 47, faces trial over an alleged burglary at the Ashraf Store on Upper Road on March 4.

Kirklees Magistrates’ Court heard he is said to have entered as a trespasser to take cigarettes, sweets, cash and a charity box. Ellis, of Upper Road, was allegedly linked to the incident by DNA left on a screwdriver at the scene.

He is due to face trial on Thursday August 18. In the meantime he is banned from the store.

Friday July 1, 2016

Shorter school day at Bywell causes upset

By David Miller A PARENT has criticised changes to play and lunchtimes at a Dewsbury school from September.

The school day at Bywell C of E Junior School on Bendigo Road will end at 3pm instead of 3.30pm.

Lunch is to be cut to 45 minutes and there will only be playtime in the mornings.

Benefits from the change are said to include children being less tired and more time for staff to deal with paperwork.

One parent, who did not want to be named but has a nine-year-old at the school, slammed the move.

She said: “The education is really good, but teaching is only one part of learning.

“For them to concentrate they need to let off steam. It can’t be all work, work, work.

“Playtime is particularly important in the age of obesity that we live in children need to be active to stay healthy.”

A letter to parents last Friday confirmed the move after consultation involving them, governors and staff. Pupils who cannot be collected at 3pm will be looked after in school until 3.30pm until the Easter holidays next year.

The letter said this “... provides families with

additional time to make arrangements for the collection of their children from our school at 3pm.”

Some families are said to be unable to adjust their working hours to fit the new system.

The parent said: “My son is going lose one of his friends because they can’t come to pick her up at 3pm and so they’re moving her to another school.”

Further benefits include fewer chances for “negative behaviours” in “less structured” parts of the day. The letter added: “We have arrived at this deci-

Bywell head Zaheda Adam sion because we believe it is in the best interest of the whole school community.

“It will support us in meeting the needs of our pupils even better than we already do in an educational climate that is constantly changing.”

Head defends new timetable HEADTEACHER Zaheda Adam of Bywell Junior School has defended changes to the school day which has upset some parents.

Ms Adam accepted the switch can be unsettling but said it is a move made by others nationally. She said: “This change was made for the benefit of all children in the school with the intention of further improving learning, behaviour and overall attainment.

“In addition to scheduled breaks, children will still have regular opportunities to access the outdoors play and learning activities throughout the curriculum.”

Earlier this year the school brought in extra physical activity through the Commando Joe programme.

Ms Adam added: “The school is committed to ensuring that the children in its care receive a high quality education in an inclusive, safe, friendly and happy environment. The school believe that the change to the school day will further contribute to this ethos.

“Bywell has been recognised as one of the top 100 highest performing primary schools in the UK for its performance over the last three years. “This is testament to the hard work of everyone in the school community and something to be very proud of.”

Voter complains over ‘Leave’ campaigner outside polling station A RESIDENT complained about anti-EU leaflets handed out outside a Birstall polling station.

Voter Neil Judge, 73, of Law Street, Batley, went to St Saviour’s Church on Brookroyd Lane at around 11am last Thursday.

On the way in he was handed a leaflet by a ‘Leave’ campaigner which led to

him complaining when inside.

Mr Judge said: “I’m not easily intimidated, but I did wonder if this was breach of the Representation of the People Act. “The presiding officer said while he didn’t like it either, the person was beyond the polling station boundary and so there was

nothing he could do. My concern is a leaflet could be left in a polling station booth and end up influencing how somebody else votes.”

A Kirklees Council spokesman said: “A concern was raised with the presiding officer at St Saviour’s Church, regarding an individual standing outside the curtilage of the polling station who was handing out leaflets to people going into vote.

“The individual had also

parked a car displaying campaign posters close to the entrance of the polling station. While campaigning is not permitted within the polling station or within its curtilage, the presiding officer has limited authority to prevent someone from campaigning beyond that boundary.

“There was no indication that the man’s behaviour was perceived as aggressive or intended to intimidate electors – as such it would not be

covered by the Representation of People Act 1983 s115.

“However, once the presiding officer was in a position to leave the station he spoke to the individual and requested that the car be moved. The individual agreed and subsequently drove away.

“It is thought the man was outside the curtilage of the station for no more than 30 minutes. At no point were any leaflets left in the polling station.”

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Except that is not what they have got. The reality is that it is still a government who are firmly in the pockets of the financiers and US health multinationals.

Stephen Dorrell of KPMG is chairman of NHS Confederation, the trade body of businesses in the NHS and also leader of the Birmingham NHS Sustainability and Transformation footprint.

Johnson and Gove both voted for the measures to cut NHS services, and turn it into an industry which increased market costs and profiteering and Johnson’s said he wants charges.

Craig Whittacker MP (Calderdale) has vigorously prevented democracy in Parliament when he filibustered on March 11 2016.

Jeremy Hunt has just wasted £125m contracting US Virginia Mason Hospital to show NHS trusts, including Leeds Teaching Hospital, how to improve patient safety when it has just failed its own US safety inspection.

If the people of England and Wales really want to ‘take back control’, they will have to decide what sort of society they want and to peacefully do a great deal more than put a cross on a piece of paper.

Start now, help us fight for a local hospital.

Keith will be sadly missed by us all From: Liz Higgins, founder member of BSC and trustee of Old Water Hall, Mirfield Dear Sir, Sadly we hear of the death of a fine Mirfield man, Keith Johnson.

Hundreds of young people have derived great benefit from playing football at Battyeford Sporting Club and carried the spirit of the club on into their lives.

A club that was fondly known as Stan’s Club, being founded by Stan Rowlands in 1973 but was nurtured and came of age under Keith Johnson.

Keith was spotted by Stan not for his footballing skills but as a leader and someone with a vision, who had the skills to bring order to a club of 250 youngsters.

Keith was a tower of strength and soon put the club on a firm footing, achieving Charter Standard and allowing football to flourish both for lads and lassies from six years to open age.

He was tireless in his efforts to improve the club facilities, fundraising, forging links wth Kirklees Leisure Services, West Riding County Club Football Association, the National Football Foundation and local businesses.

His efforts were finally rewarded with a National Football Foundation Grant and substantial sums from Kirklees MC and Mirfield Town Council, allowing him to build a fine new clubhouse at Westmills, Battyeford, opened in 2008.

During Keith’s time as chairman of BSC he gathered good volunteers to help run the club so when he stood down as chairman in 2008 he left the club in good hands.

However his services to the club didn’t end there. He was elected as president and became a trustee, continuing to trouble shoot any difficulties that arose right to the end of his life.

We owe Keith a great debt of gratitude but his legacy lives on in Battyeford, which in many eyes is the finest club in Yorkshire, with a membership of nearly 400 players maintaining high standards across all aspects of sport and in the ethos of the club.

ThePress

Friday July 1, 2016

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ThePress

News In Brief Biker badly injured EARLSHEATON: A motorcylist was left in intensive care after his bike was in collision with a car last Friday.

The 55-year-old man, from Earlsheaton, was riding a Yamaha on the A653 Leeds Road at the junction with Bennett Lane at 8.15pm.

It was in collision with a Vauxhall Astra coming in the other direction and which turned right into Bennett Lane.

The driver of the Astra, a 25-year-old man from Dewsbury, was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive through drink or drugs.

Arrest turned nasty DEWSBURY: A man spat at and scratched a police officer who tried to arrest him with a colleague. Ali Akbar Shah, 23 of St Matthews Centre, Cemetery Road, pleaded guilty at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court to a charge of assault.

The incident happened at 8.30am on May 13, causing an officer to suffer cuts and grazing to the back of his right hand.

Shah was given a conditional discharge for a year and told to pay £50 compensation and a £20 victim surcharge.

A charge of assault by beating the officer, PC Porritt, was dismissed.

Toilet spying denied CLECKHEATON: A man who denies spying on a woman in a pub toilet is due to go on trial.

Gary Morgan, 47, of Bradford Road, is accused of observing the woman doing a private act for his own sexual gratification on March 26.

Keighley Magistrates’ Court heard the incident was alleged to have happened at the Ginger Goose pub in Bradford. Morgan is due to face trial on Tuesday July 19. He was granted bail with the condition he must not enter the pub.

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Friday July 1, 2016

By Heck – we’re really famous for our footy!

HECKMONDWIKE is part of football folklore – as the place where the famous Denis Law first played in England.

Law starred for Huddersfield Town’s youth team as a teenage wing wizard at Beck Lane. His exploits came to the attention of historian Mike Poppelwell in researching the Spen Valley Fame Trail.

The route details 48 people, places or events that shaped the area over the years.

Plaque 23 is for the former Brunswick Mills site where Sir Stanley Matthews got his boots. It recognises the contribution firms like the CWS Boot Company who supplied Sir Stanley made to Spen Valley’s history.

Gomersal-based Mike realised that Beck Lane is a mere goal kick away.

The home of Littletown FC, next to the old railway station, no longer hosts Town youth matches but when it did, future stars such as Kevin Keegan and Paul Gascoigne graced

Beck Lane.

The ground’s first tenants were Heckmondwike RUFC, who were founder members of the breakaway Nothern Union – now known as Rugby League – in 1895.

John William Sutcliffe, who died in 1947 aged 79, was the last person to represent England at both rugby union and football.

In 1889 he played for England against a touring New Zealand Native side of Maoris.

Mike said: “Sutcliffe is of particular interest in that he was the Heckmondwike club’s only ever international player.

“And when he left the club it was to become a professional footballer with Bolton Wanderers.”

The ball handling skills acquired in rugby union were put to good effect as a goalkeeper for Wanderers, Plymouth Argyle and Millwall.

Mike added: “He then coached at Bradford City and in Holland, where he was stranded at the outbreak of war in 1914.”

Witness stole CS spray

Dual international John William Sutcliffe; Beck Lane, home of Littletown FC, and a 1907 map showing the ground next to Heckmondwike railway station

A WITNESS to a domestic incident stole CS spray and handcuffs from a police station locker room.

Richard Fennell, 44, was giving a statement at Heckmondwike Police Station when he saw an opportunity to take them.

Kirklees Magistrates’ Court heard Fennell, of Woodfield Avenue, Batley, was there on August 4.

Bill Astin, prosecuting, said: “He was taken to the interview room and the police officer left him alone.

“He’s then gone into the locker room and removed the police issue CS spray and handcuffs from an unlocked locker.”

Fennell was caught after his DNA was found in the room. The items, worth £44, were not recovered.

The court heard Fennell has previous convictions, including wounding, which saw him spend six years in jail.

Paul Blanchard, mitigating, said: “Given his previous dealings with police the opportunity was too good for him.

“In reality these items – particularly the CS spray – should have been locked away rather than left in the locker room.”

District Judge Michael Hopkinson told Fennell: “This is a very cheeky offence to commit.

“You were in the police station for other matters where no doubt you required the assistance of police. You bit the hand that fed you.”

Fennell was given a conditional discharge for 18 months. He must pay for the stolen items as well as £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Any excuse for fun at Ashworth Grange

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Ashworth Grange staff and residents planted a commemorative rose bush for the Queen’s 90th birthday

RESIDENTS and staff from Ashworth Grange care home in Dewsbury opened their doors to the public for the recent National Care Home Open Day. The theme for the open day was ‘celebration’ and Ashworth Grange enjoyed a party with a vocalist singing songs from the 40s. This even inspired a few residents to get up for a dance.

The whole home, including the resident cat, took part in a Mexican wave which moved up the country throughout the morning, and residents went outside to plant a commemorative rose bush in the gardens for the Queen’s 90th birthday.

Ashworth Grange has been open since 2010 and has joined in the celebrations each year. Home manager Paula Whiteley said: “Events such as Care Home Open Day are all about breaking down the barriers between care homes and the local community and connecting people.

“At Ashworth Grange we are really keen to develop relationships across the generations – our residents have so much to share, we could all learn a thing or two from them.

“Plus we love a celebration and whenever we get the chance for a party, we make the most of it!”

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Knife robbery gets drug addict five years in jail A ROBBER who held a Heckmondwike shopkeeper at knifepoint has been jailed for more than five years.

Stewart Stone, 23, entered the Top Shop Mini Market on Leeds Road at around 8pm on March 7.

Leeds Crown Court heard that victim Fahim

Kamini was working alone in the store when Stone came in brandishing a knife.

Stone, of Wharton Terrace, Heckmondwike, demanded money from the shopkeeper and began pressing buttons on the till.

Mr Kamini thought it was a joke and laughed

until he reached out to touch the knife and cut his hand.

Alisha Kaye, prosecuting, said Stone, who was already subject to a community order for drug offences, left the premises with £500 in cash.

Mr Kamini had seen the defendant in the area before and was able to

alert police.

A seven-inch kitchen knife believed to be the weapon involved in the robbery was found by a member of the public under his car.

Stone admitted robbery, having an offensive weapon and breaching the community order.

Anastasis Tassou, for

Stone, said his client was taking drugs and emotionally vulnerable at the time but his situation has improved since.

Stone was jailed for five years and eight months.

District judge Jacqueline Davies said of Mr Kamini’s ordeal: “This was a terrifying experience for this man.”

ThePress

Friday July 1, 2016

Ex-headteacher caged for child sex offences

By Staff Reporters THE FORMER headteacher of Gomersal Primary School has been jailed for sex offences against two 11-year-old girls.

David Warbrick, 51, asked them to remove their clothes on a webcam after contacting them on Facebook.

The victims, who were targeted in August 2013, lived in Derbyshire and had no links to the school.

Warbrick, pictured right, was suspended from his post last year when the offences came to light and left permanently soon after.

He pleaded guilty at Derby Crown Court last month to two charges of inciting a female under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity.

A TEENAGER reached speeds of up to 70mph while being chased by police through Ravensthorpe and Mirfield.

Joshua Scally, 19, was pulled over by officers for not wearing a seatbelt on April 10.

Leeds Crown Court heard Scally initially stopped on Huddersfield Road, Ravensthorpe,

Warbrick’s actions involved creating a false identity on Facebook to contact the girls.

He told them his camera was

but then sped off.

He led police on a 10-minute chase which ended in Mirfield when he crashed into another car.

Syam Soni, prosecuting, Scally reached 70mph in 30mph residential zones in his Mercedes vehicle.

He overtook vehicles at roundabouts, causing other drivers to

not working so they could not see him but he could see them.

Warbrick, formerly of Lightcliffe but now of Lincolnshire, was in court for sentencing on Monday.

He was jailed for 28 months, given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.

Det Con Russell Slater, of Derbyshire Police, warned youngsters to stay safe online, epecially on social media.

He said: “I would like to remind young people that the age restriction for creating a profile on Facebook is 13 years old.

“I would advise that you do not accept friend requests from people you do not know.

“And I would encourage par-

Teen jailed for police chase swerve out of his way.

At times his car was almost airborne as it sped over large traffic humps on North Road, Ravensthorpe.

ents to take an active role in what their child is doing online.”

A spokesman for Kirklees Council said that Warbrick was suspended as soon as the allegations came to light.

He added: “It is important to stress that the offences have no connection whatsoever to David Warbrick’s former school.”

An NSPCC spokesman said: “Warbrick’s sickening abuse is made all the more shocking by the fact he was a teacher.

“This case highlights how predators from all walks of life use the internet to target vulnerable children.

“It is vital young people are educated about the dangers of social media, and the police have the resources to tackle this growing crime.”

Scally later lost control and crashed into the rear of another vehicle, causing injury to those inside.

The court heard Scally told a probation officer he was not insured and panicked.

Peter Byrne, for Scally, said his client cares for his disabled mother, who would be put in jeopardy

if he was to be jailed immediately.

Scally, of Clarkston Street, Ravensthorpe, admitted dangerous driving and no insurance.

He was sentenced to 12 months in a young offender institution suspended for two years, banned from driving for two years and he must carry out 300 hours of unpaid work.

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News in Brief Annual show at fire service headquarters BIRKENSHAW: An emergency services show takes place at the fire headquarters in Birkenshaw on Saturday July 9.

Proceeds are for Leeds Mind, the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice and The Firefighters Charity.

Attractions include a crash rescue demonstration, fairground rides, an army assault course and music from fire service bands.

The show runs from 11.30am to 4.30pm.

Entry is £2 for adults, £1 for under 18s and under-fives free.

There will be limited disabled parking on site only. Other visitors are asked to consider using public transport if possible.

Authority chairman is reappointed KIRKLEES: Councillor Judith Hughes is to be chairman of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority for a third year.

Coun Hughes (Lab), reappointed at an annual general meeting last week, was the first woman in the post when she took over in 2014.

She said her role will be to guide the service through a likely period of radical change.

Coun Hughes said of a looming police and crime bill: “We could be facing unprecedented changes in the way the fire and rescue service is governed.”

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ThePress

Friday July 1, 2016

ThePress

Friday July 1 2016

Bigger and better!

AMILY FUN returns to Ossett next Saturday (July 9) as the gala takes over the town centre.

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ThePress

Friday July 1, 2016

Marathon effort by Bobtown runners RUNNERS pounded the streets from the Scottish Borders to Roberttown in aid of the Cancer Research charity.

The Roberttown Roadrunners started an epic trek from Gretna Green last Saturday aiming to be back home within a single day.

They completed the 24hr Borders to Bobtown Challenge in a time of 23hrs and 8mins.

Funds raised through a Just Giving page stand at £868 with another £140 due, so they should beat their target of £1,000.

ALL SMILES: The Bobtown gang at the finish of their epic run

‘Fake’ BNP Jo leaflet causes fury all round THE BRITISH National Party (BNP) has denied distributing a leaflet in Dewsbury about the death of Jo Cox MP. It was condemned in the House of Commons as “horrendous” by the town’s MP Paula Sherriff.

The plain white and black leaflet carried the address, telephone number and email address of the BNP’s head office in Cumbria.

Miss Sherriff told a parliamentary debate on hate crime that the leaflet was posted

through letterboxes in her constituency on Tuesday.

But it had none of the far right group’s usual branding and was dismissed as a fake by party treasurer Clive Jefferson.

He told a national newspaper: “It’s obviously a fake – it’s ridiculous. We have never produced or distributed a leaflet mentioning Jo Cox and it’s absolutely disgraceful.”

Asked if a supporter of the BNP may have taken it upon themselves, Mr Jefferson said he believed it was a “black ops”

smear attempt.

“It’s obviously somebody malicious – cruel towards her family and cruel to us,” he said.

The BNP is demanding an apology from Miss Sherriff and Home Office minister Karen Bradley, who also commented.

They are also considering making complaints against media who attributed the leaflet to the group without seeking comment.

The Dewsbury Division of the English Defence League condemned the leaflet on

Facebook.

In a statement they wrote in part: “We have commentated (sic) on the charities that the late Jo Cox was connected with.

“However we are disgusted and complete distant (sic) our movement from the leaflets about her that have been posted in our area.

“After such a memorable vote by the British people one thing is certain – this type of behavior does not help our cause.”

Thornhill gathers Garlands Residential to remember Abbi & Dementia Care Home Balloons were released to mark what would have been Abigail Harris’s 19th birthday PHOTO: DAVE JEWITT

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A CELEBRATION of the life of Thornhill girl Abigail Harris raised more than £1,250 last Sunday.

It was at Overthorpe Sports Club in memory of the 12-year-old, who died in a hit-and-run tragedy in Spain just over six years ago.

The club hosts an annual fun day for various charities and it gets bigger every year.

The amount raised this time beat last year’s record total and there is more cash to come. Overthorpe’s youth football and bowling teams and Kirkwood Hospice are among seven causes to benefit.

Last Sunday there was bowls, facepainting, bouncy castles, horse rides for children and tombolas.

Rounding off the day Overthorpe member Paul Bramwell proposed to girlfriend Laura Senior to rapturous applause in the club.

There was also the release of balloons to mark what would have been Abigail’s 19th birthday today (Fri).

St John Fisher Academy pupil Abigail died when a car mounted the pavement as she walked while on holiday in Gran Canaria.

Dad Tony said: “There was a really good turnout again last Sunday. The club was packed.”

In the bowls tournament Heather Jewitt and Mark Dobson won the Abbi Harris Memorial Trophy beating previous winners Danny and James Ratcliffe in the final.

Summer Mai annual event on Sat July 9 AN ANNUAL fun day dedicated to the memory of Thornhill tot Summer Mai Rodgers-Ratcliffe is on Saturday July 9.

Called Summer’s Fayre, it takes place at the Thornhill Community Centre, the home of Thornhill Trojans, at 12noon and features stalls, trampolines and games.

Entry is free and all are welcome. Cash raised this year will be in aid of the Children’s Heart Foundation.

ThePress

Friday July 1, 2016

17

Ramblers’ corner • FORTHCOMING walks with the North Kirklees Group of the Ramblers – non-members are always welcome. Please call the walk leader for more details SATURDAY JULY 2 – IN THE MONDAY JULY 4 – CHARLOTTE FOOTSTEPS OF ROBIN HOOD BRONTE IN BIRSTALL Starts at 10.30am at Miller and Starts at 1pm at Oakwell Hall top Carter steak house (WF14 0BY, car park (WF17 9LG, SE217271) SE183212) 5 miles – leisurely.

6 miles – moderate. Finishes at Finishes at 1.15pm approx 4.15pm approx. No dogs please.

Contact: Mike Church Contact: Kathleen Tel: 07776 077289 Tel: 01924 471473

A Cleck weekend full of folk HE DEMON Barbers are among headliners at this year’s Cleckheaton Folk Festival. This year will be the 29th festival and it has become known worldwide, with visitors coming from Europe and North America in recent years to sample the atmosphere at the ‘best little festival’ on the folk circuit.

The popular Spen Valley event from Friday July 1 to Sunday July 3 and ‘folkies’ from up and down the country will swamp the town once again for music from both international and UK-based folk acts, complemented with generous helpings of fun and entertainment for all the family.

The artists are booked, the campsite is ready, the beer has been ordered – all that’s needed are the visitors!

There will be concerts, singarounds, workshops, music sessions, street entertainment and markets.

Haworth-based folk band The Demon Barbers will perform their XL song and dance show on the Saturday of the festival, in partnership with North Kirklees arts

T

organisation Creative Scene.

This year local groups Time Step School of Dance and Batley Community Choir will be be taking to the stage along with the specially formed Festival Choir.

They’ve been working with The Demon Barbers to create a very special performance as a curtain raiser for the group’s Saturday night headline gig.

The Demon Barbers have previously won the BBC Radio 2 Best Live Folk Act award and will be coming to Cleckheaton fresh from a Glastonbury set.

It’s folk with a modern twist – expect clogs, swords, hip hop and break dancers with floor-shaking live folk music.

The evening’s entertainment will also feature BBC Folk award-winners Greg Russell & Ciaran Algar and acclaimed folk trio Said the Maiden.

There will also be pre-festival workshops and a chance to join in part of the festival entertainment.

The Pitmen Poets are the Friday headliners at the festival, featuring former Lindisfarne singer Billy Mitchell, Bob Fox, Benny Graham,

The Demon Barbers dress up for their latest album Disco At The Tavern

and songwriter Jezz Lowe.

The All Stars Concert at Cleckheaton Town Hall on the Sunday will feature a capella trio Coope Boyes And Simpson, multiinstrumentalists The Shee, Radio 2 Folk Award winners Faustus, Young Folk Award nominees Granny’s Attic.

Other artists who will be appearing over the weekend include Crab Apples Ceilidh Band with caller Ron Darnbrough, Copper Kettle, Fireside Knights, Graeme Knights and Jim Mageean, John Prentice and Jill Drury, Keepers Lock, Keith Donnelly, Lucy Ward, Nick Dow and Yan Tan Tether.

Walkers learn Howley Hall history THE FASCINATION of Howley Hall will be explained in some detail when local historian Malcolm Haigh leads one of his walks to its ruins next Thursday, July 7.

He’ll be talking about the delight of one of its mistresses for bathing in local wells or pools, recall the bloodcurdling clashes between Royalists and Cromwellians at the time of the

civil war and detail the bid by a local man to escape capture for a murder by following the escape plan previously used by highwayman Dick Turpin.

He’ll also be guiding walkers to Ailsa Dell and explain how important work in the valley led to thousands of jobs being created in the woollen industry in surrounding towns ‘Hiking into Howley’, which leaves Tesco’s Bradford Road car park at

6.30pm, is just one of four walks that Malcolm is leading this summer.

The following Thursday he will revamp the first walk of the series which was abandoned following the murder of local MP Jo Cox. This walk, which looks at the many fascinating buildings in Batley town centre and Station Road areas, will begin in the Market Place at 6.30pm on Thursday July 14.

The charge for each walk is £6.

Historians Arts Group remembers Frank Mitchell look at ‘Dawson City’ Spen Valley Historical Society’s next meeting will be on Wednesday July 13, titled ‘Dawson City – the building of the Walshaw Dean Reservoirs’ by Ann Kilbey.

Meetings are held in the Catholic Church Parish Hall on Dewsbury Road, Cleckheaton, starting at 7.30pm, with refreshments served from 7.15pm.

The cost is £2 per meeting for members, £4 for guests and membership is £10 per year.

For more information, contact society secretary Sue Cooper via email on scooper@ thecoopersonline. org.uk.

DEWSBURY Arts Group is holding its annual exhibition at Dewsbury Museum in Crow Nest Park from next Saturday (July 9).

On display will be 114 pieces of work by 24 local artists, amateur and professional. In addition, the featured artist of the summer show is the late Frank Mitchell (1935-2015).

Frank was a designer, draughtsman, lithographer and calligrapher who, for the whole of his working life, made a living from his creative ideas.

Some of his design work will be on display alongside his paintings, which could be described as environmental abstracts.

The exhibition includes paintings in a variety of media and features landscapes, some of

Dewsbury and the surrounding area and some of more exotic places, as well as historic architecture.

There are portraits and life drawings in watercolour, pencil and pastel, as well as textile work which is sewn, appliquéd and woven tapestry.

There is also three dimensional sculpture in alabaster, marble and wood and a selection of ceramic pieces.

The exhibition can be viewed during the museum’s opening times of 11am-5pm Tuesday to Friday and 12noon-5pm Saturday and Sunday.

Admission is free.

The exhibition is on show until Friday August 26.

Phoenix Players return home PHOENIX PLAYERS are returning to Batley.

Formed around 14 years ago, the am-dram group began life performing at Carlinghow Club, later moving to Batley Business and Enterprise College (now named Upper Batley High School) on Batley Field Hill, where they enjoyed many happy years.

Due to circumstances at the time and lack of a rehearsal venue, their final production at the school, ‘When We Are Married’, was three years ago.

It proved a great success and a classic play to perform as their swansong in Batley.

Phoenix Players did continue, however, and produced annual joint productions with St Matthew’s Theatrical Society in Rastrick.

They are however delighted to announce their return to the school with another great classic, ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’, a comedy by Joseph Kesselring.

Said to be one of the world’s most widely acclaimed classic comedy hits, it was made into a film starring Cary Grant.

The play directed by Karen Riding, a founder member, will see some new faces to Phoenix Players as well as regular members of the group.

Opening night is Thursday July 21, with performances also on Friday July 22 and Saturday July 23 at 7.15pm.

Tickets are £7 and can be reserved by calling 01924 408197.

The campsite on Primrose Lane, just behind Spenborough Pool, opens on Friday afternoon and a free mini-bus service will be provided over the weekend from the campsite to the town hall.

The regular Farmers Market will be held in the main St John’s car park on Saturday 9am to 1pm, and there are 22 stalls due on Albion Street on both days of the weekend.

There’s also a free-to-watch Hiring Fair on Saturday in the magnificent surroundings of the Masonic Hall Temple on Whitcliffe Road, from 3pm to 5.30pm, where the winning act earns a booking at next year’s festival.

As always alongside the concerts there will be singarounds, workshops, music and dance sessions, street entertainment and markets.

As well as lots of free events taking place across the town, weekend tickets for all the concerts are available from www.cleckheatonfolkfestival.org and individual concert tickets will be on sale over the weekend.

For more information call 01274 879761 or 07522 593867.

• A BI-MONTHLY Poetry in the Park event takes place on Saturday July 9 in Dewsbury’s Crow Nest Park.

If you read poetry or write your own, then you are encouraged to come along to an informal, unthemed read-a-round in the upstairs room of Dewsbury Museum.

Running from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, you can recite your own creations or public domain work. Rhyme is fine and the park’s cafe will be open.

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18

ThePress

Friday July 1, 2016

Singers wanted for choir’s charity single SINGERS are wanted to help complete a charity single in Batley on Sunday in memory of Jo Cox MP. The Batley Community Choir will be at the town hall from 4pm to 5.30pm for a recording session for their version of The Rose.

Made famous by Bette Midler, extras are wanted for the song’s epic final verse. Spaces are limited, on a first-come, first-served basis and

Somme ‘100’ badges tribute

NEW badges commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme are now available in Mirfield.

The Royal British Legion fundraising pins can be obtained for a suggested donation of £3 from Poppy Appeal officer Tim Wood, landlord at the Old Colonial pub on Dunbottle Lane.

Featuring both the British and French flowers of Remembrance, the pins are a tribute to the 19,240 lives that were lost on July 1 1916 – the bloodiest day in British military history.

“There wasn't a street in the West Riding that wasn't affected by the Battle of the Somme, with tens of thousands of casualties from homes across the region,” said Tim. Anyone interested in the badges can contact him on 01924 496920.

there are no auditions. Cash raised from the single will be donated to the Jo’s Fund charity.

The choir, formed in 2014, performed the song on Channel 4 show The Last leg the day after Mrs Cox died. They also sang it to an audience of millions around the world for her birthday memorial last Wednesday.

Musical director Gary Skyrme said of their Channel Four appearance live

from Batley Parish Church: “We wanted to honour Jo’s memory.

“And the reaction we’ve had from people all over the UK tells us we did just that.

“Some viewers suggested a charity version of the song, and so now we’re making it a reality.”

To get involved on Sunday email batleysingstherose@gmail.com, see twitter @batleysings or on Facebook.

HEADTEACHERS at a Batley school have paid their respects to Jo Cox MP – who had taken pupils on a trip to see parliament.

Mrs Cox also took part in a Question Time event last December at Batley Girls’ High.

Also on the panel (pictured above) were Baroness Coun Kath Pinnock (Lib Dem, Cleckheaton) and Tory MP Craig Whittaker.

Pupils raised issues such as air strikes in Syria, university tuition fees and the voting age.

School co-headteachers Julie Haigh and Ann McCall said in a joint statement: “Jo was a great friend to the school and a regular visitor.

“She kindly hosted the parliament visit with our students and was a major contributor to our Question Time event.

“Her commitment to our community was profound. And she was deeply impressed by our girls’ intelligent, thoughtful and reflective responses.

“Jo Cox will be deeply missed by us all and our thoughts are with her husband and young family now.”

BIKE enthusiasts raised nearly £4,000 for the Royal British Legion (RBL) by cycling from Dorset to Dewsbury.

Coun Martyn Bolt was joined by four workers from Dewsbury's Sainsbury's branch for the 250mile journey last week.

Former Mayor of Kirklees Coun Bolt (Con, Mirfield) is backing the fundraising of incumbent Coun Jim Dodds.

Riders started from Blandford Forum in Dorset, the home of the Royal Signals, in which former army major Coun Dodds used to serve.

The route took in Carterton

near Oxford for the Repatriation of the Fallen memorial.

They also stopped at Meriden in the West Midlands, where there is a memorial to cyclists who died in conflict.

At each site Coun Bolt laid a wreath from Mirfield’s RBL branch, which was signed on behalf of Mirfield residents by town mayor Coun Sean Guy. Coun Bolt said: “I’m delighted our hard work helped raise so much money that we know will be put to good use by the RBL.” Donations can still be made at justgiving.com/fundraising/bland ford-dewsbury-bikeride.

Ava, age six, enjoys the face painting at Dewsbury Minster

Mike Clark

A FESTIVAL at Dewsbury Minster showed once again that there is art and culture in Dewsbury.

Volunteer organisers at the Minster put on a series of events on Saturday, with children taking part in a bear hunt and a Roald Dahl summer reading project There was an exhibition of animal photographs, a ball pool and sensory exploration area, plus St Peter's Crafty Ladies and Thornhill Flower Club shared their skills.

Magician and balloon artist Paul Dawson and face painter Alison Hartley were on hand to entertain young visitors and there were handbell performances, organ and piano music and lots of other arts and crafts on a very successful day.

Hear Ann across the BBC radio network

Boom boom ... Basil Brush gets ready to celebrate 50 years on our screens

Ann Montini and Basil Brush ASIL BRUSH was first broadcast with the great magician David Nixon for his BBC show in 1967. So to celebrate 50 years on TV the little fox – who was based on the film rascal Terry Thomas – has appeared at Glastonbury, in panto and, top secret ... “we are working on a feature film”. Basil, though, has one other ambition. He says: “I would love to appear in Dr Who for sure, and think it’s about time the Time Lord called for me, don’t you?”

We do, boom boom!

B

GLOBAL superstar Joan Collins will be touring the UK with a new one-woman show. She tells me: “People are fascinated by the fame game and I have lived through it quite a bit, but what I enjoy most is actually meeting the audiences and hearing their memories of me. I have learned so much from them, about so many things I had honestly forgotten about.”

KYLIE MINOGUE has said she is “over the moon” after recording the theme song for the forthcoming Absolutely Fabulous film. Kylie admits she is stunned she was never invited to appear on the show itself and added: “I love it and think Jennifer Saunders is a genius, so when she asked me to sing the song I thought wow, finally I can add Ab Fab to the CV...”

ROWAN ATKINSON is to star in two more Maigret films for ITV after a fair success ratings-wise with a special earlier this year. But now the detective is also taking off on the ‘Drama’ channel with an earlier series that was made in the 90s and starred Annette Crosbie as his housekeeper.

SOON to be former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas hopes to wow the bosses of Strictly Come

Maycon Pictures

Dancing and land a stint on the show. He tells me: “I am now out of contract which is what they like, so I can dedicate myself to all that training and performing and then hopefully learn another skill.

Plus I will make a little money, it all helps, as they say.”

ACTOR Nigel Havers has accepted undisclosed damages from Mirror Group Newspapers after its journalists intercepted his voicemails for stories about his life.

A source reveals: “Nigel has been so upset by all of this and is glad it’s now come to an end, but naturally it’s all very upsetting for all concerned.”

SCOTTISH actress Ashley Jensen has said she would consider doing more Ugly Betty, even maybe a bigscreen version of the hit US series. She said: “I loved the show and always thought there was more to tell storywise, but everything in the US is driven by ratings, and so when we got cancelled that was it. But you never know, the show still has a cult following in a lot of countries.”

amazed me too, to be honest.”

TOP GEAR may not have been the huge success it had been hoped for with Chris Evans at the helm, and now insiders tell me that the show will have a “radical revamp” when it returns for the winter series. Which means, translated from TVspeak, “someone could be leaving”.

BBC ONE’S Suranne Jones drama Doctor Foster may have picked up plenty of dramatic awards in the last season, but even she admits she is worried about the new series. “I do think it’s a lot to live up to, but I also hope we have a cracking script that will keep people just as hooked as before,” she said.

TELEVISION duo Ant and Dec have heralded their OBEs as the achievement their ‘mams’ will be proudest of. Dec tells me: “They are used to us being daft on the TV, but they may just think it’s a sign we’re growing up, and could even make a living out of it all...”

MATT LUCAS will be making Christmas come early for Doctor Who viewers as he returns for the new series.

Matt, best known for his comedy roles, assures me that: “It’s still in-keeping with what Dr Who fans want, but as it’s my all-time favourite show I am over the moon with the offer of a return.”

BBC RADIO TWO presenter and singer Elaine Paige has announced a 20-date series of concerts from October to December titled ‘Stripped Back’. She tells me: “I am through with big long tours and all that, but this will be just me and a piano singing the songs that my fans adore, plus it’s just weekends, so I can get back to my bed every night.”

FORMER Friends star Matt LeBlanc confessed the only reason he took the job as Top Gear co-host was because he had “no other work”.

Matt told me at the launch of the show: “I hate being bored, and I had never done a presenting job as such, so I figured why not, and they gave me the job, which

GARY BARLOW says that now he too is now not such an avid watcher of Coronation Street as he was in the past. “I love the show of course, what with my Manchester connections, but I miss the comedy elements that they had and people like Mavis and Derek, they were great gems of characters for me,” he said.

Friday July 1, 2016

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Combi boilers fitted with For All 7 year guarantee Your Heating Choose Experience & Plumbing T: 01924 689776 Needs M: 0758 1552797 301 Norristhorpe Lane, Liversedge www.ecoheatingyorkshire.co.uk

11556

JOINERY

Any joinery work undertaken UPVC soffits & fascias Decking, windows & doors Kitchen & bedroom fitting Over 28 years experience For a free estimate call 01924 450325 07710 503538

Contact Mr Ives 01274 682007

07884 495530 01924 476432

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Phone: 07796 615260 www.sykespestcontrol.co.uk Follow us @ThePressLatest

M&S REMOVALS Delivery & Courier Service Competitive Rates Reliable, Efficient Services

Established for 20 years, we are a professional pest control company based in Cleckheaton and covering surrounding areas

BLUEHILLS FARM SHOP Due to expansion we

Excellent prospects for the right candidates

Removals/Couriers

PAINTING & DECORATING

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Counter Staff and a Part Time Handyman

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Pest Control

Pointing, guttering General Maintenance All insurance work undertaken 07901 750921 01924 485168

We also require

TEL: 01924 467269 FAX: 01924 430800 MASTER LOCKSMITHS ACCESS CONTROL INTRUDER ALARM INSTALLERS WEBSITE: www.harfordssecurity.co.uk

Telephone Steve

WILKINSON BROS

Butcher, Kitchen & Bakery teams.

HARFORD’S SECURITY LTD

Exterior & Interior

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require dedicated, loyal and trustworthy people to work within our

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SCRAP METAL MERCHANTS

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• Copper • Brass • Lead • Aluminium and all types of cable (01924) 469409

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24

ThePress

Friday July 1, 2016

Marketplace Turn your unwanted items

into cash £££s 1) Ring Adele on 01924 470296 (9.30am-4.30pm). Have your advert ready and you can pay by debit card (30p surcharge).

2) Call into the office at 31 Branch Road, Batley WF17 5SB and pay by cash, cheque or debit card (30p surcharge).

3) Post your advert and include your name and a contact number, along with cheque for payment.

ADVERTS must be no longer than 50 words.

(We cannot accept the following items: Motor vehicles, caravans, livestock. All listings will stay in marketplace for a maximum of two months. If you wish to amend your listing, or cancel when sold, contact or call 01924 470296.

NEW Approx 130-piece china crockery set – mainly cups, saucers and tea plates.

Various patterns, used at wedding party. Can deliver. Offers over £80, tel 01924 465760.

Plastic water system, with ball valve, 18 x 12 x 12 and holds up to 10 gallons. Three connectors suitable for central heating, garage, green house etc, £12. Tel 01924 462494.

2 x cross fire grates, cast metal 13 inch x 8.25 inch stamped Parkray no. 79. £3.00 per pair, tel 01924 462494.

CHILDREN’S GOODS/TOYS New child’s buggy, £10.

Tel 01924 4708866 (1941) As new, Razor Spark child’s scooter, with spare spark and manual £25. Tel 01274 874409.

(1923) DIY Double aluminium ladder, suitable for window washing, painting etc.

Very good condition £60 ono. Tel 07881 598155.

(1930) ELECTRICAL Bang and Olufsen record player/ radio/ recorder, plus 250 LPs. All excellent condition, £300. Tel 01924 471065.

(1932) FABRIC/ FASHION/ CLOTHING New Hotter shoes, size 4ee, mustard colour, with tube of cleaner.

Cost £71, accept £20 ono. Tel 01924 478723.

(1947) Mother of the bride outfit, Condici size 18, dress/coat in pink and navy with pink hat.

Worn once, cost over £200, will accept £60.

Tel 07806431728.

(1925)

FURNITURE Corner TV stand, polished wood effect, glass doors, shelves, 42” long x 18” deep x 18” high.

Very nice, clean condition bargain £25 ono.

Could deliver locally. Tel 01924 462494. (1950) Work/kitchen table 3ft x 2ft formica top, wood design, legs unscrew; with two strong chairs and Ikea rise and fall stool, all unpainted.

Used but clean £18.

(Can deliver locally for small charge). Tel 01924 462494. (1946) Mahogany, round, extending dining table with six chairs.

Immaculate condition, £70 ono.

Buyer collects. Tel 01924 469119/ 07598 919282. (1942) Pine double bed frame with memory foam mattress.

Good condition £50. Tel 01924 506189/ 07590 610822. (1943) Pine 4ft 6” double bed, slatted base, head and foot boards. Good mattress, like new, used as guest bed, bargain £125. Tel 01924 442430.

(1941) Two-seater settee in grey & black cord, six months old £200. Tel 01924 423376. (1940) Double bed with black frame and two storage drawers, faux leather £100. Tel 01924 423376.

(1940) Dark blue, three- seater, leather three-piece suite in very good condition £95. Tel 07531 775603.

(1934) Stag oak bureau, 38” height, width 30”, depth 17”. In good condition, well looked after £50.

Tel 01274 876814 (Gomersal) (1926) Computer/office chair, adjustable height, armrest. Excellent condition £20. Tel 01924 724680 (1927)

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? ITEM bands

Cost per item

Up to £7: £8 - £25: £26 - £50 £51- £100 £101-£200 £201-£500 £501-£1450 £1,451 plus Small tiled top dark wood coffee table, in good condition £5.00.

Tel 07790 568986.

(Soothill) (1920) Cane conservatory furniture set, comprises of 1 x 2 seater settee, 1 chair, 1 footstool, 1 glass topped coffee table, 1 glass topped side table. All in very good condition £200.

Phone 01924 517994.

(1921) Teak display cabinet with glass front and lighting, three drawers, two cupboards.

Excellent condition £40.

Tel 01274 878450.

(1922) HEATING Valor Dream gas fire, coal effect, in black & chrome with side controls. Cost £450 Xmas 2015, will accept £200.

Absolute bargain, must be seen. Tel 01274 875178/ 07977 679703.

(1948) HOMEWARE China tea service, white with gold trim, as new.

Includes 5 side plates, 6 salad plates, 6 cups and saucers, milk jug and sugar bowl; 25 pieces in all £20 ono. Tel 01274 876814. (1911) HOUSEHOLD Comfort Quest inflatable double mattress, new, still boxed, including pump £20. Tel 07766 394629. (1931) New lightweight bedroom type commode, £25 ono. Tel 01274 876814 (Gomersal).

(1911) KITCHEN Wood effect, laminate breakfast bar top, 26” wide x 5ft long £50. Tel 07833 136856. (1945) Kitchen cupboard doors, glossy white, brushed steel handles; eight doors, three complete drawers. Perfect condition £50. Tel 01924 724680. (1939) Platinum Prestige pre-

£1 £2 £3 £4 £5 £7 £9 £11

mium 24-piece BBQ tools in aluminium case £20 new. Tel 07766 394629. (1931) Fridge freezer, cost £140 Argos 06/14. As new, A-star, 89 litre/29 litre £50. Buyer collects, tel 07786 404627.

(1929) LUGGAGE Two x two-wheeled suitcases, measurements 29” x 18” x 13” retractable handle, two external and two internal pockets, good clean condition, strong and durable, £10 each. Tel: 07939 599381. (1942) MISCELLANEOUS Parrot cage, 21 1/2” wide x 56” high, on wheels. Good condition £20 ono. Tel 01924 470866. (1951) Bath lift for sale £50. Tel 01924 264330. (1944) Pair 6ft ramps (portable) £50. Tel 01924 423376.

(1940) Pet cage – strong metal, measurements 26” x 41” x 28”, strong spring fastening door. Folds flat for storage, waterproof crate mat, £20.

Tel: 07939 599381.

(1942) Eight bales of meadow hay £3 per bale. Tel 01274 874851. (1917) MUSICAL Four Spanish guitars, £25 each ono. Tel 01924 402931 (1918) SPORTING Set of Wilson lady’s golf clubs, bag & trolley, all in excellent condition, some unused £150.

Tel 01924 442430.

(1941) WANTED WANTED – petrol lawnmower, working or in need of attention, must be inexpensive or free.

Phone Graham 01924 493938. (1915) WANTED – wringer/ mangle. Tel 01274 876814. (1914)

ThePress

Friday July 1, 2016

CRICKET

RUGBY LEAGUE EXTRA

Thunderstorms halt cup’s last four draw

Maloney becomes Stags boss after Silverwood quits

By Mike Popplewell Cricket Correspondent sport@thepressnews.co.uk

RAIN DISRUPTED the entire weekend programme in the All Rounder Cricket Bradford Premier League last week, with the Priestley Cup and Shield competitions once again being dominated by the weather.

Abandoned games, wins on a faster scoring rate and even a bowl out have so far helped to decide the outcome of Priestley Cup ties but Monday night’s semi-final draw sees both fixtures yet to be concluded.

Hanging Heaton are hanging on for the outcome of their Priestley Cup quarter-final game after play was halted by rain, while Scholes were unable to get a ball bowled in their tie against Lightcliffe at New Popplewell Lane on Sunday due to the previous day’s deluge covering the field in water.

Luck has certainly been with Hanging Heaton in their last two cup games. They progressed at the expense of Townville in the last round, with their opponents within a whisker of victory, and at Bingley last week they would have struggled if just three more overs had been bowled to complete the 10 needed for a game to be decided.

They try again this Sunday at Bradford and Bingley, with a home tie against Woodlands awaiting the winners in the semi-final on July 17.

The Scholes v Lightcliffe encounter is also scheduled for Sunday, with double-chasing Pudsey St Lawrence visiting the winners in the last four.

Everyone will be hoping for better luck with the weather for tomorrow’s league programme after only five out of 23 games were played to a finish.

In the Premier Division Cleckheaton make a short trip up the A58 to take on Lightcliffe with skipper John Wood hoping for a repeat of last week’s batting performance, in which he hit 62 against East Bierley, but there must be some concern over the lack of runs elsewhere.

Hanging Heaton have a tough game at in-form Farsley, former skipper Mark Lawson made 61 for New Farnley in their last game, while Scholes are at Woodlands, East Bierley are at home to Morley and current leaders Pudsey St Lawrence go to New Farnley. No games were completed in the Premier Division last week.

Spen Victoria did complete their game in Championship B, but they were on the wrong end of another sparkling performance from runaway leaders Townville. A 3-1 display with the ball from Jack Hughes shot them out for 78 and a quickfire 54 from Connor Harvey saw them race to a nine-wicket win in only 7.5 overs.

Birstall were desperately unlucky not to beat Liversedge when, after several stoppages at Leeds Road, rain washed out play with the visitors on 115-8 chasing 166. Saif ur-Rehmann took 6-58 for Birstall while Graham Winn followed up his 442 with a crucial top-scoring 27 to rescue Liversedge.

Crossbank were one of those to complete their fixture in the Conference when they slumped to a 10-wicket defeat at East Leeds, but they will not relish a

Liversedge’s Graham Winn bowls Birstall’s Siraj Hussain Mike Poppplewell return to action at Northowram Fields, where Dewsbury Rams coach Glenn Morrison is helping the home side mount a promotion challenge.

The other game of interest in this division is between East Ardsley and Heckmondwike, while in the Championship Gomersal have the unenviable task of attempting to make a dent in Townville’s 100 per cent record when the two sides meet at Oxford Road for a Section B clash.

Spen Victoria will be hoping to fare better than last week when they entertain Altofts in Championship B and in the same division Hartshead Moor are at Methley, whose sevenwicket win at Bowling Old Lane was the only other result in the Championship divisions last week. Meanwhile Hopton Mills go to Bankfoot.

RUGBY UNION

Cleck RU optimistic after fixture release THE COUNTDOWN to the start of the new National League Three North campaign has begun following the release of next season’s fixtures.

Cleckheaton RUFC, who had a terrible start to last year’s league campaign will hope for better this time round as they play two newly-promoted sides in their opening three matches.

The Moorenders will host League Three North regulars Lymm on the opening day (September 9) before travelling to Stockport and welcoming Morley for a derby the following weekend, both of whom will be eager for a positive result to prove their worth in the division against an experienced side.

The Moorenders won’t face local rivals Huddersfield RUFC

ARCHERY

Promising archery youngster clinches Yorkshire junior title LOCAL archery youngster Lauren Rogers has continued her success by winning the Under12 Girls Recurve title at the Yorkshire Junior Championships.

until November 26 when the Lockwood Park side, who were relegated from National League Two North last season, visit Moorend.

And Cleckheaton’s 2016/17 campaign will reach its conclusion with the reverse fixture of the opening game the Moorenders travelling to Lymm on April 22 next year.

Cleckheaton’s John Wood chats to teammate Andy Gorrod in their game with East Bierley

This achievement follows her impressive runner-up finish in the same event at the Lancashire Junior Championships where she registered her Archery GB 1000-point Rose Award in the process.

The 12-year-old Castle Hall student competes in both indoor and outdoor competitions and trains at the Nova Bowmen centre in Hunsworth.

Lauren, who lives in Norristhorpe, has been shooting for three years and her steady progression in the sport has earned her the opportunity to compete in the Junior National Championships.

Lauren also recently teamed up with the Yorkshire Junior Squad as a reserve at the Northern Counties Archery Society Regional Tournament as she continues her training with the Yorkshire Archery Association Junior squad.

Lauren Rogers (right) poses with her Under-12s Recurve winners shield

25

MIRFIELD Stags have parted company with head coach Richard Silverwood after he opted to stand down from his position with immediate effect.

The rugby league referee, who took over coaching reins back in 2014 when the club was first launched, departs having guided his hometown team to last year’s Grand Final before helping to seal a league title during the team’s debut winter campaign.

He said: “I have very much enjoyed my time with the club, it has been a pleasure being part of the Mirfield Stags journey.

“However, in the short term, the time has come for me to focus on my career.”

The experienced Super League referee is currently serving a suspension pending an investigation by the Rugby Football League.

The last game Silverwood (pictured above) officiated was at the Magic Weekend back in May, when Hull FC faced Hull KR. This is the third suspension Silverwood has served after being investigated for an alleged leak of information back in 2009 and an off-the-field incident in 2011.

Former England international Francis Maloney has been appointed as Silverwood’s successor as head coach of the Stags.

His first game in charge will be tonight’s Yorkshire Men’s League Premier Division clash between Mirfield and Sharlston Rovers at Hillrich Park.

The 43-year-old former Batley and Dewsbury star, said: “It’s certainly an honour to be approached and I am delighted to have been given the opportunity.

“I will assess the situation over the next few weeks and then make a long-term decision on the role at the end of the season.

“There are some great structures in place here, so I don’t need to rock the boat too much.

“Tonight’s game against Sharlston will be extremely tough but we will enter it with immense confidence and I know the boys will be bang up for it.”

26

ThePress

Friday July 1, 2016

AMATEUR RUGBY LEAGUE

Another near miss for struggling Stags YML Premier Division

WEST BOWLING

20

MIRFIELD STAGS

18

at Raymond Street MIRFIELD STAGS were narrowly defeated

by West Bowling in the first-ever meeting between the two sides, going down fighting in a 20-18 verdict in the Yorkshire Men’s League Premier Division contest.

It was West Bowling who made an instant impact on proceedings, with a try coming from a clean break down the Stags’ right wing.

Despite the early set-back, Mirfield more than matched West Bowling with a relentless spell of pressure in a fastpaced opening quarter.

However, the Stags were once again undone by a counter-attacking run as Ben Head went on a solo sprint, weaving in and out of the defensive line to give West Bowling a 10-0 lead.

Mirfield winger Sam Thornton hit back

with a fine individual effort, galloping down to the left edge to touch down.

But that wasn’t to be the last action of the half as Adam Reardon managed to play in James Crabb to extend the hosts’ advantage, leaving the Stags with a small mountain to climb as the heavens opened over Bradford.

From the outset of the second half, it became a test of endurance as a thunderstorm brewed, swinging the balance of the game in the away side’s favour.

Mirfield looked the more threatening of the two sides and were the first to make the breakthrough as Alex Muff barged over to reduce the arrears to just two points.

As the torrential rain continued, both sides struggled to adjust to the difficult conditions and handling proved difficult.

West Bowling moved clear with a try on the hour mark.

But Mirfield had a late say, with Braden Hunter touching down.

Sadly the home side held firm in the remaining 90 seconds and clung on to claim the two points.

Lacklustre Celtic fall to ninth loss NCL Division Two

SADDLEWORTH RANGERS 44 DEWSBURY CELTIC

6

at Shaw Hall Bank Road DEWSBURY CELTIC’S awful season shows no signs of improving following a heavy 44-6 loss away at Saddleworth Rangers.

The green and whites have now lost their last three games in the

National Conference League Division Two campaign.

Their only points in the game came midway through the first half via a try from Josh Knowles and a Richard Tillotson conversion.

At the other end two tries in six minutes from Ashley Wildman and Harry Godfrey were both converted

by Ben Whitehead in a game which saw Gavin Dodd take the man of the match award.

A brace of tries from Oliver Kerr

Moor on the rise in NCL third tier NCL Division Three

GATESHEAD STORM

8

DEWSBURY MOOR

29

goal eight minutes before the break.

In the 50th minute Moor were in again through Tobias Richardson while Foster landed the resultant conversion.

He then scored a converted try before Jack

at Axwell View

Birstall Victoria’s Will Copley was in fine form in his side’s 28-22 away win over Garforth Tigers which put them top of Yorkshire Men’s League Division Four Mark Lockwood

plus one for Dale Lowe and a Whitehead conversion saw Rangers lead 26-6.

The hosts scored a further three converted tries in the second half to put the game to bed.

Celtic’s Tom Dransfield saw red for punching whilst Dougie Foster was sin-binned for a professional foul to make matters worse for the visitors.

Celtic hope to bounce back in their next outing tomorrow (Sat July 2, 2.30pm) against Leigh East.

DEWSBURY MOOR Maroons continue their ascent up National Conference League Division Three thanks to a 29-8 win away at Gateshead Storm.

Chris Parker took the man of the match award as the Maroons made it back-to-back wins this time in the North East at Gateshead.

It took the home side 70 minutes to break down the visiting defence via a try from Dan Turland plus a conversion by Martin Scott.

By that time the Storm were 25-0 in arrears, with George Croisdale opening the Moor account on 12 minutes. Brad Foster added the conversion as he did to a Cameron Bruce try on 25 minutes, plus there was an Ady Moore drop

NCLTABLES DIVISION ONE Th Heath Crusaders Skirlaugh Featherstone Lions Myton Warriors Normanton Knights Milford Marlins Oulton Raiders Hunslet Warriors Ince Rose Bridge Underbank Rangers East Leeds Shaw Cross Sharks Millom Elland

P W D L 12 10 0 2 12 8 0 4 12 8 0 4 11 8 0 3 13 7 0 6 13 7 0 6 13 7 0 6 12 6 1 5 13 6 0 7 12 6 0 6 12 5 1 6 12 4 0 8 12 2 0 10 13 1 0 12

DIVISION TWO P W D Huns Club Parkside 12 12 0 Leigh East 12 8 0

L 0 4

F 448 443 421 235 324 278 294 303 354 274 318 228 175 176

A 196 288 269 192 259 221 323 253 325 289 307 315 395 639

DIFF PTS 252 20 155 16 152 16 43 16 65 14 57 14 -29 14 50 13 29 12 -15 12 11 11 -87 8 -220 4 -463 2

F 497 450

A DIFF PTS 156 341 24 230 220 16

Riding finished things off a minute from time for a comfortable win.

The victory maintains Moor’s fifth-placed position ahead of their home fixture against Woolston Rovers (Sat July 2, 2.30pm).

Bradford Dudley Hill 12 Askam 10 Saddleworth Rangers 11 Wigan St Judes 11 Thornhill Trojans 11 Blackbrook 12 Salford City Roosters 12 Dewsbury Celtic 12 Stanningley 11 Stanley Rangers 12 DIVISION THREE P Crosfields 11 Woolston Rovers 11 Drighlington 9 Rylands Sharks 12 Dews Moor Maroons11 Eastmoor Dragons 12 Oldham St Annes 10 Gateshead Storm 10 Waterhead Warriors 9 Castleford Panthers 11

8 7 7 6 5 5 4 3 1 0

0 4 1 2 1 3 0 5 2 4 0 7 0 8 0 9 0 10 2 10

W D 10 1 8 0 6 1 5 1 5 1 5 1 4 1 3 0 2 0 2 0

L 0 3 2 6 5 6 5 7 7 9

276 270 338 344 282 276 193 170 168 141

264 156 232 247 202 382 268 370 398 500

12 114 106 97 80 -106 -75 -200 -230 -359

16 15 15 12 12 10 8 6 2 2

F 397 305 312 419 247 293 270 214 188 174

A 212 267 148 346 244 290 300 301 260 451

DIFF PTS 185 21 38 16 164 13 73 11 3 11 3 11 -30 9 -87 6 -72 4 -277 4

JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE

Celtic Under-15s suffer slip-up DEWSBURY CELTIC UNDER-15S lost ground on Yorkshire Junior’s League Division Three leaders Cottingham Tigers, having been edged out 36-34 away at New Earswick All Blacks.

Both teams evened each other out in the opening exchanges as they both showed their capabilities in attack and defence.

But the home side did manage to edge themselves in front on eight minutes with a breakaway try which was converted to give the hosts a 6-0 advantage.

But Celtic, who were looking to close the gap on Cottingham at the summit of the division, responded to the setback quickly and went over through Conor Appleyard.

Charlie Heaton added the extras to draw the scores level.

Celtic lost concentration shortly afterwards and found themselves behind for a second time when the hosts exploited the wide pitch to get a try, but the conversion was missed.

Celtic hit back again, however, with a touchdown in the corner through Ryan Birch.

But for the remainder of the half the visitors showed weakness in defence.

Those frailties allowed the All Blacks to cross twice more before half-time which gave the hosts a 20-10 lead.

After the restart the green and whites looked like a different prospect after a stern team talk from the coach and when Appleyard crossed under the posts it looked

like the league’s high-flyers would take control of the match.

Heaton added the conversion.

Two minutes later and Appleyard had bagged his hat-trick with a fabulous individual try.

Heaton’s conversion then put Celtic two points in front.

Five minutes later opposition man of the match Cameron Berry and Jacob Carr linked up, with Berry seemingly unstoppable as he cruised to the line.

Heaton’s success with the boot continued and his conversion gave Celtic a solid eightpoint lead.

But the hosts remained undeterred as they narrowed the gap with a converted try.

Winger Niall McKinnel thought he had won the game for Celtic with a try in the corner but his effort was ruled out for a knock-on.

The All Blacks remained on the front foot, however, and ran in two more tries to take a commanding 36-28 lead with just five minutes left on the clock.

Celtic battled on but their efforts were in vein.

Lewis Teale’s try under the posts reduced his side’s arrears to two points following Heaton’s conversion but it was too little too late.

Celtic are now two points adrift of top spot in Division Three having played three games more.

Elsewhere DEWSBURY MOOR UNDER-

14S remain in touch with the league leaders in YJL Division One thanks to a 10-4 away win over Moldgreen.

Opposition man of the match Connor Charlesworth was pivotal in the contest, making some valuable defensive tackles.

Parents’ and coaches’ man of the match Dan Foster also worked tirelessly all over the pitch.

And after Kirby scored the opening try for the Maroons Jay Haywood-Scriven doubled his side’s try tally with their second which was converted by Brad Llewellyn to round of the win for the Carr Lane outfit.

BIRSTALL VICTORIA UNDER-11S faced Wyke for the second time this season in what was an entertaining display.

Victoria went over for five tries into total, with Brandon Hanson and Harry Avis both grabbing a brace.

Jack Mysak was Vic’s other try scorer.

Thomas Harrison added two goals and Mysak also stepped up to convert a try.

Dubutant Freddie Town had a solid game for Birstall and collected the magic moment honours in reward. Joe Hargreaves grabbed the best trainer prize and Harrison went home with the defensive contribution and best opponent accolades.

The attacking contribution prize was handed to Harry Avis while Harry Townend was named man of steel.

Birstall now prepare for their clash with local rivals Thornhill Trojans this weekend.

Meanwhile at the recent Leeds Rhinos

Dewsbury Celtic in action in their narrow defeat to New Earswick All Blacks tournament in Blackpool THORNHILL TROJANS UNDER-10S returned undefeated having played Shaw Cross Sharks, Clock Face Miners and Blackbrook.

The Trojans overcame Miners three tries to one which set up a thrilling game with defending champions Blackbrook.

The Overthorpe Park side produced their best rugby of the weekend to finish level on points with their rivals Blackbrook at the top of the table.

Last weekend, however, the Trojans Under-10s proved too strong in their game against Drighlington.

Kian Stanley and Tyler Jowitt both bagged two ties each with the other touchdowns coming courtesy of Harvey Roberts,

Toby Lumb, man of the match William Frain and 100 per cent effort winner Alfie Howley.

And finally SHAW CROSS SHARKS UNDER-8S edged a narrow game at home against Featherstone Lions.

Dillan Charlton performed well and was given the opposition man of the match award for his efforts.

Top tackler prize was shared between Edan Gleadhill and Harvey Cavanagh.

Recognition honours, chosen by the parents, were collected by Jack Stevenson, Teddy Dawson and Bailey Woods.

Alfie Law went home with the top trainer accolade.

Next up for the Sharks youngsters is a trip to face East Leeds.

Send your sports reports, news and photos to Joe Link at joe@thepressnews.co.uk

ThePress

Friday July 1, 2016

27

KINGSTONE PRESS CHAMPIONSHIP

Bulldogs secure hat-trick of wins over fierce rivals Kingstone Press Championship

BATLEY BULLDOGS

18

DEWSBURY RAMS

16

Batley’s Alex Bretherton tries to contain the Rams’ tricky full-back Josh Guzdek and his teammate Kyle Trout (below) is halted short of the tryline at Mount Pleasant Steve Horsfall

at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium BATLEY held off their local rivals to secure a vital win in the race for a top four place on an emotional afternoon at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium.

Following a heartfelt tribute to recently-lost MP Jo Cox prior to kickoff, the home side were slow out of the gates and fell 10 points behind in as many minutes.

But the Bulldogs fought their way back to lead at half-time, hanging on in the second half to claim a precious victory as John Kear’s men leapfrogged Bradford Bulls back into the fourth and final middle eight spot.

A 40-metre break from scrum-half Andy Kain on the Rams’ opening set immediately put the hosts on the back foot. Full-back Dave Scott was able to recover and clean up Paul Sykes’ grubber-kick, but when the Dogs turned the ball over bringing it away from their own line, the visitors made them pay at the second attempt.

Sykes’ scampering run and pass set up Jason Crookes to drag his way over the line and give his side a thirdminute lead.

The Rams continued to dominate the opening stages and went over again in the 10th minute when Kain dived through a gaping hole in the Bulldogs’ defensive line to score from close range and increase the lead to 10-0.

Momentum quickly swung though and a combination of quick hands set up Dogs winger Alex Brown to score in the left corner on 22 minutes.

The hosts charged straight back down the slope on their next set and crossed again when James Brown’s offload set up Chris Ulugia to drive over despite the close attention of a host of Rams defenders.

Pat Walker missed a relatively straightforward penalty attempt, before starting a move that ended with Alex Bretherton strolling home for the Bulldogs’ third try soon after, meaning they took a 16-10 lead into the sheds.

But, much like the first half, the hosts started the second period slowly

MATCH STATS: BATLEY BULLDOGS 22. Dave Scott 2. Wayne Reittie 3. Chris Ulugia 29. Frankie Mariano 26. Alex Brown 6. Cain Southernwood 7. Dom Brambani 8. Keegan Hirst 14. James Davey 21. James Brown 19. Alex Bretherton 17. Joe Chandler 15. Adam Gledhill SUBS: 10. Alex Rowe 11. Brad Day 13. Pat Walker 18. Tom Lillycrop

8 6 7 6 7 6 6 7 6 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6

DEWSBURY RAMS 1. Josh Guzdek 2. Dale Morton 42. Lucas Walshaw 15. Jason Crookes 5. Dalton Grant 6. Paul Sykes 22. Andy Kain 8. Matt Groat 17. Dom Speakman 32. Kyle Trout 11. Rob Spicer 12. Scott Hale 14. Luke Adamson SUBS: 10. Ryan Hepworth 19. Nathan Conroy 27. Jason Muranka 45. Mitch Stringer

and when Dewsbury full-back Josh Guzdek dived over within two minutes of the restart, the lead was reduced to just two points.

Sykes missed the chance to level the scores when his penalty attempt crashed off the post, but the experienced stand-off pounced on the loose ball to retain possession for his side.

And Sykes’ extra effort paid off when the Rams were awarded another penalty soon after, which he successfully converted on that occasion.

But almost immediately Walker slotted home a penalty for the Bulldogs to restore the hosts’ twopoint advantage. Tom Lillycrop went agonisingly close to further extending their advantage but the charging front-rower was held up over the line by the scrambling Rams defence.

With 13 minutes to play, the Bulldogs were reduced to 12 men when winger Wayne Reittie was sent to the sin-bin by referee Jack Smith for kicking out after the tackle.

But Kear’s men held off the Rams’ late rally to secure another important two points.

7 6 6 7 6 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

BATLEY BULLDOGS Tries: A Brown (22), Ulugia (24), Bretheton (32).

Goals: Brambani 2/2, Walker 1/3.

DEWSBURY RAMS Tries: Crookes (3), Kain (10), Guzdek (42).

Goals: Sykes 2/5.

Referee: J Smith / Half-time: 1610 / Penalties: 6-6 / Sin Bin: Reittie (67, kicking out) / Sent Off: None / Weather: Dry and clear / MOTM: Dave Scott / Attendance: 1,501 / Match Rating: 3/5

AMATEUR RUGBY LEAGUE

Shaw Cross find winning formula Trojans’ mid-season blip continues National Conference League Division One MILLOM 14 SHAW CROSS SHARKS

16

at Coronation Field SHAW CROSS Sharks came out on top in their National Conference League Division One basement battle to make it a four-point gap between themselves and Millom.

Millom’s Jake Dooner took the man of the match award in a match where a late fightback by the home side wasn’t enough.

It took 23 minutes for the deadlock to be broken and it came from the boot of Adam Kelly for the home side.

However two tries in as many minutes at the end of the half saw the Sharks lead 8-2 as Will Poching and Matthew Tebb crossed.

A minute into the second half the visitors extended their lead with a Ryan Chalkley converted effort but four minutes later Millom were back in it. Marcus O’Brien scored a try and Kelly landed the resultant conversion before a Chalkley penalty was enough for the Sharks, in spite of a late Connor Sykes try and Kelly goal.

But despite the victory Shaw Cross remain third from bottom and have a long way to go before achieving their goals this season.

The Sharks look to turn around their league campaign with another victory, this time away at league leaders Thatto Heath Crusaders tomorrow (Saturday July 2, 2.30pm).

National Conference League Division Two THORNHILL TROJANS 16 BLACKBROOK

22

at Overthorpe Park THORNHILL TROJANS’ season is beginning to unravel after a promising start to life in National Conference League Division Two, their latest defeat a 22-16 home loss to Blackbrook.

There was little to choose between the two sides but Blackbrook edged through sheer determination to move clear of the relegation zone and two points behind the Trojans.

It was 16-16 at the break before Brook scored the decisive points.

A try from Jordan Darwin in the 12th minute set the visitors on their way as Darwin then converted a Dave Weldon try five minutes later.

Thornhill hit back with a Luke Haigh try and Sam Ratcliffe goal before a Jack Parker try and Darwin goal made it 16-6.

Two Joss Ratcliffe tries plus a Sam Ratcliffe goal levelled things up at the break before Brook’s defence paid dividends in the second half.

And Parker went in for his second try seven minutes after the restart before Darwin landed a penalty on the hour which secured victory.

The defeat leaves Thornhill stranded in seventh in the league standings.

The Trojans’ next game is an away trip to fourthplaced Askam tomorrow (Sat July 2, 2.30pm).

Kear praises team desire

By Joe Link Sports Reporter joe@thepressnews.co.uk

BATLEY boss John Kear has warned his side’s trip to face Championship strugglers Whitehaven could prove ‘very tricky’.

The Bulldogs travel north to face the Cumbrians tomorrow (Saturday 6.30pm) knowing a win would edge them that little bit closer to securing a spot in the middle eights this year.

However in their previous two meetings this season Kear’s men have edged both games by a single point.

Batley, who have developed a reputation for coming out on top in tight matches this term, are confident following their narrow win over Dewsbury in a game when the Mount Pleasant outfit didn’t play to their potential.

“We were poor with the ball,” admitted Kear.

“We won the derby through desire and determination, but it is a huge confidence boost when you win games without playing your best rugby in such a competitive league.

“We’ve had plenty to work on for

this weekend’s game, both on the pitch and also logistically, this Whitehaven game could be very tricky.”

Kear will go into the encounter with no new injury concerns following a physical Heavy Woollen derby, and Frankie Mariano is expected to feature again after impressing the Batley boss last weekend in what was only his second appearance for the club.

But Kear admits dual-reg signing Greg Minikin is unlikely to be available after the centre put in a good performance for his parent club Castleford Tigers in their Challenge Cup quarter-final against Wigan last weekend.

Alex Rowe also came through a bruising battle with the Rams okay as he continues to nurse a knee problem through to the end of the season.

“It was another big plus that the players came through the derby unscathed,” said Kear “It would be a terrible time to pick up injuries to key players, you want as many players to choose from as possible and that can give you an edge at this time of the season.

“I’m expecting the players to perform better with the ball this weekend but if they don’t and we scrape

another win I will be happy because the result is the most important thing to us now.”

A victory over Whitehaven would set Batley up for two of the most important home games in recent times.

They face middle eight challengers Featherstone before welcoming London to the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium and, having only lost one home game all season, Batley fans are starting to think their top four dream may become reality.

But as ever Kear is refusing to look past the next game and he added: “Those home games won’t count for much if we slip up against Whitehaven.

“We can’t look down the line because that will distract us and that won’t win us games.”

In other news Brad Day, Wayne Reittie and Alistair Leak have all signed contract extensions keeping them at Mount Pleasant until the end of the 2018 campaign.

“It’s great for the club that Brad, Wayne and Alistair have all decided to extend their contracts,” added Kear.

“We have a close-knit group which is important if you want success.”

Chris Ulugia’s tackling pleased John Kear, who praised his side’s defensive effort against Dewsbury Steve Horsfall

Morrison targets Shield final DEWSBURY RAMS coach Glenn Morrison remains positive ahead of his side’s daunting encounter with in-form London Broncos this weekend.

New recruit Bobbie Goulding is expected to make his second debut for the Rams, having joined on his return from playing in Australia for Newtown Jets and Redcliffe Dolphins.

Before departing down under Goulding was a member of Morrison’s 2013 Rams squad.

The half-back joins recent signings Mitch Stringer and Lucas Walshaw who both featured in yet another narrow defeat against arch rivals Batley Bulldogs last time out.

But Morrison is confident that his side will come good in time for the Super 8s.

“Unfortunately they (Batley) have got a habit this year of winning the tight ones and we’ve got a habit of not quite getting over the line and it was the same last weekend,” said Morrison.

“There were points there to be had but we didn’t quite have it in us to get them, so obviously that’s an area for us to work

on ahead of the London game.

“But we can’t start feeling sorry for ourselves, we need to keep working hard and hopefully then some more results will go our way.

“I still think that we are on track for what we wanted to do, we need to make the semifinals of the shield.

“If we can make the final then we have done one better than we did last year and that was the goal, there are still plenty of games left and we are still sitting there or there abouts.”

Without ruling out more signings in the coming weeks Morrison is happy with his recent recruitment and is confident the trio of Stringer, Walshaw and Goulding will give his side the boost necessary to close the gap on the top six.

“Mitch came in and did a good job for us, we knew that he would fit in well,” said Morrison.

“Walshaw has been here before and put in a great shift for us against Batley, so there are a lot of positives, it is hard to be too upset, we just would have liked the two points.”

Championship table Leigh Centurions London Broncos Halifax Batley Bulldogs Bradford Bulls Featherstone Rovers Swinton Lions Dewsbury Rams Sheffield Eagles Whitehaven Oldham Workington Town

P

W D L

Pts

19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19

17 15 12 12 11 11 7 7 6 5 5 2

35 30 25 25 24 22 15 14 12 11 10 5

1 0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 1

1 4 6 6 6 8 11 12 13 13 14 16

MAGGOTS ONLY £2 PER PINT Rams winger Dalton Grant could have played his last game of the season after picking up an achilles injury Steve Horsfall Dewsbury, who have arguably played their better rugby against the league’s stronger sides this term, will hope for more of the same against London before they travel to face league leaders Leigh on the final day of the regular season, in just three

games’ time.

Dewsbury are likely to be without top try-scorer Dalton Grant going into this Sunday’s fixture against the Broncos (3pm). The winger suffered an achilles injury that could rule him out for the season if scans show the tendon has snapped.

Casters, Pinkies, Worms & Ground Bait - always available

JACK PYKE ----------------------------OF ENGLAND