The press 30th december

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Friday December 30, 2016

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No. 770

50p

Review of a turbulent year

Sport

p10-11

KIRKLEES ON VOTER FRAUD HIT LIST Politicians slam photo-ID plans

By Staff Reporters LOCAL voters could be forced to show ID at polling stations as part of a Government attempt to crack down on electoral fraud.

A pilot scheme for local elections in 2018 will see voters asked for identification before entering the polling booth – plans that have been denounced by two local Labour politicians.

Savile Town-based Kirklees councillor Nosheen Dad said the scheme was a waste of resources, while Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin feared it could drive voters away.

Eighteen council areas in England identified by the Electoral Commission as being most susceptible to voter fraud – including Kirklees – will be invited to take part in the pilot.

Different local authorities will trial different types of ID, including driving licences, passports and utili-

Dewsbury South councillor Nosheen Dad ty bills. The move for tighter controls at elections comes after a Government-commissioned report earlier this year by ‘anti-corruption champion’ Sir Eric Pickles, which made 50 recommendations.

Former Communities Secretary Sir Eric cited research suggesting that some south Asian communities could be more vulnera-

ble to fraud due to a lack of understanding of the voting process.

His report said that “kinship” traditions emphasised collective over individual rights and made it more likely that people would “hand over” their vote to others.

Complaints of intimidation, impersonation and postal vote fraud have been rife for the past 15 years in parts of North Kirklees – particularly the Dewsbury South and Dewsbury West wards.

At local elections in 2012 Labour councillor Abdul Patel was mired in accusations by his deposed Tory rival Khizar Iqbal, after winning with an incredible 100 per cent swing at the polls.

After months of Kirklees Council and police inquiries, during which more than 50 allegations of fraud were made, the Crown Prosecution Service recommended merely that three

police cautions be issued.

According to Electoral Commission figures, police forces across the UK recorded a total of 481 cases of alleged voter fraud in 2015.

Some of the other areas invited to take part in the pilot include Bradford, Calderdale, Oldham, Blackburn, Luton and Tower Hamlets.

The government said it was also considering plans to check the nationality of voters to stop fraudulent registrations. There will also be reforms to the postal ballot system, including requiring postal voters to re-apply every three years.

Labour figures have criticised the plans, saying they amount to voter “suppression”.

Dewsbury South councillor Nosheen Dad said: “This is only a pilot scheme and I do not see it being brought in

Continued on page 2

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ThePress

Deaths BARBER MARGARET On 22 December, aged

Friday December 30, 2016

98, formerly of Mirfield and Norristhorpe. Wife of the late Hurst.

Service at Norristhorpe UR Church, Thursday 5

January at 12noon, followed by committal at Dewsbury Crematorium at 1.15pm.

BARRACLOUGH ALAN WATSON On 21 December, aged 90. Husband of Barbara. Service at Batley Parish Church, Friday 6 January at 12 noon.

CARTER JOHN ROBERT On 20 December, aged 69, of Cleckheaton.

Husband of Barbara.

Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Friday 6 January at 11.15am.

CROISDALE NEE KIRKHAM KATHLEEN On 22 December, aged 69. Wife of Peter.

Service at Dewsbury

Crematorium, Monday 9 January at 12.30pm.

at Dewsbury Crematorium.

FAULKNER MARTIN RICHARD On 19 December, aged 59. Partner of Betty.

Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Tuesday 10 January at 12.30pm.

SENIOR CHRIS On 20 December, aged 68. Husband of Carolyn.

Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Friday 6 January at 10.15am.

HALLORAN DAVE (GEORDIE) On 20 December, aged 55, formerly of Batley.

Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Tuesday 3 January at 11.15am.

SPURR FREDERICK HIRAM On 22 December, formerly of Birstall, aged 91. Husband of the late Kathleen. Service at St Peter’s Church, Birstall, Friday 6 January at 2.30pm, followed by private cremation.

MARSTON GRAHAM HOWARD On 22 December, aged 56, of Carlinghow.

Requiem Mass at St John’s Church, Carlinghow, Wednesday 11 January at 12noon, followed by committal

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STEAD (NEE BARBER, FORMERLY CRAWSHAW) LYNNE On 23 December, aged 62, of Mirfield. Wife of Alan. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Monday 9 January at 2.15pm.

WALTON PETER ERNEST On 21 December, aged

79, of Mirfield. Husband of Ann. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Wednesday 4 January at 12.30pm.

WHITELEY JOYCE MARY On 22 December, aged 82. Wife of Richard.

Service at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dewsbury, today, Friday 30 December at 9.30am, followed by interment at Heckmondwike Cemetery at 11am.

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Kirklees in voter fraud pilot scheme?

From p1 fully. I think that it is a waste of resources, time and energy.

“Looking at incidents in the past, the speculation has always surrounded postal voting so I do not understand why it would be necessary to introduce ID at polling stations.”

However allegations of bullying, intimidation and illegal lobbying at polling stations in Savile Town and Ravensthorpe have gone back years, with police being called on occasions.

Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin said that she feared the measures could lead to people being turned away from polling stations.

“I wholeheartedly support the prevention of voter fraud, I’ve looked at Government plans and will support some reasonable measures they’ve brought forward,” she said.

“However, requiring voters to produce specific forms of photo ID risks denying millions their vote and making the choices which affect their lives.

“Tory Government ministers seem oblivious to the fact that passports and driving licences cost money and not everyone has them.

“My fear is that instead of encouraging widened participation in elections, these changes will lead to people who wish to have their say on how our community and country is run being turned away at polling stations, which must be avoided at all costs.

“While vote fraud is completely unacceptable and must be stamped out whenever it appears, for many genuine would-be voters the system of going to a polling station to cross the box doesn’t fit in with their lives, we should start to look at ways of incorporating smart, secure technology into voting systems so everyone can have their say.”

Constitution minister Chris Skidmore dismissed suggestions that the plans would disenfranchise poor people who could not afford ID. He said: “Voting is one of the most important transactions you can make as an individual. In many transactions you need a proof of ID. “I’m determined to ensure, when it comes to groups who are under-registered, that they get the opportunity to exercise their vote.

“Ensuring those communities are protected, that the risks of electoral fraud are diminished, will ensure those individuals are represented fairly across this country.”

A spokesperson for Kirklees Elections Service said: “We will actively consider whether to take part in the trial in the new year.”

Friday December 30, 2016 Dewsbury and Issue No: 770 Mirfield MP Paula Sherriff did not 31 Branch Road respond to our Batley request for a comWest Yorkshire ment.

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ThePress

Friday December 30, 2016

Woman suffers cuts to hand in evening raid

Machete robbers hit Staincliffe bookie’s The Coral betting shop on Dewsbury Gate Road, near the Butcher’s Arms public house

By James Morris POLICE are appealing for information following an armed robbery at a bookmakers in Staincliffe in which a female member of staff was injured.

Two masked men armed with machetes entered the Coral bookmakers on Dewsbury Gate Road, near the Butcher’s Arms traffic lights, at 8.50pm on Friday, December 23.

They threatened the two members of staff, a man and a woman, and demanded they open the tills. No customers were in the shop at the time.

During the robbery the female member of staff received a small cut to her left hand and a cut to her little finger.

The suspects took a large amount of cash from the tills and ran from the shop.

They then escaped by running up the alleyway between the shop and a neighbouring takeaway and hopped over gardens leading to William Street,

PHOTO: MIKE CLARK

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News in Brief Teen ‘knife’ pair in town centre attack DEWSBURY: Police are appealing for information after a man was robbed in the town centre. Two suspects took the 42-year-old victim’s hat before telling him they had a knife and demanding money.

The incident happened on Tuesday, December 22, between 12.20am and 12.50am at the junction of Daisy Hill and Wellington Street.

The robbers are described as white, aged 18 or 19 and they wore tracksuits. The victim handed over some change before the suspects fled. He was shaken but unhurt.

Anybody with any information should contact Det Con Singh Ubhi at Kirklees CID via the non-emergency 101 number.

Man denies assault

while briefly being chased by a member of the public.

One of the robbers was

described as white, slim, 6ft tall, aged in his 20s, with a hood over his head and a black scarf covering

his face.

He was wearing a black hooded top and grey tracksuit bottoms.

Boots trials donations of women’s sanitary goods A PHARMACY in Dewsbury town centre has become the first in the country to trial donations of sanitary products for people struggling financially.

High street chain Boots made the announcement following talks with Dewsbury and Mirfield MP Paula Sherriff, who has long campaigned for the scrapping of VAT on sanitary products.

In a UK first, customers will now have the option to leave products in donation boxes at the Princess of Wales Precinct store which will then be sent to local food banks such as Fusion Giving, run by Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing.

Ms Sherriff, the Shadow Women and Equalities Minister, said: “Food banks like the one run by Fusion Giving in Dewsbury report that sanitary items are often in high demand.

“Unfortunately, the issue of poor and homeless women’s access to sanitary care is widespread and terribly underestimated.

“I’m aiming to bring this humiliating and degrading inequality into the open and I hope that the move by Boots will encourage other companies to take corporate social responsibility seriously.”

Top tree turn-out MIRFIELD: More than 500 people braved the cold to attend the sixth Carols Around the Christmas Tree event, featuring performances from the Salvation Army Brass Band, the Ark Church Choir and readings by Sean Guy, the Mayor of Mirfield.

Richard Hartley, of community group My Mirfield, said: “It was really great to see everyone make it out there and find the time to help, it was such a lovely evening and there was so much spirit here.

“We were just trying to show what a great place Mirfield is.”

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The second man was described as 5ft 7ins tall, also in his 20s, stocky and wearing a black hooded top and a scarf over his face.

A witness reported seeing two men with their faces covered getting into a black 56-plate Vauxhall Astra at the time of the robbery which then turned left onto Halifax Road .

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact PC 4484 Jack Hodges at Kirklees District CID on 01484 436526, or via 101, quoting crime reference number 13160751371.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

BATLEY: A man has denied an alleged assault. Nigel Radcliffe, 51, is accused of assaulting another man at an address in Anne Street, Batley, on November 22.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court.

Radcliffe, of Howley Walk, will appear at the court again on February 24, 2017, for his trial.

Council offline KIRKLEES: The council's website and phone lines have been severely disrupted by a power surge over the festive period.

A large part of the council’s site was unavailable from Boxing Day until yesterday (Thurs). It has meant people looking for bin collection dates or office opening hours have been unable to find the information online.

A council spokesman said: “The council is currently dealing with a network problem that has significantly affected all our digital services, including our telephone lines.

“We are working hard to get the system up and running again and our priority is to get the phone system back online.”

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ThePress

Friday December 30, 2016

News In Brief Council pays compo for ‘irritating hug’ KIRKLEES: Almost £30,000 has been paid out to council workers who have had accidents at work.

Some of the incidents included an “irritation” caused by a hug and two people bumping into each other in a corridor.

The council’s compensation payments have totalled £29,483.31 since January 2015.

There were 2,137 accidents from that date to the end of November this year.

Arson suspected in bungalow blaze STAINCLIFFE: Police are investigating the cause of a suspicious fire at a bungalow in Staincliffe.

Firefighters from Dewsbury Fire Station were called to the property on Manor Way just before 5am yesterday (Thursday).

Nobody was in the property at the time, although the owner was contacted.

Two pumps attended and the back bedroom was completely gutted by fire.

A police spokesman said the fire is being treated as suspected arson.

Didn’t they do well WEIGHT loss experts across the area have helped slimmers lose 42,000 pounds in 2016. Cleckheaton and Mirfield Slimming World groups have seen their members lose a combined 42,098lbs in the past 12 months.

Carie Calvert, who manages the team, said: “In 47 years, millions of people have changed their lives with Slimming World’s brilliant combination of a hungerbusting eating plan, increased activity and weekly group support. Our groups really do change lives.”

Pictured are Slimming Worlders (from left) Mandy Lacy, Carie Calvert, Paul Cannell, Sarah Tolson, Shirley Blackburn and Debra Bickerdike.

Hospital ICU has lots of fans at Cotton’s

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By James Morris MIRFIELD bedding firm John Cotton have made a generous donation to Dewsbury District Hospital.

The gift of four Dyson bladeless fans worth more than £1,000 comes after a relative of a John Cotton staff member was treated at Dewsbury’s Intensive Care Unit earlier this year.

Money from the bedding firm’s 2016 fundraising efforts – which included a sponsored bike ride from Poland to Mirfield – was used to purchase the fans.

Sister Susan Marshall from the ICU team at Dewsbury Hospital

Friday 30th 7am-6pm New Year’s Eve 7am-4pm Re-opening Tuesday 3rd January Normal times 7.30am 5.30pm

said: “We’re really grateful to the John Cotton Group for the fans for the unit as it has allowed us to have one at every bed space.

“Patients visit our unit when they require very intensive treatment and most of our admissions are unplanned or following major surgery, so if we can do something to help their stay in the hospital, such as giving them these fans, we welcome that.”

Michael Chaplow, group health and safety director from John Cotton Group Ltd, said: “Throughout 2016 John Cotton Group has been celebrating our centenary; as part of our 100-year celebrations our employees have been working hard to raise money for good causes and charities. We raised a phenomenal amount throughout the year and wanted to donate within our local community.

“We are so pleased

we could present the Intensive Care Unit team at Dewsbury Hospital with our donation of four Dyson bladeless fans with the

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A ROMANIAN man who drove despite being banned is set to be deported on his release from prison.

Dewsbury resident Marius Bilea, 27, was banned from driving in February after he was found to be drunk in charge of a motor vehicle.

A matter of weeks later, on April 9, he was stopped again as he drove along Huddersfield Road in Dewsbury.

Kirklees Magistrates’ Court heard that he had a live deportation order against him dated August 21, 2015. This was due to his criminal record in Romania which included an aggravated larceny conviction.

Bilea, of Lee Street, Ravensthorpe, admitted driving while disqualified and without insurance. District Judge Michael Fanning sentenced him to 42 days in custody.

He told him: “You fully knew that you were disqualified from driving.

“That ban was imposed only seven weeks before and the sentencing guidelines indicate that a custodial sentence should be imposed.”

Following his sentence Bilea will be taken from custody to an immigration removal centre to be sent back to his home country.

money we have raised.

The ICU staff do an amazing job and hopefully these fans will assist them with their incredible work.”

From left: Sister Susan Marshall, nurse Karen Knee, Michael Chaplow and Mrs Susan Bodell from John Cotton, with ICU consultant anaesthetist Dr Jacqui Brookes

Smokey’s owner forced to close A BATLEY restaurant is closing down just over a year after it opened.

Smokey’s Original barbecue joint will close its doors for the final time today (December 30) due to illness.

The St James Street premises were opened in November last year by owner Graham Fryer, who transformed the building which had stood empty for 18 months.

However, writing on the restaurant’s Facebook page, Graham admitted that he could no longer run the business.

He said: “With my illness getting worse as each week passes it is becoming impossible to build this business and fight this illness at the same time, so we have had to make the sad decision to close Smokey’s Original down for good. Our last day of trading will be Friday December 30.

“Truth to be told we have had some great times and some hard times none of which we will forget, but my health must come first.

“We would like to thank everyone who supported us over the last 13 months but every show must come to an end.”

ThePress

Friday December 30, 2016

Kirklees is doing its bit for Syrian refugees

By Steve Martyn KIRKLEES Council has taken in almost twice as many Syrian refugees as neighbouring districts.

Fifty refugees have been helped to resettle in Kirklees since 2014, compared to Calderdale which has taken in 29 and Wakefield 22.

Of the 15 councils in the region, only Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield and North Yorkshire have re-homed more refugees than Kirklees.

The families are being taken in under the Government’s Syrian

Resettlement Programme, as well as children coming to the UK under the ‘Dubs’ Amendment Act. Only Doncaster Council is yet to take any.

Dave Brown, head of Migration Yorkshire, which has assisted in the re-settlements, said: “The people of Yorkshire and Humber have shown a warm welcome and offered practical support to refugee families and children this year, just as we have in previous humanitarian crises.

“The number of refugees in

Yorkshire and Humber is very small compared to the five million people living here.

“But this second chance in life is invaluable to families escaping unimaginable trauma or torture, and to vulnerable children without parents who have been living in horrendous conditions in makeshift camps.

“They are getting on well and really appreciate the support they’re getting from our local communities.”

Trust dismisses rumours of birth centre ‘charges’

By James Morris HEALTH bosses have moved to quash rumours surrounding the new Bronte Birth Centre at Dewsbury Hospital.

Mid-Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust have this week issued a statement reminding residents that the £1.38 million facility is free to use.

The trust claim to have heard rumours circulating among potential patients that there was a charge to use the facility.

They have moved quickly to dispel the rumours and Gill Pownall, head of midwifery and nursing, said: “Absolutely there is no charge to use the new birth centre and I want to assure everyone that our beautiful facility is free to use.

“The new birth centre has been designed to offer a more personal and improved birthing experience.

“It has individual birthing suites

which offer overnight accommodation to family and partners and is decorated to offer a home from home environment.

“I can understand why some people may think you have to pay to use it but it definitely is open to everyone expecting a normal birth.”

The new birth centre officially opened on September 19 and 70 babies have since been born there.

Births at the Bronte Birth Centre are now midwife-led, rather than consultantled.

If expectant mothers wish to have a consultant-led birth or if complications arise during the birth which require a consultant, they must be transferred to Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield.

In November The Press revealed that a quarter of women admitted to the new birthing centre had been transferred to Pinderfields – a figure that is in line with national statistics.

New year when a Mirfield woman stood centre stage

By Mike Popplewell AS WE welcome in the New Year people will be making their resolutions, determined to make 2017 better for themselves in some way than 2016 was.

The start of a New Year invariably heralds an air of optimism.

However, there can be few openings to a New Year that produced such a remarkable change in the political arena as the first month of 1924 – and one Mirfield woman, Kathleen Walker, found herself right at the heart of it.

On January 22, 1924, Conservative Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin resigned and Labour Party leader Ramsay Macdonald was invited by King George V to head a minority government.

So, amid the social and political unrest at the time, the first-ever Labour Cabinet was formed – and right by the side of Mr Macdonald was his trusty secretary Kathleen.

Kathleen was brought up in Mirfield, living at Knowl House, with her five siblings and parents John Ely Walker and Elizabeth (Firth).

John Walker was born in Batley, but at the turn of the 20th century he was a senior partner in the firm of James Walker and Sons at Holme Bank Mills, Mirfield – a firm of blanket and rug manufacturers.

Family history – Walkers continues in Mirfield to this very day He was also a director of the Staincliffe Mill Company and a Governor of Mirfield Grammar School.

His marriage, as was common in those days, had the effect of consolidating business interests as his wife Elizabeth was the daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth Firth, of Beavor House, Heckmondwike, who were both part of families involved in the woollen industry.

John and Elizabeth’s children went their various ways, serving industry and politics, while Kathleen’s sister, Dora, became a legend in Whitby as the first female skipper in the North Sea fishing fleet and, subsequently, curator of the fishing museum in the town.

The firm James Walker and Sons dates back to 1820

and the current head of the family firm is also called James.

Although the company has diversified to a large extent, Holme Bank Mills remain an ever-present reminder of the district’s historic industrial past and a reminder of those fiercely determined ladies who were prepared to break from their West Yorkshire roots and make their mark further afield.

Kathleen’s boss Ramsay Macdonald was to only remain in power until the General Election in November 1924, but while Stanley Baldwin was re-elected as head of a Conservative government the impact of the Labour Party, especially through the crippling strikes of the 1920s, had been firmly established.

In Brief Jobs boost from food firm OSSETT: Up to 80 new jobs could be created by a food production firm.

Dessert brand Freaks of Nature have announced plans to open a new site on Milner Way in Ossett which will initially employ 25 people, but could be expanded to 80.

Peter Ahye, who founded the company, said: “We are excited to be launching our award-winning plant-based brand Freaks of Nature with a dedicated facility in Ossett.”

The new site will produce up to 125,000 desserts a day.

Soccer saga raises £1,500 SPEN: A group of footballers took part in a marathon match to raise money for a charity which gives army veterans a place to live.

Joshua Jackson and 11 of his friends took part in the 19-hour game in aid of Once We Were Soldiers at Mirfield Free Grammar. The group, mainly from the Cleckheaton area, have raised around £1,500. Mr Jackson was in the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers for just short of five years.

For more information or to donate to the cause, visit www.justgiving.com and search for ‘24 hour 5/6 aside football page’.

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ThePress

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Friday December 30, 2016

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LIFE IN BLACK AND WHITE Danny Lockwood

Report puts Kirklees in a Pickle EWS that a number of local authorities are being give the chance to trial a new scheme to combat voter fraud brought predictable outrage from the far left, led by the good old Trotskyite himself, Red Ken Livingstone.

The elite beating down the poor and downtrodden again, howled Ken. Yawn. Trying to disenfranchise the poorly educated and ethnic minorities, he wailed. Zzzzz.

No Ken. Trying belatedly to circumvent council chief executives like Kirklees’s Adrian Lythgo and police superintendents who have turned a systematic blind eye to third world electoral corruption for 20 years and more.

The reply this week from Kirklees only that they would ‘consider’ the offer in the New Year just about puts the tin helmet on their head-

N

Ex-Councillor Abdul Patel: Both the police and Kirklees buried the widespread reported fraud involved in his 2012 election

in-the-sand attitude.

The report on the problem this summer by the former leader of Bradford Council and cabinet minister Sir Eric Pickles was striking in its abruptness.

The language was clear for once. Political Correctness

was to blame for allowing specifically south Asian communities to get away with electoral murder. Pickles said we need to introduce photoID at polling stations, and what’s more we need police in attendance too, to prevent intimidation.

It’s about 10 years too late for those of us who fought a very costly libel case with Shahid Malik over exactly that, but better late than never I suppose.

(And given the news this week that Kirklees paid an employee compensation for ‘irritation’ suffered as a result of hugging someone, I might have to see if we can still get a claim in!)

Pickles’s no-nonsense ver-

K I TC H E N S - B E D R O O M S - B AT H R O O M S

dict was surprising because Sir Eric was for so long a part of the problem when he was at Bradford. I suppose it’s less of an issue now that he’s MP for leafy Brentwood and Ongar in Essex. Nothing like 220 miles and a knighthood to bolster the confidence.

I don’t think we’ve heard the last of this, however.

Should the trial be adopted here, I assume that in the name of ‘equality’ everyone in Kirklees will have to produce photo-ID to vote – even places like Holmfirth and Cleckheaton where there are no such problems.

Can you imagine the fuss that would kick off if the system was drilled right down to

the community which is specifically the problem?

So, as much as it might inconvenience people living in wards and towns where it’s not an issue, that’s a price everyone will have to pay.

Questions remain however, with the one tickling my fancy most being how the electoral officials intend dealing with the several thousand women who will turn up at polling stations wearing the niqab.

Photo ID of a young woman is one thing, but not much good if the person behind the veil is her 40something bearded dad and no-one – a white man especially – dares ask ‘her’ to remove it.

So, are we going to have all women staffed (or chaperoned) polling stations? It’s a serious question.

And absolutely nothing in Pickles’s report came close to dealing with the bigger issue of Biraderi – the caste system prevalent in these communities, where the mosque and elders wield what is effectively a huge block vote.

You can at least diminish fraud. I’m not sure what you can do about a medieval culture that not only tolerates but encourages the subversion of basic human rights.

Maybe Sir Eric can address that question, because by merely mentioning it I’m painted back into the racist corner.

Batley’s the bacon in this sandwich HEN Labour runs Kirklees (which is mostly), two things are guaranteed to suffer – Dewsbury and Batley collectively, and culture, particularly again at this end of the valley.

I don’t know why socialists in general despise art and aspiration; I guess it’s in their jealous, talentless genes.

Kirklees is having it tough right now, admittedly. It ‘owns’ a Francis Bacon painting that could be worth £60m – and that’s a lot of binmen’s wages. The fact is that a Bacon masterpiece is wasted on Kirklees. It’s worth so much the council daren’t exhibit it – so what’s the point? Sell it to someone who can do the thing justice.

The problem for Kirklees is that it can’t,

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because the painting was a gift to Batley Council and is held conditionally.

I don’t necessarily disagree with Coun David Sheard exploring avenues to wriggle out of that covenant and sell the Bacon, but I do think that there should be a condition.

The painting was given to the people of Batley, not Holmfirth or Birkby, Fartown or Dalton – not even Mirfield or Cleckheaton.

So the £60m should be dedicated not to overpaid, under-talented Huddersfield bureaucrats specialising in diversity or community cohesion, but on something specific, magnificent even, to benefit the environs of the old Batley borough.

With these shrivelled socialists in charge however, that would never happen.

Starstruck – quite literally UCKILY, I can only strum a few chords on a guitar and pluck the melody to a couple of songs.

Piano? Chopsticks and that’s yer lot.

I can do a decent ‘London’s Burning’ on the recorder, but I don’t fancy that’s going to attract the attentions of Stock, Aitken and Waterman.

I have been known to belt out a karaoke toon, but not impressively enough that anyone’s been minded to contact Michael McIntyre’s big new Saturday night show, where they feature an ‘Unexpected Star’.

In fact being a star has had a few too many unexpected surprises attached to it this year. It’s as if God decided to have a clear-out of the celestial showbiz dressing rooms.

I’m not going to get all mawkish over it, by the way.

I won’t be lighting a candle to George Michael, let alone Carrie Fisher, just as there were no plaintive wailings when David Bowie slipped away, or in years before that when Michael Jackson – like Elvis – paid the price of dangerous over-indulgence and a

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McIntyre’s unexpected star?

Not on your nellie tragically broken life.

All the money (and fame) in the world can’t buy you much protection when Old Father Time starts swinging his scythe.

Such as I feel anything, it’s wonder at the heavy price many of the most envied and adored ‘stars’ on the planet seem to pay for their celebrity status.

It’s difficult to understand, but with 99.9% of us never having inhabited that world or had to endure that looking

glass existence, it would be.

A very large proportion of that 99.9% would still like to give it a go though.

Even though I understand why the media launches into an overkill of remembrance, it remains uncomfortable when you glance around at the mass of unacknowledged misery and unnecessary death to be found at every point of the global compass.

Yet here are people weeping – often literally – in their tens of thousands, over someone who was never anything more than a poster on a wall and a CD on the sideboard. It beats me.

If anyone wants to take lessons from some of these untimely deaths, it’s not to pump your body full of narcotics or smoke 60 fags a day.

Your liver, heart and lungs have never read how great your last no.1 hit single was.

Oh – and try to find some positives out of even the most mundane of days.

You can do something nice for someone whatever your circumstances. Because you never know when today will be your last chance.

ThePress

Friday December 30, 2016

‘Degenerate’ pensioner escapes jail because of dementia

British Legion hero Dennis dies aged 92

Rapist walks free Cummins’ barrister Ian West told the court: “The psychiatrists say he has a disability and he has no memory of seeing either of them.”

Judge Rose admitted that it was impossible for him to send Cummins to prison, despite the jury’s findings.

“The consequences of the findings of unfitness to plead, and of the verdicts of the

jury, is that the ways in which your case can be dealt with are limited,” he said.

“I cannot by law send you to prison.

“The finding of a disability means that no form of punishment is possible, however much the man who committed these dreadful acts may warrant such punishment and retribution.”

Muslim group spreads festive cheer

Bus driver awards

Youth leader Manzoor Ahmad said: “As a youth charity we try to educate young people that each of us has a social responsibility to help our local communities, especially those challenged by sickness.

“We are trying to do this by getting out into the community and offering smiles and some simple gifts. I am extremely touched by the warm response of the local staff who are truly inspirational people.”

MEMBERS of the Spen Valley branch of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association have been spreading joy during the festive season.

The group visited Woodlands Care Home in Mirfield and Pinderfields Hospital to deliver gifts to patients and residents. The initiative is part of the AMYA’s national ‘Muslims for Humanity’ campaign in which volunteers aim to bring a smile to the vulnerable and sick over the winter.

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Arriva chief executive Kevin O’Connor said: “Each year we’re humbled by the amazing stories we hear from our customers about so many of our bus drivers who have surprised and delighted passengers, day in, day out, on our local bus services.

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A BATLEY pensioner who sexually abused two young girls up to 50 years ago has avoided prison because he is mentally ill.

75-year-old Jeremiah Cummins was labelled as “degenerate” by a judge at Bradford Crown Court, who handed the predator an absolute discharge due to his illness.

Judge Jonathan Rose told Cummins he would have been jailed for a number of years had he not been diagnosed with vascular dementia.

Two psychiatrists found Cummins unfit to stand trial in September, but a jury ruled that he had committed all of the acts alleged against him, including ten counts of rape and seven of indecent assault against the girls.

The court heard that the pensioner began raping the girls when they were both under 10 years old.

He attacked them in woods and at his home, sexually abusing them while giving them piggy backs.

The younger of the two girls was aged between five and nine and the older one between eight and 13 when Cummins attacked them.

One of the victims, now in her 50s, told police officers that she was raped and indecently assaulted by Cummins in Lister Park in Manningham, Bradford and in derelict houses in Bierley. The second girl said that she was repeatedly hit.

Cummins, now of Arncliffe Road, Batley, did not accept the jury’s findings. However, Judge Rose told him: “You caused great physical pain to

those little girls but that is nothing compared to the psychological damage inflicted on both and which has lasted throughout their lives.

“These were wicked, selfish and perverted acts of great depravity, which you were able to get away with then, even when you were reported to the police at that time.”

TRIBUTES have been paid to a soldier and Armed Forces campaigner who has passed away aged 92.

Dennis Chaffer, from Dewsbury Moor, joined the Royal Marines in 1942 at the age of 18 and spent four years in the armed forces.

He was part of the allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.

After his experiences during the Second World War, Mr Chaffer helped men and women and the loved ones they had left behind.

He visited residential homes across Kirklees and also held surgeries for people to attend.

Mr Chaffer joined the Dewsbury branch of the Royal British Legion in 1959 and later became a member of the Mirfield branch.

He organised Dewsbury’s appeal for two decades and later received a Poppy Appeal medal for 50 years of service. His other positions included Legion standard bearer and the president of the Royal Naval Association, and he became a Legion life vicepresident in 2004.

Mr Chaffer died at York House, Earlsheaton, and is survived by his sons Richard and David.

His funeral will take place at Dewsbury Minster Church on January 4 at 1.15pm.

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ThePress

Friday December 30, 2016

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Wonderful gesture Dear Sir, As one who received a gift from the town’s Christmas Appeal, I must register a huge thank you to Helen McKechnie and her wonderful team which, it must be recorded, included the children of many schools in the town who designed and produce Christmas cards for all recipients of gifts.

My wife and I have run a weekly social club (Mirfield over-50s) with over 80 members meeting every Friday through-

Numbers just don’t add up From: Derek Cartwright, Soothill, Batley Dear Sir, For many years now, I have written to the paper around this time of year about employment in Kirklees, from their official figures.

I was not going to do so this year, but...

1) A man was speaking to

Letter of the Week: Roy Parry, Mirfield out the year for the last 14 years.

When Helen delivered three huge boxes for us to distribute at our Christmas lunch we knew how much members would welcome such thoughtfulness. me the other week and he was telling me that there is plenty of work out there, and any unemployment is just that people don’t want work.

He then said that even a builder’s labourer wants £100 a day. You might be thinking what rubbish, but the chap was partially correct – bloody wrong though.

2) I bought your paper – come on, do not muddle opinion up with facts. You say that more than 30,000 homes need to be built in Kirklees before the year 2031...

It would be wrong to say there are no poor pensioners, riches are not measured in money.

I cannot describe the joy my wife and I saw on the face of one of our house-bound members as we gave her the town The Local Plan looks at the population in 2011 and then projects the figure forward.

One essential element of the plan was that it had to be sustainable. It is this that makes the 30,000 homes questionable, because with that figure, it was estimated how many jobs would have to be created to match the homes ‘need’.

Roughly, the council’s employment projection was made in 2008.

Observation tells me there must be a lot of employment

LATEST PLANNING APPLICATIONS Mr Mohammed Zareef, single and two-storey rear extension, 119 Common Road, Staincliffe.

N Evans, two pairs of semi-detached dwellings, adjacent to 31 Marsland Court, Hunsworth, Cleckheaton.

PPG Architectural Coating UK Limited, agent, installation of shutter doors and access ramp, Johnstones Paints, Huddersfield Road, Birstall.

Lidl UK Gmbh Ltd & SJS (3) Ltd, c/o agent, discharge condition 12 (Phase II site investigation) on previous permission 2015/94112 for demolition of all existing buildings and erection of Class A1 food store with associated parking, access, servicing and landscaping, former works, Station Road, Mirfield.

Ian Walker, balcony and installation of two external doors, Joalpe International UK Ltd, Flagship Square, Shaw Cross.

Mr M Vakar, detached garage/store, 140 Sackville Street, Ravensthorpe.

J Gorny, two-storey

extension to side, 5 Dean View, Birstall.

Earledge Developments, c/o agent, variation of condition 2 (plans) on previous permission 2014/90676 for erection of 20 dwellings, formation of access and private pumping station, land off Meadowbank, Dewsbury Moor.

Dr Reddy’s Laboratories EU Ltd, single-storey storage building, Steanard Lane, Mirfield.

Greggs PLC, advertisement consent for erection of four illuminated and non-illuminated signs, Greggs, Market Place, Market Street, Heckmondwike.

Mr Ditta, first floor extension with terrace, rear of 68 South Street, Savile Town.

Marshall (Homes) Ltd, five dwellings (within the curtilage of a Listed Building), land adjacent to 158 Huddersfield Road, Liversedge.

Mr Rafik Rawat, change of use of land to extend domestic curtilage, 71 Woodsome Estate, Staincliffe.

P Turner, alterations to carport to form living

accommodation, 8 Hill Rise, Soothill.

S Nevison, first floor extension with balcony, 101 Moor End Lane, Dewsbury Moor.

Bilfinger GVA, nonmaterial amendment to previous permission 2015/94112 for demolition of all existing buildings and erection of Class A1 food store with associated parking, access, servicing and landscaping, former works, Station Road, Mirfield.

Mr Abdul Qabaz, the proposal is for erection of single-storey rear extension. The extension projects 4.5m beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse. The maximum height of the extension is 4m, the height of the eaves of the extension is 3m, 9 Station Road, Earlsheaton.

Mr M Rizwan, the proposal is for erection of single-storey rear extension. The extension projects 5m beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse. The maximum height of the extension is 3.9m, the height of the eaves of the extension is 2.9m, 48 Dewsbury Gate Road,

Dewsbury.

D Noble Ltd, non-material amendment to previous permission 2007/ 91742 for erection of seven terraced industrial units, Calder Bank Road, Thornhill Lees, Dewsbury.

Chris Munton, one dwelling, to rear of 1086 Bradford Road, Birstall.

P Sutton, single-storey side and rear extensions and detached garage, 31 Moorhouse Drive, Birkenshaw.

I Patel, advertisement consent for installation of three externally illuminated fascia signs and one externally illuminated hanging sign (within a Conservation Area), Wilton Arms And Bridge Inn, 598 Bradford Road.

Bennett Eggs, prior notification for erection of agricultural building, Croft Farm, Clough Lane, Hightown.

Mr A B Mulla, the proposal is for erection of single-storey rear extension. The extension projects 5.9m beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse. The maximum height of the extension is 3.9m the height of the eaves of the extension is 2.9m, 6 Highcroft, Batley.

Christmas gift, or the tears in the eyes of the daughter of a member confined in hospital as her mother’s gift was presented.

As two 80-year-olds we are fortunate to be surrounded by family and friends, but many of our age are not so rich and have little social contact.

Helen’s initiative ensures at least one day in the year there is a smile on the face of a lonely person.

God bless you. out there, is that true?

Don’t forget there is a time lag in Kirklees Fact Sheet figures.

My base is 2002, when the employment figure was 151,995. Yes, the new figures show 153,100, but that is not as high as the 2003 figure of 153,273, nor as high as the 2004 figure of 160,900, but the low was in 2012 at 145,700.

Let’s get to the bright side and why that chap was right last week. Construction in 2002 was 5,997, the latest figure was 8,300 – that’s a big leap in employment in that sector.

I keep hearing and reading that public services are getting worse. What I find odd is the figure for local government, education, health, other services which in 2002 was 49,495. The new figure Kirklees have given me is 49,700 ... more people, poorer services?

The big rise in employment has been in the service sector when in 2002 it was 57,667 and the latest figures 69,500.

The latest figures for immigration stated 176,000 people came from Europe looking for work.

There may be a lot in the south of England, but these

figures don’t explain why we hear so many European languages around here because we are not seeing job growth.

There is another point to this. You may keep reading of the Local Plan, and I have a 2008 baseline here, when Coun Mehboob Khan, the then leader of the council, was stating that due to the projected population we would need 30,000 more jobs, and the figure was an aspiration.

Based on those two factors we would need many more houses in Kirklees.

The Local Plan also stated that local employment would be 22 per cent in manufacturing in 2026. It’s 16 per cent on the latest figures!

We are on nearly 10 years now and can we see 10,000 or 20,000 jobs being created?

Can we heck. I did not believe it in 2008, so who was right, me or the council?

But if there are not the jobs, you won’t need all the houses. If Brexit takes place we won’t have the current level of immigration – or will we?

I would say pass the plan for the 240 homes, get on with building to the south of Dewsbury, build new industrial units, you can then

demolish any eyesores left vacant as the new units are taken up. Could a new housing bubble be created in Leeds and Kirklees?

Let’s get back to protesting From: Robert Yates, Dewsbury Dear Sir, Peace and goodwill to all men and all that, but are we all just going to sit back and let Kirklees hand hundreds of acres of green fields to housing developers?

Were Miller Homes thinking that Christmas would be a good time to sneak through plans for 240 houses without anyone noticing?

We’ve formed protest groups before when our green land was threatened, so we need to re-double our efforts and stop this theft of our environmental legacy.

There are plenty of brownfield sites that we can build on before we even consider bulldozing these fields in Dewsbury South.

So come on residents of Dewsbury South, let’s get protesting again!

A New Year message from Coun Jim Dodds, Mayor of Kirklees

Amazed by your generosity I WANT to wish everyone a Happy New Year, with an emphasis on supporting each other.

I would like to encourage local people to take inspiration from some of the dozens of charities and organisations I’ve had the pleasure of visiting so far in my Mayoral year.

The events that I have attended have been varied and diverse but without exception, each one has involved people who want to improve the area they live in, either commercially or socially.

I have been astounded and delighted to see that there is an awful lot of good work taking place across Kirklees.

This small army of volunteers really care for their community and those that need their help.

With this spirit of selfless giving we have much to be proud of in Kirklees.

Both Carol and I have been amazed and touched by the generosity of local people as they support the many organisations and charities that need our help.

This support comes in many forms, from monetary donations to giving up their time and expertise freely.

This includes the support I have seen for my chosen charity, the Royal British Legion.

These are difficult times we are living in and we must all work together to ensure that the most vulnerable in our society are cared for and looked after to the best of our ability.

I am keen to help promote the efforts of any community or business organisation looking to improve the way we live in Kirklees.

I would like to encourage any organisation or business that thinks they would benefit from this support to contact the Mayor’s Office. Happy New Year!

ThePress

Friday December 30, 2016

Robber flees empty-handed from Staincliffe store A MAN threatened a shop assistant with a knife before leaving empty-handed. Police were called to Ruby’s on Staincliffe Road, Dewsbury just before 10.50am yesterday (Thursday) following reports of an attempted armed robbery.

The man walked in with what was believed to be a knife and demanded cash. But when the male store assistant refused he left empty-handed.

Detectives are keen to trace a man who is described as wearing a face mask, a hooded Adidas top with three

The scene outside Ruby’s yesterday (Thurs) Picture: Mike Clark

red stripes, dark-coloured tracksuit bottoms with white stripes on the calf area, trainers with three light-coloured stripes which also appeared to be Adidas and black gloves.

Detective Sergeant Pete Usher, of Kirklees CID, said: “We believe the suspect has run off empty-handed down Moor End Lane, towards the Dewsbury Moor area.

“Anyone who witnessed the incident or anyone who has any information about the incident, should contact police.”

Enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with any information is asked to call Kirklees CID on 01484 436706, quoting log number 0442 of December 29.

Council to sell family Bacon

By Steve Martyn THE LEADER of Kirklees Council has said that talks should start over the sale of a painting worth millions of pounds.

Coun David Sheard has raised the possibility of the council selling off a 1946 artwork by Francis Bacon which could be worth up to £60 million, according to experts.

Kirklees currently own ‘Figure Study II’, which is officially valued at £19.5 million.

The Heckmondwike councillor made the comments after London art experts claimed that with current auction prices, it could be worth three times that estimate.

Coun Sheard (Lab) said: “Speaking as the leader of the council, I think we should know all the facts and look at all the options that are there, it’s time to start the debate.”

Huge cuts to funding have resulted in the recent closure of Dewsbury

Art masterpiece given to Batley valued at £60m Museum and Red House in Gomersal.

Selling the world-famous Bacon painting could give the council a massive cash boost and prevent budgets being slashed further.

The painting, which was donated to the old Batley Council in the 1950s, costs so much to insure that it can only be exhibited within the secure environment of Huddersfield Art Gallery. It is currently stored in the gallery’s vaults.

Due to the painting being gifted by the Contemporary Art Society to Batley’s Bagshaw Museum, it is believed that a restrictive covenant prevents it from being sold.

the council has.

“We have got to look at using any money that we realise from it to protect essential council services.”

A spokesman for organisation that donated the painting to Batley said: “The painting was a conditional gift from the Contemporary Art Society and the conditions of the gift means that it cannot be sold. “ Art dealer David Messum described the £19.5 million estimate as conservative.

He said: “There is big money around for Francis Bacon at the moment because a Francis Bacon is a prized possession.

“There are one or two opportunities a year for these.

Coun Andrew Cooper (Green, It’s going to fetch a steep price Newsome) said: “In the dire circum- and above estimate.” stances the council finances are in, we have to consider selling artworks that Ed Lines - p 6

In Brief Husband to fire rescue BIRSTALL: An elderly woman had a lucky escape after she failed to wake to the sound of her fire alarm.

The incident happened at 12.20am on Saturday at a house in Low Lane, Birstall.

Cleckheaton Fire Station watch commander Gary Hatton said: “A lady in her 70s had put a gammon joint in a slow cooker which had started smoking away.

“Although smoke alarms had been fitted they failed to wake her up but fortunately her husband came home and managed to get her up.

“They were taken to hospital for a check-over as they were suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation and she may have suffered a bit of carbon monoxide poisoning too.”

Unhappy Xmas DEWSBURY: A man was forced to spend Christmas in prison after he failed to comply with a community order.

James Fawcett, 32, was ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work for fraud and driving while disqualified in August.

He had only completed 13 hours of work after missing sessions on October 19 and November 3, Kirklees Magistrates’ Court heard.

Fawcett, of Halifax Road, was jailed for 26 weeks.

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ThePress

10

Friday December 30, 2016

A year to remember – and T'S BEEN another turbulent and eventful year in the district, with unspeakable tragedy, council shenanigans and a sporting success story all playing their part. Here’s a look back, month by month, at some of the major headlines printed in The Press in 2016...

I

JANUARY 2016 A BED factory owner from Staincliffe is reported to be the first company boss in the UK convicted of human trafficking.

Mohammed Rafiq, 60, used a ‘slave workforce’ of Hungarians at Kozee Sleep in Ravensthorpe and subsidiary Layzee Sleep.

Rafiq, of Thorncliffe Road, Staincliffe, was found guilty at Leeds Crown Court of conspiracy to traffic individuals within the UK. Workers lived in slum conditions while making goods for contractors such as John Lewis, Next and Dunelm Mill.

Rafiq was jailed for 27 months.

FIREFIGHTERS were praised for tackling a Batley mill inferno in difficult conditions.

About 70 crew members from eight fire sta-

tions across West Yorkshire dealt with the blaze at Greenhill Mills on Grange Road.

The mill was demolished for safety reasons.

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ARRESTS were made in connection with a Britain First rally in Dewsbury.

A man was detained at the railway station on suspicion of assaulting a police officer. Four other men were arrested for alleged raciallyaggravated public order offences.

About 120 Britain First members attended a Saturday rally in freezing conditions.

There was a small number of onlookers outside a police cordon on the Princess of Wales Precinct but the atmosphere was calm and there was no trouble.

BELLS which rang out in Mirfield for the first time in 12 months are good for the next 100 years.

Chimes rang from the tower at St Mary’s Church on Easter Sunday after a refit costing about £89,000.

The 10 bells were taken down after Easter last year amid a huge fundraising effort.

CUTS to services aimed at saving another £84m up to 2020 were backed at Kirklees Council’s annual budget meeting.

There will be reductions in street cleaning, funding for police community support officers and school crossing patrols – and cuts to services supporting homeless people, families with child protection issues and the assessment of vulnerable older people.

In 2017-18, the £4.297m young people’s service budget which runs youth clubs and summer activities will be scrapped.

So will the £579,000 budget for assessing the needs of disabled children.

TRIBUTES poured in from across the world of rugby league after the death of one of the sport’s true legends, Mick Sullivan, at the age of 82.

Mick died in his daughter Michelle’s arms at Pinderfields Hospital after being admitted with pneumonia.

He had been suffering from Alzheimer’s for a number of years and, more recently, prostate cancer.

The former Shaw Cross Boys Club product had a stellar, record-breaking career, with Wigan and St Helens breaking the world transfer record to sign him after he began his professional career with Huddersfield.

When he came home to Dewsbury he took the Crown Flatt side to within one game of Wembley.

He jointly holds the record for Great Britain caps (46) with Garry Schofield and was GB’s leading all-time try-scorer with 41.

A NEW front opened in the fight to save the Accident & Emergency department at Dewsbury District Hospital from cuts.

Moves centred on separate proposals to axe Huddersfield Royal Infirmary’s A&E completely – which could have a knock-on effect in our district as the minor injuries unit planned for Dewsbury Hospital would be the only significant emergency care centre in Kirklees.

Councillors and MPs oppose such a situation and want the Government to intervene.

The district’s four political group leaders and the chief executive of Kirklees Council officially demanded talks with Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

A letter from the party leaders on Kirklees Council to the Secretary of State for Health called for a meeting to discuss proposed changes which would leave a borough with 420,000 people without A&E provision.

Repeated requests throughout the year have so far not yielded a meeting with Mr Hunt.

A FORMER factory in Gomersal plagued by vandals and arsonists was finally demolished. Over the years the derelict Maccess site, on the corner of Spen Lane and Nibshaw Lane, had been set on fire, had its windows smashed and graffiti daubed on it. The fenced-off site was surrounded by rubble and overgrown vegetation.

It is now no more and there are plans from Swift Properties to build 30 flats in two blocks.

MARCH A TENANT was at last found for an iconic Dewsbury building in a major boost for town centre regeneration.

Kirklees College will move 1,000 students to Pioneer House from their Halifax Road campuses.

The former Co-operative Society building on Northgate has stood empty for the last five years after Kirklees Council spent £2.5m restoring the derelict building following their compulsory purchase of the property from Stayton Developments Ltd in 2011.

Council chiefs have earmarked £2m from their capital budget and a further £850,000 from the Townscape Heritage Initiative to help make the scheme possible, and work has also already begun on a new college building on the former Safeway supermarket site on Bradford Road.

DEWSBURY & Mirfield MP Paula Sherriff is believed to have made history in getting the socalled “tampon tax” abolished .

It was the first time a backbencher had a Budget amendment passed by the House of Commons.

MAY LABOUR big beast David Sheard was temporarily ousted as Kirklees Council leader – in a coup by his own party.

Coun Sheard (Lab, Heckmondwike) was axed at a meeting of Labour councillors in Huddersfield but was back in the role weeks later in a dramatic political u-turn.

LABOUR failed to take control of Kirklees Council in local elections – with the loss of the Liversedge and Gomersal ward proving decisive.

The party were one seat short of a majority and could have been set for a takeover when they won Colne Valley.

But defeat to the Tories in Liversedge and Gomersal saw Labour stand as they did before as the biggest party with 34 seats out of 69.

THORNHILL Trojans clinched their first ever BARLA National Cup with a thrilling 17-14 win over National Conference League Division One side Myton Warriors.

JUNE TRIBUTES were paid across the globe to Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox after she was killed on Market Street, outside Birstall Library, by rightwing extremist Thomas Mair.

ThePress

Friday December 30, 2016

forget – for all of us Prime Minister David Cameron visited Birstall alongside other political leaders and Batley joined a list of cities including London, New York, Sydney, Brussels, Dublin and Nairobi as thousands of people around the world celebrated what would have been Mrs Cox’s 42nd birthday just days after her murder.

In Batley Market Place a crowd of about 2,000 gathered, from all races, religions and backgrounds.

More than £1m was quickly raised in her memory through donations and fundraising worldwide.

Thousands of people turned out to pay tribute to Jo Cox in Batley town centre in June.

THE ELECTORATE in Kirklees voted to leave the European Union by a bigger margin than the national picture on June 23.

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.

JULY BATLEY BULLDOGS charged into the The Qualifiers with a thumping win over Swinton Lions in July and coach John Kear ranked his side’s achievement of finishing third in the Championship as one of the best in his career.

A BURST water pipe brought Gomersal to a standstill – and the disruption continued for several weeks.

Oxford Road was shut in both directions at Hill Top, with long diversions in place for drivers while engineers fixed the problem.

HEADTEACHER Mike Cook bowed out after 11 years at top-performing Heckmondwike Grammar School.

AUGUST SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD Gomersal diver Lois Toulson represented Great Britain at the Rio Olympics.

She teamed up with three-time Olympian Tonia Couch in the 10m synchronised diving but the duo missed out on a medal – finishing in fifth place.

CROWDS of people queued along Bradford Road in Batley for the final night at the Frontier Club.

Just 12 months short of its 50th birthday, the venue that started life as the world-famous Batley Variety Club closed its doors for the very last time.

The club is currently being converted into a gym.

SEPTEMBER HEALTH chiefs went on a charm offensive as major changes were made to services at Dewsbury and District Hospital.

The maternity unit became midwifeled, as opposed to the current consultant-led system and every house in the district received a booklet detailing the changes – including the upcoming downgrade of the A&E department.

DEWSBURY boxing legend Gary Sykes retired with immediate effect and withdrew from his upcoming fight with Sean Dodd.

The former British super-featherweight champion, 32, was attempting to

rebound from being knocked out in the second round of his bout with Olympic gold medallist Luke Campbell, but said he was no longer motivated to compete.

BIRSTALL VICTORIA marked their 40th anniversary by clinching the Yorkshire Men’s League Division Four title and with it promotion to Division Three in September 2016.

OCTOBER AFTER months of uncertainty, it was confirmed that two of North Kirklees’ museums would be axed.

Kirklees Council cabinet gave the green light to close Dewsbury Museum in Crow Nest Park and Red House Museum in Gomersal.

Campaigners pleaded with officials to make a u-turn on their expected decision but their worst fears were confirmed. Oakwell Hall in Birstall and Bagshaw Museum in Batley will remain open.

A CONTROVERSIAL planning blueprint for thousands of new homes in North Kirklees was passed.

Councillors voted in favour of an amended Local Plan despite major opposition from members of the public and a number of elected members.

Proposals to build up to 4,000 new homes on green belt between Mirfield and Ravensthorpe and 1,500 on a mixeduse site at Chidswell in Dewsbury made it through to the second draft of the plan.

Large sites in Cleckheaton and Cooper Bridge, Mirfield, are also included.

JEREMY CORBYN made a visit to Batley to talk about the impending downgrade of Dewsbury District Hospital with locals.

The Labour leader met with members of the Friends of Batley Railway Station group to discuss residents’ worries.

TRACY BRABIN was sworn in as the new MP for Batley & Spen after a by-election.

The Labour candidate polled 17,506 votes, seeing off nine other fringe candidates who all lost their deposits.

Ms Brabin was always expected to win

the election comfortably and that proved to be the case.

The former actress’s victory speech was marred by heckling from some of the other candidates, with her words sometimes obscured by catcalls from the floor.

NOVEMBER MATT DISKIN was named John Kear's successor as head coach of Batley Bulldogs back in April but didn’t take on the role officially until November.

The former Leeds Rhinos star signed a three-year deal with the part-time Championship outfit and said it was “too good an opportunity to miss” following Kear's decision to become head of rugby at Wakefield Trinity.

FAR-RIGHT fanatic Thomas Mair was sentenced to a whole life term for murdering Labour MP Jo Cox. Mair, 53, also stabbed Bernard CarterKenny, 78, as he came to Cox’s defence.

Jurors at the Old Bailey took under an hour and a half to convict Mair, who had denied murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to CarterKenny. Mair offered no defence at his trial.

THE chief executive of Kirklees Council announced he is to stand down next year.

Adrian Lythgo will leave his post in February after more than six years in the role – a period in which council services have been slashed due to severe budget cuts, and turmoil over planning and development regulations.

DECEMBER CASH-STRAPPED Kirklees Council spent nearly half-a-million pounds on a hit-squad of social workers after its children’s services received a damning report.

Ofsted branded Kirklees Council’s Children’s Services as inadequate – its lowest rating.

HEALTH chiefs announced that four wards due to be closed at Dewsbury Hospital will remain open.

Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS

Trust chief executive Martin Barkley said that the trust were unsure they will be able to “safely reduce” the number of medical beds required.

11

Billy and the gang do it again Peter Pan – The Swashbuckling Pantomime Adventure at Bradford Alhambra until Sunday January 29 Box office: 01274 432000 www.bradford-theatres.co.uk Review by Nicola Finch WHAT can I say? Fabulous family entertainment.

Billy Pearce as Smee with his cast of Darren Day as Hook, Charlie Hardwick as Mimi the magical mermaid and Jon Lee as Peter Pan provided us with an entertaining experience that we will not be forgetting in a hurry.

The laugh-a-minute performance, amazing costumes and 3D production values were everything we expected and more.

We were kept on the edge of our seats with suspense of what good fun was about to come next!

The swashbuckling 3D experience was really something fantastic with an underwater community of fish, sharks and crabs jumping out right in front of our faces.

Squeals of delight from the children (and some adults!) certainly echoed around the theatre.

The cast were all wonderful and entertaining in their individual ways. I couldn’t recommend more that you see this truly superb pantomime with your own eyes.

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Friday December 30, 2016

Friday December 30, 2016

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Friday December 30, 2016

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 MONDAY JANUARY 9, 2017 POPELEY AND THE RED HOUSE Meet at 1pm at Oakwell Hall top car park (WF17 9LG, SE217271) No dogs please.

Contact: Kathleen Tel: 01924 471473 kathleenoshea5@aol.com

SATURDAY JANUARY 14, 2017 THORNHILL Meet at 10.30am meet at the car park behind Dewsbury Sports Centre (WF12 8EN, SE246216) 8 miles – moderate Contact: Eddie and Andrea Tel: 01924 470 091

Spring date for Pop Idol Gareth in Cleck

Head south to see Go West BRIT AWARD-WINNING legends Go West next year will be performing at Huddersfield Town Hall on Friday December 1, 2017.

They will take to the stage of the town hall to sing some of their greatest hits including We Close Our Eyes, Call Me, Faithful, King of Wishful Thinking and Don’t Look Down.

The band was formed in 1982 by Peter Cox

and Richard Drummie, who went on to have huge commercial success and established themselves as one of the most successful singer/songwriter duos of the 80s.

Go West have played live around the world continuously since their inception and have sold over 20 million albums.

Tickets cost £27.50 and are available from www.tickets.kirklees.gov.uk or by calling 01484 225755.

TV’S Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates will be performing at Cleckheaton Town Hall in Spring 2017.

The Bradford-born singer will be taking a break from his stage work to perform a special set of acoustic music on June 4 next year, at 7.30pm.

Since finishing second to Will Young in the first series of Pop Idol, in 2002, he has carved out a very successful career and travelled worldwide.

He has sold 3.5 million records in the UK alone, released three albums and had four number one singles.

In 2009, Gareth auditioned and impressed Sir Cameron MackIntosh and accepted the role of Marius in the 25th anniversary tour of Les Miserables.

He has since performed a successful Boogie Nights concert tour with the legendary Osmonds and he continues a successful career in musical theatre.

In the new year he will be performing in the musical, Footloose, as Willard.

Tickets to see Gareth Gates – Live and

Acoustic, can be purchased from Kirklees Town Halls online at https://tickets.kirklees. gov.uk or by calling the box office on 01484 225755

DEWSBURY & District Rambling Club have a walk planned for Bank Holiday Monday, January 2, 2017.

Please meet at Carr Gate Garden Centre near Wakefield at 11am. Parking is on the roadside near the garden centre, and David Banks is the leader.

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Friday December 30, 2016

Hear Ann across the BBC radio network

Goodness gracious, it’s Ellie with news about new music!

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).

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(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.

Ann Montini with Ellie Goulding

LLIE GOULDING is too busy with tour duties to think about new music.

The British singer has become a global star thanks to hits like Anything Could Happen and Love Me Like You Do, and while fans are desperate for new material following on from her last album Delirium, released in 2015, Ellie has some disappointing news. She told me: “I am writing new stuff all the time, but fans will need to be patient as I want the next album to be the best yet.” We will, Ellie...

E

IF YOU like Grantchester actor James Norton, then you will want to know that the BBC have already got their eye on him as the next Dr Who. A top person tells me: “He is the perfect age to bring the show back to the audience we are aiming for, and we know he was a huge fan of the show as a child. He is a very in-demand actor right now, so we will wait and see.”

FORMER EastEnders actress Kara Tointon has loved flexing her vocal cords as funloving hotel jazz singer Betsey Day in ITV’s new drama The Halcyon, which is set in a London hotel during the war. “It’s been such fun, I have sung before in the live version of The Sound of Music but to get the chance again has just being brilliant,” she said. Maybe an album is due next?

IT PAYS to appear in a big show like Strictly Come Dancing. Just ask former 90s pop babe Louise Redknapp, who not long after signing up landed a deal to become the face of a bingo site. She admits “It’s one of my favorite pastimes, so when I was offered it, I was over the moon with it all.”

BBC ONE has ordered a sixpart series of Johnny Vegas’ Home from Home following a successful pilot as part of its

Maycon Pictures

sitcom season. Johnny tells me: “I was really pleased when the show was well received, as I thought we might be in with a chance.

People want comedy and something light in these dark times, don’t they?”

THE FORMAT of The Great British Bake Off will stay the same when it moves to Channel Four. Paul Hollywood, now picking up the lion’s share of the presenting money, tells me: “I had no desire to leave the show, and besides that all the others had other jobs. This was mine, so I stayed.”

STRICTLY dancer Brendan Cole has admitted he would ‘love’ to take over from departing judge Len Goodman. The dance pro, 40, has been tipped for the role, alongside Anton Du Beke, 50, and Helen Richey, 71, a judge on Australia’s Dancing With The Stars. But Brendan admits: “I don’t think I have a chance really, as I am way too outspoken and maybe they don’t like that.”

CORONATION STREET’S Georgia Taylor, who has returned to the soap after a 14-year absence to bring back character Toyah Battersby, tells me: “It’s strange as the last time I was here was on the old set. I miss it as it had great character and such history, like a real street, but again, everything changes.”

IT APPEARS that Sky News letting Eammon Holmes depart the channel could have been something of a mistake, as the new duo on ‘Sunrise’ have so far not registered well, with droves of viewers now tuning into BBC Breakfast. But at least their new expensive studio looks nice – well, the few that have seen it think so...

AFTER bowing out of Strictly Come Dancing, Len

NEW Upright bagless vacuum, on board tools, very little used, bargain £25.

Tel 01924 444000.

(2069)

Goodman has been offered a chance to update his autobiography, and publishers hope that he will spill the beans on behind the scenes of the hit show. But as Len told me: “I don’t remember a lot of the stars, only sports people really, so it may not happen at all.”

CHILDREN’S GOODS/TOYS Red Tomahawk Mongoose twowheel bike, suit 69yr old. Very little used, stabilisers availablem £50 ono.

Tel 01924 476050.

(2066)

SET TO warm viewers’ hearts on ITV this winter is their new medical drama The Good Karma Hospital, starring Amanda Redman. Set in southern India, the six-part series will tell the story of life at a cottage hospital, run by the eccentric Doctor Lydia Fonseca.

Tonka toys, tipper truck and crane with grab, £26, will split.

Tractor/loading shovel, ride-on, suit 4/5 year-old, good quality, German made, £27. Tel Mirfield 01924 492544. (2059)

GREAT British Bake Off host Sue Perkins is a brave soul and has decided to go back to comedy, planning some dates around the country.

She admits the ill-fated sitcom which lasted only one series on the BBC did not show off her full comic potential, but hopes people will “see me in a different light now”.

SELF-CONFESSED barging fans Debbie McGee, Nigel Havers, Lorraine Chase and Simon Callow face fear, confusion and comedy as they pair up to steer a course down two of Britain’s favourite canals for Carry On Barging, a four-part series airing on Channel 5 in 2017. It clearly borrows heavily from ‘Great Canal Journeys’ with Prunella Scales and Timothy West telling me: “It was such fun to make we hope to land another series.”

A LINE-UP of British TV and film stars are set to star in upcoming historical drama called Viceroy’s House, which explores the final months of British rule in India.

Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville and Gillian Anderson (The X Files and The Fall) will be leading the cast of Viceroy’s House, which will be released in cinemas on March 3, 2017.

15

Early Learning Centre baby’s wooden toddle truck with coloured bricks. Excellent condition £10. Tel 01924 407400.

(2054) iCandy apple pram.

Includes carrycot, pushchair, rain cover. Converts to 3 wheeler. Like new, bargain £135. Tel Gomersal 01274 870164 (2044) A selection of toys for girls and boys (age 3–7 years), good condition.

Vacuum cleaner, guitar, boys scooter etc. Great Christmas present (may split), £12.00. Tel 07806 431728. (2039) BEDROOM FURNITURE Four drawer, 6ft x 6ft 6” super king size bed (frame with separate to make two single beds), six months old quality mattress. (Free to buyer - DIY headboard, three fitted valanced sheets and mattress cover).

Buyer to dismantle and collect £50. Tel 01924 469652.

(2064)

Dormeo double orthopaedic mattress with memory foam topping. New condition, cost £200, will accept £50. Buyer to collect, Gomersal. Tel 01274 877611.

(2049) CHRISTMAS Approx 7ft spruce hinged Christmas tree, only used once.

Cost £90, will accept £30 ono. Tel 01924 478723.

(2043) COLLECTIBLES Bradford Exchange collection of Marilyn Monroe plates by artist Chris Notarile, in mahogany frames, complete with certificates of authenticity. In good condition £10 each.

Tel 07719 954892.

(2061) DIY Small Calor Gas blower heater, suitable for shed or workshop £25. Tel 01924 430088.

(2068) Aluminium extension ladder, 3 mtrs/10ft, 24 rungs in total. Ideal for DIY, £30 ono, buyer to collect. Tel 01924 462494. (2047) DISABILITY/MOBILITY Black wheelchair with brakes, in working order but needs attention £10.

Five mobile phones, no chargers, offers invited. Tel 01924 609015. (2035) ELECTRICAL 2 x 3 light pendant ceiling fittings in pink, £10 each, two matching wall lights £10 each. Tel 07521 540623. (2060)

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

£1 £2 £3 £4 £5 £7 £9 £11

coffee machine with separate hostess milk frother, almost new, £40.00. Tel 01924 495640.

(2037)

home entertainment centre. Very good condition, £325 or nearest cash offer.

Tel Martin 01924 629517. (2056)

FURNITURE Dark wood dining table, extending to 6ft plus six chairs, £100 ono. Tel 01924 499643. (2063)

HOUSEHOLD Large yukka plant, 3ft, minimum £35.

Tel 07961 564984.

(2050)

Open dark wood book case with three shelves, £20 ono. Tel 01924 499643. (2063) Comfortable threeseater settee and chair, excellent quality from M&S. Westcott chenille hessian, neutral colour £150. Tel 01924 442711.

(2055) Shackletons ‘Sherbourne’ twoseater sofa, armchair and large storage footstool in beige. Two years old, excellent condition. £300, buyer to collect. Tel 07703 183220. (2046) GAMES Table-top casino board in carrying case, for blackjack and poker, with 400 casino chips, cards, dealing shoe and dice. New, £25. Tel 01274 876814.

(2065) GARDEN Ride-on grass cutter 40” cut, double cutters. Vanguard 14hp, £350 ono. Tel 01924 278949. (2053) Old stone sink, suit garden ornament, £35. Tel 079615 64984. (2050)

2 x 3 light chandeliers in glass and brass £10 each. Tel 07521 540623.

(2060)

HOME ENTERTAINMENT Panasonic TV, 50” plasma TXP50510B, as new, has been stored a while, £100 with free wall bracket, (no offers). Tel 07599 322227. (2058)

Nespresso Magimix

Bose Lifestyle DVD

Tom Gower painting, £40, Tel: 079615 64984 (2050) Two Baxi Brazilia balanced flue wall heaters, F5 oak, good condition with installation guide. £150 ONO, cash only. Tel 01924 457399. (2028) MOTORING Motor spares new spacesaver wheel with tyre, buyer to collect, £40.00. Tel 01924 409809.

(2041) SPORTING/FITNESS Gym workout bench, hardly used.

Ideal Christmas box, was £100, now £55.

Tel Mirfield 01924 498341. (2057) Ridgeback 401GS mountain bike, 18 gears, 18” frame size. Good brakes, excellent condition £40. Tel 01924 407400. (2054) British Eagle Zancara 21” bicycle.

Polished aluminium frame, 21 speed, good condition.

Approx. 10 years old, £50. Tel 07910 405324. (2051) Falcon Futura Cycle, full suspension, 18 gears, suit teenager, £25. Tel 07910 405324. (2051) WANTED WANTED: Timber to recycle for garden project. Tel 07790 568986. (2052) WANTED: Gas cooker for cash. Will call and collect. Tel 01924 471481.

(2042)

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Friday December 30, 2016

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Useful Numbers Citizen’s Advice Dewsbury Tel 01924 487860 Kirklees Council Switchboard Tel 01484 221000 Police (non emergency) Tel 101

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Friday December 30, 2016 Roofing

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ThePress

18

Friday December 30, 2016

NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL Albion scrape win over strugglers Burscough

Liversedge fall further off the pace

First Division North

BURSCOUGH OSSETT ALBION at Victoria Park OSSETT ALBION eased their relegation in the Evo-Stik Division North with win away at bottom Burscough.

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at Clayborn LIVERSEDGE played out a 0-0 draw with Athersley Recreation in the Northern Counties East League Premier on Boxing Day. The point leaves Liversedge seventh as they continue their push for a play-off place this season. Both teams meet again for the return fixture on Monday, January 2 (3pm).

Available for that game will be two of Sedge’s latest recruits Sam Andrew and James Wagget, who Jonathan Rimmington bought to replace the injured Chris Thewlis.

Kevy Tarangadzo has also returned to action for Liversedge following four months visiting his family in Congo and will be a welcome boost to Sedge’s squad.

However exiting Clayborn are Danny Hull and Anthony Hull who have decided to focus on work commitments away from football.

Rimmington is hopeful of unveiling two more signings in the next week.

have fears First a 1-0 club

A first-half strike from Jackson Hassanyeh on the half hour mark proved decisive at the final whistle.

Albion remain 19th in the table as they prepare to host in-form arch-rivals Ossett Town on Monday January 2 (3pm).

In other news, everyone associated with Ossett Albion were saddened over Christmas to hear that one of the club’s founder members, Jack Ingham, died aged 95.

Northern Counties East League Premier

LIVERSEDGE FC ATHERSLEY RECREATION

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A statement on the club’s website said: “Jack Ingham passed away in hospital recently after a short illness and he will be very fondly remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him, and his name will forever remain synonymous with Ossett Albion Football Club.

“Jack was one of a group of school friends who formed the club back in 1944 and he was to remain a staunch supporter throughout his whole life.

“While actively involved with the club Jack occupied almost every role within the organisation and was instrumental in ensuring stability and progress through good times and difficult times.

“He was immensely proud that the club he founded was still going strong 72 years on and had, after many years of trying, finally reached the heights of the Northern

Ossett Albion founder member Jack Ingham has died aged 95 Premier League.”

Jack leaves two sons, Philip and David, both of whom played for Albion during their careers. Philip later became Albion’s player-manager in the early 80s.

Funeral details have still to be confirmed, but will be published by the club as soon as possible.

Peterson’s late strike takes Town to the top First Division North

OSSETT TOWN FARSLEY CELTIC

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at Ingfield

Kevy Tarangadzo returns to Liversedge following a four month hiatus in Africa

OSSETT TOWN have climbed to the summit of the Evo-Stik First Division North table following an action-packed 3-2 victory at home to promotion rivals Farsley Celtic.

Alex Peterson fired Grant Black’s men in front on 25 minutes but Celtic responded

RUGBY UNION

well and went into half-time with a 2-1 lead following goals from Paul Walker and Jordan Deacey in the space of four minutes.

Celtic defended strongly for the majority of the second period as the Reds pushed to find an equaliser.

The hosts’ efforts were rewarded when Ashley Jackson struck in the 80th

minute before Peterson stole all three points with his second goal of the game in stoppage time.

It was Ossett’s first victory over Farsley in 18 games in all competitions, and it is 14 years since the Ingfield side last registered a league win over their Leeds-based rivals.

Following Lancaster’s surprise loss to Kendal Town on Boxing Day, Ossett went into their game against Brighouse Town last night (Thurs) with a three-point cushion as they looked to extend their winning run to five games.

RUGBY LEAGUE

Injury-hit Cleckheaton suffer loss to Shaw Cross prepare Old Brods in Fred Scott Memorial Trophy for new-look league Friendly OLD BRODLEIANS 27 CLECKHEATON

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at Woodhead CLECKHEATON’S poor first-half performance proved costly at the final whistle as they lost 27-12 to Old Brodleians in their annual Boxing Day battle for the Fred Scott Memorial Trophy.

The away side went into the break leading 7-5, but with the slope to their

advantage in the first 40 the Moorenders had hoped for a healthier lead.

Once again Cleckheaton’s poor discipline played a part in their defeat. Richard Piper was sin-binned in the 10th minute in what was an error-strewn opening quarter from both sides.

With a man advantage Michael Briggs bagged the game’s first try for the hosts.

But Cleckheaton replied with a try of their own within four minutes. Prop Ben Thrower was the man with the touchdown and guest

player Ezra Hinchliffe converted.

In front of a healthy crowd neither side could play their best rugby in challenging conditions in Hipperholme.

That was until the second half when the hosts demonstrated their true potential and camped inside Cleckheaton’s 22.

Both the powerful Zack Thompson, Andy Finn and Briggs went close to giving their side the lead with tries in the opening minutes of the second period.

But their persistence paid

off when Zack McCombe barged his way over just after the hour mark for a converted try.

Three minutes later the hosts extended their lead through full back Tom Wilson, who was set up by good work from Briggs.

Cleck gave themselves a glimmer of hope when Matt Wood crossed late on to reduce their deficit to 17-12.

But any hope the away side had was quickly ended when the hosts rounded off the game’s scoring with late tries courtesy of Finn and McCombe.

SHAW CROSS Sharks’ fixtures for the 2017 season have been officially released by the National Conference League.

The National Conference First Division has been reduced from 14 to 12 teams for the 2017 season, leaving the Sharks with four fewer games to play next year.

Shaw Cross will begin the campaign with an away trip to Underbank Rangers, whom they beat at Shark Park last season but were defeated on the return leg.

Shaw Cross’s first home game of the season will be against

newly promoted Hunslet Parkside, in what will be the side’s first meeting in the National Conference.

The Sharks’ two longest away trips of the season will be against Hull Dockers and Ince Rose Bridge. The side will travel to Hull on the April 22 and to Wigan to take on Ince Rose on July 22.

The Sharks will finish the regular season in September with a home against Ince Rose Bridge. The final away game of the season will take place two weeks prior against Hunslet Parkside.

RACING WITH TOP TIPSTER MIKE SMITH

THISTLECRACK’S KING GEORGE WIN MAKES HIM FAVOURITE FOR GOLD CUP HERE'S somewhat of a feeling of ‘after the Lord Mayor’s Show' about this weekend following so much great racing over the holiday period, the highlight of which was Thistlecrack's scintillating win in Boxing Day’s King George.

Colin Tizzard's gelding was taking on fences for just the fourth time and did so with great gusto, putting in a series of stunning leaps before pulling clear four out and leaving top-class chasers looking like they might have also been pulling the Mayoral cart.

Thistlecrack’s win propelled him to the head of Cheltenham’s Gold Cup market,

T

and he shortened up further to evens following Outlander’s win in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown earlier this week. He could be the best we have seen, and if he wins the Gold Cup in the same dominant fashion as he did the King George, he will be hailed as one of the recent greats but I won’t be taking such a short price to find out.

And all roads lead to the Cheltenham Festival for Missy Tata after the progressive filly recorded a fifth win on the bounce at Limerick.

Sent off the 2-5 favourite for the Listed Irish Independent Hurdle, Gordon Elliott's

inmate glided six-and-a-half lengths clear of Cap D'Aubois in a three-runner affair over two miles. She is definitely one for the book for Prestbury Park in March.

Tomorrow’s (Saturday) Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury features one of Alan King’s better novice hurdlers in Messire Des Obeaux. He may not have the pace to beat Robin Roe or Geordie Des Champs on good ground, but if the going gets testing he looked to have plenty stamina when winning a Grade Two at Sandown last time.

However the value may lie in Willoughby Court. The dual bumper winner has plenty to find but his trainer Ben

Pauling won the race last year with Barters Hill and the five-year-old should not be underestimated.

New Year’s Day heralds the start of ITV’s terrestrial coverage of racing, but January is a tough month to make an impact with little on offer other than Trials Day at Cheltenham and a few races to provide festival pointers, so new front man Ed Chamberlain and his team will have their work cut out to arrest the slide in viewing figures for the sport.

• CARRIGILL’S nap this week is Knockgraffen, who will be looking to defy

a rise of 12lb by the handicapper in Newbury’s 2.25, and if their selection does not finish in the top four punters will receive their money back as a free bet.

AUGUR’S BEST BETS: Killermont Street, Friday Newcastle 1.20pm.

CARRIGILL’S NAP: Knockgraffon, Saturday, Newbury 2.25.

AUGUR’S ONE TO WATCH OUT FOR: Min. Irish trainer Willie Mullins has a potential new superstar after Min left the rest of the field for dead in the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown and an ante-post bet for Cheltenham’s Arkle Trophy looks prudent.

ThePress

Friday December 30, 2016

19

RUGBY LEAGUE – THE ROY POWELL TROPHY

Diskin’s depleted Bulldogs come back to shock Rams MATCH STATS:

Pre-season friendly

BATLEY BULLDOGS 25. Michael Hayward 5. Shaun Ainscough 4. Macauley Hallett 3. Sam Smeaton 2. Wayne Reittie 6. Cain Southernwood 7. Dominic Brambani 16. Tom Lilycrop 9. Alistair Leak 10. Alex Rowe 11. Brad Day 18. James Harrison 17. Joe Chandler SUBS: 13. Pat Walker 14. James Davey 15. Danny Cowling 19. Alex Bretherton 20. Shaun Squires 23. Brad Hill 24. Trae O'Sullivan 26. Danny Bravo

DEWSBURY RAMS 1. Josh Guzdek 2. Dale Morton 3. Jason Crookes 21. Hamish Barnes 5. Gareth Potts 6. Paul Sykes 17. Dom Speakman 10. Mitch Stringer 9. Tom Hemingway 16. Toby Adamson 11. Rob Spicer 4. Lucas Walshaw 13. Aaron Brown SUBS: 8. Tony Tonks 15. Robbie Ward 18. Jack Teanby 19. Brad Foster 20. Aaron Ollett 22. Donald Kudangirana

BATLEY BULLDOGS Tries: Ainscough, Brambani, Reittie, Chandler, Squires.

Goals: Walker 4.

DEWSBURY RAMS Tries: Adamson, Potts, Kudangirana.

Goals: Sykes 2.

Half-time: 4-12 / Weather: Windy / Referee: Mr S Mikalauskas / Attendance: 2,000 (est) / Match rating: 3/5

BATLEY BULLDOGS DEWSBURY RAMS

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at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium MATT DISKIN recorded his debut win as Batley’s new head coach after the Bulldogs overcame their fierce rivals Dewsbury Rams 28-18 in the annual Boxing Day derby.

The Mount Pleasant side produced a second-half fightback to retain the Roy Powell Trophy and earn the festive bragging rights for a fifth consecutive year.

With half a dozen big names to come back from injury it augured well for the team in its efforts to repeat their 2016 heroics. Diskin would also have been pleased with the enthusiastic, strong-running effort of his new prop from the Coventry Bears, Trae O’Sullivan.

Things didn’t look good to start with however. Playing up the famous slope into the teeth of a howling - and freezing - gale, Batley found themselves pinned in their own territory for most of the first quarter.

Poor handling and ball retention put them under pressure and it was no surprise when Glenn Morrison’s Rams were first to score thanks to a try from Toby Adamson who crashed over. Paul Sykes added the extras.

Dewsbury really needed to pile some points on with the advantage of the elements and thought they had when Gareth Potts got over in the corner, only for the touchdown to be ruled out due to a forward pass in the build-up.

On virtually their first attacking foray into Dewsbury territory the Bulldogs hit back with slick right-to-left handling setting Shaun Ainscough clear and he crossed out side. Dom Brambani’s conversion attempt looked good until the wind got hold of it and blew it miles off course.

Trojans pay price for ugly scenes THORNHILL TROJANS have been fined £100 and a further £50 suspended for 12 months by the Winter Pennine League Disciplinary committee, following their recent Winter Pennine 11-a-side league clash with Lock Lane.

Both clubs admitted to brawling charges at the hearing.

Luke Carter was also banned for two matches after admitting to a fighting charge. His suspension will begin on January 7.

Sam Ratcliffe, who was sent off in the game for running in and punching, escaped further punishment.

Thornhill Trojans’ 2017 National Conference League Division Two fixtures (unless stated otherwise): January 28 - Ladbroke’s Cup First Round February 11 - Waterhead (A) National Cup First Round March 4 - Wigan St Judes (H) March 11 - Askam (A) March 18 - Saddleworth (H)

March 25 - Salford Roosters (A) April 1 - Drighlington (H) April 9 - Crossfield (A) April 22 - East Leeds (H) May 3 - Millom (H) May 6 - Leigh East (A) May 13 - Dudley Hill (H) May 20 - Oulton (A) June 10 - Crossfield (H) June 24 - Dudley Hill (A) July 1 - Leigh East (H) July 8 - Drighlington (A) July 22 - Salford Roosters (H) July 29 - East Leeds (A) August 5 - Saddleworth (A) August 12 - Oulton (H) September 2 - Millom (A) September 9 - Askam (H) September 16 - Wigan St Judes (A)

DEWSBURY BRIDGE CLUB RESULTS: TUESDAY DECEMBER 20: 1 W and J Davies;

2 A Cooper and J Bragg; 3 J Paxton and D Hannam.

Dewsbury players celebrate an early try (above), Shaun Ainscough (right) looks for a gap in the Rams defence and Gareth Potts (below) scored a try on his debut for Dewsbury It was virtually impossible in the conditions.

Dewsbury responded well and dominated field position, but they scorned some good chances. Firstly they knocked on close to the Bulldogs’ line before a clever Sykes kick dribbled dead.

Batley were struggling to clear their lines, but Diskin would have been impressed by their attention to defensive duties.

The Rams’ persistence paid off when winger Potts went over for his first try for the club on the stroke of half-time.

Sykes’s impressive touchline conversion stretched the lead to 12-4 at the break. The crowd were entertained by the sight of Patch Walker launching a high kick off which easily made the 10 metres before blowing back straight into his hands.

As half time blew however, the question was whether the Rams lead would be enough.

Dewsbury continued to look good after the restart and Lucas Walshaw was held up inches short, while

Sykes twice forced goalline drop out with deft kicks.

But Batley sensed an opportunity when talented young full-back Josh Guzdek had his game cut short. Ever present last season, Guzdek had to be helped off with a leg injury.

Walker then stole the ball from makeshift full-back Dale Morton as he was returning it and on the next tackle Brambani scooted past lax marking from acting half, allowing Walker to add the conversion.

It heralded a seven minute period which effectively cost the Rams the bragging rights. A raid down the right flank caught the defence at sixes and sevens and Wayne Reittie was first to a grubber kick for the go ahead score. Walker converted.

The Rams’ subsequent attempt to mimic Walker’s kick off failed to go the required 10 metres and off the back of the resultant penalty Batley effectively put the game to bed.

Joe Chandler collected a pass and forced his way through some tired and half-hearted defence. Walker’s conversion made it 22-12.

Diskin has made it clear in the off-

season that he wants his side to play a more exciting brand of rugby, and the Bulldogs showed signs of that when a lovely passing move allowed Shaun Squires to squeeze over in the right-hand corner. Walker was successful once again with the conversion.

The Rams rallied at least and had the best of the latter stages without ever looking like they could pull things back. Sykes once again forced a Batley drop out, before pacy substitute Donald Kudangirana gathered a loose pass on the halfway line and raced 50 metres to have the last word on the scoreboard.

Sykes rounded off an impressive personal performance with the conversion, but Batley were the team celebrating as they ended a memorable year on yet another high.

Both coaches know there’s still a lot of work to do before the season kicks off, but Diskin’s side was the one showing more invention and looking to have a wider range of options, while the Rams, if anything, appeared over-dependent on their veteran playmaker Sykes.

Send your sports reports, news and photos to Joseph Link at joe@thepressnews.co.uk

Nervous wait for Guzdek

By Joe Link DEWSBURY RAMS are nervously waiting for news on Josh Guzdek’s knee injury which prematurely ended the fullback’s Boxing Day derby against Batley.

Guzdek sustained the injury in the opening minutes of the second half and could prove to be a big miss to Glenn Morrison’s squad.

The young full-back was ever present in the Dewsbury side last season and was one of Morrison’s stand-out performers after arriving at the Tetley’s Stadium at the end of 2015.

Guzdek played in all 23 of the Rams’s Championship matches, along with a further seven outings in the Shield and three in the Challenge Cup. Morrison will now give his squad a few days off to reflect on their Boxing Day Challenge loss to Batley, before turning their attention to a friendly lined up with Wakefield on January 8 (3pm).

Morrison will hope half-back pairing Andy Kain and James Glover will be available for the match after both withdrew from the Rams squad to take on Batley at the last minute.

“We had James Glover ill and Andy Kain had to pull out 20 minutes before he was due to arrive, as his pregnant wife had to go to hospital. To start the game with two different half-backs to what we had planned just put us behind the eight ball from the off,” said Morrison.

But the Aussie coach is remaining optimistic despite being on the receiving end of a

fifth straight defeat against Batley on Boxing Day. He added: “I thought we did a lot of good stuff where we had repeat sets and built a lot of pressure, but we also did some dumb things like dropping the ball and not completing sets. The boys said after the game that a lot of ball went to ground and this led to abandoned plays, so plenty to work on.

“The wind played a big factor in the game and you could see that by how many passes went behind the players. Both teams completed at around 60 per cent so that isn’t good, but they were tough conditions.

“It was a first hit-out for a few of the boys and on that note I thought Hamish Barnes stood up really well. Robbie Ward was outstanding when he was on the field and Brad Foster had a great stint. So I thought a lot of the new boys stood up, which is what you want to see.

“I thought we did okay, we couldn’t play a wide game with the conditions and both teams had to play up the middle. We have been working hard at the ruck in pre-season and we have had (referee) Dave Merrick in to help us with that. Batley held us down in the tackle more than we were able to so we have a few things to fine tune.

“The first league game is still a while away and that’s what friendlies are for, to get things sorted out for the competition.

“The boys will get a bit of a rest now over New Year and they will be back in on January 2 where we will be working up to Wakefield on January 8.”

Dewsbury’s ever-present full-back Josh Guzdek limped out of the Boxing Day derby with a knee injury

Bulldogs earn a break after fifth straight Boxing Day derby victory BATLEY boss Matt Diskin concedes there is plenty for his side to work on after their Boxing Day triumph over Dewsbury.

The Bulldogs will now embark on a two-week break ahead of a weekend away in the Peak District on January 7.

“There were lots of positives as well as a few negatives to take from the game against Dewsbury,” said Diskin.

“We were poor in the first half and looked a bit rusty but that is understandable, it was our first game and it was our first time on

grass all winter. But in the second half we were much stronger and showed some promising signs.

“We defended well too, despite having a few players missing through injury, but the fringe players were excellent I thought.”

By the time the new season begins Diskin can expect a selection headache when James Brown, Adam Gledhill, Dane Manning and Joel Farrell, who all missed the win over Dewsbury, return from injury.

Dave Scott will also be in the

running for a starting place when he returns to action having been given extra time off following his exploits with Scotland in the Four Nations.

Diskin’s full squad will travel to the Peak District where they will discuss their goals and targets for the 2017 campaign.

One thing that won’t be discussed however is the captaincy, which has gone to Dom Brambani.

Keegan Hirst led the Bulldogs on the field last year but followed coach John Kear to Wakefield Trinity for 2017, and Diskin

believes half-back Brambani has the potential to be a successful captain.

Diskin added: “He has bags of experience and he’s a very talented player. After seeing his performance against Dewsbury I’m even more confident that I’ve made the right decision in making him my captain.

“But there are lots of leaders in this group. You just have to look at the likes of Pat Walker and Alex Bretherton so if he struggles with injury, or whatever, there will be plenty of players capable of taking over the captaincy.”

Batley bag 2016 honour BATLEY BULLDOGS chairman Kevin Nicholas admits he is ‘over the moon’ after his club were crowned Yorkshire Team of the Year by Yorkshire Radio.

Against the odds the Mount Pleasant side finished third in the Championship to reach the Super 8s Qualifiers last season, which earned them the honour ahead of Yorkshire CCC and Challenge Cup winners Hull FC. John Kear was also named Yorkshire coach of year after leading the Bulldogs to their best-ever season in the summer rugby league era.

Nicholas said: “It’s absolutely brilliant, we’ve had an unbelievable year.

“It was a great swansong for John Kear, but our achievements were also a result of great work from the players and the rest of the coaching staff.

They all did a great job for the club and I’m delighted. This year couldn’t have gone any better for us.”

Kear spent his fifth and final season with the Bulldogs before moving on to become head of rugby with Wakefield Trinity, and Nicholas believes that his replacement Matt Diskin has the potential to become an equally successful head coach.

“John (Kear) had become part of the furniture at Batley and at the start of last season we gave him what he needed to help us have a strong season, but we never imagined it would be so good,” added Nicholas.

“Injuries had cost us the previous season so we brought some new half-backs in which worked well for us.

“I’m really pleased for him, the supporters and obviously the players.”

“In 2017 our aim is to achieve the same, it won’t be easy but that is what we hope will happen. But the good thing is that you can’t take 2016 away from us.

“We have a great coach in Matt leading us now, he’s a positive person and definitely up to the mark. Myself and the board are confident he will go on to achieve great things as a coach.”

New Batley Bulldogs captain Dom Brambani