The Press – Friday December 13, 2019

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Friday December 13, 2019

No. 924

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DRIVEN TO DESPAIR ‘Wild’ Labour assault allegation led to trial and Terror cops seizing savings

By Staff Reporters EXCLUSIVE A CHANCE encounter with a canvassing Labour activist landed a Dewsbury man in court, saw his life-savings seized by police and left him on the verge of suicide.

David Huntington, 61, of Syke Street, Earlsheaton, was driving through Staincliffe with a friend on local elections voting day, May 2, when he saw far left Labour member Alexander Ascough – a man who was thrown out of a Tracy Brabin Q&A at Batley Irish National Club last year after stirring up trouble.

Mr Huntington simply stopped and approached Ascough to ask why he was being so insulting and abusive to him on social media.

The day ended with armed North-East Counter Terrorism police raiding his home and him being dragged into custody wearing just his dressing gown, after now councillor, but then Batley West candidate Yusra Hussain and a friend rang 999 and claimed Mr Ascough had been attacked by three EDL or National Front thugs.

That evidence was heard at Kirklees Magistrates Court on October 31, where Mr Huntington was cleared of assault.

In fact, Mr Huntington – who considered standing for the BNP over 12 years ago but was never a party member – was alone with his friend Ian Farr, who never left their vehicle or took part in any pursuit, because he has a prosthet-

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But the assault charge was only the start of Mr Huntington’s woes.

When he was bailed from Huddersfield Police Station, he was immediately re-arrested over cash police had found in his house, on suspicion of it being proceeds of crime.

The former Isle of Man TT racer had recently been selling his collection of prized motorbikes to settle monies owed to his estranged wife – but despite providing police with proof of the sales, after more than seven months they are still holding his money, despite no offences being alleged, let alone charges put to him.

Continued on page 2

CASH SEIZED: Dave Huntington

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ThePress

Friday December 13, 2019

Deaths BARRACLOUGH GERALD

BROOK (NEE HILL) MAVIS ROSEMARY

On December 2, peacefully in hospital, of Dewsbury, aged 86, husband of Margaret. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Crematorium on Wednesday December 18 at 10am.

On December 4, at her home in Mirfield, aged 85, wife of the late Geoffrey.

Funeral service will take place at St Mary's Parish Church, Church Lane, Mirfield, on Tuesday December 17 at 1.30pm.

Your family notices in The Press Although we carry some abridged funeral notices, we cannot guarantee inclusion. However you can ensure information about your loved ones, whether that be a death/funeral notice, an acknowledgement or a birthday memory, reaches by far the most readers in North Kirklees. What’s more, Family Notices in The Press are significantly more affordable than other weekly newspapers.

For personal service, from a local business, at hugely reduced prices call us on 01924 470296. Notices can be taken until noon on Thursdays.

Switch-on event is praised by many

DUNFORD (nee Ogilvie) Karen Diane

RAWSON Irene

On 8th December 2019, suddenly in hospital, of Hanging Heaton, Dewsbury formerly of Thornhill Lees, aged 57 years, Karen, loving and much-loved wife of Simon, dearly loved sister of David, Ian and Patricia, a beloved sister-in-law, auntie and great auntie.

Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Tuesday 24th December 2019 at 11.15am.

Friends please accept this intimation and meet at the crematorium. Family flowers only please, donations in lieu may be placed in the collection box provided for the benefit of MacMillan Cancer Support.

Enquiries to George Brooke Ltd Tel 01924 454476.

Passed away peacefully of Morley, aged 92 years.

Loving wife of the late Albert, treasured sister of Margaret and the late Stanley.

Beloved aunt to Carol, Janet, Richard and Robert.

Will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

Funeral Service to take place on Thursday 19th December 2019 at 1.30 pm at St Andrews Church, Morley, followed by committal at Cottingley Hall Crematorium. Family flowers only please. Donations if desired can be made at the service for the benefit of Cancer Research UK where there will be a plate provided for this purpose.

Enquiries to The Coop Funeralcare, Morley, Tel 0113 2522503.

Telephone 01924 472178

EXLEY (NEE WATERWORTH) BETTY

BOLLANDS (BIRSTALL)

On November 26, peacefully at Lydgate Lodge, a loving mum and grandma.

Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Thursday December 19 at 11.15am.

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KIRK PETER ALAN On December 4, peacefully in his sleep at Kirkwood

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Hospice, aged 75, husband of Joyce. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Thursday December 19 at 1.15pm.

SALTMARSHE (NEE SILVESTER) LINDA CAROLINE On December 9, peacefully at home, aged 69, partner of Roger. Funeral service will take place at Christ the King Church, Battyeford, on Monday December 23 at 10am.

THOMPSON THOMAS On December 10, at Field

RICHARDSON Irene December 4th, peacefully in hospital, of Morley, aged 93 years. Dearly loved mother of Paul and Raylene, very dear grandma of Natalie, Hanna and Milli, also loving great grandma of Bo. Funeral service will be held at Cottingley Hall Crematorium at 3.40pm on Friday 13th December.

Family flowers only please but donations in lieu may be made to the RNLI for which charity a collection box will be available at the service.

All enquiries to J.W.Binks & Sons. Tel (0113)2532087 or visit www.jwbinks.co.uk/obituaries.

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www.thepressnews.co.uk @ThePressLatest /ThePressNews Publisher: Danny Lockwood Reporters: Zoë Shackleton & Connor Teale Sports Reporter: Stephen Ibbetson Photography: Mike Clark & YappApp Graphic Designer: Craig Moore Sales Manager: Lucy Tissiman Key Account Manager: Jo Gilbert Senior Sales Executive: Janet Black Classified Sales Executive: Rachael Hall Office Manager: Angela Hall

By Steve Martyn DEWSBURY’S festive switch-on received mixed reviews on social media – with the choice of acts a main talking point.

This year’s lighting up event, organised by the Dewsbury Partnership community group, took place on Saturday after public-spirited locals managed to raise £9,834 to ensure the event took place, with little council funding available.

The final pledge of £715 was made by Dewsbury Chamber of Trade last Monday.

It all kicked off at 12noon with a craft market, followed by a variety of performances from singers, dancers, drummers and rappers to community and youth groups and schools.

Batley singer-songwriter Jade Helliwell headlined the acts on the main stage. She was supported by Radio Leeds rapper and DJ SilverFinger Singh.

Ravensthorpe’s Sully Khan Dhol drummers also performed alongside Foxwood Steel pan band and various dance groups.

There was a lantern parade at 5pm and the lights were switched on, after a slight technical mishap, just after 6pm.

Despite the impressive efforts that went into organising the event, the switch-on garnered a mixed response from people on social media.

One person wrote on Facebook: “Absolute embarrassment. We’re getting to a day and age now where Christmas isn’t Christmas anymore.”

“It was an utter disgrace to Dewsbury. This town used to be thriving,” posted another Facebook user.

But other residents were much more supportive and highlighted the fact that most of The Press abides by the principles of the Independent Press Standards Organisation and at all times attempts to report fairly and accurately and correct mistakes or errors as soon as possible.

In the first instance, contact the editor, otherwise we will be happy to give details of the Independent Press Standards Organisation.

If you notice a factual inaccuracy, please email news@thepressnews.co.uk.

You can also write to The Press, 31 Branch Road, Batley, WF17 5SB We adhere to the Editors’ Code of Practice as enforced

by IPSO, who are contactable for advice at: IPSO, Gate House, 1 Farringdon Street, London, EC4M 7LG Website: www.ipso.co.uk Email: advice@ipso.co.uk Telephone: 0300 123 2220

the negative comments appeared to come from people who had not attended.

One woman wrote online: “This was an excellent event. The acts I saw were great and there was a lovely feeling in town.

Well done to everybody who organised and took part.

Onwards and upwards!”

And there was further support for the event. “People have gone to a lot of trouble to make this switch-on happen. If you don’t like it then don’t go,” posted one user.

“Loved it. At least they made the effort (the performers) if you don’t like it, don’t watch,” was the message of another resident.

ThePress

Friday December 13, 2019

Winter vomiting bug hits hospital and schools DEWSBURY & District Hospital has restricted all general visiting due to the high number of cases of a vomiting virus in the community.

Patients and families have been informed that visiting times are restricted to 3-4pm and 7-8pm only, with two visitors allowed per bed.

No visits from siblings or children are currently permitted on children’s and maternity wards and

children are also banned from visiting adult inpatient areas.

The restrictions will remain in place until further notice.

It comes after outbreaks of the norovirus forced both St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy and Whitcliffe Mount School to close their doors this week.

People who have experienced symptoms of the vomiting bug are advised

to avoid visiting hospital for 48 hours, with the same advice offered to people who have been in contact with someone experiencing similar symptoms.

■ TWO North Kirklees high schools have been forced to close due to an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug.

St John Fisher Catholic Volunary Academy, on Oxford Road, closed its doors on Wednesday and

will remain closed today (Friday) to allow a deep clean of the premises to take place.

A statement released on the school’s website stated the decision had to be taken “due to an extremely high number of cases amongst students and staff”.

Whitcliffe Mount, in Cleckheaton, closed on Thursday and staff and pupils will remain at home today after an out-

break of the norovirus.

A spokesperson for the school, on Turnsteads Avenue, said: “Due to an extremely high number of cases of the winter vomiting bug amongst students and staff, the school will be closed (Thursday Friday) to allow a deep clean to be undertaken.”

Both schools, which have around 1,200 pupils each, will re-open as normal on Monday December 16.

Man faces June trial for murder of his neighbour

By Staff Reporters

Arson... the car blazes in Pentland Street; inset, a firefighter checks the vehicle

Car blaze was arson – police EMERGENCY services were called to reports of this vehicle on fire in Savile Town on Monday – and police say the incident is being treated as arson.

Officers attended the scene on Pentland Road at around 8.50pm and the road was closed to allow firefighters to extinguish the blaze.

A police statement confirmed that “the fire is being treated as arson and an investigation is ongoing”.

Pictures: YappApp

A MAN charged with murder will go on trial next year after entering ‘no plea’ at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday.

Craig Midgely, 39, is charged with the murder of Stephen Freeman, 54, at a property on Moorside End, Dewsbury Moor.

Midgely, also of Moorside End, will next appear in court on January 6 at a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH), where he will be expected to enter a plea.

Leeds Crown Court confirmed a trial date of June 3 has also been set and that Midgely has been remanded in custody until his PTPH hearing.

Emergency services were called to a property on Moorside End at around 2pm on Thursday, December 7, where they found Mr Freeman had suffered serious injuries.

He was pronounced dead at the scene and officers believe he was seriously assaulted before his death.

Four men were taken into custody for questioning and Midgely was subse-

Burglar jailed over £29,000 haul which included ‘lethal’ guns and ammunition A MAN has been jailed after almost £29,000-worth of items were stolen from an address in Gomersal.

Seven firearms and live ammunition were taken as

part of the professional burglary on August 20 this year.

Leeds Crown Court heard two of the ‘most lethal’ weapons have yet to be recovered.

Anthony Brown, 28, pictured broke into the property along with three other men while the owners were away on holiday.

They stole £24,000-worth of jewellery and watches, as well as guns and live ammunition

worth £4,500. The court heard that the owner had licenses for the guns and was keeping them lawfully at the property.

A Ford Focus was identified as a suspect vehicle through CCTV analysis and led police to Brown’s partner’s address in Bradford.

A gun cabinet, a safe and a gun silencer were all recovered from the property but the ammunition is yet to be found.

Brown, also of Bradford, pleaded guilty to burglary and seven offences of possession of a prohibited firearm.

He was jailed for six years and five months.

quently charged with murder on Sunday.

Three other men have been released, with no further action expected.

Enquiries are continuing and police have appealed for anyone who may have information to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team on 101, referencing crime number 13190623766.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555111.

News In Brief Voters go to the polls NORTH KIRKLEES: Voters went to the polls yesterday (Thursday) to choose the next MPs for Batley & Spen and Dewsbury & Mirfield.

Results from both counts, held at Cathedral House in Huddersfield overnight, were not expected until early today (Friday).

For updates on the results and reaction to the General Election, see our website at www.thepressnews.co.uk, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Carcrashes into house DEWSBURY: A car crashed into a house on Wednesday evening.

Police were called to the incident on Kilpin Hill Lane at around 8.20pm, where they found a silver Volkswagen Golf had run off the road and collided with a residential property.

No injuries were reported.

Projector plea NORTH KIRKLEES: A pensioner is appealing for anybody with a projector suitable for playing 9.5mm film to contact him.

David Oyston wishes to watch his special edition films before selling them and is relying on the generosity of readers to help.

Anyone who wants to lend a hand can contact The Press newsroom on 01924 470296.

Police aid food banks NORTH KIRKLEES: Hundreds of pounds’worth of food and treats will go to people in need this Christmas after a number of donations were made by Kirklees police.

Officers have delivered up to 15 boxes of food, household essentials and drinks to local food bank charities, including Fusion Food Bank, Dewsbury and Batley Food Bank.

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ThePress

Friday December 13, 2019

Calder the only place left to search for Colin, say detectives

News In Brief Driver in fatal crash faces sentencing BATLEY: The motorist whose car struck and killed an elderly woman outside the Fox’s Biscuits factory has been committed to Leeds Crown Court for sentencing on December 23.

Harisa Patel, of Oakhill Road, fatally hit Patricia Goddard, 76, in August 31 last year.

Kirklees magistrates heard that Patel fully accepts Mrs Goddard was in view for a “full six seconds” but that she didn’t brake “literally until the last second”. She was granted unconditional bail until her sentencing.

District judge Michael Fanning imposed an immediate driving ban in the meantime.

By Staff Reporters

No-show man jailed HOWDEN CLOUGH: A serial offender has been jailed for six weeks after failing to attend two unpaid work appointments.

Jack Barnes, 23, of Windsor Walk, was required to attend the appointments as part of a community order. But he failed to turn up without reasonable excuse on October 12 and October 19. Barnes was dealt with at Kirklees magistrates for a similar offence in April, when he failed to show up for unpaid work on two occasions in February.

His community order was originally imposed for threatening behaviour.

Store celebrations HECKMONDWIKE: Kirklees Mayor Coun Mumtaz Hussain will attend the 10th birthday celebrations of the town’s Salvation Army charity store with Mayoress Noreen Hussain on December 21 (11am).

They will hand out long service awards to Ray and Mavis Mackereth for 10 years of service. Paul Thompson, Suzanne Glazebrook, Sandra Pickersgill and Valerie Spreadbury will also be recognised for their five years’ service.

A cake cutting ceremony will take place and the Salvation Army band will perform outside the store in Market Place.

DETECTIVES say they will ‘search as long as they can’ for missing Dewsbury pensioner Colin Vasey – but that most available lines of enquiry are now complete.

Kirklees police say the only place left to search is the river Calder in Dewsbury.

Officers have conducted extensive enquiries in Dewsbury since the 81-year-old was reported missing from his home in Shaw Cross on Sunday, November 17.

The last CCTV footage of Colin shows him walking at a brisk pace past Dewsbury Minster on Aldams Road at 6.01am on the day he went missing.

Full searches were conducted at these locations and around Colin’s home and have involved specialist search officers, drones and helicopters.

Enquiries over the past two weeks have concentrated on the Calder, but there has been no confirmed sightings beyond the Minster – despite police viewing CCTV footage on all possible routes.

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DCI Fiona Gaffney, of Kirklees police, said: “A significant investigation has been under way over the past weeks to try and determine what happened to Colin and bring some answers for his family.

“Their own efforts to support our enquiries and appeal for information about him have been nothing less than huge and reflect the love they clearly feel for Mr Vasey.

“Sadly we have not yet been able to bring Colin home to them but are at a point where we have looked everywhere possible and concluded every line of enquiry, other than completing our search of the river.

“Our search efforts remain concentrated there and we will search for as long as we can to try and find Colin.

“I wish to stress that we are not looking for anyone else in connection with Colin’s disappearance and have not done so.

“All our search teams wish to do is bring Colin home to his family and we continue to be aware of the pain they are suffering, especially given the time of year.”

‘Asylum seekers’ spotted on M62

Christingle magic at St Paul’s last year.

Christingle festival ST PAUL’S Church in Hanging Heaton will celebrate a special ‘Christingle’ festival this weekend.

The spectacle, in aid of The Children’s Society, will take place at the church on High Street on Sunday (3.30pm) and will feature choirs from Shaw Cross Infants and Bywell Junior schools.

Money raised will go towards supporting children dealing with violence, abuse and other complex issues.

A WOMAN and a young child were spotted walking on the M62 motorway near Cleckheaton.

The pair, thought to be asylum seekers, were on the hard shoulder of the busy motorway after dark and were first seen close to junction 26 at Chain Bar just after 5pm.

Police confirmed they received 11 calls from members of the public, some of whom claimed the woman narrowly avoided being struck by vehicles.

PC Dave Cant was eventually able to locate them at Hartshead Moor Services.

He said: “While we were searching the hard shoulder in torrential rain, we received a call from staff at a petrol station to say a female with a small child had come to them asking for help and water.”

Both were taken to Halifax police station and looked after.

Police keep cash eight months David Huntington with one of his prized motorbikes, which he was selling off to settle debts

Continued from page 1 “It’s going to be a really tough Christmas,” he told The Press.

“The rubbish with the trial, this seizing of mine and my family’s money, it’s put a massive strain on me – on all of us. I’ve been at my wits’ end.”

Mr Huntington said he approached Ascough on Staincliffe Hall Road to ask if he was the same man posting on social media. “I held out my phone with his picture on it, to ask if it was him, but he took a swing at me and ran away,” he said.

Ascough took refuge in a garden on Bunkers Lane.

But whereas Mr Huntington said they just exchanged words over the gate, and he left when a car arrived carrying Labour members – including Coun Hussain and Kirklees leader Coun Shabir Pandor – Ascough’s version was that he’d been pursued by three men, one of them filming the incident with Huntington attempting to hit him “six to eight times” over the fence, bruising his face.

In his police statement, Ascough described the fence as being about 5ft 5ins high, and his attacker as 5ft 9 or 10ins tall. Mr Huntington is just 5ft 3ins and is unable to

work owing to health problems.

Batley West Labour candidate Yusra Hussain had arranged to meet Ascough and arrived with Coun Pandor – who had rung Ascough – plus supporters Hiba Mukhtar and Mike Wilson. One of the women then phoned 999 and a recording played to court heard one of them claiming he’d been attacked by “three EDL or National Front” thugs – although they saw no confrontation themselves.

Citing the “conflicting” evidence of the witnesses, magistrates threw the case out.

“I’ve been absolutely desperate,” Mr Huntington told The Press. “People were gossiping about why me and Ian were arrested. There were all kinds of rumours going around. I happened to have the money for my bikes in the house – where’s the crime in that?

“But I haven’t been able to settle things with my family and it’s like banging your head against a brick wall with the authorities.”

Mr Ascough’s court statement said that he has serious mental health problems, is disabled and that after the encounter he was going to “resign from my position” and stop his political activi-

ties due to feeling vulnerable.

He concluded: “When I was getting chased I thought about the Jo Cox incident and I thought that I might get stabbed. She was a friend and a colleague and it brought it all back.”

A Counter Terrorism Policing North East Spokesperson said: “A 61year-old man was arrested on suspicion of Money Laundering Offences on May 3 2019. He was later released under investigation.

“Enquiries are ongoing and the subject of the investigation has been updated throughout.”

ThePress

Friday December 13, 2019

Mosque trustees under fire after scholars sacked

By Staff Reporters

Donut cash for charities A NEW donut and coffee shop in Batley will donate all its opening day proceeds to two local charities. Dukes, on Branch Road, will open on Wednesday (December 18) and has partnered with Batley charity One Nation and Leeds-based ASK4ACTION, to help those in need at Christmas.

One Nation provides hot food and support for the homeless

in the UK, along with emergency aid, clean water, food, clothes and shelters in devastated countries around the world. Ubaid Iqbal, owner of Dukes, said: “We’re hoping for a big turnout to raise as much money as possible for these fantastic causes.” The Batley branch is the third outlet for the Dukes chain, with two stores recently opened in Leeds.

SAVILE Town’s iconic Markazi mosque has become the unlikely focus of a public backlash after two highly-respected Muslim scholars were summarily sacked.

A petition on the Change.org website, started by ‘People of Dewsbury & Batley’, is calling for a public meeting to challenge the Markazi’s management board, who it says risks turning the mosque’s Islamic seminary into another ‘Zakaria Muslim Girls’ High School’.

The local Muslim community raised huge sums for the Batley-based Zakaria to buy and refurbish the former Batley Hospital off Carlinghow Hill but the plans were ditched in May, 2018, with debts of over £1.3m to individual donors.

Public anger erupted when it was discovered some of the school’s trustees had purchased land around the school in Warwick Road and applied for planning permission to build houses on it.

Although parents were told the Zakaria would close in summer 2018, the oldest Muslim girls’ school in Europe was kept open by its founder, Dr Ebrahim Dadhibai.

The current petition questions the running of the Markazi’s world-renowned Islamic seminary, an independent day and boarding school for boys from year 7 upwards, adjacent to the mosque.

The Markazi mosque was opened in 1978 under the guidance of Hafeez Patel,

whose funeral on the nearby playing fields in 2016 was attended by thousands, with mourners flying in from around the world.

Praising the school’s proud record of producing Islamic scholars who have “gone on to make a real meaningful impact on the world stage”, the petition adds: “Sadly, this legacy and its traits has changed as a consequence of the current ‘Shura’ management decision, who themselves have a deplorable, undignified track record of their dealings, financial and otherwise; Zakaria Muslim Girls’ High School (Batley) and Dewsbury Markaz are just two amongst many.”

It says Maulanas (scholars) Saeed Patel and Yusuf Darwan “were summarily dismissed from their posts on Friday, 29 November, 2019, for no reason other than a disdain for their high moral character, integrity and upright conduct in the face of injustices, leaving both staff, students and the wider community demoralised and upset.” Accusing the trustees of having “no accountability and transparency” and concerns being met with “a wall of silence”, the petition concludes: “Do we want to see the real genuine sacrifices, toil and sweat of our founding fathers of over 50-plus years to be just wasted and fritted (sic) away at the behest of a ‘power hungry’ elite?”

The petition does not name individual trustees and as of noon yesterday (Thursday), 2,520 people had signed it.

News In Brief Beauty parlour plan on notorious pub site MIRFIELD: A pub that became notorious for a spate of violent incidents will not be re-opening.

The Wilsons Arms, on Huddersfield Road, was boarded up earlier this year after narrowly avoiding compulsory closure in November, 2018, when a man was slashed across the face.

Other violent incidents at the premises include the landlady being hit over the head with a pool cue.

A planning application for the pub to become a beauty parlour and spa has now been given the green light by Kirklees Council.

Offender sentenced DEWSBURY: A man has appeared in court after a string of offences in the area.

Philip Ellis, 47, of Quarry View, Dewsbury Moor, stole bottles of wine worth £38 from Costcutter in June.

Kirklees magistrates heard he then assaulted two people at the B&M store on Wilton Street and stole a bottle of olive oil from the same shop on July 8.

He was sentenced to a community order, with 20 rehabilitation days, and ordered to pay £280.99 in compensation. He was also given a 12-month exclusion order.

Coroner’s appeal OSSETT: Coroner’s officers are appealing for information to help trace the relatives of Margaret Jenkins, 77, who died on December 9 of natural causes and lived in the Ossett area.

Officers are appealing for anyone with information on her relatives to contact Robert Wright on 01924 292301.

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Friday December 13, 2019

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Friday the 13th: date with destiny RIDAY the 13th of December. I wonder if Prime Minister (or is he now Leader of the Opposition?) Boris Johnson considered the omens of the date Britons would awaken to their political fate.

What do I think happened overnight as constituencies around the UK delivered their verdicts on years stuck in an anarchic political vacuum? I’d offer to toss a coin, if I could find one with four or five sides, because that’s how many potential outcomes there probably are.

If only it was a toss-up between a Johnson majority or a Labour/SNP coalition.

On the one hand we could bat on with running the country for the first time in 42 months, on the other … well, I wouldn’t know where to get

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my hands on some, but I’d be inclined to take up wacky baccy and flop back on my huge Union Jack bean bag, wearing a sh*t-eating grin as the country slides rapidly into economic chaos.

What I hope, pray, and would even promise to give up booze for Christmas* to avoid, is another strangulated, hung Parliament where the Remainers manage to drag the nation down further into the dreary purgatory of Parliamentary stalemate.

What I would like to commend however, to whomever is trying to run the country, is to limit the bumpf with which parties bombard our households and jam up our letterboxes every election.

Jo Swinson could turn up at my front door in the full stockings and sussies rig,

Spare a thought... waving mistletoe and proffering me a Santa-sack full of £50 notes, and I’d still set the dog on her (and before the gender agenda loonies start, the same goes for Comrade Corbyn – although not clad in racy lacy gear obviously.

He’d be dressed as Santa, to befit his station).

Dine with us on...

Our house has received dozens of items of Lib Dem rubbish – and at least if it was printed on soft, perforated paper, I could put it to some use. If it had Swinson’s mush printed on it, I’d be eating vindaloo curries like they were going out of fashion. I’d be harder to get off the throne than Her Majesty.

If it was law to send just one meaningful piece of party political literature to every household (or every named voter if they must) the Lib Dems alone would save an ice floe full of polar bears with the emissions they’d save from printing such straight-to-bin rubbish.

S IF our poor posties didn’t have enough on.

December for these rain-and-shine hardy perennials is a tough ask anyway, what with all the Christmas cards from relatives you frankly haven’t given a second thought to since their last annual missive. At least you know you haven’t missed their funeral.

So go on, drop your postie a tenner for a drink (and a card if you must) or failing that, maybe an ice pack or a tube of Fiery Jack for his weary shoulder.

Back to the electoral bumpf and I have two letters in

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NOTICE disgraced businessman Tahir ‘Terry’ Zaman is still a busy bee despite being struck off as a director by Companies House. T’s awaiting trial with his sons for fly-tipping at his planned Pepper Royd St development in Eastborough. Although an application to change offices to apartments was refused, I see much of the work on the derelict mills has already been done! Who needs Mystic Meg when you’ve Terry’s foresight?

Mind you, as Hunters franchisee Ashraf Esat blurted when he was fronting Zaman’s Track Road development and I feigned interest in a plot – but noted they were selling more than there was permission for – “Don’t worry, the owner has the planning department in his pocket!” Really? I guess we’ll see...

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front of me, one from Ian Austin, the former Labour MP for Dudley North, addressed to a party member in Dewsbury, urging Labour voters to switch to Tory.

I suspect Ian Austin has as much in common with Boris Johnson as aviation pioneer Amy Johnson, but his Brexit passions are such that he can climb into bed – if that isn’t too near the metaphoric knuckle – with our priapic Prime Minister.

The other is from former Totnes Tory MP Sarah Wollaston, urging the Lockies (x4 letters) to shun the ‘right-wing’ Tories and vote Liberal Democrat.

She’s beside herself because the far right Tories “won’t tackle burning injustices”.

Son is in Adelaide, so while I can think of a few Justices I wouldn’t mind tackling and burning, sorry

Sarah love, we’ve missed the Air Mail deadline to send your plea to him.

What’s that? Photograph and email it? Do you know how much planet-destroying carbon a single email produces? You wicked polar bear killer, you!

All of the political bumpf hit the recycling bin (mostly unopened) so at least the pointless effort and expense hasn’t created more landfill.

Tories backing Dim Libs, Labour backstabbing their leader in favour of Tories … what on earth is our politics coming to?

What it’s coming to we’ll all have a better idea of by the time you read this – and I’m pretty sure my birthday weekend and Christmas will be made or ruined by what I woke up to on Friday morning… *I didn’t say which Christmas I’d bin the booze!

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’VE BEEN in enough scrapes over the years to know trouble when I see it. And there, last week, standing tall and proud directly between me and my front door, was proper trouble.

A cold-faced, emotionless killer, I thought as the adrenaline pulsed and the familiar ‘fight or flight’ nerves lit up like a Christmas tree.

I went in without a second’s hesitation, boot first (my dad only taught me one useful thing – ‘son, you don’t use your fists until you’ve worn your boots out’). The killer went down and without any compunction I went into rapid stomping mode until the danger was well and truly extinguished.

And then I looked down. And there staring back at me, unnoticed previously amidst my mad fugue, were two simple words: Please Recycle.

That poor, lonely, empty plastic bottle never stood a chance. But on the bright side, at least now that it was completely flattened, it took up less room in the plastics recycling bin!

The fact is plastic bottles are not the problem; people who don’t dispose of them responsibly are. If we got rid of the culprits responsible for them getting into waterways and oceans, there wouldn’t be a climate problem either – because we’d have reduced the planet’s population by about half (and if we don’t deal with either, Planet

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Earth most certainly will).

This virtuous ‘war’ against plastic is little more than a distraction from the proper issues, that no one wants to face up to – like a soaring global population. So we get stunts like Sainsbury’s replacing plastic bags with a reusable mesh-fibre thing for 30p. I wonder in passing how much CO2 was involved in manufacturing those, but the point is, big business is getting in on the green wheeze.

I’m no climate change denier, but there’s no ‘good’ cause that big industry can’t turn into corporate cash.

I was told just this week that the ‘clean’ energy a wind turbine would need to produce, just to cover the carbon emissions generated in producing its massive concrete core, magnets, plus turbine itself, would take over 100 years. I’ll happily stand corrected.

But the massive subsidies being thrown at climate economics, albeit piggy-backing on valid environmental concerns, are just the latest politically-smart rackets – and I’ll bet that half of Tory grandees are well invested in them.

If you want to save a planet with out of control population growth and the unavoidable industrial output needed to service it, then build nuclear power stations, as fast as you can. It’s the only realistic solution.

Just don’t tell poor little Greta on her sailboat.

ThePress

Friday December 13, 2019

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Homes protesters in fear after campaign posters torn down

Resident Veronica Maher with posters and banners on Steanard Lane, Mirfield, which have been stolen

By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter RESIDENTS campaigning against a proposed housing estate in Mirfield say they feel “worried and frightened” after campaign posters and banners were torn down in the middle of the night.

Granny Lane Area Action Group (GLAAG) was formed to protest against plans by Miller Homes to build 67 houses on an ancient water meadow off Granny Lane at Hopton Bottom.

They are concerned about serious flooding on the land, which

was allocated for housing as part of Kirklees Council’s Local Plan.

Campaigners peppered their homes with posters and big banners, which cost hundreds of pounds to produce, to illustrate their fears.

Most have now been stolen and others have been damaged.

Two incidents were caught on camera, one at around 8.30pm and another at midnight. The culprits and their vehicle may have been captured on CCTV and the police have been informed.

One GLAAG member said: “Someone under the cover of dark-

ness forcibly removed – stole – our banners and posters from our gardens and fences. This is leaving us feeling worried and frightened, especially the elderly and those living alone.

“One elderly lady said she could hear someone outside taking a banner off her house but she daren’t go out to confront them.

“It’s really creepy and quite frightening.”

She added: “We believe we have the right to oppose this proposal without fear of intimidation. This is a very worrying situation. I’m sure Miller Homes wouldn’t want

Dickie’s in town for cricket night LEGENDARY cricket umpire Dickie Bird visited the Black Bull pub in Dewsbury on Tuesday.

He was supporting former local cricketer and artist John Crowhurst, who sold his popular cricket paintings on the night.

John’s new book ‘A Brush With A Verse’ was also on sale at the newly-refurbished town centre pub and all proceeds were passed on to the Dickie Bird Foundation, which helps disadvantaged young people get into sport.

There was carol singing with the Dewsbury Minster Choir and a chance for fans to meet Mr Bird.

to be associated with this.” In what campaigners say was a deliberate act, one large sign – “Save the water meadow. Don’t flood our future for profit!” – was thrown into a field within days of it being put up.

Later, after it was fastened securely to a fence, there was an attempt to wrench it free.

Members of GLAAG said their primary concerns are flooding, narrow roads and traffic.

They have photographed and videoed severe flooding in the area, which they say proves the site cannot cope with extreme weather.

The nearby River Calder also regularly floods onto Granny Lane and Steanard Lane, forcing people to evacuate their homes.

Coun Vivien Lees-Hamilton (Con, Mirfield), who has backed residents in their fight, said they had a right to protest without feeling intimidated.

She denounced the thefts as “disgusting and underhanded”.

She added: “This is an inappropriate location for these houses.

Residents have got every right to object.

“They are being peaceful and professional. They have not broken the law.”

Kirklees’ Local Plan, which features tens of thousands of new homes in the borough, was adopted in February.

Lights switch-on... in memory of Jack THE widow and daughter of the late Jack Crossley switched on Birstall’s Christmas lights.

Jack, right, a well-known builder from the village, passed away in October and Joyce and Ellie were asked to honour his memory by turning on the lights.

Jill Mellor, of the Birstall Chamber of Trade, who organised the switch-on, said: “Jack was an allround amazing person and very much a gentleman. He would always help out fetching and carrying our Christmas light features and trees from Huddersfield. He was always helpful with the church and other groups wherever and whenever help was needed. Everyone who knew him is truly privileged and honoured.”

www.abblindsandcurtains.co.uk

FAMILY RUN BUSINESS Est. 20yrs

John Crowhurst, left, with Dickie Bird and, inset, a detail from one of John’s paintings

12-day break in bin collections

By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter BIN collections in Kirklees will end on Christmas Eve and begin again on January 6.

But residents will be able to put out up to three bags of excess household rubbish beside their bins on their first New Year collection, up to January 14.

Kirklees Council says normal waste and recycling collections will continue up to and including Christmas Eve. There will be a 12-day break

over the festive period, which means all households will miss one bin collection.

The council has made special arrangements to ensure people who have their bins emptied on a Wednesday or Thursday – including Christmas Day and Boxing Day – don’t miss a collection two weeks in a row.

For bins due to be emptied on Christmas Day, a special collection will take place on January 3. Bins scheduled for a Boxing Day collection will be emptied on January 2.

Coun Rob Walker, the council’s cabinet member for environment, said the authority had tried to keep arrangements as simple as possible to minimise disruption over the festive period.

Residents who wish to visit the borough’s recycling centres over Christmas will find them open every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Waste and recycling collection dates and recycling centre opening times can be found at www.kirklees.gov.uk/bins.

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM M O N - F R I 9 A M - 5 P M , S AT 1 0 A M - 4 P M

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ThePress

Friday December 13, 2019

Great effort that’s to be commended I want to thank the volunteer organisers of Dewsbury’s Christmas lights switch-on event for what they achieved.

I only found out afterwards that it wasn’t put on by the council any more and that it was a small team of people who put it all together.

My little family and I really enjoyed the afternoon and evening and I was really disappointed to find when we got home that people were bad-mouthing the event on Facebook and elsewhere.

Remember responsibility From: Betty Goodwin, Dewsbury On the radio, yet another focus on a parent claiming to be unable to feed the children.

Putting aside widows, widowers and virgin births, dare I suggest that if both parents took responsibility for their children, dependence on benefits and food banks could be drastically reduced?

Old-time coach gets shirty From: Joshua Sykes, Mirfield My grandfather played for Huddersfield Town before the First World War. After four years in the trenches, up to his neck in ‘muck and bullets’, he got fit and joined the team again.

After a training session,

Letter of the Week: Lisa Fowler, Dewsbury Moor It takes very little effort at all to be negative online, to put down something which you may not have even been part of or experienced.

the coach handed out the shirts, but missed my grandfather out.

“Where’s my shirt?” he asked.

“Didn’t we give you a shirt before the war?!” shouted the coach.

Get our own house in order From: Ben Marshall, Liversedge The irony of an appeal on TV

by Martin Bell for Unicef showing children in corridors somewhere abroad, is in contrast to a UK boy called Jack sleeping on coats rather than in a nice warm hospital bed.

It proves one thing – that we should sort OUR problems out first.

The legitimacy of the ‘Jack’ photo doesn’t really matter, the reaction of Mr Johnson is the point.

He just waffles, blusters and tries to drown out any

I think Dewsbury is suffering from a bit of a crisis of confidence and people are all too ready to talk it down at every opportunity.

We were actually there and it

questions on any subject he doesn’t like or can’t answer, and every bloody answer has “get Brexit done”.

The ITN reporter should be offered a job on Newsnight as the new Paxman for his superb questioning. No wonder blustering Boris refused to be interviewed by his old boss Andrew Neil!

Further to hospital trolleys, my son recently spent eight hours on a trolley bed at Dewsbury A&E, as 65 people (we were told) were waiting for transfer to Pinderfields.

He then spent a further 12 hours on another trolley bed at Pinderfields before being transferred to a proper ward with a proper bed.

This shows the absolute disregard Mr Johnson and his government has for normal decent hard-working people.

There is a well-documented idiotic policy of quietly shutting Dewsbury Hospital down and making us all go to Pinderfields regardless of personal circumstance,

was a decent day’s entertainment.

What are we coming to as a town when we can’t thank people for being community-minded and doing their best to provide something positive for Dewsbury?

Would the people slagging it off rather that there were no lights at all and no switch-on event for youngsters to enjoy?

Keyboard warriors aren’t going to get Dewsbury anywhere, the town needs more community spirit like that which was seen on

which in my opinion is for Wakefield and District residents.

I wonder what Boris would say if I’d took a phone picture? He certainly wouldn’t have pocketed my phone, I would have snapped his hand in two, Prime Minister or not, the arrogant, waffling, clueless buffoon.

System needs an overhaul From: Harry Teale, by email It is impossible to separate the Batley & Spen hotline, the Labour Party’s denial of voter intimidation, the attack in Morley of a campaigner, the activist ‘twit(ter)’ in Batley & Spen along with my personal knowledge of unlawful activities in past Kirklees elections. Until the political party system is abolished and all elected officers are legally compelled to renounce all party connections between elections, the corruption will continue.

LATEST PLANNING APPLICATIONS M Hunter, detached building to create dwelling forming annex accommodation associated with 20 Parker Lane, Mirfield.

V Garland, two semidetached dwellings, land adjacent to 82 Healey Lane, Batley.

A Smith, change of use from vacant land to extend car parking and erection of fence, Old Oak Hotel, 349 Bradford Road, Liversedge.

A Qureshi, 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 exten-

sion is 3.7m, the height of the eaves of the extension is 2.6m, 5 Morlands Close, Staincliffe.

M Richardson, the proposal is for erection of singlestorey rear extension. The extension projects 4.5m beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse. The maximum height of the extension is 3.8m, the height of the eaves of the extension is 2.9m, 14 Nook Walk, Dewsbury Moor.

N Sheriden, single-storey rear extension, 24 Westroyd Avenue, Hunsworth, Cleckheaton.

F Delaney, non-material amendment to previous per-

mission 2016/91351 for erection of detached dwelling, adjacent to Sunny Bank Riding School, Sunnybank Road, Upper Batley.

A Pattison, extensions and alterations, 39 Park Drive, Mirfield.

Notemachine (UK) Ltd, installation of ATM and illuminated sign, 80 Greenside Road, Mirfield.

J Cooke, single-storey side and rear extension and associated works, 2 Fernhurst Road, Mirfield.

Mr & Mrs Money, twostorey extension, 18 Wellhouse Lane, Mirfield.

B Makin, front and rear

Saturday afternoon.

So in case not many other people have said it, a big thank you to everyone involved with the Christmas event.

dormer extensions, 88 White Lee Road, White Lee. W Iqbal, two-storey side extension, porch to front and external alterations, 16 West Royd Drive, Mirfield.

G Pearson, alterations to existing dwelling to form two dwellings and erection of porch, 1 Hopton Hall Lane, Upper Hopton.

H Sekhon, alterations to convert vacant unit (A1) to form eight apartments (C3) (within a Conservation Area), Mina House, 47/51 Daisy Hill, Dewsbury.

A Rahoof, the proposal is for erection of single-storey rear extension. The extension projects 4.9m beyond

the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse. The maximum height of the extension is 3.57m, the height of the eaves of the extension is 2.85m, 62 Ouzelwell Crescent, Thornhill Lees.

Legal and General, advertisement consent for erection of illuminated totem sign and replacement illuminated sign on existing totem, Birstall Shopping Park, Holden Ing Way, Birstall.

Mr Storer, discharge condition 4 (boundaries) on previous permission 2016/92319 for erection of 10 dwellings, site of former Atlas Works, Halifax Road, Liversedge.

THE Jo Cox Foundation’s ‘Great Winter Get Together’ has been launched in Batley.

Children from over 20 schools helped to launch the initiative at Batley Library and marked the start of a month of activities led by the More In Common Batley and Spen Team.

The Great Winter Get Together invites members of the community to enjoy games and share mince pies together.

Jo’s sister, Kim Leadbeater, attended the launch to outline the events planned in and around the Batley area.

Kim also gave a speech about how we as a community can get together in the run up to Christmas to tackle loneliness and isolation.

She said: “The idea of the Great Winter Get Together is a simple one.

“The run-up to Christmas should be a joyful time, but for some of us it can be very lonely.

“Is there someone you know who could do with a bit of company?

“Maybe a distant family member, a friend you haven’t seen in a while or a neighbour that you know will be on their own?

“Why not give them a call?

Or better still drop round with a mince pie, or a slice of cake or a samosa, and let someone know they are not alone.

“We do not have to be a nation of strangers, especially at Christmas.”

Also appearing at the launch was Lance Price, whose new children’s book, Petrified, is out in time for Christmas, with all the proceeds going to the Jo Cox Foundation.

ThePress

Friday December 13, 2019

Man said he’d shoot and stab his wife A MAN threatened to shoot and stab his wife as he repeatedly assaulted her at their home in Dewsbury.

Kirklees Magistrates’ Court heard that during a row on November 8, Michael Robertshaw, 44, threw a can of beer at the victim’s head, grabbed her by the hair and hit her.

The following day Robertshaw spat in his wife’s face whilst drunk and threatened to pick up a gun and shoot her.

The court also heard he picked up a knife and made threats to stab her with it.

Some of the ordeal was recorded on the victim’s mobile phone.

Robertshaw, who has an issue with alcohol, pleaded guilty to two charges of assault by beating.

A full probation report was ordered by District Judge Low before sentencing can take place on December 18.

Robertshaw must observe bail conditions to not contact the victim or go to their marital home in the meantime.

Police road safety blitz POLICE in Batley seized nine vehicles and arrested a man for drug-driving as part of a road safety blitz.

The Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) worked alongside the DVLA, HMRC and Kirklees Taxi Licensing in a bid to make the roads in North Kirklees safer.

Seven cars were seized for offences including no tax or insur-

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ance, as well as a taxi and a box van which were untaxed.

Four vehicles were stopped as a result of defects, including unroadworthy tyres.

Three out of 16 taxis checked were also reported for defects and one driver was arrested for driving whilst under the influence of drugs. A further six traffic offence reports were submitted.

PC Phil Ashley, who ran the operation, said he was pleased with the outcome and said more would follow.

Council gardeners ‘incensed’ at £120k plan for green-space middle managers

By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter A KIRKLEES Council plan to spend more than £120,000 on three middle managers to run its green spaces has “incensed” gardeners working for the authority, says a former employee.

The new jobs – which each come with a salary scale of £42,683 to £44,632 – include responsibility for allotments, woodland management, playable spaces and play maintenance.

The appointments, set for early in 2020, come after years of severe cutbacks and job loss-

es in the council’s parks departments.

Former gardener Pete Fawcett, who worked for the council for 32 years from 1978, said remaining staff were “disgusted” at the prospect of new managers being hired when core workers had been let go.

“The jobs of gardeners have been greatly reduced, yet the council is increasing the number of managers. That’s straight out of the madhouse,” he said.

“The most experienced people have gone. They got fed up and left. Some couldn’t stand the cuts and the atmosphere any more.

“There was no machinery, no men and they were being told consistently that there was no money. The ones that are left are incensed at these management jobs. They believe there’s nothing for them to do. Who are they going to manage?”

The job advertisement says: “The Council is fully committed to providing an effective response to issues such as climate change, delivering bio diversity gain, and ensuring that the people who live and work in the district have access to high quality amenity and recreational spaces.

“To achieve this we are

working on large scale woodland creation and renaturing schemes, partnering with third sector organisations to achieve maximum gain, rolling out an aspirational play strategy and re-profiling how we work – both in our relationship with our stakeholders and in the delivery mechanism itself.”

In 2016, Kirklees closed its nursery, ending 150 years of municipal plant growing.

It also outsourced the supply of bedding plants to Darlington Council in a contract said to be worth £330,000.

In 2018, the council cut subsidies for maintaining sports

pitches and school grounds by £150,000 and saved £270,000 by reducing grass cutting and parks maintenance.

When asked by the Local Democracy Reporting Service to comment on what the new roles are for and why they are needed, the Council said there was a good deal of information on what the roles are and their importance to the borough. It would not comment further.

Further information is available at https://jobs.kirklees. gov.uk/parks-and-open-spaceseconomy-and-infrastructuregroup-leaders-environmentgreenspaces-3-jobs/25946.job.

2020 BROCHURE SOON!!

DECEMBER Fri 13th Manchester Xmas Market £14.00 Sat 14th Manchester Xmas Market £14.00 Thu 26th Boxing Day to Scarborough £14.00 JANUARY 2020 Sat 11th Boundary Mills, Colne £12.00 Sun 12th Cheshire Oaks Shopping Outlet & Chester £14.00 Sat 18th Trafford Centre £10.00 Wed 22nd Bury Market FEBRUARY £10.00 Sat 1st Skipton Market & Boundary Mill £14.00 Wed 5th Bury Market £10.00 Sat 15th Scarborough or Filey or Bridlington £14.00 Sun 16th Whitby £14.00 Tue 18th Chester or Chester Zoo (transport only) £14.00 Thu 20th Blackpool or Blackpool Zoo (transport only) £14.00 Fri 21st Hull or The Deep (transport only) £14.00 Sat 22nd Bury Market £10.00 Sun 23rd Southport £14.00 Sat 29th Durham or Beamish (transport only) £16.00 MARCH Sun 1st Whitby £14.00 Wed 11th Bury Market £10.00 Sat 14th Scarborough or Filey or Bridlington £14.00 Pick-Up & Drop-Off at: Ossett, Horbury, Wakefield, Mirfield, Heckmondwike, Batley, Dewsbury and Cleckheaton

TEL: 01924 477 230 Telephone lines open Mon-Fri 9am-4.30pm (Excluding Bank Holidays)

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ThePress

News In Brief Sunlight ‘cause of tip blaze’

Friday December 13, 2019

Barber Michael’s a cut above!

RAVENSTHORPE: A serious blaze at a household waste site was probably caused by reflected sunlight, a fire investigation has revealed.

A large pile of refuse at the Biffa Waste Services site on Low Mills Lane set alight on July 18.

Six appliances, including crews from Mirfield, Dewsbury and Cleckheaton, attended.

A West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service report says: “The cause...is thought to be reflected sunlight onto glass, which ignited a large pile of refuse for recycling.”

Restraint order on assault man BATLEY: A man was handed a restraining order after being found guilty of assault.

Amer Tazim, 28, of Grace Leather Lane, committed the offence on June 18 on Denison Street, Kirklees magistrates heard. He was given a community order, with 15 rehabilitation activity days, and will have to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months.

The restraining order was imposed until further notice and he was ordered to pay £150 in compensation, a £90 surcharge and £400 costs.

By Connor Teale A BARBER is celebrating a halfcentury of dedication to hairdressing and his community.

Michael Thornhill, 65, has worked at Roger’s Gent’s Hairdressing on Knowl Road, Mirfield, since 1969.

The married father-of-one also taught hairdressing in college between 1989 and 2007.

“It’s been a vocation rather than a job,” he said. “I’m at retirement age but I will continue working, probably for another five years or so, because I enjoy regularly seeing clients.

“We have a very loyal clientele and that’s what keeps me motivated – the people.”

Mr Thornhill has worked alongside Roger Senior since the age of 15 – and the owner of the

He’s been hairdressing for 50 years – and we’ve enjoyed every single year together, says his boss salon paid tribute to his friend.

“It’s been a special year with Michael celebrating this anniversary,” said Roger.

“During his 50 years we’ve had a very good working relationship.

“He’s served me very, very well both as a friend and an employee and I can say that we’ve enjoyed every single year that we’ve been together.”

Mr Thornhill, of Norristhorpe, echoed his boss’s comments.

“Work colleagues are key, you’ve all got to get on, not take

things too seriously, and just enjoy your work,” he said. “It’s important to leave your problems or worries at home, come into the salon, enjoy what you’re doing and make the most of it.”

Roger’s Gent’s Hairdressing has won Business of the Year honours at the MyMirfield Awards for three years running.

They’re always on the look-out for apprentices and are appealing for anyone who might be interested in starting a career as a barber to call them on 01924 493800.

Michael Thornhill with barber’s shop owner Roger Senior. They have worked together for 50 years.

‘Watch out for fraudsters’ warning to business owners

EXPERIENCED SALES PEOPLE

Join Your Local Community Newspapers Based from our office in Batley, we are looking to expand our advertising sales team Key responsibilities include: • Working with local businesses to maintain already well-established partnerships • Interacting with the local business community • Generating new advertising/promotional opportunities Advertising sales experience is preferred Successful applicants will be self-motivated, tenacious and focused Join the team and help give the people of North Kirklees, Morley and surrounding areas a fresh and independent voice

Please send full CV to advertising@thepressnews.co.uk The Press Newspaper 31 Branch Road, Batley WF17 5SB Telephone: 01924 470296 / 0113 457 2900

BUSINESS owners and residents in North Kirklees have been warned to be on their guard for fraudsters duping them into giving out bank details.

Criminals have been targeting businesses and other organisations by pretending to be a supplier or creditor and informing the business they have changed their bank details.

The fraudsters then tell the organisation to update their information so that when the business pays money it goes to the criminals and not the legitimate company.

Kay Bainbridge, victim care and crime prevention officer for West Yorkshire Police, said: “It is quite easy for fraud-

sters to get hold of the mastheads/logos of legitimate company directors or other senior people within the organisation.

“They will then contact a business or other organisation pretending to be a real company, asking them to change the banking details they have for them and then for money for services owed.

“I would ask organisations to stop and think for a second if they get such a request. If it is an organisation you do business with then take steps to verify the legitimacy of the request.

“That might be as simple as calling the legitimate company to see if the correspondence is legitimate or not. It only takes

a couple of minutes.’’ The request will usually come in the form of a payment request – usually urgent – which often comes in via email.

“Fraudsters will also use the telephone to try and get their message across,’’ added Kay. “I would urge organisations to be particularly vigilant over Christmas – staff numbers tend to be reduced over the festive period with some staff also possibly covering unfamiliar roles.’’

Another fraud is where a payment request is sent seemingly from within the organisation. Fraudsters will pose as a senior person within the organisation asking (usually via email) for an urgent payment to be made to a company.

Jockey joins hall of fame CHAMPION jockey Tommy Weston has been added to the hall of fame at Dewsbury Irish National Club. The presentation of photographs, which took place during Dewsbury Celtic’s 140th anniversary celebrations, was made to the club by members Michael Maguire and John Ormsby to ensure the name of one of the club’s most famous members lives on.

Michael Maguire (centre) and John Ormsby present framed photographs of jockey Tommy Weston to club president Tony Pepper, watched by Celtic players Pat Foulstone and Charlie Heaton.

Friday December 13, 2019

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Friday December 13, 2019

Community space to showcase work

by Thornhill artist

By Hannah Riordan A DEWSBURY artist will have his work on display at a major new exhibition in the town next year.

Community space Thrive, on Bond Street, will showcase the art of David Martin.

David, known for his oil paintings of many local landmarks in Batley and Dewsbury, such as Bagshaw Museum and Pioneer House, will be featured in Thrive’s major exhibition next year.

The Thornhill artist died in 2017, aged 65.

The exhibition is set to be the first of many planned for next year following the success of this year’s art exhibitions at Thrive.

At the beginning of 2019, Thrive began using its space for various

exhibitions, beginning with a photography exhibition in January, showcasing before-and-after images of the work undertaken by the Dewsbury Townscape Heritage Initiative.

Gary Gordon, regeneration officer at Thrive, said: “I’ve had previous experience working with local artists, so when I first came here over a year ago, the first thing I noticed was how great the space would be to promote local artists, and to allow them to showcase their work for free.

“The first exhibition was a really great way of seeing how art installations would work in the space and it worked really well.”

Thrive continued to hold exhibitions within their creative space, later showcasing an extensive collection by well-known Dewsbury artist Malcolm East.

Neglected dog had teeth and eye removed

Exhibitions have become a regular attraction at community space Thrive As part of the exhibition, Thrive invited pupils of St Joseph’s Primary School to attend, which sparked the initiative for an exhibition next autumn featuring pupils’ work.

After recognising the space’s potential for creatives, the team at Thrive and local artists began running weekly art therapy sessions.

Beginning at the start of November,

the sessions have attracted local amateurs and professionals to join in the three-hour workshops.

The sessions, particularly aimed at those suffering from depression, anxiety or loneliness, run every Thursday and are open to all ages and abilities.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ThriveAtConnect

Close shaves raise £600 for cancer charity A COUPLE from Mirfield had a close shave – and raised more than £600 for charity.

Rhys Jones and Justyna Szpulecka got their locks chopped at The Railway pub and Rhys was able to raise even more money for Pancreatic Cancer UK by having his beard shaved.

Pub owner Fiona Ryan says the shaves have raised at least £600 – and Rhys’s and Justyna’s hair will be donated to the Little Princess Trust.

Before and after... Justyna and Rhys got the chop at The Railway pub in Mirfield

A MIRFIELD woman’s Shih Tzu dog was so badly neglected its eye “looked like it was going to fall out”, a court heard.

The pet, named Malua, had to have several teeth and its eye removed and was said to have suffered pain for months before receiving help.

Kirsztina Kubovics, 33, of Finching Grove, was banned by Kirklees magistrates from keeping dogs.

They heard that a dog groomer called the RSPCA after the pet was taken to her with nails curling back into her paws. She was so concerned by the Shih Tzu’s state that she refused to groom her.

An RSPCA inspector visited Kubovics’ home on Finching Grove and took the dog to be examined by a vet.

Andrew Davidson, prosecuting, said: “The claws were extremely long with one puncturing the skin. And the teeth were so long that a number had to be taken out.”

Magistrates banned Kubovics from keeping dogs for five years and denied her request for the pet to be returned.

Malua will stay in her new home with an RSPCA animal welfare officer.

Kubovics was also given a community order with 10 rehabilitation days and 120 hours of unpaid work. She must also pay £300 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

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ThePress

Friday December 13, 2019

MONDAY

WEDNESDAY

Cleckheaton St Pauls Church Cleckheaton 9.00am & 11.00am Tel Tracey 07970 722726

Dewsbury Town Hall 9.30am 11.30am Tel Lesley 07534 500138

Cleckheaton St Pauls Church 5.30pm & 7.30pm Tel Shirley 07578 568245

Staincliffe Cricket Club 6.00pm Tel Lyn 07792 032170

The Trinity Centre Batley Carr 9.00am Tel Hameedah 07983 445501

Thornhill Social Club Edge Top Road 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Sarah 07539 452622

Earlsheaton,Dewsbury District Sea Cadets (behind Earlsheaton WMC)

9.00am 5.30pm & 7.30pm Tel Amber 07471 826774 Staincliffe Cricket Club Halifax Road 5.30pm Tel Diane 07961 631257 Tingley Methodist Church Westerton Road 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Lyn 07792 032170 Mirfield Zion Baptist Church Mirfield 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Claire 07768 311351

Hunsworth Scout Headquarters Cleckheaton 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Paul 07848 958798 Roberttown Community Centre 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Kathryn 07906 118636 Mirfield Trinity Methodist Church Hall 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Claire 07768 311351

THURSDAY

TUESDAY

Batley Town Hall 9.00am 11.00am Tel Lynne 07988 662052

Heckmondwike Comrades Club 9.00am 11.00am 5.00pm 7.00pm Tel Sue 07790 590763

Batley Town Hall 5.00pm 7.00pm Tel Lynne 07988 662052

Gomersal Public Hall Gomersal 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Sharon 07904 650476

Westborough Ratepayers Club Dewsbury Moor 5.00pm 7.00pm Tel Lucy 07730 264938

Shaw Cross Boys Club Leeds Road 3.30pm 5.30pm 7.30pm Tel Lynne 07988 662052

Millbridge WMC Liversedge 5.00pm 7.00pm Tel Kathryn 07906 118636

Battyeford Christ The King Church 5.00pm 7.00pm Tel Mandy 07793 732268

FRIDAY Thornhill Social Club Edge Top Road Friday 9.30am Tel Sarah 07539 452622 Battyeford Christ The King Church 9.00am Tel Mandy 07793 732268

SATURDAY Liversedge St Andrews Methodist Church 7.30am 9.30am Tel Emma 07786 513072 St Pauls Church Hall Hanging Heaton 8.30am 10.30am Tel Lyn 07792 032170 Heckmondwike Comrades Club 9.00am Tel Sue 07790 590763 Cleckheaton Howard Park Community School 8.00am 10.00am 12noon Tel Paul 07848 958798 Mirfield Trinity Methodist Church Hall 8.30am 10.30am Tel Jo 07553 747875

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Drug-driver found slumped over wheel A BATLEY man who crashed his van after using heroin had overdosed on the drug just hours earlier, a court heard.

James Burton, of Jail Road, collided with another vehicle in Heckmondwike on June 4.

Alex Bozman, prosecuting, told Kirklees Magistrates’ Court that Burton was slumped over the wheel of his van when police arrived at the scene.

“He’d been seen by the officers earlier that day when he’d been taken to hospital for a heroin overdose so they suspected he was over the limit,” he said.

After a positive roadside drug test, Burton was arrested and charged with driving whilst unfit through drugs.

The 36-year-old, who has a drink-driving offence on his record and was recently released from prison, pleaded guilty to the offence. He was banned from driving for 36 months and will have to complete 80 hours of unpaid work. Burton was also ordered to pay a £90 victim surcharge.

Friday December 13, 2019

Throughout 2019 local historian Mike Popplewell will be searching through his newspaper collection from the 1920s and 30s for some of the biggest headlines from home and abroad – while also taking a look at stories making the news in our own district. Readers are welcome to provide feedback if any of these features are remembered personally, or you can recall being told them by an earlier generation.

Tykes take on the Aussies – and win

RVS activities for you THE Royal Voluntary Service has a variety of activities planned in the district next week.

On Monday there’s the movement and games class at Batley Community Centre (10.30am-noon). The Sociables group will also meet on the same day (10.30am-12.30pm) at Bleak House on Wilton Estate.

On Tuesday there’s the pilates class (noon1pm) at Batley Community Centre and the following day (Wed) there’s the meet and eat for over 50s, parents and toddlers (noon-1.30).

Other events include the lunch club on Thursday (11.30am-1pm) and the movement and games group returns on Friday at Birstall Community Centre (10.30am-noon). Prebooking is required for the lunch club and guests are encouraged to bring along food to the meet and eat.

The England cricket team that faced Australia in the last Test of the 1938 Ashes – featuring five Yorkshire players FTER the disappointment of Huddersfield Town’s last-minute Cup Final defeat, and the controversy surrounding England’s Nazi salute before the football international in Berlin, the country’s sports fans looked to the cricket field for some inspiration.

A

Australia were visiting here for an Ashes series and with the score standing at 1-0 to Australia, with two games drawn and one abandoned, everyone was looking to the final Test at The Oval to restore some pride.

Although the game was taking place in South London there was no lack of interest back in Yorkshire, for there were no fewer than FIVE Yorkshire players in the side.

Pudsey’s Len Hutton was due to open the batting, Maurice Leyland, from Harrogate, came in at number three, left arm spinner Hedley Verity, from Wharfedale, and paceman Bill Bowes, who became a Yorkshire Post cricket writer, were in the original XI while Bradford’s Arthur Wood was called up as a late wicket-keeping replacement.

Wood’s late-night arrival at the team’s London hotel, on the eve of the game, was a story in itself.

He was playing for Yorkshire at Scarborough when he got the call and his immediate response was to call a taxi.

It is not known who suggested the taxi, it has been said that it was said more tongue in cheek, but when it arrived at the hotel Wood’s first job was to get round all the England party looking for contributions in order to pay the fare!

To say the luck was on England’s side in this game is a gross understatement.

To start with, the Aussies’ star man, the legendary Sir Donald Bradman – a prolific run scorer, twisted an ankle early in the game and was unable to take any further part with either bat or ball.

On top of that the 21-year-old Hutton and veteran Leyland, playing his last game for England, put on almost 400 runs for the second wicket.

Hutton posted a then-world record score of 364, England finished up with a total of 903-7, and 10-man Australia were beaten by an innings.

Many years later I spoke to Australian opener Bill Brown about Hutton’s marathon innings.

“Now, Len Hutton,” he said. “Do you know, I fielded three or four yards from him at The Oval in 1938 – for about a WEEK!” It was to prove an end of an era as the advent of World War ll just 12 months later took a heavy toll.

Bill Bowes nearly starved to death in Italian and German POW camps after being captured at the fall of Tobruk, Capt Hedley Verity of the Green Howards died at Monte Cassino in the Italian campaign, and paceman Ken Farnes, a pilot in the RAF, was killed when his plane crashed on a night flying exercise.

Of course, all these events were covered by the Pathe newsreels that played between the first and second features in Dewsbury and District’s picture houses.

There has been much publicity surrounding Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s recent cinema offering ‘A Star is Born’, but it was 1938 when the original version hit our local screens and, starring Frederic March and Janet Gaynor, went on to receive eight Oscar nominations that year.

Another prominent film that year was ‘Pygmalian’, based on the George Bernard Shaw play and a forerunner of the musical adaptation of the story that became My Fair Lady.

The director of this film was Anthony Asquith a son of Morley-born one-time Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith.

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Friday December 13, 2019

Ramblers’ corner FORTHCOMING walks with the North Kirklees Group of the Ramblers – non-members are always welcome. Please call the walk leader for more details.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 14 HARTSHEAD Starts at 10.30am at Cleckheaton Town Hall car park (BD19 3RH, SE191254) 8 miles – moderate Contact: Eddie and Andrea 01924 470091

SATURDAY DECEMBER 28 GOING TO JAIL Starts at 10.30am at Thornhill Rectory car park (WF12 0JY) 8.5 miles – moderate Contact: David Parkinson 01274 879794 or 07704 813715 david.parky@tiscali.co.uk

Choral society’s Xmas celebration MIRFIELD Choral Society present a Christmas Celebration on Saturday December 21 at 7.15pm at the town’s Trinity Methodist Church.

Tickets priced £10 including refreshments are available from any member of the choral society, by emailing mirfield choral@gmail.com or calling 01924 494708.

When ‘flu struck the Spen Valley SPEN Valley Historical Society’s next meeting is on Wednesday January 8 when John Brooke will give a talk titled ‘A Memorable Visitation: The 1891 Spen Valley Influenza Epidemic’.

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

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

For more information email scooper@thecoopersonline.org.uk.

No audition required!

DEWSBURY Concert Society is on the lookout for new members.

The friendly group of singers meets on Wednesday evenings at Longcauseway Church Hall from 7.30pm to 9.30pm to rehearse a varied programme of songs for concerts throughout the year.

New members are always welcome for all singing parts, but especially tenors and contralto singers.

No audition is required and all are welcome. For details contact Keith on 01924 443196.

Keep fit and have fun PEOPLE keen on learning how to dance are invited to a rock & roll jive class, held every Thursday at Heckmondwike’s Brighton Street WMC (8pm-9pm). It costs £5 and is ideal for those who want to keep fit and have fun.

The class is followed by a social dance (£3) from 9pm-11pm.

Out and rambling Nine Dewsbury & District Rambling Club walkers did a 5.5-mile circular route on Saturday, from Midgley through Bullcliffe Wood and then along lanes and field paths towards Netherton before returning to the start through Stockmoor Common. Judith Waterworth led the walk.

Next Wednesday’s walk is still to be confirmed.

Review by Malcolm Haigh CHRISTMAS received a seasonally traditional colourful and melodic welcome in Batley when the renowned Hammonds Band made its 12th annual visit to the town last week.

Conducted by Morgan Griffiths,

the band – officially the Hammonds Saltaire Band – were on the kind of form that made them Grand Shield Champions of 2018.

Together with the vocal talents of the Batley Parish Singing Group conducted by Kate Delaney, the town hall audience was thoroughly

entertained. The seasonal theme began the evening with the band’s opening collection of numbers starting with The Spirit of Christmas and concluding with Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

Among the Singing Group’s offerings were It Feels Like

Christmas, Make Your Own Kinda Music and the traditional Silent Night and Snow Waltz.

Traditional and popular carols rounded off an excellent and entertaining evening which will hopefully be repeated for many years to come.

A very merry Oakwell OAKWELL HALL is hosting events to guarantee a merry Christmas for all.

On Sunday visitors can step back in time to the 17th century and watch the Leeds Waits entertain Oakwell Hall’s owner, John Batt, and his steward with some traditional seasonal music.

The music is included in the regular admission fee and takes place from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

Crafters will have the opportunity to get creative on Wednesday December 18, when there will be an opportunity to make a festive wreath.

The session runs from 11am to 3pm and places must be booked in advance at a cost of £12 per person.

The Oakwell team also have something for

their younger visitors; children can join ‘Father Christmas in the Woods’, for Christmas crafts around the campfire on Friday December 20, 4.30pm-5.30pm and 5.30pm-6.30pm.

Children must be aged five and over, and accompanied by an adult. The cost is £8 per child and places must be pre-booked.

Coun Rob Walker, cabinet member responsible for culture said: “Oakwell Hall is always an interesting place to visit and Christmas time is no exception, with such a packed programme of activities there really is something for everyone.”

For more information on any of the events or to book places, contact Oakwell Hall Visitor Centre, on Nova Lane, Birstall, by calling 01924 324761 and selecting option two.

Witty and explosive stuff from Kay Mellor Review by Lucy Tissiman KAY MELLOR’S world premier stage adaptation of her 90s TV drama Band Of Gold runs until tomorrow (Sat) at Leeds Grand Theatre.

This thrilling and typically gritty northern drama is set on ‘The Lane’ in Bradford’s red light district and tells the story of Carol, Gina, Rose and Anita.

Set against a backdrop of deprivation and exploitation, Gina, played by Sacha Parkinson turns to prostitution in order to pay off a loan shark.

She meets Carol (Emma Osman) who works ‘The Lane’, Rose (Gaynor Faye) who runs it, and Anita (Laurie Brett), another friend who allows the girls to use her flat in exchange for a cut in their earnings.

The storyline is unsparing, and

Photo: Ant Robling the star-studded cast deliver a noholds-barred, honest yet poignant

performance.

Band Of Gold is witty, explo-

sive, down to earth and still all too relevant.

Friday December 13, 2019

Marketplace Turn your unwanted items

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

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

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

ADVERTS must be no longer than 50 words. (We cannot accept the following items: Motor vehicles, caravans, livestock. All listings will stay in Marketplace for a maximum of two months. If you wish to amend your listing, or cancel when sold, contact or call 01924 470296.

NEW Very nice Reynolds Bb tenor trombone In its original hard case showing Reynolds USA logo.

The gold lacquer is about 90% full & nice inner legs of the slide.

Ideal for a beginner to professional player, £145 ono. Tel 01924 477016 (cash only). (2531) Small collection of unworked tapestries with wools plus other embroidery articles, from £5 each. Tel 0113 252 4632.

(2532) Dropleaf oval dining table with four chairs.

Medium wood colour.

Buyer to collect. £100 ono. Tel 01924 401280 (Heckmondwike). (2533) Six outdoor post lights, Georgian style, white (mains only), very good condition, £24. Tel 07943 114801. (2534) BEAUTY Light box for drying gel nail polish. Only used once. In excellent condition, £10.

Tel 01924 450919. (2514) CLOTHING Two traditional cowboy hats as new. One black, one fawn. Suit lady or gent, £10 for both. Tel 07988 955976. (2515) Six casual men’s shirts various sizes and colours.

Quality brands. Some worn once or new. £1 each. Tel 01924 519750. (2509) DIY Screwfix fire resistant drop down loft access door 562mm x 562mm, £50. Tel 07939 599381. (2507) Envirovent isolate extractor fan. Complete with isolator switch, £20. Tel 07939 599381. (2507) ELECTRICAL 40-inch Bush flat screen TV with remote control and manual, £40. Tel 07933 422024. (2526) Glass TV stand to match above Bush TV, £10. Tel 07933 422024. (2526) Toshiba 28” wide screen television with stand and remote control. Excellent condition, can deliver locally, £50. Tel 01924 471758.

(2524) 3 x Winter warm oil-filled radiators, 1600 watt. £25 each. Tel 01924 469537.

(2521) Small upright electric vacuum cleaner. Includes instruction and spare filter.

Very good condition, £20.

Tel 01924 724680 (Ossett).

(2506) FURNITURE Black glass TV stand with two shelves. Suitable for 43” TV. Good condition £20 Tel 07876 536335. (2529) 6 x French hardwood dining chairs with white legs and ladder backs.

Complete with seat cushions. £25 each or will sell in pairs. Tel 01924 408171.

(2522) 2 x Canterbury office chairs, black, unassembled in box £40 each. Tel 01924 469537. (2521) One True Design Office Chair, black leather task chair, gas lift & tilt, unassembled in box £40 Tel 01924 469537. (2521) Three seater settee and two armchairs. Good Condition. Pink draylon with plum/ beige loose covers. Buyer to collect £90 ono. Tel 01924 454332 (2519) Small brown wicker sofa with two matching chairs.

Excellent condition, buyer to collect. £30. Tel 01924 408197. (2512) Nest of three mahogany tables. Good condition £10 Tel 01924 403080/ 07548 798908. (2511) Wooden chest with locks, casters and handles. 3ft long x 2ft deep. Suitable for blankets, storage or toys.

As new, £20 ono. Tel 01274 876814. (2499)

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? ITEM bands

Up to £7: £8 - £25: £26 - £50 £51- £100 £101-£200 £201-£500 £501-£1450 £1,451 plus

charger. Will dismantle for easy transporting. Buyer to collect, £250 ono. Tel 07999 882257/ 01924 463282. (2508)

Love heart mirror 650mm W (25.5”) x 720mm H (28.5”) £45. Tel 01924 408171. (2522)

MUSICAL Technics Electronic Organ.

2 Keyboards, floor standing. Complete with stool.

Excellent condition £60. Tel 01924 490266. (2520)

Royal Albert Old Country Roses coffee set, eight cups and saucers, coffee pot, sugar bowl & cream jug. As new, never used, £40. Delonghi coffee machine Caffe Corso.

ESAM 2600 bean to cup. In black, cost £179, sell £40.

Tel 07928 233213. (2516) Dimplex Cheriton coal effect electric fire. Black and brass. New condition, £25. Tel 01924 403080/07548 798908.

(2511) Solid fuel fireplace set, 16”.

Brass fret, grate and ash pan. Very good condition, very little use. £25. Tel 01924 403080/ 07548 798908. (2511)

Standard holly tree in pot, £10. Standard bay tree in pot, £15. Tel 07415 238960.

(2513)

KITCHEN/DINING Glass punch bowl set for 12 people. Complete. No chips or damage. Boxed.

Ideal for parties, £25. Tel 07773 875472. (2517)

Central heating control, Salus RT510TX with instructions. Only 12 months old, £25. Tel 07939 599381. (2527) Adey Magnaclean filter (for central heating), £35. Tel 07939 599381. (2527) 12 ltr expansion vessel (for central heating), £20. Tel 07939 599381. (2527)

£1 £2 £3 £4 £5 £7 £9 £11

Green/pink/peach lined full length curtains (fits floor to ceiling). Each curtain measures 10ft 6ins W x 7ft D. Includes matching pelmets, tracks, fixtures & fittings plus brass holdbacks. Very good clean condition, £75 ono. Tel 07475 109308.

(2525)

GARDEN Two garden strimmers, £5 each. Bosch cordless hedge cutter and charger, £25. Bosch electric scarifier lawn rake with catching box, £20. Tel 07988 955976.

(2515)

HOUSEHOLD Focus HE slimline gas fire.

Good condition. Serviced £100 Tel 01924 474062.

(2528)

Cost per item

MISCELLANEOUS Gaming equipment. Black Jack shoe, 400 casino chips, gaming board etc. £20 ono. Tel 01274 876814.

(2523) Dixon Atlantic universal projector screen, 40 x 40 on tripod legs. Made in USA. Excellent condition in original box. £12 buyer to collect. Tel 01924 519750.

(2509) MOBILITY/ DISABILITY Sterling Pearl Mobility scooter. New battery with

MOTORING New Ultimate Speed bottle jack. Lifts 3.000kg £12 Tel 01274 876814. (2523)

OUTDOOR Five traditional walking sticks, various sizes, £10 for all. Two pairs of Nordic walking sticks, adjustable.

Suit lady or gent. £15 for both pairs. Two director chairs in carrying bags.

Good condition, £10 for both. Three folding tripod stools with carrying handle.

Good condition, £10 for all.

Tel 07988 955976. (2515) SPORT/ EXERCISE Fishing equipment including 3 poles, specialist carp rod & 2 rods, box, weather shelter & umbrella. Pole rigs & floats, reels, rod holder plus misc items inc hooks, telescopic pole roller, bank sticks etc. Cost £1,800, will accept £350.

Tel 0113 252 4266. (2530) Confidence vibration plate, power plus. Cost £179, sell £50. Total crunch body revolution system. Cost £95, sell £30, Tel 07928 233213.

(2516) Set of golf clubs, suit beginner. Includes 3 woods, 7 irons, putter, umbrella, balls, tees etc. In green canvas bag, £20 Tel 07988 955976. (2515) TOYS/ CHILDREN’S GOODS Thomas the Tank Engine item. Various engines, track, towers and pirate ship. £120 for the lot or will split if required. Tel 01274 600402 (2518)

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Classified Want to advertise in our Classified section? Call 01924 470296 or 0113 457 2900 or email advertising@thepressnews.co.uk

Friday December 13, 2019

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Friday December 13, 2019

PUBS AND CLUBS

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PUBLIC NOTICES KIRKLEES COUNCIL LICENSING ACT 2003 PUBLIC NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF A PREMISES LICENCE

Application has today been made to the council for the above licence SUZANNE BRADLEY of 140 HUDDERSFIELD ROAD, MIRFIELD, WF14 8AN, for SALE OF ALCOHOL (RETAIL) 9-5.30PM MON-FRI, 9-4PM SAT. A copy of the application can be viewed at the Licensing Office (address below) or online at www.kirklees.gov.uk/licensing Interested parties and responsible authorities may make representations regarding the application where they believe that the proposed activities would undermine any of the four licensing objectives.

Any representations must be submitted in writing to the Licensing Office, Flint Street, Fartown, Huddersfield, HD1 6LG or by email at licensing@kirklees.gov.uk by 26TH DECEMBER 2020 Any person wishing to inspect the Licensing Register may do so at the above address during normal office hours. It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application and on summary conviction would be liable to a fine not exceeding £5,000.

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ThePress

Friday December 13, 2019

BOXING

Subby beaten on big stage KBW’S Mohammad Subhaan was unable to beat Joe Tyers at the Great Britain Boxing Championships last week.

In an event billed as a ‘Battle of Britain’, the country’s top hopefuls went head-to-head in Sheffield with Subhaan looking to oust his biggest rival in the 61kg lightweight category.

However Tyers, who had won both of the previous meetings between the pair, was dominant for most of the bout to earn a unanimous 5-0 decision.

‘Subby’, 19, trains at Dewsbury’s KBW gym and came into the event looking to impress the GB Boxing coaches.

He came up against a familiar foe in Tyers but the Darlington boxer, who was a runner-up at the England Boxing National Amateur Championships earlier in the year, again looked to have his number

DEFEAT: Mohammad Subhaan was beaten at the GB Boxing Championships from the outset.

Tyers landed good shots in the first round, having great success in

going for the body with Subhaan unable to counter.

The extra pedigree of his opponent continued to show in the second round as he inflicted a variety of shots. Again a lot of right hands hit the body, the jab was accurate and the KBW man had little response.

Both of those rounds appeared to be clear in favour of Tyers and Subhaan then suffered a cut to his left eye at the start of the third round as a result of an accidental clash of heads.

After a quick check-up, it seemed to bring a more aggressive side out of him and he landed a couple of good shots of his own.

The final minute saw thrilling action as the two engaged fiercely at close quarters, finishing with Subhaan taking the worst of the damage which brought a standing eight count in the final seconds.

BOWLS Sweeney snaps up prize at Spen sweep

21

NETBALL Mirfield finish on a high after successful winter campaign

GOOD SEASON: Mirfield’s netball team MIRFIELD’S netball team finished a successful winter season with a 30-26 win against Fountain Originals.

The side finished with an excellent record this season, winning eight of their 11 matches and losing just twice in Division Three, in their second year competing in the Huddersfield League.

Mirfield’s final victory on Monday night put them in second place but they were left waiting on results through the week from other games to determine their final position.

The club train every Wednesday evening at Mirfield Free Grammar School, with a range of ages and abilities welcome.

CRICKET

Batley face trip to cup holders THE draws have been made for the first round of the Bradford League cup competitions in 2020, with Batley handed a Priestley Cup trip to holders Woodlands.

The Oakenshaw side enter the cup looking for a hat-trick of wins and top-flight newcomers Batley will head there on April 26 in the first round as one of seven Heavy Woollen sides in the prestigious Priestley Cup. This is the one competition in which success has eluded Hanging Heaton in recent years, and they will aim to put that straight in 2020 starting away at Townville.

Hartshead Moor will host East Bierley while Ossett and Cleckheaton will lock horns in a derby.

Division One pair Birstall and Gomersal

are among the eight sides to receive a bye to the second round.

The other five Bradford League sides in the district will compete in the Jack Hampshire Cup, with Liversedge handed a first-round tie at home to Sandal on May 3.

Hopton Mills will go to Brighouse and Crossbank Methodists face a trip to Great Preston while Spen Victoria, along with Heckmondwike & Carlinghow, have a bye to the second round.

Eight clubs in the district have also entered sides into the Priestley Shield for next season with Batley, Hanging Heaton, Ossett, Hartshead Moor, Gomersal, Cleckheaton, Birstall and Spen Victoria all receiving byes to the second round.

Pools drawn out for T20 competitions

WINNER: Michael Sweeney (left) is presented with his winnings by Peter Ellis after succeeding in the final MICHAEL ‘Snapper’ Sweeney, a late entry into the tournament, came out on top in week six of the Spen Victoria winter sweep.

The late withdrawal of the always-impressive Chris Mordue gave him a chance and he successfully made his way through from the preliminaries to the final, where he defeated Mark Regan 21-16.

The weather gods were much kinder to Spen after the atrocious conditions the week before, with the mild conditions making it much more pleasant to bowl.

Gary Wike was in good form to reach the semi-finals but Regan was too strong for him on the day, winning out 21-17, while Sweeney reached his first final for some time by beating Andy Thornton 21-16.

The first seven ends in the final were swapped off each other’s jack, with Michael picking up the extra end to lead 5-3.

Michael then showed the form that had beaten last week’s winner Bailey Rice, Danny Teale and Andy Thornton and picked up nine out of the next 10 points for a 14-4 lead.

At this point Mark must have had that sinking feeling, thinking he was going to end

up the bridesmaid again after losing last week’s final too – but the chatter around the green was that you can never write Reggie off and when he picked up the next three points, Michael must have been concerned.

However, at 14-7 Michael was laying two down and looked to have left his bowl short, but in the improved bowling conditions it trailed in to count after a measure.

Two pairs for Sweeney left the game his to lose at 19-7 but Reggie refused to lie down, scoring the next four points. Surely Sweeney couldn’t lose it from here?

A single for Sweeney put him to 20-11.

Another break of four by Reggie put him back in it though at 20-15. Another single to Reggie made it 20-16. After looking like a one-sided affair, this was turning into a nail-biter.

However, an uncharacteristic poor lead, followed by a poor second, let Snapper in to finally get over the line and claim the prize.

Spen Victoria thanked all the volunteers and sponsors of the event, and are also still looking for further sponsors for the competition.

Anyone interested can phone 01274 874355.

THE first-round pools and fixtures have been drawn up for this season’s two Twenty20 Cup competitions.

In the Group A Cup, the 21 teams have been split into five pools, with four groups of four and one group of five, and all the pool winners will go into the quarter-finals on June 30 along with the three best runners-up.

Three Heavy Woollen sides have been drawn in Pool Four

with Batley, Birstall and Hanging Heaton all grouped together alongside Morley, with the Tuesday night matches beginning on June 9.

Cleckheaton are in Pool Two with Bankfoot, Woodlands and East Bierley, while Ossett will compete with Carlton, Methley, Townville and Wrenthorpe in the larger Pool Five, which starts on May 19.

The finals day will be on July 19.

In the Group B Cup, Heckmondwike & Carlinghow and Hopton Mills have been drawn with Adwalton and Gildersome & Farnley Hill in Pool Four, while Crossbank Methodists will face holders Jer Lane, Northowram Fields and Scholes in Pool Three.

The fixtures in Group B will begin on June 30, the quarterfinals are penned in for July 21 and the finals day will be held on August 9.

HOCKEY Slazenger rescue point at the leaders SLAZENGER’S ladies’ first team secured an impressive comeback draw away from home against top-of-the-table Driffield last weekend.

They were aiming to end a recent points drought on the road and made a great start, with Field finishing a well-executed short corner.

Driffield equalised shortly before half-time and, despite Slaz starting the second half well, they looked the favourites once the visitors had gone down to 10 players.

The league leaders took advantage and scored twice in quick succession, but the Slaz spirit began to kick in and an unexpected penalty flick allowed Coops to get a goal back.

There were eight extra minutes for them to get the elusive point and, as the clock ticked down, captain Tyrrell got the slightest touch

on the ball to send it into the top corner.

The ladies’ second team lost 6-2 to Acomb despite Tuscany Mellor and Mia Davis goals, the thirds were beaten 6-0 by Horsforth, and the fourth team overcame Huddersfield Dragons 3-2 thanks to an Ingrid Coughtrey double and Lyn Wood’s winner.

The Slazenger men’s first team were defeated 2-1 away at Leeds 4th, with Richard Tuddenham scoring their single goal.

The second team had a day to remember, winning 10-1 against Doncaster 4th. Asad Baig and Damo Grieg scored hat-tricks, Keith Leonard grabbed two goals and Alex Stacey and Ian Hedges also scored.

An under-strength third team were beaten 6-0 at Thirsk 2nd, while the fourths lost 3-2 at Bradford 3rd despite two Harry Buttery goals.

22

ThePress

Friday December 13, 2019

FOOTBALL

Benn demands better defence Northern Prem N/W Division

OSSETT UNITED WORKINGTON

2 4

LEAGUE leaders Workington proved too strong for Ossett United as they came away with the win at Ingfield.

Ossett competed well for most of the game, scoring through Aaron Haswell and Tom Greaves, and were only one goal behind going into the final few minutes, but defensive lapses proved costly throughout.

United manager Wayne Benn found plenty of positives but, having seen his side concede 10 goals in the last two league games, admitted there is work to be done at the back.

“There’s lots of good stuff in there, sprinkled in with a lot of bad stuff,” he admitted.

“We’ve got to work hard to stop conceding the goals that we are conceding. They’re too easy and too soft; nobody is working too hard to score goals against us.

“We have got to make people work harder for their goals. We’ve got to work harder to get the ball back in the first place. Certainly we’ve got to defend our 18-yard box much better than we have been.

“It might be personnel that changes or it might be working constantly on the training ground that improves it.

“But at the other end we looked bright. You can’t say we haven’t had chances against the top team in the division. On another day, if we’re clinical and we’re ruthless, we

EQUALISER: Ossett’s Aaron Haswell (right) celebrates making it 1-1 potentially get something out of that game.”

Workington made a dream start, putting on pressure from the kickoff and opening the scoring in the third minute. A corner was not fully cleared and Robbie Hebson fired a shot from the edge of the area which Brett Souter spilled in the Ossett goal, allowing Sam Smith to tap in.

But United responded well and soon levelled. Marko Basic found Haswell in the box and the winger switched onto his left foot to fire into the net.

PHOTO: John Hirst

They had a further chance just after the restart with Elliott Harrison seeing a header and then a volley blocked from close range, with the final attempt from Greaves ending up in goalkeeper Jim Atkinson’s hands.

Instead it was Workington who got the game’s third goal in the 15th minute. Hebson delivered a good ball across and Scott Allison knocked the ball past the oncoming Souter to regain the lead.

After Greaves glanced a header wide from a great Jake Maltby run and cross, the visitors made it 3-1

Littletown hit nine to reach quarters YORKSHIRE Amateur League Supreme Division high-flyers Littletown progressed to the quarterfinals of the Terry Marfitt Trophy with a 9-0 thrashing of Morley Town.

Thomas Ramsden scored a hat-trick for Littletown, Adam Williams added two goals to the tally and Matthew Bolton, Timothy Clarke, Scott Lightowler and Nathan McDaid got the others.

Lower Hopton will join them in the last-eight of the competition if they can

overcome Horsforth St Margarets in the second round this weekend.

However, Old Batelians were knocked out of the Hodgson Cup last week, going down to Old Centrelians 4th via a penalty shoot-out after a 22 draw in which Jack Murphy and James Byrne were on target.

West End Park were beaten in more decisive circumstances as they were knocked out of the competition with a 7-1 loss at home to Wortley

Reserves. Kyle Kershaw scored the consolation goal for the Cleckheaton club.

Littletown Reserves show no signs of slowing down as they extended their lead at the top of the YAL’s Division Three to 11 points by beating Tingley Athletic 6-1.

Austin Broadbent and Dominic Simpson both scored doubles while Lewis Boddy and Joseph Rhodes also netted.

Savile United moved out of the bottom two in the division with their second

win of the season, dispatching Woodkirk Valley Reserves 4-1 thanks to strikes from Adnan Khan, Hamzah Taram, Mohaammed Numan Ali and Adil Ravat.

In Division Five, Dewsbury Rangers Under23s closed the gap to the top three with a 5-0 win over Huddersfield Amateur 4th.

Adam Ibnouzaki scored a first-half double while Ben Smith and Connor Langford also got on the scoresheet.

Ravenswharfe and Spen net six Horbury move to next round RAVENSWHARFE closed the gap to the top sides in the Calder Valley Division One with a 6-4 home win over Ryburn Valley.

Ben Smith netted a hat-trick for the Dewsbury side, Sam Hewitt added a double and Jake Kilburn scored their other goal. They’re now in fifth place but only four points off the leaders.

Spen FC stayed top of the Division Two table on goal difference after a 6-0 hammering of Clifton Rangers Athletic.

Battyeford Sporting Club Juniors picked up their first win in some style, beating Old Post Office FC 13-2.

Robert Evans led the way with five goals, with Gabriel Ramsay not far behind with four of the total. Joshua Auty, William Evans, David Sheard and Levi Ward scored the other goals.

Mid-table Sands Lane were beaten 3-2 at home by Triangle, while Inter

Batley’s miserable campaign continued as the league’s bottom side, without a point to their name, were thrashed 10-0 by Old Pond.

Hanging Heaton picked up their second win of the season in the Wakefield and District Premier Division, beating league leaders Red Lion Alverthorpe 4-2.

Conner Gissing, Joe Hanson, Blake Maude and Jack Armitage all scored in a blistering first half.

Howden Clough consolidated their position in Division One’s top three with a 4-3 victory at fourth-placed Great Preston, thanks to goals from Dom Carr, Warren Carr, Reece Scholes and Philip Crossland.

In the West Yorkshire Association Leagues, Overthorpe Sports Club extended their lead at the top of the Division Two to four points after a 4-4 draw with third-placed Altofts.

HORBURY Town moved into the fourth round of the West Riding Challenge Cup with a 5-1 home win over Silsden Whitestar.

Gibril Bojang, Lamin Bojang, Robert Evans, Mohammed Sadiq and Luke McGrath all scored for Horbury, who will now face Tadcaster Magnet in the round of 16 on January 4.

Lower Hopton were eliminated from the competition, however, suffering a 6-0 defeat at the hands of Rawdon Old Boys.

In the Challenge Trophy, Dewsbury Rangers and Howden Clough were both eliminated in the third round.

Dewsbury were defeated 3-0 at Kellingley Welfare while Woodkirk Valley accounted for Howden Clough 3-1.

on the half-hour mark. It was a hattrick of assists from Hebson, whose fantastic cross left Nathan Waterson with a simple header at the back post.

Ossett went close to a response before the break but Atkinson made up for initially fumbling a Basic free-kick by excellently denying Nick Guest with the follow-up.

Workington started the second half looking dangerous again.

Souter did brilliantly to get his side out of trouble by denying Waterson one-on-one after he ran straight in behind from a goal-kick, while Allison and Ceiran Casson aimed wide.

Just moments after that final chance, United hit back. Basic’s strike from distance was spilled poorly by the goalkeeper and Greaves was in the right place to take advantage and make It 3-2.

Ossett were having the better of the game as the second half went on but further goalscoring chances were at a premium, with Basic dragging one shot wide and Corey Gregory striking a free-kick over the crossbar.

That allowed the Cumbrian visitors to wrap the game up with three minutes to go, as a great strike from just inside the area by substitute Brad Carroll ensured United would remain in the relegation zone.

Their scheduled League Cup match against Brighouse Town on Tuesday night was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Ingfield, so they return to action tomorrow (Saturday, kick-off 3pm) with a league tie away at third-placed Marine.

Ladies beaten by late penalty A CONTROVERSIAL late penalty gave league leaders Harrogate Town a 2-1 victory at Ossett United Ladies last weekend.

In the final minute of normal time, a handball was spotted in the area by the referee and Grace Foyer converted the resulting spot-kick to inflict a second North East Premier Division defeat of the season on Ossett.

The result keeps them in fifth place with two wins, two draws and two losses at the end of 2019.

There were no goals in a scrappy first half at Ingfield. Laura Wilson made a good early save in the Ossett goal and the assistant’s flag saved them twice with offside calls.

Emma Lee put the home side’s first chance wide and excellent work by Ellie Betteridge down the left led to Chelsea Schofield having a shot, but the Harrogate goalkeeper saved well.

The league leaders came out determined at the start of the second half and the deadlock was broken on the hour mark. A dangerous corner found Foyer and she put the ball in from close range for Harrogate.

United stepped things up with both Jordane Allison and Emily Starkie denied by the goalkeeper before a 74th-minute equaliser. Danielle Sidebottom did brilliantly to keep the ball alive and she found Yasmin Ayub, who chipped the ball over the keeper and into the far corner.

Lauren Swailes had a good chance to grab the winner but aimed just the wrong side of the post, allowing Harrogate to take the three points when a contentious penalty was awarded for handball and Foyer dispatched past Wilson.

Sedge lose ground on leaders in thrilling tie NCEL Premier Division

ATHERSLEY REC LIVERSEDGE FC

3 3

LIVERSEDGE lost ground on the leading sides at the top of the table when they were held to a draw by bottom side Athersley Recreation last weekend.

They had to come back from behind twice to level before Oliver Fearon put them in front for the first time.

However, the home side equalised with nine minutes to go to leave Sedge, who have now won only one of their six games in all competitions, disappointed.

Kane Swinburn gave the Barnsley outfit, who went into the game adrift at the foot of the table with only four points, the lead after 18 minutes.

It was only with five minutes to go before half-time that Liversedge found a response as Billy Mole netted for the first time since joining the club from Nostell Miners Welfare last month.

Swinburn found the target for the second time 10 minutes into the second half, but Sedge skipper Tom Jackson squared the game up again seven minutes later.

The turnaround looked to be complete when striker Fearon scored for the third match running, getting onto a loose ball in the box to finish.

But Athersley had other ideas and Jack Shepperd responded to take a point.

A clash at Clayborn with Yorkshire Amateur on Tuesday night had to be postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, so Liversedge next host Thackley tomorrow (Saturday, kick-off 3pm).

They are still only three points outside the automatic promotion places in sixth, while Thackley go into the weekend in 12th place in the table.

NEW ADDITION: Jack Hardacre LIVERSEDGE have added to their squad with the signing of Jack Hardacre from Hyde United.

The right-back was a Leeds United academy player and spent four years in the USA before returning earlier this year.

Hardacre was on the bench for Liversedge’s 3-3 draw at Athersley Rec last weekend.

ThePress

Friday December 13, 2019

23

RUGBY LEAGUE Referee awards

Stags beat Doncaster to reach cup final

THE Batley and Dewsbury RL Referee’s Society reflected on a successful year at their AGM. League Express reporter Matthew Shaw was the guest speaker and presented four awards, including the Referee of the Year prize which went to Michael Mannifield.

Joshua Oldroyd was named Junior Referee of the Year and Ryan Mitchell took home the Rex Milner Trophy for the most improved referee, while Jayden Covell-Wood was presented with the Len Thompson Trophy as clubman of the year.

Any aspiring referees who would like to join the society are invited to go along to their next meeting, which will be held at Old Bank WMC in Mirfield on January 27, starting at 7.30pm.

MIRFIELD STAGS are through to the BARLA Yorkshire Cup final after a 38-16 victory over Doncaster Toll Bar. The Pennine League Division One leaders were the favourites heading into the semi-final clash at Hillrich Park last weekend, but the South Yorkshire side marked the Stags’ toughest test of the season so far.

The players proved more than up to the challenge though, as the hosts established their advantage

Challenge Cup ties DEWSBURY MOOR and Thornhill Trojans discovered their 2020 Challenge Cup first-round opponents in last week’s draw.

The Trojans will be at home to Thatto Heath Crusaders, who reached the fifth round last season, while Moor, who reached round three last time, will go to Wigan St Patricks.

The first-round ties will take place over the weekend of 11-12 January with Batley Bulldogs and Dewsbury Rams entering in the fourth round, which will be staged on 22-23 February.

Rams projects DEWSBURY RAMS have announced some of the community projects that they will be involved with over the coming year.

The club are already a donor to the Dewsbury Street Kitchen, whose volunteers serve hot meals and supply warm clothing to the homeless in Dewsbury every Thursday evening in the Market Place.

The other two good causes the Rams are supporting, as part of the Your Club Your Community initiative, are the food banks Fusion, in Dewsbury, and Resource, in Ossett.

during a tightly-contested first half before adding further scores after the break to cement victory.

Lewis Holliday and Brad Delaney led the way with a brace of tries each, while Casey Canterbury and Omar Alrawi also crossed the line to help Mirfield on their way to victory.

Full-back Connor Squires kicked five conversions from seven attempts.

The Stags will now face fellow Division One side Drighlington,

who won 20-10 at Upton in the other semi-final, for the trophy, with the final taking place at Featherstone Rovers on December 29.

In the Pennine League, Thornhill Trojans are only kept off the top of Division Two on points difference after a 38-0 win at King Cross Park last weekend.

Shaw Cross Sharks could have joined the top two on 10 points with a win, but their match at Eastmoor Dragons had to be

abandoned due to a floodlight failure.

This weekend, Mirfield return to league action with a home tie against Almondbury Spartans on the Dewsbury Rams 3G pitch, while Hanging Heaton welcome Sharlston Rovers.

In Division Two, Thornhill and Shaw Cross go head-to-head at Overthorpe Park. Although the Trojans are two points better off in the table, the Sharks have won all four of their league games.

Jimmy given top award Trialists all impressing JIMMY HOOLEY has been presented with the Malcolm Shuttleworth Outstanding Contribution to Batley Boys Award.

The Mount Pleasant club chose Hooley as a worthy recipient of the award for his contribution as both a player and a coach.

He joined Batley Boys as a junior player and went on to feature for the open age team.

Hooley progressed into coaching, starting with some of the junior teams at the club and then taking charge of the open age side for a spell, and he is currently coaching his son’s age group, next season’s Under-10s.

Recently he has taken on the role of coach co-ordinator, supporting and developing the coaches in all teams across the club.

And this year he was instrumental in setting up the newlyformed Batley Boys Masters team, which he also plays in.

The award is dedicated to the memory of Malcolm Shuttleworth, who was a very

Bulldogs boss Lingard

CONTRIBUTION: Jimmy Hooley (left) received the award from Malcolm’s son, Tony Shuttleworth well-respected figure in the local area and coached numerous age groups at Batley Boys.

Batley Boys have announced the date for their AGM in the New Year.

It will take place on January 6 in the Ron Earnshaw Lounge at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium, with everyone welcome to attend to find out more about the club and get involved.

CRAIG LINGARD has been impressed with how the trialists at Batley Bulldogs have performed so far in pre-season.

Along with a 22-man squad, Batley have four players currently on trial at the club in former Hunslet and Dewsbury prop Nyle Flynn, ex-Castleford back Kane Riley, Dewsbury Moor centre Dom Horn and Sam Bowring, formerly of Newcastle.

“They’ve been pretty good to be fair,” said head coach Lingard.

“Nyle Flynn has trained the house down, Sam Bowring and Dom Horn have trained the house down as well. Those three have regularly come out on top in any of the tests and challenges that we’re doing, so that’s promising to see.

“They’ll all definitely play in the second friendly at Hunslet and they’ll probably get a couple of games (in total in pre-season).”

Danny Bravo has also been

improving and is determined to make his comeback from three years out of action on Boxing Day in the Bulldogs’ first friendly at Dewsbury.

Lingard said: “All in all he’s doing as well as he can, and he’s increasing his workload as the weeks go by.

“Danny has said he wants to play Boxing Day. Whether he does that or we wait until the Hunslet game we haven’t decided yet but it’s his mindset that he wants to play as much as possible.”

Batley, who will have a second opposed session with League One side Keighley tomorrow (Saturday), are still on the lookout for signings but have made no further progress.

They hope to have a deal done with a loose forward in January after work complications meant that the move had to be put on hold.

RUGBY UNION

Cleckheaton battle for derby victory at Bees North One East

BRADFORD AND BINGLEY 12 CLECKHEATON RUFC 18 CLECKHEATON ground out an invaluable away victory last weekend as they overcame local rivals Bradford and Bingley in a hardfought encounter.

They worked hard in all areas of the game to secure the win, a fifth in a row against the Bees, with the hard work of the forwards culminating in tries for Ollie Depledge, Jack Marshall and Mikey Hayward.

Bradley Marsden returned in the second-row, partnered by Josh Plunkett, whilst Joey Carley, who was named in the starting XV, was dropped to the bench with a slight niggle and replaced by Gus Milborne.

Bees kicked off with the wind at their backs and quickly got on the attack, but resolute defence kept the hosts at bay.

The first score came at the other end of the field, with Cleckheaton winning turnover ball in midfield.

They swept the ball to the right with James Wilson and Marshall making ground, and Depledge was on hand to touch down in the corner.

Dale Breakwell couldn’t add the

DERBY JOY: Jack Seddon makes a pass from the scrum for Cleck extras with his first kick of the match but Cleckheaton led after six minutes.

The game was end-to-end without troubling the scoreboard and both Breakwell and Lance Taylor missed penalty kicks in this spell.

There was a scuffle on the mainstand side on 28 minutes and a penalty was awarded after the dust had settled.

When Cleckheaton infringed again and another penalty went the Bees way, quick-thinking saw

PHOTO: Gerald Christian

Taylor throw a long pass to put Adam Sutcliffe into space to score in the corner. Taylor then added the goal from the touchline to give his side the lead.

As half-time approached, both sides had chances to add to the score but it remained 7-5 at the break.

Early in the second half, Cleckheaton worked the ball to the right, Marshall was on the end of a pin-point kick from Breakwell and he blasted past the last line of

defence to score a fine try in the corner and put his side back in front.

Whilst the backs were getting over the whitewash, the Cleckheaton pack were dominant in both attack and defence. Flankers Tom Lillicrop and Gus Milborne were making the hard yards while Andy Piper, Niall Jackson and Josh Plunkett put in some thumping tackles to keep the Bees at bay.

Bradford and Bingley didn’t help their cause with several unforced handling errors and Cleckheaton capitalised with a third try on 53 minutes.

A booming kick out of defence wasn’t dealt with by the full-back and from the resulting scrum, Jack Seddon picked up at the base, feeding Tom Breakwell who linked with his half-back partner.

He gave a long pass to the wing where Hayward had plenty to do but he squeezed in near the corner flag for his 11th try of the season to take the score to 7-15.

With 11 minutes left to play, Dale Breakwell finally adjusted the radar and kicked his first goal of the game, a 35-metre effort that stretched the lead further.

The Bees now had their best spell of the contest, retaining possession and driving forward only to be met by stout Cleckheaton defence.

On 78 minutes, the home side got across for their second try after good work by the pack up the lefthand side culminated in hooker Alex Keeton touching down. The kick was missed but they were within striking distance.

With time running out the Bees made a final attack down the left wing, but a crunching tackle by Depledge forced the ball carrier over the touchline and the referee brought an end to the game.

The four league points put Cleck up to fifth in the North One East table ahead of their final game before the Christmas break tomorrow (Saturday).

Kendal, who are 10th in the division, will visit Moorend, with kickoff put back to 3pm due to a pregame club luncheon taking place.

CLECKHEATON’S second team moved up to third place in the Yorkshire Merit League’s Northern and Western Division with a 19-7 win at North Ribblesdale.

The Kestrels’ great run of form continued with another well-deserved victory, from a game in which they were 14-0 up at half-time after tries

by Richard Noble and Ed Curley, both converted by Ben Dearing.

Cain Crotty added a third try in the second half and Cleck held on for the win.

Rams reveal numbers at shirt launch DEWSBURY RAMS revealed their squad numbers for the 2020 season at their shirt launch event on Wednesday night.

Head coach Lee Greenwood has brought a dozen new signings to the Tetley’s Stadium in the off-season and they were introduced to supporters along with the rest of the 25-man squad.

Four of the new additions have been given starting shirt numbers including centre Matty Fleming, who made the surprise move from London Broncos having played in Super League last season and will wear number four.

Another back with top-flight experience, Will Oakes, has joined on a season-long loan from Hull KR and takes the five jersey.

Centre or second-row Jason Walton has been given the 11 shirt following his move from Featherstone, while versatile forward Chris Annakin owns the 13 shirt after making a permanent move from Wakefield to the club where he has featured on loan in each of the past three seasons.

Elsewhere, prop Connor Scott will have 16 on his back following his move from League One side Doncaster, and former Keighley winger Davey Dixon will wear 18.

The 19 jumper has been handed to forward Sonny Esslemont after making the switch to the Rams from Sheffield while half-back Morgan Punchard, snapped up from Championship rivals Featherstone, will wear 20.

KITTED OUT: (L-R) Sam Day, Paul Sykes and Adam Ryder model Dewsbury Rams’ new home shirt, which features the logo of The Press around the collar Jon Magrin has been given the number 23 shirt after moving from Bradford while fellow forwards Tommy Brierley and James Thornton will wear 24 and 25 after joining their hometown side.

Finally, young prop Sam Moorhouse has been allocated the number 30 shirt after joining the club from Leeds.

There are also improved numbers for Joe Martin (1), Liam Finn (7), Frazer Morris (8),

Dom Speakman (9), Tom Garratt (10), Sam Day (14) and Luke Nelmes (22).

Two of their new additions, however, are yet to begin full pre-season training following operations.

Annakin had groin surgery towards the end of last season but is close to a full return, with an outside chance of featuring in their first friendly on Boxing Day against Batley.

Walton has been out with an ACL injury

for the past year and is not expected to be back in full training until January.

Full squad list: 1 Joe Martin, 2 Andy Gabriel, 3 Adam Ryder, 4 Matty Fleming, 5 Will Oakes, 6 Paul Sykes, 7 Liam Finn, 8 Frazer Morris, 9 Dom Speakman, 10 Tom Garratt, 11 Jason Walton, 12 Michael Knowles, 13 Chris Annakin, 14 Sam Day, 15 Liam Johnson, 16 Connor Scott, 17 Martyn Reilly, 18 Davey Dixon, 19 Sonny Esslemont, 20 Morgan Punchard, 22 Luke Nelmes, 23 Jon Magrin, 24 Tommy Brierley, 25 James Thornton, 30 Sam Moorhouse.

Lunt’s smiling again at ’Dogs

By Stephen Ibbetson Sports Reporter sport@thepressnews.co.uk

SHAUN LUNT says he is happier than he has been in a long time at Batley Bulldogs after making his surprise switch to the club last month.

The 32-year-old former England international was a Super League champion with Leeds in 2012 and has also played in three Challenge Cup finals in a stellar career.

He has decided to return to parttime rugby and signed a one-year deal at the Bulldogs, where he has a smile on his face again after a hugely challenging period in his life.

Lunt contracted meningitis and sepsis in 2018 before recovering to return to rugby in March this year, and he says that he is feeling good again physically and mentally.

“I’m feeling great. The last 12 months have been very challenging but now I’m feeling great and I’m ready for that new start,” he said.

“I’ve been enjoying work as well and it just fits better because my

wife has sacrificed so much over the past 10 years for me to play rugby and I’ve had to be a little bit selfish in the best possible way.

“Now that my wife is working more I can back her, and with Batley and my job with Signature Resin Floors it just works better for family life.

“I’ve still got a few miles left in my legs yet so I didn’t want to come at the end of my career and just take a wage, I wanted to come and hopefully pass my experience on to the lads, and I’m going to be learning from them too.

“When I’m walking round I’ve got the biggest smile on my face that I’ve had for a long time, so I’m really happy.”

The hooker says that the Championship, in which he played for Castleford and Workington at the beginning of his career and captained Hull KR to promotion from in 2017, is a greater physical challenge than Super League.

“It’s a lot tougher,” he said. “The lads that you’re playing against, it’s very deceiving how strong they are.

The game is not as quick but it’s definitely tougher and more

physical.

“But I’m from the Championship, I was very fortunate to go full-time and have a very good 10 years at that level but I’m as happy here as I have been at any other time in my career.

“This is no disrespect to full-time players, but I’ve got more respect for part-time players because they’ve got to work all day long and then come and train as well.

They’ve welcomed me with open arms and even though it’s early days, I feel a part of it so I’m really happy.”