NEWSFLASH

Monday, 10 April 2017

Superstar students serve up a treat

News: Latest - distributed around Yorkshire April 10, 2017 11:16:30 AM

Students are thriving on their work placement in Crumbs Café at Barnsley College as they learn new skills and grow in confidence in a real life work environment.

The learners from the college’s department of Learning for Living and Work, all who have additional needs due to varying learning difficulties and/or disabilities, spend time each week in a supported training environment as part of their course.

Open to the public, Crumbs Café is just one of the outlets within college that provides placement opportunities for students to learn valuable practical, communication and teamwork skills that will help prepare them for independent living and employment.

Students are given suitable tasks tailored to their individual abilities which can range from taking food orders over the phone, serving at the till and administration work, to serving drinks and helping prepare sandwiches and hot food orders. The emphasis is on allowing each student to get involved in a range of duties that will enable them to grow in confidence and develop their skills whilst being fully supported by trained staff.

One student currently working in Crumbs is particularly enjoying her placement. Lily Sunderland, 19, said: “I enjoy working with my friends in Crumbs. Working on the till has made me more confident handling money and I feel happy when I’m there.”

Crumbs Café Team Leader Shirley Chappell works closely with all the learners and explains why she finds her job so rewarding: “It’s an absolute pleasure to come to work and see how the students progress over time. The change I have seen in this group of learners since they first started has been absolutely amazing. They also work so well together as a team, supporting each other with tasks and always showing a positive attitude towards their work. I feel very proud of each and every one of them.”

For more information about Learning for Living and Work courses at Barnsley College, please contact the Information Team on Tel: 01226 216 123, email: info@barnsley.ac.uk or visit www.barnsley.ac.uk/our-departments/learning-for-living-and-work

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Girlineers inspire future generation

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News: Latest - distributed around Yorkshire April 10, 2017 11:19:43 AM

Female students from Barnsley College’s Engineering department are inspiring more females into engineering through new society, Girlineers.

The student society meets up on a monthly basis to discuss ways to promote engineering to more females and try to break the stereotypes associated with the sector. They are also planning to go into local schools to talk about the wide range of exciting careers available in engineering as well as inviting pupils to the college to undertake practical engineering activities.

Engineering student and Team Leader for the Girlineers society, Victoria Simpson, said: “A lot of girls don’t realise that there are a wide range of careers available within engineering. Girlineers is a fun and supportive group and I hope that we can make a difference, help to get rid of the stereotypes and try and get more girls to study engineering.”

To find out more about Engineering courses at Barnsley College call +44 (0)1226 216 123, email info@barnsley.ac.uk or visit www.barnsley.ac.uk

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Hoyland and Wombwell Housing Zone project to receive £155, 000

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News: Latest - distributed around Yorkshire April 10, 2017 11:22:33 AM

Barnsley Council has been successful in winning grant funding of £155,000, to undertake transport modelling works in the Hoyland and Wombwell districts.

The money received from the Large Sites and Housing Zone Capacity Fund will be critical in helping to achieve the objectives of the borough to accelerate housing growth across urban Barnsley and its Principal Towns.

In November 2016, the Hoyland-Wombwell growth corridor was designated with Strategic Housing Zone status by the Homes and Communities Agency ran by the Department for Communities and Local Government. This recognised these localities as areas of great importance in aiding substantial housing growth activity and provided access to new funding opportunities.

The £155,000 will be spent on site masterplanning and highways and transport modelling works, which will help unlock sites for housing development. Meaning local residents will be able to benefit from new ‘market sale’ homes in a key growth area within Barnsley.

Councillor Roy Miller, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place said: “We are delighted to receive such a substantial amount of funding from the Large Sites and Housing Zone Capacity Fund. We are going to use this extra resource to undertake essential masterplanning and feasibility works which will enable us to bring sites forward for housing development at the earliest opportunity.”

“We are very proud to be one of only three designated housing Zones across the Sheffield City Region alongside Rotherham and Harworth in Bassetlaw and are keen to optimise the opportunities this has created. The fund will play a vital part in helping us to build on the work we’re already doing to regenerate Barnsley and meet our targets to increase new homes throughout the borough.”

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Man jailed for life for Goldthorpe murder

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News: Latest - distributed around Yorkshire April 10, 2017 11:22:33 AM

A 30-year-old man has been jailed for life after being found guilty of murdering his former partner in a “violent” attack in Goldthorpe, Barnsley.

Liam Fletcher (right), of Elizabeth Street, Goldthorpe, has been on trial at Sheffield Crown Court over the last two weeks charged with the murder of 35-year-old Lucy Jones.

Earlier today (Thursday 6 April) a jury found Fletcher guilty of murder and this afternoon he was sentenced to life, to serve a minimum of 20 years in prison.

The court heard how Miss Jones, who had previously been in a relationship with Fletcher, suffered over 90 injuries as a result of a prolonged assault.

Her body was found at around 10.20am on Saturday 8 October, after police responded to a call reporting concerns for Miss Jones’ welfare inside a property in West Street, Goldthorpe.

Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Steve Ashmore, who oversaw the murder investigation, said: “Miss Jones was subjected to a violent and sustained attack at the hands of an individual who has shown no remorse for his crimes.

“Fletcher continued to deny his guilt and the strength of evidence collected throughout our investigation and put before a jury has resulted in his successful conviction today.

“My condolences go to Miss Jones’ family, who have learned harrowing details of the significant and extensive injuries inflicted upon by their loved one by Fletcher. They have carried themselves with dignity throughout our inquiry and I am grateful for their support.

“The guilty verdict and lengthy jail term passed today can never lessen the devastating impact of this loss, but I hope it offers her family and friends some closure and peace knowing that her attacker is behind bars.

“This case sadly reminds us all that domestic abuse can sometimes have fatal consequences and I’d urge any victims out there, or anyone with concerns about a suspected victim of domestic abuse, to please report this to someone who can help.

“We are committed to protecting people from harm and we will always robustly investigate these matters, wherever possible bringing perpetrators before the courts.”

If you wish to report domestic abuse or have any concerns, please call us on 101. For additional support, call the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247, Women's Aid on 0808 2000 247 or Victim Support on 0845 3030900.

In an emergency, always call 999.

Further information about the support available to victims of domestic abuse in South Yorkshire can be found on our website: http://www.southyorks.police.uk/help-and-advice/z-crime-types/domestic-a...

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Woman charged with attempted robbery in Barnsley

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News: Latest - distributed around Yorkshire April 10, 2017 11:22:33 AM

Detectives have charged a 22-year-old woman with attempted robbery.

Joanne Lofts, also known as Joanne Hansbury, of Gerald Road, Kendray has been charged in connection to an incident on Tuesday 28 March where it was reported that a 15-year-old girl was the victim of an attempt street robbery in West Road, Pogmoor.

Lofts has been remanded into custody to appear at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court today (Friday 7 April).

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Sheffield man jailed for burglary

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News: Latest - distributed around Yorkshire April 10, 2017 11:22:33 AM

A Sheffield man has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to burglary at Sheffield Crown Court, yesterday afternoon (Thursday 6 April).

Paul Woodcock, 57, of Bowfield Court, Sheffield, was charged with one count of burglary after breaking into the home of a 77-year-old man.

PC Craig Winkless of Sheffield CID who led the investigation said: “An investigation into Woodcock, who initially denied the offence but pleaded guilty after forensic evidence linked him to the scene, was launched when the burglary was reported to us back in January of this year.

“In the burglary, Woodcock intentionally and callously targeted a vulnerable man to take advantage of him for his own selfish gain. I am glad that Woodcock has now owned up to his actions and has been punished by the courts.

“I hope that this demonstrates our dedication at the Sheffield Performance Crime Team, along with our persistence and desire to reducing crime and to bring burglars before the courts to face conviction.

“In this case in particular, I thank the victim for having the courage to come forward to Police”.

If you would like to report any instances of burglary or concerns you may have to police, please contact 101 or email enquiries@southyorks.pnn.police.uk”

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Giant smiles as Gulliver’s Valley Resort planning permi ssion is confirmed

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News: Latest - distributed around Yorkshire April 10, 2017 11:44:17 AM

Gulliver’s family theme park resort’s 'most ambitious plans yet' will come to fruition now that the Secretary of State has agreed with Rotherham Council that development can go ahead.

The development in South Yorkshire was granted planning permission by Rotherham Council last month. Following a 21 day period in which Sajid Javid MP, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, could call-in the decision, Gulliver’s has reason to celebrate.

Councillors on Rotherham Council’s Planning Board voted unanimously to give the go-ahead for the theme park resort to be built on the 250 acre former Pithouse West colliery site in the Rother Valley.

The brand new development will be a boon for the local economy with the multi-million pound project bringing hundreds of jobs to the region. The family that has run the Gulliver’s theme park business for almost 40 years is 'delighted'.

Managing Director Julie Dalton said: “After a good two years of hard work, it’s absolutely wonderful to know that our vision for Gulliver’s fourth UK theme park is going to become a reality. We’re all absolutely delighted.

“Throughout the planning process, I and my senior staff have taken part in several consultation events around the local area, giving local residents the chance to comment on our plans. We worked closely with Rotherham Council and Highways England to ensure our planning application did not negatively impact on local access routes and amended plans to reduce the visual impact of our larger attractions. It’s incredibly satisfying that local councillors voted unanimously in favour of our proposals. This is an exciting time in Gulliver’s history.”

As the business’s fourth UK theme park project, Gulliver’s Valley will bring together the best elements of their existing parks in Warrington, Matlock Bath and Milton Keynes.

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy Councillor Denise Lelliott said the latest development was ‘great news’ and paved the way for the development to go ahead.

She added: “This decision is the culmination of more than two years-worth of planning by Gulliver’s, including the Council agreeing to sell the land for the development to Gulliver’s in 2015. We now look forward to seeing Gulliver’s plans being brought to fruition. As well as being a fantastic facility for local families, the Valley Resort will result in a massive boost to the area and our local economy. It will bring in visitors, provide jobs for local people, and complement the existing activities at nearby Rother Valley Country Park.

“This is a family-run business with a proven track record for building and operating family entertainment developments and we are very proud and excited that Gulliver's has chosen the borough in which to develop their resort."

Julie Dalton added: “Our Gulliver’s Valley development will give the area a huge economic boost as we look to use a local supply chain and bring tourism pounds into the local economy. Add to that the number of local jobs it will create – up to 255 full time equivalent posts - and it will be a real positive for the Rother Valley community.”

Gulliver’s aims to open its brand-new Valley Resort in 2020 which will include a main theme park hub, with rides and attractions aimed at children aged two to 13 and their families. Gulliver’s Valley will also include an indoor water play zone, a climbing centre, a glades attraction, and an education and ecology centre encompassing forest classrooms and outdoor learning adventures for young children.

The resort will also offer family-friendly accommodation in the shape of glamping, self-catering woodland lodges and the central Lilliput Castle Hotel.

The development will encompass Gully's Dream Village, a community where children with life threatening illnesses can be given the chance to enjoy cost-free respite in a magical environment.

In addition, nature trails, walks, outdoor gyms and woodland runs at Gulliver’s Valley will be available to be used by the local community as well as visitors to the theme park.

Now that planning permission has been given, work will commence on the Pithouse West site.

Residents can keep abreast of news and developments throughout the Gulliver’s Valley project online. A dedicated Facebook page is also available for Gulliver’s Valley Resort.

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