Rotherham Advertiser

FRIENDS of a 19-year-old Wickersley student found dead in a river in Leeds after being missing for a week are demanding improvements to fencing along the riverbank near when he was found.

Business. NAMTEC leads the way on carbon capture

MANUFACTURING companies from across the county will be hearing about helping reduce CO2 levels from Rotherham-based experts.

Representatives from the Special Metals Forum, part

Business: Rotherham firms urged to take on apprentices

FIFTY businesses were given an insight into adding value to their firms through apprentices.

They attended an event at Rotherham’s Horner Brothers Print Group, which looke

Judges throw out rapist's sentence plea

A USED car dealer jailed for seven years for drunkenly raping a sleeping woman has failed in a Court of Appeal bid to get his sentence cut.

Jack Rees (41), of Newton Place, Thor

Rotherham homes cleared in gas scare

HOMES surrounding a solicitors’ office in Rotherham were evacuated after a gas leak was detected yesterday evening.

Firefighters were called to Mountenoy Solicitors, on Mo

VIDEO: Gym 'rip-off' complaints as owner hits back

A GYM boss accused of pocketing members’ fees has defended her actions as a desperate effort to keep her exercise centre open amid spiralling debts.

Trisha Major (48) tol

South Yorkshire firefighters accept shift row peace deal

FIREFIGHTERS have settled their long-running dispute with fire chiefs over new shift patterns.

The two-year dispute, which ended in strike action last autumn, broke out after ma

Body found is missing Matt

by NAUMAAN FAROOQ
POLICE searching for missing student Matthew Wilcox have recovered the body of a man from the River Aire in Leeds city centre.
The discovery was made shortly before 2pm on Friday and was later c

Rotherham in Premier League for bullying - social worker

A SOCIAL worker claimed this week that Rotherham’s social services department was in the “Premier League” for bullying—and staff were being forced to go elsewhere for jobs

Rotherham's own Question Time

TWO hundred women have signed up to attend a Rotherham version of Question Time next week.

The International Women’s Day Question Time, based on the BBC programme, will be

Rotherham Council plans £13m cuts

ROTHERHAM Borough Council is imposing a recruitment freeze and a string of other money-saving measures in a bid to cut costs over the coming year.

The authority has confirmed th

Hopes of saving Rotherham Talking Newspaper

A ROTHERHAM charity which is facing a race against time to find a new home is celebrating after the borough council promised to help.

There are only weeks to go before Rotherham

Maltby quarry restoration costs taxpayer £1.5m

by NAUMAAN FAROOQ AND TOM SHARPE

THE cost to the taxpayer of an ill-fated legal battle over the unfinished restoration of a quarry is more than £1.5 million, the Advertiser can reveal.

Council officials h

Tragedy of mum who died in agony

A NEW mum sent home from hospital after being diagnosed with constipation was readmitted the following day and died less than six weeks later from the effects of an infection, an inquest heard.

Freedom bid by sisters' killer

AN odd-job man jailed for brutally murdering two elderly sisters could have his conviction quashed within months, after spending 14 years in prison.

Michael Pluck was jailed for

Police deny Rotherham link to Venables'

POLICE in Rotherham have been quick to quash rumours that Jon Venables—one of killers of toddler James Bulger—has been living in the town.

News broke this week that

Council offers help to talking newspaper

by AMY PARKES
A ROTHERHAM charity facing a race against time to find a new home is celebrating after the borough council promised to help.
There are only weeks to go before Rotherham Talking Newspaper’s

Yorkshire Main pitmen set for reunion

AN event to mark 25 years since a pit was closed is taking place next weekend.

Former miners from the Yorkshire Main Colliery are invited to the reunion on March 13 from 7pm.

Residents flee in propane gas scare

RESIDENTS were forced to evacuate their flats this morning after a propane cylinder was found in a burning car in Eastwood.

Firefighters were called to the vehicle at around 4a

Hunt for missing woman Leanne Yates

POLICE are appealing for the public’s help in finding a 30-year-old woman from Thurcroft who has been missing since last Thursday.

Leanne Yates was last seen by her docto

VIDEO: Police make online appeals over missing Wickersley student

POLICE were today making appeals on YouTube and Facebook for the public’s help in tracing a missing 19-year-old student from Wickersley.

Matthew Wilcox, a geography studen

Miscarriage of justice bid over Rotherham murder conviction

by PHIL TURNER

A MAN jailed for the brutal killing of two elderly Rotherham sisters could have his murder convictions quashed by the end of the summer.

Michael Pluck (53), was jailed for life in 1996 fo

Water fault closes Rotherham schools

SEVEN schools have been closed and much of the south of Rotherham left without water after problems at a pumping station.

The issue—at Yorkshire Water’s facility in

Poundland heads for Rotherham

THRITY new jobs are expected to be created when discount retail giant Poundland opens a branch in Rotherham.

Poundland, Europe’s biggest single price ret

Rotherham project helps lead way on eco-homes

A ROTHERHAM partnership has been unveiled as one of 87 organisations across the country to take a share of £17 million Government funding to make council housing eco friendly.

Business rates refund warning

MORE than 300 Rotherham businesses have been warned that time is running out to reclaim any rates they may have overpaid.

Specialist business rates surveyors ratesrecovery.com s

Wales students to interview Schools Minister Ed Balls

STUDENTS from Wales High School have been invited to interview Schools Minister Ed Balls at Westminster tomorrow as part of a School Report project.

The school has been cho

DUNE MURDER: Two guilty of 'brutal killing'

TWO men were today convicted of the “brutal and cowardly” killing of a Rotherham dad-of-three who moved to Scotland to begin a new life.

A jury at Glasgow High Court

Five fined for 'enviro-crime'

THREE fly-tippers, a litter lout and an irresponsible dog owner are counting the costs of their crimes this week after being fined a total of more than £1,000.

Rotherham B

Hunt for missing Wickersley student

POLICE are appealing for the public’s help as they search for a missing 19-year-old student from Wickersley.

Mathew Wilcox, a geography student at The University of Leeds,

Children hurt by bottle hurled at bus

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after two children were injured by a bottle that shattered through a window on a bus in which they were passengers.

The single-decker 19A bus,

VOTE: John Healey urges rethink on Wath police station closure

AN MP battling the closure of a local police station has renewed his appeal to police chiefs to re-think the decision after almost 500 people signed a petition to keep it open.

Rotherham Council fined £75,000 over road worker's death

SLIDESHOW: Curtis Woodhouse big fight action

A JUDGE has ordered that Rotherham Borough Council pay a £75,000 fine after failing to ensure the safety of a road worker who was crushed by a tarmac lorry.

Rotherham Stre

SLIDESHOW: Millers v Burton Albion

by ADMIN

The Millers made it five unbeaten games on the trot against Burton Albion, Our pictures, taken by Paul Wickson, show action from the match.

by ADMIN

CURTIS Woodhouse flattened the Isle of Wight's Jay Morris in the third round to lift the vacant British Masters Light Welterweight crown at Magna.

Our pictures show actio

Jail for man in £46,000 drugs raid

A MAN from Goldthorpe has been locked up after police found over £46,000 worth of drugs at his home.

The Dearne Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) successfully as

Bob Rose murder jury sent home

THE jury in the trial of two men accused of murdering a Rotherham dad-of-three has retired to consider its verdict.

But Judge Lord Turnbull sent them home early for the day afte

Rotherham ex-teacher turns spotlight on Berlin

A RETIRED teacher’s 40-year love affair with Berlin has finally led him to write a book about the German city.

Rotherham-born Brian Perch’s travelogue Encounter Berl

Road improvements boost for Advanced Manufacturing Park

ROADS around Rotherham's Advanced Manufacturing Park are to be improved to handle heavier traffic and loads.

The cutting-edge technology and business centre, near Catcliffe, con

Police explain the appliance of crime-fighting science

POLICE officers took part in a science day at a Rotherham nightclub with hundreds of school children.

The force’s pioneering improvements in technology were the cent

Chapel hosts commuter services

ROTHERHAM Minster is holding a series of short services aimed at commuters at the town’s historic Chapel on the Bridge.

The Lenten Reflections will be held at the chapel,

Rotherham-born Eton schoolmaster dies aged 72

by ADMIN

A ROTHERHAM-born teacher who numbered Prince William, Tory leader David Cameron and current Mayor of London Boris Johnson among his pupils has died aged 72.

Chris Woodland taught En

Witness plea after Darfield shop raid

POLICE have appealed for information after a theft from a shop in Darfield.

Two males entered the Co-op on Snape Hill Road and stole several bottles of shampoo worth about &poun

Twin blow for Rawmarsh cancer care shop

A CHARITY shop manager facing an uncertain future was dealt a double blow when she was hit with a £200 bill from the borough council and had her shop raided in the space of two weeks.

Pensioners furious as Rotherham gym closes

by PHIL TURNER

FURIOUS pensioners have inundated the Rotherham Advertiser’s newsdesk with complaints about the sudden closure of a popular exercise centre which has cost many of its 500 elderly members u

Too many Rotherham youngsters locked up says Prison Reform Trust. VOTE

MAGISTRATES in Rotherham are too quick to lock up young criminals, according to a prisons watchdog.

A statement from the Prison Reform Trust criticised them for failing to use a

£3,000 cash lure to attract social workers to Rotherham

ROTHERHAM’S crisis-hit Children’s Services are still desperately short of social workers despite a massive recruitment campaign.

The troubled borough council depart

Canklow families in 'Dodge City' nightmare

RESIDENTS who are being forced to raise young children on a desolate street destined for demolition have pleaded for action to help them “get out of Dodge City.”

Loo

Naked cricketers' calendar flop

THE batty creators of a balls-and-all charity calendar have been left stumped by its lack of sales success.

Members of Woodsetts Cricket Club thought they were thinking outside

South Yorkshire trading standards fraud men spared jail

THREE men have avoided jail for their part in the “missing millions” mystery at South Yorkshire Trading Standards Unit.

Paul David Liggins (54), David John

Bullying rife among Rotherham social workers, survey claims

BULLYING is rife among social workers in Rotherham at a time when vacancies are running high and council chiefs are trying to turn round scathing inspection results.

That was th

Centenarian celebrates

A CENTENARIAN who was not well enough as a girl to attend school full-time has just celebrated her 102nd birthday.

Edith Goddard, who is the oldest resident at The Beeches care

Tory councillor cleared over 'party politics' allegation

A COUNCILLOR accused of “promoting party politics” on her borough council web page has been cleared.

A formal complaint was lodged against Tory Cllr Lynda Donaldson

Stowaways found in lorry

THREE illegal immigrants were caught today as the lorry they stowed away on to sneak into the country reached its destination—the site shared by the Advertiser.

Exper

MPs' expenses: MacShane in the clear

AN AUDIT into the MPs’ expenses scandal has revealed that Rotherham MP Denis MacShane under-claimed during the period covered by the review.

High Court judge Sir Paul Kenn

Rotherham trio in multi-million holiday hell case

THREE Rotherham holidaymakers are among hundreds of hotel guests suing a top travel firm in a multi-million Caribbean “holiday from hell” legal case.

Ryan Webster an

Two arrested over body in garage

DETECTIVES investigating the discovery of human remains in a burning garage have arrested two men on suspicion of arson and concealment of a body.

The suspects, aged 23 and 40 a

Crash victim set for massive pay-out

A YOUNG man whose life was wrecked by devastating brain injuries suffered in a fatal car crash when he was just 16 has finally been guaranteed massive compensation after nearly seven years.

Witness plea over pub raid

POLICE have appealed for information after a burglary at a pub in Bolton-upon-Dearne.

An intruder stole an empty till worth £100 and caused £170 damage by smashing a

Ronnie bids to shore up stumbling Millers

by DAVID BEDDOWS

ROTHERHAM United boss Ronnie Moore will this morning try to tie up at least one new loan signing to bolster his faltering side.

He was in negotiations late yesterday over severa

Owners fined over rat-infested bistro

THE former owners of a Mexborough bistro have been prosecuted after a dead mouse was found in the kitchen.

The Pastures Tapas Bar was closed by health officials last March after

Royal visitor at health centre. SLIDESHOW

ROTHERHAM welcomed a Royal VIP today when the Duke of Kent flew in to visit the town's Community Health Centre.

The Duke unveiled a plaque at the centre, in Greasbr

Summer obesity camps lined up

PARENTS of overweight and obese children are being invited to an open evening about this year’s summer fitness camps.

This will be the third year in a row that NHS Rotherh

Two in race for Manvers waste plant contract

TWO specialist companies bidding to manage a controversial waste management plant on Rotherham’s doorsteps have been shortlisted for the job.

Sita Lend Lease and 3SE have

DUNE MURDER: DNA match found in victim's home

A SPOT of blood which matched the DNA of a man accused of murder was found on a pillow at his alleged victim’s home, a court heard.

Forensic scientist Esther Combe was giv

Consultation launched over Dinnington pit wheel memorial

RESIDENTS of a former pit village have been invited to have their say about a replacement for an unpopular local landmark.

A series of consultations will be held in Dinnington t

Couple flee blazing bungalow

A COUPLE managed to escaped their burning bungalow unharmed before it was completely destroyed.

Firefighters from Edlington, Maltby and Doncaster stations attended Howbeck Drive

Firefighters rescue woman, 70

FIREFIGHTERS rescued a pensioner from a house fire in Harthill early today

.
Crews from Aston Park station attended the Sutton Place address shortly after 5am.

Speed cameras on patrol

MOBILE speed cameras will be tackling speeding motorists on nine of the borough’s busiest routes next week.

Officers from the South Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnershi

Titans' Neil packs a message in his pants!

NHS Rotherham is working with the Rotherham Titans to encourage under-25 year olds in Rotherham to say "yes" to the chlamydia test.

It is estimated that approximately

Modernised recycling centre set to re-open

ONE of Rotherham’s major recycling centres will re-open to the public next week after a programme of modernisation.

The Car Hill site at Greasbrough will re-open at 9.30am

Stop or you'll die, judge warns drug woman

A WOMAN in her 40s who took drugs “like an 18 to 25-year-old” has been spared prison.

Nancy Hepburn (44), was given a suspended jail sentence by a judge for small sc

Tory women set for Rotherham poll battle

by ADMIN

The Tories have selected two women candidates to fight Rotherham area seats in the up-coming General Election.

Jackie Whiteley, a Leeds-based businesswoman who runs a comp

DUNE MURDER TRIAL: Prisoner 'confessed in cell'

A MAN told a court that a cellmate confessed to the killing of Rotherham man Bob Rose on an Orkney island.

Leslie Norquoy (37) told Glasgow High Court that accused John “J

Rotherham Talking Newspaper in hunt for new HQ

VOLUNTEERS and staff at the Rotherham Talking Newspaper service face an uncertain future with the lease on their current base set to end next month.

The service has been operati

Catcliffe pub raid terror

THREE men in balaclavas made off with about £1,400 after a “violent and frightening” raid on a pub.

The 43-year-old manager was cashing-up at the Plough in Cat

Work starts on multi-million pound centre for young

WORK has started on a multi-million pound project to transform a former secondary school site into a centre for children and young people.

The old Kimberworth Comprehensive Scho

£8.5m railway station improvements under way

ROTHERHAM is on the fast track for improvement as work on the much anticipated, new railway station got underway today as part of the town’s £2 billion regeneration.

DUNE MURDER TRIAL: Victim's battle for life

A PATHOLOGIST has told a court that alleged murder victim 54-year-old Bob Rose had fought for his life.

Dr Rosslyn Rankin, a consultant pathologist at Raigmore Hospital in

Murder accused asked friend to lie - inquest

A MAN accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend asked a colleague to lie to police, an inquest heard.

Hossein Abdollahzadeh (32) pleaded with pizza take-away workmate Gholamreza Da

Woman, 83, dies in Wath road tragedy

AN ELDERLY pedestrian died after a road accident in Wath on Saturday.

The 83-year-old local woman, who has not been named, was reported to have been crossing Wath Wood Road at 1

Motorist seriously hurt in Edlington smash

A MOTORIST was taken hospital with serious injuries to his head, pelvis and legs after a road smash in Edlington on Sunday.

The 40-year-old local man was driving along Broomhous

Gliders destroyed in workshop fire

TWO gliders were destroyed and another one damaged in a blaze at a Rotherham workshop.

One-third of the privately-owned outbuilding at Main Street, Brookhouse, was lost in

VIDEO: Army hopefuls team up with Rotherham Titans

by GARETH DENNISON

COLLEGE students aiming for a career in the Army teamed up with Rotherham Titans players this week for an innovative fitness programme.

The link-up between Rotherham’s Morthyng Vocatio

Bliss-ful partnership

A PARTNERSHIP which enables patients at Rotherham General Hospital to listen to services at Rotherham Minster is well and truly flourishing a year after it was launched.

And the

Lowest council tax for 10 years considered

COUNCILLORS are considering the lowest Council Tax rise in Rotherham in more than a decade.

The proposed 2.7 per cent increase means that Band D ratepayers would pay £1,23

Popular principal moving to new pastures

THE principal who transformed the financial fortunes of a crisis-hit Rotherham college has left for a new challenge.

George Trow joined cash-strapped Rotherham College of Arts a

Rotherham doctor treats Haiti earthquake baby

THE surgeon who performed vital reconstructive surgery on a three-month-old Haiti earthquake victim has been offered special praise by his mum, back home in Rotherham.

Proud par

Bullied Teachers' £10,000 'Pay Off'

EDUCATION chiefs have denied a teacher’s claims that they have been “buying the silence” of bullied teachers by paying them £10,000 to leave their jobs.

Benefits cheat repaid extra £8,000

by PHIL TURNER

A BENEFITS cheat who paid back £8,000 more than she needed to has been spared being locked up.
Grandmother Jean Bolderson fiddled £32,800 in state benefits, but repaid £41,

Mum faces uncertain future after being kicked-out of home

A MUM of three evicted from her home yesterday has condemned Housing Minister John Healey for suggesting that repossession is “the best option” for some struggling families.

Council tell pub to call it a day

A PROBLEM pub has pulled its last pint after Rotherham’s Licensing Board decided to close it for good.

The Wetherby, at Swallownest, had been temporarily shut and subject

Border police catch Rotherham-bound stowaways

A ROTHERHAM-bound lorry carrying seven Iraqi stowaways was caught by border officials in Calais on Monday.

UK Border Agency officers foiled the attempt by the Iraqi nationals to

Rotarians join together to fight polio

THIS WEEK sees the launch of a week-long campaign when Rotarians across Rotherham will join forces with clubs across the country to raise money as part of their quest to end polio.

Town says "We Love Rotherham" with fund-raiser

GENEROUS folk from all walks of life came together for the first ever I Love Rotherham Day to raise vital funds for worthy causes.

The I Love Rotherham campaign, launched by the

Rotherham Hospital granted specialist status

ROTHERHAM General Hospital has been hand-picked by national experts to offer specialist bowel screening services.

The accreditation to allow the hospital to give specialist trea

BREAKING NEWS: garage blaze victim identified

by TOM SHARPE
POLICE have identified the human remains found in a burning garage as a man who may have been living rough on the streets of Rotherham “for some time.”
Detectives investigating the ca

Motorbike rider in hospital after M1 collision

A MOTORCYCLIST was taken to hospital with a broken arm and hand after a serious collision on the M1.

South Yorkshire Police have appealed for information after the rider’s

Hundreds pay tribute to truck accident teenager

HUNDREDS tributes have been paid to a Maltby teenager killed in an accident with a truck.

Thomas Playforth (18), was hit by a Scania articulated tractor unit being dr

Fit camp places up for grabs

PARENTS of overweight and obese children are being invited to an open evening about this year’s summer fitness camps.

This will be the third year in a row that NHS Rotherh

Man admits killing partner

A man accused of murdering his long-term partner has pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Gordon White (46) appeared at Sheffield Crown Co

Millers back in the race, says jubilant Ronnie

by DAVID BEDDOWS

MILLERS boss Ronnie Moore reckons his side have put themselves in a great position in the League Two promotion race after victory at Lincoln City on Saturday.

Rotherham took adv

Row over plans to delay hospital workers' pay rise

HOSPITAL bosses have angered staff with plans to hold back a promised pay rise in case they run into a cash crisis.

Rotherham NHS Foundation Hospital Trust has asked trade unio

Family's double cancer tragedy

A DISTRAUGHT family have been torn apart after cancer killed a young mum and her grandmother within 24 hours.

Mum of two Katie Walker (20) lost her two year battle with bone and

Video: Rotherham company developing waterless washing machine

by GARETH DENNISON

AN AMBITIOUS Rotherham company is aiming to be as big as vacuum giants Dyson after developing a waterless washing machine.

Xeros has developed the environmentally friendly breakthrough,

Real Ale festival need volunteer pint pullers

Questions over £1m Maltby quarry restoration

ORGANISERS of the Oakwood Real Ale and Music Festival are on the hunt for volunteers to help get the ale flowing at the popular annual event.

PRESSURE is mounting on council chiefs to come clean about the total cost to the taxpayer of their ill-fated legal battle over the unfinished restoration of a quarry.

Brinsworth Manor Junior rated "outstanding"

AN OUTSTANDING junior school has been honoured in a special awards event to recognise education's top achievers.

Brinsworth Manor Junior

Broom Valley Community School 'inadequate'

A STRUGGLING school has been placed in special measures after going from being rated “good” to “inadequate” in two years.

Eco-plant defeat could cost Rotherham Council £40,000: VOTE

ROTHERHAM ratepayers face footing a bill for costs of up to £40,000 after permission for a pioneering power plant was granted on appeal.

The borough council&r

Hunt for jewellery thieves

THIEVES have smashed their way into a high street jewellers and made of with £1,000 worth of stock.

Police issued an appeal information following the theft from Herbert Br

Jordan eyes bike big time

by PAUL RICKETT

TEENAGE talent Jordan Watling is going full throttle to reach the bike racing big league in 2010.

The 18-year-old enters this year's Thundersport 600 Championship as the series

Murder suspect cell death: inquest opens

POLICE investigating after a man charged with the murder of a Rotherham bakery worker was found hanged in his prison cell said yesterday that there were no suspicious circumstances.

Road debris protest at Rotherham council meeting: GIVE YOUR VIEWS

AN angry councillor arrived with a surprise delivery at a full council meeting—debris from a road repair.

Conservative councillor Tony Mannion hit out at the ruling Labour

Rotherham councillor urges more British-born Imams: VOTE

A ROTHERHAM councillor this week expressed fears that out-of-touch leaders in Britain’s mosques could be fostering young extremists.

Cllr Mahroof Hussain has called for mo

In pictures: Act for Rotherham business awards

TOWN centre traders enjoyed a celebration of excellent customer service at the first Act for Rotherham Business Awards.

Following a short-listing process, 62 busine

Town celebrates I Love Rotherham Day

IS IT a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s our very own Mr Rotherham, fighting to raise much-needed money for the town’s worthy causes.

The superhero, known locally as Cl

CCTV bid to trace Maltby firebugs

CCTV footage is being viewed in an attempt to identify arsonists who torched a car parked outside a pub.

Police have begun investigating the blaze which happened near to the Lum

Bid to identify garage body

A POST MORTEM examination will be carried out later today in an attempt to determine the identity of human remains found in a burning garage.

A pathologist will also be ho

Washer sparks fire drama

FIREFIGHTERS have urged people to exercise caution when doing their laundry—after a washing machine went up in flames.

A family fled their home on Green Lane, Rawmarsh, wh

Thieves steal guide dog's kennel

THIEVES who stole guide dog’s kennel from a blind man are being hunted by police.

Officers have issued an appeal for information after the 54-year-old, from Conisbrough, r

Garage remains 'are human' - police

POLICE have confirmed that remains found in a garage at the centre of a suspected arson are human.

Forensic teams combed the area around the burned out building, off Broom

Murder charge man found hanged

A MAN charged with the murder of a bakery worker has been found hanged in his prison cell.

Probe after 'body' found in garage

POLICE are this afternoon investigating the remains of a 'body' found in a garage believed to have been set of fire deliberately.

The grisly find was identified by firefighters

Travel agent pulls out of Rotherham

A TRAVEL agency has closed after ten years of helping Rotherham folk book their away days and holidays.

Dawson Sanderson’s six Rotherham staff have been given less than th

Probe after workman dies in cricket ground tragedy

A SAFETY probe is under way after a construction worker was crushed to death on a cricket ground.

Philip Carsley, of Thurnscoe, was hit by a concrete block while working on spec

Garage fire probe

by TOM SHARPE
A POLICE are investigating a fire at a block of garages in Broom Road, Broom, which went up in flames at abut 9.30am yesterday.

Rotherham murder probe man released

A 31-year-old Doncaster man arrested on suspicion of murdering a Rotherham bakery worker has been released without charge.

He had been helping police with enquiries about the de

Double honour for Mexborough pub

A POPULAR pub is toasting success for the second year running after picking up two awards.

The Dog Daisy pub in Mexborough won the prizes for Best Behind Bar and Best Community

Healey plans more help for tenants

ROTHERHAM tenants living in rented accommodation will be given a raft of practical help and protection as part of changes proposed for the housing sector by Wentworth MP John Healey.

Rotherham waste plant to double in size

WASTE recycling technology company Sterecycle is to double the size of its Rotherham plant after raising £10 million to roll out environmentally-friendly new technology.

Major roadworks plan for St Ann's roundabout

MOTORISTS will face new delays while more roadworks are carried out to widen one of Rotherham’s busiest roundabouts.

Councillors have approved in principle plans to widen

READER COMMENT: Bullying of teachers commonplace

Booth wins Underground trains scrap contract

SCRAP metal giant C.F. Booth is steeling itself to the task of dismantling dozens of decommissioned London Underground trains in the run up to the 2012 Olympics.

The one-time ow

New affordable homes for Rawmarsh

BUILDING work has begun on seven homes in Rawmarsh—which will replace outdated bungalows which were demolished last year.

The seven two- and four-bedroom homes on Mahon Av

Safety patrols on streets

SPEEDING motorists will be targeted by mobile speed cameras as part of an on-going effort to stamp out dangerous driving.

Officers from the South Yorkshire Safety Camera Partner

Anger at state of Rotherham's roads

A bid to stop Rotherham councillors travelling first class has been d

COUNCIL bosses have come under fire over the state of Rotherham’s roads during one of the chilliest winters for years.

Conservative councillor Martyn Parker accused the ru

Fire crews called to cabin blaze

by NAUMAAN FAROOQ
FIRE crews were called to a temporary building in Thornhill last night after it went up in flames.
Firefighters from Rotherham fire station received the call at about 7.45pm yesterday (Thurs

Announcement on waste plant delayed

by MICHAEL UPTON

Residents waiting to find out who could be building a new waste plant on their doorstep will have to wait a bit longer after an announcement on possible candidates was delayed
An announ

Site highlights

by ADMIN

Today's site highlights.

Volunteer's town centre collection for Haiti

by GARETH DENNISON
Volunteers with the international relief organisation Muslim Hands will be out and about this weekend raising money for the Haiti earthquake appeal.
Taukir Iqbal and others will be collectin

MacShane faces expenses probe

ROTHERHAM MP Denis MacShane is under investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over

Popular doctor retires

A GP has left the surgery where he has worked for nearly four decades—but popular Dr Bhal Thakkar is not hanging up his stethoscope completely.

Dr Thakkar, who has been ba

Ulley dam repair work on schedule: SLIDESHOW

MULTI-MILLION pound flood repairs at one of Rotherham’s best-loved parks are halfway there—and still on budget.

The recent big freeze caused a three-week delay, but

Bid to ban council first-class travel halted: VOTE

A CALL to scrap first class travel for Rotherham councillors was this week derailed by the borough council’s ruling Labour group.

Independent councillor Peter Thirlwall th

Tributes to crash victim Robert

MORE than 60 close friends gathered to raise a glass in memory of a popular young man hours after he was killed in a road accident.

The impromptu tribute at a pub in Rawmarsh fo

Pub shut down over violence fears

A ROWDY Rotherham pub with a history of serious crime and disorder has had its licence suspended and could be closed for good.

The Wetherby, on Park Hill, Swallownest, has been

Clergywoman steps in after pervert rector jailed

ONE of Britain’s first female clergy has been brought in to “heal the wounds” left by pervert rector Adrian Fereday.

Canon Judith Trickett, currently vicar at

Rotherham mum kicks cigarette habit with help of son (4)

A MUM who smoked 20 cigarettes a day has kicked the habit and not smoked for two years using her four-year-old son as motivation.

Nicole Shackley (26), of Sivilla Road, Mexborou

I Love Rotherham Day just one week away

A GROUND-BREAKING initiative in Rotherham has been given a major boost with more of the town’s major players backing the scheme.

The South Yorkshire Community Foundation&r

Bullying probe teacher sacked

A DEPUTY head teacher sacked for bullying a bulimic colleague who later died now faces being struck off.

Moira Ogilvie (39), was dismissed from Rotherham’s High Greave Jun

Salute to Rotherham's police heroes: PICTURES

CONSISTENT high standards and outstanding instances of bravery were rewarded at the third Rotherham District Police Awards.

Eight awards were handed out and a dozen commendation

Slimathon launched in Rotherham

A CHARITY slimathon for Children In Need is being launched in Rotherham this month.

The aim of the national event is to give people wanting to lose weight the chance to be spons

Town gears up for business awards

BUSINESSES from across the town centre will come together tomorrow night for an awards ceremony that recognises customer service.

The awards, which have been organised by the Ac

Theft gang arrested after tip-off

POLICE have arrested a gang of alleged metal thieves thanks to a call from a member of the public.

Officers from the Dearne Safer Neighbourhood Team arrested four men after a ca

Yob tenant loses home

A NUISANCE council tenant was evicted this week following complaints of aggressive behaviour and use of foul and abusive language.

The man, who has not been named, had been a r

Work starts on new homes

BUILDING work has begun on seven homes in Rawmarsh—which will replace outdated bungalows which were demolished last year.

The seven two- and four-bedroom homes, on Mahon A

OAP's 'life ruined' by vicious attacker

A PENSIONER who was viciously beaten by a drunken thug is still suffering from the devastating effects of the attack, according to his daughter

Nathan Gilbank was jailed f

Speed camera locations

SPEEDING motorists will be targeted by mobile speed cameras as part of an on-going effort to stamp out dangerous driving.

Officers from the South Yorkshire Safety Camera Partner

Man in court on murder charge

A 32-year-old man will appear in court today charged with the murder of a Polish bakery worker.

Hossein Abdollahzadeh, of Maple Road, Mexborough, is alleged to have killed Agnie

Rotherham soldier killed in Afghanistan blast

ONE of two soldiers killed in Afghanistan yesterday is understood to be from Rotherham.
The soldiers from 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment were killed by a roadside explosion while on fo

Meet your police invitation

GOLDTHORPE residents will be given the chance to meet their local police and councillors during an estate walkabout next week.

The Dearne Impact Team will meet outside Dearne En

Drunken yob jailed for attack on OAP

A DRUNKEN 17-year-old thug has been locked up for five years for a vicious attack on a retired steelworker in his own back garden.

Nathan Gilbank set about defenceless Irvine R

Millers stadium plans: Your reaction

Our stories last week about the deal for a new Millers stadium on the former Guest and Chrimes site brought the following reponse from readers.

£2,000 reward to find car arsonists

A CAR company boss has offered a £2,000 reward in a bid to find the arsonists and vandals who heaped £7,000 of misery on him by striking twice inside a week.

Three c

Speed camera locations

MOBILE speed cameras will be targeting speeding motorists on six of the borough's busiest routes.

Officers from the South Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnership will be taking to t

MP steps up war on sex trafficking

TOUGH new curbs to combat sex trafficking are being urged by Rotherham MP Denis MacShane.

The MP wants posters in motorway service station highlighting the law on the sex slave

Swinton murder probe: two arrested. VIDEO

by GARETH DENNISON

TWO men have been arrested on suspicion of murdering a Polish bakery worker in her bathroom.

Agnieszka Dziegielewska (30) was found dead at her home on Horsefair Close, off Temperance Str

Murder probe launched in Swinton

A MURDER probe has been launched today after police found a woman’s body in a Swinton flat.

She was discovered by officers shortly after 7.30pm yesterday,Thursday (28), fo

VIDEO: Millers chairman Tony Stewart on club's £20m stadium plans

by GARETH DENNISON

MIllers chairman Tony Stewart talks to the Rotherham Advertiser's Gareth Dennison about the £20 million stadium plan planned for the former Guest and Chrimes site.

Policeman in court over death by dangerous driving charge

by NEWSROOM

A POLICE officer has appeared in court charged with causing death by dangerous driving when his patrol car hit a pedestrian.

Pc David Allen’s vehicle collided with 49-year

CCTV blitz on shoplifters: VIDEO

by NAUMAAN FAROOQ

SHIFTY shoplifters have been warned to beware after police launched a new initiative in a bid to cut crime in a Rotherham shopping centre.

South Yorkshire Police and Parkgate Shoppi

Green belt campaigners vow to oppose stadium

OPPOSITION to the new stadium development has begun to stir, even though planning permission is still some way off.

Independent green belt campaigner Michael Sylvester, from Kim

Stadium flooding fears

FLOODING fears prompted by the waterside location of the proposed new ground will be addressed by the raising of the stadium site’s ground level by a metre.

Rotherham Unit

Mavis launches Monday nights out in town centre: VOTE

BAR and club owners in Rotherham are calling on the help of Mavis to breathe fresh life into the town centre and make Monday night the new big night of the week.

The Where&rsquo

Millers new stadium reaction

by TAYAB KHAN

ROTHERHAM shoppers were upbeat about the Millers’ return to the town when reporter TAYYAB KHAN visited the town centre yesterday to get their views.

Tim Naylor (46), of

£7m revamp for Herringthorpe athletics stadium

ALMOST £7 million could be spent on transforming Rotherham’s main athletics stadium after councillors voted to press ahead with a move to sell the neighbouring land.

Fire Strikes Suspended

by NAUMAAN FAROOQ

SOUTH Yorkshire Firefighters have scrapped the eight day strike which was due to start this morning after the fire authority agreed to refer a dispute over shift changes to national arbitration.

Millers £20m stadium deal heralds new era for town

ROTHERHAM was given a huge shot in the arm this week with the news that the town’s football club is coming home to a new £20 million community stadium just a stone’s thrown from

Stadium leader

by THE ADVERTISER
THE news that Rotherham United fans have been longing for has finally hit the doormat and the whole town can now look forward to a bright new dawn.
There is already a burgeoning feelgood factor a

Rotherham councillor's call to scrap first class travel

by MICHAEL UPTON
An independent councillor is calling for Rotherham Borough Council to scrap its controversial policy of paying for first-class rail travel for councillors.
Cllr Peter Thirlwall will pro

Housing bosses deny "hate list"

by PHIL TURNER

HOUSING chiefs have denied managers drew up a “hate list” of workers they wanted to sack as part of job cuts.
Bosses at crisis-hit 2010 Rotherham have admitted considering redund

£700,000 to be spent on overweight fire engines

by PHIL TURNER

FOUR “overweight” fire engines which have sat idle for two years since being bought for more than £500,000 each are to go on a £700,000 “diet” to get them fit

Buses may go back to public control

by PHIL TURNER
BUS services in most of Rotherham could be brought back under public control within three years, according to transport chiefs.
If the move, including regulated routes and fares, goes ahead &poun

Wandering Woody find his way home

AN ADORED family cat who went missing almost a year ago gave the Jones family the surprise of their lives when he wandered back home this week.

Now the delighted family is askin

School pilots GCSE module on Miners' Strike

STUDENTS at a Rotherham secondary school are studying a GCSE module on the 1984 Miners’ Strike and it is hoped that others will follow suit.

Mexborough School is the first

Own goal for police officers

POLICE officers delivering crime prevention leaflets scored an own goal when they were spotted leaving them hanging out of letter boxes.

Eagle-eyed Tory councillor Tony Mannion

Deadline approaches to vote for your top shop

THERE are just hours to go before the deadline to cast your vote for your favourite town centre shop.

Voters have until midnight TONIGHT—Friday, January 29—to pick a

Car crash victim named

The 23-year-old man who died after his car left the road and hit a wall has been named as Robert David Crook, of New Meadows, Rawmarsh.

The incident happened at around 4.2

Football club secures stadium site

by DAVID BEDDOWS

ROTHERHAM United Football Club have secured the site for a new stadium after a painstaking search.
As strongly rumoured, the former Guest and Chrimes Foundry site on Don Str

Missing Wallet

by NAUMAAN FAROOQ
THE OWNERS of a pub in Rotherham are appealing to the owner of a wallet that was left behind over Christmas.
A black leather wallet was found on Christmas Day at The Cavalier in Ravenfield.

Drugs discovered at Thurnscoe home

A MAN has been cautioned after police officers discovered two ounces of cannabis at his Thurnscoe home.

Officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Team executed a drugs warrant at th

Dearne Valley tax dodgers face clampdown

TAX dodgers in the Dearne Valley are being targeted as police officers launch a fortnight of random checks.

Dearne Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) and the DVLA are teaming up to

Maltby Leisure centre sneak preview: VIDEO

by NAUMAAN FAROOQ

ROTHERHAM folk will be making a splash as a state of the art leisure centre comes to the town.

Maltby Leisure Centre, the last of four new centres will open to the public on M

GP MURDER: Judge brands killer a coward

A VENGEFUL husband who murdered and buried his wife's GP lover was branded “cowardly” by a judge as he jailed him for life.

Dr Colin Shawcross (58), was bludgeoned t

£100m Waverley development go-ahead

PLANS for the £100 million development of a new community on a former pit site were given the green light by Rotherham planners yesterday.

But the Waverley plans made wave

Gas scare at Wickersley house

FIREFIGHTERS from Maltby Station were called to a house on Oak Tree Close in Wickersley after the owner returned home to smell gas.

The occupant had gone out without realising t

Body found in abandoned petrol station

POLICE are investigating the death of a man found in a derelict petrol station at Marr on Saturday night.

His body was discovered inside the disused building on Barnsley Road by

Join the Race for Life

ROTHERHAM women are being urged to enter Cancer Research UK's Race for Life and become part of the biggest female-only team in the UK.

Entry to the Rotherham event, which takes

Five years minimum for Edlington torture boys

by MICHAEL UPTON

Two brothers aged 11 and 12, who subjected two young boys to a 90-minute ordeal of violence and torture, will serve five years at least five years in secure detention after being hande

Lifewise Centre road safety centre gets £30,000 grant

A MOCK-UP street used to educate youngsters about dangers on the roads has received a £30,000 grant to help reinforce the message.

The Lifewise Centre, a life-size model s

Lord Ahmed: 'white working class neglected'. VOTE

LORD Ahmed of Rotherham, Britain's first Muslim life peer, this week said that uncontrolled immigration was making life harder for established ethnic minorities.

Lord Ahmed has

Sheffield councillors back 5,000 Rotherham jobs plan

A HUGE boost to Rotherham's regeneration ambitions came from an unexpected quarter this week-Sheffield.

Solidarity between the city's Labour councillors and their brothers and s

Tributes to Rother Valley Country Park pioneer "Wilf"

FAMILY and friends have paid tribute to a gregarious teacher who pioneered ideas and “touched tens of thousands lives”.

Donald “Wilf” Dale, who was a &ld

Specialist treatment makes it a happy birthday for Oscar

LITTLE Oscar Calvert has celebrated his first birthday by drinking for the first time without the aid of a tube.

He recently underwent successful treatment in Austria to help ta

Man arrested over attack on Rotherham snooker ace

A 30-year-old man has been arrested over a Boxing Day attack which jeopardised a top Rotherham snooker player’s career.

Former Rotherham Open champion Tony Scott was told

Council rents up

COUNCIL tenants in Rotherham can expect a rent increase in line with inflation from April onwards.

Councillors voted on Wednesday to approve an average rise of £1.66 a wee

Frostbite boy's agony

A TEENAGER given a 50 per cent chance of losing his toes after developing severe frostbite during the big freeze was told by medics: “put some socks on and go home.”

Fears for life of accident victim

A 21-year-old man is in a life-threatening condition in hospital after an accident with a car on the A60 near Tickhill.

A red BMW 325 was travelling from Wadworth to Tickhill wh

GP murder: Husband's terror after plan backfired

by PHIL TURNER

A JEALOUS husband told a court this week of his terror after his plan to pay a hitman £300 to frighten away his wife’s lover went horribly wrong.
Andrew Hill (49) told Sheffield

OFSTED delight for Brampton school

INSPECTORS have rewarded pupils and staff at a Rotherham school with an “outstanding” report following three years of solid improvement.

OFSTED rated Brampton Ellis

Tributes to smiling six-year-old

THE DEVASTATED family and friends of a smiling six-year-old who died after a life-long battle with heart problems have paid tribute to the way that he brightened up their lives.

Masked axemen raid wine store

MASKED axemen threatened shop staff in a terrifying robbery at a wine store in Bolton-upon-Dearne.

Two men wearing hooded tops and face coverings wielded the weapon after bursti

Break-in at community centre

VOLUNTEERS are up in arms after vandals smashed up their community centre, causing thousands of pounds' worth of damage.

The wreckers broke into Treeton Community Centre overnig

Investigation launched after wall collapses into canal

AN INVESTIGATION is under way after sections of the wall behind Rotherham’s walk-in health centre collapsed into the canal just a year after the building’s grand opening.

Robbers terrorise shop staff

TWO women shop assistants were left terrified after masked robbers stormed into a Mexborough shop.

Cash was snatched from a till as two men wearing balaclavas raided the Spa sup

Action on Japanese knotweed menace

WORK has begun to remove an invasive and damaging weed growing near a Dearne Valley river.

The Environment Agency is taking steps to eradicate Japanese knotweed found growing on

Classic car manuals up for grabs

A REAL treat for classic car fanatics is being lined up in the town centre next week.

Whether you're an owner, restorer or simply an admirer of cars from a bygone age like the H

Hunt for man who skipped court

POLICE are looking for a man who failed to appear at court in relation to criminal damage offences.

Sgt Nigel Taafe asked anyone who had recently recently seen

£590,000 boost for Boston Castle

A £1.7 million project to breathe new life into an abandoned castle will get underway this spring.

Boston Castle has been granted £590,000 from the Heritage Lottery

GP MURDER: I wanted to punch his lights out - defendant

THE man charged with the murder of Dr Colin Shawcross told police that he would have liked to punch the retired GP’s lights out but that somebody had beat him to it.

The e

Man held after sexual assault

A 39-year-old woman was sexually assaulted as she walked home with a man after a night out.

Police were called to Wath Road, Mexborough, in the early hours of Saturday morning.<

Fire crews back I Love Rotherham campaign

A CAMPAIGN to raise funds for charities in Rotherham has been backed by South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue.

Vandals smash-up community centre

by AMY PARKES

COMMUNITY workers are up in arms after vandals broke into their centre and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Mindless yobs broke into Treeton Community Centre last Thursday and

Firefighters to strike on Sunday

DESPITE months of talks South Yorkshire’s firefighters are set to go on strike again.

Fire Brigades Union bosses are planning a 48-hour strike from Sunday

Man arrested after woman dies in car tragedy

A WOMAN pedestrian died after an accident with a car near High Melton early on Sunday.

Sarah Watkinson (25), of Kendray, Barnsley, died after she was struck by a silver Toy

Man accused over 30-year-old rape

A MAN has been charged with the rape of a 16-year-old girl in Rotherham nearly 30 years ago.

Christopher Howard Sykes (45), of Hertfordshire, is accused of raping the girl in C

Sword dancers keep tradition alive

A CENTURIES’ old tradition of sword dancing was taken back to the streets last weekend.

The sound of clashing steel resounded in villages of Rotherham as the Grenoside Swo

WEATHER: OAP slams cold snap payments

CHILLY old folk have been left out in the cold by a system which means payments designed to help cover the cost of extreme weather are only being paid to the poorest households.

WEATHER: Help old folk beat the chill, say charities

CHARITIES facing a battle to make ends meet during the cold snap are calling on the public to help them look after old folk.

Age Concern Rotherham is asking people to keep an e

WEATHER: Snow brings driving instructors a bonus

DRIVING instructors reeling from hundreds of cancelled lessons during the icy weather have seen a flurry of enquiries from existing motorists wanting to improve their skills in the snow.

Tributes to golf stalwart

TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known sports enthusiast who was responsible for setting up the South Yorkshire Schools Golf Association.

John Moss, who was married to wife Pat

Recession hits bridge plans

PLANS for an iconic bridge marking the border between Sheffield and Rotherham and improving road safety in the process have been scaled back because of the recession.

Danish arc

Barron urges booze price control: VOTE

A ROTHERHAM MP has called for an overhaul of Government policy to clamp down on binge drinking.

Rother Valley MP Kevin Barron spoke out in the wake of the Health Select Committe

Rotherham wins £2.2m homes cash

THE go-ahead was given for 41 more new council homes this week after council chiefs were awarded a £2.2 million slice of funding.

Rotherham Borough Council had applied for

Leads plea after pet savaged: VOTE

AN ANIMAL lover whose pet was savaged by a bull terrier running free in a park has called on council chiefs to force owners to keep dogs on a leash in public.

John Lowndes&rsquo

Councillors launch soup kitchen

A SOUP kitchen surgery benefiting community groups has been set up by three Rotherham borough councillors.

Dinnington councillors Simon Tweed, Jane Havenhand and Jacqui Falvey w

Sheffield launches Rotherham jobs grab: VOTE

HOPES of thousands of government jobs being relocated to Rotherham as part of a £100 million-plus regeneration scheme could be torpedoed by neighbouring Sheffield Council.

Villagers taunted by gangs of yobs

by TOM SHARPE

A SPATE of anti-social behaviour is wreaking havoc at a community hall under siege from youths who feel that they can "do what they like."
Vandalism, threatening confrontations and

Titan-ic effort to help Rotherham charities

TWO of the town’s high profile organisations are urging people to join them in support of the I Love Rotherham initiative.

Launched last week, the scheme is asking busines

Council's weather response under microscope

LABOUR councillors have vowed to review the town’s response to the on-going extreme weather conditions, tackling school closures, care of the vulnerable and road repairs.

Water warning for charity

by AMY PARKES

CHARITY workers have been told not to turn on the taps or use the toilets at their base after bacteria linked to Legionnaire’s Disease was found in the water supply.
Rotherham Talking

Tributes to golfing legend

by AMY PARKES

TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known sports enthusiast who was responsible for setting up South Yorkshire Schools' Golf Association.
John Moss, who was married to wife Pat for 51 years, d

Company helps pensioners

by AMY PARKES

A BUS company which upset a frail pensioner by refusing to pick her up from the same spot she has climbed aboard for 13 years has performed a U-turn.
Veolia Transport left Grace Thompson dis

Strictly for kids

by AMY PARKES

SEQUINS and smooth moves will be the theme of the night this evening as supporters of a children’s charity take to the floor for their very own dance-off.
Ten couples have been trainin

Wickersley sex beast's appeal bid fails

AN AGING sex predator jailed for raping two schoolgirls more than 30 years ago has had his 18-year sentence upheld—despite pleas for mercy due to his failing health.

Norm

Rotherham schools top South Yorkshire league

ROTHERHAM is top of the South Yorkshire class when it comes to GCSEs, according to the latest Government league tables.

But despite Year 11 students clocking up record results l

Rotherham Minster hosts Songs of Praise

by MICHELLE VINCENT

A SPECIAL Songs of Praise service is to take place in Rotherham Minster this weekend.
The service will be broadcast live by Radio Nightingale—Rotherham General Hospital radio—to

Speed camera locations

MOBILE speed cameras will be patrolling nine of the borough's busiest routes as part of an ongoing campaign to combat speeding drivers.

Officers from the South Yorkshire Safety

Police hunt snow-shovel burglary suspect

POLICE are on the trail of a suspect wielding a snow shovel after a spate of sneak-in burglaries.

Officers want to trace the man after properties on Arlington Avenue, Clumber Ri

Rotherham's binmen battle backlog

ROTHERHAM’S dustmen are back on the roads this week after being hampered by the wintry weather.

Rotherham Borough Council said today that it was now attempting to provide

Builders move in to Maltby library

ESSENTIAL and long-awaited building work will see Maltby Community Library shut for a fortnight from Monday.

Glass panels at the front of the building will be replaced to make i

'Hitman' killed love rival - claim

A HIRED hitman killed a doctor who was having an affair with a nurse, it was claimed today .

Former GP Colin Shawcross (58), was battered with a pickaxe handle and his body stuf

Black ice terror for commuters

by MICHAEL UPTON

Motorists were left slipping and sliding across the borough this morning after more subzero conditions left roads covered in deadly black ice.
Drivers struggled to keep their cars on th

Jealous husband 'killed retired GP' - court

THE trial of the man accused of killing retired Rotherham GP Colin Shawcross in a jealous rage began at Sheffield Crown Court today.

Andrew Hill, of Walseker Lane, Woodall, appe

Rotherham drug dealer wins sentence cut

A DRUG dealer who was jailed for four-and-a-half years over the supply of almost 90 kilograms of cannabis this week had his prison sentence slashed by judges at the Court of Appeal.

Maltby Academy opens at last

MALTBY’S new academy has finally opened for students after a week-long weather delay, with principal David Sutton proudly declaring: “This is not just another new school.”

Firefighters find cannabis crop in loft

FIREFIGHTERS called police after discovering a crop of cannabis in a loft that was moments away from going up in flames.

Officers found a cannabis growing operation in the roof

Village mourns after OAP freezes to death in snow

A close-knit village has been left stunned after a 90-year-old woman froze to death in the snow.

A post-mortem examination found that Mary Priestland, of King Street, Goldthorpe

Tory launches election challenge

A TORY councillor has begun her challenge for a parliamentary seat by attacking her opponent’s stance on how businesses will weather the economic downturn.

Cllr Lynda Dona

Hunt for Mexborough man missing two years

POLICE have re-launched an investigation to trace a 52-year-old man who has been missing for nearly two years.

Officers want to find Steven Jones, from Mexborough, who was known

Schools back to normal as freeze eases: SLIDESHOW

LESSONS got underway at all of Rotherham's schools today after a week of disruption.
Pupils at the borough's 125 schools returned to the classroom this morning as temperatures finally inched

RSPCA on trail of injured dog's owners

RSPCA officers are hunting the owner of a dog that suffered deep wounds to its throat after it was left tied up with a length of washing line.

The young long-haired terrier has

Can you help raise transport standards?

SOUTH Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority is on the lookout for members of the public to serve on its Standards Committee.

The role of the committee is to promote and maint

Man escapes in gas scare

A MAN in his 60s had a lucky escape when he discovered a gas leak in his home in the early hours of the morning.

Firefighters were called to Oak Close, Sunnyside, at 1.10am this

Cough up for hospice, councillors urged: VOTE

by GARETH DENNISON AND AMY PARKES

INDEPENDENT Peter Thirlwall has called on all borough councillors to donate the allowance increase they received last year to Rotherham Hospice.

The move follows the revelation

Anger as old folk left shivering

COUNCIL housing bosses were in hot water this week for leaving an elderly couple in the cold by failing to fix their broken central heating FIVE times.

2010 Rotherham were also

Couple celebrate New year MBEs

A ROTHERHAM couple are feeling blooming honoured after they were both awarded MBEs.

Treeton couple Roy and June Bloom, aged 79 and 80 respectively, received their award for serv

'Death tree' felled

CAMPAIGNERS pushing for road safety measures at a notorious accident blackspot saw a "death tree" implicated in several accidents felled this week — but they claim more must be do

Paul's a snow go hero

SNOW hero Paul Foster rode to the rescue THREE times in one day in his 4x4 vehicle to help out motorists hit by Tuesday's Arctic conditions.

At 8.40am—after dropping his s

Rotherham mums facing free vitamin deficiencies

ROTHERHAM’S health service has been described as “incapable and complacent” after a concerned dad struggled to access free vitamins for his wife and children.

Rotherham GPs told to review phoneline charges

PATIENTS left feeling sick by the cost of phoning their local surgery will be boosted by the news that GPs could be forced to slash call rates.

NHS Rotherham has told surgeries

Video bid to highlight Rotherham politics

BOROUGH councillors are set for starring roles in a video venture aimed at stirring interest in local politics.

With elections looming, DVD project A Day In The Lif

Plug pulled on 'telly on a stick': VOTE

THE plug could soon be pulled on Rotherham's much-maligned "telly on a stick" after councillors finally joined long-standing critics in declaring it a turn-off.

Four y

New year could bring new start for ruined Firbeck Hall

AN ACTION group set up to help safeguard the future of a dilapidated stately home have made their first contact with a potential investor interested in buying the property.

The

Show your love for Rotherham

ROTHERHAM folk are being asked to show their love for the town with a new campaign launched this week.

The I Love Rotherham initiative is encouraging businesses and individuals

Fears for sight of Rotherham snooker ace

A TOP Rotherham snooker player's career has been thrown into jeopardy after an attack left him with sight in only one eye.

Former Rotherham Open champion Tony Scott jnr, who pla

Rotherham fire strikes "imminent"

FURTHER fire strikes in Rotherham could be imminent after angry union bosses accused fire service chiefs of reneging on a deal to seek third party assistance to resolve the latest chapter in thei

Brace yourself - it's going to get even colder! PICTURE GALLERIES.

TEMPERATURES could plummet to -10C this weekend as the most severe cold snap for nearly 30 years looks set to become the longest ever.

That was the prediction from forecasters y

Man jailed for cannabis possession

A WOMBWELL man has been sentenced to 28 days in prison for theft and possession of a class B drug.

Matthew Wiggett (26), of Washington Avenue, was found carrying eight grammes o

WEATHER LATEST: Rotherham road gritting cut back

ROTHERHAM Borough Council will only be keeping main roads and bus routes gritted from today in an effort to conserve salt supplies.

The council's gritting teams will continue to

£3.4 million Rotherham youth centre gets green light

by MICHAEL UPTON
PLANS for a new £3.4 million youth centre have been given the go-ahead— but a question mark still hangs over what it will be called.
Rotherham Borough Council's Planning Board has now

Vandals wreck Whiston' Christmas display

by MICHAEL UPTON
VILLAGERS have vowed not to lose their festive spirit, despite Yuletide yobs trashing their seasonal decorations yet again.
Whiston's traditional crib, which depicted a nativity scene with 2

Crash victims 'stable'

A DRIVER and passenger seriously injured in a fatal collision two weeks ago are still in hospital.

The 40-year-old man and 18-year-old woman were taken to Doncaster Royal Infirm

Big freeze hits Rotherham bin collections

HOUSEHOLDERS have been warned that bin collections have been hit by the bad weather.

Rotherham Borough Council was unable to follow the Christmas and New Year timetables.

Worker in meat grinder horror

by AMY PARKES

MP's Youtube message on debt advice

A SAFETY probe is under way after a food factory worker's arm was trapped in a meat grinder.

James Hardcastle suffered three fractures and had to be freed by firefighters after

Concert cancelled

by MICHAEL UPTON

Families worried about paying the bills and holding on to their house are being urged to go along to a free advice workshop over the next few weeks.
Events are being held in Rotherham,

School closures

by TOM SHARPE
ICY and snowy conditions have closed nearly every school in the borough as pupils of all ages look set to make the most of a rare snow day.
Traffic chaos and pathways blighted by ice has see

Police say only call 999 in emergences

by MICHAEL UPTON
Police are appealing to the public not to ring 999 unless it is a genuine emergency.
Numerous weather related enquiries are being made which are taking up the valuable time of call handlers unabl

Party poppers blamed for Rotherham nightclub fire

by NAUMAAN FAROOQ
An explosion of midnight party poppers were to blame for a fire at a Rotherham nightclub during the new year celebrations, firefighters said this week.
Staff were forced to evacuate the dan

Snow causes transport chaos in Rotherham

by TOM SHARPE
Snow has caused huge disruption for the borough's commuters.
Major routes have been closed, many made impassable, and bus services have been cancelled after around four inches of snow fell i

Rotherham's Liquid nightclub evacuated after new year blaze

by NAUMAAN FAROOQ

Nightclub staff were forced to evacuate the dancefloor of a Rotherham nightclub when a fire broke out moments after the new year began.
2010 was just ten minutes old when more than 700

Signs herald new direction for Canklow Woods

by GARETH DENNISON
An ancient woodland has been given a new lease of life thanks to new information signs - replacing the ones stolen for scrap two years ago.
The glass-reinforced plastic boards welcome visito

Call for council leader to resign over laundry row

by PHIL TURNER

COUNCIL Leader Roger Stone was called on to resign this week amid fresh allegations over what campaigners have dubbed “Hospicegate.”
The row over whether Cllr Stone knew Rotherha

Let's have a night in

by TOM SHARPE
FESTIVE revellers are choosing to stay indoors and party rather than travel to town centre pubs and clubs, according to business owners and taxi drivers—leading to a series of silent nights over

Couple left shocked after their home is wrongly targeted

by TOM SHARPE

A COUPLE awoke on Christmas Day to find their house plastered with graffiti by a thug wanting to shame a paedophile living nearby.
The devastated pair were left feeling vulnerable and expose

Man dies in Edlington crash: victim named

by GARETH DENNISON

A 44-year-old man died and two people were left injured after a road accident near Edlington on Tuesday.
The man's blue Vauxhall Astra was reported to be travelling on the wrong side o

Council under fire over Rotherham's unsalted pavements

by MICHAEL UPTON
Shivering Rotherham folk were left slipping and sliding around the borough this week after pavements were left unsalted despite the coldest Christmas in years.
Furious residents queued up to

Thieves wreak havoc with Tickhill Christmas lights

by GARETH DENNISON
Festive-looking streets were plunged into darkness this week as vandals wrecked wiring linked to outdoor decorations.
Police say a number of properties in Tickhill have been targeted since Christ

Rotherham's big chill to continue into new year

by MICHAEL UPTON
Rotherham folk are warned to brace themselves for a chilly start to the new year as things show few signs of warming up.
Sleet is expected today and tomorrow and sub-zero temperatures are set to

Rotherham backs flood appeal

by PHIL TURNER
An appeal for funds for flood victims left homeless by floods in Cumbria last month has been set up in Rotherham.
Borough Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhoods, Cllr Jahangir Ak

Top marks for Wentworth school in inspection

by GARETH DENNISON
An "outstanding" school had double cause for celebration after achieving two top inspection reports.
Wentworth C of E Junior and Infant school won high praise from OFSTED, for their use

Fears for apprentices

THE JOBS of two award-winning women apprentices could be on the line at Rotherham's housing organisation.

Victoria Dempsey—named as the UK's best female apprentice electri

Rotherham escapes Arctic blast

ROTHERHAM mostly escaped the worst of the Arctic weather today with all main roads clear and nearly all bus services running normally.

A few problems were encountered on s

Haunted by pit tragedy

by PHIL TURNER

A PIT disaster immortalised for the "Angel of mercy" will be remembered by one man as the day he never had time to say goodbye to his dad.
Phil Smith always regretted no

Corus fights back

by PHIL TURNER
STEELWORKERS received a Christmas boost when it was revealed this week that steel firm Corus was back in the black after turning around £12 million monthly losses.
The engineering steels bu

Lisa found safe

A MISSING teenage girl has been recovered safe and well.

Lisa Louise Elliott (15), from Thurcroft, had last been seen when a relative dropped her off near the Penny Black Pub at

Bargain hunters hit Rotherham shops

BARGAIN hunters were determined to have a cracking Christmas despite the credit crunch and were out supporting Rotherham businesses in the run-up to December 25.

Town traders, P

Stay off the ice, warn rescue crews

FIREFIGHTERS are warning people not to play around frozen lakes or ponds this winter after South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue were called to a lake in Rotherham.

The lake at Lynth

Mean thieves target hospital charity box

THIEVES have carried out a smash-and-grab raid on Rotherham General Hospital’s Gamma Scanner Appeal collection box and made off with cash donated by the public.

Amaz

Fire hero Adrian to the rescue!

GOOD neighbour Adrian Berridge is a fire hero—at the double.

Firefighters this week hailed the 26-year-old's actions after he rescued his neighbour from a chip pan blaze i

Dead biker's dad pleads for more care on roads

THE FATHER of a 17-year-old biker killed when he pulled out of a junction into his path has appealed for greater vigilance from car drivers.

Celebrated sea cadet Jamie Fox&mdash

Thieves steal Rotherham veteran's war medals

A 90-year-old war veteran has had his medals stolen in a burglary after a gang stole his safe.

Among items taken from the pensioner's home in Greasbrough was his proud collectio

Poppy Day flasher escapes jail

A MAN who sparked disgust on Remembrance Day by exposing himself at a window as the parade passed by has escaped a jail sentence.

Ricky Lee Robey (20), of Muglet Lane, Maltby, l

Walk it off at Roche Abbey

MULLED wine and music will be the order of the day at Roche Abbey just after Christmas.

The festive fun, which features Christmas walks and a carol service, takes place on Monda

Government's U-turn on planning applications

Controversial changes to rules forcing councils to advertise contentious planning applications in newspapers have been scrapped after sparking protests.

The Government held a na

Council's crackdown on dodgy Rotherham cabs

Illegal and poorly-maintained taxis were driven off Rotherham's roads in the run-up to Christmas to protect revellers and ensure that people get home safely.

Rotherham Bor

Criminals frozen out by Arctic weather say police

THE bitter cold has brought a freeze on crime in Rotherham in the run up to Christmas, a top cop claimed this week.

Insp Abdul Aziz said that there had been significantly fewer

Warning after bogus officials strike

ELDERLY householders are being urged to be on their guard against bogus callers after hundreds of pounds in cash and jewellery were stolen in Wath and Brampton.

On both occasio

Court date for accused in Canklow death crash

by MICHAEL UPTON
A MAN is due to appear at Crown Court this morning charged with causing death by dangerous driving following a crash in which his passenger died.
Richard Balog, aged 24, was arrested after a smas

Conisbrough machete attacker fails in bid to sue jail

A VIOLENT pr

Brave Alex hands over £3,500 cheque

by MICAHEL UPTON

A BRAVE student who defied doctors' orders to finish his education despite battling cancer has presented a £3,500 cheque to The Teenage Cancer Trust.

The beneficiaries of

Hospice volunteers honoured

VOLUNTEERS from Rotherham Hospice held a party to celebrate their win at the Community Achievement Awards.

Joanne Huckett, chief officer of the Rotherham Hospice Trust, sa

Help for carers

A FREE course to help carers to manage their own health and well-being is being launched by a Rotherham charity.

The Rotherham Hospice, in partnership with NHS Rotherham, is off

Help to beat Christmas stress

STRESS management sessions have been set up to help those feeling the pressure of Christmas.

The free five-week course - Stress Control - is being provided by by NHS Rotherham's

Hunt for missing Rotherham girl

A TEENAGE girl has gone missing from her Rotherham home and has not been seen since Friday.

Lisa Louise Elliott (15), from Thurcroft, was last seen when a relative dropped her o

Thorpe Hesley parish council plan

VILLAGERS at Thorpe Hesley are to be asked ‘tell us what you think’ over plans for a new parish council.

The plan is part of Rotherham Borough Council’s review

Rotherham youngsters winning fight on flab

OBESE youngsters are being urged to sign up to a weekly weight loss class as latest figures suggest that Rotherham is beginning to beat the bulge.

Statistics released from the G

Christmas speeding clampdown

MOBILE speed cameras will be patrolling ten of the borough's busiest routes during a fortnight of action to combat speeding drivers over the festive period.

Officers from the So

Big freeze set to get worse - warning: PICTURES

BRACE yourselves—that was the warning being issued to Rotherham folk today with the news that the temperature is going to plummet even further over the next few days.

The

Canklow man pulled from blazing kitchen

FIREFIGHTERS hailed a Rotherham man a hero after he dramatically rescued his neighbour from a chip pan blaze.

Adrian Berridge (26), spotted flames through the kitchen window of

Rotherham women urged to drink sensibly this Christmas

WOMEN in Rotherham are being urged to get their facts straight about units and alcohol use this Christmas, in a campaign to raise awareness of recommended safer drinking limits.

Academy fact-finding mission success

AREA assembly chairman Cllr John Turner has pointed to a neighbouring success story to support controversial plans for Maltby Academy.

The move to turn Maltby Community School i

Rotherham leads way on backing international business

ROTHERHAM has become the first place in England to join an elite world list as a top business location.

The town, just chosen by Rolls-Royce as the location for its Nuclear Adva

D-day for Millers' stadium site

by DAVID BEDDOWS

ROTHERHAM United expect to know this morning whether they have secured the land for a new stadium.

Club officials made a bid for the 12-acre brownfield site at a meeting on Mond

Bid to put art and soul into Rotherham town centre: VOTE

AN empty shop unit has been transformed into a work of art as part of a scheme to bring art to the heart of Rotherham town centre.

The Shop of Priceless Things can be found on t

Couple's fury at 200-mile coach marathon

by NAUMAA FAROOQ

LEGEND says that highwayman Dick Turpin rode the 200 miles from London to York overnight, but a fuming Rotherham couple claim their coach trip was almost as epic.

They were left

Drivers dice with death at level crossing

FRUSTRATED motorists are taking chances trying to beat the barriers at a level crossing after often being stranded for up to an hour.

The claim comes after rail bosses launched

Family's anguish as manslaughter trial collapses

THE father of a teenager who died during a late night brawl has spoken of his family’s anger and disappointment after a manslaughter trial fell apart because of a series of blunders.

Heart attack victim saved by 'angel' passer-by

by ADAM REANEY

HEART attack victim Charles Blockley owes his life to a May Day miracle and an angel of mercy who happened to be passing by.

As Charles collapsed, his 51-year-old son Paul, a tr

Expert plans school in abandoned store

A DISUSED Rotherham department store could be turned into a school as part of plans to boost the struggling town centre.

The project, which is being considered by Rotherham Boro

Steve's festive climb up Everest

FAMILY man Steve Loveday will not be home for Christmas—he will be climbing Everest instead.

Rather than spending the holiday around the festive tree, married father-of-th

MP John Healey made £88,000 on flat deal

WENTWORTH MP and Housing Minister John Healey made a profit of £88,000 from selling his taxpayer-funded second home.

Mr Healey sold his subsidised flat in south London for

Meet Mrs Rudolph-Thorpe Hesley's Christmas cracker

Festive favourite Linda Lilley is the lollipop lady with more Christmas spirit than most.
The popular school crossing patrol has been greeting pupils from Thorpe Hesley Infant School th

New Dreamliner carries the pride of Rotherham

A VITAL bit of Rotherham finally took to the skies over the USA this week as Boeing’s flagship project, the 787 Dreamliner was cleared for take off.

The airliner has been

Eight bailed on 'sex ring' charges

EIGHT men facing sex ring charges are out on bail just days after a judge locked them up.

Last Wednesday, Rotherham District Judge John Foster remanded them in custody after say

Crash victim named as Rotherham man

Police have named a man killed after a car he was travelling in crashed in Canklow on Saturday night as Jozef Puzo.

Mr Puzo (29), who was from Rotherham, was one of three m

Boy hurt in road fall

AN 11-year-old boy was hurt outside two neighbouring schools in Brinsworth today when he apparently fell into the road after falling on a kerb.

The child was taken to hospital

Free pizza at Jamie's

JAMIE Oliver's Ministry of Food will be giving away free pizzas to Rotherham folk this weekend and hosting free sessions on how to make your own.

The Ministry will be open to t

Firefighters rescue child stuck in banister

FIRE crews were called to a house in Wombwell this morning to help a boy who got his head stuck in a banister.

Firefighters from Brampton Fire Station were called to the ho

Rotherham Lions in flood victims appeal

AN APPEAL for funds for flood victims in Cumbria has been set up in Rotherham.
Borough Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhoods, Cllr Jahanger Akhtar, has joined forces with the Rotherh

Knife raid at supermarket

A knife-wielding thief escaped with cash after terrorising staff at a supermarket..

Police have issued an appeal for inf

Pit plunge victim's family in privacy plea

THE funeral of a man who fell 30 feet while working near the bottom of Rotherham's last remaining pit is to take place on Friday in his home village.

Accident verdict on wall plunge prankser

A CORONER has recorded a verdict of accidental death on a teenage prankster who died after falling from a riverside wall.

Historic church windows restored to former glory

CHURCH leaders left shattered when the historic stained glass windows at South Yorkshire's oldest church were smashed are smiling again after unveiling the stunning replacements—just in tim

Rotherham council tax con alert

ROTHERHAM residents have been warned to be wary of conmen who are ringing council tax payers telling them they have won some money back.

The Valuation Office Agency, w

Christmas appeal nets 33,000 boxes of joy

KIND-hearted South Yorkshire folk have boxed up a load of kindness to send to needy children this Christmas.

Operation Christmas Child is sending over 33,000 shoeboxes full of

Help for Rotherham flood victims

HOUSEHOLDERS in Rotherham hit by flash flooding this year could be eligible for a grant after borough councillors agreed to set up a bad weather payment scheme.

If the necessar

Smash victims from Bradford

POLICE have revealed that all three men involved in a fatal road smash at the weekend were from Bradford.

The men were thrown from a red Toyota Avensis when it failed to negotia

Anger at New Year bus fare rise

COUNCILLORS are leading protests over a massive hike in First bus fares in the new year.

Prices are to rise by well over the rate of inflation, with average fares increasing 7.

Swinton paedophile's sentence reduced

A PAEDOPHILE jailed for sex crimes for a second time has won a cut in his sentence at London's Court of Appeal.

Shaun Simpson (48), was first sent to prison for two years in 199

Man dies in smash

A MAN was killed and two others were seriously injured after the car they were travelling in careered off a busy dual carriageway.

The three men were thrown from a red Toyota Av

Playtime charity seeking volunteers

A CHARITY which drums-up funds for children's play schemes and activities is on the lookout for more volunteers.

Rotherham Time 4 Play is run by a small committee of volunteers

Wardens try to silence town crier Henry

OYEZ! OYEZ! No advertising today!

That was the order outraged town crier Henry Cryer said he had been given this week by council wardens who he says ordered h

Baby twins sign up for Dolly Parton library

A NEW chapter brought not one but two reasons to celebrate Dolly's Imagination Library as the scheme's membership hit 10,000.

Little twins, Conor and Lois Plant, who are 1

Baby P fear as Rotherham Children's Services named and shamed: VOTE

ROTHERHAM’S crisis-hit Children's Services department is “another Baby P case waiting to happen,” it was claimed this week, as embattled council Cabinet member Cllr Shaun Wright

Shattered family's drink drive plea

by PHIL TURNER
ANGUISHED Fiona Shaw has made an impassioned Christmas plea after her family was shattered “in a second” by a drink driver.

Her partner, loving dad Ian Clifton, was sent

£450,000 payout for Dinnington ladder plunge victim

A MAN whose leg had to be amputated after plunging 13 feet from a ladder at work has received £450,000 compensation. Keith Waring, from Dinnington, was working as an electrical engineer for

I didn't know about hospice laundry bill, admits Roger Stone

COUNCIL leader Roger Stone admitted this week that he did not realise that the Rotherham Hospice was a customer of the recently-scrapped laundry service.

The Advertiser reveale

Judge condemns 'sex ring' charges delay

A JUDGE has comdemned an eight-month delay in bringing charges against an alleged sex ring accused of attacks on girls as young as 13 as "absoluttely scandalous."

Ex POW finally lays old ghosts to rest

by NAUMAAN FAROOQ
A heartfelt thank you

OLD soldier Stan Wood has finally laid to rest old ghosts after revisiting the hell-hole where he spent nearly two harrowing years as a Japanese prisoner of war.

His experiences

£10.8m to improve safety project for Eastwood

by NAUMAAN FAROOQ

COMMUNITIES across Rotherham are to see their ideas in action after a long awaited £10.8 million environmental scheme was launched to make the borough a safer place in which to live.

Fire warning after play equipment blaze

by HOWARD POUCHER

CLLR Keith Stringer has never forgotten the help given by the National Autistic Society after his 13-year-old grandson, Joe, was found to have autism.

And

Live wire Victoria is top sparks

by HOWARD POUCHER

LIVE wire Victoria Dempsey has set sparks flying after being named as the UK’s best female apprentice electrician.

Victoria, who works for 2010 Rotherham, picked up her title

Christmas cheer for Rotherham

by MICHELE VINCENT

HUNDREDS of people packed into Rotherham Minster as the annual Advertiser Schools’ Christmas Carol Concert clocked up a decade.
And there can hardly have been a dry eye in the house on

Look North Christa takes a bow in school panto

by HOWARD POUCHER

SHE’S behind you...and what a coup for youngsters at Rotherham’s Newman School when BBC Look North’s Christa Ackroyd popped in to see their pantomime.

Not only tha

Children's activity charity appeals for volunteers

by AMY PARKES

A CHARITY which drums-up funds for children's play schemes and activities is on the look out for more volunteers.

Rotherham Time 4 Play is run by a small committee of volunteers who

MP's surgery date

by MICHELE VINCENT

ROTHERHAM MP Denis MacShane will be holding his last constituency surgery of 2009 tomorrow.

The surgery takes place at Rotherham Town Hall between 9.30am and 10.30am.

From next mo

Apprentices get to grips with industry

by AMY PARKES

A GROUP of apprentices got the chance to go behind the scenes and see specialist engineering techniques first hand.

The nine students, who are part of the New Era Apprenticeship pro

Cash boost for Rotherham dog rescue

by AMY PARKES

AN ANIMAL charity has been given an early Christmas present in the form of an £800 grant.

Rotherham Dog Rescue was one of ten charities across South Yorkshire and Derbyshire t

NAMTEC joins nuclear centre team

by AMY PARKES

A TRAINING and information organisation has been hand-picked to become a founder member of the town's new Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre which was announced last week.

Pupils stop out for charity

by AMY PARKES

THOUGHTFUL pupils got out their walking boots and stepped up to raise £789 for two worthwhile causes.

Youngsters from Northfield Lane Primary School in Wickersley took part in

Town Hall to close for nine months

by NAUMAAN FAROOQ

ROTHERHAM Town Hall will be off limits to the public from next week as it undergoes months of renovation.

The building will shut for nine months next Friday, December 18, to bring

Rawmarsh filmmakers honoured

by AMY PARKES

STARS from a Rotherham learning centre walked down the red carpet to scoop a gong at the National Schools Film and Animation Awards.

Staff and students from the Rawmarsh

Christmas fires warning

by PHIL TURNER

FIREFIGHTERS have warned householders that they are 50 per cent more likely to die in an accidental house fire during the Christmas period than at any other time of the year.

South

Maltby pit tragedy 'human error' - firm

by NAUMAAN FAROOQ

THE EMPLOYERS of a man who died at Maltby Colliery have said he fell 30ft while working at the bottom of a mine shaft.

Jackie Fisher (52), was pronounced dead after emergency crews

Christmas fun: SLIDESHOW

by ADMIN

ROTHERHAM has been gearing up for Christmas and Advertiser photographers Ian Townsley, Kerry Beddows and Dave Poucher have been recording the fun.

Advertiser carol concert: SLIDESHOW

by MICHELE VINCENT

ROTHERHAM Minster was packed for the tenth annual Advertiser Carol concert.

The 350 people present were treated to festive musical offerings from the Rotherham Youth Orchestra

Pit plunge death probe

by NAUMAAN FAROOQ

A POST-MORTEM examination was due to be carried out today on the body of a worker who is believed to have been killed in a fall down a Rotherham pit shaft.

Jackie Fisher (52) was pronounc

Festive feel for Swinton bus station

by AMY PARKES

A BUS station waiting room has been given a sprinkling of Christmas cheer thanks to a borough council grant.

For the first time, Swinton Transport Interchange will have its own Chri

Business scheme aids new Rotherham shop

by AMY PARKES

AN INDEPENDENT vintage clothing boutique has opened in Rotherham town centre this week thanks to a borough council grant.

Yella Brick Road is based at The Imperial Buildings–t

Pro golfer playing for Bluebell Wood

by AMY PARKES

A CHILDREN'S charity is a winner thanks to news that a professional golfer will donate a cut of his prize money to them.

Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice will receive two per cent of the

Man cut from crashed car

by NAUMAAN FAROOK

FIRE crews were called to West Melton this morning after a car careered into a parked vehicle.

Brampton Station fire fighters attended the scene at Melton Green, West Melton,&n

Rotherham 'waste mountain' dumper jailed

by TOM SHARPE

A ROGUE waste dumper who left mountains of rubbish dotted across South Yorkshire has been jailed for a total of six years.

Andrew Brightmore (43), of Toad Lane, Brampton

Pit tragedy probe

by NAUMAAN FAROOQ

AN investigation is under way into the death of a worker at the last remaining colliery in Rotherham.

Emergency crews and a specialist mines and rescue team were sent at around 5pm

Spectacular lights for Rotherham Minster: PICTURES

by MICHAEL UPTON

LET there be light—Rotherham Minster has taken its place in the spotlight after crowds turned out to see it floodlit for the first time.

The Bishop of Sheffield, t

FEEDBACK - This week's comments

Imagination library

Technology students design camera

by AMY PARKES

STUDENTS were put to the test when they were asked to design a camera and accessories.

Youngsters from Brinsworth Comprehensive School, Aston Comprehensive School and Oakwood

Rotherham Hospital staff rehearse panto

by AMY PARKES

DONNING their best big wigs, bloomers and ball gowns Rotherham General Hospital staff are busy preparing for this year's panto.

The Hospital Players will perform Cinderella at Oakw

Pupils dig in for Tree Week

by AMY PARKES

A SCHOOL garden was spruced up as youngsters planted 13 new trees.

Pupils from Kimberworth Community Centre of Learning grabbed their spades to transform their school grounds a

New adventure playground for Eastwood

by ANY PARKES

AN UNUSED piece of land is set to be transformed into an adventure playground thanks to a national green spaces scheme.

Eastwood has been selected to be home to a new recreation area with

Art on show

by AMY PARKES

The work of a Rotherham artist will be featured in a one-night exhibition.

The art of Leslie Beckett will be on show from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on Monday, December 14, at Thomas Rotherha

Boost for school's breakfast club kids

by AMY SHARPE

YOUNGSTERS are enjoying a healthy start to the day at their school’s new breakfast club.

Pupils at Redscope Primary School pupils can now enjoy healthy, nutritious breakfasts

£25 million nuclear research centre boost for Rotherham

by PHIL TURNER

A LANDMARK £25 million nuclear research centre is to be built in Rotherham.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson yesterday announced that the pioneering investment would be ba

Council hails Dolly Parton library scheme success: VOTE

by AMY PARKES

DOLLY PARTON’S Imagination Library has still to catch the imagination of more than a third of Rotherham's under fives.

Latest figures released following a Freedom of Information

Outrage after 'sicko' beats Staffordshire bull terrier to death

by TOM SHARPE

AN OUTRAGED village is uniting to drive “an evil sicko” from their community after he allegedly battered a dog to death with a spade.

Sickened villagers rose up in d

New home for Kimberworth property ladder couple

by AMY PARKES

A COUPLE who were forced to use a ten foot ladder to climb in and out of their flat have been given a new home just in time for Christmas.

Nathan Bentley and Vicki Favell, of Kimberwor

Government steps in to improve Rotherham's failing Children's Services

by HOWARD POUCHER

THE GOVERNMENT is taking urgent action to improve Rotherham’s crisis hit children’s services following a damning OFSTED report.

The service, which

Rotherham man battles for compensation

by AMY PARKES

A RETIRED miner battling for compensation is appealing for pitmen with wrist injuries to come forward to help him fight for justice.

Howard Douglas (58), is campaigning for osteoarthri

Mexborough care worker 'gambled away clients' cash'

by PHIL TURNER

A CARER could face jail after plundering the bank accounts of elderly clients to blow thousands of pounds on gambling.

Tracy Karen Grimshaw (45), pleaded guilty to theft and obtaining

Rotherham Social Services top ratings

by MICHAEL UPTON

ROTHERHAM'S jubilant social services chiefs were celebrating this week after landing a top rating from inspectors.

In the latest report from the Care Quality Commission, Rotherham Boro

Rotherham syndicate celebrates Kilkenny All Star's debut win

by PHIL TURNER

FOUR members of a Rotherham racing syndicate are celebrating another big win after backing a second rising star of the track.

The star in question is Kilkenny All Star, which rom

Maltby mum says her poppy flasher son's no scumbag

by TOM SHARPE

My son's no scumbag says poppy flasher's mum

THE MUM of shamed Remembrance Day parade flasher Ricky Robey has insisted: “My son is not a scumbag.”

Michelle

Rotherham teacher gets invite to Downing Street

by AMY PARKES

ENTERPRISING teaching and learning in Rotherham schools has attracted the attention of the Prime Minister.

Jennifer Logan, of Meadow View Primary School in Kimberworth, was invited to

Rotherham amnesty group to attend central library

by MICHELE VINCENT

THE Rotherham group of Amnesty will be in the central library on Saturday, when people have the chance to sign greeting cards for prisoners of conscience and the victims of injustice and politic

Rotherham artists work gets exhibited

by AMY PARKES

FOR one night only the work of a Rotherham artist will be featured in an exhibition.

The art of Leslie Beckett will be on show from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on Monday, December 14, a

Swinton man wins top photography prize

by MICHAEL UPTON

A FORMER car sprayer who was forced to change his career after being badly hurt a motorcycle accident has scooped a top photography prize.

Peter Farthing (46), from Swinton, used

Rotherham's schools lag in SATs table

by AMY PARKES

ROTHERHAM'S youngsters have matched last year's results when it comes to maths and English at key stage two–according to the latest figures.

But the town still dips below the nat

Rotherham's social services lands a top rating

by MICHAEL UPTON

ROTHERHAM'S jubilant social services chiefs were celebrating this week after landing a top rating from inspectors.

In the latest report from the Care Quality Commission, Rotherham Boro

Junior Rotherham film-makers work to be screened internationally

by AMY PARKES

JUNIOR film-makers from Rotherham are going on the international stage after their work was selected for three European festivals.

The youngsters are involved in the Pitchfork Film pro

Maltby firefighters help woman in car crash

by TOM SHARPE

FIREFIGHTERS were called on to help free a woman in her thirties from her car after a collision at the junction of two rural roads.

The crew from Maltby Fire Station attended the junct

Laundry axe costs Rotherham hospice £18,000 a year

by AMY PARKES

A HOSPICE has revealed that the closure of the borough council's laundry service will force them to find an extra £18,000 a year.

Last month despite mass protests, councillor's v

Rotherham play area given a facelift

by AMY PARKES

AN OUTDOOR play area has been given a facelift thanks to two creative teenagers.

Clifton Community Arts School students Catherine Eddison and Mona Jalali paid a visit to St Gerard's Sc

Rotherham youngsters win science competition

by AMY PARKES

A TEAM of bright sparks from a Rotherham comprehensive school have won a national competition thanks to their science skills.

Team Galileo from Brinsworth Comprehensive School triumphe

Rotherham college wins national marketing award

by AMY PARKES

A COLLEGE has won a national marketing award for its creative and imaginative prospectus.

Thomas Rotherham College was awarded the silver award for the Sixth Form College Prospectus 20

Mexborough school celebrates hard work

by AMY PARKES

SUCCESS and hard work were celebrated at Mexborough School Specialist Science College's annual speech night.

Students from every year group received awards across all subjects as well

Rotherham charity celebrates 40th birthday

by AMY PARKES

A JOINT celebration was in store for one charity who toasted its 40th birthday in newly refurbished surroundings.

Members of the Addison Day Centre's Parents and Friends Charity Group

Rotherham OAPs 'missing out on £4m benefits'

by PHIL TURNER

HARD-UP pensioners are losing out to the tune of £4 million in unclaimed benefits, according to Rotherham MP Denis MacShane.

.
The shocking figure was revealed as Rotherham Dr

Lives at risk as manhole thieves strike again

by HOWARD POUCHER

Reckless manhole maniacs are continuining to put lives at risk after they struck this week in Todwick.

As reported in last week’s Advertiser, the crazy thieves are carrying th

Autism charity fundraiser

by AMY PARKES

A NIGHT of entertainment has been planned to help drum up funds for the National Autistic Society.

Maltby Town Councillor Keith Stringer has organised the event as part of a program

Budding business brains aim for Christmas market

by AMY PARKES

YOUNG people from five Rotherham schools are working together to set up their own Christmas market stall.

The group of forty students are involved in RISE-Rotherham Inter Schools E

Rotherham pupils' charity maths challenge

by AMY PARKES

SCHOOLS across Rotherham will take part in the NSPCC's annual sponsored maths challenge this Friday .

Number Day aims to raise funds to protect vulnerable youngsters from abuse by e

New shelter helps Dinnington schoolkids beat the weather

by AMY PARKES

CHILDREN at a Rotherham school can now enjoy their playtime come rain or shine thanks to a new canopy designed by one of its pupils.

Dinnington Primary School recently unveiled its

Brinsworth arson starts M-way blaze alert

by TOM SHARPE

MOTORISTS travelling along the M1 motorway were among dozens of people who contacted emergency services to report a giant blaze a quarter of a mile away.

But firefighters who respon

Hunt for attackers after man punched

by TOM SHARPE

A 61-year-old man suffered facial injuries after being punched in an unprovoked attack.

The man, who is from the Clifton area, was walking along Cottenham Road, Clifton,

Woman trapped after crash with ambulance

AN ELDERLY woman was left trapped inside her car after a collision involving an on-call ambulance and two other vehicles.

Giant condom on patrol in Rotherham

by AMY PARKES

CHRISTMAS shoppers were confronted by a giant walking condom who was in town to spread the safe sex message as part of a week-long initiative.

This week has been Rotherham Sexual He

£4.6m new school opens

by AMY PARKES

YOUNGSTERS were feeling top of the class as their new multi-million pound school officially opened its doors.

The Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Shaukat Ali, joined staff and pupils at Ca

Police back anti-rape campaign

by NAUMAAN FAROOQ

POLICE in Rotherham have welcomed a new series of TV adverts aimed at educating people about rape and its consequences.

The adverts, which will be launched on Channel 5 from 9pm thi

PM salutes Rotherham crime fighters

by AMY PARKES

ROTHERHAM'S community safety team was given ten out of ten when they paid a visit to see Gordon Brown.

Steve Parry, the borough councils' Neighbourhood Crime and Justice manager and

Car transporter blaze closes A57

by TOM SHARPE

FIREFIGHTERS were forced to close one of the borough's busiest commuter routes after a lorry caught fire.

The A57 was closed at Todwick crossroads when the Renault car t

Charity gift in memory of tragic biker

by MICHAEL UPTON

THE family of a biker killed in a horror smash has handed over a £1,100 charity cheque in his memory.

Wayne Hellewell died after being involved in a crash while riding his tre

Ambulance crew attacks up

by PHIL TURNER

VIOLENT assaults on ambulance staff in South Yorkshire reached 15 last year.

They were among 51 violence-related incidents in total on ambulance crews across Yorkshire.

Gallery's treasures on show

by TOM SHARPE

ROTHERHAM Art Gallery is hosting the Art Treasures exhibition where the best of around 3,000 items from the borough's fine art collection are now on show.

The exhibition expl

Rotherham child dies of swine flu

by TOM SHARPE

A CHILD from Rotherham is among three people who have died from swine flu in South Yorkshire.

Health officials confirmed that the virus was a “contributory factor&

Denis MacShane backs domestic violence campaign

by NAUMAAN FAROOQ

ROTHERHAM MP Denis MacShane has backed a Government pilot scheme that aims to help women who suffer from domestic violence.

The proposed plan is to help female victims in the home w

Children in Need: SLIDESHOW

by

GENEROUS Rotherham folk turned out to raise money for Children in Need this week and our photographers w

Motorists being 'milked' over parking fines

by HOWARD POUCHER

PARKING fines have become a cash cow for Britain’s councils, which raked in more than £328 million last year.

Now Town Halls have been accused of cashing in on the motor

Mum calls for son's case to be re-opened

by PHIL TURNER

THE family of a young Rotherham man whose body was found in a river seven years ago this week, are calling on police to reopen his case.

South Yorkshire Police&rsq

Mum gives birth in Rotherham hospital corridor

by TOM SHARPE

NEW mum Andrea Rawson’s baby daughter was delivered in a hospital corridor by her mother after a last minute dash to the labour suite ended a lift ride away from medical help.

Bus shelter yobs banished . . . for now

by TOM SHARPE

RELIEVED residents living near to a bus stop which has become a regular haunt of teenage gangs and a target for vandalism have praised measures that may have brought an end to the problem.

Charity cheat steals old folks' Christmas

by PHIL TURNER

THIS IS the man who stole the old folks’ Christmas—and then walked free from court.
Charity cheat Victor Goodyear pocketed £1,570 from a kitty set up by the elderly to pay

Ten out of ten for community safety team

by AMY PARKES

ROTHERHAM’S community safety team were given ten out of ten when they paid a visit to Gordon Brown.

Steve Parry, the borough council’s Neighbourhood Crime and Justice Ma

Carrie's life-changing jungle adventure

by AMY PARKES

A BEAUTICIAN has returned home after a “life-changing” stint looking after orphans in the Philippine jungle.

Carrie Platts (36), of Whiston, spent five weeks livin

Chloe's the star of Yorkshire's Got Talent: SLIDESHOW

by HOWARD POUCHER

ON A NIGHT when stardust was in the air, 16 stage-struck hopefuls wowed a packed audience in the final o

Light up a life

by AMY PARKES
FUND-raisers at a Rotherham charity are gathering candles ready for this year’s poignant Light Up A Life service.
Rotherham Hospice’s annual event, which last year at

Murder bid case: Herringthorpe man faces court

by PHIL TURNER

A ROTHERHAM man will appear at court again next week in connection with an attempted murder at Wombwell last weekend.

Nathan Brittle (22), of Herringthorpe, was arrested after a 41

Fake fire officials flee after challenge

by PHIL TURNER

HOUSEHOLDERS have been warned about bogus callers who may be posing as fire service officials.

Two men tried to gain access to the home of a Thurcroft woman after claiming that they

More help for patients

by AMY PARKES

HEALTH experts have launched a campaign to help people to get the best treatment during the winter months.

NHS Rotherham's Choose Well initiative is aimed at helping patients t

Boost for hospice patients

by AMY PARKES

HOSPICE patients will be sitting pretty on new furniture thanks to donations from two Rotherham organisations.

The Rotherham Hospice received the welcome boost from The Rotherham an

Car accident victim (73) fights for life

by PHIL TURNER

AN ELDERLY woman is fighting for her life in hospital after a road accident in Moorgate.

The 73-year-old pensioner was detained in Rotherham General Hospital after the incident

Rotherham man in court over shooting

by PHIL TURNER

A ROTHERHAM man has appeared at court in connection with an attempted murder at Wombwell at the weekend.

Nathan Brittle (22), of Herringthorpe, was arrested after a 41-year-old man was s

Town unites for Christmas appeal

by HOWARD POUCHER

BIG-hearted people across the town are joining forces to help bring Christmas cheer to Rotherham’s needy children and families

.
For the fourth year running, Rotherham Children

Rotherham scouting stalwart Tony Hawkins dies

by NAUMAAN FAROOQ

SCOUTING chief Anthony (Tony) Hawkins who went along to his son's cub group to give a first aid lesson, but ended up staying with the scout movement for 35 years, has died aged 65.

Chloe wins Advertiser's Yorkshire's Got Talent final

by HOWARD POUCHER

SIXTEEN stage struck hopefuls wowed a packed audience in the finals of the Advertiser’s Yorkshire’s Got Talent last night.

They sang their way into the heart

Judge warns Poppy Day flasher

by NAUMAAN FAROOQ

A MAN who sparked outrage on Remembrance Day by flashing from a window as the parade passed by has been warned he could face jail.

Ricky Lee Robey (20), of Morrell Street, Mal

Horror smash victim still fighting for life

by PHIL TURNER

A 22-year-old car passenger is still fighting for his life after a crash in Treeton on Sunday afternoon in which ten people were injured.

The man, who was travelling in a Corsa whic

OFSTED praises 'outstanding' Thurcroft primary school

by AMY PARKES

INSPECTORS who found a primary school to be "outstanding" have described its recent improvements as "nothing short of remarkable."

The Willows School, Thurcroft,

VIP chef cooks lunch for Bluebell Wood hospice

by AMY PARKES

STAFF, parents and youngsters at a children's hospice were in for a treat when an extra special visitor cooked up a storm at lunch time.

The Mayoress of Rotherham, Miss Wajida Nasee

£860,000 expansion at Rawmarsh learning centre

by AMY PARKES

WORK has started on an £860,000 extension at a community education centre which will be the home of a photography studio and computer suite.

The new facility will be based at

Strike hits Dearne Valley buses

by PHIL TURNER

BUS drivers at Stagecoach's depot in Rawmarsh are on strike today in a row over pay, with further walkouts planned for the next two Mondays.

The action means a reduced service

Two fight for life after 10-casualty Treeton horror smash

by PHIL TURNER

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after two men were left fighting for their lives following a crash in Treeton on Sunday in which ten people were injured.

The men, aged 21 and 22,

African visitors entertain

by AMY PARKES

The National Autistic Society's Robert Ogden School played host to African visitors who entertained pupils with a performance and workshops.

The event was part of the school's Commu

Thomas Rotherham College students focus on health

by AMY PARKES

HEALTHY living was high on the agenda at one Rotherham college as students took part in a week-long initiative.

Last week saw young people try their hand at a variety of activities

Thrybergh school wins £4,000 play area grant

by AMY PARKES

PUPILS are celebrating a grant for £4,000 to transform their play area into a "superground."

Youngsters from Thrybergh Fullerton C of E Primary are planing to use th

Poppy picked as Mexborough's top young chef

by MICHAEL UPTON

PROMISING chef Poppy Dickinson cooked up a treat and walked off with the top prize at a contest to find the Gordon Ramsey or Nigella Lawson of the future.

The 12-year-old kitchen wh

£6,500 boost for Ravenfield Church repair fund

by MICHAEL UPTON

MUCH-needed repairs to a village church ravaged by flooding and lead thieves have been given a boost by a £6,500 cheque from parish councillors.

Ravenfield Parish Council step

Archbishop backs Denis Macshane over sex slaves

by HOWARD POUCHER

THE Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has thrown his weight behind Rotherham MP Denis MacShane's battle to stop women being shipped to Britain to work as sex slaves.

The Archbish

Talent competition finalists

by BY CHARLIE GRAVES

These are the 16 finalists in the Advertiser's Yorkshire's Got Talent competition.

They will battle it out for the top prize of a professional recording session, courtesy of a major spons

SWINE FLU CLAIMS LIFE IN ROTHERHAM

by TOM SHARPE
A CHILD from Rotherham is among three people killed by swine flu in South Yorkshire.
This week health experts confirmed that the virus was a "contributory factor" in the death of the yo

Couple's property ladder nightmare

by AMY PARKES

IT WAS a dream come true for Nathan Bentley and Vicki Favell when they moved into their first home together..until they found the only way in and out was climbing ten feet up a LADDER.

Nick hits top spot

by PAUL RICKETT

TEENAGE swimmer Nick Grainger has rocketed to no.1 in the national rankings—albeit for one day!

The fast-rising Wath Comprehensive School pupil topped the charts after the Nor

Park drama as contractors try to reclaim gates

by MICHAEL UPTON

Unpaid craftsmen left thousands of pounds out of pocket after the company behind a £7 million park revamp went bust tried to get their own back—by reclaiming the ornate park gates.

Dearne Valley road closure alert

by MICHAEL UPTON

AN EMERGENCY road closure has been announced in the Dearne Valley which will see a major road shut for six weeks.

Barnsley Road in Goldthorpe will be closed from Sunday onwards.

Nurse rapped over flu jab blunder

by AMY PARKES

A NURSE has been disciplined by her national governing body for giving a patient a flu jab wrongly and not carrying out proper checks on medication.

Wendy Jeffrey was handed a three

Mexborough abuse case nurse spared jail

by AMY PARKES

A DETECTIVE has spoken out about the abusive care home manager who was spared prison after being found guilty of six charges of neglect.

Acting Det Insp Natalie Shaw said that Jane

Community groups invited to funding workshop

by MICHAEL UPTON

SOCIAL enterprises, charities, community and volunteer groups in Rotherham seeking financial support for their projects are being encouraged to attend a unique workshop with many of the reg

Salvation Army in Christmas gift plea

by MICHELE VINCENT

THE Salvation Army is launching its annual Christmas Present Appeal with a call to action for members of the general public to help give a gift and light up the lives of those in need.

School filmmakers win place in Yorkshire Film Archive. VIDEO

by TOM SHARPE

BRIGHT young film makers from a Rotherham school are to have their work frozen in time as a lasting record of life in Yorkshire.

Pupils at Newman School, Whiston, have b

Denis MacShane ordered to pay back £1,300 expenses. VOTE

by PHIL TURNER

ROTHERHAM MP Denis MacShane has been asked to repay £1,300 by the Parliamentary expenses watchdog.

The move follows the audit and review of MPs’ accommodatio

School campaign targets cyber bullies

by HOWARD POUCHER

HIGH-tech tormentors who use cyberspace to bully their victims are the target of a new anti-bullying drive in Rotherham schools.

School pupils across the town have joined forces thi

Work starts on Rotherham's civic showpiece

by HOWARD POUCHER

WORK started this week on the council’s new showpiece Civic Offices–one of the key buildings in the re-shaping of the town centre.

On Monday investigation wo

Freedom of Information comes at a price . . .

by HOWARD POUCHER

ACTIVIST Don Buxton got more information than he bargained for when he fired off a Freedom of Information Request to the council.

In addition to details he had requested about a &ld

Top level meeting called to tackle the yobs

by HOWARD POUCHER

A TOP level meeting of politicians and police chiefs has been called in a bid to halt the creeping scourge of yob culture.

Anti social behaviour is blighting the lives of families i

Thieves steal old folks' Christmas party cash

by HOWARD POUCHER

LOWLIFE thieves could have robbed a group of vulnerable and disabled old folk of their Christmas joy.

They broke into their sheltered housing complex and stole the cash which the pe

Reprieve for 165 Corus jobs

by HOWARD POUCHER

UNDER-threat Corus workers in South Yorkshire have had a surprise Christmas present–there will be 165 fewer redundancies than originally thought.

Glimpse behind scenes at Ulley Reservoir repair work: SLIDESHOW.

by HOWARD POUCHER

ROTHERHAM’S Ulley Country Park is on the road to recovery after devastating flood damage left its

Mexborough yobs forced to pay back community

by HOWARD POUCHER

IT’S payback time for a group of young hellraisers who were caught on CCTV ripping out bedding plants and causing a town centre disturbance.

The group of you

More bus strikes planned

by AMY PARKES

AN ONGOING row over pay between union members and Stagecoach has resulted in three further days of strike action in the town.

The first, on Monday will affect services r

Fire crews fight nursing home blaze

by AMY PARKES

CREWS from four fire stations were called to a blaze at a derelict nursing home yesterday evening.

Six fire engines from Rotherham, Darnall, Mexborough and Elm Lane stat

Rotherham Hospice gears up for candle event

by AMY PARKES

FUND-RAISERS at a Rotherham charity are gathering candles ready for this year's poignant Light up a Life service.

The Rotherham Hospice's annual event, which last year attracted aro

Murder accused appears in court

by PHIL TURNER
A 31-year-old man charged with murder following the death of a 28-year-old man appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on today.
Father of four Kevin Millns, of Victoria Street, Mexborough, sustained s

Rotherham labelled 'repossession hotspot'

by MICHAEL UPTON

ROTHERHAM has been named as a repossession "hotspot" as part of a drive to encourage households struggling to make ends meet to get help with paying their bills.

Advertise

Thieves get away with JCB digger

by HOWARD POUCHER

BRAZEN thieves made off with a one-and-a-half ton bright yellow JCB digger in a daring dawn raid.

They were spotted loading the £20,000 mini-digger on to a low loader before d

Rotherham targeted as house repossession hotspot

by MICHAEL UPTON

ROTHERHAM has been named as a repossession "hotspot" as part of a drive to encourage households struggling to make ends meet to get help with paying their bills.

Advertise

Alphabeat star at Rotherham Christmas lights switch-on

by HOWARD POUCHER

DANISH popsters Alphabeat, whose hits include Fascination, Boyfriend and 10,000 Nights, will headline the entertainment at the switch-on of Rotherham's Christmas lights tomorrow

Also

Death crash coach pair jailed

by MICHAEL UPTON

THE FAMILY of a couple killed when a coach smashed into their car have welcomed the jail sentences handed to the coach driver and his business partner but added: "It won't bring them back.&

Herringthorpe's new multi-million pound school opened

by AMY PARKES

PUPILS have been brought together under one roof thanks to a new multi-million school building which was officially opened this week.

Youngsters from Herringthorpe Junior and Infant

Suspended sentence for care home manager

by AMY PARKES

A CARE home manager who used the arms of other residents to hit a woman over the head has been given a suspended sentence.

Jane Harris, of Priory Close, Conisbrough, was given a six

Mexborough boy (8) saves man's life in blaze

by AMY PARKES

A CHILD who raised the alarm when he spotted a house fire has been hailed a hero for saving a man’s life.

Eight-year-old Joshua Lees-Steele, from Mexborough, was playing in hi

Mexborough man faces murder charge

by PHIL TURNER

A 31-year-old man has been charged with murder after the death of a 28-year-old man.

Father-of -our Kevin Millns, of Victoria Street, Mexborough, sustained serious injuries in an in

Dr Who at Magna

by

DR WHO will be dropping into Rotherham as part of the BBC Children in Need campaign, which gets underway next month.

The doctor, who will be accompanied by the Daleks and other char

Four men badly hurt in Kiveton crash

Police are appealing for witnesses to a

Outrage as flashers mar Remembrance Day parade

by TOM SHARPE

Remembrance Day revulsion was sparked by a couple who allegedly exposed themselves from a window as a parade passed by.

Members of the public, police force, armed forces and Royal B

Rotherham council house stands empty for six years

by AMY PARKES

A COUNCIL home has stood empty for six years while nearly 20,000 people swell the waiting list.

Now, at last, the house where time stood still is to get a new tenant&mda

2,800 Facebook friends join hunt for missing dog Marley

by HOWARD POUCHER

MARLEY the rough collie has been missing from home for six weeks, but he is not alone–in fact he has nearly 3,000 Facebook friends all searching for him. And one

Boy (6) in 'shag band' shocker. VOTE

HORRIFIED mum Alison Gascoigne says that the "shagband" craze which outrage

Maltby boy mugged . . . for his dog!

by TOM SHARPE
A concerned mum has spoken of her "disbelief" after her 13-year-old son was mugged in the street...for his dog.

Sam Brown was walking along Morrell Street, Maltby, when a man

Men burned in car explosion

by PHIL TURNER
THREE men were left with burns to their faces and arms after a car exploded in Thurcroft. A gas canister in the Ford car is believed to have exploded when one of the occupants lit a cigaret

Free Saturday parking for Christmas shoppers

by HOWARD POUCHER

SHOPPERS are to get an early Christmas present from council chiefs...free Saturday parking running up to Christmas in the town centre

It will run from Sat

Armistice Day picture special: SLIDESHOW

ROTHERHAM remembered fallen servicemen at the Fellowship of the Services remembrance parade a

Advertiser's challenge to Dragon Rachel

by MICHAEL UPTON

THE Advertiser invited former TV “dragon” Rachel Elnaugh back to Rotherham this week to help out in the town’s revival.

We joined calls from Rotherham Boroug

Glimpse into the future for Waverley site: VIDEO

by MICHAEL UPTON

A NEW video has been released by the company behind the £100 million transformation of a former pit site at Waverley into a new community, showing how the development could shape up.

Rotherham remembers - SLIDESHOW

by MICHELE VINCENT

UMBRELLAS were the order of

Swinton OAP's sewage nightmare

by AMY PARKES

EVERY time it rains, it rains misery for pensioner Edward Humphreys as raw sewage bubbles up into his front garden.

Mr Humphreys (81), and his neighbour Marjorie Larkin, have been p

Dementia sufferer died after assault by fellow patient

by PHIL TURNER

AN 84-year-old Alzheimer’s sufferer died after breaking his leg when he was kicked by another dementia patient who had previously threatened to hit him, an inquest heard.

Gran

Wardens in parking hotspots blitz: VOTE

by HOWARD POUCHER

ROTHERHAM’S popular ‘free after three’ parking scheme has freed&nbs

Miracle recovery for Rotherham stroke driver

by AMY PARKES
A RACE against time led to a "miracle" recovery for a stroke victim who had revolutionary clot-busting treatment.
Anthony Pike (56), was driving his car when he began feeling the s

Publican's last-ing efforts

by TOM SHARPE
A publican has been serving up the fund-raising spirit with a calendar and a fashion show to boost the coffers of a charity which helps runaway children.
Phil Rogers, who bought the Black Li

Murder probe: Man in court

by PHIL TURNER
A man is due to appear at court today charged with the murder of young mum Kerry Hellen Sneddon, who died at Rotherham General Hospital in the early hours of Monday.
Jason Neil O'Malley (39), of

Hospice prepares for charity fair

by AMY PARKES

A feast of festive fun is being served up by a Rotherham charity as the team prepares for its Christmas fair.
This year's Rotherham Hospice Christmas Fair will take place at the Broom Road H

Charity photo event in Wath

by MICHAEL UPTON
Hug-loving residents will be able to have a good squeeze and do some good for charity at an event with a difference today (Thurs 12).
Visitors to Tesco in Wath will be invited by washing powder m

MP spreads spring cheer

by MICHAEL UPTON
Rotherham MP Denis MacShane joined councillors and residents at housing complexes and public gardens across the borough to plant the seeds of spring cheer.
As part of part of 'Make a Differe

Biking to nowhere is a fund raiser

by HOWARD POUCHER

A ROTHERHAM fitness fanatic is off on a 36 hour bike ride to nowhere to raise cash for Children in Need.
Dominic Hurley will climb on a static bike at Asda in Rotherham at 1

Hospice gears up for Christmas fundraiser

by AMY PARKES
A FEAST of festive fun is being served up by a Rotherham charity as it prepares for its Christmas fair.
This year's Rotherham Hospice Christmas Fair will take place at the Broom Road Hospice from

Mexborough man faces grievious bodily harm charge

by MICHAEL UPTON
A 31-year-old man appeared at Doncaster Magistrates' Court this morning charged with grievous bodily harm with intent after an assault in Mexborough that left a local man with serious injuries.<

Man arrested after car overturns

by PHIL TURNER

A MAN was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive through drink or drugs after his car overturned near the Asda roundabout on Aldwarke Lane, Rotherham.

The man, aged in his ea

Bluebell Wood Christmas fundraisers

by AMY PARKES

THE countdown to Christmas is on and children’s charity is hoping to raise extra funds during the festive season.

Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice is holding a Celebrate

Murder probe after woman found dead

by MICHAEL UPTON

POLICE have launched a murder hunt after an incident at a home in Rotherham town centre.

A 36-year-old woman, named today as Kerry Sneddon, was found at the property on

Bluebell Wood aims for Christmas boost

by AMY PARKES

THE Christmas countdown is on and one children's charity is hoping to raise extra funds this festive season.

Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice has two dates for the diary: the first

Top South Yorkshire policemen hit the heights

by TOM SHARPE

SOME of South Yorkshire Police's top brass stepped up to the challenge of the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge to complete an epic charity walk.

Officers from Rotherham, including t

Car destroyed in blaze

by PHIL TURNER

FIREFIGHTERS were called out to deal with a blazing car in a suspected arson attack in Treeton on Monday night.

The car, a Volvo 940, was badly destroyed in the fire in Spawell Cres

Wales High School wins international applause

by AMY PARKES

A ROTHERHAM school which brings the wider world into the classroom has been rewarded for its work.

Wales High School has been awarded the Government's prestigious International Scho

Stolen church treasure found in Tickhill field

by PHIL TURNER

A VALUABLE Victorian artefact stolen by burglars was this week back in pride of place at a 900-year-old church.

The bowl which had been taken from the font at St Mary's Church at Ti

1,000 South Yorkshire sex offenders tracked

by MICHAEL UPTON

TEAM set up to manage serious offenders in the community is helping to make South Yorkshire a safer place, according to a new report.

MAPPA (Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangeme

Yorkshire's first-time home buyers struggling

by HOWARD POUCHER
DEMAND from first time home buyers in the Yorkshire and Humberside region has dipped as mortgage funding remains tight.
That’s the finding from the surveyors’ professional body RICS,

Bonfire night fires down

by
A BONFIRE night wash-out dampened firefighters’ fears of a busy night.
Fire crews across South Yorkshire were called out to 55 deliberately started fires on November 5—a fifteen per c

Rotherham remembers the fallen

by MICHELE VINCENT
UMBRELLAS were the order of the day as hundreds of people of all ages braved the wet weather in Rotherham to pay their respects to the war dead on Remembrance Sunday.
Events took place across the

Carers invited to Rotherham Health Network meeting

by
PEOPLE with an interest in social care are invited to attend the Rotherham Health Network's up and coming AGM.
The network helps to pass information between health care services and the community

SAFE@last up for top award

by AMY PARKES
A CHARITY'S work to help children and young people stay safe has been recognised with a national award nomination.
SAFE@Last has been short-listed for a Social Chan

A musical send-off for Mary

by HOWARD POUCHER

MUSIC loving Mary Garrett was laid to rest to the strains of her favourite song, Danny Boy, after dementia charity Lost Chord fulfilled one final musical request.
When offic

History in the House

by HOWARD POUCHER

TWO YOUNG people from Rotherham made history when they were among the first in the country to take part in a debate in the House of Commons.
The United Kingdom Youth P

Obesity Institute opens its doors

by AMY PARKES

A UNIQUE centre set up to manage obesity in Rotherham opened its doors to the public today.
Rotherham Institute for Obesity (RIO), based at Clifton Medical Centre, will provide specialist s

Youngsters help preserve Iron Age fort

by

YOUNG volunteers from Rotherham have been carrying out vital work to help preserve an ancient monument.
Nine youngsters have been removing young trees from Caesar's Camp, the Iron Age fort s

Brinsworth dad becomes son's apprentice

by HOWARD POUCHER

IT’S A time honoured tradition for sons to follow their fathers into the family business, but granddad Wayne Lightfoot has just turned that on its head.
He is about t

Rotherham remembers war dead

by MICHELLE VINCENT
PEOPLE in Rotherham along with millions across the country will be paying their respects to the war dead on Sunday as well as on Armistice Day.
Among the many events taking place in the borough w

Dragon Den's Rachel slams 'dismal' Rotherham service. VOTE

by MICHAEL UPTON

FORMER Dragon’s Den star Rachel Elnaugh has launched a tirade worthy of her fire-breathing TV alter ego after an unhappy trip to a Rotherham “greasy spoon.”
The entreprene

Yob behaviour down

by TOM SHARPE

POLICE have claimed that instances of antisocial behaviour are down for the time of year thanks to a series of special patrols.
November 4, usually one of the busiest nights on the force's c

Firm pledges to create 600 jobs for Rotherham

by

A PIONEERING power company has vowed to create up to 600 new jobs in Rotherham after announcing long-term plans to produce new eco-friendly air-cooling units in the borough.
Bosses from tech

School bars teenager over pink nail polish

by MICHAEL UPTON

FASHION-conscious teenager Robyn Smith missed school this week after teachers saw red over her pink nail varnish.
Robyn (15), who is studying for her GCSEs, was among several pupils in troub

'Queen of Shops' helps revitalise town centre

by MICHAEL UPTON
THE head of Rotherham’s regeneration body pointed out this week that plenty was being done to improve the town's fortunes—including organising training courses with TV retail guru Mary Por

Dragon's Den star's recipe for Rotherham success

by MICHAEL UPTON

FANCY a spot of white-water rafting on the River Don?
That is just one of the suggestions dreamed up by entrepreneur Rachel Elnaugh to “heal” Rotherham after her “dis

Yobs ruin Clifton Park fireworks

by HOWARD POUCHER

MARAUDING gangs of foul mouthed yobs turned the council’s Clifton Park bonfire, into powder keg, a young mother claims.
Families with young children were put in

Armed raid at Brinsworth newsagent

by TOM SHARPE
A GANG fled from a Rotherham newsagents with money and cigarettes after forcing the manager to open the safe during an early morning raid.
It was the second time in ten months that GT News on Bri

Jim's wish list is a fund raiser

by HOWARD POUCHER

ADVENTURE-loving granddad Jim Beachill drew up a list of “things to do before I die” when he hit 65–and walking Hadrian’s wall came out top.
When gra

Thief targets Good Samaritan couple

by HOWARD POUCHER
GOOD Samaritans John and Joyce Mason paid a heavy price for helping an old lady in distress–an opportunist thief walked off with their holdall containing £150 worth of property.

Crash closes road

by TOM SHARPE
BOTH lanes of a dual carriageway have been closed due to a collision which has left a motorist trapped inside a vehicle.
Firefighters from Rotherham Fire Station were working this morning to

Fire strikes called off

by TOM SHARPE
FIREFIGHTERS have called off a raft of strikes announced earlier this week after reaching an agreement over changing shift times.
The Fire Brigades Union had previously been locked in a dispute w

Chimney plunge rescue: VIDEO

by TOM SHARPE

A TOP firefighter has told how crews battled for two-hour s to free a man who had become trapped after falling down a chimney.
Incident Commander Neil Hessell was part of the rescue te

Road closed after smash

by TOM SHARPE
POLICE closed one of the main routes into the town following a collision involving a car and a skip lorry.
The collision happened at around 8.30am

New fire brigade strikes condemned

by TOM SHARPE
FIREFIGHTERS have announced another raft of strike dates in protest against shift changes and a threat to sack 744 crew members—but there will be no walkout on Bonfire Night.
The new dates,

MoD plea over parcels for soldiers

by AMY PARKES
CHRISTMAS gifts and goodwill parcels for frontline soldiers should be sent via two nominated charities says the Ministry of Defence.
The public’s generosity at Christmas has threatened to s

Firefighters douse plan blaze

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FIREFIGHTERS were called to clear a hostel of smoke after a pan fire broke out early last night
Residents were evacuated at around 8.50pm after fire broke out in a kitchen and the building, on Q

Witness plea over fatal M1 accident

by TOM SHARPE

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a 65-year-old man died in an accident on the M1 motorway.
The pensioner's Skoda Fabia hatchback had come to a halt in the inside lane of the southbo

Chris named Rotherham's Young Entrepreneur of the Year

by HOWARD POUCHER
YOUNG businessman Chris Wright has been named Rotherham’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2009.
Chris (22) launched his own company, IT Desk, in 2006 after becoming interested in information

Railway walk invitation

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PARTICIPANTS in a special railway walk taking place this weekend are promised extensive views across the Don Valley along the route.
People have the chance to put their best foot forward on the w

Free classes to improve workers' fitness

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EMPLOYEES in the Dearne Valley are being offered free fitness classes to promote a healthy lifestlye.
The 25-week course is being run by Dearne Valley Sports, in conjunction with Rotherham Primar

Man dies in M1 tragedy

by TOM SHARPE

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a 65-year-old man was killed on the M1 motorway.
The pensioner, believed to be from Sheffield, had pulled his car onto the hard shoulder of the south

Masbrough man rescued after falling down chimney

by TOM SHARPE
A MAN who was seen walking along the roof of a terrace houses sparked a two-hour rescue operation after he fell down a chimney.
Witnesses told how the man, in his thirties, had been walking along

Driver trapped in van smash

by TOM SHARPE
FIREFIGHTERS had to prise open the doors of a van to rescue the driver after it it hit a lamppost and wall.
The crew from Mexborough were called to the incident, on Lime Grove, Swinton, at a

Race for Life smashes target

by MICHELE VINCENT
THE organisers of this summer's Race for Life in Rotherham are delighted that the event smashed its target.
The Cancer Research UK fund-raiser, held at Herringthorpe playing fields on July 5, has

Railway walk

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A NINE-mile railway walk starting in Rotherham is being held on Saturday.
Walk promoter, Stuart Parker, of the Ramblers' Association said: "It will start from the Chapel on the Bridge,

TRAFFIC UPDATE: M1 delays clear

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Traffic is reported to be flowing normally again after delays between junctions 31 (Aston) and 30 (Barlborough) caused by an accident earlier today.

Supporters sing for their supper at Blitz Ball: SLIDESHOW

by AMY PARKES

SUPPORTERS of a Rotherham charity took a step back in time as they enjoyed a 1940s-themed Blitz Ball.
Dressed to impress in wartime uniforms and glamorous headscarves

Rawmarsh calendar girls strike a pose for charity:PICTURES

by MICHAEL UPTON

Check out these Christmas calendar girls!
The big-hearted group of friends are following in the footsteps of the Rylstone WI members made famous by a nude charity calendar by launching the

Oracle Training Consultants score hat-trick at Rotherham Business Awards: PICTURE GALLERY

by MICHAEL UPTON

BEAUTY training specialists Oracle Training Consultants scored a treble triumph at the Rotherham Business Awards.
The company, which delivers a variety of training programmes for the hair a

ROTHERHAM BUSINESS AWARDS: Winners celebrate fruits of hard work

by MICHAEL UPTON
The winners of the 2009 Rotherham Business Awards all took their turn to thank the judges and pay tribute to their customers. Here is a selection of their comments:

New Start Award (sponsored

Protesters unite against Rotherham Council: AUDIO

by PHIL TURNER
CAMPAIGNERS calling for A Time For Change descended on Rotherham town centre on Saturday.
A rally attended by around 150 people was staged in All Saints' Square to publicly protest against Rothe

£8.5 million jobs boost for Rotherham

by MICHAEL UPTON AND AMY PARKES

ROTHERHAM'S battle against the recession has been handed an £8.5 million double boost with news of 90 metalwork jobs and the development of a new police training and major crimes

Thousands at Magna for disabled fair: PICTURE GALLERY

by MICHAEL UPTON

SUMO wrestlers, football stars, magicians, musicians and circus performers were all on hand to put on a spectacular show this week at an event with a difference.
Thousands of visitors flock

Are Rotherham's local pubs doomed? ONLINE POLL

by TOM SHARPE

LANDLORDS and licensees have been hit hard over the past 18 months by rising tax on alcohol, the smoking ban and a world-wide financial crisis .

Thieves dash boy's go-kart dreams

by PHIL TURNER
BRAZEN thieves dashed the dreams of a boy racer when they stole a go-kart from outside his home.
Mitchell Hannaby's £700 machine was snatched after it was parked up on a trailer at the rear

Nurse alleged to have ill-treated patients

by PHIL TURNER

A BULLYING residential care home manager ill-treated three vulnerable patients in her care, a court heard.
Jane Harris (45), threw food at one woman and used one patient’s hand as a &l

Laundry service is axed

by PHIL TURNER
A CONTROVERSIAL move to go ahead with plans to axe Rotherham's laundry service for old people won council backing this week.
After months of protests by pensioners and their supporters, borough

Vengeful husband burns down home

by PHIL TURNER
A VENGEFUL husband burned down the marital home after his wife told him she wanted a divorce, a court heard.
Former garage boss Philip Evans set fire to the £180,000 bungalow and left a voi

Extra help for smokers who want to quit

by AMY PARKES

ROTHERHAM smokers who are ready to quit can now access extra support through free group sessions.
NHS Rotherham's Stop Smoking Service are introducing the group sessions in addition to the o

Dyslexia screening offer

by AMY PARKES
FREE dyslexia screening is being offered to children and adults as part of dyslexia awareness week, which begins on Monday.
Support4Dyslexia is offering the service free of charge for one month a

Maltby Linx win £36,000 allotment grant

by AMY PARKES

YOUNGSTERS from a Rotherham youth group can plant a better future for themselves thanks to a £36,000 grant.
Members of the Maltby Linx Young People's Group received the funding from th

Denis MacShane steps into planning applications row

by MICHAEL UPTON
ROTHERHAM MP Denis MacShane has joined public protests over moves to scrap rules requiring that planning applications have to be advertised in newspapers.
Dr MacShane raised the issue in the hous

South Yorkshire sex offender numbers up

by PHIL TURNER
THE number of sex offenders under supervision in South Yorkshire increased by five per cent to 861 over the past year—185 of them in Rotherham.
There were 305 registered sex offenders in Sh

New surgery for Conisbrough

by TOM SHARPE
PLANS for a £6 million super-surgery will become reality after receiving the green light from council planners.
NHS Doncaster announced this week that work on the new Conisbrough Health Cen

South Yorkshire sex offender numbers up

Dr Who heads for Magna

by MICHAEL UPTON
DR WHO will be dropping into Rotherham as part of the BBC Children in Need campaign, which gets underway next month.
The doctor, who will be accompanied by the Daleks and other characters from th

Muggers steal Swallownest boy's bike

by MICHAEL UPTON
POLICE are hunting a gang who attacked a 13-year-old cyclist and stole his bike.
The teenager was riding his bike to meet friends just before 8am last Wednesday when he was stopped by a group of

Oracle scores hat-trick at Rotherham Business awards

by MICHAEL UPTON
Specialist training provider Oracle Training Consultants is basking in glory of a treble triumph at the Rotherham Business Awards.
The company, which delivers a variety of training programme

Man held after Dinnington smash

by MICHAEL UPTON
A MAN has been arrested after a 23-year-old woman was seriously injured in an accident after apparently being hit by a car going the wrong way around a roundabout.
The smash happened

Police reach out to Goldthorpe kids

by MICHAEL UPTON
POLICE in the Dearne Valley are holding a fun day for youngsters today.
Dearne Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) is hosting the event at Dearne Youth Centre in Goldthorpe Green, Goldthorpe, as part

Blitz on bogus callers

by MICHAEL UPTON
POLICE in Rotherham have teamed up with traffic officers and trading standards chiefs for a week-long blitz on targeting distraction burglars and rogue traders, with the message: "If you're not s

Crimebusting Maltby councillors to meet Gordon Brown

by AMY PARKES
TWO councillors who have helped to fight crime in their community have been invited to meet the Prime Minister for a special reception at number ten.
Maltby Town Council’s Cllr Keith String

Blaze at Kimberworth bowling alley

by MICHAEL UPTON
FIREFIGHTERS were called to tackle a bowling alley blaze this morning after the boiler caught fire.
Crews wearing breathing apparatus put out the fire at the Superbowl in Kimberworth after being

Man seriously hurt in Mexborough smash

by MICHAEL UPTON
POLICE have launched an appeal for witnesses after an accident in which a 20-year-old man was seriously hurt.
The crash happened at 8.45pm last night on Wath Road in Mexborough, and involved a bl

John Prescott hosts delegation's Rotherham fact-finding tour

by AMY PARKES
VISITORS from China and Mongolia were taken on a tour of Rotherham's specialist breathing centre by the man who opened its doors in 2007–MP John Prescott.
The former Deputy Prime Minister w

Homes blacked out by garden blaze

by MICHAEL UPTON
A FAMILY had a unwelcome moving-in present when fire swept up the outside of their new home.
The family had moved into the house in Braithwell Road, Maltby, just three days before sparks from a b

Children in Need fundraiser

by AMY PARKES
A FUND-RAISING event for the whole family will take place next week to drum up funds for Children In Need.
The event, from 11am until 3pm, on November 8, at Silverwood Miners' Welfare, will featu

Hallowe'een walk to mark obesity week

by AMY PARKES
FAMILIES from a Rotherham weight management club will take part in a fancy dress fun walk this Hallowe'en to raise awareness of National Obesity Week.
Children from the Carnegie Club will be dres

NHS Rotherham acts to tackle workplace stress

by AMY PARKES
ROTHERHAM businesses are being given the chance to apply for funding to help support the mental health of their staff.
Stress and mental health problems are on the rise as more people struggle to

Police say a big thank-you to schoolchildren

by MICHAEL UPTON

South Yorkshire Police's mounted officers went back to school this week to say thanks to pupils from Wales High School.
PCs Julie Bradshaw and Tracy Brown, as well as police horses Fenwick

M-way victim named

by TOM SHARPE
POLICE have named the 42-year-old man who was killed after he stepped into the busy southbound carriageway of the M18 motorway.
Adrian Gavin Wedge, from Mansfield, died shortly after the inciden

200 take part in Big Sleepout

by AMY PARKES

WHILE many Rotherham residents were tucked up safely in their beds hard-core supporters of a children's charity took to the streets for a fund-raising sleepout.
SA

Sunshine at Clifton Park

by MICHAEL UPTON
A NEW Sunshine Corner has returned to Clifton Park–thanks to big hearted contractors.
The refurbished Grade II listed Walker Sun Dial was officially handed over to the Friends of Clifton Pa

Segway comes to Rotherham. VIDEO AND VOTE

by TOM SHARPE

BUSINESSMAN Chris Moulds will introduce his futuristic Segway mobility devices to Rotherham next week.
Chris, of Treeton, is behind a new business aiming to make Rotherham the UK

Mexborough cancer care plea

by MICHELE VINCENT
A CHARITY which helps provides free nursing care in their own homes to cancer patients and those with other terminal illnesses is hoping that organisations will take a collecting box.
Marie Curie

Miner's knee sufferers claim cutbacks

by PHIL TURNER
MINERS' knee sufferers in Rotherham say most former pitmen making claims are being turned down.
Retired collier Howard Douglas, who has osteoarthritis, is meeting Wentworth MP John Healey today t

Kimberworth benefits cheat drove a Porsche

by PHIL TURNER
A BENEFITS cheat who fiddled £23,000 while driving a Porsche and buying two houses has been jailed for 14 months.
Paul Russell (38), was falsely paid incapacity benefit for nearly six years

Cowboy builders cause homeowners 8-year nightmare

by PHIL TURNER
THREE couples whose dream homes descended into an eight-year nightmare of "cowboy" builders and costly litigation are due more than £100,000 after an Appeal Court ruling.
The coup

Memories of Rotherham workhouse

by HOWARD POUCHER

IT’S A book of desperate and forgotten souls whose lives were spent in grinding poverty, but who made up part of the colourful history of the town.
Now the register o

Carol faces 'jail' for Rotherham Hospice

by AMY PARKES
A ROTHERHAM charity is looking for volunteers to get locked-up as part of its fund-raising jail break event.
The Rotherham Hospice is appealing for supporters to be thrown into D

MP Denis MacShane at memorial ceremony for Danny

by HOWARD POUCHER

ROTHERHAM MP Denis MacShane will today join family and friends of the late Danny Willoughby at the town's specialist BreathingSpace centre to unveil a bench

Yobs wreck pensioner's 'pride and joy' car

by MICHAEL UPTON

Vandals have wrecked pensioner Peter Scales' "pride and joy" after their late-night rampage left it a total write-off.
While Peter and his wife Patricia slept just yards away, the

Pink balloon tribute to baby after crematorium row

by MICHAEL UPTON
Grieving parents Toni and Glyn Connell paid a moving birthday tribute to their tragic baby daughter by gathering friends and family to release dozens of pink balloons in her honour.
More than 50

Rotherham pub bars Cancer Research UK collectors

by HOWARD POUCHER

THERE was no room at the inn for shocked supermarket staff who gave up their Sunday night to collect for a cancer charity.
When the 24-strong group, dressed in eye-ca

Thieves hit BMX champion Dominic's Olympic hopes

by AMY PARKES

MEAN thieves could have stolen a teenage cyclist's Olympic dream after snatching his bike just days before a make-or-break trial.
BMX ace Dominic Skidmore (15), has spent th

RSPCA hunt Sitwell rabbit killers

by MICHAEL UPTON
Horrified Chris Walker was left "sick to the stomach" when she made a gruesome discovery on her daily walk—a bag full of dead rabbits.
Mrs Walker was walking her dog with a f

Go-ahead for Rotherham hydro plant

by MICHAEL UPTON
It's all systems go for plans to build a new eco-friendly water power plant on the banks of the River Don after they were backed by councillors.
As reported in last week's Advertiser, the Oxfords

Fallen lamppost leaves motorist with £1,000 bill

by HOWARD POUCHER

SHOCKED driver Nick Gore didn’t see the light as he drove home along a country lane....and ran slap bang into a concrete lamp post sprawled across the road.
It left h

Rotherham ex-miner qualifies as space shuttle pilot

by HOWARD POUCHER
FROM the bowels of the earth to reaching for the stars....that’s the amazing journey of former miner Phil Reeder who has just undergone training as a NASA space shuttle pilot.

Rotherham mum's life-support anguish

by AMY PARKES
A GRIEVING mum has spoken of her anguish at making the heartbreaking decision to turn off her baby daughter’s ventilator just a week after she was born.
Natasha Houghton (21), gave birth to

Use your extra hour to exercise, urge health chiefs

by AMY PARKES

AS the clocks go back this weekend health experts are urging families to spend their extra hour doing some form of exercise.
NHS Rotherham staff are encouraging families to use the time to

Schoolchildren celebrate reading

by AMY PARKES
BOOK worms at a Rotherham school have enjoyed a week-long programme of activities to celebrate reading.
Parents, staff and pupils at Rudston School took part in competitions, poetry workshops, a

Spooky activities at Rotherham libraries

by AMY PARKES
ROTHERHAM libraries are set to host a variety of free activities next week to keep kids entertained throughout half-term.
And with Hallowe'en around the corner, there will a spooky theme at some

Operation Christmas Child deadline looms

by AMY PARKES
THERE are just weeks left for people in Rotherham to deliver their gifts to children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Operation Christmas Child, which has been running for more than 19 years, send

Youngsters in road safety drive

by AMY PARKES
YOUNGSTERS from a Rotherham nursery took part in safety campaign in a bid to reduce the number of children killed on the roads.
Youngsters from Mommas Day Nursery sang road safety songs, baked tr

Soldiers send message of thanks

by AMY PARKES
FRONT-LINE soldiers stationed in Afghanistan have written messages of thanks to the kind-hearted Rotherham folk who have sent them Christmas parcels.
The moving letters and e-mai

Rotherham post staff set to strike

by PHIL TURNER

SOUTH Yorkshire was braced for a wave of strikes today, with post bus and fire workers set to walk out.
Thousands of postal workers started the first of two one-day national stoppa

Duke of Kent sees the future in Rotherham

by HOWARD POUCHER

A ROYAL visitor came to Rotherham this week to get a glimpse of the future.
HRH The Duke of Kent, visited the town’s Advanced Manufacturing Park’s Technology Centre and he told M

New bus to help job-seekers

by HOWARD POUCHER
A NEW bus service is due to begin running from Chapeltown in Sheffield to the Thorncliffe Business Park to improve job opportunities for local people.
The new 35a shuttle service will began runni

Missing man found safe

by TOM SHARPE
POLICE have located a 41-year-old man who had been missing from home for a week.
Saleem Meherban, who suffered from medical problems and is from the Rotherham area, vanished after last Tuesday af

More help for Rotherham stroke victims

by AMY PARKES
A NEW project aimed at helping stroke survivors to communicate is looking for volunteers.
The Communication Partners scheme assists people with aphasia–a condition caused by brain damage fo

Post Office cash machine smashed

by AMY PARKES
A POST office owner is appealing for help from the public to trace vandals who smashed up the cash machine outside his store.
The damage to the ATM outside Sandhill Post Office on Kilnhurst Road

Millmoor soccer kids backing troops

by AMY PARKES
JUNIOR footballers are pledging their support to a Christmas parcel appeal for troops.
Millmoor Juniors Football Club are throwing their players behind the national Support Our Soldiers Christmas

Guide dog star of OAP show

by PHIL TURNER
GUIDE dog Clover took pride of place at a fundraising event at a sheltered housing scheme.
White Rose House Sheltered scheme in Rotherham held an "Older Persons day" to raise money for

Appeal over missing Rotherham man

by TOM SHARPE

POLICE are appealing for information on the whereabouts of a 41-year-old man who has been missing from home for a week.
Saleem Meherban, who is from the Rotherham area, was last seen leaving

Give cigarettes the boot

by AMY PARKES
FOOTBALL fans are being invited to sign for Smokefree United–a virtual club of cigarette quitters that provides coaching and support to help folk kick the habit.
The national initiative is

Firefighters strike latest

by PHIL TURNER
ROTHERHAM firefighters are gearing up for a second strike later this week in a row over shift changes.
Picket lines were mounted across Rotherham and the rest of South Yorkshire on Monday evening

TRAFFIC: South Yorkshire speed camera locations

by TOM SHARPE
MOBILE speed cameras will be used to target speeding motorists on seven of the borough's busiest routes in the coming week.
Officers from the South Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnership will be tak

Tinsley Post Office reprieve

by PHIL TURNER
A POST office which was set to close temporarily will now remain open.
Tinsley Post Office on Sheffield Road was due to shut next month until a new subpostmaster was found.
But it will now r

Killer driver on run in Pakistan

by PHIL TURNER
A DRIVER convicted of causing the deaths of a father and son is still evading justice in Pakistan.
Syed Raza (27), failed to turn up for his trial after being charged with two counts of caus

Stag murder charge man in court

by PHIL TURNER
A MAN accused of murdering his long-term partner appeared at Sheffield Crown Court this week.
Gordon White (46), appeared at a preliminary hearing today charged with the murder of Cheryl Ann Mart

Friends remember GP

by AMY PARKES

A SERVICE of thanksgiving has been held in memory of Dr Colin Shawcross whose body was found in woodland in June–five months after he vanished from his home.
Family and friends of the

Fear of crime rising in Dearne Valley

by TOM SHARPE

EVIDENCE gathered by the Police Authority has indicated that the public feel that the problems of crime and anti-social behaviour are continuing to rise.
The results came as part of a surve

Firefighters' warning after Wombwell bin blazes

by MICHAEL UPTON

Firefighters have renewed warnings about the dangers of wheelie bin fires after a string of blazes in Wombwell.
Four wheelie bins were set on fire, all on neighbouring streets, in the s

Police hunt Wombwell owl killers

by TOM SHARPE
Police are hunting a group of youths after three barn owls were killed in a raid on a farm.
Three boys aged around 13 are believed to have been involved in the killing of the three birds, an

M18 closed for eight hours after accident

by TOM SHARPE

Traffic chaos ensued over the weekend after a man pulled onto the hard shoulder of a motorway and stepped out into the path of the oncoming traffic.
The M18 was closed for eig

Protesters plan rally over 'ruining of Rotherham'

by MICHAEL UPTON
Campaigners of all causes will descend on the town centre next weekend to call for change and protest against council bosses they claim are "ruining our town."
A mass rally in All

Five-year-old girl and woman from Wath hurt in crash

by PHIL TURNER
A woman and a five-year-old girl from Wath suffered life-threatening injuries after the car they were travelling in careered onto a roundabout.
Another passenger, an 11-year-old boy, was also hur

Youngsters vote on name for £3.4 million centre

The waiting is almost over for young people across Rotherham as the name of a new £3.4 million youth centre - wh

School's half-baked birthday cake ban

by HOWARD POUCHER
Birthday girl Olivia Morris excitedly set off for school with a tasty chocolate cake, topped with nine pink candles, to share with her classmates.
But her pals never got to taste so much as

Campaigners call for Millmoor return - have your say

by MICHAEL UPTON AND DAVID BEDDOWS

Millers' bosses should go back to the future in their hunt for a "new" home, according to heritage campaigners.
Rotherham Civic Society believes that Rotherham United chairman Tony

Posters highlight town's troubleshooters

by TOM SHARPE
What do you get if you fuse a policeman, a fireman and a Streetpride operative?
A new poster campaign launched this week might just hold the answer.
Councillors and members of several o

Wingfield College students create garden

by AMY PARKES
BUDDING gardeners from one Rotherham school have planted the seeds of success by creating an outdoor area for the community.
A group of 14 students from Wingfield Business and En

Fitness group in league of their own

by AMY PARKES
FITNESS group ladies were leaping for joy as they celebrated its 75th anniversary at the weekend.
Rotherham branch of the international organisation, The Fitness League, has been

South Yorks MPs get Legg letters over expenses

by PHIL TURNER
ROTHERHAM'S three MPs appear so far to have escaped the wrath of expenses' watchdog Sir Thomas Legg.
While the row over the review of expenses and accommodation allowances raged again this

Ex-firefighter Fred (83) rescued from lift

by PHIL TURNER
LIFE was full of ups and downs for retired firemen Fred Hurt when he got stuck in a lift....and had to be rescued by the fire brigade.
Roles were reversed for Fred (85)—who spent 30 years i

South Yorkshire's bobby dazzlers!

by HOWARD POUCHER

A ROTHERHAM police officer is in line for top honours at a glittering awards ceremony aimed at recognising and rewarding excellence in policing in the United Kingdom.

Hydro-electric plant planned for River Don

by MICHAEL UPTON

An eco-friendly power plant could be built on the banks of the River Don if ambitious plans to generate “green” electricity get off the ground.
Councillors were expected yesterda

Treeton scheme 'will cut greenhouse gases'

by HOWARD POUCHER
NATIONAL Grid is carrying out work in Treeton as part of a scheme which will cut CO2 emissions equal to taking 38,000 cars off the road.
A total of £23 million is to be spent in installing

Family's holiday from hell

by HOWARD POUCHER
A LEADING law firm has urged a tour operator to ditch a sickness struck Turkish hotel where a Rotherham family endured a holiday from hell.
Robert and Diane Parker and daughters Megan (11) and ni

Council faces huge bill over Maltby quarry

by HOWARD POUCHER
A HOLE in the ground which for years swallowed up tonnes of household rubbish is now set to gobble up a huge chunk of council cash following a shock legal ruling.
A judge has told Rotherham counc

Council shortlisted

by PHIL TURNER
COUNCIL chiefs have been shortlisted for a top award for the way they handled the controversial scrapping of the meals on wheels service.
Rotherham Borough Council's Consultation Cafe has been n

Brave Jonathan will be remembered for his smile

by AMY PARKES
AN INSPIRATIONAL teenager who defied doctors to battle his life-limiting illnesses has died at the age of 19, leaving behind a legacy of laughter.
Jonathan Whitaker, who was the

MP's visit to "smash hit" Aston school

by PHIL TURNER
ROTHER Valley MP Kevin Barron will be visiting a "smash hit" of a project at Aston Comprehensive School tomorrow.
He will sample the results of an £58.8 million Big Lottery Fund i

Excellent rating for Rotherham mental health services

by PHIL TURNER
Mental health services covering Rotherham have earned a double excellent for the second year running.
Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) received

Boston Castle renovation set to start

by AMY PARKES

Work to prepare one of the town’s most historic landmarks for renovation is set to begin this month.
Contractors are about to remove the Victorian extension to Boston Castle, the hunt

Night of glamour for hospital

by AMY PARKES

CALLING all glamour pusses!

Fund-raisers for the Rotherham Hospital Charity are putting on an evening of fashion and fine wine.
Ladies Night, featuring a fashion show and free glass

Youth activities on the agenda

by MICHAEL UPTON
A PRESENTATION about young people’s activities in the north of the borough is on the agenda of an up-and-coming area assembly.
Rotherham North Area's next meeting, on October 20, will take

Rotherham boozers urged to rethink their drinking habits

by AMY PARKES
Boozers in Rotherham are being urged to rethink their drink as the town gears up for Alcohol Awareness Week.
The initiative will run throughout next week and is part of NHS Rotherham's bid t

Green-fingered Rotherham youngsters create community garden

by AMY PARKES
BUDDING gardeners from a Rotherham school have planted the seeds of success by creating an outdoor area for the community.
A group of 14 students from Wingfield Business and Enterprise College ha

Witness appeal after Bolton crash

by PHIL TURNER
An elderly pensioner suffered two broken arms when her electric scooter was in collision with a car in Bolton on Dearne.
The 83-year-old woman was detained in Barnsley District General Hospital a

Mexborough hero Dennis backs charity walk

by MICHAEL UPTON

Twice-world champion darts player Dennis "The Menace" Priestley joined world heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis to put his weight behind a charity close to both of their hearts.
De

Musical celebration for heart girl Gemma

by MICHAEL UPTON
MIRACLE mum Gemma Lawrence is teaming up with a friend this weekend to pay a musical tribute to a charity close to her heart.
Gemma, who was given just days to live as a teenager when her heart w

Tickhill crash tragedy inqest opens

by AMY PARKES
AN inquest has been opened into the death on an elderly woman who died after being airlifted to hospital by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance following a car crash in Tickhill.
Janet Murphy (72), a wid

Muslim pilgrims swine flu alert

by HOWARD POUCHER
LORD Ahmed of Rotherham is urging Muslims preparing to travel on a major pilgrimage to get a swine flu jab.
And he has called on health chiefs to make sure pilgrims are properly vaccinated before

Meet the Millers!

by MICHAEL UPTON
MILLERS fans will have a chance to meet their heroes at a community event later this month.
Returning Rotherham United boss Ronnie Moore is backing the Fairs Fayre event at Magna on Wednesday, Oc

Accidental death verdict on Rotherham man killed in beam horror

by AMY PARKES

The jury at an inquest into the death of a 21-year-old Rotherham man has returned a verdict of accidental death.
Richard Foy, of Claremont Street, Holmes, was sitting on a stack of beams at

Rotherham man hurt in M1 crash

by PHIL TURNER
Police are appealing for witnesses following a two-vehicle collision on the M1 on Friday evening which left a 28-year-old Rotherham man with serious head and neck injuries.
A red Vauxhall was app

Have your say on planning shake-up

by MICHAEL UPTON
TIME is running out for the public to have their say on possible changes to the way controversial planning applications are advertised.
At the moment, councils are required by law to put adverts

Rotherham business awards: tickets selling fast

by HOWARD POUCHER
LOCAL businesses are being urged to book now to guarantee a place at next week's Rotherham Business Awards.
The prestigious ceremony will be hosted by television presenter Harry Gration at the Ma

Top computer award for Rawmarsh Sandill primary school

by AMY PARKES
YOUNGSTERS at Rawmarsh Sandhill primary school are celebrating winning an award for the way that they use computers.
The school has been presented with the British Education Communications and Te

Man badly hurt in M1 crash

Police are appealing for witnesses following a two-vehicle collision on the M1 on Friday evening which left a 28-year-old

Rotherham braced for swine flu

by AMY PARKES
ROTHERHAM is braced for a the return of swine flu this winter — but health chiefs say the borough is well-prepared.
Experts are expecting a second wave of the pandemic could be on its way a

Manvers waste plant plan - bosses rubbish 'scare stories'

by MICHAEL UPTON

WASTE chiefs have hit back at scare stories about their plans for a £77 million pound processing plant—branding them a load of rubbish.
Streetpride boss Tom Knight came out figh

Aston car fires doused

by AMY PARKES
FIREFIGHTERS tackled two car fires on the same street within minutes of each other in the early hours of this morning.
Aston Park fire station were caled to the first blaze, on Estone Drive, Asto

Manvers waste plant: 'myths' rejected

by MICHAEL UPTON

The BDR waste partnership is attempting top explode what is says are some of the “myths” surrounding its plans.
The group has presented the following list of statements to a

Manvers waste plant - protesters hit out

by MICHAEL UPTON

ANTI-incinerator campaigners have accused waste bosses of keeping them in the dark by failing to provide enough information about the rubbish-processing plant earmarked for their doorstep.

Aston Park fire safety event

by AMY PARKES

GRANDPARENTS and their grandkids are being invited to an open day at a Rotherham fire station this weekend.
Older people are one of the most at risk groups, according to research by the fire

Businessman backs bike lessons

by AMY PARKES
A KIND-HEARTED businesseman has put his hand in his pocket to help youngsters at one school learn to ride a bike.
Rotherham Borough Council currently grants funding for 36 pupils to take part in

Magna TV bungee blooper - watch video

by MICHAEL UPTON

ROTHERHAM was the setting for a notable TV gaffe this week after red-faced reporter Jonathan Swain was accused of “swearing” during an on-air bungee jump.
The roving reporter was

Survey of Rotherham life reveals worries about yob culture

by MICHAEL UPTON

ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour has become a major problem in Rotherham as parents let their kids run amok, according to a new survey.
A bleak picture of life in a yob-plagued borough is painted

Catcliffe wind turbine broken again - by the wind

by MICHAEL UPTON
ECO-friendly university bosses were left red-faced for the second time in 15 months this week after one of their wind turbines was left damaged—by high winds.
One of the swishing blades on

American treasure hunters' amazing find in Tickhill field

by MICHAEL UPTON

TRANSATLANTIC treasure hunters Russ Helfand and Heidi Bautista had the find of their lives when a few swishes of their metal detectors turned up a buried bounty of coins and jewellery.
The

FORCE PARENTS TO CONTROL UNRULY KIDS

by HOWARD POUCHER
FEATHER ruffling Tory councillor Tony Mannion says the scourge of yob plagued Rotherham will not go away until the Government and council use the law to force parents to keep their kids in che

INDEPENDENTS GATHERING FORCE

by HOWARD POUCHER

THE INDEPENDENT movement is gathering pace across Rotherham, threatening to sweep out the “expenses and junket culture” in the town’s politics, according to independent

MEMORIES OF WESTGATE

by HOWARD POUCHER

ONCE it was a thriving community in a growing town with its own characters, way of life, sights and sounds.
Westgate in the 19th Century was a bustling transportation route

SUPPORT NEEDED IF AGE CONCERN IS TO SURVIVE

by HOWARD POUCHER
AGE Concern may not survive unless it raises its profile in the community and broadens its support.
That was the stark message to members at the charity’s annual meeting at

TOP DOCTOR FACES CHILD INDECENCY CHARGES

by HOWARD POUCHER
A CONSULTANT pathologist facing charges of making indecent images of children has been sacked from his post at Rotherham General Hospital.
Dr Terry Marshall, a 65-year-old

Postal workers vote for strike

by HOWARD POUCHER

SOUTH Yorkshire's postal services look set to be disrupted after workers voted in favour of a national strike.

The Communication Workers' Union (CWU) said 76 per cent of those who to

Young meet old at Blenheim Court

by AMY SHARPE
IT was a generation game with a difference when elderly residents joined forces with primary school pupils to celebrate Older Peoples Day.
Youngsters from Flanderwell Primary School paid a visit

Flanderwell woman celebrates 100th birthday

by AMY PARKES
FISH and chips and enjoying the things you like are just two of the tricks that have helped Jennie Oliver reach the grand old age of 100.
Jennie celebrated with two parties and t

Best of Rotherham business shortlist unveiled

by HOWARD POUCHER
MORE than 20 of the top companies in the region are preparing to vie for glory at the 2009 Rotherham Business Awards later this month.
The list of shortlisted businesses had been revealed and tho

Hunt for gang in street attack

by AMY PARKES
A GANG of youths pounced on two brothers, stabbing one in the leg and leaving them both injured during an unprovoked street attack.
The brothers, who have not been named, were with two other fami

Man breaks pelvis in crash

by AMY PARKES
A MAN suffered from a fractured pelvis after he was involved in a two-car collision last night.
The 29-year-old Rotherham man was driving a blue BMW 318 from Maltby towards Tickhill, on Tickhill

Rotherh Valley Tory slams new planning body

by HOWARD POUCHER
A NEW unelected planning quango will fuel public disillusionment with politics and put democracy on the scrapheap, Cllr Lynda Donaldson Parliamentary Candidate for Rother Valley has warned.
It wi

Caretaker held in school theft probe

by TOM SHARPE
A 32-year-old man working as a part-time school caretaker has been arrested by police on suspicion of theft.
The Bolton-on-Dearne man, was arrested after money and electrical equipment was stolen

Brinsworth family flees blaze

by AMY PARKES
A FAMILY escaped unharmed after a fire broke out in their living room in the early hours of this morning.
Fire crews from Rotherham and Darnall Stations were alerted to the blaze at 2.30am after

Help for stressed out Rotherham workers

by AMY PARKES

ROTHERHAM employers are being encouraged to sign-up to a scheme aimed at improving mental health in the work place.
More than 40 of the town's businesses are already taking part in the Mind

Independents target Rotherham's 'junket culture'

by HOWARD POUCHER
THE INDEPENDENT movement is gathering pace across Rotherham and is threatening to sweep out the “expenses and junket culture” in the town’s politics, according to independent council

Top award for Rotherham nursery

by AMY PARKES
A ROTHERHAM nursery is jumping for joy after being recognised at a national awards ceremony.
Granby Nurseries, which has four bases in and around Rotherham, is celebrating being rated highly comm

Catch the Clifton Park express!

by TOM SHARPE
VISITORS to Clifton Park are have been chuffed to find they can tour the recently revamped attraction on a little train.
A road train known as Bessie has already proved a big hit with visitors to

Police trial BlackBerry crimefighting aid

by AMY PARKES
POLICE in Rotherham have this week kicked-off a series of roadshows aimed at sharing new technology with the public.
From November, 600 police officers in the town will be given a hand-held Black

Customers flee as Rotherham post office raided

by TOM SHARPE
CUSTOMERS fled as crowbar-wielding thugs burst into a Rotherham post office and demanded cash today.
But the raiders fled empty-handed after quick-thinking staff at the post office in Bawtry Road

Maltby by-election results