A DISABLED woman was left shocked when she was told to get out of her wheelchair to get on a bus.

Jackie Clarke, who has osteoporosis and arthritis, described a trip to Wakefield as “the journey from hell”.

The 52-year-old was travelling from her home in Goole to surprise her husband at work for his birthday.

But she said she was left feeling “disgusted and humiliated” when her son had to carry her onto the Arriva bus.

Mrs Clarke said: “The driver looked at my chair and said ‘you can’t get on here with that’.

“But there was a space for wheelchairs with a sign, and he let a lady with a pushchair in there after already refusing me – I was disgusted and humiliated. I felt discriminated against because I am disabled.”

Last month the Express also reported the story of a Kirkthorpe mum who was refused entry on to an Arriva bus with her disabled son.

Nigel Featham, managing director for Arriva Yorkshire, apologised to Mrs Clarke and said the bus she had used was not suitable for wheelchairs.

He said: “This year alone we are spending £12m on new buses and are well on the way to having a completely wheelchair accessible fleet.”

Mrs Clarke also had to wait 25 minutes on platform two at Westgate railway station to cross the track, as there is no footbridge with disabled access.

A spokesman for East Coast Trains said the planned £6.6m redevelopment on the station will include a new footbridge with disabled access.

AMATEUR cricketers from around the Wakefield district will aim to become world champions in a new and ever-growing form of the sport.

The ten-man ‘Yorkshire Puddings’ team will travel to South Africa next month to compete in the Last Man Stands (LMS) World Championships.

The competition is the biggest amateur cricket league in the world and is based on Twenty20 cricket, with 8-a-side teams competing in two-hour games with the last man standing alone following the fall of the seventh wicket.

The Yorkshire Puddings booked their place thanks to victory over Team Hodgey in the final of the inaugural LMS Johnny Hodge Memorial Cup in August.

And they’ll travel to Cape Town to compete in the World Championships against the best LMS teams from around the world at Newlands Stadium, home of Western Province Cricket Club, for a prize of US$10,000.

Ossett Cricket Club’s Mike Edwards, Charlie Orme, Karl Anderson, Chris Day and Tom Finnigan are in the Puddings’ ten-man squad.

John Sadler, now a coach at Ossett, is also included as captain and will be playing for a Rest of the World side against South Africa on the last day of the tournament.

The competition runs from March 31-April 7.

See this week’s Wakefield Express Sport for all the latest sports news from around the district.

A GIRL who has spent her life growing her hair down to her waist is having it cut off for charity.

Megan Lloyd, 12, is putting her 22-inch long blonde hair under the knife to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

The Horbury School pupil has only ever had small trims on her hair and has spent her life growing it. But she is ready to take the plunge and have it cut above her shoulders.

Her mum, Diane Clarke, said: “I don’t want her to have it cut off, I love her hair. But she’s set on doing it and it’s for a good cause.

“I’ve lost my parents to cancer and so Megan’s lost her grandparents – Cancer Research was the big one for us.”

Megan and her mum are hoping to raise £1,000 for the charity, but said they just want to raise as much as possible.

Megan said: “It’s going to be weird at first, when I get out of bed I always have to move it out the way but I won’t have to do that anymore.

“When I put my hand through my hair I’ll only have to go half-way.

“But I’ll get used to it, I’m looking forward to having it cut off.”

Megan said she has been thinking about having the cut for around six months, and decided to go for it after a friend with equally long hair had hers cut.

The cut will take place on Saturday, March 31, at her uncle’s salon, Dale Clarke’s Hair Salon, on Cheapside in Wakefield city centre.

To sponsor contact mum Miss Clarke on 07984 522778.

AROUND 16 travellers have arrived at Dewsbury’s railway station car park today.

The five vans had been turned off a site in Leeds Road, Huddersfield, earlier in the day.

One of the travellers, a man named Jerry, said the group aimed to be in Dewsbury for ‘a day or so’ and was en route to Appleby horse fair in Cumbria.

He added that they were prepared to pay for being on the pay-to-park site. “We don’t want anything giving,” he said

SIX people are now being treated in hospital after an explosion at Fox’s Biscuits today.

Contractors were draining and cleaning three diesel tanks at the back of the Batley factory on Wednesday morning when a spark caused one to catch fire.

Eyewitnesses described how a burst of flames was seen coming from the site, followed by clouds of thick smoke.

Aneela Zaman, who lives opposite the yard, said she saw people running from the factory, screaming.

One man was rushed to Pinderfields Hospital with burns to his legs, and five other people were taken to Dewsbury and District Hospital as a precaution.

Keep checking this website for updates, and video footage of the aftermath of the explosion.

Check out this week’s Batley and Birstall News, out tomorrow, for the full story.

NEW manager Neil Warnock has already seen plenty to get stuck into as he aims to revive Leeds United’s fortunes following his appointment last weekend.

The Warnock era officially starts at Portsmouth on Saturday, although he could not resist the temptation to get his feelings across to the new players under his command at last Saturday’s Npower Championship game against Doncaster rovers.

The new manager’s half-time pep talk certainly had the desired effect as a fired up United hit back from two down to win 3-2 with goals from Andros Townsend, Adam Clayton and Luciano Becchio.

Warnock’s suggested tactical changes to give Robert Snodgrass a new role just behind front man Luciano Becchio also played a part while he has already said that he wants the Whites to play the ball up front earlier than they have been of late to suit Becchio’s style.

It was almost the perfect start for the man who took Sheffield United and QPR up from this division as his new team won to keep their play-off hopes alive yet were so poor in the first half that he saw for himself the problems he has inherited.

Defensive frailties, weak midfield play and a front line that lacked pace gave cause for concern in all the areas of the side and a lack of leadership was clear. But a much improved second half display, not for the first time this season, saw them through in the end and gave Warnock cause for optimism as well.

He knows he has plenty of work to do, but believes the Whites can still achieve their promotion aim this season if everyone pulls together.

He said: “There are areas we have to improve if we’re not to write this season off. I don’t want to write this season off, not just yet – even though the bookies aren’t giving us much opportunity.”

“It’s an opportunity now to put to bed these differences and the problems they’ve had over the past few months. Everyone get behind the team.

“We’ve only got 14 games left for heaven’s sake. Let’s put that all to bed and everyone be like they were on Saturday. It’s a great club when it’s like that.”

Warnock has made his first appointment with Mick Jones being named as his assistant. He is also looking to the loan market to bolster the playing squad at his disposal with former Whites midfielder Shaun Derry one of the potential targets.

But Fabian Delph will not be rejoining on loan after it was revealed today that his ankle injury is likely to keep him out of action for the rest of the season.

Victory over Doncaster left Leeds in tenth place in the table, but they have closed the gap a little on the teams in the play-off places and will see their next game as a winnable one as they travel to play a Portsmouth team with huge financial worries again, having gone into administration.

Pompey’s 10-point penalty has seen them drop into the bottom three, but they still have a strong first team with several players with Premiership experience even if their squad is a little thin.

Leeds will be looking to do the double over Portsmouth, having beaten them 1-0 in October and after their first week in training with their new manager the players will be keen to impress with all the shirts up for grabs.

Warnock will obviously have his own ideas on team selection with experienced midfielder Michael Brown expected to be recalled to the starting line-up for starters. Other changes will be harder for him to make so soon, although the likes of Andy O’Brien, Leigh Bromby and Lloyd Sam, who for one reason or another have not featured in recent weeks, could come into contention.

THREE people have been injured in an explosion at Fox’s Biscuits in Batley.

Emergency services were called to the Wellington Street factory this morning, after reports there had been an explosion involving a storage tanker in a yard.

Two of the three people injured were described as ‘walking wounded’ by a fire service spokesman.

The Health and Safety Executive has sent a team to the site to begin enquiries.

No-one from Fox’s Biscuits has been available to comment so far.

Keep checking back for updates and see tomorrow’s News for the full story.

- Did you see the incident? Call the newsroom on 01924 472121 or email batleyeditorial@ywng.co.uk.

OSSETT Town fell to a slender 1-0 defeat at Radcliffe Borough on Tuesday night.

Matthew Chadwick’s 50th-minute strike was enough to give the hosts all three points and leave Eric Gilchrist’s troops travelling back across the Pennines with nothing to show for their efforts.

The defeat leaves Town 14th in the Evo-Stik Division 1 North with games in-hand on the majority of teams around them.

Wakefield FC host Durham City in a vital league clash at Stade France tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Bears are six points adrift of safety and tonight’s game is one of their three games in-hand on nearest rivals Harrogate Railway Athletic.

Paul Lines will be looking for his men to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat at Salford City at the weekend.

See this week’s Wakefield Express Sport for all the latest news from our Evo-Stik Premier League clubs.

A PARK is celebrating a blooming great success after becoming the first in the district to receive accreditation from Natural England.

The accreditation for Anglers Country Park recognises that it has all the facilities expected of a country park under guidelines introduced in 2009, distinguishing it from other parks in the area.

It also means Natural England regards the park as making a significant contribution to England’s greenspace.

Coun Maureen Cummings, cabinet member for environment and communities, said: “This is fantastic recognition for Anglers Country Park.

“Set in beautiful countryside surroundings, the park is a great place for walking, picnicking, wildlife and bird watching.

“Anglers Country Park is a local nature reserve which is carefully managed to conserve and improve its habitats for the benefit of wildlife and for everyone to enjoy.

“There is always something different to see as the wildlife changes with the seasons.”

Facilities Natural England looks at include play facilities, visitor centres, cafés and marked trails or mapped walks.

The visitor centre also received an accreditation and provides family focused activities.

THREE people have been arrested in connection with the “unexplained” death of a 21-year-old man.

Shane Kirkbright of Altofts died in hospital on Friday morning.

A police spokeswoman said: “Police were called to Pinderfields Hospital at about 8.15am on Friday following the death of a 21-year-old man from the Normanton area.

“A post mortem has taken place and proved inconclusive.

“Enquiries are ongoing in to the circumstances of his death, which is unexplained.”

A 27-year-old woman and two men, aged 19 and 37, have been arrested and released on bail.

Police were unable to confirm what offence the three were arrested on suspicion of committing.

See this week’s Express for the full story.

The organisers of the Brits have apologised to Adele after she was unceremoniously forced to cut short her acceptance speech for the top gong at this year’s awards.

The record-breaking singer landed two trophies at the glitzy event when she collected the best British female award as well as the big title of the night, best album, for 21.

But a rambling acceptance speech by earlier outstanding contribution award winner Damon Albarn of Blur meant she was barely able to deliver a speech and she gestured with her middle finger in frustration on-stage. Adele, 23, said the insult was aimed at “the suits”, after show host James Corden interrupted her to wind up her words.

Following the ceremony at London’s O2 area, the show’s organisers released a statement saying: “We regret this happened and we send our deepest apologies to Adele that her big moment was cut short due to the live show over running.

“We don’t want this to undermine her incredible achievement in winning our night’s biggest award, that tops off what’s been an incredible year for her.”

Adele’s success followed a colossal win at the Grammys a little over a week ago when she was the toast of the music world with six trophies.

As she collected the best album prize for 21 - which has sold almost four million copies in the UK - the breathless star gushed: “Nothing makes me prouder, yeah, than coming home with six Grammys, then coming to the Brits and winning album of the year.

“I am so so proud to be British and to be flying the flag and to be in the same room as all of you.”

But seconds later Corden had to apologise as he forced her triumphant speech to end in a whimper. The star - who made a show-stopping comeback performance with hit Rolling In The Deep earlier in the show - then made her rude gesture.

Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2012, All Rights Reserved.

]]> 1.4271954 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:08:56 +0000 http://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/award_winning_musical_1_4259747

Broadway’s longest running show The Phantom of the Opera is heading to Leeds in August.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical – which has won over 60 major theatre awards including, seven Tonys on Broadway and three Olivier Awards in the West End – will hit the Leeds Grand Theatre stage from August 8 to September 15.

The lead will be performed by John Owen-Jones, who has played the role in the West End, and Christine is taken by Katie Hall who was a contestant on BBC1 talent show I’d Do Anything.

Producer Cameron Mackintosh said “I’m delighted to announce that the spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary musical will be in Leeds this summer. With an exciting new design and staging, retaining Maria Björnson’s amazing costumes, we expect audiences to fall in love with Phantom all over again.”

Leeds Grand Theatre’s general manager Ian Sime added: “I believe our beautiful auditorium is just perfect for this production – with that and the new staging it will be a wonderful night out for our audiences“.

For tickets, which went on sale earlier this month and are priced from £19-£55, www.leedsgrandtheatre.com or call the box office on 0844 8482705.

DESIGNER trainers, t-shirts and underpants were stolen from a lorry.

Thieves took a large haul of Jack Jones and Vila clothes plus shoes from the truck which was parked on Beckbridge Road in Normanton.

The theft took place some time between 8.30pm on Thursday, February 2, and 6.45am the following morning.

Police have issued a warning to anyone who may be approached by people selling the branded goods to contact them.

Anyone with any information should contact police on 101.

]]> 1.4271288 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:10:24 +0000 http://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/shipshape_in_bristol_1_4253328

l The Mercure Holland House and Spa, Redcliffe Hill, has rooms from £60 per night. Ring 01179 689900 or go to www.mercure.com for the latest deals.

l CrossCountry trains began operating in November 2007 and is the most extensive franchise in the UK. For more information on services log on to www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk, or download the free mobile app from the website.

l Family admission to the ss Great Britain (two adults plus up to three children) costs £33.50 and includes free return visits for one year.

l Entry to M Shed is free; admission to the Norman Parkinson exhibition is £5 (£4 concessions), visit www.mshed.org.

l Other attractions include Bristol Aquarium and At-Bristol, a family friendly interactive museum two minutes from the aquarium.

l For more ideas and all you need to know about the city, go to http://visitbristol.co.uk/.

FORGET rhubarb and custard because a new brew is the stalk of the town.

Meet Roo-Barb Beer. Take 12 kilos of Janet Oldroyd-Hulme’s prize veg from the heart of the rhubarb triangle in Carlton, put it in the hands of an award-winning brewer, boil it down in every available saucepan in the house, add some passion fruit hops, a bit of ginger and serve it up to ale aficionados at Wakefield Council’s Festival of Food, Drink and Rhubarb next weekend.

Nurse-turned-brewer Malcolm Bastow, 52, decided to produce the zany beer after seeing the ‘High Priestess of Rhubarb’ on a TV food programme.

Mr Bastow, who runs a brewery from his back garden in Leeds Road, Outwood, said: “I saw Janet on the telly when comedian Ade Edmondson was doing his round Britain food tour.”

The mental health nurse got his inspiration for the key ingredient for his 5% pale ale after cutting through the rhubarb triangle of Wakefield, Rothwell and Morley on his way to work in Leeds.

The dad-of four said: “The beer contains rhubarb, ginger and Galaxy hops from Australia.

The kitchen is going to be full of pans as I boil down possibly 12 kilos of rhubarb.

“I think rhubarb will be a good ingredient for beer. If I get positive feedback and get cries for more rhubarb in it then I will brew it again.

“My wife, Beverley, is my official taster, but she is a big fan of dark beers. If she drinks some pale, hoppy beer and she pulls a face then I’ll know it’s fine.

“My experience of having rhubarb is the combinations you get with it, like rhubarb and custard. Then you have rhubarb crumble and it has a bit of cinnamon on top, and with the custard you have the vanilla.

“And I think with this beer, it isn’t just going to be a rhubarb beer. It’s going to be a combination. I never thought of rhubarb and ginger until the recipe but I think it will work, I hope! It’s a learning experience.”

Roo-Barb Beer will be available at the Cricketers Arms’ beer tent at the three-day rhubarb festival, which starts on Friday, February 24.

See next week’s Express for more on the festival.

PRIVACY campaigners have criticised Wakefield Council for spending more than £1m a year on CCTV cameras.

A report by campaign group Big Brother Watch claims Wakefield spent £4.1m on 177 cameras between April 2007 and March last year.

Only 16 local authorities spent more during the same four-year spell.

Group director Nick Pickles said the money would have been better spent on police officers.

He said: “In too many cities across the country every corner has a camera but only a few ever see a police officer.

“Despite millions of cameras, Britain’s crime rate is not significantly lower than comparable countries that do not have such a vast surveillance state.”

Glynn Humphries, the council’s service director for cleaner and greener, said the figure was not a true representation of ongoing costs.

He said: “The figure includes additional one-off costs, when the CCTV was moved and upgraded. It is now located in a council-owned building to reduce costs further.

“CCTV provides reassurance to the public and can be used by the police in investigations, providing a significant saving. The presence of the cameras can also deter shoplifting, helping local businesses.”

Birmingham was reported to have spent the most on cameras, racking up a bill of £14.2m.

Big Brother Watch was set up in 2009 to challenge policies which threaten privacy.

Ryan McBride’s production of Leeds born Louise Rennison’s witty tale of teenage dilemma makes its debut at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. Angus, Thongs and even more Snogging is about typical young teenage girls who hang out with their mates, chatting about boys and trying to work out where they have got to on the snog-o-meter which ranges from holding hands to the full monty.

Admittedly, the main dilemmas facing Georgia Nicholson are her embarrassing parents, her massive nose and how to entice the sex god Robbie away from the drippy school prefect Wet Lindsay. With the help of her best friend Jas, a self-help book provided by her mother, and a free lesson from the local snogging tutor she devises a snogfastic plan.

There is never a dull moment in this lively play, musical numbers provided by the Stiff Dylans, Robbie’s band and a sub plot involving poor Angus, the crazy cat trying to avoid being hauled off to the vets for the snip. The audition for the school play is unusual and very funny. I don’t often laugh out loud.

Excellent performances from all the cast, particularly Naomi Peterson as Georgia in her first professional production and Lewis Rayner also fresh out of drama school is so sweet as Dave the Laugh, the mate who would like to be more. Even I had a few Ahhhhh moments.The play is pitched to keep both teenagers and parents entertained and judging by the reaction at the end of the play I would say it succeeded. A great night out for girls (and boys) whatever their age.

]]> 1.4269764 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:45:29 +0000 http://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/wakefield_boxer_townend_eager_to_enter_ring_for_callaghan_test_1_4269464

MERRIE City boxer Andy Townend will fight former English champion Marc Callaghan in his second professional bout.

The 22-year-old lightweight was due to fight Sam Slater at Doncaster Dome on Saturday, March 3 but he pulled out with a broken hand, leaving the experienced Callaghan to step in.

Former White Rose Boxing Club member Townend caused a storm with a superb performance and victory in his first professional outing in the ring last November.

And he’s hoping for more of the same against 33-year-old Callaghan, who has a fight with former European champion Ian Napa to his name.

“I can’t wait to get back in the ring, I’d have a fight every day if I could,” said an eager Townend.

“It’s going to be tougher, he’s [Callaghan] boxed Ian Napa and he has a lot of experience so it’s going to be tough.

“I’ll be going into it treating it like a world title fight like I do all of my fights.”

Townend, a roofer by trade, has been sparring alongside European Champion Jamie McDonnell at the Empress Gym in Mexborough, where he trains under the watchful eye of Stephy Bull.

And Bull believes the contest will provide the former Kettlethorpe High School pupil with the perfect step-up following his winning professional debut.

“Marc Callaghan is a former English champion,” he said.

“He’s not really a journeyman boxer, he has a lot of experience and will provide a good test for Andy. He doesn’t really get stopped in the ring, but I’m confident Andy can go out there and win.”

Callaghan has a record of 19 wins, 28 defeats and one draw from his 48 professional bouts so far.

Townend is looking for a bumper support for his fight and tickets are still available priced at £35 or £55 for VIP ringside seats.

Bull added: “Andy will have a good support there. The support for boxers is really important because when it gets to the nitty gritty you need to hear your supporters backing you.”

His fight will be part of a ten-bout show at the Doncaster Dome.

For more information or to buy tickets contact Andy on 07807427954 or trainer Stephy on 07976 328015.

You can follow Andy on Twitter {http://www.twitter.com/team_townend|@team_townend|@team_townend}.

See this week’s Wakefield Express Sport for full feature piece on Townend and his preparations for next weekend’s fight.

FIREFIGHTERS freed a man and a woman from a van after a smash last night. (Monday)

The incident happened on Owl Lane, Gawthorpe, just before 5.30pm.

Fire crews from Ossett and Dewsbury attended along with police.

]]> 1.4269443 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:45:28 +0000 http://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/thieves_strike_at_council_buildings_1_4257706

SECURITY has been tightened at the town and county halls after thieves made off with electrical gear twice in a matter of days.

A laptop and projector were stolen from Wakefield Town Hall on Tuesday afternoon.

The theft came just days after other equipment was stolen last Friday.

Staff have now been asked to wear council badges at all times, and visitors must also sign in and pick up badges at reception.

Council leader Coun Peter Box said: “We are asking staff to be vigilant. Our buildings are open to the public and we do welcome visitors but we are making sure everyone signs in and wears a visible badge in the interests of security and to deter any further theft.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the non-emergency police number 101.

COWS had to be moved to safety after a fire broke out in a barn.

Firefighters were called to Chidswell Farm, on Chidswell Lane, Chidswell, at 12.10am this morning (Tuesday).

A large part of the barn, which was filled with straw, was destroyed by the blaze.

Cattle from a barn next door to the fire were quickly moved and were unharmed.

A crew from Ossett and two from Dewsbury attended.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is under way.

NEW Ossett Cricket Club chairman Bob Schofield has continued his restructuring at Dimple Wells by welcoming former Yorkshire and Derbyshire player John Sadler to the club’s coaching staff.

Schofield has highlighted a need for a more professional approach at the club since he took charge at the end of last season - and Sadler fits the bill.

He has a wealth of experience at professional county cricket level, playing over 60 first-class matches for Yorkshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire, and his family has a long-standing relationship with the Ossett club.

John’s dad, Michael, coached the junior section when John and his two brothers, Jamie and David, played for the club.

And John has followed in his dad’s footsteps by taking a coaching role at Dimple Wells and helping to fine-tune the club’s players of the future.

“I’ve always said the future of the cricket club is with the junior section,” said Schofield.

“It was important that we got a more professional approach to things and bringing John in does exactly that.

“He’ll help out with the juniors in the nets and he’s also helping with the senior players too. He’s been running coaching courses of his own for a while now and he can also offer one-on-one coaching if players require it.”

Sadler, who now plays for Hoylandswaine Cricket Club in the Huddersfield Drakes Cricket League, has already started helping out at the club’s winter net training at Wakefield City Academy in Eastmoor.

And Schofield says the impact has been extremely positive.

“There’s a big change in the coaching and the juniors, and seniors, are loving it,” he said.

“Before we’ve had parents helping out and although we’ve been grateful for that, it’s often the case that they move on as soon as their children move on from the club so we had to do something to stop that.”

Schofield has revealed an encouraging increase in player numbers, both in the junior and senior set-up, ahead of the forthcoming 2012 season.

And he’s appealing for more players to come down and bolster the Ossett ranks.

“The more new faces that come along the better for the club, and for the players,” he said.

“It means we have stronger squads and it means players have to work hard and impress in training in order to earn their places in the team at the weekend.”

Winter training is currently taking place for juniors and seniors weekly at Wakefield City Academy on Tuesday night.

Outdoor training starts on Friday, April 6 ahead of a new season which starts on Saturday, April 21 for the senior teams. The junior campaign, with teams competing in the Heavy Woollen Junior League, starts from Sunday, April 29.

Anyone interested in joining the club should contact Bob Schofield on 07846 754059 for more information.

See this week’s Wakefield Express Sport for all the latest sports news from around the area.