Re-vamp for Social club

Things seem to be happening in Brierley at the moment, what with the repairs to the houses on the Hillside estate, and now news that the Social club owned by Sam Smith's Brewery is also to receive a re-vamp. The scaffolding was in place this week to the building that was built in 1911 as the Church Institute by the Cordeaux family who lived in Lindley House. The building was also used as an infant class for the school over the road from 1916 to 1968. The building became Brierley Ex-servicemen's club in 1968 when the British Legion purchased the property from the church for £5,000. In the late 1980s the club ran into difficulties and was closed down in 1991. It reopened under the tenancy of Roy and Jean Berridge who have now retired to Shafton. On their retirement in 2000, Joe Minnock managed the club for a while before being replaced with Grimethorpe man Simon Taylor. Simon is now the steward at Grimethorpe WMC. a position he took over from David (Diddy) Lomas a former well-known Brierley lad. It is believed that Mick Crawford will be manager of the club on its re-opening in about eight weeks time.

Reduced Rates

Brierley and Grimethorpe residents will see a reduction in their parish rates and improved services this next year. Councillors have agreed a £103,364 budget, which will save ratepayers at least 3.9% on their bills. The budget will also see the bringing back of hanging baskets and better lighting after suggestions from the public during consultation meetings in January. The council will also carry on providing free welfare hall facilities to local groups, garden maintenance and entertainment. Councillor Ken Collins (Independent) objected to these saying, "I reject these proposals, particularly in the light of the people living from day to day, whose situation is desperate. We have the highest council tax in the borough and the highest unemployment. All our heads are on the block here, people have voted and I will voice my opinion." But the council voted eight to one for keeping services, which include, Father Christmas, pop concerts, garden and children's entertainments, which employed local people. Coun Pat Doyle said the budget would cost a 'band A' house 7p a week. " Mr Collins is expressing concerns about unemployment. His very proposal takes away their services. Luncheons for the elderly, having garden's done, children's entertainment, all these groups gain something from this council at very little cost. But we are aware of the low incomes out there. His proposals take money from the community. These extra services for 7p a week are good value. You couldn't get better value anywhere." The council was projected to under spend by £9594 over the last year. This will be poured into reserves and the new budget.

Teenagers arrested

Two Grimethorpe teenagers have been arrested and released on bail pending further enquires over the murder of 80-years-old Vera Cooper whose body was found at her home in Greenbank Walk Grimethorpe on January 24. The pair, a man and a woman are both aged 17.

Spiritualist Church

Thieves broke in to the Spiritualist church recently and stole a Dyson cleaner and a purse containing £6. Their Annual General Meeting will take place this Sunday afternoon at 3pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. This Sunday, Sheila Chalkley from Monk Bretton will take the evening service at 6pm till 7.15pm.

New Seats

The Brierley Village (Community) Partnership has applied to the Area Forum for funding to replace the seating from the Dean Hancock garden that was stolen 2 years ago. If successful, the seating will be made of steel and secured into the ground. The garden is situated near the post office on Church Street

Building fund boosted

At a recent dinner held in the Methodist Church, £565 was raised for the new building fund.

Volunteers still needed

Volunteers are still needed to assist the Special Events group of the Brierley Village (Community) Partnership for the Golden Jubilee celebrations that will take place in and around Brierley Hall on June 3. The ideas to have floats in the parade have now been squashed due to the high cost of insurance. Instead the Jubilee Queen will parade from Brierley Park up to Brierley Hall on a horse drawn carriage. The rest of the procession, which will include a fire-eater, clown and street entertainer along with fancy dress from other groups in the village, will follow on foot.

Methodist Church

The ladies from the church held a recreation evening on Tuesday and a demonstration by Mother Nature's soap. On Friday Mr and Mrs Edwin Hambleton held an open house where £83.50 was raised for the new building fund. The Rev Gill Newton will take this Sunday Morning 's service at 10.15am while Mr Keith Lodge will take the evening service at 6pm.

Table Top Sale

There will be a tabletop sale at the Methodist Church on Saturday April 18 between 10am and 1. If anyone is interested in booking a table telephone Margaret Watson on 01226 712094.

Repairs on the Hillside estate at last

Roof and window repairs by BMBC have started on the Hillside estate. It will be the first major repairs the houses have seen since they were built in the late 1950s. Roofs will be totally replaced, and rotting windows will receive new Upvc glazing. The work has already started at number 1 Hillside Crescent the home of Tara treasurer Pat Goddard who stated "The work will see repairs to 23 houses on the estate with the first phase being twelve houses numbers 1 to 23 Hillside Crescent". The council came under pressure last year from residents complaining about rats in their lofts. They refused to re-house one long standing resident whose house was running amok with the vermin. The family ended up terminating their tenancy and renting private accommodation outside the village.

The Hillside estate under repair

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Plans to abolish Town council on hold

The plans to abolish Brierley Town Council have been put on hold for at least a year. It has been recommended by the Local Government Commission that its future should not be reviewed just yet because it would interfere with work to redraw Barnsley Council's boundaries. The commission's report says it would be 'unhelpful and potentially confusing for the Town Council review, which is in its early stages, and the boundary view to take place at the same time.' 1,254 people voted in a poll last year with 91% in favour of abolishing the Town Council. The 'Ban the Parish Council' campaigners led by Brierley resident Frank Hardy claimed that it was a waste of money. Coun Alex Vodden said he felt Barnsley council had taken note of the parish poll, but any future review should probably include all parish councils in the area. Barnsley council will leave the final decision to the Government after a recommendation.

Party

Grimethorpe St John Ambulance Brigade under the leaderships of Terry Haynes and Ian Walker held a party for special needs children recently. An anonymous businessman donated £500 for the event.

Office Supplies

Brierley Village (Community) Partnership took delivery of an  'office in a box' recently for their new office in Brierley Hall. Once it is up and running it is hoped that it will be manned with volunteers from the management committee. It will then be open to the members of the public. A community audit by the partnership is in progress at the moment.

Junior Football.

The Brierley Village (Community) Partnership's two football teams are looking to play friendlies with local teams under 14 and under 9. Anyone interested telephone the Partnership's chairman Jack Henstock on 01226 711819.

Forthcoming meetings;

Hillside Tara; Monday March 11 2002 at 1pm.

Hillside Neighbourhood Watch; Friday March 8 at 7pm. Spiritualist Church Annual General meeting; Sunday March 3 at 3pm

Special Events; Monday March 11 at 6pm.

Regular meetings

Garden and Allotment Society; Meet the first Wednesday in every month in the Three Horse Shoes at 9pm.

Brierley Labour Party; Meet the last Sunday in every month in Brierley Social club at 10am.

Brierley Village (Community) Partnership; Meet every second Tuesday in the month in their offices at Brierley Hall.

Frontsl/de

The young Brierley punk rock band are seeking a lead guitarist to join them in time for them to cut their CD 'Still Waiting' at the Beaumont Street studios in Huddersfield. The band won the competition ran by the Corridor Arts 'Ready to Burn Project' for young bands in Barnsley between the ages of eleven and eighteen. The prize also includes a professional photo shoot. Anyone interested and living locally please email Gary. Auditions are being held over the next couple of weeks.

Queen's badge

Thomas Cherryholme recently visited Greenmoor Boys' Brigade centre on his Queen's badge introductory weekend. In a recent badminton match, Andrew and Edwin Hambleton joined with Thomas in beating Harrogate 6-3 at Harrogate. The Junior boys' meet on Wednesday at 6.30pm while the company section meets at 6.45pm on Thursday. All meetings are held in the Methodist church hall and new members are welcome.

Easter Bonnet

There will be an Easter bonnet disco for young people in the Primary school on Thursday March 14. The event has been organised by the Brierley Special Events Group under the leadership of Doreen Henstock.

Garden and Allotment Society AGM.

The following members were elected onto the committee of the Garden and Allotment society at their annual general meeting which was held in the Three Horse Shoes recently. Chairman; Andrew Hough, Secretary; Pat Nicholls; Treasurer; Barry White.