Changes afoot in the new year...
AS we bid farewell to 2023, we can begin to look forward to next year and all the exciting things in store across the borough.
There’s still plenty to look forward to, from watching our own John Stones playing for England in the European Championships and even a change to the Chronicle’s popular Proud of Barnsley awards.
This past year saw Magnum P.I. star Tom Selleck’s roots linked back to our wonderful town – who knows which famous movie star will find out their ancestors are from Kendray or Darton this year?
With this in mind, JACK TOLSON takes a look at what the future could hold for Barnsley this year.
Old Mill Lane
Just two lanes on one of the main routes into the town centre will be open for almost three months once work starts on long-awaited plans for Barnsley.
The application, submitted on behalf of South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), seeks to widen Old Mill Lane and increase its current three lanes to five.
This would include a new bus lane, cycle paths, the relocation of a bus shelter, the removal of Asda’s recycling centre and the memorial to Kaye Pepper, who died on July 13, 1996.
The new proposals, which were revealed two years ago, suggest the widening of the highway to include four lanes and a separate bus lane – five in total.
Once the work begins, the three lanes will be cut to two for ten weeks – and then after 17 weeks there will be three lanes open once again.
Proud of Barnsley changes
Last year’s Proud of Barnsley awards broke all the records...
It was the first time that the Sir Michael Parkinson Special Recognition Award was presented by Sir Michael’s son, Mike, who told the audience that Barnsley always had a special place in his father’s heart.
He even said that the inaugural winner artist Ashley Jackson was someone his dad would have liked the award to go to.
Around 550 people packed into the Metrodome to witness the spectacle of the year – and the Chronicle are looking to go one better this year.
But there’s going to be a twist.
For the first time ever, the winners won’t just be selected by a judging panel.
You, the public, are now able to have your say.
The wonderfully put together videos will be shared online in the run-up to the event so residents can see how brilliant our town really is.
The vote will be split 50/50 between the public and the judges, and I for one cannot wait to see what great things local people will do over the coming year. And who knows who this year’s Sir Michael Parkinson Award recipient could be?
John Stones to Euros
Penistone-born Stones is one of the best central defenders in the world.
Having just come off the back of winning the treble with the unstoppable Manchester City last season, the former Barnsley youth product will be looking to get his hands on one of the few accolades that have defied him in his career so far – international glory.
Gareth Southgate’s side are in the same group as Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia but they’ll be looking to make it to the final of the European Championships for the second consecutive competition.
Other former Barnsley stars such as Harry Maguire, Kieran Trippier and Ivan Toney will also all be looking to stake a claim in Southgate’s squad.
Could Stones be the first local lad to win an international trophy?
We’ll have to wait until the summer to find out.