Milly Johnson

I AM so incredibly sad to hear that the lovely Newburgh Gallery at the bottom of Dodworth

Road will be closing just after Christmas.

The owners have been in there for ten years (where does the time go?) and are two of the nicest people around.

They have promoted so many young artists and local people and the shop is crammed from floor to ceiling with lovely, lovely bits with prices to suit all pockets. Browsing is a warm and chatty experience, it always feels more like a front room than a shop.

It’s open every day up to Christmas so do call in and say hello and I bet you find something you feel compelled to take to the till.

I’m happy for Shaun and Mark, but I’m sad to see them go. I know it was a hard decision for them to have to make because they will miss their customers terribly many of whom have become their friends.

God bless them, they’ve even put a notice up in their window telling their shoppers how much they have enjoyed being part of their lives.

That didn’t bring a tear to my eye at all! I wish them all my very best and love but Barnsley will be a little bit poorer for not having them and their wonderful gallery in it.

■ The Proud of Barnsley evening was once again a triumph. I think this had to be my favourite yet.

I was delighted to see inspiring Darton lad, Joshua Sanders who was born without part of his left hand, walk off with the Young Superstar (he really is) trophy and unless I’m very much mistaken, he was sporting the new arm that he, his family and friends have been hard at work fundraising for.

I hope it revolutionises his life, what a lovely lad he seemed.

And the Special Recognition Award of the night went to the very deserving Mick Wale, boxer Josh Wale’s dad, who has changed the life of hundreds of kids in the past twenty-seven years in his athletic gym.

He’s instilled discipline, drive and motivation into so many and what makes his story even more remarkable is that Mick’s been battling illness for the last seventeen years. Absolutely inspirational.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. What amazing people we have in our town brave, kind and absolutely brilliant.

■ I’m indebted to Councillor James Higginbottom for his letter last week advising me of where we can park up in the town centre to take a wheelchair out of a car and set it up.

The loading bay outside the Parkway will now be our go-to destination when we need it – so thank you for that.

I have no complaints about the ease in which a wheelchair pusher can negotiate the town centre.

It makes me wonder how we got on a few years ago without automatic doors and ramps, but luckily for us all, we’ve had planners who have seen problems and sorted them.

A ski lift up Market Hill for next year’s agenda would be good, if you’re asking. Either that or a big lad with a wheelbarrow for hire at the bottom of it.

■ Someone I met years ago on a cruise insists on sending me a Christmas card every year at the beginning of November.

I don’t know about you, but I’m still digesting my easter eggs then. Nothing like making you feel inadequate.

I expect she’s got all her Christmas presents wrapped up and waiting under her flaming tree as well. And her sprouts on the stove. Bah humbug!