via Sheffield Pool https://ift.tt/2uBASFtTelephone Engineers in Sheffield
Sunday 31 March 2019
Saturday 30 March 2019
Friday 29 March 2019
‘Hot Rod’ still going strong at the age of 74
Gold medal winner Rod Scholes still runs the track at Dorothy Hyman Sports Centre in Cudworth once a week to ensure he stays in peak physical condition, despite the fact he is now 74 years old.
Ardsley-based Rod (affectionately named Hot Rod by sports centre staff due to his speed and stamina) began running aged 35.
In the 30 years since then he has won a gold medal in the 400m sprint at the British Masters in 2001, and run 21 marathons, including London Marathon at least 6 times and his favourite Huddersfield Marathon at least 3 times. Most recently he has run the Wombwell 10k.
Of his love for running he says: “I enjoy it because of the freedom – you can choose the distance, the time, and can go no matter the weather.”
Previously a primary school teacher, Rod was first introduced to Dorothy Hyman Sports Centre in 1978 when he joined Barnsley Runners. Over the years, Rod has toured the length and breadth of the country competing in runs and making friends along the way.
To stay in peak physical condition, Rod doesn’t smoke or drink and has been a vegetarian since 1973. As well as this, he advises: “Join a group of runners for social engagement. Also, workout the distances that you’re comfortable with and what you enjoy doing, and create a pattern or routine”
Despite being injured several times due to running (most recently at Christmas), he rests to recuperate, which depletes his fitness levels, but continues to get back up and running as soon as he is fit.
Martin Prest, Facility Manger of Dorothy Hyman and Dearneside Leisure Centres said: “Rod is an inspiration to us all. If you have been lucky enough to see him run round the track at Dorothy Hyman, like me, you would be amazed at the athleticism Rod still retains. This is down to his dedication, passion and wonderful will to stay fit in his advancing years. Rod is a superstar!”
The post ‘Hot Rod’ still going strong at the age of 74 appeared first on Barnsley News and Sport.
from General News – Barnsley News and Sport https://ift.tt/2Um8WUD
via Telephone Socket Installers Sheffield
Thursday 28 March 2019
Tuesday 26 March 2019
Conference seeking to improve access for disabled
A tourism conference will take place in the Dearne Valley next month to discuss the opportunities for improving access for disabled people.
The one-day ‘Dearne Valley Access Exchange’ conference will bring experts together from the tourism industry across the UK to discuss the opportunities for enhanced accessibility in the area.
The free event on Thursday 11 April is being co-hosted by training provider Access For All UK and The Dearne Valley Landscape Partnership (DVLP). It will take place at The Ironworks at Elsecar Heritage Centre in Barnsley from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
During the conference there will be a series of workshops where people can try out a range of products and services designed to improve accessibility.
Guest speakers lined up for the event include Ross Calladine, head of business support at VisitEngland; John Child, managing director of the multi-award-winning Sandcastle Waterpark in Blackpool; Diane Howarth, joint owner and director of Cottage in the Dales, and Dan Smith, head of creative design at Motionspot Bathrooms.
Access For All UK, based in Derbyshire, aims to improve the lives of disabled people by providing access to consultancy, training, auditing and business support services.
The organisation was founded in 2013 by friends and disability campaigners Gillian Scotford and Jane Cooper (pictured). Both Gillian and Jane have experience caring for their own disabled children.
Gillian said: “Many people working in the tourism sector often say they want to help guests with access needs but feel unsure about what they need to do. This fabulous opportunity brings everyone together in one room and showcases great companies and services that improve accessibility.
“We want everyone to reap the rewards of this huge market. If you own a cafe, pub, accommodation or attraction and work in tourism, leisure or hospitality then this is for you.
“Access For All UK has an ambition to create champions across the region and to help the tourism industry truly understand how to give a confident, wonderful welcome to all.”
The Dearne Valley Landscape Partnership is supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Lyndon Firth-de Laci, community officer at the DVLP, said: “The impressive Ironworks building within the grounds of the historic Elsecar Heritage Centre visitor attraction provides the perfect space to host this exciting conference, which is all about sharing best practice for accessibility in the tourism industry.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming people to share their ideas and to develop the next steps needed to enhance accessibility for people living in and visiting the Dearne Valley.”
To book a free ticket to the Access Exchange conference at The Ironworks on 11 April, visitEventbrite. For more details please contact Gillian on 07876 592 415 or emailaccess4alluk@gmail.com.
The post Conference seeking to improve access for disabled appeared first on Barnsley News and Sport.
from General News – Barnsley News and Sport https://ift.tt/2OtUWCJ
via Telephone Socket Installers Sheffield
Barnsley MP slams Government’s poverty pay loophole
Stephanie Peacock, MP for Barnsley East, has slammed Government Ministers after revealing that they have quietly delayed closing a loophole that allows bosses to keep workers on insecure contracts and poverty pay.
The latest admission, in answer to a parliamentary question from the Labour MP, contradicts a previous assurance given in the Commons earlier this month by Business Secretary Greg Clark that he would reconsider the timetable.
It also undermines the Prime Minister’s announcements on workers’ rights, intended to win over trade unions and Labour backbenchers to her Brexit deal. Just weeks ago, Theresa May had cited her action on agency workers as a reason to trust her Brexit agreement to protect workers’ rights, and key trade unions have a reacted with anger to news that the measure had been delayed.
Agency workers are meant to be treated equally to permanent staff but employers can dodge the rules by using so-called ‘pay between assignment’ contracts, under which the agency itself is considered the employer, even when the worker is in fact permanently placed in one workplace. The Resolution Foundation found bosses used the loophole to underpay workers by £173m a year.
Business Secretary Greg Clark had announced that he was accepting the recommendation of the ‘Good Work’ Review to close the loophole. The Review, undertaken by Matthew Taylor, had first been commissioned by Theresa May in October 2016 and reported in July 2017.
However, Ministers admitted to the Barnsley East MP that they had quietly delayed implementing the change until the 2020-21 tax year, leaving agency workers unprotected for both the current and next financial year.
When she challenged Clark on the date in the Commons earlier this month, he told the House that “I have had representations from the trade unions as to the timing, and we will reflect on that.”
But junior minister Kelly Tolhurst has now confirmed that the government is not reconsidering the delay, so as “to allow time for businesses to realign their contractual arrangements”.
The government has faced similar criticism for delaying legislation to ensure waiters are entitled to tips left until the next Queen’s Speech, despite the change first being promised in May 2016.
Commenting on the revelation, Stephanie said: “The Prime Minister keeps asking us to trust them but once again she has shown exactly why we can’t. The Business Secretary promised me in the Commons that he’d reconsider this delay only to renege at the very first moment he thought he could get away with it. We simply can’t take their word for anything, let alone on an issue as important as our fundamental rights at work.
“This is the government that took two and a half years with a review, a consultation on the review and a consultation on the consultation, yet still leaves agency workers waiting until 2020-21 for equal treatment. Apparently Tory Ministers are unwilling or unable to implement even their own limited promises.
“Vulnerable workers here in Barnsley and across the country need urgent action, not more dithering from a government in chaos.”
The news came weeks after Tolhurst admitted that the government was also delaying a flagship promise to ensure that tips left by customers for staff in bars and restaurants go to staff.
Legislation on fair tips had first been proposed by the government in May 2016, and the Prime Minister made it a key announcement at Conservative Party Conference in October 2018. The government’s ‘Good Work Plan’, heralded by the Prime Minister this week, boasted about “the government’s record … including ensuring tips left for workers go to them in full”, despite this promise remaining unfulfilled.
But challenged on the discrepancy by Stephanie Peacock in the Commons, Tolhurst replied that they would “bring forward legislation in the next Session…”, meaning that no Bill will be tabled until the next Queen’s Speech.
The post Barnsley MP slams Government’s poverty pay loophole appeared first on Barnsley News and Sport.
from General News – Barnsley News and Sport https://ift.tt/2TYUuT3
via Telephone Socket Installers Sheffield
Monday 25 March 2019
Sunday 24 March 2019
Saturday 23 March 2019
Friday 22 March 2019
Thursday 21 March 2019
Wednesday 20 March 2019
Tankersley Manor rise to the Hospice challenge
Barnsley Hospice has raised over £10,000 from its annual ‘Accumulator Challenge’, with Tankersley Manor Hotel crowned this year’s winners.
The charity set The Apprentice-style challenge to organisations across the area to turn £28 into as much money as possible during the 28 days of February. The team from Tankersley took first prize after raising £1,858.
Fundraising initiatives dreamed up by the teams included a ‘pie in the face’ challenge, selling doggy bow ties, a bungee jump, selling homemade valentine’s cards and an office swear box.
Barnsley College picked up the award for the most innovative fundraising idea after senior staff were placed on ‘police bail’ and had to ask friends and family to raise enough money for their release.
The winners were crowned, and participants thanked at a special event held at the hospice on 19 March.
Andy Barber, part of the winning team at Tankersley Manor, said: “When we saw the big companies we were up against, we didn’t think we had a chance, so to win is amazing. With a full year to prepare for the next one, we’re confident of raising even more and bringing the trophy home again!
“I visited the hospice before through my old job, and it makes you appreciate the commitment shown by all the staff and volunteers. I think it’s one of the best charities the hotel has worked with – we want to help the people who care for our community.”
Simon Atkinson, corporate fundraiser at Barnsley Hospice, said: “This is the second year we’ve run the Accumulator Challenge and the ideas and enthusiasm shown by local businesses has once again been incredible. Tankersley Manor are well-deserved winners with an amazing £1,858, and five teams raised over £1,000 which is a fantastic achievement.
“I also want to thank the people of Barnsley who have helped each team raise so much money through their generosity. The money will help us care for the hundreds of local families who need us each year and for that, we are very grateful.”
In total, the Accumulator Challenge saw £10,811 raised from 15 organisations: Victoria Medical Centre, Wilbys Estate Agents, Wynsors Shoes, Barnsley Bowl, Barclays, The Closet Queen, Churchfield Vets, Hair Revolution, XPO Logistics, Barnsley Norse, Tankersley Manor, Sally’s Glitz & Glam, Little & Large, Webmart, and two teams from Barnsley College. The grand total was £1,800 higher than last year, despite the same number of teams taking part.
Donations from the Barnsley business community help the hospice raise the £2.2m it needs each year to care for patients and their families. A further £1.6m is provided by the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).
Barnsley Hospice provides specialist care for anyone in the borough with a life-limiting illness, including cancer, motor neurone disease and heart disease.
- Photo shows the Tankersley Manor team with the Hospice’s Simon Atkinson.
The post Tankersley Manor rise to the Hospice challenge appeared first on Barnsley News and Sport.
from General News – Barnsley News and Sport https://ift.tt/2ujIAEc
via Telephone Socket Installers Sheffield
Tuesday 19 March 2019
Monday 18 March 2019
Sunday 17 March 2019
Saturday 16 March 2019
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)