THE stewardess of Hoyland Catholic social club will take a break from serving pints to celebrate 30 years in charge. Kath Flanagan, 67, reached the landmark this week and will raise a glass with members tomorrow to celebrate.

SCRAP metal thieves have stolen thousands of pounds of metal from the Elsecar heritage railway line. About 40 'seats', which attach the sleeper to the track, were taken from the registered charity last week.

AN EDUCATION specialist has been awarded a fellowship to carry out research on men recovering from mental health illnesses. Neil Morris, 53, from Cortworth Place, Elsecar, was selected from thousands of applicants by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, a charity that specialise in sending fellows abroad.

FACTORY workers at an outdoor furniture manufacturers are going on strike in a dispute over pay. Staff at Wybone Ltd on Platts Common Industrial Estate will stage four one-day walkouts on Fridays in May after pay negotiations between the Community union and management broke down.

A LEEDS United trainee dropped the club in a flash when his beloved Barnsley FC swooped for his signature. Denham Saxton was snapped up by the Reds when he impressed during a community football coaching session at school. The Greenfield Primary pupil sailed through a trial at Oakwell and had no hesitation in signing a 12 month contract.

A DILAPIDATED sports ground is to undergo a £1 million revamp after receiving funding from the National Lottery. Rockingham Welfare Ground had been repeatedly targeted by vandals and was shut indefinitely in September when it failed a health and safety inspection.

AN OLYMPIC skier took on her biggest challenge yet when she talked to children from Hoyland about her skiing exploits. Paralympian Joe Willoughby answered an avalanche of questions from the youngsters at West Meadows Primary on Tuesday.

ONE OF Elsecar's biggest employers is in negotiations to move to Ashroyd Business Park. Dawson MMP of Wath Road, look set to relocate to the controversial Hoyland industrial estate after nearly 20 years in the village.

A COMMUNITY house on one of Barnsley's most notorious estates will close unless it secures new funding and finds fresh volunteers. Welland House on Welland Crescent, Elsecar has hit financial difficulties after money from European funding ran out.