SIX people are now being treated in hospital after an explosion at Fox’s Biscuits today.

Contractors were draining and cleaning three diesel tanks at the back of the Batley factory on Wednesday morning when a spark caused one to catch fire.

Eyewitnesses described how a burst of flames was seen coming from the site, followed by clouds of thick smoke.

Aneela Zaman, who lives opposite the yard, said she saw people running from the factory, screaming.

One man was rushed to Pinderfields Hospital with burns to his legs, and five other people were taken to Dewsbury and District Hospital as a precaution.

Keep checking this website for updates, and video footage of the aftermath of the explosion.

Check out this week’s Batley and Birstall News, out tomorrow, for the full story.

NEW manager Neil Warnock has already seen plenty to get stuck into as he aims to revive Leeds United’s fortunes following his appointment last weekend.

The Warnock era officially starts at Portsmouth on Saturday, although he could not resist the temptation to get his feelings across to the new players under his command at last Saturday’s Npower Championship game against Doncaster rovers.

The new manager’s half-time pep talk certainly had the desired effect as a fired up United hit back from two down to win 3-2 with goals from Andros Townsend, Adam Clayton and Luciano Becchio.

Warnock’s suggested tactical changes to give Robert Snodgrass a new role just behind front man Luciano Becchio also played a part while he has already said that he wants the Whites to play the ball up front earlier than they have been of late to suit Becchio’s style.

It was almost the perfect start for the man who took Sheffield United and QPR up from this division as his new team won to keep their play-off hopes alive yet were so poor in the first half that he saw for himself the problems he has inherited.

Defensive frailties, weak midfield play and a front line that lacked pace gave cause for concern in all the areas of the side and a lack of leadership was clear. But a much improved second half display, not for the first time this season, saw them through in the end and gave Warnock cause for optimism as well.

He knows he has plenty of work to do, but believes the Whites can still achieve their promotion aim this season if everyone pulls together.

He said: “There are areas we have to improve if we’re not to write this season off. I don’t want to write this season off, not just yet – even though the bookies aren’t giving us much opportunity.”

“It’s an opportunity now to put to bed these differences and the problems they’ve had over the past few months. Everyone get behind the team.

“We’ve only got 14 games left for heaven’s sake. Let’s put that all to bed and everyone be like they were on Saturday. It’s a great club when it’s like that.”

Warnock has made his first appointment with Mick Jones being named as his assistant. He is also looking to the loan market to bolster the playing squad at his disposal with former Whites midfielder Shaun Derry one of the potential targets.

But Fabian Delph will not be rejoining on loan after it was revealed today that his ankle injury is likely to keep him out of action for the rest of the season.

Victory over Doncaster left Leeds in tenth place in the table, but they have closed the gap a little on the teams in the play-off places and will see their next game as a winnable one as they travel to play a Portsmouth team with huge financial worries again, having gone into administration.

Pompey’s 10-point penalty has seen them drop into the bottom three, but they still have a strong first team with several players with Premiership experience even if their squad is a little thin.

Leeds will be looking to do the double over Portsmouth, having beaten them 1-0 in October and after their first week in training with their new manager the players will be keen to impress with all the shirts up for grabs.

Warnock will obviously have his own ideas on team selection with experienced midfielder Michael Brown expected to be recalled to the starting line-up for starters. Other changes will be harder for him to make so soon, although the likes of Andy O’Brien, Leigh Bromby and Lloyd Sam, who for one reason or another have not featured in recent weeks, could come into contention.

A SCHOOL teacher from South Elmsall pretended to be a woman in an internet chatroom before discussing sexual assaults and attacks upon young children.

John Hardcastle, 52, was arrested after West Yorkshire Police received a tip-off from officers in the USA about his behaviour and seized computers at his home on Palmers Avenue.

Investigators then discovered indecent images of children and “extreme” pornography.

Prosecutor Tony Kellbrick told Leeds Crown Court the offences came to light when police in Texas began investigating a man in the US state who had been in contact with someone in England who used the name Wendy. Conversations between the two involved talking about the sexual abuse of children.

West Yorkshire Police were informed and were able to identify Hardcastle as the man posing as Wendy. Officers then seized his computers and discovered the images. They involved girls aged between 12 and 14.

Hardcastle, who worked as a teacher at Primrose High School, in Burmantofts, Leeds, pleaded guilty to three counts in relation to possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing extreme pornography.

Mr Kellbrick said: “The defendant is a man in his fifties. He has no previous convictions. He was a headmaster of a school but is no longer.”

Mitigating, Andrew Walker said the images were at level one - the least serious kind - and were on his computer as a result of a malfunction. He said the images had been sent to him from the man in the USA. Mr Walker said the case had had a devastating impact upon his family.

Sentencing Hardcastle to a three-year community supervision order, Judge Christopher Batty told Hardcastle: “It is a very sad day for you today. You do not need me to tell you why.

“Happily the images are such that they do not lead to an immediate custodial sentence when looking at the guidelines for offending of this sort.

“This is just the sort of offending that will place a strain on your home life and you are taking steps to ensure nothing like this will happen again.”

Hardcastle was also ordered to go on a sex offender programme, placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years and banned from working with children.

THREE people have been injured in an explosion at Fox’s Biscuits in Batley.

Emergency services were called to the Wellington Street factory this morning, after reports there had been an explosion involving a storage tanker in a yard.

Two of the three people injured were described as ‘walking wounded’ by a fire service spokesman.

The Health and Safety Executive has sent a team to the site to begin enquiries.

No-one from Fox’s Biscuits has been available to comment so far.

Keep checking back for updates and see tomorrow’s News for the full story.

- Did you see the incident? Call the newsroom on 01924 472121 or email batleyeditorial@ywng.co.uk.

FEATHERSTONE Rovers supporters attending Sunday’s Northern Rail Cup game at Halifax are to be segregated from home fans.

Rovers have been allocated the Skircoat Stand. Admission is normally £18, but has been reduced to £15 on this occasion.

The Featherstone club supports the move and both clubs are to exchange detailed information regarding individuals who are banned from attending games.

For a full preview on the game, see this week’s edition of the Pontefract & Castleford Express.

GLASS Houghton left Fitzwilliam Sports Complex with the Northern Counties East League points and the local bragging rights on Saturday.

Goals from Lee Bennett and Liam Radford gave the visitors a 2-0 victory to strengthen their Division One promotion push and dent Hemsworth’s.

Welfare boss Wayne Benn told Express Sport of the importance of an improvement in his side’s performance from the reverse fixture between the two sides earlier in the season.

That game ended 3-0 to Glass Houghton, and although the contest was a closer one at the weekend the Hemsworth boss will still be left disappointed that his men didn’t get anything to show for their efforts.

The hosts were without key players Lee Smith and Jack Wakefield, who were both away on holiday, while Damion Liddle was suspended and Ryan Pleasants was still a few weeks away from returning to action from injury.

The game was Hemsworth’s first in over two weeks due to the cold snap earlier this month but the visitors had the boost of coming into the game on the back of a thumping 5-1 friendly win over Kinsley in midweek.

That extra game told in the first half as Glass Houton took a 1-0 lead into the interval thanks to a 38th-minute Bennett strike.

Hemsworth were always in the game but they couldn’t find the back of the net.

And the visitors sealed their win in the last minute when Radford added their second.

The defeat was Hemsworth’s third on the spin and they’ll be keen to bounce back on Saturday with a trip to Hallam (kick-off 3pm).

See this week’s Hemsworth and South Elmsall Express for all the latest sports news from around the area.

The organisers of the Brits have apologised to Adele after she was unceremoniously forced to cut short her acceptance speech for the top gong at this year’s awards.

The record-breaking singer landed two trophies at the glitzy event when she collected the best British female award as well as the big title of the night, best album, for 21.

But a rambling acceptance speech by earlier outstanding contribution award winner Damon Albarn of Blur meant she was barely able to deliver a speech and she gestured with her middle finger in frustration on-stage. Adele, 23, said the insult was aimed at “the suits”, after show host James Corden interrupted her to wind up her words.

Following the ceremony at London’s O2 area, the show’s organisers released a statement saying: “We regret this happened and we send our deepest apologies to Adele that her big moment was cut short due to the live show over running.

“We don’t want this to undermine her incredible achievement in winning our night’s biggest award, that tops off what’s been an incredible year for her.”

Adele’s success followed a colossal win at the Grammys a little over a week ago when she was the toast of the music world with six trophies.

As she collected the best album prize for 21 - which has sold almost four million copies in the UK - the breathless star gushed: “Nothing makes me prouder, yeah, than coming home with six Grammys, then coming to the Brits and winning album of the year.

“I am so so proud to be British and to be flying the flag and to be in the same room as all of you.”

But seconds later Corden had to apologise as he forced her triumphant speech to end in a whimper. The star - who made a show-stopping comeback performance with hit Rolling In The Deep earlier in the show - then made her rude gesture.

Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2012, All Rights Reserved.

]]> 1.4271954 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:08:56 +0000 http://www.hemsworthandsouthelmsallexpress.co.uk/award_winning_musical_1_4259747

Broadway’s longest running show The Phantom of the Opera is heading to Leeds in August.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical – which has won over 60 major theatre awards including, seven Tonys on Broadway and three Olivier Awards in the West End – will hit the Leeds Grand Theatre stage from August 8 to September 15.

The lead will be performed by John Owen-Jones, who has played the role in the West End, and Christine is taken by Katie Hall who was a contestant on BBC1 talent show I’d Do Anything.

Producer Cameron Mackintosh said “I’m delighted to announce that the spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary musical will be in Leeds this summer. With an exciting new design and staging, retaining Maria Björnson’s amazing costumes, we expect audiences to fall in love with Phantom all over again.”

Leeds Grand Theatre’s general manager Ian Sime added: “I believe our beautiful auditorium is just perfect for this production – with that and the new staging it will be a wonderful night out for our audiences“.

For tickets, which went on sale earlier this month and are priced from £19-£55, www.leedsgrandtheatre.com or call the box office on 0844 8482705.

l The Mercure Holland House and Spa, Redcliffe Hill, has rooms from £60 per night. Ring 01179 689900 or go to www.mercure.com for the latest deals.

l CrossCountry trains began operating in November 2007 and is the most extensive franchise in the UK. For more information on services log on to www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk, or download the free mobile app from the website.

l Family admission to the ss Great Britain (two adults plus up to three children) costs £33.50 and includes free return visits for one year.

l Entry to M Shed is free; admission to the Norman Parkinson exhibition is £5 (£4 concessions), visit www.mshed.org.

l Other attractions include Bristol Aquarium and At-Bristol, a family friendly interactive museum two minutes from the aquarium.

l For more ideas and all you need to know about the city, go to http://visitbristol.co.uk/.

A GRANDMOTHER whose home was burgled while she sat unaware in her living room is urging residents to lock their doors and avoid becoming victim to sneak-in thieves.

Dawn Goodwin, 58, of Westfield Lane, South Elmsall, was terrified after she realised thieves had entered her bungalow on Monday night and taken her jewellery box and money box full of cash and door keys.

Miss Goodwin said she thought she had heard the door, which was unlocked, open, but assumed it was her grandson who lives with her.

After a few minutes he still had not come into the living room so she got up to see where he was.

But she went into her bedroom and found her jewellery box, which contained a gold ring, and the money box had been stolen.

She said: “I was so frightened when I realised what had happened.

“Who knows what they could have done to me if I had got up sooner and interrupted them. I dread to think.

“I’m scared to be in the house on my own now. I just want to warn people to keep their doors locks so it doesn’t happen to them.”

Miss Goodwin is saving up to help pay for her nine-year-old granddaughter, Kennedy, to swim with dolphins when she goes on holiday in the summer.

She said: “I am devastated for her. I really wanted her to be able to do that, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. I will just have to start saving again.”

Her locks have been changed and she said she will keep them more secure in future.

Inspector Jackie Turton, of the South East neighbourhood policing team, said: “We are investigating the burglary and would urge people to ensure that their doors and windows are secure even when they are at home to reduce the opportunity for thieves to strike.”

Anyone with information should contact the police on 101.

Generous pupils at Carlton J&I School brought tinned food into school last Friday to donate to elderly and vulnerable residents.

There were countless tins of soup, beans, and other heart-warming food to make the cold season a little easier for those who really need it.

Ann Foster, the school’s business manager, said: “The children brought in so many tins, there are at least 100.”

The collection was held for the SESKU Outreach, which aims to make food and warm clothing available to old people who would otherwise struggle to make ends meet.

Mrs Foster said: “We wanted to get involved as it is helping our community.”

The scheme has drop off points at Moorthorpe Recreation Club, Langthwaite Lane, South Elmsall, the Church House, Barnsley Road, South Kirkby, and the Wrangbrook Club, Wrangbrook Road, Upton.

Anyone who does not live in a neighbourhood usually associated with elderly residents can request a pack by calling Joanne Speight on 07799 117093. For more information, e-mail sesku-outreach@hotmail.co.uk or visit www.facebook.com and search for SESKU Outreach.

Ryan McBride’s production of Leeds born Louise Rennison’s witty tale of teenage dilemma makes its debut at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. Angus, Thongs and even more Snogging is about typical young teenage girls who hang out with their mates, chatting about boys and trying to work out where they have got to on the snog-o-meter which ranges from holding hands to the full monty.

Admittedly, the main dilemmas facing Georgia Nicholson are her embarrassing parents, her massive nose and how to entice the sex god Robbie away from the drippy school prefect Wet Lindsay. With the help of her best friend Jas, a self-help book provided by her mother, and a free lesson from the local snogging tutor she devises a snogfastic plan.

There is never a dull moment in this lively play, musical numbers provided by the Stiff Dylans, Robbie’s band and a sub plot involving poor Angus, the crazy cat trying to avoid being hauled off to the vets for the snip. The audition for the school play is unusual and very funny. I don’t often laugh out loud.

Excellent performances from all the cast, particularly Naomi Peterson as Georgia in her first professional production and Lewis Rayner also fresh out of drama school is so sweet as Dave the Laugh, the mate who would like to be more. Even I had a few Ahhhhh moments.The play is pitched to keep both teenagers and parents entertained and judging by the reaction at the end of the play I would say it succeeded. A great night out for girls (and boys) whatever their age.

]]> 1.4269764 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:45:29 +0000 http://www.hemsworthandsouthelmsallexpress.co.uk/blues_launch_project_to_boost_sporting_activity_for_young_people_1_4269499

FRICKLEY Athletic has launched a new project to help boost the sporting activity of children around the area.

The Evo-Stik Premier League club has teamed up with local sports provision companies Pro-Vision Sports, of Wakefield, and Premier Team Coaching, of Barnsley, to provide coaching in schools around the area.

The aim is to promote health, fitness, diet and education for children through participating in sporting activity.

It’s also hoped the project will build a strong community relationship between the children, parents and schools and Frickley Athletic - including free tickets to Blues home matches.

The project will be organised and run by Pro-vision Sports and Premier Team Coaching.

James Dudgeon, one of the five coaches involved in the project, said: “I speak on behalf of the five of us and Frickley Athletic that sport has a tremendous value at any level.

“From professional to amateur and down to grass roots level. We are really excited to be given the opportunity to help improve the opportunities for young people in this area and give them a chance to try new sports.”

Dudgeon, as well as fellow coaches Jamie Price, Grant Black, Mark Hume and Ryan Pugh are all former professional footballers.

Black, of Premier Team Coaching, said: “It is a really exciting project on a community level, building relationships between Frickley Athletic and the schools and ultimately improving the opportunities for young people in the area.”

A variety of sports, not just football, will be taught both in school time and in after-school clubs.

There will also be the opportunity for children to take part in Frickley Athletic holiday sports camps, which will take place in school holiday time.

The project is due to start in the next two weeks.

See this week’s Hemsworth and South Elmsall Express for all the latest sports news from around the area.

A DARING but caring son will plummet 160 feet to the ground to raise money for a bereavement group which has helped his mum cope after the loss of his father.

Raymond Morris, 48, of Richmond Road, Upton, has taken on the challenge to donate the money to The Young at Heart Group, based at The Grove, South Kirkby, which offers support, and friendship to those who have lost a loved one.

His mum Sylvia Morris has been a member for the past four years since his dad, Barry, died.

He said: “My mum was at a total loss. But since going to the group she has been a different woman.

“So I just thought it was my turn to try and help them.

“I am nervous but it’s for such a great cause, I will just have to get on with it.”

He will leap from the Transporter Bridge, in Middlesbrough, on June 17.

Mrs Morris, 72, of said: “I’m apprehensive about Raymond doing it but he knows how much the group has helped me.

“I am really proud of him for doing something so out of the ordinary to help the group.”

The money will pay for a meal or day trip depending how much he raises.

Anne Bond, 67, set up the group after finding everyday life difficult after her husband, Colin, died in 2000.

There were originally only six members but this has risen to 80.

Mrs Bond, of Brooksfield, South Kirkby, said: “I am over the moon that Raymond is doing the jump, I am really grateful to him.”

She said the group is something for people to look forward to and builds their confidence.

She said: “We are all going through the same thing which is a comfort.

“We share experiences and try to help each other. It has taught me, and hope many of the members, that it is possible to smile and laugh again.”

The group meets on Thursdays from 10.30am until noon.

For more information, or to sponsor Mr Morris, contact Mrs Bond on 01977 643247.

HEMSWORTH head coach Mark Wilson was delighted to see his team’s new systems come to fruition in their whopping 54-5 victory over Leeds Corinthians at the weekend.

Wilson and his men had been working hard on a new-and-improved way of playing following their home loss against Leeds Medics and Dentists last time out.

And it worked a treat - with the hosts running in ten tries to get their promotion push firmly back on track at Moxon Fields.

“It’s allowed us to play more expansive rugby,” he said.

“The forwards are playing more direct, we’re getting more men in the ruck and the patters we’ve been working on are working a treat.

“It’s basic rugby but we’re pulling it off really well and I was delighted at the way we played.

“We took our foot off the gas a little after a brilliant first 20 minutes and the changes at the start of the second half had an impact on our flow.

“We need to keep it going for the whole game but I was pleased with Saturday.”

Jake Thompson was Hemsworth’s star of the show with a hat-trick of tries while Dave Gorton (2), Paul Lawton, Dean Joburns, Joe Thompson, Charlie Briscoe and Rob Hooker also got on the scoresheet.

See this week’s Hemsworth and South Elmsall Express for a full match report and more from Wilson.

AN UNEMPLOYED Hemsworth man who was caught growing more than 40 cannabis plants in his home has escaped a jail sentence.

Dean Andrew Dickens, 41, of Willow Drive, was caught by police growing the class B drug at his home on December 12 last year.

Amanda Harris, prosecuting, said police visited the house and were overwhelmed by the strong smell of cannabis. They found 44 plants.

Dickens admitted growing the plants to officers and was arrested.

He pleaded guilty to producing the drugs at Pontefract Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Mitigating, Chris Morton, said that it was a significant number of plants, but that it was relatively small scale in comparison to other instances of cannabis production.

Mr Morton said: “The plants were cultivated for the defendant’s own use.

“He is a single man living alone. He suffers from ADHD and was only diagnosed as an adult. It effects him significantly.”

“Cannabis smoking is the only thing that gives him respite from the symptoms that have ruled his life.”

A report to assess Dickens for a suitable punishment stated the condition had not been medically diagnosed, and was based on what Dickens had read in self help books.

Sentencing him to a 12-month community order and 100-hours unpaid work, chairman of the magistrates John Fisher said the punishment was a direct alternative to custody.

He said: “Prison is always an option when you get to this stage.”

Dickens was also ordered to pay costs of £85.

All plants were ordered to be destroyed.