PROPOSED NEW BUILD: I've just been looking at details for the proposed new development at land off Sheepwalk Lane, at what is fondly known locally as 'The Tunny Tops' and what an eye-opener. Residents who live close to the proposed new development received letters dated May 21,
telling them that if they have any concerns or objections to voice them by June 11. Although this deadline has been and gone, that was only the neighbourhood consultations deadline. Anyone with objections has got until Wednesday to get them in. Comments can still be made after
this deadline as the target date for the decision is August 19. I have been asked to pass on this information so that anyone who hasn't received a letter and would like to know more about the proposals can still contact the planning services offices.

YOUTH SHELTER: The parish council has been informed that there is a possibility of a youth shelter being placed on the 72-acre site across from the Wrangbrook Road/Main Street entrance. If anyone would like to come into the village hall and sign to say they are either for or against the youth shelter they are quite welcome to. There are sheets provided.

UPTON ANGLING CLUB: Junior matches have been changed to a Friday night
now, so that it isn't held on a night before school. The fishing club bought five lots of fishing tackle last year with a grant, so if anyone would like to go along and try it out, they can be supplied with all tackle and bait supplied, free of charge initially. The draw is at 5pm and they fish from 6pm-9pm. Information from the Fishing Shop in Upton
on 01977 658803.

NORTH ELMSALL ROAD: The existing New Lane/Back Lane/A638 Doncaster Road
roundabout at Upton has been replaced by a 'ghost island' priority T-junction. All residents of North Elmsall have recently received a letter regarding this road. The following extract is taken from that letter: The A638 Doncaster Road is to be realigned from a point just north of the B6474 New Lane at Upton in order to connect with the
newly-constructed Minsthorpe Lane roundabout. The existing New Lane/Back
Lane/A638 Doncaster Road roundabout at Upton has been replaced by a ghost island priority T-junction. This realignment effectively creates an A638 bypass of North Elmsall for through traffic using both the
A638 and the new link road. This will allow the existing A638 Doncaster Road through North Elmsall village to become a local access road with a speed limit of 30 mph.
The letter was accompanied by a road map, with the roads and their speeding restrictions marked on and I found they indicated five different speed markings as follows: green was unrestricted, pale blue was derestricted, red was 30mph, dark blue was 40mph and yellow was 50mph. It was interesting to see it as a completed road. Will the ghost island improve the road or does it not stand a 'ghost of a chance' of working? (Pardon the pun).

A638 DONCASTER ROAD BYPASS: I have received a few complaints about the
new junction that leads on to the new road, coming from the direction of Upton. I was told by one gentleman that he thinks it is a miracle that no-one has been killed at that junction and in his opinion it is the most confusing bit of road he has seen in a long time. It's not the first time I have been told that and it does seem to be causing a lot of
mayhem at the moment, with drivers having a few near misses, I'm told. Will it be better when it's finished?

MINSTHORPE LANE: I received an amusing phone call from a gentleman
regarding Minsthorpe Lane. It was pointed out to me that after a recent visit to Newmillerdam, it was noted that the A61 has had the road marked out, including the 'little' pot holes there. He told me that this road is showing far less damage than Minsthorpe Lane, yet it is marked out for repair. He reckons they must have run out of paint by
the time they got to Minsthorpe Lane, because there is no sign of that being done, regardless of its terrible state. He also says that he bets a pound to a penny they will find enough money to paint the white lines near the speed cameras, so they can keep collecting the speeding fines. I can see his point. If there is enough money for a road with minor damage to be sorted, then why wasn't it used for the road with more serious damage, eg Minsthorpe Lane? If it is a question of finances then surely the worst affected roads should be prioritised.

VOX NEIGHBOURHOOD NETWORKS: The next meeting of the Upton, North Elmsall, Badsworth, Ackworth and Thorpe Audlin Neighbourhood Network
will take place today, Thursday, 7-8.30pm, at Lawson Hut, Main Street, Badsworth WF 1AF.

UPTON RUGBY CLUB: In September this year it is 30 years since the rugby team was formed. To celebrate this they are having a series of events starting with a reunion day on Saturday, September 5. A barbecue will be
held in the afternoon and a buffet and entertainment in the evening. The rugby club would like to welcome anybody who has been involved with the club – players, coaches, supporters to the – clubhouse on Quarry Lane to help them celebrate!

POLICE SURGERY: This is held on the first Saturday of every month, at Upton Village Hall, 10am-noon.

ZUMBA: The next classes will take place on Monday evenings, 8.15pm-9pm at Upton Village Hall. For more information contact Nikki on 07823 339457.

ST MARY'S, BADSWORTH AND ST MARGARET'S, NORTH ELMSALL: Sunday services take place at St Mary's at 10.30am on a normal service and at St Margaret's at 9am. However, every first Sunday of every month, services are at alternate churches and start at 10am.

UPTON PARISH COUNCIL: Meetings take place at Upton Village Hall every
second Wednesday of every month, starting at 7pm.

UPTON PARISH COUNCIL FINANCE MEETING: The Parish Council holds its
finance meetings on the first Thursday of every month at Upton Village Hall, 6pm.

UPTON WOMEN'S INSTITUTE: The WI meets every second Tuesday of the month at the village hall, 6.30pm-9pm. Tea Dance: Wednesday is tea dance day at Upton Village Hall, 1pm-4pm. Ki-Taekwondo: Join Ki-taekwondo classes at Upton Village Hall on Wednesdays from 6pm to 8.30pm. Karate: Karate classes are available at Upton Village Hall, on Mondays from 6pm to 8pm.
ARTS AND CRAFTS: Classes are held at Upton Village Hall every Friday from 9.30am-11.30am.

EYES DOWN: Friday is bingo night at the Village Hall. The doors open at 6pm and it's 'eyes down' at 7.15pm.

LINE DANCING: As well as classes being held on Thursday evenings at the village hall, 7pm-9pm, there is also a class held there every first Saturday of the month, 7.30pm-10.30pm.

POET'S CORNER: If you have written any poems and would like to share them with your community, please get in touch. This week's poem is another one from Liz Crompton, written while she was holidaying in Scotland.

Challenges

Take me up to yonder brae
Where I may look down if I may
Anoint my head with morning dew
Let me see Life from a higher view
Each step will near me to the top
There may be times when I will drop
But I will pick me up again
Despite the fear, despite the pain
To live life down in the valley
Where opportunities are none
Takes away the greatest feeling
Of a challenge fought and won