Latest news with #BarnsleyCollege
BBC News
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Barnsley students mark VE Day anniversary
Students have marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two by researching their own families' College have created a digital mosaic that recreates the moment Winston Churchill announced "victory in Europe" from the Whitehall balcony on 8 May 1945 - which became known as VE royal pageant master Bruno Peek, who served Queen Elizabeth II for more than 40 years, has collaborated on the VE Day 80 Akeroyd, chief executive of Barnsley College, said he was "incredibly proud" of his students' work. He added: "This initiative demonstrates how today's young people value unity and shared ideals."Students helped to develop bespoke software for the campaign and also interviewed Barnsley residents to gather stories and who took part said it had helped them understand more about the sacrifices their own families made during the Firth, 17, said his great-grandfather was a factory mechanic during the said: "We as young people should remember what happened, these were our relatives. It's the reason I'm here today."Alex Heron, also 17, added: "I knew nothing about the celebrations, and I think it's important we remember the celebrations and not just the tragedy." Local logistics firm Thomas Hardie Commercials has donated a lorry wrapped in a VE Day 80 livery to support the project. The company runs a programme that helps military veterans to train as HGV drivers and secure jobs in the Wilson of Thomas Hardie said: "We're proud to support VE Day 80. By investing in our veterans, we're investing in both them and the logistics sector."Mr Peek, who will retire from his royal role after the commemorations, praised the dedication and creativity of the college students."The work Barnsley College has created for VE Day 80 is truly remarkable, it's a testament to the passion and hard work of these students."The mosaic will be unveiled on 8 May. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
BBC News
30-03-2025
- BBC News
Barnsley teenagers say free bus scheme will make life 'so much easier'
Sixth-form and college students say a scheme offering under-18s free bus travel would make life "so much easier".Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council is set to trial the two-year scheme from 1 August, after it makes a final decision on the proposal in a creative media student at Barnsley College, spends £10 a week on bus fares to college and sometimes more to go to Sheffield on his day off, "which adds up".The 17-year-old, who saves up spare change for bus fares, told the BBC: "If buses were free that would be perfect." The scheme applies to those living in the borough for all journeys within South Yorkshire starting or ending in 16, who studies A-level biology, criminology and geography, also spends about £10 a 16-18 Zoom discount card makes single fares £1 for the students who have one."When I lost the card, before the prices went up recently, it cost £20 a week. I think that is a bit too much," Jay said. "I think the scheme will encourage more sustainable travel which is what we need right now."Ben, 16, agreed that the scheme would have a positive impact on the software development student takes the bus into town to see friends and occasionally to go to the cinema, but usually gets a lift into college."If it was free, I would definitely be more likely to get a bus instead," he added."Someone's got to pay for it, but it is a great concept."The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority has committed up to £1m to the initiative, with Barnsley Council contributing £5m. The scheme aims to help young people access education and work 17, who works part-time in a butcher's, added that cheaper and easier bus travel could also encourage people to visit the town centre."Instead of the money going on people's travel, they might put it into shops and small businesses," she content creation student said her mum helped her pay the fares, but she still felt paying had limited her ability to save for university."Some people don't have the reliability of parents to send them a tenner a week, so it will help a lot of people, and my mum will probably be thankful," she said. Free travel for just one under-18 could save almost £400 over the course of the school year, or more if they do not have a Zoom Green, a mum-of-two from Barnsley, said: "If [my husband and I] opened an account, and every time we got on the bus, we put the kids' fares in there instead – it would add up."Chelsea Oldham, 27, also has two young children, and travels into Barnsley from the Mexborough area each week to visit her family."I think people with children, especially single mums and dads, they should get discounted or possibly free travel," she said."A bus fare doesn't sound like a lot, but when the kids are flying up in sizes and need a new pair of shoes, that money could go to them." Passes will be valid between 07:00 and 21:00 every day, including at weekends and during school holidays, and will be available to all young people aged five to already travel free of 18, who is studying health and social care at the college, will just miss out on being eligible for the said there could be "a negative impact on 18-year-olds that struggle more with money" but the scheme would still be good for younger students said they thought more capacity might be needed for the scheme, which the council has confirmed the funding will go towards. "They will have to make sure they can accommodate extra people if they make it free," Alex added: "I don't think the impact on most services would be huge, but there might need to be a slightly more frequent bus."The funding will also contribute to the cost of travel concessions, developing smartcard technology and ensuring that there are enough resources to monitor and evaluate the impact of the smartcards will be free, but replacing missing ones will cost a small amount, the council said. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
