Barnsley’s sons and daughters have a long and proud history of stepping out and shaping a better world. While the Pals’ struggle took them to foreign soil, the miners’ struggle was brought to their very doorstep. Some thought that I would step away as MP and keep going with the mayoralty, but I have a fierce loyalty to our town. Mel Dyke is an incredibly passionate champion for the area. Her books ‘Barnsley and Beyond’ and ‘Grimethorpe Revival’ are so important in remembering the past and in helping future generations.

To their detriment, successive governments failed to recognise it wasn’t just coal that came out from the collieries, but community too.

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It was to encourage emulation by highlighting that wide range of local skill, talent, persistence, gift, versatility, tenacity, lateral thinking, hard work or opportunistic chance-taking, that I wrote the books “All for Barnsley” and “Barnsley & Beyond”. Men and women from Barnsley have fought, struggled and laboured time and time again for our tomorrow. Their journey is one we continue. Perceptive pen portraits of some fascinating characters etched in a sharp and deliberately provocative style, will inform, entertain - and rattle more than the odd sabre!

I am however acutely aware not everyone always shares my enthusiasm for when the winds of change begin to blow! Caroline… you have been a wonderful advocate for our community and helped see us through the pandemic. I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to you for all the work you have done – and will continue to do – for Barnsley.The Bus to Barnsley Market co-editor (with Ian Clayton and Brain Lewis ) published by Yorkshire Arts Circus 1989. And in 2019, her lifelong commitment to culture in her hometown was rewarded when she was made an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

Their story reminds us that the lone hero is a myth – we are all in fact, threads, woven together to create something much stronger. Mel Dyke has written and been involved in the production of a number of local history titles. These include: Speaking at the time, Mel, of Staincross, said: “It came as a complete surprise but I’m absolutely over the moon with the news. I don’t see it as a personal achievement, it’s something for Barnsley and everyone I’ve come across during the last 50 years.”Mel uses their anecdotal accounts to reflect on the changes in education over the past sixty years, and to put the case for a revival of the arts in teaching, which she argues is currently at risk of being lost in schools, despite being generally accepted as a vital element in education.

When you walk through our town, you are walking through a chronicle of our past – lessons in who we are, voices reminding us of what we have achieved, inspiration for generations to come. Turning to what this evening is all about… Councillor Tattersall – our new Mayor – congratulations! Let me tell you why… there is so much to celebrate about Barnsley – but above all, it is the enduring spirit of our people that sets us apart.

Mel always insisted one of her proudest achievements came at Willowgarth HIgh School when she spearheaded a ‘book-in-a-day’ project, with contributions from miners, families, school children and celebrity supporters.