Saplings planted at opening of new community centre

Darton area councillors former and present planted six saplings on Friday to mark the official opening of the Darton Centre in Huddersfield Road, site of the former urban district council town hall.

The mix of tree species was chosen to symbolise the oak panelling in the former council offices, some of which has been used in new community rooms.

A spokesman for Barnsley Council said: “Opened to the public last month, the Darton Centre provides a range of local authority, health and social care-related services to the community.

“These include a Barnsley Connects Contact Centre which gives access to council services, adult social care teams, a SureStart children’s centre, community facilities, a physiotherapy suite and office accommodation for NHS Barnsley.

“The central public area offers a meet and greet area, waiting areas, public displays, community facilities and fully accessible toilet facilities.

“The centre has been constructed with renewable energy technologies to reduce its carbon footprint and lower energy costs.”