13/12/2013 BBC Channel Islands News

headlines: Reform yourselves or accept UK intervention ` the Chief

Minister's stark warning to state members dithering over the election

system. It is embarrassing we cannot reform the state's assembly when the

vast majority of the public want us to do so. A lesson in reality for

one gernsy politician. And why a stitch in time can't save

the Guernsey jumper, as local skills dwindle.

Jersey's Chief Minister is threatening to ask the Queen to

reform the island's Parliament if they do not agree to reform

themselves. Senator Ian Gorst said although it would not be ideal it

could be the only way of delivering change in the States.

Channel islands pride themselves on their independence. So to ask the UK

to sort out parliamentary reform is a brave move. These documents are

the last time a Royal Commission was brought in to review the role of the

States. That was 152 years ago. Their were deciding whether State

officers should sit in Jersey. Fast forward ` it is a similar issue `

who should be in the Jersey's Government. Now a new plan is being

put forward. The Chief Minister warns if it is not accepted he'll

call in the UK. It certainly is not something we would want to do in an

ideal world. It is not something that any Chief Minister would want

to have to do. But it is embarrassing that we can't reform

the State's assembly when the vast majority of the public want us to do

so. What is the plan? Well, it is a tweak of the opposition that won.

They want the number of ministers reduced.

By threatening to call in a Royal Commission, the Chief Minister is

raising the political stakes. A Royal Commission is a group of

people appointed by the UK Government on behalf of the Queen.

It would investigate a matter of public concern. It would recommend

what action needs to be taken. Even the politician behind the current

reform plan said it is a bad idea. We need to avoid a Royal Commission.

A Royal Commission would be effectively saying that the island

States can not make its own mind up on these things and is incapable of

reforming itself. Many may sigh. By threatening to take the decision out

of the island's hands, the Chief Minister has clearly put reform at

the top of his agenda. Gernsy and Jersey have today ``

Guernsey and Jersey have today signed a new agreement to share more

information with America. From July all financial institutions around

the world have to report the assets of any American citizens above

?30,000. Guernsey Police say they are investigating a vicious attack

on a Torteval woman and her dog. It appears the crime was motivated by

homophobia. Jenny Hardings claims her dog was beaten around the head.

Graffiti was left on her van. Jenny says there's been surgery on her dog

to remove its eye. I was very, very shocked and concerned. My priority

is Alice and making sure that Alice is looked after and that the best

out of this can come for her, that she's going to be all right. With

pressure on to improve standards at Guernsey's high school, one

politician was challenged by teachers to spend some time back in

the clam. Education member Chris Green shadowed a maths teacher at La

Mare de Carteret Secondary today. That is one of the schools in the

spotlight because of it disappointing results. Back in the

classroom after many years ` but rather than for a maths lesson ` a

chance for this politician to learn about what could improve standards

at this school. I think that anybody who's not a

teacher or hasn't been surrounded by anybody in the teaching profession

doesn't appreciate what we do. Once you are in the school and you see

the challenges you are up against on a daily basis, it would be the best

way for Deputy Green to see what we are doing and see who we are

achieving. La Mare has not had the best year ` disappointing GCSE

results and parents wanting some action. Is there anything obvious

that needs to change? Certainly a few specific things that I have been

made aware of and other things which have been clarified which will be

matters that I will discuss with my colleagues in terms of education

policy. And also a more general understanding of the challenges and

the realities of teaching. And the pupils have their own opinions on

what could make a difference here too.

A bit more discipline in the class, maybe for people who distract you.

Other than that, I think it is OK. Just like maybe a bit of discipline,

maybe. Some teachers maybe being a bit more stricter, but that's about

it really, I would say. Having done his homework in the

school, the test will be whether he can now make a difference.

Jersey's former rugby coach admitted the decision to leave the club was

not entirely his. He left the club last week. We joined me in the

studio earlier to explain why he lefted halfway through the season. I

`` left halfway through the season. It is important for the club and for

me. It leaves the club with a good coach in charge and gis them time to

progress up the `` gives them time to progress up the league. A

year`and`a`half of really struggling in the championship; it could be

said you are going when the going got tough. I didn't feel like that.

It is tough in the championship for every club. We have done brilliantly

over the years. It is credit to the chairman, obviously Bill, and the

executive committee. I didn't feel that was the case. Obviously there

is always pressure on jobs. It is such as that. I think it was the

right time to go, as I said for the club and for me. You said there was

pressure. Was it from the club? Was yours the decision to go? I sat down

with the chairman for many months and we spoke about where the future

of the club was going and where it would shape out. We are not Alex

Ferguson. 26 years is a long time to spend at a club and Fife and a half

years is a long `` five`and`a`half years is a long time to spend at

this club. The club can move on with someone else at the helm. I have

enjoyed myself immensely. Have you had any talks with other teams `

what is next for you? There are a few things I am looking at the

moment. Spending some time over Christmas with the children. See

where life takes me. I have a decent CV. Obviously huge thanks goes to

the people at the club who have supported me throughout that time.

Could Jersey ever make it to the Premiership? What would it take to

get them there? The way the club is set up, there are so many good

people around, things are always possible. There is an enormous

amount of money needed to do that. We have a good squad. They will get

better and better as the season goes on. Get up and see them tomorrow.

Good luck for the future. Still to come here on BBC Channel Islands.

David is here with your weather. Later in Spotlight, with Justin and

Natalie. : the instrument made famous by

George Formby is making a huge comeback in time for Christmas.

Before that, it is Iy, long`lasting and a part of Guernsey's heritage `

yes the traditional jumper. A lack of skills is preventing local

manufacturers from expanding. It takes quite a lot to make a

Guernsey, in this factory on the island's West coast, machines work

away, carefully crafting the garments.

Well, all around me there are industrial knitting machines. It is

not really in here where the problem is. It is finding the right number

of people who can finish off the Guernseys with their hand knitting

skills. Neil Sexton runs the business and

has recently received an order from Japan for 5,000 Guernseys. He says a

lack of skilled workers is making it a challenge to meet demand. Machine

operators, it is not a problem. You can take somebody in and train them.

You cannot teach somebody to knit halfway through their lives and

certainly not to knit a Guernsey. So that is the problem we've had.

We ` if we had more hand knitters, we could make more Guernseys, but we

haven't. So, as this business in the west

looks to trade with the east, a frustrating lack of local skills

could hold it back. Let's get the weather now and David,

it looks as though if you want one of those Guernsey jumpers this

winter, you'll have to get one while they are going.

I used to have one. They were waterproof in the rain as well. We

will see some rain It is arriving tomorrow. It will not be until the

evening that it gets to us. Saturday is the better of the two days. A

bright and fine day, increasingly cloudy. More rain turning up as we

move into Sunday. In fact that rain will be with us into Sunday. Also

windy conditions. At the moment, we have one weather system moving from

us. Clearing the skis overnight tonight. Another one, this big lump

of cloud approaching us tomorrow. Between the two a good deal of clear

skis. That is a weak ridge of high pressure that will come in tonight

and be around most of the day tomorrow. By the end of the

afternoon it will become windy. Saturday night that weather system

will bring us outbreaks of rain. The same weather system develops ripples

along it, which means it stalls over us. It does not move far and keeps

us cloudy and wet on Sunday. Tonight is a very good night if we get the

clear skis to see the meteor showers. It is one of the strongest

we'll see ` around 150 shooting stars an hour are possible.

It is fine, it is clear and dry. Still breezy and seven Celsius ` the

minimum temperature. As for tomorrow, well a fine enough start

for the day. It becomes increasingly cloudy and a brisk south or

south`westerly wind comes in. That will be strong to gale force by the

evening. A top temperature of 11 Celsius. The winds are

south`south`westerly. Increasing seven to gale force eight as we move

into the end of the afternoon and the early part of the evening. Times

of high water, at St hel St Helier dhaf is:

Sunday, that same weather system becomes slow`moving. It will keep us

cloudy with outbreaks of rain. Wet weather on Monday. By Tuesday though

it starts to improve. For tomorrow, make the most of it and good luck

looking for the shooting stars tonight. Thank you. We will keep our

eyes peeled. Whatever you are doing, have a great weekend and stay with

BBC One now for the rest of Spot Light. Here's Justin.

cannot afford to lose. There is only one other. It will be impossible to

get into the other dentist. Researchers have discovered new

information about the habits of one of our largest sharks. Basking

sharks are often sighted around our coastline. Now a team at the

University of Exeter have tracked them using satellite technology.

Basking sharks fascinate holiday`makers and locals alike when

they are spotted. But until recently, we knew very little about

where they travelled and what they did. These were filmed of Scotland

and thanks to researchers at Exeter University, we are starting to

understand much more about what they get up to. Some are stay at home

creatures, they don't go very far, they might pop out of the North

Atlantic for the winter, but ultimately, they will come back into

Scottish waters of Cornish waters. Satellite tracking and cameras have

transformed the amount of information which can be gathered

about the habits of basking sharks. Electronic tags are attached to the

sharks and researchers wait for them to fall off the animal before

floating ashore so they can retrieve the information they need. These are

short trips out from this very dense area. They eat for a few days and

then head back into the main area. The Scottish government is funding

research to decide the best locations for new marine protected

areas. Banking `` basking sharks seek out plankton to eat. Knowledge

could prove useful here because the south`west will soon have its own

wind and wave farms. There were emotional scenes in

Plymouth today as HMS Bulwark arrived home from a four`month

deployment in time for Christmas. The Devonport`based warship had

sailed over 12,000 miles and visited 14 countries. Spotlight's Johnny

Rutherford was onboard as she made her way into port.

It was a mass exodus as the ship's crew rushed to their loved ones. It

had been a long wait as early in the day the Royal Navy's fleet flagship

tried to get the timing right. We joined them on the last few hours of

what had been a very busy for months. We have been the flagship

for the task force, which has taken us through the Mediterranean into

the Middle East and as far as Pakistan. We have delivered maritime

security, supported government objectives and worked with some of

our key allies. The ship 's company of 350 visited 14 countries but with

Christmas only 12 days away, home was the only place they wanted to

be. Whilst on deployment, I had my second child. She is nearly four

months old now, so I can't wait to get home and see how much she has

changed. For one sailor, who flew his girlfriend out for a couple of

days to getting gauged, the final journey seemed to take for ever.

Can't wait to see her again and see our little girl who was born on the

1st of August. I am swapping these duties straight for daddy duties!

It's a little lame that my dad used to call me when I was younger.

Finally, the waiting was over. If it feels like I waited ages. Amazing.

So glad to be home. A motion. Lovely. The company now have 2`3

weeks leave. Time for the sport and tonight, we

reveal who's won the top BBC South West Sports Awards. Before that,

Dave has the rest of the weekend action.

If Exeter Chiefs fail to beat the European rugby champions tomorrow,

they face an early exit from the competition. Captain Dean Mumm leads

them to Toulon on the Cote D'Azur, knowing they came within five points

of the powerful French team who are top of pool two. The Chiefs are

third and desperately need a win there. BBC Radio Devon has full

coverage from 1:35pm on Saturday. Yeovil Town go for a fourth

Championship game without defeat when they visit bottom side

Barnsley. After two wins and a draw, the Glovers are resurgent and a win

at Oakwell could lift them out of the bottom three. Exeter City,

who've dropped to mid`table in League Two, look for their first win

in eight going to Accrington Stanley. Plymouth Argyle defender

Neal Trotman and manager John Sheridan will be eager to do well at

their former club Chesterfield, who are second in the standings. At

Plainmoor, rock bottom Torquay United bid to beat the team who lie

third in the table, Southend, who are managed by one`time Premier

League boss Phil Brown. Time now to conclude the BBC South

West Sports Awards. We've been showing different categories all

this week and the culmination is the Sportswoman and Sportsman of the

Year. Natalie and I had the honour of presenting the trophies, first to

a familiar face who's had a wonderful 12 months.

Whilst winning the World Championship for the first time this

year and retaining the World Cup, Helen Glover has remained unbeaten

throughout 2013. So, it is appropriate if you can pass me a

rather good`looking Trophy here. For the third year running, you are the

BBC south`west sportswoman of the year. Round of applause for you. We

have always presented this at the Redgrave pence at Lake. Not bad, is

it? It does mean a lot to me. Nobody anticipates or expects a year like I

had. We have had some amazing sport from the whole team. How often do

you manage to get to Penzance? Only a couple of times a year, but when I

do, it's really special. Will you be spending Christmas and new year

there? Yes. Another place on the mantelpiece bans to be found for

this. Well done again. Completing a hat`trick. Who knows what will

happen next year? And then I was off to Sandy Park to

see the Exeter Chiefs to present one of them with our highest accolade.

Our winner this year has has an amazing year and has been described

as one of the most inspiring players of his generation. Let's see who it

is. It is likely to be with you today.

As you know, this week we have been presenting our sports award and a

big wad of the week is the sports man of the year. This batsman of the

year is amongst you lot. He's got a very distinctive hairstyle. He's

quite young. He may have achieved quite marvellous things with England

when they won the World Cup this year. And he's a Cornish boy. Our

sports man of the year is Jack and all. Congratulations. It's a gold

award. Sorry to spring this on you. A great honour. I am surrounded by a

great bunch of boys. It's all down to this team that I have got this.

An incredible year for you. I have been out in France and stuff them

come back. I had a bit of time for the start of the season to get

arrested up. What do you have the rest of the season? Just to keep

playing as I have been playing. Chaps, our BBC south`west sports man

of the year. Finally, Somerset bowler Jamie

Overton has been included in the England Lions cricket tour of Sri

Lanka in February and March. Now it seems an instrument which

became very popular is the 1930s and 40s is experiencing something of a

resurgence. It was a favourite of George Formby's but it seems to have

found a growing following among a new generation of music lovers. Jo

Irving has been to meet some of the people who have taken up the

instrument to find out why it is becoming so popular again.

Brass bands and choirs across the county are all churning up the

Christmas, but here, a diverse group of musicians are strumming their

stuff. In just a few months, Plymouth's ukelele players have

grown in numbers. And they have gone from strength to strength. It's a

chance for youngsters like Joseph to get to grips with a musical

instrument. It's a really fun instrument to play and really easy

to learn and not that much strings so you can remaster it quickly.

Ukelele is for all ages, especially the young at heart. Seeing as I have

arthritis, I thought the best thing to do was play a ukelele and keep my

fingers moving. Harry is the main player behind this group. I have

tried the guitar. Couldn't do it. Gave up. I have got a new guitar. I

didn't even know ukelele was. But the guy said, it's only got four

strings. I have been playing a sense! If you want to hit the right

note this Christmas, you could always give this a try!

So they say it's very easy. So we're going to give it a go.

It is easy! I quite enjoyed that. Good evening. Let's have a look at

the forecast for the weekend. Whatever you're doing, playing the

ukelele or just enjoying a good view the stars. It's windy, mild and we

will have reasonable mornings, but the afternoons look rather cloudy.

We are between weather systems to night. Another big lump of cloud out

here. Between those two, a strike of clearer skies arriving through the

night. Settled weather for a time tonight but short lived because a

new area of low pressure and another line of wet weather heading our way.

Another quite windy afternoon tomorrow. Looking at the details on

Sunday, the same weather system comes back across us. We will

probably see a fine morning on Sunday. As that rain banter is

cleared, it has cleared the skies, which is pretty good news. A last

night. The breeze eases a little bit but enough to stir the air so not

too much in the way of frost and enough clear sky to give us a good

view of the peak of the meteor showers which happens to night. NASA

predicts over 120 shooting stars per hour. Temperatures 3`4 degrees the

lowest we are likely to see. Tomorrow, and I started the day with

sunshine. Chile at first. The day and so does the cloud. By the end of

the afternoon, quite wet. Despite temperatures similar to today, 12,

13 degrees, but a windy day. That's the forecast for the Isles of

Scilly. Times of high water here. Compared to earlier in the week, the

surf is pretty messy tomorrow and big waves, too. Those of the coastal

waters forecast. The outlook is a damp day on Sunday. Still some

outbreaks of rain on Monday. Tuesday is a little bit drier and colder.

Have a good evening. Go on, then. Play us out.

Shall we play the spotlight theme tune? Let's give it a go. Only of

David dancers, though.