21/01/2014 BBC Channel Islands News

rain from the east. That's all from the BBC News At Six.

The most serious type of skin cancer is almost twice as common in the

Channel Islands as it is in the UK. Figures out today also show high

rates of bladder and head and neck cancers, and the highest mortality

rates from lung cancer are found in Guernsey and Jersey. With tobacco

and alcohol use and sun exposure among the causes of these cancers,

Island authorities want to spread the message that they are

preventable. Penny Elderfield reports.

When we get a bit of sun, we want to make the most of it. And for much of

their lives, Dave and Aline did All the time. We loved the beach. We

were always down there. No suntan lotion, nothing. We always thought

it would never happen to us. We used to read when we were teenagers, and

the next day, you could not bend your legs. We never thought anything

of it. A few years ago, though, it was all they could think about. Both

Dave and Aline were diagnosed with skin cancer ` Aline the most serious

type, malignant melanoma. Now healthy, they now have a different

take on their time in the sun. My advice would be to be extremely

careful and use suntan cream, and don't stay out during 11 and 2pm. It

is the worst time for damage. Latest figures show rates of skin cancer

are much higher in the Channel Islands. Per 100,000 people, in

Guernsey there are around 51 cases. Compared to 48 in Jersey and 30 per

100,000 for the South West region. Other preventable cancers are also a

concern. In both Guernsey and Jersey, lung cancer has the highest

mortality rate, with on average 35 people in Guernsey dying each year,

and 50 in Jersey. There's also higher rates of head and neck, and

bladder cancers. And knowing they're all preventable cancers, the health

authorities hope the figures alone send out a message. The one player

we are much higher is malignant melanoma. The figures are very

start, with nearly twice the rate of that on the mainland. People need to

take it seriously, and the figures speak for themselves. Whether it be

from smoking, alcohol, or sitting in the sun, the authorities hope by

raising awareness of the risks, they can lower rates of preventable

cancers in the Islands. Meanwhile, women in Jersey are being

encouraged to make sure they attend their smear tests. It's after a 14%

drop in women having the examination last year, from just over 9000 in

2012 to just over 7000 last year. The test helps to identify abnormal

cells in the cervix which can cause cervical cancer if not treated.

Women returning to their native countries for the test can also

cause problems for the health services in the island. We do think

a lot of women are perhaps going abroad to their own countries to

have smear test carried out, but that means we cannot follow things

up, and if they have abnormalities, they have to slot into the system

here for treatment. A hospital doctor from Jersey is

accused of leaving a woman feeling "violated and disgusted" after an

examination at the General Hospital. Dr Carl Clinton is facing a fitness

to practise hearing in Manchester, where he is accused of sexual

misconduct towards two female patients. Dr Clinton is also accused

of 'dishonest and misleading' conduct for failing to tell the GMC

he was in private practice in March 2012. He denies any impropriety

Well, our Reporter Louise Walter has been following this story. Earlier,

she joined me in the studio and I asked her to remind me to the

background to this case. The General Medical Council have

brought this case to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal, and heard

evidence from two women today ` the second day of the hearing. One,

known as Patient B, visited the hospital's Emergency Department with

headaches after a bump on the head. The tribunal was told she was left

feeling "horrible" and "vulnerable" after being examined by Dr Clinton.

The other woman, known as Patient A, called him an "animal" after he

examined her at Dongola Road Sports Injury Clinic. She was referred

there by her family doctor for tennis elbow but alleges she was

given an unexpected and inappropriate examination Dr

Clinton. `` by Doctor Clinton. It is alleged both examinations were

sexually motivated. He denies any impropriety. Clare, this isn't the

first time we've heard these allegations, is it? No. The tribunal

has heard that Dr Clinton was referred to the General Medical

Council by both patients separately after they felt Jersey Hospital had

not taken their claims seriously. Previously, an internal

investigation cleared Dr Clinton, but he no longer works at the

hospital. What could happen to Dr Clinton and what reaction is there

from Health bosses in Jersey? If found guilty, he faces being struck

off the medical register. A spokesman from Jersey's General

Hospital says he can't comment while the hearing is ongoing. It's

expected to last two weeks. Louise Walter speaking to me a short time

ago. States members in Jersey have been

told reforms to the islands electoral system will restore

democracy and fairness. The Assembly is debating whether to alter the

make`up of the States and change the way politicians are elected.

Jersey's Treasury Minister, Senator Philip Ozouf wants a system similar

to the one rejected by the States last year, with fewer members and

large voting districts for Deputies, especially in St Helier.

And that debate continues tomorrow morning on BBC Radio Jersey's 1 16

Medium Wave frequency. Three dead seagulls have been found

in a bin in St Helier with broken legs and crushed bodies.

Conservationists were working nearby when they came across the birds the

images of which are too graphic to show. The police are investigating

after concerns the deaths were deliberate. The birds are a

protected species. Because we found blood on the road and evidence of

breadcrumbs, their opinion is that the birds were baited to the door

road `` to the road, and then were killed. This is a criminal offence.

Flybe has been granted a licence to operate a route between Guernsey and

London Luton Airport, but the airline say they have no plans yet

to run it. Flybe is pulling out of serving London Gatwick from March

this year because of costs. Aurigny will be the sole operator from

Guernsey on the Gatwick link. You're watching the BBC in the

Channel Islands. Coming up after us in Spotlight: Justin and Rebecca

bring us all the action from the launch of this year's Sport Relief

campaign. One of the biggest housing

developments taking place in Guernsey should finish on time and

on budget. That's according to developers on the site of the former

Old Boys Grammar School. 40 houses and flats are being constructed

Mike Wilkins reports. After more than 100 years of

educating people, the site of Guernsey's former boys' grammar

school and college of further education has changed forever. In a

year and a half, the scene has changed to this, a building site.

And with that has come noise for its neighbours, something the

contractors claim to have minimised. We've tried to keep the neighbours

up to speed on what we are doing. We have done letter drops to let them

know what is going on, and we like to try and involve them. It is not

easy sometimes to get hold of them, because they are at work while we

are here, but we want to be good neighbours, so we try and do that.

Despite the recent wet and windy weather, the project is on track for

completion in December. It's running on time at the moment. I would say

there might be some challenges ahead, but it is going OK so far. 40

new timber homes costing just under ?8 million will provide housing for

up to 120 people, but for the thousands of former pupils, this

site will always remind them of school days. Mike Wilkins BBC

Channel Islands News, Guernsey. It is a chilly day to be wandering

around a building site, but David is in our studio. What would the

around a building site, but David is in our studio. What would weather be

like? Well, I don't think it will be any warmer, but certainly it will be

brighter. The rain we have had so far made pep up later on tonight,

and move through fairly steadily, probably not cleaning until tomorrow

morning. Tomorrow will be showery with some sunny spells and quite

breezy with no real change in temperatures. This weather system

across us is reducing some good breaks of rain that were clear by

later on tonight. Then it is quite straightforward story. There will be

some sunshine and wind, and also some showers, as I mentioned.

Thursday morning will cease showers, but it will write up towards the

afternoon. `` brighten up towards the afternoon. The rain on Wednesday

night will not be awfully heavy but it will brighten up towards the

early hours of the morning. Six degrees is the minimum temperature.

Tomorrow, we expect to see some showers in the morning, but for most

of it it will be dry with some lengthy spells of sunshine.

Temperatures getting up to about 10 degrees. Very warm, and with the

breeze from the west and north`west, it may feel colder than the

temperatures suggest. Here is the coastal waters forecast. Fairly good

visibility. The times of high water at 9:37am and 2212. The waves are

likely to be quite begged tomorrow. Between five and seven feet. If

you're heading for Spain or Portugal or France, not much warmer. In fact,

Paris just five degrees tomorrow and rather grey and cloudy. For

ourselves, it will brighten up towards the end of the week. A quick

reminder, we would love to see some of your photographs of weather. You

can a mild them to this address Have a good evening. Goodbye. Thank

you very much, David. We'll feature as many of you photographs as

possible. That is at from us. No spotlight.

fitting. Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service say they do not believe it

is suspicious. The sale of cheap and super strength

alcohol is being targeted by Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime

Commissioner Tony Hogg. He's written a letter to supermarket managers,

inviting them to join him in a campaign to look at the sale of

certain alcoholic drinks. Figures show the region is one of the ten

worst areas in the country for violent crime, with alcohol related

offences costing nearly ?370 million a year. The British Retail

Consortium said it was working with the Government and communities to

reduce alcohol problems. Stay with us for rare and

extraordinary footage of a beaver in the wild in Devon. Plus a thumbs up

from the new Bishop of Exeter. We'll find out what his priorities are.

And how cricket is helping give youngsters a confidence boost thanks

to Sports Relief. The only military hospital in the

South West that treated First World War troops suffering with shell

shock is trying to trace the descendants of patients and staff as

part of the centenary commemorations for the Great War. Just over 300 men

were treated at the Seale`Hayne Argiculture College near Newton

Abbot. For 15 months from 1918, the college was handed over to the War

Office. Spotlight's John Henderson has more. Trench warfare. Of those

who survived the battlefields of the Great War, many were badly damaged

physically and mentally. Some of the worst cases came to be treated just

outside Newton Abbot. For 15 months, from April 1918, Seale`Hayne

Agricultural College became a specialist military hospital. It was

absolutely ideal because of the beautiful surroundings, the rural

surroundings. And just the ethos of the place.

And this rare footage shows the extreme conditions of some of the

patients. This man couldn't control himself when hearing the word bombs.

It drove him to hide under a bed. He was on the Western front and there

was a very severe shell attack and he was blown up and rendered

unconscious. Like so many of the 300 or so patients, he was, though,

helped by the innovative techniques of the distinguished neurologist and

physician Sir Arthur Hurst. It was done by re`education and

persuasion. One particular feature is the amount of encouragement and

praise they gave these men as they were being treated. It was very

much... "Excellent." That's the first step. "You did that very

well." And the next step, "Splendid. That's the stuff." And all that sort

of thing which is the sort of thing that is done now. It was quite

different from the normal, "Pull yourself together, man. You are a

military man." I first noticed that Pathe film in 19... Ray was a

student at Seale`Hayne in the 1950s, when it reverted back to an

agricultural college. It is now run by the Dame Hannah Rogers Trust and

works with people with disabilities. And to mark the

contribution Seale`Hayne made to the First World War effort, the trust

and Ray wanted to learn more about the men treated at the military

hospital from 1918. We want to trace the descendant families. And with

their permission, gather some accounts of what happened after the

war to those men. How it goes on and how it affected the families.

Because while it might seem a relatively small contribution a long

time ago, it is one that made a difference and resonates at

Seale`Hayne even today. Care and social consciousness and education

is buried in the mortar of this place. Even the Chief Executive of

Hannahs said this place wrapped arms around you. And that's what I feel

about the place and what it did for those chaps.

Ray Bartlett ending that report by John Henderson. Next month, there is

a special series on BBC Spotlight, BBC Local radio and online looking

at the stories of World War I at home, here in the South West. I have

been off filming for that series and there are some fascinating stories

emerging, as you will see next month.

The 70th Bishop of Exeter has been announced today. The Right Reverend

Robert Atwell is currently the Bishop of Stockport but will take up

his new post in Exeter in the Summer. Today he's been touring

Devon, meeting parishioners and church organisations. He told

Spotlight's Emma Ruminski he's keen for the Church to provide support

for isolated farming communities, tackle poverty and help those

affected by flooding. The right Reverend Robert Atwell got

a warm welcome from the children of St Budeaux Foundation School this

morning. But one pupil accidentally added years to the new bishop before

he had even started the job. Are you 70? Am I 70? No, I am sorry. I know

I look 70! Today's tour of Devon was his first opportunity to meet local

people and learn about challenges facing him as the next Bishop of

Exeter. ?? CYAN The picture postcard image that many people will have of

Devon is only half the story. There are many communities here racing

real hardship. Long`term unemployment or poverty or it could

be as a result of the recent flooding, which I know has

devastated and affected parts of the farming community. And I have been

really moved this morning, hearing from people from churches and

individuals where they have got stuck in and are trying to help

people. He hopes to continue the work of the right Reverend Michael

Languish, who championed countryside issues like foot and mouth and rural

broadband during his 13 years in the post. But the region loses Bishop

Michael's seat in the House of Lords. You don't automatically get a

seat, I believe. No. It is an order of priority. Whereabouts are you in

that list? Do you know, I don't know, I am afraid. I am more at the

moment concerned about trying to move to Devon and become the Bishop

of Exeter. I haven't got as far as thinking about where I am in the

pecking order to move into the House of Lords. But it will be his job to

appoint the next Bishop of Plymouth. He says he looks forward to women

becoming ordained as bishops but he does not feel the appropriate

legislation would be in place in time.

A Devon man has filmed pictures of a wild beaver living in East Devon on

the River Otter. Last year there was a reported sighting near Otterton

but now new images have revealed a further sighting just south of

Ottery St Mary. The images show the animal going

about its business in an area where otters normally steal the limelight.

Our environment correspondent Adrian Campbell has been investigating.

There is some debate about whether it is a male or female but everyone

seems to agree on one thing, it is a beaver. It has been captured on

emotion centres of camera not very far from the river water. I was

walking down by the river and noticed that some of the trees had

been gnawed at the bottom of the trunk. I thought that was unusual

but that it could not be beaver. So we decided to put out a camera and

put out a camera where I had seen the gnawed trees and yes, it was a

beaver! Could not believe it! For those of you that still might doubt

this video, let's take a look at this tree trunk and you can see

where the beaver has not away, very clearly. There is more evidence as

well. Track marks. This tree feller has been quite busy and if you look

carefully at the same spot by day, when this dog goes by, and then

again at night, you can tell this beaver is a large animal. We have

seen one beaver. Why have we got one here, why is he is doing what he is

doing? He is either trying to set up home for something or has escaped

from somewhere or is a loan beaver. We do not know. John is providing a

secure habitat for two Beavers at a nearby park. He says neither has

escaped but if pleased to hear of the apparent success about this one

that has been filmed and see they are good for the environment. The

beaver will be not killing the trees. Baby should straightaway and

over period of years, they would revisit and keep the vegetation at a

sensible height. It also lets the light in to the rest of the river

and increases the pond and river growth of weeds. He or she is

definitely out there. And according to the experts, not doing any harm

at all. Sport Relief is back and is aiming

to be bigger than ever. The charity is hoping to encourage as many

people as possible to get involved in sport and raise money for good

causes. Last time around, the South West

raised almost ?700,000, which helped support a 150 projects across the

region. Spotlight's North Devon reporter, Andrea Ormsby, has been

finding out more at this year's fund raising launch.

Cricket, the life changing way. This project is run by a charity called

Wings. Its aim is simple, to give young people a future and a home.

Why cricket? Cricket is a great team 's board. It is relatively popular

in the region but not necessarily that popular with young people. It

is a level playing field for young people to start with. It teaches

various skills, team working, discipline and a lot of them are

starting from scratch but can see the results quickly. It seems to

work for the young, unemployed people come. You meet other people

on the course and it is people you would not normally interact with so

it is a lot better than just walking around, doing nothing, sitting at

home all day playing computer games. It gives your motivation to get up

in the morning, come here and help you get through things. The charity

has been given money from Comic Relief, the charity behind it,

backed I didn't's X factor contestant Luke Friend. Get up and

help people. I think charities are a great thing and I know I do gigs for

charities. It is a really good thing and I think what these things do ``

these guys do is really lovely and it makes people happy as well. I

thought I had him! It is from the 21st of March to the 23rd and is the

first part where you can take part in three challenges. It looks like

Luke has that cricket covered. And you'll be delighted to know

Andrea's Luke has that cricket covered.

And you'll be camera survived the experience!

Dude, we might need it again at some point.

Let's have a look at the weather. I drove back this morning in

horrendous rain on the A38. Hopefully it has moved away.

It has moved away but is still giving heavy rain. Tomorrow is

drier. It is certainly a lot brighter and we should be some

sunshine. There will be showers but I think we are in a pattern at the

moment. Get a couple of days that are brighter and drier with a few

showers but then another lump of rain heading our way. That really is

how the week will progress. Some showers tomorrow, on Thursday and

more persistent rain on Friday. Low pressure is in charge. There is no

sign of any high pressure coming anywhere near as at the moment,

sadly. Another vigorous area of low pressure could drop of Scotland,

throwing cloud and rain across. It is slow`moving at the moment through

Dorset and Somerset but will eventually peter out as it moves

eastwards overnight. What replaces it is that more straightforward. A

mix of sunny spells and scattered showers, although the showers may

well formed lines. One early in the day and another around lunchtime.

Play some drier weather later. A similar picture on Thursday. Let's

look but the rain in the last few hours because it has been quite

heavy in a few places. Particularly across parts of East Devon into

Somerset and Dorset. It is you're that it will continue to rain until

well after midnight, before it finally clears out of the way. What

we are left with is a lot of moisture on the ground, lighter

winds, clearing skies. Mister is possible and fog as possible.

Briefly also a touch of frost with a view showers reappearing towards

dawn. Those are our overnight lows. For tomorrow, we will get some sunny

spells but equally, some showers. Fulls showers will be early in the

day. Around the middle of the day, perhaps a scattering, but drier in

the afternoon. Quite a lot of cloud around but drier than to do. The

winds are brisk and cold. That is the forecast for the Isles of

Scilly. Some sunshine but also the risk of a few showers.

The waves are likely to be quite big but not necessarily usable. The best

of the surf will be along the south coast. Conditions improving in the

afternoon. There is a coastal waters forecast.

Here is the outlook. Yes, there is some dry weather but it is only

fleeting. On Thursday, we will see quite a lot of road. A few showers

dotted around every now and again. Friday, some more persistent rain

and it becomes more persistent in the afternoon. Another quite wet day

on Friday and windy also. The strength of wind continues into the

weekend. On Saturday, sunny spells and scattered showers. Sunday, a new

band of wet weather comes in. Some uncertainty on the timing but we

will firm up on that tomorrow. That is all from me. Had a good evening.

Thank you very much. That is the news from us. We will give you

hourly regional updates on the radio. Have a good night.

Good night.