18/03/2014 BBC Channel Islands News

Good evening, welcome. That is all from us,

Good evening, welcome. The top stories.

The fight to preserve an historic airport building continues as safety

concerns paved the way for demolition.

It is about preserving the past and protecting the future.

Why UK politicians could offer the Channel Islands a bigger role on the

international stage. And, in appointment with the future

king for this going to woman who has dedicated her life to charity.

And, the spring weather continues, with more sunshine tomorrow, and a

top temperature of 14. On Thursday, it is all change. All the details

later. Jersey heritage campaigners say it's

not the end of their fight to save the historic 1937 airport arrivals

hall, after the Planning Minister gave permission to knock it down.

Deputy Robert Duhamel has agreed it's an obstacle and a potential

threat to public safety. But he's added a condition to salvage any

architecture from the building. This is how Jersey Airport looked

when it was opened in 1937. The iconic building, now the arrivals

hall, was praised by architects when it was built nearly 80 years ago.

Fast forward over seven decades, and this is how it is today, but its

days are numbered. Airport bosses first applied to knock down the

building more than three years ago. They say new rules imposed on them

meant the terminal was dangerously close to the airport runway. And

keeping it would see restrictions on what type of aircraft could fly here

and in what type of weather. We are part of an international safety

regime, we learn from incidents worldwide, and we do not have to

have a plane filled with 150 people struck this building to understand

it poses a hazard. Jersey's Planning Minister recently deferred his

decision to explore the possibility of moving the runway further north.

A 3D model of the area put an end to that, and now he's agreed the safety

argument is too serious to ignore. It is one of the major routes into

the island. To have suggested that it should operate in a way with one

leg tied behind its back would have been inappropriate. But despite

this, Jersey heritage campaigners still don't accept it's a problem,

and haven't given up hope. A decision in principle does not have

to be put into operation immediately. We should wait and bide

our time. Why should we be the first ones to flatten our terminal

building? That's wait and see what they do in Gibraltar and London

city. So, heritage campaigners are to play a waiting game. But the

airport's earmarked ?10 million to demolish the arrivals hall and build

another. Work's expected to start in a few years time.

Two senior police officers didn't do enough to investigate alleged

misconduct by a former prison drugs counsellor, according to Jersey's

Home Affairs Minister. Senator Ian Le Marquand told the States that

prison authorities informed the police about Theresa Rodrigues in

2009. Ms Rodrigues claimed in a national newspaper she'd had an

affair with drugs smuggler Curtis Warren. She resigned a year later

after being accused of smuggling a mobile phone into the prison, but

there were suspicions she'd also smuggled drugs into La Moye.

Jersey's health authorities are taking legal advice on whether

patients could be prescribed the class B drug cannabis for medicinal

purposes. Deputy Anne Pryke, the Health Minister, confirmed the

department had been asked by an individual whether it was possible,

and that the law is being reviewed. Sark should turn to the UK

Government for help resolving ongoing political conflicts in the

island. That advice comes in a report out today examining the

relationship between the crown dependencies and the United Kingdom.

It follows a recent review carried out by the Ministry of Justice

suggesting areas where improvements could be made.

We may have our own governments, but as crown dependencies, the UK still

has a big part to play. So, there needs to be a good relationship

between the two. Things that have been concerns in recent years have

been the speed at which we can get legislation passed through the Privy

Council, in order to enact it here. That has been dramatically improved.

In its review, the Justice Select Committee agreed, although thought

more could be done to represent the island's views internationally. But

it also flagged up Sark as a concern, and the ongoing tensions

between the Barclay Brothers and Chief Pleas. What we hope is that

the level of hostility that has developed could be reduced by all

concerned, so people on Sark can look to their economic future and

ensured there is a future livelihood for all residents. The UK Government

today said it was there to offer help to resolve those conflicts, and

made a commitment to continue to try and improve relations with the crown

dependencies in future. With a new Minister now responsible

for the crown dependencies, it's up to them to carry this work forward.

A short while ago, I asked Lord Faulks what his top priority is.

Maintaining continuity. The relationship is pretty good at the

moment, the select committee were very polite, but we want to make

sure we do not lose any ground. Can you guarantee the views of the

Channel Islands will be taken on board more? The Ministry of

Justice, me and the officials, are in regular contact with everybody in

the Channel Islands, we have contacted at official level, we

visit and speak and communicate quickly and regularly. How do we

avoid a repeat of situations like we saw with Low Value Consignment

Relief, which had a massive impact on the islands?

I come back to communication, if there is a difficulty and we can

provide support or assistance, the lines of communication are there,

and it is up to both parties to make sure that everybody wants everybody

of the potential problem and things can be done. What about our

fledgling democracy? With Sark, will you still be keeping a close eye

there, with a view to possibly intervening in future if necessary?

There are some real tensions, that is something that was stressed in

this report, which was generally very favourable. We watch those

tensions and we listen, but Sark has its own government, it is a

democratic government, to sort problems out for themselves. We are

there to support and watch, but that is our role. People in Jersey are

being asked their views on the proposed sex`discrimination law.

The legislation will make it unlawful to discriminate against a

man or woman at work and in clubs or associations. Single`sex schools and

small groups will be exempt under the law.

Clubs of 25 members will need to consider whether they should

continue to exempt women or men, whichever the case may be. There is

no problem with organisations that fund raise, perhaps for a particular

health issue that is perhaps related health issue that is perhaps related

to one sex rather than the other, but otherwise, yes, they would need

to be involved in the consultation, and we need to hear their views.

The States of Guernsey still has to address the gender imbalance in

local politics. That's according to three deputies who have just

returned from the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians meeting in

Scotland. It addressed issues such as how to increase the numbers of

women in politics. One in five politicians in the bailiwick are

women. The figure rises to nearly one in three in Sark, although there

are none in Alderney. When we went into the building, on

the directional signs as you go in, there is a sign for a creche. There

are ways and means, and services that we could look at to encourage

women to stand. We need them in the states.

A woman from Guernsey who has devoted her life to helping those

less fortunate then herself was today made an MBE for services to

charity. Sarah Griffith set up Bridge To Sri Lanka after the 2004

Boxing Day tsunami. Since then, she has raised money for the victims of

numerous other natural disasters. Sarah Griffiths, for services to

charity in Sri Lanka and Haiti. Buckingham Palace this morning, and

this was the moment Sarah Griffith was recognised by the Queen and

awarded her MBE from His Royal Highness Prince William. It was

announced as we went through that it would be Prince William, which was

really nice. He was charming. I asked him if he wanted to come to

Haiti with me. This was Sarah at the end of last year as she prepared to

fly out to the Philippines to help scores of victims affected by

Typhoon Hayan, that killed thousands in the region. Sarah has also helped

provide aid to the victims of the Boxing Day tsunami in 2005 in Sri

Lanka and to those affected by the Haiti earthquake. I do not need an

award, but it is lovely to be honoured, and I accept it

graciously. But it is really for my team. She says the experience at the

Palace was memorable. She will head home to Guernsey, where the

celebrations will continue. Enjoy celebrating with friends and

family in London today. It is sunshine now, David?

There will be some sunshine again tomorrow, another one day, some

spring sunshine. A change to one day, some spring sunshine. A change

towards the end of the week, especially Thursday night into

Friday. Rain and strong wind, opening the door to colder air. Make

the most of tomorrow and the first half of Thursday. It is a misty

start. It will be fine with sunshine, through the morning, into

the afternoon. We are under the influence of the high pressure. It

sits across the central part of France. Then, it weakens and moves

away as we move through Thursday and into Friday. Quite a lot happening.

Overnight tonight, the cloud will come and go out first. But later in

the night, generally, it becomes cloudy. It is a thin layer of low

cloud, it will become misty over low ground. A great start tomorrow, but

it will improve, and into the afternoon, the sunshine is working

through that. With lengthy sunshine developing, the temperatures tween

12 and 14 or 15. Quite warm and the wind eases.

It is a bit choppy with the westerly wind, but not very big waves. I

mentioned the rain coming on Thursday, it may take all day before

it arrives. A reasonable day, then overnight, wet weather. Cold air

floods in, so by Saturday, the temperatures are back down.

Sunshine for a couple of days at least!

Time to join Justin and Rebecca for the rest of Spotlight, goodbye.

Tall ships and tall tales ` an arts scheme is launched in Cornwall to

celebrate this summer's regatta in Falmouth.

And, a host of golden daffodils ` how one man's last wish has left a

floral legacy in Sidmouth. Demand is rising for a unique

service that allows veterans with post traumatic stress to provide

support for other ex service personnel.The group, funded by the

NHS, is called "Forces Veterans for Veterans" or FV Squared. More former

military personnel are seeking help for mental health problems and the

service, operating in Devon, has had 160 referrals in 18 months. Sally

Mountjoy reports. Adrian was on the REF for 12 years,

serving in Northern Ireland during the troubles. Then he worked on

private security contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan. He does not want

his identity revealed. I saw quite a lot of death and destruction. I have

seen huge amounts of cruelty, from torture rooms to dead bodies. An

accident four years ago left him badly injured and triggered a mental

breakdown, releasing buried memories. Anger, rage, nervousness,

hypersensitivity to everything, hypervigilance, stress, anxiety. I

was trying to take my life when I came back. Adrian went on a

treatment course for ex`services men and women, but it was a referral to

John Patterson at Devon's mental health trust which helped him

rebuild his life. John set up FV Squared for those who have suffered

post your Matic stress injuries and they can meet socially and some,

like Adrian, are trained to give others support. Immediately when

they said yes, I have been there, I have them alcohol, drugs, whatever,

you see the veteran relax. It is like, thank God, I have someone I

can talk to who understands where I am coming from. The former

servicemen have got the same language. We understand, we been

through things, and you get an understanding and support. When

things are not right, the other person can understand. They have

been there as well. Many returned from the Falklands 32 years ago,

bearing hidden scars from the horrors they had seen. Among them

was Lin's husband. After the case of alcoholism he was diagnosed with

post`rheumatic stress disorder. She said relatives also get support from

the organisation. It was a huge relief. I could talk to another

military carer, who was experiencing all the things I was experiencing.

Demand is growing. The mental health charity Combat Stress has seen an

increase in calls in the south`west since last year. In 18 months, the

FV Squared service in Devon has had 160 referrals from GPs,

psychiatrists and individuals. Devon's NHS commissioners have

agreed to continue its funding. Now, councils, the NHS and veterans

organisations across the country once FV Squared to help them support

up their own boots. `` groups. Schools in Devon have been being

accused of setting a bad example by selling alcohol at events such as

school fetes and discos. The criticism has come from Swanswell, a

national drug and alcohol charity. It discovered that education

establishments in the county applied for permission to serve alcohol to

parents on around 900 occasions last year. We'll hear some of your

comments on this in a moment. First this report from Scott Bingham.

A harmless icebreaker, or a controversial cocktail? Swanswell

found that parents in Devon were able to enjoy a drink at their local

school nearly 900 occasions last year. Two local authorities,

Cambridge and mid Devon, were in the top two across the UK. We would like

people to be a bit more thoughtful about it, and to consider taking a

pledge not to include alcohol in social events for the children at

their primary schools. Claire is on the parent teacher association of a

primary school in Ivybridge. She says they do hold events such as

fashion shows and hamper evenings where alcohol is served to parents,

but not when pupils are present. It allows them to socialise and raise

some much`needed funds. The summer fares don't have alcohol but they

are big fundraisers. We can also have small events just having

parents there enjoying up to three hours with other parents. Few

parents outside the school seemed to chair the concerns. If it is a

separate environments, if it is a fade out in the field, maybe that is

slightly different. If it is served out of a classroom, then no. As long

as it is done sensibly, I don't think it is a bad influence.

Children need to be around alcohol to know how to use it properly. It

doesn't have to be there. It is a couple of hours, you might as well

not have it there at all. Devon County Council said in a statement

it was ultimately a decision for school governors. It said the 900

functions amounted to just two per school per year.

We've already had a lot of comments on this story. Samantha wrote on

Facebook: "Total load of rubbish ` schools have always done that. They

sell only to the parents, not the children." Dave, also on Facebook,

says: "Common sense required, not a nanny state."

Stu added: "We run a small bar at my daughter's school summer fair and it

raises a significant amount of money for the school."

Kevin emailed and said, in his view, " The children should ask their

parents why they need to drink at such events."

Tony emailed to say: "Alcohol has become a very serious problem across

the whole of today's society. Parents, teachers and all adults

must take responsibility to avoid any promotion of this drug."

Thank you for all of your comments. This summer, Falmouth will be once

again playing host to the tall ships regatta. Today, a national art

project has been launched to inspire young artists and storytellers to

get involved, and Andy Breare has been to Falmouth to find out more.

The tall ships last came to Falmouth in 2008, and the port is already

looking forward to their return in August this year. Today, artist in

residence for the event John Dyer unveiled his official painting for

this year's tall ships, which he hopes will inspire schoolchildren to

paint pictures and write stories of their own. This year, instead of

just doing my paintings, we decided to roll out my paintings as an

influence for a big community project across Cornwall and the UK,

and in particular, there is a special bit of magic happening here

because we have got five professional storytellers to write

new pieces of work about my painting, and we will use all of

that work to influence and inspire children across the county and the

UK. Today, primary school children are getting a masterclass in a

workshop at Falmouth Art Gallery. I really like this because you just

used to brush strokes for the beta, and just three for the leg. How long

did it take you to do? Just a few minutes. He wants to inspire us, but

he doesn't want us to do what he did. I took inspiration from another

painting with the tall ships. This is what I have created for them. The

big tall ships project is about storytelling too, and it is hoped

schools all over Cornwall will get involved by submitting their stories

inspired by the tall ships. This is part of what we are in Falmouth. We

have the third largest natural harbour in the world. It is in our

hearts and our soul. To carry that on with children through art and

through storytelling is what we should be doing. That is what we are

all about. The project will be officially launched online next

week, and the best 200 art entries, along with some of the children's

stories, will go on display at the National Maritime museum this summer

in time for the return of the tall ships.

Do you remember the story of the investment banker who left more than

?2 million in his will for the people of Sidmouth? Keith Owen's

dying wish was to see the money spent on projects around the town,

including planting a million bulbs. Work started last year and the first

of the spring flowers are now on show, as Emma Thomasson reports.

Keith Owen loved it here. He said Sidmouth was like England used to

be. His legacy designed to help the town maintain it charm long after

his death. Last year, volunteers planted thousands of bulbs right

across the area. A few months on, and their hard work is starting to

pay off with these beautiful displays. We planted 178,000, of

which 68,000 were daffodils, and the others were crocuses, bluebells,

snowdrops and all sorts of spring flowering bulbs. Word is already

starting to get around that this year's displays are among the best

ever. Sidmouth has even been asked to represent the south`west in the

Britain in Bloom competition. It means a lot for Sidmouth, and for

the region as a whole. It is good for tourism, which is good for the

economy of the whole region. Everyone in this town is absolutely

thrilled with the fact that Keith gave us this money. What do you

think Keith would have made of the displays that have already come up

here in Sidmouth? I think he would have a quiet smile to himself and

say, they did it. I wondered if they would, but they did do it. And I am

looking forward to seeing it next year as well. Volunteers now have an

ambitious programme of planting over the coming years to fulfil Keith's

dying wish, to make this the valley of 1 million bulbs. What a way to be

remembered. What a beautiful sight.

And they look even better in the sunshine.

Glowing. There was some sunshine across the region today, but not for

everywhere. Good evening. The best thing is to

talk about making the most of tomorrow. From Thursday, and

especially Friday and into the weekend, it gets colder with a lot

more cloud around, and there is quite heavy rain in the forecast.

Not for tomorrow. It will be a windy and quite cloudy day. The further

east you are, the greater the chance of seeing some sunshine,

particularly across eastern and into Somerset and Dorset. It will be

quite sunny and warm, possibly 15 or 16 degrees. We still effectively

have a ridge of high pressure which is still keeping most of the cloud

and rain at bay. That finger of high pressure will stretch across the

English Channel for one more day, but by the time we get to the end of

the day tomorrow, more especially through the day on Thursday, the

high pressure is gone and this line of cloud and rain will creep in to

give us windy and wet conditions. Particularly on Thursday afternoon

and evening. The cloud has been coming and going today, but there

have been some good holes in the cloud to let the sunshine in. This

was earlier today in Penrhyn, where our cameraman but some lovely

shots. A bit of a breeze, it has two beset, which has held the temptress

down. `` temperatures down. Some hazy sunshine across more sheltered

inland parts of East Cornwall and East Devon, Dorset and Somerset.

Plenty of holes in the cloud now, but there will be more in the way of

cloud later on tonight. Thicker cloud coming in from the west. By

the morning, only a few holes in that cloud left behind, most

probably across parts of Somerset. Tomorrow, we will have a lot of

cloud to start the day. It will break up readily, and the high

ground of Dartmoor and Exmoor will take some fairly big holes in that

cloud, and it will give us some fairly pleasant weather in the

afternoon. In the Isles of Scilly, it'll be a

rather cloudy day. Quite breezy, but mainly dry.

Expect some fairly big waves by the time we get to Thursday or Friday.

A big change on Thursday with the rain and the wind, and colder to end

the week. Tomorrow on Spotlight: Ahead of this

year's Sports Relief, appeal we'll be taking a look at where some of

the money you raised last time has been spent in the region.

You can also hear more tomorrow morning on the BBC Radio Devon

breakfast programme with Matt Woodley, or on BBC Radio Cornwall

with James Churchfield. Do join us for that tomorrow evening at 6:30pm.

Good night.