17/04/2014 BBC Channel Islands News

News !t qix. It is 'oodbye from me and on B@C

Top of the class. Guernsey's government set to fund free

preschool education for all at a cost of around ?2 million a year.

Cracking crime. Police say recorded crimes in Jersey are at their lowest

since they started counting them. Flying high. Airline Aurignx

Flying high. Airline Aurigny announce plans to spend ?3 lillion

announce plans to spend ?3 million replacing its Trislanders whth

these. There's good news tonight for

parents of young children in Guernsey. There is bad news and good

news for the Easter weekend. Sunday and Monday, a lot more cloud with

the potential of rain. A full forecast later in the programme.

There is good news tonight for parents of young children in

Guernsey. The Education Department Guernsey. The Education Department

is proposing free preschool education for all at a cost of

around ?3 million a year. Under the plans, children would get 14 hours a

week of free education for 38 weeks before they start primary school.

Mike Wilkins reports. 15 hours a week at a nursery

Mike Wilkins reports. 15 hours a week at a nurserx like

15 hours a week at a nursery like one in St Peter Port can cost up to

?400 a month. When we filmed these children at the Monkey Puzzle

Nursery last year, that's what their parents were paying. But now the

Education Department wants to bring Guernsey in line with England and

closer to Jersey where all children receive some free nursery education.

We are miles behind everywhere receive some free nursery education.

We are miles behind everywhere at the moment, as far as preschool

education is concerned, and we must catch up. Even if we get this

through, it's just the start. We are way behind the other jurisdictions.

We are way behind Europe. It's proposing that all children would

get 15 hours a week of free education for 38 weeks in the year

before they start primary school. But at a cost of ?2 million a year,

is it something the public feels would be money well spent? @t the

moment, there are a lot of working mothers who have to go to work to

make ends meet. That will ghve mothers who have to go to work to

make ends meet. That will give them make ends meet. That will give them

a lot of peace of mind that their children are being educated, and

save, and progressing. I've got two grown children, 15 and 16. It

save, and progressing. I've got two grown children, 15 and 16. Ht is a

lot to pay. It is money well spent, and that is from my perspective. But

there are even more pressing needs, given what is going on in hdalth at

given what is going on in health at the moment. I think it is a good

idea. It will be good for the authority to do that. The Education

Department is keen to highlight how Department is keen to highlight how

it feels Guernsey's lagging behind other countries. It'll now be up to

the States and those holding the purse strings to decide if free

preschool becomes a reality or not. Recorded crime levels in Jersey are

at their lowest since policd started counting them. The force's annual

counting them. The force's `nnual report shows there were 3,172

recorded crimes in 2013. Th`t's a drop of 17% on 2012. But the

drop of 17% on 2012. But thd island's force still has a lot of

challenges, as Jen Smith reports. Jersey Police have had a busy year.

Although the overall number of recorded crimes has dropped, the

number of incidents officers are called out to has not. The good news

is theft, burglaries and assaults are all down. There's been a 32%

are all down. There's been ` 32 drop in crime after nights out, a

31% reduction in drug offences and fewer burglaries. But some things

have seen a rise. Road deaths and domestic violence

are on the up. There's been a 9% rise in the number

of serious injuries on the hslands roads compared to 2012. And a 50%

increases in fatalities. Three people died last year including this

fatal accident at Mount Bingham which killed a 42`year`old tourist.

Jersey Police say it's too lany We Jersey Police say it's too lany We

were praying hard to keep those figures down. We have a campaign

running at the moment, which is focused on two wheels, cyclds and

focused on two wheels, cycles and motorcycles. Now that the wdather is

improving. Incidents of domestic improving. Incidents of domestic

violence are also up. Last xear violence are also up. Last xear

officers went to more than 1,100 officers went to more than 1,100

cases. A rise of 6% on 2012. But after high profile campaigns by

police and charities encour`ging victims to come forward, it was

expected. We take it as a positive measure. In the sense that it

expected. We take it as a positive measure. In the sense that ht shows

measure. In the sense that it shows that we are starting to unddrstand

domestic abuse better. Many years ago, you'd deny it existed. But

police say their biggest ch`llenge police say their biggest ch`llenge

is tackling so`called legal highs after recent deaths linked to

various psychoactive substances. We various psychoactive substances We

need to work very closely with need to work very closely with

education, parents, and the youngsters to stop them getting

involved in this stuff. It's really dangerous, and it's going to be one

of our priorities. After three consecutive years of falling crime,

the police don't expect the numbers to drop much further. But they say

they certainly won't be resting on their laurels.

Jersey States members should be paid according to how much responsibility

they take on, says the island's Treasury Minister. At the moment,

every States Member is paid the same salary of ?42,600. Plus up to ?4,000

salary of ?42,600. Plus up to ? ,000 in expenses. But Senator Ozouf

argues that isn't enough to tempt more capable and high`earning

businesspeople to run for office. And has added an amendment to a

review of government plans. The average cost of living hn Jersey

The average cost of living in Jersey has risen by 1.7%, a lower figure

than forecast for the first quarter of this year. But the rise hn food

prices and housing costs means those prices and housing costs me`ns those

on lower incomes are feeling the pinch. Government figures suggest

for those in the bottom 20% of earners, the cost of living has

risen more sharply by 2% ovdr earners, the cost of living has

risen more sharply by 2% over the past year. We are always looking to

ensure that the inflation rdmains low so that goods and services are

as affordable as possible, based on the earnings people have. There are

always more things government is seeking to do but you have to

balance what you can afford, in terms of the services you are

providing, and what is realhstic. providing, and what is realhstic.

And I think that balance is more or less reasonably struck, but there is

always room for improvement. The airline Aurigny's announced ?3

million plans to replace thd The airline Aurigny's announced ?3

million plans to replace the current fleet of Trislanders. It wants to

buy three second`hand Dornier 228. buy three second`hand Dornier 228.

And is asking the States to either lend it the money, or guarantee a

loan. They'd be used on the Alderney route. Penny Elderfield reports.

It's goodbye to these. And hello to this. Aurigny's replacement for the

old Trislanders. The airlind wants to buy three second hand Dorniers

for the Alderney route. They'll cost around ?3 million. But should save

around ?100,000 a year becatse the Dorniers are cheaper to run, and

maintain. But even with that saving, it won't make the Alderney `ir link

profitable. Neither of the route from Guernsey to Alderney or

Alderney to Southampton makd money. Alderney to Southampton make money.

So we are just trying to reduce the amount of losses that we incur on an

annual basis. If you're thinking where will the millions needed come

from, that's where the Statds come in. They're being asked to either

in. They're being asked to dither guarantee a loan for it, or lend

Aurigny the money. There ard guarantee a loan for it, or lend

Aurigny the money. There are a Aurigny the money. There are a

limited number of options for the route. So, we are satisfied that we

have looked at all those options, and that we have reached thd

and that we have reached the conclusion that it is the bdst

conclusion that it is the best aircraft. Having flown betwden the

aircraft. Having flown between the Islands for decades, the end of the

Trislanders will really be the end of an era. But for some perhaps the

big question will be what whll big question will be what will

happen to Joey? Something that's still not been decided. This is BBC

Channel Islands. The rapidlx growing Channel Islands. The rapidly growing

plant that will be 60 feet tall in a few months' time, that is coming up

later in Spotlight. ?NEWLINE Jersey later in Spotlight. ?NEWLINE Jersey

rugby club have signed ten players ahead of next season. The fhve

ahead of next season. The five existing and five new players to the

first team squad have been recruited with a focus on what they c`n bring

with a focus on what they can bring to the sport on and off the field.

The signings have been confirmed just two days before the cltb's

crunch match this weekend. They face London Scottish in their last home

game of the season at St Peter on Saturday. Failure to win cotld see

their battle for championship survival over.

It is a huge game for us. Wd survival over.

It is a huge game for us. Wd are going to need as much support out

there as possible. It is a final for us, the last game here, so let's go

out there, not concentrate on the smaller aspect, but tried to go out

there and tried to get the right result.

And you can listen live to Jersey's match against London Scottish on BBC

Radio Jersey from 2pm on Saturday. And we'll have a full match report

here on BBC Channel Islands News on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Guernsey Football Club also have a big match this weekend

which could set them on their way also have a big match this weekend

which could set them on thehr way to promotion from the Ryman South

League. The Green Lions plax League. The Green Lions plax

Faversham at home on Saturday Faversham at home on Saturd`y

afternoon. If they win, and certain other teams playing that dax

afternoon. If they win, and certain other teams playing that day lose,

other teams playing that dax lose, they could be guaranteed a top five

finish. That'd mean a place in the play`offs for promotion to the Ryman

Premier League. The weather time. David has the

all`important Easter weekend forecast. I think this Eastdr

weekend, it is a weekend of two halves.

The good days will be Good Friday and Saturday, and not so good on

Easter Day and also on Monday. A lot more cloud on the second half of the

weekend. We have had 18.7 degrees today, that was in Jersey, so it

won't be quite as warm a generally colder up with some sunshine

won't be quite as warm a generally colder up with some sunshind with

colder up with some sunshine with the afternoon. That cloud is coming

in through the afternoon, spilling in from the north`west. That failure

of cloud will be across us for eight good part of the night. Then

high`pressure re`establishes itself across us as well as the rest of the

UK. As we move into Saturday and then Sunday, what we are watching

very carefully is not what's happening out here, but what is

happening over here. This area of low pressure will trickle across

northern parts of France and coming Sunday, what we are watching very

carefully is not what's happening out here, but what is happening over

here. This area of low pressure will trickle across northern parts of

France come into the eastern side of England the wind is changing

direction, coming north, and then north`easterly, and overnight

temperatures no lower than eight or temperatures no lower than dight or

nine. We might have some talent bob around, but breaking up by the end

of the morning into the aftdrnoon on Friday. Not as warm as today. 12 or

13 as the top temperature. Keen breeze. `` keen breeze. There is

some clean surf. The outlook is fine and dry on Saturday. The big change

comes as we come into Sundax and comes as we come into Sunday and

Monday with both days quite cloudy and cold with outbreaks of rain.

Finally, one of the pictures you've been keen to send in, Pembroke break

on Guernsey. It is lovely. `` Pembroke B`y.

I am back at ten o'clock. Rail ?4.5 million in compensation.

The trains might be running again at Dawlish, but the bills for the

damage here, it seems, keep rolling in, too. Coming up later in the

programme. Fighting for survival. Find out why it will be a

make`or`break Easter weekend for two of the region's football sides. And

it's full steam ahead for a special weekend on this South Devon rail

line. The sign says it all. In 2007 all

the shops in Modbury stopped selling plastic carrier bags. It was done

over a matter of about four weeks. From beginning to end. We got the

date wrong, we stop using plastic bags. Then we had the Modbury bag,

that came out. Then, we have also that came out. Then, we have also

got our own bags, and people, I think we educated people into using

baskets and things like that. The big problem with plastic bags is not

just that they hang around ages making the place look messy, like

this book in Modbury, they `re good at finding their way to deceive.

this book in Modbury, they are good at finding their way to decdive And

at finding their way to deceive. And while water is a great life giver,

these things are anything btt. Once these things are anything btt. Once

in water, plastic bags pose a huge threat to wildlife, causing

countless deaths. So bearing this in mind, to the trailblazers in Modbury

think that the European Parliament decision is a good thing? I think

so, because then of liberty would follow suit and nobody would think

any different when they go into one shot that this charging for banks,

and then when the shop does not give you any other bags at all. Xou

and then when the shop does not give you any other bags at all. You have

just got to take a shopping bag shopping with you. The ban on bags

in Modbury was the result rdsult shopping with you. The ban on bags

in Modbury was the result result of a voluntary agreement betwedn

a voluntary agreement between shopkeepers. Now the Europe`n

Parliament has agreed to set a more stringent target to reduce the use

of plastic bags, but to allow member states to impose compulsory ban on

the most polluting type of bag where they see fit. Where Modbury leech,

it seems, Europe follows. People in it seems, Europe follows. People in

Newton are calling for government money promised for repairs to storm

damage to be made available. This evening, people have held a rally on

new and green. The sign says, give us back our beach, and in Ndwlyn,

us back our beach, and in Newlyn, people want the promenade b`ck,

us back our beach, and in Ndwlyn, people want the promenade back, as

people want the promenade b`ck, as well. People have called for urgent

action to make the permanent repairs needed. We have a beautiful place

and it relies solely on tourism and we cannot expect tourists come down

and see this. Who wants to come and see this and their money? The

damaged happened over two weeks in damaged happened over two weeks in

February, as huge seas undermined the sea wall. Local businesses say

that it has affected trading. For a number of weeks, it seemed that to

anyone walking along the promenade, it seemed as if it was closd, you

anyone walking along the promenade, it seemed as if it was close, you so

you had to turn around and walk back again. Some progress has bedn made

again. Some progress has been made and the path is now open ag`in,

again. Some progress has bedn made and the path is now open again, but

it has taken two months to do that and we are at the point now where it

should have been within a few days should have been within a few days

of the storm. There is no rdason should have been within a fdw days

of the storm. There is no rdason why it could not have been as open then

as it is right now. Around 30 locals are been helping clean up the area,

and a petition has been signed. There was lots of debris lyhng

There was lots of debris lying around. Now, through people power,

the influence of people, th`t allows me to go to the council, and we have

been able to do a lot in thd last couple of days. Cornwall Council's

leaders said that apart from emergency repairs, no for the work

can be carried out, until money promised by the Government is

received. It added that the council cannot spend money that it does not

have. The Easter period is ` cannot spend money that it does not

have. The Easter period is a busy one for sport and the south`west.

There could be one or two rdlegation There could be one or two relegation

issues settled for the region's football clubs. With that and the

rest of the key events over the holiday weekend, here's Spotlight's

Dave Gibbins. Time is slipphng away from Yeovil Town's bid to stay in

the Championship. With quarterback games left, the Somerset side have

to make up five points if they are to reach safe ground, starting at

Blackburn Rovers tomorrow. Plymouth Argyle's fading challenge for the

League Two play`offs can be was sedated at very tomorrow. The

pilgrims are four port software they want to be. `` four points off,

where they want to be. I have done it before. I have got to be strong.

I have got to keep the team that I think is going to win us thd game at

home. Exeter city are only two points away from the bottom two

relegation spots, one of whhch points away from the bottom two

relegation spots, one of which is occupied by Torquay United. City

must upset the odds at third placed Chesterfield tomorrow. For a long

time, we have felt ourselves to be on the wrong side of a performance.

Torquay United are isolated at the bottom and drop into non`league

Torquay United are isolated at the bottom and drop into non`le`gue all,

especially if they lose to Dagenham and Greg Ridge tomorrow, and at

Exeter on Monday. The Exeter Chiefs are trying to maintain their seventh

position in the Premiership, by overcoming Sale Sharks at Sandy

Park. It would mean they take a closer step to a play`off, to the

revamped European cup for next revamped European cup for ndxt

season. The 17`year`old WinServer from Longwood in the wants and is

season. The 17`year`old WinServer from Longwood in the wants `nd is 60

from Longwood in the wants and is 60 points ahead of her nearest rival,

Emma Wilson. Imagine as a l`st points ahead of her nearest rival,

Emma Wilson. Imagine as a last two races on Good Friday, and whsh

Emma Wilson. Imagine as a l`st two races on Good Friday, and wish to

retain her advantage and retain the national pride. `` Imogen h`s.

retain her advantage and retain the national pride. `` Imogen has. Now

national pride. `` Imogen h`s. Now this sounds like something out of

science fiction. It's a plant whose shoots are growing at the rate

science fiction. It's a plant whose shoots are growing at the r`te of

science fiction. It's a plant whose shoots are growing at the rate of a

foot a day and will reach around 60 feet tall in a few months' time. But

feet tall in a few months' time But the giant is quite harmless and

you've probably eaten it. Spotlight's David George has been to

a beautiful garden on the banks Spotlight's David George has been to

a beautiful garden on the banks of the Helford river to find ott more.

the Helford river to find out more. Some say this is the nearest you can

get to the Himalayas without travelling to Nepal. This year, the

travelling to Nepal. This ydar, the huge flowering trees and shrubs are

looking better than ever, btt huge flowering trees and shrubs are

looking better than ever, but even looking better than ever, but even

this primordial looking gunnera is not what we have come to sed.

this primordial looking gunnera is not what we have come to see. We are

not what we have come to sed. We are looking at musso bamboo, and it is

enormous. This monster is only a baby. It has grown to this height

which is just over two metres, seven which is just over two metres, seven

foot six, in 14 days. And its diameter has got to be a good six

inches, something like that. Its Latin name suggests it is edible,

but it is a bit tough, isn't it It but it is a bit tough, isn't it It

would be if you had it at the sort of size, but they harvest them fresh

and young, so they harvest it and and young, so they harvest it and

round about a metre high, and break them off with a stick, and where

it's Blitz on, that is what you would have in your stir`fry. It is a

tender, new shoots. It is yummy for tender, new shoots. It is yummy for

animals. Here, they have to protect the shoots from squirrels and

pandas. It also makes useful scaffolding and is used to make

scaffolding and is used to lake tower blocks in the far east, and

you can make paper with it `s well. You can probably just pick out these

fine hairs on it. Later in the growing season this will pedl

fine hairs on it. Later in the growing season this will peel off

growing season this will pedl off and form paper which, in China,

growing season this will peel off and form paper which, in Chhna, they

actually use for writing ond. They coal this part of the garden the

Bamboozle, and the musso balboo here will be around 60 feet tall by July.

Which is a lot taller than him and his dad. That is incredible. It is a

beautiful spot. The theme is delivering the goods, and they will

be showing off the different types of trains and services that were so

popular in a bygone age. We took a ride from Buckfastleigh to Totnes,

to see why erupts team still fascinates so many. `` why the era

of steam. The steam train is, for many, a living creature, a

fascinating piece of machindry. fascinating piece of machindry.

People working here say that their office is seven miles long, from

Buckfastleigh, the top this. The train is really lovely. It hs

Buckfastleigh, the top this. The train is really lovely. It is so

train is really lovely. It hs so picturesque. As a kid, I was

interested in it, and it st`ys picturesque. As a kid, I was

interested in it, and it st`ys with you. It is lovely. When you look at

the history of it, when you realise we are in a royal carriage, it is

quite exciting. The South Ddvon Railway trust turns over ?3 million

a year. There are 600 volunteers. Colin is one of them. He st`rted

Colin is one of them. He started working here in 1963. It is

something different, unique. What was an everyday occurrence, is now

something special. Another volunteer, John, is living his

dream. As a little boy I watched steam trains and all my lifd,

dream. As a little boy I watched steam trains and all my life, I

steam trains and all my lifd, I wanted to work with them. And it

took me 61 years. Before I could actually work on a railway. My

father said, there was no money in it, so I had to go and be a plumber.

And after 61 years I managed to get to where I wanted to be, as a boy.

This weekend there is a four`day gala, celebrating the biggest users

in bygone days, great. They would carry all manner of good, c`ttle and

cold, you name it, it came by rail. We are using a heritage diesel fleet

from the 1960s and we will be running a number of different break

trains. Steam train enthusiasts running a number of different break

trains. Steam train enthusi`sts say trains. Steam train enthusiasts say

that you could bottle the slell trains. Steam train enthusi`sts say

that you could bottle the smell of steam, oral and smoke, you would be

a billionaire. `` oil and sloke Plenty going on in the south`west

this weekend. But we all want to know what the weather is going to

this weekend. But we all want to know what the weather is gohng to be

know what the weather is going to be like. How was it looking? Not so

bad, but probably not try all the way through. The Easter weekend can

be split into Friday and Saturday with fine weather to enjoy, Sunday

and Monday, cloudy skies and the possibility of rain.

It will be fined and some sunshine tomorrow, then in the sunshhne we

tomorrow, then in the sunshine we will see temperatures up to 16

Celsius. More cloud has come will see temperatures up to 16

Celsius. More cloud has comd in Celsius. More cloud has come in

through the day`to`day. That is covering a good part of Britain. The

whole lot will sink South into France overnight tonight. Then the

skies will clear and later ht France overnight tonight. Then the

skies will clear and later it will become quite chilly. A few places

like the Somerset Levels could become quite chilly. A few places

like the Somerset Levels could get down to three Celsius. That is the

forecast for the middle of the day tomorrow. High pressure is back in

charge, still with us on Saturday, but we haven't on the usual

direction for an area of low pressure, coming across frol

pressure, coming across from northern Italy, moving across

Europe, drifting into the eastern Europe, drifting into the eastern

side of Britain, by the timd Europe, drifting into the e`stern

side of Britain, by the time we Europe, drifting into the eastern

side of Britain, by the time we get to the middle of Sunday, so a change

to cloudy, breezy conditions on Sunday. The first half of the day

might be dry, but the second half of the day could turn out to be

might be dry, but the second half of the day could turn out to bd quite

the day could turn out to be quite wet. Looking at the structure of

that cloud, in a little more detail, we have some spots of rain coming

out of that band of cloud. Overnight tonight, keeping that blanket

out of that band of cloud. Overnight tonight, keeping that blankdt of

tonight, keeping that blanket of cloud covering us for the fhrst

tonight, keeping that blankdt of cloud covering us for the first half

cloud covering us for the fhrst half of the night. And then, towards

born, we have clear sports coming into northern parts of Devon, but

the most of us, temperatures holding up quite well, at around six

Celsius. Tomorrow, cloudy start with the cloud quickly breaking to allow

the sunshine through. It will be nice with warm sunshine to enjoy.

There is enough temperature contrast between the sea surface temperature

and the land and generate an onshore sea breeze, so a lot of the

coastline will struggle with temperatures, at around 11 Celsius,

and it is in land that we see temperatures, at around 11 Celsius,

and it is in land that we see the highest temperatures of 16 Celsius.

For the Isles of Scilly, another fine, dry Davison sunshine, and a

gentle north`easterly breeze. fine, dry Davison sunshine, and a

gentle north`easterly breeze. The times of high water...

See temperatures have risen over the last couple of weeks. That sunshine

has held, see temperatures at between 10`11 Celsius. And the

coastal waters forecast... This is the outlook. Saturday is a

lovely day. Sunday, clouding over, particularly Sunday evening, quite

wet with outbreaks of rain settling in. And the breeze will freshen up

from Sunday into Easter Monday, and Mundy itself is cloudy with

outbreaks of rain. We will have to make the most of the next couple of

days. There will be lots of clear skies, so gardeners beware, because

there is every chance we cotld skies, so gardeners beware, because

there is every chance we could see quite a widespread frost, unusual to

see at this point in April, but the frost is certainly possible. And

finally, thank you for the photographs you have sent in over

the last couple of days. Thhs is of the last couple of days. Thhs is of

Newquay harbour, from Julie Teller. Keep them coming in. Rain on a bank

holiday? We have got it all. Spotlight is back on Tuesdax. Have a

lovely Easter. Goodbye.