04/09/2014 BBC Channel Islands News

Good evening and welcome to tonight's BBC Channel Islands News.

The top stories: By Royal appointment ` the new initiative to

turn around the lives of young people in Guernsey.

Also: The cars of the future ` why political pressure is mounting to

get more of us driving green. If you can imagine charging your vehicle up

for as little as ?2 and that lasting a fortnight, that is attractive to

most people. And, in one form or the other, high

pressure will stay with us over the next few days, including into next

week. For tomorrow, mostly dry, some sunshine and still warm. I'll have

all the details later when the programme. `` later in the

A new initiative's been launched to help turn around the lives

of young people in Guernsey, who risk ending up unemployed.

The Prince's Trust, which was set up by Prince Charles,

will be running programmes in three of the island's schools.

A grant of more than ?120,000 means it can do so for the next two years.

Whether it be encouragement to reach new heights or support to achieve

their full potential, the Prince's Trust has helped young people in

Jersey for almost a decade, and today's celebrations came as helpers

extended to Guernsey. If you haven't spoken to him, the one person you

must speak to before you leave today, is this woman. It is about

her journey. I'd been unemployed for ages and was trying to get jobs but

no one was responding to me. The programme the Prince's Trust runs

helps you get up in the morning, go somewhere, do something. It gives

you the confidence and the self`esteem to go out and see people

and do things and believe in yourself again. The programme that

will run in Guernsey does have a good track record. Initially running

in three of the island's schools, it will help around 25 pupils. There is

a quorum of people who need support in that category, about 200 young

people who are needing something to get them progressing on that ladder.

This isn't about getting volumes through but about getting the right

people with the right outcome and, actually, that's priceless, isn't

it? If you change a young person's life, that is a great thing.

A campaign group has been formed in Jersey to lobby for constables

There will be a referendum in October and the group wants to

persuade voters to vote yes to constables ` who sit as the head of

each of the island's 12 parishes ` holding on to their automatic seats.

The Channel Islands' chief ministers are going to the World Equestrian

Senator Ian Gorst and Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq have been invited

to the four`yearly sporting event and to a reception of business

Last week, Sark's Carl Hester helped Great Britain to a team silver

Larger shops have been open later in St Helier this evening

and they'll continue to do so every Thursday for the next 18 months.

It's hoped the extended hours will help increase sales ` although not

all traders are convinced opening to 7pm will increase trade.

More needs to be done to encourage the use of electric cars

in the Channel Islands ` that's the view of Government ministers.

There are just 12 electric cars registered in Guernsey and 75

Meanwhile, in the UK, sales of electric cars are booming.

So far this year, sales are up 138% on the previous year.

With short journeys, the Islands seem ideally placed to take

on the green revolution ` so what's being done to encourage their use?

Jen Smith and Chris Harrison have this special report.

Quieter, sleeker and better for the environment ` electric cars have

their advantages. They emit zero tailback emissions compared to

traditional cars, which emit CO2 commissions and diesel is a

particulate. For the environment, an electric car is better. There are

one dozen privately owned fully electric cars in Guernsey and the

Government wants to change that. It will introduce a ?1000 subsidy for

newly registered vehicles, compared to the UK, where it is ?5,000. It

public charging points and, if paid parking is introduced, reduced

fees. But our drivers convinced? Possibly if it is cheaper to run

than a diesel car. But with a van, obviously I need space for my tools

and everything else. But if it will be cheaper to run, I probably would.

Obviously, the running costs involved in an electric car would be

a lot less. My only concern is where we would actually have the points in

Guernsey to power them. That is one of the big worries. The commerce and

employment minister has some of his own ideas. As we have blue bays for

disabled people, let's have Green Bay is for people with electric or

super hybrid cars. We always would make sure that there were spared

Green Berets `` green bays. Here in Jersey, the Government are leading

the way. They've purchased ten electric cars recently. They've

proved to be very reliable and popular. We use them as pool cars

and we share them with planning, environment, TTS and economic

development. We like to be eco`friendly at TTS and do our bit

for the environment. That's good news for Jersey Electricity, who

have provided charging points in five car parks. They are not well

used. They are encouraging the States to turn electric with a grant

system. Subsidies are needed to kick`start electric vehicles. Once

we have enough on the roads, we will have a second`hand market, the price

of vehicles will be low and it will be more affordable. But for some,

electric cars don't work in Jersey. This taxi cab firm had to in its

fleet. After awhile, it was pretty noticeable that they were not to do

the work required. As a vehicle, not a problem for general day`to`day use

but as a taxi it wasn't successful at all. Electric vehicles are more

expensive to buy and remain a novelty in the Channel Islands, but

things are beginning to change ` if a little slowly.

You're watching the BBC in the Channel Islands.

Later, in Spotlight with Justin and Natalie:

The one`boy campaign to save this library.

I'm going to stop them. They're not even going to have a chance to make

any more extra cuts. The owners of a Canadian Lancaster

bomber are offering islanders the chance to fly

in their aircraft next week. At ?4,000 it's not

a cheap flight but it's almost unique ` there are just two

Lancaster bombers still flying. The money raised will be used to

keep the aircraft maintained. Whoever hits the line first, we will

record their names and it will go in that order. I hope there will be

enough demand generally to help the museum that it comes from but also

we can give an individual a chance to fly an aeroplane and give some

money to charity. I may have to raid my piggybank! David, another lovely

day ` are we on a roll? I think we're doing all right. High

pressure in one form or another is going to be around for quite a

while. It will probably go into next week. There are some subtleties we

need to get clear and for tomorrow, there is more cloud around. It is

fine and dry with some sunshine and still warm, but more cloud than

we've been used to and it might be thick enough to produce a light,

fleeting shower but nothing we need to worry about too much. There is a

weather system across the western side of Ireland but that is a cold

front and drifts down overnight to lie across the more central parts of

Ireland by the middle of the day tomorrow. By Saturday, it moves into

southern England but is a very weak affair. It introduces slightly

colder conditions, so perhaps a drop in the temperature. The cloud

overnight tonight will come and go. It is tricky to get the exact detail

right. A bit misty in places and, overnight, temperatures dipped to 15

degrees. Tomorrow, expect a largely fine day. There could be the odd

light shower but for the most part, it is dry with winds from the north

and a top temperature of 19 or 20. Here is the coastal waters forecast.

Here are the high water times. Not much good news for our surfers.

The conditions look quite poor. Waves are likely to be small if we

get any at all. Into the weekend, the remnants of the weather system

keep us cloudy for Saturday with perhaps a light shower. Sunday into

Monday, the high pressure comes back. A bit colder during the night

time and daytime temperatures down a feud agrees but we can cope with

that. Thanks very much. That's it for now.

I'll be back just before 8pm and then again at 1020 5p.

A national team of volunteers who help keep watch over our coastline

will soon have their own dedicated VHF channel to contact seafarers.

But critics fear The National Coastwatch Institution

will be expected to fill the gaps in emergency cover caused

by the restructuring of the coastguard service.

These volunteers spend hours watching the sea and monitoring

conditions. If they see something, they pass it onto the Guard.

National Coastwatch has just been awarded their own dedicated VHF

channel by OFCOM and means they can be contacted directly on channel

65. All the ships are going to know that channel 65 is the National

Coastwatch channel, wherever in the country they are. It will make a

great deal of difference to them. I think this demonstrates that

National Coastwatch has come of age and is regarded as a thoroughly

professional member of the search and rescue family. Whilst the

volunteer group has been strengthened, the coastguard service

is being restructured and there have been campaigns opposing the closure

of several stations. Critics support strengthening National Coastwatch

the question why it is happening now. This radio frequency has been

given to the service to replace any gaps that are in the Coast Guard

provision. That has got to be completely wrong. I am not knocking

it but when you are losing your coastguards, you have got to wonder

why they are doing it now, three months before the closure. National

Coastwatch is keen to get the message out to seafarers that

channel 65 will be the way to contact them. Anything that replaces

it has got to be good news. It is an excellent idea and will certainly

improve things. With the Coast Guard due to leave the area shortly, it

will become ever more vital. It becomes operational at the start of

Villages near Hinkley Point are to get hundreds of thousands of pounds

from the company behind the proposed new nuclear power station.

EDF Energy is giving the money as part of its planning permission

opposed to traditional learning. A report recommends giving 14`year`old

the opportunity to end role in further education colleges at a

younger age so they can benefit from vocational training that is already

on offer. `` end there are only about a dozen or so colleges

nationally that are offering this provision but we think that in the

future, giving the young people this decision, is likely to become more

and more normal. Students still have two take maths, science and English

but they can deviate into other subjects. Megan hopes to be a

fashion designer. I am going to do creative arts and digital media so I

can learn how to take the designs I have drawn and edit them on

computers to make them easier to understand. It means students are

specialising at an earlier age will stock is there a danger that this

could limit future options? They are learning how to motivate, how to

work in teams, and all the skills that employers tellers are really

important, like being reliable and trustworthy. `` tell us. South Devon

College is telling us that some of the students will start life at

South Devon High school and work their way towards a degree. They did

not have that when I was at school! It might have helped!

A ten year old boy from Falmouth took his campaign to save Cornwall's

libraries to County Hall in Truro today.

Leon Remphry collected more than 5000 signatures on a petition after

discovering the opening hours at his local library had been reduced.

But the council's latest spending plans have outlined further cuts

He is only ten years old but Leon has spent the last few months

campaigning to save Cornwall's libraries. As soon as we got there,

we were thrown out by the librarian, saying it was closing. He

has been working hard to collect signatures on his petition. It has

gone over the 5000 mark and will trigger a debate at the county

hall. 5106, the last time I counted! His local library is not alone in

offering reduced opening hours because of spending cuts. The mobile

library service has also been reduced to one van per county. The

library budget is facing further cuts of ?1.8 billion. We have to

make savings over the next four years. Every service needs to be

looked at. One thing we prioritised is to make sure we have not closed a

single static library branch. We need to talk with the local

community and find out what they can do to help us. We want to keep a

vibrant library sector within Cornwall. Leon's father is not

convinced. I do not think you can replace trains library staff with

volunteers who have the best will in the world. `` trained. There have

been suggestions of books being opened up in pubs and other places,

but it is not the same. A beautiful building like this in Falmouth

should be maintained. Leon is setting his sights high. You may go

to Westminster next? I need a few more signatures, 100,000

signatures. They need to be verified their and it will go to government

and I hope they listen. Leon is hoping he will be back here at

county hall to take part in a debate. The sheer scale of the cuts

that Cornwall Council says it is facing over the next few years means

his hopes of saving all of Cornwall's libraries may be dashed.

Gary Johnson is seeking talks with the club chairman John Fry over his

future at Huish Park. Johnson is upset about several issues

wanted to make this week. Fry is back from holiday tonight and will

future at Huish Park. Johnson is upset about several issues

wanted to make this week. Fry is back from holiday tonight and will

resolve the problem. Yeovil are currently sixth from the bottom of

I hope people do not think I have lost my passion because you can talk

to any of the people and I have not. national petition to increase the

number of Blue flags in Cornwall. Rob Harris says it's vital

the county applies for more as they are the only reliable

guarantee to visitors about the The coveted blue flag, an

internationally recognised award, meaning people can bathe on the

beach. For the last years, this beach has proudly flown its flag,

but not this year. A local businessman has started to campaign

to get Cornwall Council to change its mind. He is not happy that the

council is no longer applying for blue flag status for one of the

beaches. I cannot understand why they are not doing this. It brings

in ?900 million a year. How short sighted of them to do this. Speak to

the locals and hear what people are saying, bring back the blue flag.

The Council of throwing it all away. Why? In a statement, Cornwall

Council said they recognised the importance of securing a blue flag

status and understand the concerns of the tourism industry on the

subject. However, the financial challenges facing the council mean

they can no longer afford the associated costs. They are willing

to help associated communities who want to put their own application in

for the award. I do not even know where to look for one if there is

one! I do not think it is that important. It will not stop me. It

is very important, especially for us because we have children and we need

to know it is clean and safe. Anything that enhances the beach and

Cornwall has got to be good for the county. I would still come here even

without the flag. Falmouth have set up their own funding group to make

sure there application occurs next year. `` their. The way the council

struggling with balancing the books these days, it is a case of having

to pick up the tab wherever we can to keep these things going. An

online petition is gaining numbers. It is good for September, isn't it?

Lovely! It is time for the weather. Will it continue? High pressure in

one form or the other is going to be with us for quite a while yet. Good

evening to you. Another lovely day. Most of us have had a lovely day.

More cloud the further east you live and across Somerset and Dorset, the

cloud has been stubborn. Just have been held down. Generally, a bit

more in the way of cloud but mostly dry and some sunshine. More

importantly, it still feels warm. The warmth has been a feature of the

weather this week and will continue into the weekend. A bit fresher and

cooler as we move into Sunday. At the moment, the cloud is pretty much

across the western side of Ireland and the North of Scotland. That is a

cold weather front that is making progress into the area of high

pressure. There is one across Scandinavia and one in the

Atlantic. This weather front is trapped between the two and weakens

as it goes south. It moves across southern Britain but it is a weak

affair. There may be a shower on it but it is unlikely. It cleared out

of the way as we go into Sunday. This area of high pressure moves

into central parts of the UK early next week. That means generally fine

and dry conditions. It could be chilly at night. That is the cloud

structure from earlier today. Not everybody has had sunshine. Parts of

Somerset and Dorset have had some heavy cloud. Our colleague was on

Dartmoor in various locations today and was enjoying some splendid

scenery. You would be forgiven for thinking this is the middle of July

rather than the first week of September. The Hayes reduces

visibility. `` haze. That's fine, dry theme continues as we move into

tomorrow. There is a little bit more in the way of cloud around, though.

It is thick across parts of Dorset and Somerset force and drizzle. A

bit of mist forming and a few fog patches. Tomorrow, not a bad day for

most of us. Briefly, some great spells but then it will become sunny

and after that, some cloud. It may trigger some showers but that is the

exception rather than the rule and most of us will get away with a

fine, dry day. More cloud around tomorrow. Temperatures nudging down

a little bit although some places will still get to 21 or 22, 72 in

Fahrenheit. We had an e`mail asking us to keep the Fahrenheit! The Isles

of Scilly are fine and dry. The times of high water... If you are

heading to the beach for a spot of surfing, I do not think you will see

much over the next few days. With high pressure in charge, some small

waves. One or two feet if you are lucky. Coastal waters, the winds are

variable. Some haze around so visibility is not brilliant. That

will not improve until the cold front moves in. Here is the outlook.

It is generally a little bit cooler but it is drying. Somewhat colder

during the night, you may notice. Have a good evening. Thank you. Not

looking too bad. weather then because in tomorrow

night's Spotlight we'll be getting a which starts on Saturday. The annual

two`day event attracts tens of thousands of visitors. This year's

highlights will include more than 90 food stands, over 2,000

animals, more than 500 trade stands and even a motorcycle stunt display

team. Plenty to look forward to and we

will preview that on Spotlights tomorrow. Join us at 6:30pm. Have a

good evening. Bye`bye.