16/03/2012 BBC London News

Tonight on BBC London News: An investigation's underway into

whether a Croydon hospital played a part in the death of a pregnant

woman's unborn baby. They sent me home, like it was a

shock and it was closing time. Not considering my care, my feelings.

Also on the programme: Sir Richard Branson attacks the government's

decision not to build a third runway at Heathrow.

Anybody who is in business in the UK knows that it is desperately

needed, we desperately need the capacity. Plus, meet the

ambassadors. Some of faces who'll be welcoming visitors to London for

the Games. And: So on we go... After decades

of touring the world, the Osmonds are in town, to say farewell to the

A woman from Croydon, who lost her baby in the late stages of

pregnancy, says she blames the hospital for her unborn child's

death. Kelly Manning, who had developed diabetes during pregnancy,

says she wasn't treated for the condition early enough. She then

says, when staff at the Mayday Hospital suspected her baby had

died, they sent her home because the right equipment wasn't

available. The hospital says they're investigating what happened.

Marc Ashdown has the story. Keepsake and memories are all that

remain. It took Kelly Manning years it to fall pregnant. A few weeks

before she was due, the baby stop kicking. Staff said the baby had

probably died and she should come back tomorrow as this can think it

was not available on a Sunday. sent me home like it was a shop and

it was closing time. Not considering my care, by feelings.

Not considering how long I have tried to get pregnant. I was with

my five-year-old sister at the time. Her family took her to another

hospital where she gave birth to her daughter who was stillborn.

Kelly newly dyed as well. Before they pulled her out, I sought a big,

bright, white light. I said to my mum, I think I am going. My mum

said, you need to get her out there now. If they didn't act quickly and

palled my daughter out of me, added believe I would be here now. Kenny

says her 28 week check-up spotted diabetes which can be fatal in

pregnant women. She claims she wasn't seen again for six weeks.

The trust says it is in the early stages of an investigation into the

complaint which will involve going through her notes. They said the

Scanning Unit should be available 24/7 so the focus will be on

finding out what happened that day. Not good enough for the local MP.

The hospital has to raise its game very quickly, this illustrates the

problem. There is a wider problem. People now, if they become acutely

ill at weekends, are more likely to die than if they become ill in the

week. Kelly is despite these shortcomings are addressed so no

one else faces the same loss. only thing I have left of her...

She looked so bad. Eventually she might try for another baby but will

pursue answers. Her beautiful daughter, lost in such a tragic way.

Marc joins me now. What more can you tell us about what happened

here? It is still very early days in this investigation.

Kelly has made a formal And it is still not clear what went wrong. It

appears Kelly developed gestational diabetes. This can happen during

pregnancy, and usually goes away afterwards. We spoke today with a

number of independent clinicians. All say it must be treated

immediately, if diagnosed, with regular check-ups until the birth.

Kelly's notes will be crucial here. They would should show if any

treatment happened. The hospital trust says it's committed to

getting to the bottom of this case. And it says it's keen to work with

Kelly to help understand what went wrong. I understand they'll meet

with her as early as Monday next week.

Coming up later: How a special relationship between the First Lady

and a London school resulted in an Sir Richard Branson has launched an

attack on the coalition government's aviation policy, and

its decision not to build a third runway at Heathrow. The multi-

million pound businessman says it's making a "dire" mistake, and

building another runway would "make sense". Our transport correspondent

Tom Edwards reports. Virgin Atlantic, part owned by one

of the UK's most successful businessmen, Sir Richard Branson.

Perhaps no surprise that he wants expansion and a third runway at

Heathrow. Something that's been ruled out by the coalition. He's

also scathing of the government's aviation policy.

Where the government is making a dire mistake is not thinking what

we are going to do in the next 20 years, in the interim. Every single

hotel, every single restaurant, every single taxi driver, every

single shop, everything will suffer, if everybody goes to Europe and

they don't come to the UK. Heathrow's operating at 98%

capacity. And businesses, like Virgin Atlantic, say a third

runway's badly needed to boost economic growth.

Virgin Atlantic has come to a grinding halt, we can't get any

more routes. And we could be creating thousands of jobs.

Politically, as well as the coalition, all of the main mayoral

candidates oppose another runway at Heathrow, as they outlined at

hustings last night. Those who campaigned for years against

expansion, and who live near the airport, are confident the

government won't be swayed. I don't care whether the planes are

more environmentally friendly, they will never be quite enough or

environmentally friendly enough to be able to go ahead with a third

runway. That is because of all the flights they wanted to bring in. We

just can't handle it environmentally or socially.

Sir Richard wants the government to change its mind. I think they have

made the mistake of saying, tried to get elected on the basis they

wouldn't do it, thinking it was the proper thing to do. I know, by

doing this interview, it is an unpopular thing to say. But

somebody has got to say it. And, sometimes, brave people change

their minds. A third runway would make sense. The government's

consulting soon on the best way to maintain a hub airport. It says

it's committed to a policy that supports economic growth, addresses

the environmental impact. At the moment, all options are on the

table, but not a third runway at Heathrow. That angers businesses.

Sir Richard Branson says leaving it out is "dishonest".

Tom Edwards reporting. The battle against the third runway was most

closely fought by villages under the flight path. Ayshea Buksh is is

in Sipson tonight, and joins me now. It might seem quiet in here for a

Friday night. The landlord will tell us why in a minute. This

village was one of those places where the battle against the third

runway was fought long and hard, and this is where it was one. Now

with people such as Richard Branson tried to reignite the debate, it

may seem as if the war is far from over. The first of all, tell us

what has happened since the third runway decision was made?

Basically, a bond scheme was offered to 400 private houses. 300

families have taken it up, have moved away from this village in the

last two years. They have entered the house is out on a yearly leases.

Basically, people are changing all the time, coming and going, there's

no community any more. All of the businesses, small businesses, which

relied on community spirit, it has been devastating. How do you feel

about Richard Branson pushing for a third runway again? People with

money and power seemed to get away with what they want to do. I think

it will happen. There's too much money invested. Environmentalists

would say that any airport expansion needs to be kept in check,

not to save villages such as this, but to save the planet as a whole.

Meet Gerry and Joan Sheridan, both in their 70s. They're just two of

the thousands of volunteers who'll be on hand on the capital's streets

during this summer's Games. Gerry went to watch the Olympics

the last time they were held in London in 1948. This time, he and

his wife Joan want to experience the Games on the streets. Supposing

you get up, and you're not feeling well. The couple are both training

as ambassadors for the capital. Two of 8,000 volunteers who will stand

on the street and help visitors make their way around Olympic

London. What exactly are they going to do? We have leaflets to hand out.

All kinds of questions, questions of a personal nature. Can you tell

me where I can get to a hospital? Very worthy. But why, in your 70s,

would you want to spend the summer doing this? I like meeting people,

and so does Joan. The whole thing is to get yourself across, to make

yourself approachable to a member of the public. Just the excitement

of a tour. It started off with Gerry telling me about the 1948

Olympics and how he remembers it as a spectator. And it must be

wonderful to have that memory. also, we are both Londoners are not

only will it be a great honour for us, but even in a business sense,

it could do great things for Britain. Today, the couple put

their ambassador outfits on for the first time, and met the Mayor, who

is funding the scheme. Pink and purple are clearly the colours of

the Olympics summer, and everything is based around what they are

calling pods. Information booths, to you and me. They need to be

polite and knowledgeable. A lot of them will speak foreign languages.

They are all trained to the exuberant and extrovert, without

being irritating. Londoners can have a reputation for being

unfriendly, because they are often so busy they don't have time to

stop and help people. These ambassadors are aimed at changing

that image. Markham Teachers in London are to

take industrial action in a dispute over pensions. Members of the NUT

and the University and College Union are calling a one-day

regional strike on March the 28th. How much disruption will it cause?

The NUT says it will be calling out 50,000 teachers. The union says it

will close many schools, and others will be disrupted. This is the

first of a series of regional strikes in what has been a national

campaign against the changes the government is planning to the

pension scheme. On the day, the NUT says it will bring in thousands of

teachers down here to Westminster to the Department for Education,

calling on the government to improve its offer. We think

probably lots of schools in London will close on 28 March. We again

apologise for that destruction. We are taking action to defend

teachers and their pensions and education. We need high-quality

teachers in classrooms. Is there any chance of this being called

off? It looks unlikely at this time. Both sides are at loggerheads. The

NUT says it would cause of action if they renew negotiations on the

table. But the government issued a statement today saying this action

is irresponsible, it says the deal on the table is as good as it gets,

and it says it will not be reopening that -- talks. That means

parents of school children in the Greater London area will either

have to take time off or find someone else to look after their

Still to come, we are being encouraged to do the Sport Relief

mile, but I will be abseiling down one of the biggest buildings in the

City of London. Hi, we are the Osmonds, and we are doing a concert

tonight in Croydon. We will also be right here with you on BBC London

News. The first lady of the United States is many things to many

people, but to one group of London pupils, she is affectionately known

as "Auntie". That is because the girls from Elizabeth Garrett

Anderson School have just got back from the White House after being

invited by Michelle Obama. And she has given them some special advice.

There is so much to talk about. Just back from Washington, 12

Islington 14 and 15-year-olds are still pinching themselves after

meeting the president and the First Lady at the White House. The bond

between Mrs Obama and the north London school has become so strong

that they consider her family. acted quite informal with us. She

could relate to us. She is like a Monty to us. It is nice to have

such a relationship with her. Michel? Yeah. Everybody knew we

were from the UK. Michelle Obama kept such a special relationship

with us. We learnt that networking is important to get to where you

are. She said it is good to fail, because then you can learn. She

said just get back up. All of you are precious, and you touch my

heart. That was in 2009, the first time she visited the school. Since

then, the pupils met up with her at Oxford University. This week, they

were invited to fly out to meet the president as well. They think this

is just normal. Does it feel weird that the

president of the US knows your school?

In does not feel weird, because it shows us that people know our

school and that it stands out. is to be expected? Yeah. This

relationship has taught them that you should hang on to your dreams.

Make sure you are passionate about something, and do everything you

can to make sure you reach your potential. The girls have written

journals of their visit, and intend to keep their special relationship

going. Mark Bright is here with a big

football weekend in store, starting with the only English team left in

the Champions' League. Who will they be playing next? The big draw

was this morning. Chelsea have drawn Benfica. Fans, players and

everyone else will probably be shouting, yes! There were a few

teams they wanted to avoid such as Real Madrid and a few teams they

wanted to draw, including Benfica. Benfica were in the group when

Manchester United were knocked out, so not to be taken lightly. But it

is a great opportunity for Chelsea to progress. The first game will be

on 27th March and the return leg is on 4th April.

Meanwhile, it is also the quarter- finals for the FA Cup? Yes, Chelsea

will be in action again on Sunday against Leicester. Many think they

will easily win that. But on the back of that Champions League game

against Napoli, a word of caution. They had better be careful.

Tomorrow, it is Spurs versus Bolton. Spurs have had a wobbled recently.

Ever since Harry was linked with the England job. So it would be

good for them to get themselves back on track. Bolton beat

Liverpool 3-1 in January, so it is not a foregone conclusion. But I am

sure both London teams will go through. Any other fixtures?

quick mention for Chelsea's under 18 youth team. They have a semi-

final tonight against Manchester United in the first leg away. It is

the equivalent of the FA Cup for the senior team. That kings of --

that kicks off at seven. Very busy. Away from football, lots of

activities are going on for Sport Relief. Some are very brave in my

eyes, including one of our reporters. Yes, this time next week,

we will all be asked to run, skip or juggled down a mile for charity.

But Sara went with some rugby players to Broadgate power to

abseil a mile. Let's see how she got on. This is Broadgate tower. At

over 165 metres high, it is the fourth tallest building in the City

and for Sport Relief, I will be abseiling down it. The good news is

that I am not doing it on my own. I have back up. At least, I thought I

had. Ahead of the last weekend of Rugby 6 Nations Championship, I am

joined by former internationals Martin, Tony and Kieran, along with

London Irish players Jonathan, Steve and Ed. Seven of us in total.

Between us, we have to go down the building ten times to complete a

mile, meaning some of us are going down twice. I feel OK. But the

closer it gets, I am getting a touch nervous. But because I am

with the boys, I will put on a brave face and see how it goes. A,

my goodness! As we draw a crowd at the bottom, the views are

spectacular. It is a real privilege to see the City from this viewpoint.

And before I know it, I am back on the ground. But it is straight back

to the top to see how the boys are feeling. Before the World Cup in

2003, we did some jumping off little cliffs. They were about 100

feet. This is different. Terrified over there. I don't know whether

I'd just like being in straps! But I feel all right. Whilst I leave

them to look after themselves, the downward procession continues.

second time was scarier than the first! I don't know why. I did not

look down. Finally, it is my turn again. I hope my backside is not

hanging out the back of my jeans. They have been inside there all day.

That must be a dull meeting. That is one mile! You don't have to do

anything as extreme as we have done to take part in the Sport Relief

mile. There are loads of miles going on, and you don't have to run.

You can walk, jog, juggle, anything. For more details, go to the Sport

Relief website. Brilliant effort. If you want to get involved, go to

sport relief .com. Put your postcode into the toolbar, and it

will say what is going on near you and your nearest mile. My nearest

mile is Tooting Bec. Here is a question for you. Remember the

Osmonds? I think I can name them all. Jimmy... While you do that,

let's carry on. This is how many remember them.

Since the '70s, the Osmonds have been performing to sell-out crowds

around the world. Their latest UK tour - 50 shows in 60 days - is

tinged with a little sadness for devoted fans, as it will be their

last one in this country. Tonight Jimmy, Jay and Merrill are

performing in Croydon. Wendy Hurrell went to meet some of them

and their superfans. They might not be cool, but there

is no doubting their natural musical talent.

# Enjoy yourself. All their success. This family has

sold over 100 million records. Now it is time to Jimmy, Jay and

Merrill to say farewell. The show tonight in Croydon is won a 50

across the UK. This will be their last tour. Why are you saying

goodbye now? I am sick of him. don't like each other any more.

our fans are so supportive. They remember all the lyrics. Even

Merrill does not remember the lyrics. For fans today are just as

devoted. If the days of Osmond mania have passed. He was trying to

get out of a limousine, and the fans came and crushed the limousine.

And he was inside it. Remember? He loved every minute. It was crazy. I

once broke into a hotel and hid in a laundry basket and got pushed

along the corridor, to spring out like a jack-in-the-box. But then I

got carted off by security. they still try to get to every show.

We are going to Hammersmith, Margate... At it is the nostalgia

as well. In the '70s, there was no way we would get anywhere near them.

Now, they come out and talk to you. We have had amazing times, amazing

friendships I have made a. So those superfans will make the most of his

farewell tour. But don't worry, I am not part of the Act.

# Don't love me for fun, girl. # Let me be the one, girl.

# Loved me for a reason, let the reason be love. #.

Now the weather. What is in store for Mother's Day weekend? Never

mind the crazy horses, we have some pretty crazy weather. This weekend,

we will probably have some April showers for Mothering Sunday.

Showery rain. Sunday is the brighter of the two days. But no

sunshine today and no stars tonight either. Cloudy skies this evening,

but staying dry. Some drizzly rain later overnight. Not too chilly.

Tomorrow, another rather grey day. Rain on and off. We might get

heavier bursts here and there. Then things start to dry up and brighten

up around teatime. If you are heading off for the final kick-off

of the Six Nations, you are likely to get wet on the way to Twickenham.

But it should dry up in time for the match. You might have to do a

bit of aged on Sunday to avoid the showers. And it is Mothering Sunday.

Some fairly sharp showers around. You might even hear a rumble of

thunder. If you are thinking of buying your mum a garden plant,

make sure it can take a frost, because those showers will fade

away. The cloud will disappear on Sunday night. It will be a frosty

start to the new week. Clear skies on Sunday night into Monday morning.

You can see the difference in Tonight's main headlines: the

Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, is to step down at the

end of this year. He has battled with a number of issues that have

threatened to split the Anglican Church, including same-sex

marriages. Belgium has held a national day of

mourning to remember the victims of Tuesday night's coach crash in

Switzerland. Today it emerged that a British boy, 11-year-old

Sebastian Bowles, was among the 28 people who died.

The town of Warminster in Wiltshire came to a standstill today, as

residents paid their respects to the six soldiers killed in

Afghanistan last week. And some of the 80,000 volunteers

for the Olympics got a better idea today of what they will be expected