08/08/2011 BBC Points West

Good evening and welcome to Points West. The headlines tonight:

It has a website but no students. The University of Glastonbury turns

out to be just a scam. Campaigners call for a limit to

house-building in the country. Britain's top cyclists will head to

Somerset for what could by the last time.

And the rubbish dump that's been It says it wants to be a world

leader of universities with an alumni network that stretches

across 120 countries. The only problem for Glastonbury University

is that it doesn't really exist, and its glossy website is little

more than a scam. Here's Jules Hyam. It is every inch the polished

online brochure. This website outlines the course offerings and

academic achievements of Glastonbury University. It boasts

of its 500 students in the school of the built environment and of its

five-star rating for engineering. It certainly looks the part and it

makes Glastonbury University look like the ideal place to study in

the UK. But in Glastonbury, things look

very different. This is a small market town. Yes, it does have an

enormous amount of history, but it has never had a university, and

that big glass building, that is just not here.

It is in fact 150 miles away, because this isn't the main

building of Glastonbury University - it's the library building at the

University of Leicester. Staff there had no idea their library was

being used as a double for a fictitious university. They told

us: The University of Leicester has no association with the Glastonbury

University, that they regard breach of copyright and misuse of their

property as very serious offences, which they have reported to

The website does list an address for Glastonbutry University so we

went there. No one is answering on the phone

number listed on the website and this is the address that it gives,

clearly not a university. checked the UK board Registry

website and they had an -- an agreement that invested and

colleges can recruit internationally. Glastonbury

University does not exist and staff at Somerset County council were

surprised to learn that the website credits them with setting it up.

Their trading standards team have looked into it and passed details

on to the Department of Education and they think the website is

targeting foreign students who want visas. The Home Office is also

aware of the site -and they too are investigating.

And Jules joins us in the studio now to explain how this scam might

work. How might this down work? have been wandering that for most

of the day. It is unusual because there is no direct appeal for money,

no bank account details listed. We saw in the film, there is no one

there. It is probably around something slightly more subtle.

Somerset County Council says it is a round student visas.

Interestingly, you do not have to have a visa to study in the UK, but

you do need evidence that you on a course at an accredited university.

The agency has a list of the government approved outfits that to

provide courses and that they are not made up. Even if you arrived

with some documentation from dust and the ring of us do, that would

not get you into the country because it is not on the list. --

University of Glastonbury. This is more likely to be operating a broad,

convincing foreign students abroad to part with their cash for the

hope of coming to the UK to fictitious universities were in

reality they would not get in. Thank you very much, a fascinating

Campaigners gathered in Wiltshire today to protest about plans to

build thousands of new homes in the county. They want to protect the

countryside, but with rural housing in short supply, all our local

councils are facing the same dilemma - how to build enough homes

without losing fields. Alice Bouverie was at the meeting earlier,

and joins us now from Trowbridge. You join me on the very outskirts.

These houses of the last ones before building starts. They have

been here for seven years, but because of the draft strategy drawn

up by the council, these fields may well soon be business parks and

some of the 37,000 homes that the council wants to build over the

next 15 years. It is not just here where this is happening: Local

authorities across the West are drawing up their visions of what

their place will look like over the next 15 years. Bath and North-East

Somerset want to build 11,000 homes. In Taunton, it could be about

17,000 homes. In Bristol, 13,000 homes. -- 30,000 homes. In

Wiltshire, the council said not to panic because half of those homes

have already been built, but that has not stopped 25 community groups

coming together and sending in an open letter to the council. They

said it was not fit for purpose and they want the council to think

again. I am one of the first people to say that we should not build on

green land. It should be left free. But we have a lot of young people

wanting houses, a lot of elderly people living longer who want

houses and we want businesses who want skilled workers. The fact is,

we have the evidence that we will need, by 2026, an increase in the

number of houses. We have cut the figure enormously from what the

government originally imposed on us and we have come to what I believe

is a reasonable solution. Not everybody believes that is a

reasonable solution. With me is the chairman of the CPRE in Wiltshire.

Isn't this just another example of...? In Wiltshire, an awful lot

of planning permission is committed to development which can take place

without additional land being allocated. Where could those houses

be built? There is a fair amount to be built here in Trowbridge alone.

There is no need to quote additional figures in Trowbridge at

the present time. The Countryside Alliance said last week that many

rural communities would wither and die unless new housing would be

built. Surely this will be good? Well, there is no reason why they

should not be small developments in rural areas. In fact, one of the

provisions in the core strategy is to prevent some development in the

smaller villages. That is wrong. There ought to be an opportunity

for additional development in the small villages. How hopeful are you

that the council will listen? only say that I am optimistic.

is a debate which is happening across the West. As you can see,

there are very different and A woman has been left with what are

described as life-changing injuries after a crash in Bath early this

morning. The 23-year-old was hit by a lorry on Grand Parade and was

later taken to hospital. The police are appealing for witnesses to the

crash, which happened during rush hour.

You're watching BBC Points West. Still to come between now and

seven: Howzat - Somerset book a place in

the finals for the third year in a row.

And this house in Wiltshire was hit by lightning. Ian's here to explain

and give us a full forecast for the People with diabetes here in the

west have become the first in the country to benefit from advice from

fellow sufferers. Under a new programme, 'Peer Advisers' have

been trained to give help to newly- diagnosed patients in Weston-super-

Mare. Our Health Correspondent Matthew Hill has more.

I came in the hospital with an angina attack and I was put on a

starvation diet and they discovered I had got diabetes. Prop Brett

Harris has been living with diabetes for the past few years. --

Barbara Harris. She has learnt a lot about her condition through

evening classes run by the hospital. They are designed to allow

sufferers to pass on expert advice to those beginning to discover

their condition. When people come to our grip and talk about issues,

it gives you the confidence to be able to say, give them better

advice. The idea will mean that hospital specialists can

concentrate on patients who need their expertise the most. But could

there be a danger in having laid people giving wrong medical advice?

They have to be very careful that there is no conviction with the

medical profession. They give very simple, basic advice, and also,

they get opinions from the doctors and nurses. The most important part

of the course is about what patients eat. Dietary advice is

vital when it comes to making sure levels of sugar in the blood remain

healthy. A new study by the University of Bristol of almost 600

type 2 diabetes sufferers found that the group that were given 6.5

hours of dietary advice at the start of their diagnosis had much

better blood sugar levels after six months compared with the other

group who received no advice. the latest figures showing a high -

- a 5% rise in patients with type 2 diabetes in the past year, it means

that other hospitals will have to fall this model if they are to cope

with demand. A jury's considering its verdict in

the trial of a former soldier from Wiltshire who's accused of

kidnapping and raping women in Chippenham and South Wales. Ex-

lance corporal Jonathon Haynes from Saxon Close in Northampton denies

the charges at Bristol Crown court. Scott Ellis is there tonight for us

with an update. Plans to invest �3 million to build

a hostel for the homeless in Bath have been abandoned by the Council.

Bath and North East Somerset councillors have decided against

spending the money, at a time when cuts are being made elsewhere. They

say they're investigating other ways to meet demand to cater for

rough sleepers. The number of people asking for

help from a West foodbank has increased this year. Gloucester

Food Bank has reported a 10% rise in adults and a 17% increase in the

number of children needing food, compared with last year. The

charity says it's had to use reserve supplies of food to meet

demand. New classrooms have been put in at

Gloucester Academy today. The buildings will serve as extra

capacity when the school moves to one site on Cotteswold Road from

September, two years ahead of schedule. The government has given

the school more than �15 million to build on the new site, and it

should all be ready by 2013. Nuclear safety has been under the

spotlight today with the visit of independent inspectors to Somerset.

A panel of experts from the office for nuclear regulation toured the

county as a preferred location for a new nuclear power station.

They'll decide whether Hinkley Point gets a licence or not. Dickon

Hooper has more. There's been a nuclear power

station here at Hinkley Point for decades. And with a coalition

government committed to nuclear, it's on the list to host another

one. Protests though have been held, and there'll no doubt be more - the

deadline to open is 2025. Today, though, safety was on the agenda.

The office for nuclear regulation paid Somerset a visit. They have to

sign off the building and the operation of the new plant. All we

are looking for is to see whether or not the company is capable and

competent in terms of their ability to own and operate a plant, and

that takes there is phases. We will be looking at whether they have the

right people in the right place to discharge those responsibilities

and meet the requirements of UK regulations. The government argues

nuclear is needed for energy security. Those living nearby

disagree, but lost a recent battle to stop preparatory work on the

plant getting council approval. Today's visit was another step in

this process The next is public consultations being planned by the

Sport, and Somerset's cricketers look like providing us with another

exciting end to the season. They're through to the Twenty20 Cup semi-

finals yet again. Here's Alistair. They must be so used to getting to

this stage! This is the third year in a row

Somerset have made it to what's called Finals Day - both the semi

and the final played on the same day at the same ground. This year

it's Edgbaston in Birmingham on August 27th. Somerset's allocation

of tickets go on sale tomorrow, but if you're interested don't hang

about because they're aren't many available.

On a roll, and favourites to go all the way. The win over

Nottinghamshire means Somerset haven't lost now in their last 11

matches. Success on the field is good news off it. After rain played

havoc with their Twenty20 group matches. It has been a tough season

financially. We have had four washed out matters and that has a

tremendous impact on the club. Finals day is a real bonus for up -

- for us. We want to be there in the final and winning trophies.

bad news for fans is the small allocation - only 1400 tickets, for

a membership that far exceeds that. The club will get a share of the

gate receipts, but the players get the prize money. The Somerset squad

will share out �120,000 between them if they win. And they're

hitting form at the right time. Key men like bowler Alfonso Thomas are

back from injury. Twenty20 specialist Keiron Pollard flew back

to the Caribbean today - his job done. The overseas signing put in a

man of the match display, and will be back in a fortnight's time for

finals day. The rest of the squad have a week off, but while they put

their feet up, supporters will begin the scramble to get a ticket

to watch them. There's no respite now the football

season is underway, with a West Country derby to look forward to

tomorrow in the Carling Cup. Bristol City and Swindon face each

other, having had contrasting results at the weekend. City going

down 3-0 at home to Ipswich, while Paolo Di Canio started with a

comfortable win over Crewe - and how about this for a goal - he'd

have been proud of that himself. Well, we'll be live at Ashton Gate

tomorrow night to preview that first round cup tie. And don't

forget you can see all the goals from the opening day of the season

on the iPlayer, or on the sports pages of the BBC website, including

a debut win for Paul Buckle as manager at Bristol Rovers.

For the last five years the Tour of Britain has brought the world's top

cyclists to Somerset. This September competitors will race

between Taunton and Wells for the sixth stage. But despite generating

millions of pounds for the local economy, there's no guarantee it'll

return to the county as Laura Lyon reports.

Gearing up gently for the Tour of Britain when 96 cyclists race to

the stage six finish line in Wells next month, they're likely to be

going all out in a sprint finish. The frame is made from carbon fibre.

Simon Richardson is from Bristol and has twice finished the 1100 km

race inside the Top 20. He thinks the winner of this year's Somerset

stage could go on to take the overall title. With Cheddar gorge,

and particularly the last climb of the day in all Bristol, it could

actually potentially decide the race because it is the last major

Hill of the whole event. For the last five years, Somerset County

Council has sponsored and therefore hosted its own stage. It has cost

�750,000, but it has brought in between �7.5 million and �10

million for the local economy. Here in Wells with it's Hollywood

locations and plenty of tourists, they can expect another 10,000

visitors on race day. Even with the extra tourists and a tenfold return

on investment, the authority isn't renewing its contract to host the

international event next year. is not appropriate at the moment to

be spending more public money directly on that sort of contract,

but we are very keen that the tour returns in the future. We encourage

the talk and are working with the manager to look at opportunities

for commercial sponsors step and if they want to come back to Somerset

in the future, we would like to help them in the future. For all

those who've missed out on Olympic tickets, the organisers hope the

chance to see the world's best road cyclists compete, for free, in

Somerset, will attract more than the 130,000 people who watched last

And the England rugby captain Lewis Moody is waiting to find out

whether he'll be able to take part in next month's world cup in New

Zealand. The Bath flanker picked up a knee injury in England's match

against Wales at the weekend. It's the same injury that kept him out

of this years Six Nations, but Moody is hoping it's just a tweak.

Now, how often do you hear of budding sports stars being told to

have a career to fall back on? Well one teenager from Bristol has taken

it a step further. He's earned himself an art

scholarship at a college in the States, and hopes his talent will

enable him to pay his way to a real sporting dream. Damian Derrick went

to meet him. With a view like this who could

fail to be creative? But then of course, you need the talent to go

with it, and Christian Barnett has been blessed with plenty. I don't

really draw off references, I just think of something and just

visualise it and then draw it. I don't get a picture and try to copy

it. So it is your imagination being your inspiration? Yes, definitely.

And he's been inspired quite a bit - his house is full of pictures

which have won him a scholarship to the States and are now ready to go

on show in Bristol. But painting isn't his only talent - Christian

He's hoping this could earn him a second scholarship. The thing that

made him different from the other kids is that he is mentally focused,

he has always known he wants to play basketball so we do spend many

hours in the gym and then he practises himself. He puts in extra

work and then go back -- and then back gets into the next level

quicker than the others. But it's those artist skills that are going

to pay Christian's way at college in New York. So a basketball career

might be yet be a long way off, but he's got his eyes firmly on the

Best of luck to him. A patch of land that was once

filled with rubbish and derelict buildings has been transformed into

a haven for wildlife, and it's attracting tourists looking to get

away from it all. It's taken a couple from Somerset ten years to

convert part of their estate into a wild flower meadow, and they've

named it the field of dreams. Ashling McVeigh went to see it in

bloom. Welcome to the field of dreams.

Here I am in Somerset in this wild flower meadow, and just look at it,

beautiful variety of flowers. 57 in total. With me is the bone and

creator of this garden. Brian, what inspired you? It was a wasteland,

terrible buildings, so we tried to create something that is the exact

opposite of that. You have opened it to the public and had a great

reaction. We have had over 1,500 people visit. We have not charge an

entrance fee. We have asked them to donate and they have donated very

generously. Excellent. We have also got nicked 80 -- Nick Baker, the

naturalist. Telos, could you do this in your back garden? You cent

and the could. My Borders do not look dissimilar. -- you certainly

could. You cannot beat a bit of blue like that. It is gorgeous.

What is important about this is of course, it is not something for the

purists. If you are into pure flowers, this is not it. There is a

mix from flowers around the world. The young ones have come here at

the right level because they appreciate these flowers. But they

have never seen anything like this. The fact that we are looking at

this tiny corner of Somerset for this tells us what we are missing,

which is wild flowers. The landscape was a living wasteland

and wild flowers are so good for the wildlife as well. Thank you for

that. So it is really a beautiful place to visit, and you can do so

until the end of August. I promise you, you will not be disappointed

with this field of dreams. It looks a heavenly. And gorgeous

weather today as well. That story about the house being

struck by lightning in Swindon, how common is that?

Thankfully not a very! He is not in this country. If you go to

Disneyland in America, you will see be lightning conductors on top of

Brickwork has been damaged in a lot of houses because of the brain work.

As the lightning hits it, it he'd sit in a second and it is detonated

like Bach on a tree. Interesting how it is an end-of-terrace house.

Open land is more prone to being hit. Let's return to take a look at

some of the storms and yesterday which you can see tracking across

Swindon there, some very lively rainfall there. I'm sure a number

of the sort lightning from that, as indeed many do across the British

Isles. Thankfully, there are only three fatalities due to lightning

per year. That number has dropped dramatically since the 1,900,

mainly because less people work outdoors. It is just where people

are prone to see it. These are the rates of lightning strikes you see

per square kilometre per year across our part of the British

Isles. It is a highest as you come out to the east and north into

Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. Almost one strike per square

kilometre, that is quite high. No chance of any thunderstorms

tomorrow. It will be a fine day a: Dry, bright, variable amounts of

cloud. The reason for that is high pressure will start to build. It

has been anything but today. This band running southwards will bring

more shower and tomorrow, pressure builds and it means we get the best

day of what is left of the week ahead. Let's look at the rainfall

radar, which for a while has been dried into the early part of this

evening. That the crews and showing its hand in the north so some

showery outbreaks of rain feeding off. A number of you will see that

through the course of the evening, probably through to late evening

onwards. Behind that, the skies will clear overnight and in lighter

winds, it will be a decidedly cooler night so by dawn tomorrow,

you'll see lows of nine degrees yd away from the coast at least. There

will be a good deal of early sunshine which is a good start to

the day for rush-hour. That cloud will build as we get through late

morning into the afternoon, particularly in and so it sunny air

spells on and off and continuing that way through this evening and

then we get the reverse process, we lose the heat and it should be a

fine evening for everyone. Indeed sunnier spots up tomorrow, the

winds will be light and it will feel pleasant. The tempters will be

between 17 and 19 degrees. -- the temperatures. Looking beyond that,

this is where things change. On Wednesday, the high pressure

squeezes south and the low pressure comes in from the West, bringing

very is frontal systems through the latter stage of Wednesday, through

Thursday and through to Friday. It will be noticeably breezy and there

could be a lot of cloud around, and there will be some brain. This is a

scenario that we will be watching very closely as I'm sure will be

the pilots and the organisers. Here is a summary. It will be fairly

muggy on Wednesday, but rather inclement.

It is really frightening to know that lightning can strike twice.

Before we go tonight, there is time to look ahead to tomorrow's

programme where we will be finding out how a historic gem in

Cheltenham is being refurbished. Yes, people have spent the last few

months restoring the theatre to its original glory. More than 120 years

after it first opened. Those responsible say they are happy with

the results. Far better than I had ever imagined. The vibrancy of the

colours and the way it pulls together is a brilliant scheme.

People will be really impressed and love it. We will bring you the full