16/09/2011 BBC Points West

Hello and welcome to BBC Points West. Hello and welcome to BBC

Points West. In tonight's headlines: He was "one in a

million." Heartfelt tributes are paid to the Gloucestershire based

soldier killed in Afghanistan. Also tonight, takeoff at last for

the Bristol designed driverless pods launched today at Heathrow.

The last Tour of Britain through Somerset but is the council being

short-sighted to put the brakes on sponsorship?

And heading for another Lord's Final, find out what a Somerset

cricketing legend says is the secret of success.

There is no better supporter than a Somerset supporter. The Good

evening. A soldier shot while on patrol in Afghanistan has been

named this evening. Lance Corporal Jonathan James McKindlay was 33 and

serving with the Gloucestershire- based First Battalion The Rifles.

His wife said tonight he was her one in a million. It brings to five

the number of riflemen killed on this tour. Isabel Webster is at

their barracks now. You joined me outside a camp

grieving this evening for yet another of its men. This is the 5th

last for them on this current tour of duty. But this is a very small,

tight-knit community. News is sitting very heavy with those

families. The MoD announced the name of the rifleman as a lance

corporal Jonathan Mick Kinane and it is only once you get that name

and you can put a face to it you get a true sense of their loss --

To his friends and family he was known as JJ but to his daughter and

stepchildren he was simply dad. His wife called him her one-in-a-

million. He had been on patrol in Helmand province when he was shot

dead on Wednesday in an enemy ambush. He had been deployed in

June. Today he was remembered as a highly qualified soldier, agile of

mind, but also as a family man. We have lost a fantastic Italian

character and a highly accomplished soldier -- battalion. At this time

of grief our thoughts and prayers go to his wife, daughter, it step

Georgian and the rest of his family. -- step children. Outside the

barracks friends and loved ones had already left flowers. Taken far too

soon, this one says. Heaven is graced with a true hero. His

company sergeant confessed losing one of your men doesn't get any

easier. It is very sad, as you can imagine.

The guys want to know what they're doing, what you are training for

and it is a small community here, close Richmond and close family

said it is very sad when you see the flowers behind, and it will

continue to be sad. They are due back this autumn but the loss of

this soldier will come as a huge blow to morale and a grave reminder

of the very real threats they face. This candle has also been set up as

a reminder of those risks they are facing every day. He was placed by

one of the guards working on the gate and the idea is the flame is

only extinguished once every single member returns home. The tragic

reality is he will not now be with them. His repatriation is expected

next Thursday and between 15 and 20 members will travel to RAF Brize

Norton to formally welcome home his coffin.

Unions at Honda in Swindon say they've uncovered evidence that

managers want to cut pay and minimise the influence of the trade

union at their car plant. Unite says it found out from slides

intended for a power-point presentation. Honda's denied the

claims, as Scott Ellis reports. Controversy at Honda, the union

Unite says it has obtained management documents which show

Honda is anti-union. When it comes to the trade union they are neutral.

The evidence we are now seeing is they may not be as neutral as they

outlined, and we need to get to the bottom of this. It is not in the

interests of the future of the car factory or people at work there to

have this uncertainty. Been says it has another document

which shows managers wanted to cut pay and they have distributed

newsletters at the factory where they have 1,000 members. The Union

say they got hold of slides from one of their members. He works here

at Honda in Swindon but was suspended on sort bashful pacer

months ago. Honda will not comment. -- he was suspended some months ago.

Honda says all our associates have been informed this morning of the

inaccuracies in the article and of the fact we have no intention of

Honda has has unions in Swindon for nine years. This employment experts

says a downturn will put pressure on industrial relations. Most

businesses except the valuable role businesses do play -- unions play

in the structure of the business but in times of heightened economic

pressure and tension that relationship can become frayed at

the edges. Unite is worried about losing its union influence at Honda

and is seeking talks with managers. Tributes have been left at the

scene of a car crash which killed two teenagers in Somerset. 19-year-

olds Daniel Gardiner and Daniel Matts were driving through Langport

in the early hours of yesterday when their car left the road and

hit a wall. Both men died at the site at Pitney Hill. Police are

appealing for witnesses. A futuristic driverless car was

unveiled today. The unusual vehicle started life as a Bristol

University project. Now, more than 15 years on, the Heathrow Pod is

finally up and running carrying passengers at the airport's

Terminal 5. John Maguire was at the launch.

They may look like a science- fiction but these silent vehicles

are very much Engineering fact. The first system of its type and the

key difference? It is more like a car than a bus. Public transport

that is personal. What we have here is the system, starts with a touch

screen. Terminal 5. Martin started working on this project at the

University of Bristol in 1995. From the drawing board to today's

reality at Heathrow airport. objective was to design the optimum

form of transport for the 21st century and this is something which

has no waiting, no stopping, no transfers. So we think it will

attract people out of their cars into this new form of transport.

And like a monorail the infrastructure is relatively cheap.

They run on a narrow road, not a Railtrack, or computer controlled.

The vehicles run on regular tyres so you don't have the heavy

infrastructure you would have with rail and high-voltage lines. It is

between three and five times cheaper than a rail system.

Yesterday was the busiest day yet and so far passengers have been

very impressed. Just came back from France and straight on it again,

very good, very impressed. Or use it again. The original idea was to

revolutionise our urban transport systems. The company based in

Bristol hopes they will soon come to our towns and cities as well as

business parks and airports. This has always been ambitious project.

And now it is a reality this guy is the limit. -- the best guy.

Like Tomorrow's World. Well it's Chris and Madeleine with

all your evening news. Stay with us as there's lots more to come before

seven o'clock. Ian will have a full weekend weather forecast and...

Is this a new way of beating the burglars? How a stolen laptop was

able to tell its owner where it was, But before that the Charity

Commission's asking for more information about money raised in

memory of Anni Dewani who was murdered on her honeymoon in South

Africa. A page set up on the Just Giving website raised �11,000 but

it was taken down at the weekend. The charity SEWA UK admits there's

been a delay in distributing it. It's still talking to Anni's family

about how the money's spent. Anni's husband Shrien Dewani is awaiting

extradition accused of plotting her murder.

The world's best cyclists were in Somerset today as the Tour of

Britain came to town. But this could be the last time the

county plays host to the event. The county council who've supported it

financially in the past say there's no more money. The local MP says

that's a short sighted view. Clinton Rogers reports.

The centre of Taunton is closed as Britain's premier cycle race

arrives in Somerset's county town. But not everyone's enthusiastic.

The very bad are for business, it is making it worse. A lot of

schoolkids, great atmosphere. Love it or hate it fact is it's

unlikely to be returning to Somerset, and that's all down to

money. In 2007 Somerset County Council signed a five-year deal to

help sponsor this event to bring the cyclists to Somerset. That

comes to an end today. It cost than three-quarters of �1 million and

they have made it clear the chances of any more money in the new --

near future are zero -- �750,000. think you would choose the same as

we would and you would say you have got to put more important things

first. This is an event that attracts the best of the best,

people like British cycling legend Mark Cavendish who had just one

word for county councillors. Open your mind. Of course once the race

started politics was the last thing on their minds. Now it's all about

winning stage six at speeds too fast for some spectator. -- some

spectators couldn't cope. That is another one. They were quick.

Across the Somerset Levels and up Cheddar Gorge. The race produced

some spectacular crashes, one rider ended up in hospital with a broken

collar bone. Meanwhile behind the scenes there were still lobbying

for a change of heart on the issue of public funding.

There is a big economic benefit to the county and my nervousness is

making a small saving, looks like it is wise, but the overall costs

to the economy mean overall we are losing. The stage winner was Lars

Broom. A lasting legacy's been created in memory of a scout leader

from Bristol who died in a hot air balloon accident. The new scout

headquarters at Bedminster Down were the brainchild of Alan Burnett

but he tragically died before the building was finished. Lizzie Way

reports. He wanted to transform this old scout hut in Hartcliffe

and move it here to Cheddar Grove. And this is the result this brand

new space is a new home for modern scouting. Sadly though Alan will

never see it. On New year's Day he was attempting a higher altitude

flight with a co-pilot when something went dramatically wrong.

A balloon came down over the area of Midsomer Norton and both were

killed. This mountain bike track here, everything around this whole

area, has been billed as a legacy to him. He wanted so much and

intended to give so much. Shooting, archery, beach volleyball and with

a huge playing field, this facility has been a labour of love.

focus allowing the Scout groups to grow and progress is beyond

anybody's imagination. We are trying to fulfil not just his dream,

but our dream. Bristol has a long association with

ballooning, the accident shocked the whole community. It was the

first fatal crash in over 30 years. Alan left behind a wife and three

children. He was a doer, not a talker and he

would be proud we all work together. Alan Burnett is no longer with us

but his vision is here for us all to enjoy. Now to sport, and a big

weekend for Somerset. It's the climax of the domestic cricket

season tomorrow. And the team are trying to end their wait for

silverware. They finished as runners-up in the Twenty20 Cup, so

can they win the 40-over trophy tomorrow? Alistair is here, what do

you think? I'm a firm believer that if you

keep putting yourself in these positions, that by the law of

averages you have to win one eventually. For the record, this is

the fifth consecutive domestic cup final Somerset have made, which is

And this morning there was a real boost for the side. This is Marcus

Trescothick getting ready to board the team coach, leaving Taunton for

Lords. He's been sidelined for the last three weeks with an ankle

injury, but says he will play even though he's not 100% fit.

My week of preparation outdoors has gone well. Trying to push the ankle

as much as we can to make sure it response OK. I'm pretty pleased.

Hoping nothing happens today or tomorrow morning and we will be

Somerset and Surrey have met once before in a Lord's final in 1981

when Sir Viv Richards scored an unbeaten 132 to lead them to the

Benson & Hedges Cup. Well, the Somerset legend was back in the

West today playing in a charity golf tournament in Minehead, and

Seb Choudhury went to speak to him. In 1981 when Somerset met Surrey in

Lords Sir Viv Richards made sure there was only one result. 30 years

on the eve of the two sides meeting again the legend came back to

familiar territory. Albeit for a different ball game. In the 70s and

80s Sir Viv formed one part of a destructive cricketing trio along

with Sir Ian Botham and Joel Garner. Three we all started to get there.

When you're are playing with the club you are not looked upon or

taken seriously, and I guess things change. One of the things that made

it more interesting was the supporters were the best anywhere

in the world. Somerset are a good side, an amazing sight, but you

were a great side. This is one of the unfortunate things that can

happen in whatever sport you play. Getting there in itself, it is a

long haul. In 1978 we got to the final and lost. We lost on that

particular Sunday so you can say we mucked up in 1978. It is about

turning the corner. I guess they are still young enough. They will

go far? They can. I hope there are some words of inspiration, it can

be achieved, don't give up. This is what it is all about. Sometimes

when you get things too easily or you would have taken a short cut to

success, you will have short cuts, so it is a good race, nice way to

start slowly and this particular time it is the time they will come

up trumps. Inspirational stuff. Let's talk to the cricket writer

and broadcaster Stephen Lamb, who's worked on all of Somerset's near

misses. Are they doing anything wrong? Can they do anything

differently? The lost in the corresponding final

last year because Ian Bell played a magnificent innings before

Warwickshire. He was involved in that team which lost just narrowly,

went out of two tournaments over a weekend. He knew what it was like.

They won the following year. He is confident it can happen, so my.

Marcus Trescothick has admitted he is three weeks away from fitness,

how much of a gamble is it to play him?

It is a big tumble but I can understand why it he is desperate

to play -- big gamble. He looks as though he is going to, let's hope

it works out. If he gets injured they are in trouble. Yes, because

effectively he could be out of the match up and very serious. Surrey

are coming into this in a lot of form, a tough final. They are on a

bit of a role. They have just been promoted from Division Two. They

are a young team, play fearlessly, got a young captain. All the

rebuilding work they did a couple of years ago looks like it is

beginning to work can now. They will come strongly at Somerset, no

doubt about that. But Somerset have the experience and there is no

reason they shouldn't put it to big effect.

Let's have a look at the rugby and football, the fixtures will be on

the screen shortly. Bath's Lewis Moody will captain England on

Sunday against Georgia. He missed the World Cup opener against

Argentina with a knee injury. Gloucester's Mike Tindall, who was

skipper in Moody's absence is one of nine players rested for this

game. In the Premiership, Tindall's Gloucester team-mates are away to

Harlequins. Head coach Bryan Redpath has made a number of

changes including giving a first start to Australian hooker Nathan

Charles. Bath are at home to Exeter, while in the Championship Bristol,

with two wins out of two, go to Leeds. And that pairing also meet

in football with Bristol City looking for a first win in five

matches away at Leeds United. City have won just a single game so far,

and only scored four goals in their seven league and cup matches.

That's left them third from bottom of the table.

It is mad that one when, everything is great, one defeat and the

pressure builds. We're not pleased with the start but we can easily

put that right by getting the result on Saturday and it is early

days. The longer it goes while you are down there but we found last

year the pressure does build. That is for me to take and try to keep

away from the players. Amongst the other games, in League Two,

Cheltenham have made a good start, currently fifth. They're away to

AFC Wimbledon, which sees striker Kaid Mohammed returning to the club

where he won promotion to the football league just four months

ago. I will be at Lord's tomorrow. They

are in the away dressing room. Commentary on BBC Radio Bristol and

Somerset. We will see how the weather is

looking in a moment. A suspected burglar has been arrested after a

Bristol student used a tracking device to find her stolen laptop.

When Emma Partington discovered her computer had been taken, she turned

on the software, it not only showed where it was, but even took a

picture of the man using it. How? Well to find out more, we put the

software on our own computer and gave it to Andrew Plant, our thief

for the day. As he went off to investigate we could track him and

found him on Whiteladies Road in Bristol.

This is where they have tracked me down to, a cafe down the road. They

have used a new piece of software which tells them attorney exactly

where I am, it shows them who I am as well. It is a new weapon against

the odds that becomes your own personal private detective. One

issue was burgled in the quarter Mary of Bristol little did the

person using the laptop in their bedroom no they were being caught

on-camera. There was tracking software installed on a laptop. And

that gave us a precise location, but more than that it took a

photograph of the person who had their laptop in their possession.

Here is how it works. First I will steal a BBC laptop then retreated

to a cafe to browse the Internet. Thanks to a three piece of software

installed I can send it her message to track itself. It will send me

its exact location and a picture of the thief. Frankly, he looks dodgy.

At this end I am none the wiser. My photograph and location could

already be making their way to the police making their job a whole lot

easier. This is fantastic. He provides us with a very powerful

tool and I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone out there

who has got a laptop. In this case the if person found

with the computer was arrested and faces charges and a laptop returned

to its owner. There are several types of tracking software

available on the internet. Police hope they could start a new era of

We will fit a tracking device to Ian Ferguson so we can keep a close

eye on him. What is it looking like for the

Lord's final? Not dissimilar to the weather here

but they should have less showers. Sunny interludes, hit and miss with

the showers. Some interruptions but I think they will get all their

play in one way or another. If you're bored with the potential of

some showers and blustery conditions and you want to do

something indoors Bristol Eye Hospital have got an open day. Meet

all the staff, who as I can attest, a pretty decent folk. All in pretty

much the same boat on Saturday. All courtesy of his deep area of low

pressure which will move northwards through the course of the weekend.

He will bring the threat of showers and some quite a breezy conditions.

Up above me this is the remains of Hurricane Maria which will not

influence us the way we saw last week but will have this trailing

front bringing some wet-weather on Monday, and Tuesday. This evening

we have some showers. A fairly They will be superseded later by

some more showery outbreaks of rain. Some will turn up quite heavy

towards dawn tomorrow. A fairly breezy night. Temperatures much of

a lightness for all of us. Tomorrow morning a breezy start. Some

brighter, drier interlude. There will be some areas where you may

miss them all together. Potentially some lightning, gusted down drafts.

-- gusty. An overnight drop in temperature. Feeling colder. Sunday,

a subtle change. The wind starts to feel towards a north-westerly

influence in the shower distribution. A fairly heavy

showers in west Somerset. Most will be gone by the evening. Average of

high pressure before we see the further outbreaks of rain on Monday.

-- there will be a ridge of high pressure.