20/12/2011 BBC Points West

Good evening and welcome to BBC Points West. Our headlines tonight:

A dangerous stretch of the M5. A man died here six years ago, but

it's too risky to carry out safety work. Crushed commuters and

flattened wallets - complaints as rail fares go up. Home for

Christmas morning for the first time in five years - the young man

paralysed by meningitis. He has carers, but this year he is hoping

that he will be hem with his family and friends and able to wake up on

Christmas Day in the family home. And could this be the oldest

Christmas tree in Britain, 74 years and still going strong. First

tonight, a new safety barrier on the M5 where a man fell to his

death six years ago can't be installed, because the Highways

Agency claims it would be too risky to put up and maintain. Cecil Grant

fell after working at the top of an embankment near the motorway at

Clevedon. A coroner recommended building a new barrier to prevent

similar accidents from happening again, but that's unlikely to

happen, as Dickon Hooper reports. He was always a happy-go-lucky guy,

smiling from always. Aaron has fond memories of his dad. He has just

turned 19 and is facing another Christmas without him. Six years on,

the family says Cecil Grant's death was in vain. He died here. Mr Grant

fell 16 foot to to his death in 2006. He had been work on the

embankment by the side of the motorway late at night. The coroner

said he wanted to see a new barrier built. Because he argued, otherwise

a similar accident was likely to happen again. And we have learned

that Mr Grant's fall here wasn't the first. It was the one thing

myself and the children felt a bit of closure with, that this part of

the motorway was going to be made safe and that's not happened.

does that make you feel? All of us, me and the children, feel

devastated. It was the one thing that could help us move on. That's

not happened. New warning signs are in place. And the highways agency

did review safety here. However, no new barrier has been put up,

because the risk to workers of instaling and maintaining it was

greater than any safety benefits. Cruel irony for Karen, who knows

about the risks to motorway workers and anyone else who finds

themselves on that part of the road. A mother broke down there, with

children, you would get your children to safety and lift them

over that barrier. Something needs to be put in place to stop anyone,

children, adults, falling down the side. Especially when it is dark.

The carer in who recommended the barrier has -- coroner who

recommended the barrier has since died and with him perhaps the

chance of ever getting it built. Police are continuing to

investigate a company director from Somerset, who sold so-called bomb-

detectors to 20 countries, including Iraq. Jim McCormick, of

Wincanton-based ATSC Ltd - seen on the right of this picture - was

arrested in January last year on suspicion of fraud by

misrepresentation after a BBC investigation found that his

handheld devices couldn't possibly work. He has now been re-bailed by

police until a date next January, while enquiries continue. The

Government's been asked to make sure those who lost out when the

Swindon-based Christmas savings firm Farepak collapsed get their

money back. Today in the Commons, MPs were told victims still haven't

received any compensation. Farepak went into administration five years

ago, owing �5 million to more than 120,000 people across the UK.

Another price hike was announced today, this one on the railways.

Ticket prices will go up by just under 6% next year on every ticket

sold in the West Country. Why, and what will it mean for commuters

here? A question for our business correspondent, Dave Harvey. Well

the biggest price hikes are for commuters. Kemble to London,

hundreds do it each day. Next year it will cost them another �422. A

trip from Taunton to Penzance that will go up three quid to �53. Even

short journeys like Westbury to Swindon will rise, only by 70 pence,

but as they sai, every little hurts. I go to university in Portsmouth

and it is already �50 to get home. I won't be able to get home.

Everything else is going up. It is another thing and you think where

is it being spent? That is the problem that many people have.

We're just adding to the profits. So why are all these fares going

up? Here is your answer - overcrowded trains, late trains,

the company say if you want to sit down, glide on Superfast new trains,

they need investment and passengers must pay for it. We're governed by

Government policy. That is to swap the burden of payment from the

taxpayer on to the fare payer. It is a Government decision and we're

happy to implement that for them. Here are the numbers that tell the

story. 6% - that is what fares will go up by. Now 4% - that is what the

Bank of England expects inflation to be by the spring. Yes train

tickets will be going up more than other prices. But here is the

killer. 0.5% that is the average pay rise people have had in the

west of England this year. You're watching BBC Points West, with just

a few days left until Christmas. We've plenty still to come between

now and 7. Famous for the Mona Lisa, some of Leonardo da Vinci's works

are on their way to Bristol. And we are in Bath with the newest

reporter. We have been looking at how to do theatre make up. A 23-

year-old from Stroud will wake up in his own home on Christmas Day

for the first time in four years, after he was paralysed. Jonathan

Brough caught meningitis while training to become a ski instructor

in Canada. Since then he's had to live in a care home in Cheltenham,

as his own home couldn't meet his needs. But he's determined to get

his life back on track. Chris James has been to meet him. Jonathan was

at the peak O'his career. Brough was at the peak of his career. Fit,

healthy and winning awards for sports around the world. But just a

day after this photo was taken in Canada, he felt unwell, and

suddenly collapsed. When he woke up, he was paralysed from his neck down.

I didn't know anything about what happened. I heard about what

happened. But I had no idea. I woke up and in a blink of an eye it had

changed. I spent ten day at first with no mouth movement or anything.

Just having to blink for yes and no. So it was really frightening.

2007, Jonathan's been unable to spend Christmas at home. His house

in Stroud is unsuitable for his level of care. Instead he's either

been in hospital or here at Leonard Cheshire Home in Cheltenham. But

after being awarded a grant from the Meningitis Trust and a lot of

DIY from Dad, his dream of waking up in his old bed again, is finally

coming true. It's going to be so amazing to get back home again.

Christmas is massive, just spending it with my family. Because we

always have a good time. Every day in this country, 20 people catch

meningitis. Two die. Jonathan was lucky. Meningitis is the

inflammation of brain lining and can be caused by bacteria or

viruses. Bacteria can, about 10% of people can die. Four years on,

Jonathan's getting on with his life, thanks to huge support from his

dedicated carers and family. He's just started a media degree at

Plymouth University and has a passion for photography. He's

determined the illness won't hold him back. And for that he knows

he'll need courage and commitment. Visiting hours have been restricted

at Weston General Hospital to help minimise an outbreak of the winter

vomiting bug, Norovirus. Four wards have reduced access and visiting

times have been cut back to an hour on all eleven wards. The Trust

hopes to be able to lift the restrictions in time for Christmas.

In football, former captain and caretaker manager Stuart Campbell

is to leave Bristol Rovers. The player became involved in a very

public and bitter row with the club over his contract two months ago.

But this afternoon a statement was issued saying both sides had come

to an agreement which means Campbell is now free to talk to

other clubs. Ambitious plans for Cheltenham Town Football Club to

build a new stadium on land at the town's famous racecourse have been

shelved. The club currently plays at Whaddon Road. The racecourse say

they could accommodate a new stadium, but after lengthy talks

the club announced this morning that the costs of such a move would

be prohibitive. A steam dredger which helped transform Gloucester

and Sharpness docks into major shipping ports is to be repaired,

after receiving a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. SND Number 4

is the oldest steam dredger left in Europe. �43,000 will now be spent

so visitors can once again enjoy her as a working exhibit. Sarah

Jane Bungay has the story. At 86 years old, this old lady is in need

of some TLC. This is our workshop, where we all go and play. In the

engine room... A dedicated team of volunteers is now beginning the

painstaking work of getting this dredger working again so the public

can enjoy and learn about her history. The children love it and

when it whistles and bang and the thing they like is blowing the

steam whistles. I have six schools coming to see this engine working.

That is wonderful to impart our knowledge, at our age, on to the

next generation. This is what the team is aiming for - these pictures

show how she would have looked during her working life. The

buckets pick up the mud and silt. There would have been no ships into

Gloucester without the dredger. Because all docks suffer a silting

problem, with this mud. We owe the life of the docks to the dredger.

We're so proud that this grand old lady hopefully now will keep going

for another umpteen years. It is not just mud and silt that the

dredger has picked up, has found some unusual objects. Thrie safes

for instance stolen from Cheltenham. A 500 pound bomb and a 28 pound jar

of pickled onions. Steam attracts people, specially men. They love to

see something working with steam and when Ken works it and blows the

whistle, you can see the men in the docks, their eyes light I and they

come over. It is hoped the dredger will go on display again as a work

exhibit at the museum in Gloucester in April. A chance for the public

to witness an important piece of industrial heritage. The work of

Leonardo da Vinci - the genius whose paintings include the Mona

Lisa - is to go on show at the City Museum in Bristol next year.

Unfortunately, the Mona Lisa, the lady with mysterious smile, is

staying at the Louvre in Paris. But a number of da Vinci's drawings

belong to the Royal Collection and the Queen has agreed to put them on

display in Bristol as part of her Jubilee celebrations. James

Hassam's been to Windsor Castle for There are drawings of amazing

detail. Breathtaking clarity.

The work of a true master. Leonardo was such a multi-faceted

genius and so many of his activities were known through his

drawings. Through these you can see study of botany, anatomy, maps,

landscapes, engineering, some of his fantastic designs for

engineering. We are managing to cover a great deal of his activity.

That activity was remarkable covering art, science and almost

everything in between. Da Vinci is best known for the Mona

Lisa. The Last Supper. Vitruvian Man. But it is a small selection of

smaller drawings going on show. Remember this? The last time there

was such excitement about art on display in Bristol, it was over

something very different. When people queued for hours to get into

the Banksy exhibition. And this is where the pictures will be on

display in Bristol next year. In this space at the city's Museum and

Art Gallery that is currently home to an exhibition of wildlife

photography. To make something of that for the

public is challenging. The works are not due here for more

than three months, but they are already generating a buzz.

I think because Leonardo da Vinci is such a well-known name, people

who do not necessarily come to art galleries will want to come and see

these particular works of art. They certainly did for Banksy. You

will find that in March if there is the same demand for Da Vinci.

I have no doubt. Christmas will soon be upon us, you

don't need to be a genius to know that and with Christmas, comes

panto. This here in Bath, Dick Whittington

has come to town and Jules Hyam is there for us tonight.

Good evening. Hi there. You can sit there are

plenty of people arriving. Naomi Wilkins is playing Dick Whittington

tonight. Very good she is, too. She might be playing the lead but she

is not the staff. Tonight is this young staff. Points West's newest

reporter. That is right, it takes a lot to

look good in a panto. Earlier today we went behind the scenes to find

out. Hello, my name is George and I have

been doing a project about make-up. Today I have been here to learn

more about stage make-up, in we go. The first person we will see is

Chris, the director. Hello, how are you? Very nice to

meet you. What I have done so far is put on what I call a pancake

which is a base. It hides all the wrinkles. Next thing I will do is

give myself some cheeks. Do you see how I am making the cheap stand out.

It is a bit like a Dali or a clown. What is missing? -- a bowl.

Eyebrows. We have left Chris to get ready and have come to see a baddie

in work. My fault -- I am the king. Do you use eyeliner? Had what I

like to use his water-based. It is like children's face paint that you

would find in a party. I find it washes off easier than stage make-

He looked scary. Now it is time to see someone nice.

This is Naomi. I am playing Dick Whittington, did you know that? Any

questions for me? What is it like? It is different because I am not

used to playing a boy. It is really fun because I get to hang out with

Abbey the cat all the time. She is my new best friend. How does she do

that? I put the white around my face and the black with a sponge

and then I adore the little bits of detail like my eyebrows all the way

round. Does it come of? It comes off a lot quicker than it does to

put on. Catt looked amazing, but look at this! This is what it looks

like when I am finished. Lucerne, Ladies and Gentlemen, go I think we

would like to say in a very Happy Christmas to you all and come and

see us at the Bath Theatre Royal for Dick Whittington.

That looked amazing. What was that like? It was really good. I enjoyed

the experience. What is your interest in make-up? We all had to

choose a theme, a project to do our theme about and I chose make-up

because I found it interesting and I knew a lot about it. And you got

an award, didn't you? Yes. I got known as the week at my school.

Highlighting thinking that you wrote to the theatre to find out

more? Yes, I wrote to three different places. Piat, the Bristol

Hippodrome and I only got a reply from here. Have you learned much?

learnt a lot. My fault there is full. Thank you very much. Wasn't

she brilliant. Really very good. She was so good. She is so

confident, we have learnt a bit as well.

Blind line that is the future. I use that all the time.

If you have just bought a Christmas tree or are a little late, consider

this, one couple in Somerset have been using the same tree for the

last 74 years. Derek and sable Parr Cup reckoned

their artificial tree is the oldest Tis the season to be buying

Christmas trees. Unless, of course, you are Sybil and Derek Parker. In

which case you just bring down from a lot present artificial trade you

have had the 74 years. Yes, this could well be the oldest Christmas

tree in Britain bought by Derek's mom from Walworth in 1937. Used

every year since. My mother bought it when I was

three months old. She bought it in Walworth for seven and 6p. We have

had it ever since. I gather it has survived house moves. Seven

altogether. Remarkable to think this was the

year of King George the 6th Coronation, the year Wallis Simpson

married Edward when life was simple. And when, according to the history

books, you could feed a family for just �1.

Of course there is little Christmas-tree has also survived a

World War. So, what is a secret? Put it in a dustbin bag in the loft.

That is the secret, just that? Don't fold it up just keep it as it

is light and all. Some of the decorations are original? Are yes.

She is original. She is going strong. These still ring. Sir,

There it is, at 74, Britain's oldest Christmas tree. Unless, of

course, you know differently. Those decorations are pretty are

old. If you have an older one, I suspect you have.

This time yesterday we were enjoying the Christmas pop video

put together by the Community College in Bristol. Little did we

know there were similar goings-on in Dorset.

Staff at Gillingham primary told us how they called on helicopter

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 93 seconds

pilots to Brighton at the end of Brilliant. They were so sweet.

Brilliant. They were so sweet. Shall we move on to the weather?

Good evening. We can put away the winter woolies for the next few

days because it certainly is going to get milder as we head towards

the Christmas weekend. Here is our Atlantic front heading towards us.

It will give as wet weather. It is a warm front so we will see mild

air behind it. Tomorrow is a much milder picture with temperatures

reaching 13 degrees. It is still going to be a cloudy picture. Not

too much in the way of brightness. Tonight we will see that front

Porsche in over the next couple of hours. Then move its way eastward

towards Wiltshire. By dawn, it should be a mostly dry picture.

Heavy bursts of rain at times, but spots over the next couple of hours.

Temperatures rising behind this fund so by the end of the night we

are looking at six or seven Celsius. No chance of a frost. It will not

be cold enough for one. Into Wednesday, and over can start to

the day. Plenty of cloud around and thick enough in places to give us

patchy light rain and drizzle. The best of the brightness tomorrow

will be other parts of Gloucestershire and eastern parts

of Wiltshire. High is of 12 or 13 Celsius tomorrow. A very mild for

this time of year. A good few degrees above what we would expect

in late December. Keeping that breeze as well. That was Wednesday

then. Not much whether to talk of on Wednesday night. Pretty overcast

with cloud around. Lows of 10 or 11 Celsius. Keeping the north-westerly

breeze as well. Thursday a similar picture. Plenty of cloud. The best

of the breaks in the cloud will be parts of Wiltshire. A little

sunshine into afternoon and mild temperatures. Our next front is

heading our way on Friday. It will get wet through mid-morning and

then turn bright as the front moves eastward in the afternoon. A little

bite us on Friday afternoon, but a wet morning. A cold front that it

will bring us call air behind it. By Saturday, we are looking at so

call macro picture. Christmas weekend will be dry, mild with a

little bit of sunshine. If you are little bit of sunshine. If you are

looking out for Santa, I think you will see him.

We have some e-mails about the Christmas tree. One from Nigel

saying his tree is 83. And Hillary with an 81 year-old tree.