22/02/2012 BBC Points West

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

Major developments in the Thornbury stabbing. In the last few hours,

this man is charged with the murder of the vicar and another pensioner.

London's got it's Boris, should Bristol have an elected mayor?

Councillors discuss it tonight. What a result! The new treatments

that have taken this boy from his wheelchair to the football pitch.

And at least they're singing in harmony. The Englishmen and

Welshmen from Swindon who are performing at Saturday's big rugby

Good evening and welcome to Points West. A dramatic turn of events as

a man has tonight been charged with the murder of John Suddards, the

reverend of Thornbury. Stephen Farrow, a 47-year-old man

of no fixed address was arrested in Folkestone in Kent early on Sunday

morning. Sabet Choudhury reports from Thornbury, Sabet?

Tonight the flowers outside the entrance to the vicarage, as well

as the constant police presence, is a stark reminder to this community

in Thornbury about what happened to their vicar, Rev John Suddards.

Tonight Police have charged 47- year-old Stephen Farrow with his

murder as well as the murder of a retired school teacher from

Worcestershire. The Rev John Suddards role as the

vicar of Thornbury ended in tragedy when he was found with stab wounds

in the hallway of his vicarage on Tuesday. The 59-year-old had moved

to his parish just six months ago from Witham in Essex. A popular

vicar in this rural and largely peaceful town. On Saturday, police

launched a nationwide man hunt to locate this man 47-year-old Stephen

Farrow. A day later he was arrested in Folkstone in Kent. Over the next

few days, Farrow was also questioned about the death of 77-

year-old retired Worcestershire schoolteacher Betty Yeates., who

was found at her Bewdley home in January this year. Detectives say

they were examining similarities between the two killings. Tonight,

Stephen Farrow is charged with both their murders including one count

of burglary relating to Rev Stephen Farrow will appear before

magistrates to answer those charges. As for this community here in

Thornbury, they're still trying to come to terms with the tragedy.

Just a few nights ago they held a late night vigil in the church just

across the road where Rev Suddards held his services to remember a man

who touched so many hearts in his short term as their vicar.

Hundreds of people are gathering in Bristol this evening to debate if

the City should have a directly elected mayor. People living in

Bristol will vote in a referendum on the issue in May, and if the

outcome is yes. The city will chose its first Mayor later in the year.

It will be the biggest change to how Bristol's governed for

generations and already there are fierce divisions. Sarah Jane Bungay

reports. Ten weeks and counting until

Bristol's residents are asked to cast their vote for or against a

directly elected Mayor. 4th 317,000 electors out there and only a

handful of them only have a sale of here is the leader. If we have a

problem in terms of how they are being led, it won't be solved by

the him planting of a personality over a very quick decision. We know

the man at the top is in favour. I do support having elected mayors

in our cities. It is for our cities to control this. But on a grey

Wednesday afternoon in Bedminster, does the prospect of May's

referendum spark any interest? be elected by the local people, he

will represent the local people better. It will give people the

right to choose who they want as mayor of the city. Democratic

opinion. So what are the similarities and differences

between the council leader and a City Mayor? The council leader,

currently Barbara Janke, is elected by other councillors. The Mayor

would be directly chosen by the people of Bristol. Once in post,

both choose a Cabinet, and can decide on which decision are taken

by themselves, or delegated to their cabinet members. The council

leader holds their post for up to four years, but can be removed by a

single majority of councillors. The single majority of councillors. The

Mayor stays in post for four years, Mayor stays in post for four years,

but crucially can't be removed. There is also strong tactical

reason for having an elected mayor which is that central government

seems to favour cities with elected mayors and is prepared to throw a

lot of money at them. An expensive space experiment? That

is for those who live in Bristol to decide, if anyone turns up, that is.

Well, joining me now is Councillor Tim Kent who is against the idea of

an elected Mayor and Jason Budd who's firmly in the yes camp.

Jason, if it is not broken, why fix it? To improve the situation

generally. It would help in terms of gaining visibility for the city

both nationally and internally to allow people to have a directly

elected voice. We have a leader. have, but I'm not sure how many

members of the public could name that leader. Electing that leader

would provide a mandate. Looking at the council, it has been like a

revolving door in the leader's office. No clear voice, it could be

said. How can you possibly object to one person speaking loud and

clear for Bristol? Do I would suggest that we do have clear

leadership already. Barbara Janke has pretty much lead their council

since 2005. If she recognised? think she is. A lot of my residents

recognise her. She is as recognisable as any member of

parliament. For that game, are you willing to cast yourself in your

pocket, the actual cost of running these elections are high. Also are

we willing to sacrifice democracy and add to bureaucracy? To counter

those points, the cost of the elections is an investment in

democracy for the city. It is a referendum for people to make

choice. How can you say it is not democracy when the mayor would be

elected by everybody? You get one say every four years and then they

are unaccountable to year. Councillors will not be able to

sack them nor will the public. they are put in there by the public.

At the moment, you can get rid of the leader of the council. If the

council says you are not doing your job, they have to leave. You cannot

do that with a mayor. We have to leave it there. You're watching BBC

Points West. Still to come on the programme: We meet Britain's most

successful international team with their eyes on the Olympics.

And what it's like to be at the top for two of our football teams?

Before that, how long should roadside memorials be allowed to

stay at the scene of fatal accidents? It's nearly four months

since the crash which killed seven people on the M5 in Somerset and

there are still floral tributes on a motorway overhead bridge. While

some say tributes like this are a distraction to motorists, one

mother in Somerset has defended her right to set up a permanent

memorial to her daughter, killed last year by a speeding driver.

Clinton Rogers has been assessing the arguments.

Terri White lays new flowers today on a bridge overlooking the M5 in

Somerset. It was here nearly four months ago that her grandparents

died in a horrific crash which claimed the lives of seven people.

Tony and Pamela Adams had been visiting their family in Somerset

and were heading home to Wales. These flowers are for Terri's

grandmother who would have celebrated her birthday this

weekend. It is important to us because the

motorway was their last place. We have not made their ashes to rest

just yet. In we are in Taunton and their ashes are in Paris, so every

time we want to celebrate or would see them, we put flowers on the

bridge rather than driving to Wales. Roadside memorials across the West

come in all shapes and sizes. This marks the spot of a fatal accident

near Yeovil. And this ghost bicycle, as its known, was placed at the

roadside where a cyclist was killed near Bristol. But there is a debate

now on whether such memorials are a distraction to drivers, or whether

conversely they act as a warning to motorists of possible dangers.

Local authorities decide when tribute should be moved and the

walls vary from county to county. In Somerset the policy is they are

moved after one month. The council accepts that in tragic

circumstances like this, having hard-and-fast rules is not easy.

The last thing we want is to appear hard-hearted. Our concerns are

about where it is dangerous for road users and people trying to put

flowers down. The mother and grandparents of teenager Amy

Hofmeister, knocked down and killed by a speeding driver in Taunton

more than six months ago, have set up what they hope will be a

permanent roadside memorial. They say its not a distraction, but a

road safety message. I want to think and to be

responsible for their actions and to think of the consequences.

Therefore, if they have something to remind them, that might help

them do that. Each memorial clearly marks a painful personal tragedy.

But how long these demonstration of grief should be allowed to stay in

place isn't a question which is So how long should roadside

memorials be allowed to stay at the scene of fatal accidents? Let us

know your thoughts by sending an email to [email protected] or

leave a message on our Facebook page - BBC Points West. It can be

sad and moving to see them. A seven year old boy who seemed

certain to spend his life in a wheelchair is playing football with

his local team in Norton Radstock. Henry Ford's parents raised

thousands of pounds for him to have an operation in America, but more

recently they say he has benefited from a new so called 'spider

therapy' that makes the most of his movement.

Our Health correspondent Matthew Hill has been to see it.

Standing on his own two feet- with a little Spider help. Henry Ford

suffers from a form of cerebral palsy which affects his leg muscles.

But after three weeks of intensive physiotherapy using this special

apparatus he's coming on in leaps and bounds. Before the spider

therapy he was weak. He had a good range of motion, but not the

strength. Since coming here, he is able to transition a lot better. He

can get in and out of the car and play football with his friends. His

whole demeanour is better. Look at this family video. You can see how

much of a struggle he had getting around with his brain sending out

the wrong signals to his legs. But then his parents raised thousands

of pounds for an operation in America which involved severing

some of the nerves in his spine- stopping the muscles contracting to

let him move more freely. Since then, the same procedure has been

introduced at Frenchay Hospital for patients like Peter now after the

surgery. The Spider therapy was developed in Poland - this charity

in Oxfordshire pays the �2,000 for the three week course for families

who cannot afford it. It is very important that after the

surgery, children come here so that the corrective surgery can be put

to use and the child can exercise in the correct way. Henry is even

joining in football practices with his local team, but still needs a

walking frame. But his family hope he will stand unaided this year and

then look forward to taking his first independent steps.

So far there has not been an independent study evaluating this

type of spider therapy, but talking to parents, they are convinced that

it works. With more and more youngsters having these operations,

it seems likely that demand for this service will only continue to

rise. I remember meeting Henry a couple

of years ago. Nice to see he is coming along so well.

Police believe a large fire at a disused warehouse in Gloucester may

have been started deliberately. Thirty homes had to be evacuated

because of the blaze at a derelict factory in Tredworth. At its height

flames could be seen from Painswick beacon. Some roads in the area

remained closed off for much of the day.

Teenagers in Dorset are being given an account of what it is like to

experience domestic violence. The charity, save Partnership, says

three-quarters of a million children witnessed domestic

violence each year. I remember my first lap, I remember

my last punch. A victim of domestic violence for

15 years, Sharon shares her experience with schoolchildren.

He used to play a game at the dinner table where I would put my

hand down and he would stab between my fingers. What is going to happen

to mum? Later, Sharon's real life story

inspires a domestic drama. The students explore what makes

good and bad relationships. What if Dad gets angry again?

As well as possibly witnessing violence at home, the charity says

that 16-24 year-olds are the most at risk of abusive relationships.

The workshop looks at support and hopes to show how abuse can start

in subtle ways. Somebody talking to about what you

can wear, of way you can go, he can be friends with, looking at jawbone,

it looking at your internet use. That is where it starts.

The workshop also experiments with music and art.

In five years' time, if they think this is not right, who can I go to

and who can I get help from, it will be worth it.

After success in Dorset, the hope is to spread awareness nationwide.

Britain's most successful international team have been

training in Gloucestershire. The para-dressage have won more medals

for Great Britain than any other sport in 25 years.

Two riders of from the West Country. Despite both winning gold

previously, they face tough competition to make it to London.

Receiving star treatment and rightly so. Britain's success fault

para-dressage riders have won team gold at every major competition

since its Paralympic debut in 1996. And that Dunham from Hinton has

been on every Paralympic team to date.

Being considered on a par with everybody else instead of just the

Paralympics, it is the pinnacle of what we have achieved so far. We

hope to do really well in London. Taunton's Deb started her journey

after a motorbike accident. Three goals in Athens was her clowning

glory. Dead at Phil she is returning to her best. With only

five riders going to London, she faces tough selection.

It is very tough at the moment because we are such a tough squad.

They could send out any combination of five and could come back with

medals. It is really that tight. I am quietly confident. I hope so.

Dressage riding must look effortless even when, especially

for disabled riders, it is anything but.

You can't just do a bit of extra training because you need all the

support to get the horse ready and get you up and get you off. I

suppose it is more difficult. People say to me it must be more

difficult, but it doesn't seem so to me.

And and dead have their pinnacle at their usage. They are expecting the

best between now and July. In football, two teams have cause

for celebration. Swindon and Cheltenham have claimed the top two

of spots in League Two. Swindon beat Shrewsbury 2-1.

Michelle went to find out how it feels at the top end.

Could this be Swindon Town's new victory dance? There was no dancing

in the first half and some fans even started booing. The Swindon

manager did not like it. There was a moment behind us whether people

did prove. -- the people were bearing. What can I tell my

players? The support of the players is needed. But how can the fans

blame the man that turned them around.

The last year was very downbeat and miserable. Paolo has lit up the

place this year. It was Paolo Di Canio as decision

and to Port Allen on the field in the second half that paid of big-

time. 10 minutes later, a rebound shot was snapped in to make it 2-1

for Swindon. Now we can look back and say bye-

bye and go to Barbados. The fans are hoping for more

victory dances now they are top of the league. Cheltenham Town had a

frustrating evening as they could only manage a goalless draw at home

to AFC Wimbledon. There were few opportunities to take top spot, but

it still leaves them second in the league.

It is a. Game for me. There are a lot of teams fighting for it and it

is getting tighter and tighter. We are up for it and have proved we

are a decent side. That will be a good point gain come the end of the

season. With a third of the season left to play, it seems every point

counts. Now, when England and Wales face

each other in the Six Nations at Twickenham it is sure to be fiery.

Both sides hope to win. But before the tackle start flying,

a choir felt Swindon will take to the pitch to warm up the crowd.

It is a rugby match famed for their passion, determination and emotion

it brings out in the players. If not the quality of the singing.

No bum notes here in Swindon last night as the Wessex male choir

warmed-up ahead of performing on the famous Twickenham pitch on

Saturday. But look closely and you spot signs

that, although they are singing in perfect harmony, this lot may not

be pulling in the same direction and once the match kicks off.

The Welsh contingent clearly and in -- unimpressed with the English.

Both sides expect to win. We are all a bit nervous, but I think

Wales will do it. I'm hoping that we can just about Wayne because if

the Welsh win, we will never hear the end of it. So what counts more?

Hitting the right notes with the choir or victory for your team?

a good performance. I love my rugby, but the choir is what matters for

me on Sunday. Yes, a great performance by the choir. Are you

sure? Equal. Just don't let this man here that.

Rob Eliot set up the quiet 10 years ago. Surely he is focused on

performance and nothing else? the choir, it should be about the

singing, but as a Welshman it is about their rugby. I'll would

rather win by a point and sing badly than lose the game.

Just don't tell this lot that. Next time they perform it will be in

front of 85,000 fans in the stadium and millions more watching on TV.

It is a big day and a big chance to Let's hope they are in good voice

for the weekend. We will move on to for the weekend. We will move on to

the weather now. Gemma has our forecast.

Despite wet and windy weather, it was a mild day. Yes the wind and

rain of set the temperature, but we still got into double figures. Rain

came in early this morning sweeping southwards. The bulk of it has put

to much cleared away. Behind this there is still patchy light rain

and drizzle. Eventually, that will clear. In its wake we are looking

at a good day tomorrow. It will be a grey and murky start.

Temperatures will climb well. We will be looking at the mildest day

of the week so far. It is all due to a warm sector that will applaud

its way over us nicely tomorrow. A warm sector is where to whether

France meet. In between the warm and the colt will be a nice big

mass of warm air. There will be a great deal of difference tonight.

Double figures pretty much across the board. It will however be quite

misty. Out grainy and over cast day to take us into the morning. But

with the warm sector, double figures for most of us. A mild

start tomorrow misty and murky. The temperature still climbing despite

that lack of sunshine. Warm air should allow them to jump to 12 or

13 by the afternoon. There is an outside chance we might get breaks

in cloud. When that happens, cloud will combine with the mild air to

live ties to 13 or 14 maybe 15 in some special parts. There is the

start to the day. Visibility is not the best, but temperatures holding

up well indeed. The outlook after that remains much of the same. We

held on to most of that for the night time. Mist and fog will

return, but mild once again on Friday. Temperatures Twelves, their

teens. Make the most of that mild weather. The weekend will be

fresher with a good deal more sunshine.

sunshine. Thank you to our Gemma. We have had

a few e-mails in about roadside tributes. Most people supportive,

not all though. I think memorial site are annoying

and take your attention away from the red. That is from Mrs Talbot.

Sadie says she thinks memorials are a nice idea but try not to make

them a distraction to drivers. Donna in Yate things roadside

memorials are a mark of respect and they should be able to keep them as

long as they wish. I have no objection but do wish