04/10/2013 BBC Points West

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

A legal challenge to the spy centre in Cheltenham after claims that

they're gathering too much private Towed away from the campaign — the

candidate for election who ran up the earliest before the electricity

fundraiser — as the Gromits go for each. As the bidding went up I got

this tingling in the back of my Good evening. The Government's spy

centre in Cheltenham is being taken to court over claims that it's

communications and invading the privacy of people here and across

GCHQ employs more than 3,000 people Government with intelligence to

GCHQ employs more than 3,000 people us safe. But some campaign groups

are claiming that it's gone beyond its remit and they're complaining to

the European Court of Human Rights. It is an imposing building on the

outside — but what happens within has dominated headlines for months.

Snowden's revelations shows no sign Under two surveillance programmes,

Tempora in the UK and Prism in the US, Snowden claimed that GCHQ taps

into and sifts through vast amounts of the public's internet data.

Now three British Campaign Groups have come together to challenge

Now three British Campaign Groups legality of what Snowden says GCHQ

Big Brother Watch, the Open Rights Group and English PEN, together

Big Brother Watch, the Open Rights a German internet activist claim

GCHQ's actions breach our rights to The case is being put together at a

Bristol law firm who argue that The case is being put together at a

is operating under legislation that is now outdated. If people thought

about it more in terms of if their mail was being opened every morning

by the government would they be happy with it. That is what is

happening. Our mail is being opened Lawyers have now submitted a 68

happening. Our mail is being opened document to the European Court —

citing breaches of Article eight of the European Convention on Human

Although some argue that the act necessary. I am glad there are

groups trying to safeguard our civil liberty is but I think Article eight

recognises the right to invade people 's privacy is in certain

circumstances, including in defence of national—security. GCHQ said

today they had no intention to respond to the court action. They

said they operated within a strict This legal action is the latest

ripple to come from Edward Snowden's revelations. Last night, a former

director of GCHQ, told the BBC's Newsnight he fears the leaking of

this information will compromise national security. Gradually sources

dry up. Target such as terrorists and cyber criminals will work out

what are the kind of capabilities that we have and they will that

what are the kind of capabilities Judges at the European Court will

application to see if there is any One which will scrutinise our right

to privacy against a need to protect The Labour candidate for Kingswood

has resigned just three months after being selected. A BBC investigation

council, where she happened to chair parking. Our political reporter

Barking in East London that Josie Channer racked up the parking fines

that ultimately cost her her big tickets over three years and some

late payment fees spiralled to become a bill to her own council of

£2,000. Councillor Channer wouldn't speak to the BBC today but instead

sent a statement claiming she had thought the fines had been settled

and only discovered they were still active recently. The Conservatives

took Kingswood from Labour back active recently. The Conservatives

2010. It's now a key target seat in Labour's campaign to deliver Ed

Miliband to power in 2015. We always Kingswood's Labour party had been

divided in its choice of candidate. I was surprised the same as many

situation to be in. But I am sure members in Kingswood were surprised

Josie Channer had been due to drive from Barking to here in Kingswood

tonight to rally the troops for from Barking to here in Kingswood

big fight ahead. Instead her party is picking up the pieces from her

shock resignation. Labour must now reselecting their candidate with a

campaign in one of the top target Work is continuing today, to repair

a broken lift that has left elderly residents in Bristol trapped in

their homes for five weeks. Peverel, the company that runs the Ferndown

Henleaze, says it's doing everything it can to fix it quickly. They now

say it should be repaired by Tuesday Citizens Advice in Bristol say

they've seen a huge increase in people seeking their help. They

they've seen a huge increase in one in 16 people contacted them

they've seen a huge increase in year — the main worry being about

changes to the benefits system. year — the main worry being about

service was set up in the 1970s year — the main worry being about

helped along by the then councillor and now Mayor, George Ferguson.

helped along by the then councillor told the BBC more cuts are coming to

the city's budget. Dickon Hooper Wendy lost her leg to cancer. Then

she lost her battle for benefits. I was devastated. All the stress.

Citizen's Advice fought her case for employment support allowance — and

won. They are amazing. They take the Just one of 25,000 people they've

spoken to in the last year. There will always be benefits and debt

during a recession. We are seeing an increase in employment and housing

The service began more than 35 years volunteers and help from the now

important thing and I helped and encouarged setting up of CAB in

He praised staff here today. But knows they'll have their work cut

out in the future. I have to take 80 million out in my next three—year

budget. That is a serious reduction in year—on—year. I can never say

recognise the vital importance of the citizens advice bureau. I want

to have money where it is giving best value. The government says

welfare reform is necessary and best value. The government says

get people working while protecting We will have the weather forecast

later. There will be more on those storms which will many of you up

The BBC has learnt that the project to build a new nuclear power station

at Hinkley point in Somerset has been pushed back by two years.

Yesterday the Government hinted been pushed back by two years.

announcing a deal on energy prices, which would finally pave the way for

the building to begin. But as our Somerset Correspondent Clinton

Rogers reports, there are still significant obstacles in the way of

electricity. I remember an energy company telling us we would be

boiling our ghettos with nuclear power by Christmas 2017. —— boiling

our kettles with nuclear power. This picture tells a different

story. Construction work on the This picture tells a different

Constant delays in negotiating a price for new nuclear electricity—

known as the strike price — were to But locally frustration was boiling

government is trying to protect But locally frustration was boiling

consumer, but that is extremely frustrating for all those bidding

for the work to happen. Businesses have had to lay off employees. We

have staff in our officers who have been employed for the Hinkley Point

project and two are now to some Now it seems breakthrough is near —

thanks in part to talks which have been happening thousands of miles

The Energy Secretary has been there meeting businesses who are potential

investors in Hinkley C. Word is that, buoyed by those talks, the

announcement on the strike price That can't come soon enough for

companies like this in Somerset That can't come soon enough for

lifetime. They make switching gear here. And they're poised to invest a

machinery to be ready to supply Hinkley C. But they're still not

sure whether to take make the jump. Until it is bombproof, that is the

The answer to that is no. And by the way there are two legal challenges

to the whole scheme due to be heard at the High Court in December.

It has been a rocky road for Hinkley C. There are significant obstacles

ahead, not least convincing those investors that nuclear is worth

putting their money into. That is a cause not helped by the Labour Party

seeing that of the hazard to power Even if investors come in and work

restarts here next spring The best case scenario is completion by

restarts here next spring The best at the earliest — two years later

than they were forecasting just It was a cracking night last night,

as Bristol's Gromit statues raised more than two million pounds. It was

all in aid of the Bristol Children's Hospital, and there were tears in

the auction room as some of the statues fetched huge amounts. Gromit

Lightyear was the most expensive going for £65,000. Then Newshound

The cheapest was Carosselo, which still raised £16,000. In a moment

we'll meet one of the families making space for their Gromit, but

first here's Will Glennon who spent a very late night at the auction

So the Gromits are on the last stage of the journey. We're at a secret

location, a warehouse somewhere of the journey. We're at a secret

Bristol. I'm not allowed to tell you where but this really is the final

time that all these beautiful dogs will be together because from here

they'll be indiviually shipped out to their new owners. Some will stay

on public display, others will go into private collections but who

popularity this summer or that Careful now — it's worth thousands.

The last of the Gromits arrived Careful now — it's worth thousands.

the secret storage today — all adding up to a cool £2.35 million.

£18,000. £20,000. Right from the start it was clear the auction would

frantic, and high. We had a budget which we exceeded. We were keen

frantic, and high. We had a budget get one so I am pleased that we

frantic, and high. We had a budget Charles Hack from Bristol proudly

showed off one of his Gromits. Yes, that's right he got two — the only

person. It is a fantastic but still Brian and Gillian Lewis told us

person. It is a fantastic but still night they wanted one for their

person. It is a fantastic but still wedding anniversary but they missed

out. I do this at auctions. I go with a figure in mind and I will not

rebooted early on as demand was with a figure in mind and I will not

high. The top seller all night was Gromit Lightyear — designed and

painted by Pixar in California. Gromit Lightyear — designed and

went to an online bidder. We are When the £2 million mark was passed

there were gasps, applause, tears of The money will buy life saving

Hospital in Bristol. We hope to The money will buy life saving

to 500,000 so to get to our target has passed our wildest expectations.

It is the fact that it is for the Children's Hospital. There was such

a lot of generosity. I could not believe the amount of generous

So it's all over. You'll see some around. This one's been bought by

the University of Bristol. But unless you're one of the lucky few,

This person bought our Gromits. unless you're one of the lucky few,

are joining us now. You are clearly fans. Yes we are. We had such a

are joining us now. You are clearly time. We wanted to contribute to the

regrets? They would have been more regret had my bird of 60,000 been

successful. —— bid 60,000. As the appeal close to your heart? Yes

successful. —— bid 60,000. As the is important. Where are you going to

put it? We have got a special place for our products. —— for our Gromit.

Enjoyed it. We well. Thank you. Thank you for taking part. Bristol

Rovers head into a tough month of fixtures believing they're finally

finding some form. They're unbeaten at home but only 16th in the table.

Ali Durden is here — will they be disappointed with their start?

Honestly, yes they will be a bit. promotion winning form and that

Honestly, yes they will be a bit. expectations soaring. Injuries

haven't helped but now most of those have cleared up. Tomorrow they take

on one of the promotion favourites Fleetwood — the first in a tough run

of games. Rovers supporters and players had the chance to meet and

chat about the start to the season at the club's annual golf day this

A chance to unwind this week. It's fair to say Rovers season hasn't

teed off quite how they hoped. After coming through an injury—hit first

two months, things are settling down. And they're looking to improve

on collecting just nine points from nine games and 16th in the table. I

have been patient with them. The supporters have been patient. Now we

want to push it on. For the next five games are teams that are in the

top ten. But last year we were able to raise our game. We have got to do

that now. There is a great squad and some great ways. I had a good chat

with a couple of guys. Seem to be up Rovers' credentials will be tested

in the next few weeks with leaders Chesterfield amongst those they

in the next few weeks with leaders to play. You cannot see in football

in any division it is an easy month. You have got to take one game at a

would like to see us get as high as they can in the table top we have

got to improve. It may take another And for Rovers, that's about turning

a slightly wayward start into a Bristol City have signed defender

Lewis Dunk on loan from Brighton. He goes straight into the squad for

their game at Port Vale. Here are all the league fixtures. Yeovil

their game at Port Vale. Here are another long trip, this time to

Middlesbrough, looking to improve on a record of just five goals scored

Rugby — Bath are looking for their fourth win in five Premiership

that's live on BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Somerset. Bath ran in five tries

victory over London Irish at the Rec. Gloucester take on Exeter

Chiefs on Sunday at Kingsholm hoping Bristol also play on Sunday on what

will be a very special day at the Memorial Stadium for their match

against Bedford. It will be exactly 125 years since the club was formed.

In the next half an hour, Ruby Harrold from North Somerset will be

Gymnastics World Championship final. The 17—year—old from Lower Langford

near Congresbury is involved in The 17—year—old from Lower Langford

all—round event tonight, and then goes again tomorrow in the bars

final. I started on floors. That was good. I did a good clean bars. To

finish on beam I knew I had done my job. Whatever comes out of this

finish on beam I knew I had done my bonus. And the final is on BBC Three

Finally, Somerset's Peter Trego picked up the YB40 player of the

year trophy at cricket's annual Gloucestershire captain Michael

Klinger was named in the team of the 130,000 people are due to arrive in

Festival. It is expected to pump £5 million into the local economy.

It is the oldest event of its kind, yet still brings annual crowds,

Internationally bestselling author has returned for a fourth time. This

is an enormous Festival. It is wonderful. They do names are the

major jaw. —— major to roll. But one offer says she is disappointed at

the lack of support for talent on the doorstep. I was not famous

enough. I thought that was a shame. So much of society is celebrity

enough. I thought that was a shame. everyone is what organisers say

makes the Festival success. We have headline acts get underway this

Now many of us had a disturbed night's sleep due to a massive storm

which crossed our region in the early hours. Steve Woolgar sent

which crossed our region in the these shots from Cadbury Heath in

South Gloucestershire. The storm hit morning with sustained thunder and

lightning, and torrential rain. Let us catch up with the weather

A number of you were woken up by that storm. I will run the rainfall

radar sequence from last night. that storm. I will run the rainfall

calming down process will dominate foreseeable future. In the sunnier

spells it will feel pleasantly warm different story to last night.

Overnight mist and fog. On Sunday more in the way of clouds. A decent

weekend. This evening there will be smaller scale showers. Where we

weekend. This evening there will be longer breaks in the clouds we may

get mist or fog. Temperatures will feel cooler than they have in recent

nights. Tomorrow morning any of feel cooler than they have in recent

mist and fog should clear way. A few spots of light freeware thicker

cloud lingers. —— spots of light rain where thicker cloud lingers. As

we head into next week the key thing of note is a greater propensity

we head into next week the key thing Thank you very much. You can see how

the nights are drawing in. That Thank you very much. You can see how