01/05/2014 BBC Points West

connection with a murdering Belfast back in the 1970s. That is all from

Welcome to Points West. the BBC

Welcome to Points West. Our main story tonight. Jail for the

gang who kept Gloucestershire on drugs.

They made a small fortune from supplying cocaine with a street

value of over ?1 million. Our guess is this gang distributed large

amounts of cocaine within the county, possibly beyond.

We'll be asking if the jailing of the gang will make any difference to

the supply of the drugs in Gloucestershire.

I never know quite who I am. I'm not sure what I'm doing myself but I

have to tell people what to do. The veteran of pantomime, Chris Harris

dies leaving his family and fellow performers in mourning. It's a huge

loss to theatre and audiences around the West Country and beyond. Good

evening. Nine members of a drugs gang responsible for the supply of

cocaine into Gloucestershire have been sent to prison. The gang were

tracked down been aundercover team of detectives during a year`long

investigation. Pf Large amounts of benzocaine seized

as part of Operation Bonn. It represents well over ?1 million of

cocaine on the streets of Gloucestershire. The true value

could be much higher. The mastermind was this man, Rodney Brissett. Wa we

have been able to do is not only take out the entire structure of how

Rodney Brissett was dealing in Gloucester, but take out all the

people working for him and we have disrupted outside the force a

substantial supply route into the county. His empire collapsed when he

was arrested when he cycled to Carlton Road in March last year to

collect a kilo of cocaine. Inside the delivery van, police found

?43,000 in a shoe box. This is just one of the places on the outskirts

of Gloucester used by drugs boss Rodney Brits stoat meet foal low

gang members when they travelled down from Leicester. They had no

idea they were being Taggarted by `` targeted by undercover officers.

Another dominant figure was Mohammed Tagari from Gloucester. He was the

go`between for Brissett and Skender Gashi, the supplier. When arrested,

Brissett claimed he was a courier, but testing kits for cocaine gave

him away. When we searched addresses connected to him, we found exhibits.

One of the key ones was the cocaine testing kits which you can use to

make sure what you are buying is what you think it is. Can you buy

these in the shops? On the Internet and in the shops, yes.

Rodney Brissett was handed eight years and six months, Mohammed

Tagari was jailed for 13 and a half year, and Skender Gashi will serve a

seven and a half year sentence. Jailing the nine men from a total of

more than 50 year, the judge told them the profits are high but you

will know the stakes are high too. The judge added that drugs cause

misery both to users and the community.

Steve is here now. Presumably the police are pleased with this. Is it

going to make a difference to the supply of drugs in Gloucester? A

they are and it will because it's very unusual to take out an

organised crime gang almost in its entirety, both in Gloucester and up

in Leicester. Secondly, it's very important to

realise that they took something up very near the top. The man in

Leicester was very near the top of this organisation. He's the man who

takes the cocaine, brings it into the country. It was 73% pure, not

cut very often, so that means again near the top. Secondly, the police

will now be going after the convicted members of this gang with

the proceeds of crime hearing, so when they come out of prison, they

won't have any assets, so they've done their time but unfortunately no

profits. It's very important to realise also that it's a message to

the organised crime gangs in the west that the police are obviously

very well skilled, they are getting very good information. This just

doesn't happen, so all round, the police have done rather well. They

have. Thank you very much. It's been confirmed that a bone dug

up by police in a Cotswold field belongs to the murder victim Becky

Godden. Wiltshire police say other items have been discovered at the

site where her remains were found in 2011. Officers had been taken to the

spot by Christopher Halliwell, later convicted of the murder of Sian

O'Callaghan. The charge over Becky's murder was dropped because

investigative procedures were breached. Police have re`opened the

investigation. A further four people have been charged over the murder of

a young man in Bristol. Nicholas Rob inson was found with stab wounds in

the communal area of some Flats in Jamaica Street in March. Four people

have been charged with assisting an offender. It brings to eight the

number of people now charged over the death.

The head teacher of one of Bath's top performing secondary schools,

Oldfield, has resigned following criticism. Kim Sparling has stepped

down after her leadership was called into question by some parents and

government officials. Pupils and parents were told about her

resignation in a letter this afternoon.

Tributes are being paid to one of the west's best`loved actors,

writers and directors, Chris Harris, who died yesterday. He was 71.

For many year, he starred in and co`wrote pantomimes at Bristol's Old

Vic before moving to Bath where he took to the stage at the Theatre

Royal. Guest stars came and went, but Chris

Harris was always the beating heart of the pantomime in Bath and he

entertained generations. He loved the audiences. They loved him. He

was best`loved for his role as the pantomime. He was a serious actor

also with the Royal Shakespeare company at the Bristol Old Vic. He

was a talented writer and director. He said he was usually happiest when

he was right here at the Theatre Royal in Bath. I love panto. It's

the way I know it's Christmas, like my sons do. In the last decade, his

comedy side kick has been alongside him. What was he like as a friend?

Warm, caring. Encouraging. Always there. He always said when directing

pantomime that when performing it you had to be larger than life and

twice as real and that's how I will remember Chris. I t the it sums him

up, larger than life, twice as real. People will miss him immesurably. He

did 15 pantos for us, 13 in a row, which must be some kind of record I

think. Devastated, we all are, that theatre

has been inundated with calls of sympathy and regret. It's Sa sad

day. Born in Bridgwater, he studied mime in Paris and had a stint on the

Moscow state circus. One act shows followed and a few TV

roll roll roles. Concentrate on curing me. He always came back to

the West Country. Home was in Portishead and for years he was in

panto in Bristol before moving to Bath. He was a regular on radio

Bristol and Points West. Recognise this chap? I didn't break that at

all. Of course you did, it cost a fortune. Don't you start with me.

Tributes have been pouring in all day for Chris Harris, calling him

the King of panto, a legend and a lovely man. They say there's nothing

like a Dame and there was certainly no`one quite like Chris Harris.

Chris Harris whose death has been announced today. He was a wonderful

performer and a master of his trade and I count myself lucky to have

known him. It is Thursday on Points West and

it's good to have you with us. Coming up later in the programme:

Queen of the Bake Off. Mary Berry joins us live as we celebrate the

best of the west's farming and food. A tribute evening is starting in the

next few minutes in memory of Tony Benn, the former Bristol MP who died

earlier this year. He served as the Labour MP for Bristol South East

from 1950 until 1983, remaining a champion of socialism all his life.

A funeral was held for him in London last month, but tonight, it's the

turn of Bristolians to share their memories with the event being held

at the New Room in Broadmead. Alice is there for us now.

Good evening. It's no coincidence that this time and this place has

been chosen for the City of Bristol to remember Tony Benn, such a dearly

loved friend to many but also a controversial MP. The day is

important, May 1st, May Day obviously, internationally

celebrated across the world as a Labour Day. John Wesley's Chappell

was a home really of the spiritual heritage of Bristol which Tony Benn

so took inspiration from. This place is beginning to fill up. The space

is for 400 people. It's a ticketed event and there'll be only standing

room at the back. Speakers from across the political city, Trade

Union leaders here will attend. People of Bristol will also have

their say. Kerry McCarthy, how important is it that the City is

able to have this evening for Tony Benn? It was really important. As

soon as people heard of his death, there were people who wanted to have

an occasion in Bristol, they said, to mark the contribution he gave to

the City. Many people still remember him and also his political legacy as

a towering national figure too. What is your favourite story about him

and how he'll be remembered here? People in the constituency remember

him being driven round the streets of east Bristol in an arm chair

perched on top of an old car with his flask and megaphone. He never

went anywhere without his tea. I was on a stage with him at Glastonbury

last year and he took about ten minutes to get going because he got

a standing ovation from everybody there.

Thank you very much indeed. Stories like that will be in abundance this

evening. We'll have them all at 10. 25 tonight.

Thank you very much. The work of Tony Benn's party continues and

tomorrow they'll launch their campaign for up coming euro

elections. Last time in this part of the world they were beaten by the

greens and they too have set out their stall to win seats here in the

south`west. Set up with European Union money, a centre is

specialising in new energy. Bicton College teaches Agirretxe but has

branched out. `` agriculture but has branched out.

Europe sets the framework within which we decide how to farm and

produce our energy. I want to be there in Europe making sure we have

mandatory targets for renewable energy generation and that the money

we give to farmers in subsidies requires them to farm in a

sustainable way. They hope to show that going green

can help, not harm the economy. Their leader is spending four days

campaigning in the region where they narrowly missed winning a seat last

time. On her way, the election posters she's mostly noticed have

been for UKIP. I think we are seeing strong UKIP votes in this elections,

that's true, but also a strong reaction against UKIP. What we are

seeing is a lot of people saying they'll vote green because we are

the people standing up to UKIP. They want to stay in the EU but only

after reforming it and holding a referendum.

The green leaders tour follows hot on the heels by a visit by the

leader of UKIP. Tomorrow there'll be visits by the leaders of Labour and

the Liberal Democrats. They have good reason to be here. Next week,

postal votes will be sent out, marking the start of voting in the

European and local elections 2014. And the Sunday Politics is back this

weekend. You don't want to miss that.

Now some breaking news. It's been announced that the new Bishop of

Bath and Wells will live at the Bishop's Palace after controversial

plan force him to live elsewhere were overturned. The incoming Bishop

was due to break with tradition and move to a house in a nearby village,

but there was opposition to those plans and a special committee was

brought in to try to resolve the row. Let's speak to the Bishop of

Taunton now who joins us from Taunton. What is your reaction to

this? Good evening. My reaction is, I'm

very pleased with the decision that the Archbishop's council have made.

I'm struck tolling hear you over the bells because I'm doing a

confirmation tonight. Nothing we can do about the bells really, but in

Rome, I hope it's decided not to live in the papal apartments, but a

guest house. Is there a move, do you think, for top clergy not to live in

grand surroundings? I think you have to understand that

when we talk about the palace in terms of Bishop's apartments, it's a

modest plan. The issue for us was much more about how can the new

Bishop minister work effectively, the position always was that we felt

retaining him in the palace he'd be closely together with the staff,

that would be the best option and we are pleased the independent panel

who've come down have agreed with our point of view.

Thank you so much. Thank you for battling against the

bells! That's all right. The bells are in celebration, but there we

are. Thank you. He did that well! The streets of

Bath have been getting in a knot today all for a good cause. The

World Heritage Site is being yarn`bombed. Covered in knitting to

raise money for kids company. It's a national charity now running

through a Centre for Disadvantaged young people in Bristol.

Starting the day with little help. These young people in Bristol visit

the kids company centre here regularly for all types of support.

Legal advice, housing advice, food parcels or just someone to listen. I

think if you weren't here, a lot of people would be lost and wouldn't

know where to turn to to get the right access to the right services.

This facility is just us standing shoulder to shoulder with young

people. The founder believes Bristol provides people with a wide range of

culture choices and focuses on day`to`day support for the most

vulnerable. People have thought about young people in terms of

delivering the art arts and thinking about their personal development but

I'm not sure there's been the leadership around the issue of

really vulnerable young people. This year's Bath in Fashion event

have chosen to support the charity, so these knitters have been

preparing pieces to put all over the city.

It's hugely appreciated by those who need help. They helped me search for

advice and gave me with the advice that I needed. At the moment, I'm

not good with food, they are helping me with that every Tuesday.

Without this system, I'd be lost because they just help with

everything. If ever I'm stuck with anything, they are always there

helping me. I don't know who I'd turn to.

This is more than just pleasing on the eye. It's helping shape lives.

The biggest food festival ever held in Bristol opens tonight with an

awards ceremony honouring Britain's top chefs, farmers and Brucers. The

food connections event is on for 11 days in venues across the city and

includes a free festival this Bank Holiday weekend.

Sally who always knows when there's free food around, has been checking

out what we can expect and she joins us from the food and Farming Awards

at St George's Concert Hall in Bristol. Hello, Sally. Hello. Jamie

Oliver is just around the corner there. I'll grab him in a minute. If

you want to know anything about food or cooking tonight, this is

definitely the place to be. Some of the nation's top chefs, producers

and writers are here. The winner of the Bake Off is here. It's the place

to be. It's the first time the awards have been Nelson Mandela

Bristol, it's to coincide with Food Connections, normally held in London

or Birmingham. What makes Bristol so special? What has attracted all the

foodies here? I've been finding out? I would like to order

Jamaica`seasoned meals, and have them delivered to my house.

Some people love the food scene here so much write poems about it.

Bristol is known for its vibrant street food with hundreds of stalls

across the city. Green chicken. Yellow chicken and

spicy pork. Free range meat, all of it. We started life as a business

over in Brighton. We moved the business here because there's a buzz

about food and everyone's so createdive and passionate. We go to

London to do markets there as well on a Saturday and Bristol is just as

busy and big for the food side of it. It's not just street food. The

City Council says there are 3,000 restaurants, cafes, food hubs and

take aways here, that's up 150 in just four years. Nearly 10% of all

jobs in the city are related to food and drink.

A grass roots revolution is also taking place in the very soil of

Bristol. People wanting to grow fruit and veg

on every available piece of land. Our aim is to cover Bristol in

edible plants, be they in schools, doctors surgeries, hospitals,

community gardens, people's gardens, anywhere everywhere, empty spaces of

land, and to supports community groups. It's estimated 5,000 unused

acres could potentially be cultivated here. This scrap of land

is being transformed. Local people invited to plant, grow and eat what

comes up. What's really exciting about this

concept is that it's getting amongst these areas which traditionally

bureaucracy has stopped anything happening and just getting on and

doing it. They call it gorilla gardening and they want Bristol to

be an edible City. Now that's food for thought.

I grew that cress myself on a windowsill at home! One of the women

credited with the kick start of this here is Mary Berry, a local Bath

girl. Thank you. You are giving one of the first awards tonight, aren't

you? So I am and it's the Retailer of the Year award. Fantastic. There

is this big renaissance in all things food, cooking, growing, and a

lot of people say it's a lot to do with you? I don't know about that

but I like to know where my food comes from. I love going to farm

shops, I like to go to a butcher and if I can find a fishmonger I'm

there. I like to have a good display of my cheeses in a proper cheese

shop. How important do you think it is that people do now know where

their food does come from? I think it's very important. I think more

and more people want to buy local and they want to know who produced

it and how it was produced. I think if we all know that, we'll enjoy our

meals more. Got to ask you about Bake Off, moving away from Somerset?

We are, we are, to a very secret location and it's not too far from

my home. It's going to be a great show this

year. We've already started and I'm very excited about it and it's not

going to get more difficult. We are going to be busy, it's going to be

just the same and Mel, Sue, Paul and I are seeing it stay that way. Why

break up a winning team. We've got three local finalists and we'll let

you know how they get on later on. Thank you. I love Mary Berry. Just

decided. You always have. Made for each other! Today is May Day and to

celebrate, the Morris dancers were out to welcome the dawn on Brandon

Hill in Bristol. What more could you want on your local news? Sorry I

wasn't up early enough to join them. Now the weather. Here is Ian.

Michael Potter has taken this lovely picture of Ring Tom Hill. `` Rington

Hill. We are starting to see a change take

place through the course of tomorrow into the Bank Holiday weekend. A

timely one, as he enter into a dry, settled regime.

We will find the temperatures are just that bit down courtesy of a

change in the weather. Some showers across the West Country lately.

There was a gap but now we are watching this cluster move south

through Bristol, Bath and towards the men dins.

Much colder air feeds down from polar regions. It will be more the

east and north`east of England that will bear the brunt of the coldest

weather in terms of the threat of frost. This evening, the showers

will take a while to fade, so caution on that note and tonight,

thing also dry out. Low cloud around so it will be a

cloudy start by tomorrow. Temperatures won't be particularly

chilly. Down to about 8`10. Tomorrow, starting with the cloud in

situ, so a dull start wherever you happen to be. As the day goes on, a

slow process but we'll see breaks developing from the north.

Gradually, some of those will creep southwards through the course of the

afternoon. It will be a day of light winds and barring the small chance

of a light shower, out in the far east of some of the districts, it

will be dry for us all. Temperatures typically up to about

14. Pressure will rise and it bodes well for the Bank Holiday weekend.

The cloud value will vary. Temperature also start to recover

back up after a chilly start on Saturday. Good tidings for all!

I'm glad, especially for the Bank Holiday weekend and thanks for the

bluebells. That is it from us now. See you at 10. Bye.

'The last two generations have been robbed of an opportunity

'And yet it has greater impact on our everyday lives than anything

'We need to put this issue to bed now,

'and not leave it for another generation.'

I want a Britain that is free to control its own destiny.