02/05/2014 BBC Points West

Welcome to BBC Points West with David Garmston and Amanda P`rr. Our

main story tonight: Denied responsibility because he is black.

A member of staff at an academy wins damages from a school that was

supposed to champion divershty. I went to court and representdd myself

and won in court. That to md means more. We will have reaction from the

academy, who say they have learned lessons.

Our other headlines tonight: Hoping to win your vote. Two party leaders

come west ahead of the European elections.

Looks delicious. Top chefs `rrive for a mouth`watering festiv`l of

food and everything on the lenu is free.

And fighting for survival in the Football League. Bristol Rovers

prepare for the game of thehr lives. Good evening. A black man who was

hired by a school to boost the grades of pupils from ethnic

minorities has been awarded damages today because he was discrilinated

against. David McLeod was t`ken on by the City Academy in Bristol, but

he was overlooked when it c`me to taking on more responsibility and he

suffered harassment. Race campaigners say it is a landmark

judgement and the Academy h`s apologised. Dickon Hooper rdports.

David McLeod's legal battle is finally over. He suffered r`cial

discrimination and harassment at the City Academy and has just bden

awarded ?14,000. I had a victory. It has never been about cash. Ht is

about the victory and about letting them know that what they were doing

was wrong. Standing up for what was right. The academy was the first in

the South West and seven out of ten pupils are from black or ethnic

minorities. But this demogr`phic is not reflected in the make`up of its

senior staff or governors. @nd David's case has put the school

under the spotlight. This is a landmark judgement in education in

Bristol. At this public meeting David explained he was a gr`duate

and a qualified manager, who had helped black and ethnic students

boost their grades. I knew that something was wrong and we had to

set something in place. He wasn t given extra responsibility, or

opportunity, when it came up and a tribunal agreed this was because he

was black. I won my case because I am me. But if you look at the

academy across the road, wh`t about the 14`year`old African boy, who is

six foot? How will they see him Other black and ethnic staff on the

project were also passed ovdr, while three white managers were appointed.

We are deeply sorry and we `re extending our sense of sorrow to

those involved, particularlx David. We have learnt from our mistakes and

we are moving forward in terms of setting up an equalities working

group. But there are other wider concerns. The number of puphls here

is falling and last year's GCSE results prompted a warning from the

Government that standards are unacceptably low. The school says it

is addressing this, but a pdtition is circulating calling for change

there and more scrutiny. We have seen increased tension with the

local community and the rel`tionship there has not been great for the

last four or five years. Re`lly at the back of all of that neg`tivity,

for something like this to come out is absolutely devastating for the

school and absolutely devastating for the parents. I would reject the

sense that we are cut off. We have a good community team. It is ` very

positive picture in terms of what people say in the local comlunity.

It is also correct to say that when Ofsted came to the school they

remarked on how much we involve the community and they said that the

Academy was a focus for that community. A community that has

rallied around David McLeod ` who now, like the school, wants the

focus to be on the children it serves.

Dickon Hooper joins us now. So is there any indication that there was

a widespread issue of racisl? I have not seen any evidencd of

that. But this is a symbolic victory. David was racially

discriminated against. Some of his other colleagues were also passed

over. They complained about this, but nothing was done. The school

said that there will be mord opportunity for promotion in the

future. Another academy, Oldfield in Bath,

has been in the news for wedks because of criticism about hts

leadership. Is there a biggdr question about who these ac`demies

are accountable to? I think some people would s`y that

we do. The governments now have their finger on the pulse. ``

government. They are only answerable to central government. With that in

mind, they have appointed a new Commissioner of academies in the

south`west. We are not sure what he is going to do.

Patients are still not being re`admitted to Burnham Hosphtal

following problems with the town's water supply. They were all

transferred to neighbouring hospitals yesterday when thd supply

was cut off. Bristol Water says it worked through the night to return

water to the 12,000 properthes affected.

Firefighters across the reghon have walked out this afternoon, `s part

of a national fire strike. Hn Gloucester, these men joined the

picket line at 12PM. The strike is part of a long`running disptte with

the government about pensions. It ended at 5PM this afternoon, with

more planned over the bank holiday weekend.

You know there is an election approaching when the leaders of two

of the country's main polithcal parties come visiting on thd same

day. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg spent the day in the West

hoping to minimise any Liberal Democrat losses. And this afternoon,

Labour's Ed Miliband was in Bristol, confidently predicting gains in both

the European and local elections. Here is our political editor, Paul

Barltrop. Two leaders, two contrasting styles.

Ed Miliband processed down Bristol's Gloucester Road ` very clearly

Labour. No party colours for Nick Clegg, who had a hard hat for

protection while visiting a regeneration project in Bath. He may

need it. The Lib Dems are braced for another electoral battering. You

must be really worried that you will suffer badly on May 22? I understand

people want to give mainstrdam and government politicians a kicking,

but what is at stake is not an individual politician, but the fate

of jobs in our country. I al not willing to see jobs put at stake

because of people like Nigel Farage. UKIP's expected success in the

European Parliament elections threaten this man. Sir Grah`m Watson

is one of the party's most respected MEPs. He has represented thd South

West in Europe for 20 years. The Lib Dems are pinning their hopes on a

pro`EU message. We are the only party saying we are a party of in".

Farage wants to sacrifice jobs by pulling us out and neither Cameron

nor Miliband have the courage to take him on. The Labour leader has a

very different view. This afternoon he went walkabout in Bristol. We

hope to bring some were sectrity to tenants. He is keen to talk about

their ideas for reforming housing rents. The changes you are talking

about would come from Westmhnster regarding rent? Yes, they would need

a Labour government, but thdse elections are a chance to express

our views about the direction of the country. That is his way of saying

he hopes voters do treat it as a referendum on the government. But

while he's clearly keen to give people what they want, that doesn't

include a referendum on staxing in Europe. A clear priority for a

Labour government is to tackle cost of living and improve the NHS, not

whether we should exit the DU. Before he left, he popped in to buy

some flowers for his wife. He is confident it will be a good year for

Labour's red roses. Back with Nick Clegg and a meeting with activists

contesting local elections hn Stroud, Cheltenham, and Glotcester.

Today's mood was good. But ht may be rather different when the votes are

counted in three weeks' timd. A warm welcome to Points West on

this Friday evening. Still lore to come, including the bank holiday

forecast. It is looking like a decent bank

holiday weekend. I will givd you the detail later in the programle.

The NHS in Bristol is being challenged over the way it spends

its ?500 million budget. It is the first time the health service in

England has faced a legal challenge over the new ways family doctors

allocate money. Our health correspondent, Matthew Hill,

reports. These campaigners are fighthng plans

they claim could mean millions of pounds worth of NHS contracts being

handed to private companies. They are concerned about the new way the

Government decides how the largest chunk of NHS money is spent. Up

until a year ago, managers working for the Primary Care Trust would

commission services like emdrgency care, hospital treatment, and mental

health services. But now th`t work is done by GPs. The budgets are

huge. In Bristol alone they have to spend more than half ?1 million But

the doctors are now facing ` legal challenge. It is time to stop

defending the indefensible `nd put clear and transparent arrangements

in place that explains to p`tients exactly how they will be involved in

decision`making. Campaigners say this is the faceless and

unaccountable new NHS, which has no safety net in place to make sure

patients are consulted propdrly on any changes.

There is a legal duty to involve the public in to provide these services.

That service is very clear `nd it is incredibly important to run a public

service like the NHS. The CCG is not making sure that people's voices are

heard. The CCG say that thex take their responsibility very sdriously.

GPS may not be used to patidnts questioning their decisions, but as

their budgets become tighter and tighter it seems they may h`ve to

get used to having their judgement challenged. And we will havd more on

this story and others on our Sunday Politics West programme, on BBC One

at 11PM. People visiting the beach at Porlock

this Bank Holiday weekend whll be able to see the region's newest

tourist attraction. Villagers are trying re`establish the country s

only community shellfish farm. The village's oysters became falous in

the 1800s, but the industry closed down at the end of the centtry.

Tracey Miller reports. Should we put them all on? I reckon go half and

half because you don't want to sink in, do you? 20,000 oysters carefully

bagged and ready for their new beds. They will be testing the waters of

Porlock Bay. We have designdd some special oysters trestles th`t we

think are bombproof. We hopd they are going to last. We think they are

stronger than the railway at Dawlish. So, it may work. These

enterprising locals are complete novices, new to the perils of oyster

farming. But despite wet fedt, they have sought expert advice. This is a

scientific trial, using oysters of different types and sizes. Xou

should have two at the end `nd two in the middle. They are confident

that it will succeed, because in the 19th century Porlock was thd place

for oyster farming. It was ` very famous product. Porlock oysters

arrived at hotels in London. They were very well known. There are two

stories: One is that a storl to took them out and the other one was that

the nasty people in Colchester, who had run out of oysters, camd and

stole them. Shellfish are bhg business. These oysters are now

tucked up in their beds out there and hopefully over the next 12

months they will grow and they have the potential of making ?250,00 .

They will be under the watchful eye of the village here, becausd that

money will go straight back into the parish. Tracey Miller, BBC Points

West, Porlock Weir. Hundreds of people are expected in

Bristol this weekend for thd city's food festival. It is the biggest

event of its kind ever held here, with top chefs, food producdrs, and

farmers all showcasing their talents. Lizzie Way has been to look

around. You join me now in this short

fiction, where these apprentices are getting ready for tomorrow. Over the

next few days, this stage whll be allied with celebrity chefs who are

showcasing their celebrity recipes. What was the idea behind thhs

festival? Bristol is a city that has a strong future edition. `` food

tradition. I thought, why do we not challenge the people of Bristol to

put together a festival. It is amazing to see how a small hdea has

grown into this. Lots of different types of food involved, isn't there?

Yes. We are a diverse city with different groups living herd. You

can find everything in Bristol. It is a global culinary trip in one

festival. People will be showcasing recipes here as well, want the?

There will be some incredible people here. We have some local Palance ``

local Halland here. Also here is then Bobby. `` also here is an

organic farmer. He has been sharing his ideas about food. I do like

eating organic food. Not because it pays better, although I think that

it does, but because it is healthier. I do not like thd

vegetables that have been knitting in pesticides will stop it hs better

for the environment. It is sustainable. If you care about the

natural world, bees, birds, and wildlife then you will care about

diversity. Pesticides and hdrbicides are the enemy of natural diversity.

Organic farmers do crop rot`tion instead. There is also clailing

change. We have to reduce otr use of fossil fuels. Conventional farmers

use fertilisers that make a huge contribution to the emission of

greenhouse gas. Organic farlers use manure and organic waste. So how did

we need 9 million people. It is a huge challenge. We do not know if

organic or traditional farmhng can do it. But we will have to do is

make a radical change. We nded to add that our diets. Now one has the

answers yet. It is a huge challenge. I know that you will be herd on

stage to discuss the issues. So please do not cook this weekend

Yes, I will be there on Sattrday morning. There are tickets still

available. Come and see us. The top man at the BBC was `lso at

the Food Connections Festiv`l, as part of a BBC scheme to recruit new

apprentices. Twin B from Radio xtra was grilling the director gdneral,

Tony Hall, this afternoon about what it is like to work at the BBC. The

apprenticeship scheme could be your way into the BBC if you're over`18

and a non`graduate. You havd until the 12th May to apply. Therd are

more details at http://bbc.co.uk/las.

On to sport. We have just hdard from Swindon that they plan to tdrminate

Nile Ranger's contract, following the charges this week.

Bristol Rovers will be lookhng for a repeat performance of last weekend

to ensure they keep their Football League status. It has been `

disappointing season, to sax the least, for the side that have a

battled to avoid relegation. Well, tonight some Rovers legends are

gathering ahead of a charitx game this weekend. And Sabet Chotdhury is

amongst them. Now, back in the day, when players

dietary requirements weren't so strict, if you came into thd Monte

Carlo cafe on Stapleton Road you would probably run into a fdw

Bristol Rovers players. So what better place to have a reunhon of

the legends? We will have a chat with some of them in a minute, but

first some news from the Rovers camp ahead of their big game agahnst

Mansfield tomorrow. These wdre scenes last week after their win

against Wycombe, but, to make that count, tomorrow they need at least a

draw to get a point to secure safety ` defeat and they rely on other

results. But, it sounds likd there won't be much of a celebrathon in

the dressing room. I don't find it a celebration. I do not believe that

this football club, our football club, should be in a situathon like

this. It has been a very disappointing season. The players

know that, the staff certainly know that, and everyone at the football

club knows that. But we havd to focus on the 90 minutes and then we

can look to rebuild. That game kicks off at 3PM `nd here

is a list of all the other fixtures for tomorrow. Just a warning for all

you Yeovil fans that game against Middlesbrough gets going at 12. 5PM.

Back to tonight and it is also a big night for Bath Rugby, who nded a win

to stay in the running for ` Twickenham final. Damian Derrick is

there for us. They really could do with the win couldn't they?

After two or three disappointing years, Bath are well and trtly back

in the hunt for the Premiership title. But they have to overcome a

Northampton side, one they have not beaten in the League for ne`rly

three seasons, to be sure of a play`off place. There is also an

extra level of interest as Northampton will be Bath's opponents

in the European Challenge Ctp final in three weeks' time. One m`n who

has been a key part of the success is here. How will the players be

feeling now? We had been medting half an hour ago. Now it is about

the boys knowing the rules. There will be a screen in there. Ht is the

last touch ups now. How important is it for Bath to win today? Every game

is important. There is the possibility will be paying

Southampton in a couple of weeks. We are not here to be third or fourth.

It is up to us and it is in our hands. The last thing that we want

to do is not score any points. It is going to be a hard game tonhght will

stop we will bring you more in our 10pm moves. There is more rtgby

tomorrow as Gloucester play their final home match of the season

against London Irish and on Sunday Bristol have a British Irhsh Cup

semifinal against Leeds. Damian, thanks. We will, of course,

bring you all those results in our bulletins over the weekend. Now back

here I'm joined by this man, who 24 years ago today scored two goals

against arch rivals Bristol City. It was a game that took Rovers into

what is now the Championship. It must be sad to see the Bristol

Rovers in the current state? It is. We will all be there supporting

them. There is a new ground. We want to stay in the league. What do you

think they have to do to make sure that they reach the standard that

you guys did? They need to love on. If they stay in the league, with the

new ground and everything, they need to stay positive. But they need to

have a look at things and rdbuild. Do you think they need to h`ve a

clean`up to get back to where they were? I think so. It might be time

to clear the decks and start again. How do you feel about the charity

game coming up? We have somd younger legs to run about for us, so they

can do the work for us. Well, you can see all these guys in

action on Bank Holiday Mond`y when they take on the Bristol City

Legends in a charity match. Now it is time for the weather. We

do not know how much cloud there will be over the next few d`ys. It

is moderate for Monday, as things stand. But it should be a dry

weekend. It should be warmest on Monday. High pressure is dolinating

the pattern from the North. There is some colder air tonight. As they go

through Saturday and Sunday, high pressure will progress across the

country. For the rest of thd night, the key thing is that these guys

will start to clear. The net result is that it will be a cold nhght The

computer generates these temperatures, but I think they are

too high. There is a threat of ground frost. It will be called ``

it will be called on Saturd`y. In the East, and you could enjoy some

good sunshine. The temperattres will vary, but there will be light

winds. 13`15dC. Sunday will be a cloudy day. Monday, it will be

breezy and cloudy. Not bad. That is all from us. We

will be at the food festival, so we hope to meet you there. Goodbye

Men are even less tolerant of women than they were before.

It's shocking it'd happen in a public place.

I don't find it funny, but I don't find it offensive.

It really is vile. Shock value sells.

Men are even less tolerant of women than they were before.

The hatred of women. Some people are offended.

Others think women should just man up.

and even misogyny socially acceptable?

Join me, Kirsty Wark, as I investigate...