18/08/2011 East Midlands Today

This is East Midlands Today. But Davies when students found out if

they had made the grade. It has been the toughest year for getting

into university. I have got a place Tons of straw are set alight.

Further warnings given to the owners of two hospitals who look

after patients with learning difficulties. Good evening. Welcome

to the programme. It is of course A level result day. Universities say

this is the toughest year yet for A level students with the fiercest

battle for places ever seen. Students faced having to get higher

grades than ever to get into their first choice of university and only

a handful of clearing places were available. Sarah Teale has been

with some of those teenagers getting their results today.

Yes, and those teenagers knew they faced the most intense pressure yet

to get the best grades to guarantee a place at university. More

students than ever are vying for places as many aren't having a gap

year to beat the tuition fee increase next year. So results day

this year was more tense than ever. I was with students in Nottingham

when they found out their grades earlier today. High emotion all

round for these six former has been at Nottingham. I have got my

English and politics. I am in! After two years of studying, the

great printed on these pieces of paper determine the direction of

their lives will take. I have got a place at Cambridge now, so I am

happy. I am going into the RAF. got into it Aberystwyth. A I have

got the grades to get to university, so I will be doing biochemistry.

What is today like for a parent? is like a roller-coaster. We are

thrilled. I have got into my first choice to study medicine at

Nottingham. I am very relieved and very pleased. Competition for

university places are fiercer than ever this year as students rush to

get in before the fee increase next year. But some students have

decided that they don't actually want to go to university at all.

The money mostly. I do not want to be in debt. It is not for me.

Because of the fees. It is too expensive. I want to get settled

into a job. But 20-year-old Kate is going to university, to Cambridge,

no less. The first student from her college to ever go there. I am sure

in the next hour or two it was sinking. I will be able to look at

my results properly. I am excited and happy. There were tears as well

for those students who did not do as well, but overall, schools are

reporting another record year of results.

And today one family has been having a triple celebration. Piya,

Kurran and Anushka Sachdeva are triplets and all picked up their A

level results from Nottingham High School this morning. To add to

their excitement the trio were also celebrating their 18th birthdays.

All three achieved the grades they needed to gain places at Edinburgh,

Birmingham and Bristol universities. We all started crying and

celebrating an opening cards. the record, I did not cry. I cried

the most. A lot er there has been sidetracked because of the results,

but we have got anything we need and we are just so happy now.

So tears of joy there, but for some there's been tears of

disappointment. Those that didn't get the grades they hoped, had to

go through the clearing process. And a real scramble it was, too,

with just a handful of places up for grabs. Across all our

universities just a few hundred places available in clearing. The

university of Leicester says it's seen a surge in applicants this

year as students battle to beat next year's fee increase.

I think the increase in tuition fees is clearly leading to a surge

in interest this year. We have confirmed my students than in

previous years, we have less places available. We are looking at a very

it for university. Consequently, we are asking for higher grades. It is

one of the fiercest battles for places in many years. Everyone knew

it was going to be a tough year with fewer places and tuition fees

set to increase. So what does it mean for students? With us now is

Alex Nutt, president of Leicester University students Union. Everyone

is talking about the increase in tuition fees and the scrabble to

try and avoid them. How has it affecting the choices of students?

Well, it depends what causes -- courses they choose. Engineering

and science courses will have more places. What advice would you give

from your position to students who have not got the results they were

hoping for? But first thing is to stay calm and consider your options.

It is not all over. There are other options, not just clearing. You can

reapply next year, but that will incur the higher tuition fees.

is what everyone is trying not to do. People are giving up their gap

years. Yes. In 2012, the average debt a student will incur his

�53,000, which is double the amount this year. But what if they had not

got the grades though? It well, it is devastating, but it is not the

end of the world. A quick congratulations. Leicester has come

in the top three for preferred universities. What makes it so

good? It is just a great place to study. Later in the programme -

another warning for the owners of up to care homes. If they do not

improve conditions, they will face prosecution.

Next tonight - the arsonists causing destruction for farmers.

Fires are still burning on five farms in South Nottinghamshire

after being targeted overnight. Hundreds of tonnes of straw and hay

has gone up in flames. The first report came at a quarter to

midnight at Thorpe Lane in South Newark. Half an hour later, crews

were called to a much larger fire at Sibthorpe. Then at 3.50am this

morning a further 100 tonnes were on fire at Elton on the A52. 20

minutes later, 800 tonnes of straw was burning at Granby and by 4.40am,

crews were dealing with another incident at Plunger Lane. Our

reporter Angelina Socci is at one of the farms affected. Good evening.

Hello. 12 hours after this fire started, this evening it is still

burning. 500 tonnes had been destroyed. The cost around �30,000.

This is just one of five fires that broke out overnight and it could

take several days to burn out. The police are investigating what

happened. Well, Peter is the farmer here. How do you feel when you see

this? Not so much angry as sad and disillusioned. What is the point of

doing this? What impact will this have on you? Well, this morning, or

rather last night, there was a hundred yards of a straw here. All

the bails were about six foot tall and there were 1,200 bales in the

stack. Now they have to be replaced. I just do not see the point of

setting fire to it. And what will the impact be long term? Well,

there are financial costs, but one has to keep things in perspective.

The riots in London were devastating as people lost their

homes. The stroke can be replaced, but at a cost. All fireman can do

now is to leave the fires to burn out. They have been at reckless.

They have put people's lives at risk. The fire service are now

advising farmers to keep stroll away from roads as much as possible,

away from hedges, buildings and to remain vigilant.

Thank you. A man from Nottingham was in court

this afternoon facing three charges of rape. Richard Mundle, who's 32

and from Bestwood, appeared at the Magistrates Court in Derby. He is

also accused of sexual assault and misuse of computer systems. The

Crown Prosecution Service says this relates to using a police computer

to get information about a woman. He's due to appear at Derby Crown

Court on the 1st of September. A 33-year-old man has appeared at

Derby Magistrates Court charged with murder. Johnny Assani, who was

43, was assaulted in Derby last Sunday afternoon. He died in the

Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham on Monday. Mohammad

Shahid will appear at Nottingham Crown Court next week.

Network Rail say this evening's services are running smoothly

following signal failure at Nottingham train station this

morning. Replacement buses were put on after all services were

suspended between the city and St Pancras in London. With rail fares

rising by 8% in the New Year, these commuters weren't impressed with

the delay to their journey. It has taken two hours. We are you coming

in from? Long Eaton. We were coming from London through to Nottingham

and it was fairly straightforward. Normally get into Nottingham at

7:55am. We have just the right now. It is 25-11. Next tonight, two

independent hospitals that people with a learning difficulties have

been given a deadline to improve or disclosure. The Care Quality

Commission issued a formal warning to the owners after unannounced

visits were made. This hospital beat Care Quality Commission found

nothing on the scale found at other Castlebeck homes. Undercover

filming by the BBC had previously revealed abuse. However, the

patient's head did not always at safe care and there was

inconsistent monitoring. At the other centre, care plans were

judged inadequate and the health and welfare needs not met by a

sufficient staff. Both facilities have and will September to show

they have improved. If not, the commission has strong powers.

can take further enforcement action. We could impose a condition on

their registration so they cannot take any more people. We could also

effectively close them down. Castlebeck Cook runs these

hospitals say they are determined to make sure no further action will

be required by the Care Quality Commission.

People living in Nottingham whose homes and businesses were damaged

during last week's riots may be able to claim compensation.

Nottinghamshire Police Authority is liable for damage caused to

buildings and contents in the course of a riot. However, damage

or theft of a vehicle isn't covered, unless it was kept in a garage.

Personal injuries and interruption to trading also don't qualify for a

A cabinet minister has been heckled by some business leaders in Derby

today. It came after the government's chief whip, Patrick

McLoughlin, told them the government wouldn't change its

decision to award a big rail contract to Siemens of Germany

rather than Bombardier. It's the latest development in the campaign

to save train-making in Derby. Half of its 3,000 workers already face

redundancy. Our political editor can bring us up to date. John, what

happened at this meeting? It was one of those breakfast briefings.

It was to discuss the future of the rail industry. Among the guests

invited was the Derbyshire Dales MP, Patrick McLoughlin. While in

private he may be sympathetic to the Bombardier cause, he told the

briefing to get real. The government had taken up its

decision to awarding the contract to Siemens. That was not welcomed

by some. And he was heckled. I am sure that did not go down well with

the early morning coffee and croissants. What evidence is there

the campaign is winning support? Derby City Council has commissioned

a national polling organisation to carry out a survey on Bombardier

losing the contract. Its findings showed two-thirds of the British

public want the Government to reconsider giving Siemens the

Thameslink contract will stop but 66% agree the government decision

should be based on a best value for money. That Umar -- value for money

has been ministers's main defence. At a time when a town hall budgets

are tight, these polls are not cheap. A understand there are more

details of a parliamentary inquiry into the awarding of that contract?

The House of Commons Transport Committee has confirmed who it will

be calling to give evidence on September seventh. All the key

players will be there, including senior bosses from Bombardier and

Siemens, officials from the European Commission, and ministers

from the Department for transport. It will be a hot ticket. Those who

cannot get a seat are likely to be outside Parliament for a big lobby

in support of Bombardier work as. Plenty more to look forward to on

the programme including Kylie First, Derby County have had their

best start to the season for 63 years! Not many would have bet on

them winning at Blackpool last night, but they did, so Kirsty

Edwards has been to Derby today after that historic victory at the

seaside. Car on it this Saturday, Derby will

be taking on Doncaster. But who would have thought they would be

going into the game with a perfect league record? Both sides went onto

the pitch looking to maintain winning start to the League. It was

Derby who came out on top. Eight free-kick was saved, and Craig

Bryson was the first to react. has been a gamble. I do not know

what I did when I scored, but it paid off!

The Gaulle was reward for brides and who never stopped running.

Incredible. He never stopped. It is difficult to pick out individuals.

It's was a great night for the fans. I doubt many of them will remember

such a good start of the season. In fact, the last time was way back in

1948. The year the Olympics were last held in a London bus stop --

last held in London. Rationing was still in place. And Nigel was still

18 years away from being born. thought tonight was the best

performance, taking into account everything we have come through. As

a club, we are very proud to support this team. We are very

proud of what we have achieved. A start to the season that will not

be forgotten by the fans in a while. So a great start for Derby, but

what about Leicester? Well Sven's men are struggling to live up to

their pre-season billing as promotion favourites. The season

has barely started but when you spend millions bringing in 11 new

players, the last thing the fans expect are two home defeats in days.

At the final whistle, the fans booed them off. After a two home

defeats in a four days, the man to condemn less so was the striker's

end has been tracing all summer, ironically. He scored a beauty

after five minutes to increase his price tag. The only blemish for him

it was a missed penalty just before half time. Leicester played better

than Saturday, and David worked hard. His strike got Leicester back

in the game. But Maynard showed cent exactly what he is missing by

scoring a second Toothill the victory for Bristol City.

He's one of the highest-paid British sportsmen in the world. You

might not have ever heard of him, but basketball star Luol Deng is

bigger in the United States than David Beckham. Loul plays for the

Chicago Bulls and this week, he's been in Loughborough as Jeremy

Nicholas reports. Luol Deng is Barack Obama's

favourite sports star. Now he is putting something back, running a

boot camp in Loughborough. I love basketball, I love helping people

and kids. I want to see basketball get betting here in England. It is

great. Really great. It is an inspiration to us young basketball

players. Or his team-mates were trying out

the basketball arena in the Olympic Park, he had been running his boot

camp for a future Olympic hopefuls. I get up at 6am. I have to get to

the gym before 7am. There is a training, then at dinner Bennett's

bed by 9pm. A no better place to go them boot camp. Getting up, working

out, eating together. Anyone out of line has to drop and

give me 10. For more senior misdemeanours, it is the dreaded it

run. Some people did not put their dining away this morning, so we had

to run for a while! It is all worth it. When the kids come here, they

become better players. Onto cricket. Rain meant there was

little play in the Test match, and no play at all for Nottinghamshire

at Somerset. But there has been play at Chesterfield where

Derbyshire were bowled out for 190. Northants are now piling on the

runs, while Leicestershire are 140 for 4, chasing the Glamorgan total

Our weather forecast is just around the corner, but if you're wondering

what to get up to over the next week, we have got a few ideas for

you. As Kylie found out, if you love power and the countryside,

this is one is for you! When I was a kid, I wanted to be a

princess in a castle, but I am informed that the boys, this is

what dreams are made of. Is a good to be allowed? And no. -- is it

going to be allowed? When I was four years old, I used to go with

my father, put it into gear, and of down the field while he was doing

the farming. You can see detractors like this at

the show at this Saturday, 20th August. Also on Saturday, the

carnival is taking place in at Leicestershire. For some outdoor

theatre, head to the Little Shop of horrors. All the -- all the Pirates

of Penzance are taking a trip here as well. Paul's tractors make

travel to show us around the region, but he also put them to practical

use as well. All my tractors go out and they all work. But some people,

they have them for show, but I'd prefer the working events.

And see these tractors and others next weekend at this working event.

Now it is time they meet to get on board. First gear, and off we go!

No comments about women drivers, please! It is harder than it looks.

Don't worry, I have missed the camera by a mile!

Amazing machines! One event that Kylie didn't manage

to include in her round-up of events is the birth of two snow

leopard cubs at Twycross Zoo. It took our cameraman Andy several

hours of patient waiting to capture these pictures of the brother and

sister, the zoo's latest additions. Parents Suou and Irma arrived at

Twycross in May 2010 as part of the international breeding programme.

The birth of their cubs is a significant contribution to the

conservation of snow leopards which are currently listed as endangered.

They have come out asking where is Good evening. We have had a gloomy

picture through the afternoon. We have had plenty of rain in places.

The cloud is gradually starting to break, so some bright was coming

through, but the main players spells will happen overnight as a

result of those clear skies. -- the main place. This was a lovely son

said captured on Tuesday night. -- lovely son said. The radar picture

from early on shows that this rain affecting most part of

Leicestershire over the past few hours. We have had some fairly

heavy bursts. That rain is quickly moving its weight East with an out-

of- hours a wave. Everywhere turning drive. -- moving eastward.

-- everywhere turning drive. Soon it clearing and brightening up to a

sunny day. Some patchy cloud into the afternoon, but try and warmer.

21 Celsius is a little bit better for August, isn't it? There is a

little bit of a change for the weekend. It looks like we have a

system of rain. Now, it is sinking its way south and bringing

outbreaks of rain. We will keep you posted over the next 24 hours.

Sunday, again, some parts of the East Midlands will see further

outbreaks of rain with thunder mixed in. They can be a weather

warning issued with that. There should still be some dry and sunny

spells over the weekend, hopefully. Their quick hello to everyone who