25/08/2011 East Midlands Today

This is East Midlands Today. Our top story, another record-

breaking year for GCSE results. Once, this school was considered to

be failing. Now it is time to celebrate success. It there are

children who have come to us from other countries who could not speak

English. Within three years, they are getting A*s.

The former police officer accused of punching and kicking a suspected

burglar. Plus, will a city council repent

over controversial plans to injured Rick -- introduce street parking

charges on a Sunday. And from this to this. How our

foods are becoming the fashion of Good evening, and welcome to

Thursday's programme, on a day when it was the turn of the 16-year-olds

to steal the educational headlines. G is you see results were released

this morning, and records were being broken. In the key

performance area of five grades above C including English and maths,

all our schools increased their pass rate.

The biggest rise was 6% in Nottinghamshire. Figures from

Rutland were not available today. We have two reports. The first is

from Helen Astle. For thousands of students across

the East Midlands, the wait was finally over.

Yes! For many of the students at

Paddington Community College, today's results secures their

future. I can see that this will help me get what I want. It means a

lot because the college courses I have chosen, I would not have been

able to do them if I did not pass. It is good to know I can do what I

want to. I did not know much English when I came to this school,

and now I do. I worked very hard to get my GCSEs, and I want to go

higher and higher to get work and jobs. What does it mean to you?

lot, really. The same old story, this boy was a

bit naughty, but luckily we had a change of ex-mistress, and he got

down to work. The teachers are very supportive.

Just three years ago, 22% of students he got five GCSEs at grade

C and above. Today, that figure is 39%.

There are some children who come to us who have low levels of literacy.

There are children who come from other countries who could not speak

English when they have arrived, who within three years have gained five

GCSEs above C. The this girl -- this boy is one of several students

getting an apprenticeship or job. I will be focusing on that.

The there will be celebrations in Leicester today, but what is the

situation in Nottinghamshire? I was panicking and nervous, and

then I opened it, and gone are... That is the overall feeling. For

the third year, the results have been extremely good.

100% of our students have got five grades above C. 45% have got five

A*s or As. Boys have dominated the results

here. A in maths, A in physics, I am

pretty happy with that! Up I was expecting an A* in maths, but I did

not get it. The it is still good. But I am slightly gutted. I got

three A*s and seven As. I was hoping not to drop below and A, so

I am happy. But many of the students are staying on to colour -

- study A-levels. Not everyone got what they wanted.

With us now is Amy Bloor, a careers adviser. If these young people have

not got the grades they need to do A-levels, what are the options?

There are other options. For A levels you need five grades at A-C.

You can look at apprenticeships, or vocational courses in that business

studies or catering, things like that. You can move on after a year

to go back to A levels. The you could a resit your GCSEs, if you

are absolutely desperate to do A- levels or need them to have -- for

the career you want. If you have got a problem, have you

got its -- got to get it sorted quickly?

Yes, because you do not want to be missing start date at colleges.

There will be a point where colleges will not take you because

you have missed too much. They are only 16, and we are seeing

-- saying it is crucial. I know, and it is a big decision.

People don't promote A-levels because it keeps it open, but there

are lots of a vocational options, and you have to make more long-term

decisions, because you have to decide upon an actual job he wants

to go into rather than an A-level subject. If there are lots of

people sitting at schools tonight. It does not seem the same as GCSEs,

if you have not got it, where do you go?

Every young person has a PA, and they can contact them. They would

have known from their school, we have a drop in centre, and that is

the same for other areas. There are websites, we have some which you

can go on to to get all the options. If the message is, do not panic,

but do not do nothing. Note. Do not bury your head in the sand or you

may be doing nothing for a year. Still to come, should dog-walkers

get more warnings? This is after one pet owner -- this

is a warning from one pet owner after the mysterious death of 10

dogs in Nottinghamshire. A former police officer has been

giving evidence in his own trial in which he is accused of beating up a

suspected burglar while he arrested him. 23-year-old Timothy Allatt is

accused of kicking and punching Jake Bramley during an arrest in

Nottingham. Mr Alex denies the charges. James, tell us about the

circumstances of this case. -- Mr Allatt.

It goes back to July, when he was arresting a man of running away

from police. He had been with Nottinghamshire Police for 11 years,

and he met and colleagues responded at 1am to a call about a suspected

stolen car. Jake Bramley jumped out of the car and ran off, and Mr

Allatt chased him. The case is all about what happened when he caught

him. What happens there? happened in the Sneinton area, as

the prosecution say that he punched him in the face and kicked him in

the ribs. The court heard another police officer witnessed the attack.

The incident was investigated by the independent Police Complaints

Commission and by Nottinghamshire Police, who dismissed Timothy

Allatt for this alleged assault, and also because he had allegedly

used excessive force during another arrest. If that is the prosecution.

What has been said in his defence? Timothy Allatt says he has struck

him in the face, but using a recognised arrest technique,

because he believed Mr Bramley was a threat to him. He denied punching

throwing or kicking him. He also denies the other officer's version

of events. He is appealing against his dismissal and his ruling over

the previous arrest. He has four police commendations, and was going

to get another before he was dismissed. A judgment is expected

next week. In other news, pallets of copper

worth �20,000 have been stolen from a lorry in Nottinghamshire. These

pictures were taken by an eyewitness, he claims to have seen

a lorry crashing into two cars as it was driven down Polperro Way in

hot goal last night. The lorry was abandoned in a local pub, and no

arrests have been made. Police in Leicestershire have

started a crackdown on burglaries in the Charnwood area. Earlier this

week, Lisa Waring was arrested at her home in Loughborough. She was

stabbed as she thought she would die. There were flop -- 47

burglaries in Charnwood last month, more than double the figure from

last year. The a new proposal has been

submitted to try and save Stamford Museum. It has closed in June,

after Lincolnshire County Council withdrew its funding. The Stamford

Heritage Trust's first bid has been rejected. They say the town

deserves a place to show its heritage. The council says a

decision will be made in due course. Plans to introduce charges for

street parking in an East Midlands city on Sundays have infuriated

Church leaders. They have warned it could cost regular worshippers up

to 1000 year -- �1,000 per year. The council says it needs the cash,

and dismissed claims that the charges are a tax on worship.

The cost it -- the cost of parking is getting pricey, and in

Nottingham on Sunday it will not be free. You will need a parking

ticket, �3 for two hours. That is unfair, says this priest.

For the city centre shops do not open till 11 am, as they close at

5pm. I cannot understand why we here, our parishioners and

worshippers, are being asked to pay to come to Mass on a Sunday morning

and on a Sunday evening. The parking generates �7 million for

the city, Sunday charges will bring in a much needed extra cash, and

less the Church's pull off a minor miracle.

It is not any more a tax on its shopping than worship. It is

something we feel we have to do it. There are some shopkeepers who sate

some days there are people blocking the spaces, so there is no turnover.

Also, the council does need money. A new evening parking chances --

charges will also need Africa will also affect audiences.

I thought they were try to encourage people into the City,

during the day and that night. This will drive them out. I am not sure

it will be terribly good. I think people will see it as a kick in the

face. I think it will make life very difficult indeed for

churchgoers. The Nottingham is not the only council that has angered

the churches by considering introducing street parking charges

on the Sabbath. It says it will go to consultation, but on this issue,

the politicians may wants to consult higher. Without divine

intervention, the changes come into A dog owner whose pact nearly died

twice after walking in woods in Nottinghamshire says there should

be more warnings about the risks of a visiting such areas.

This comes after at least 10 dogs have died after walking in woodland.

Further research has been promised but one mother says action must be

far reaching to protect families as well.

6-year-old dog is full of energy now but last week she nearly died

after a family trip to Sherwood Forest. Her own that had not taken

her there for years because the last time she did, exactly the same

thing had happened. She just began to have difficulty breathing and

she collapsed and stopped breathing. Had tongue turned black. We were

screaming and it was such a horrific moment and people came to

arrested. There was a veterinary nurse who helped us revive have. We

had left it three years before we visited again. They deja-vu moment,

at exactly the same happened. She believes her dogs are by up price

because there was immediate medical treatment to hand. The advice to

dog-walkers it is to keep your animal under control way you can

see them and monitor them if their health deteriorates and get help

quickly. Here they are testing for a cause of the illness, blue-green

algae in water. There is not enough here to do any harm. Even so, they

are cautious. The overall cause of these incidents is a mystery. But

we have posted notices advising people of the potential harm

associated with blue-green algae. Warnings like this are what some

people want in areas affected by the mysterious dog illness. They

need to look to see if there are other links. My worry is that

something might happen to a child and then we will start to

investigate. I think we need to be more proactive. Until there are

some answers, they intend to stay Coming up, we will have sports.

Leicestershire wicketkeeper Paul Nixon prepares to hang up his

gloves after 24 years in the Games. A I have got Mike helmet on and my

bike at the ready, because Sally Goes Wild expedition there is a

wild with a little bit of pedal A college student from Leicester

has come up with a new fashion idea which she is hoping will be worth a

packet or two. Rebekah Kirkland has designed a

How about this for a fashion statement? This striking press made

from crisp bags is turning heads in the centre of Leicester. Amazing

fast up I have never seen anything like it. Really unique. I think it

is unique. I think it shows initiative. They are nice bright

colours. As there are a girl wearing a chocolate packed the

other day! Had did it come about? Things that you use every day by

you would throw away, we can use them and make something completely

different. It does not have to be thrown away. Does she smell of

crisps? No, she does not. They were all washed with washing up liquid.

Her efforts were so impressive she won the college's sustainable

design award for 2011. Anything can be used within fashion. We would

probably take his objects from grunted and throw it away. You can

look at other things that probably have more used than just being a

vehicle to eat something out of and then get rid of. I am pleased and I

was not expecting to win. It is very interesting. I like the

textures and the pattern. It is different, very unique. If I saw

that on their women, I would want to taste every single flavour on

her! Rebekah Kirkland's taste in fashion and crisps could be turning

more heads in the High Street in future.

You could call it a prawn cocktail dress!

It took me a minute but I got it in the end.

Now the sport. Coming up, who is coming and going

at the Foxes? We start with cricket. It is the Twenty20 finals and

Leicestershire have booked their place in the season's finale. Of

one player it will be an emotional few days. After an incredible 24

year playing career, Paul Nixon is finally retiring and the fans'

favourite is determined to bow out in style.

He is one of the great characters of the game and his career has

featured 2020 Cup wins and a call up to the England team. He still

seems to love the game. Why do? always said that if I could not

keep getting better, it is time to retire. I would rather have people

said to me, why retire? I have had a great Dennis. It is time for the

young ones now and there are a plethora of great youngsters coming

through and if I can play a part in their development...

Leicestershire are triumphant in their 4th Twenty20 appearance,

expected to be moving. The sadness comes when you have a moment, it

flicks a switch and you think this is the last time I am walking on

and the last time you are going to do it. But you get your cricket

head on and enjoy it. There is time for everything. It is making sure

that you put things in the right place. As we sit watching the

younger lads play, he says the future will be sharing what he has

learnt of. I have seen their development and I know I am getting

to cold. I held up hour as opening batsmen are about six hours after

he was born. Make sure your head is over your front for it! They may be

plenty of time left in the games for Paul Nixon.

A lovely man. One of those Leicestershire youngsters made his

debut -- England debut today. England beat Ireland but it was not

one of the easiest start spot James Taylor.

In football, Sven-Goran Eriksson says that striker Martyn Waghorn

can leave the club. He wants at because of the lack of opportunity

and it is well known that Derby County would like to sign him. Will

Waggy be joining the Rams? Today Leicester City manager Sven-

Goran Eriksson was clear about the future of Martyn Waghorn. If the

youngster I tell can find a new club, he can go. He needs to play

football, for his career, he is young and he is playing little with

us at the moment. There is speculation that he could be used

as bait as part of an improved offer from Bristol City striker. It

is that Leicester will make a 4th bed for the player would �6 million.

Call spend would say today is that he does want another striker -- or

Sven-Goran Eriksson would say. will see. Martyn Waghorn cost less

debt �2 million from Sunderland last summer. Can Derby meet

Leicester's valuation? What we know just now is that it is nothing...

From what we understand. Southampton are also interested in

signing Martyn Waghorn and they play Leicester at the King Power

Stadium on Saturday. Comings and goings at Notts County

too. Martin Allen has signed the tumour -- former QPR midfielder

Gavin Marn. Craig Westcarr is being linked with a move to Chesterfield.

He has treated that the Magpies have accepted a bid and will now

discuss terms with the club. Cricket scores. Derbyshire are in

the lead in their game against Essex and it is all over at Grace

Road. Surrey beat best -- Surrey beat Leicestershire by 10 wickets.

Earlier this year, you may remember experts were predicting that this

summer could be the best in a generation's for butterflies.

You are in the predictions business, allegedly false start where they

are right? On my latest Sally Goes Wild expedition I thought I would

goat hunting for butterflies and In the series so far, we have

established there are loads of amazing havens across the East

Midlands. Now we will look at a Valley Trail. A keen cyclist and

wildlife expert is coming along for the ride. We start our route from

the Nature Centre which connects the -- which connects Attenborough

and Langley Mill. On the way we will be passing some local

landmarks. On a group like this, it is not about the speeding along, it

is about the joy of a leisurely walk or bike ride and stopping for

a good look around. This is where we start to pick up the Nottingham

Canal section of the trail. It is safe havens of dragonflies and

damselflies at this time of year. Figure now was disused from about

1936 and it is now a major local -- local nature reserve. It is a

credit to the quality of the wildlife that you can see. We have

been cycling for about an hour-and- a-half. We have seen a little grebe

in the pond. A damselfly, which I have never seen before. The now we

will meet up with our butterfly expert. So far, we have never been

away from civilisation. It but it is amazing what you can senior the

roads. This is Redworth -- well caught. The caterpillar it is

poisonous to birds. And the plant is poisonous to us as well. At his

wild flower meadow, we catch up with the bus and fire expert. He is

recounting recorder for Derbyshire's butterflies and tells

us why this wildlife corridor is so important. We have had six dishes

come into the area and this is one of the main ways they can get here,

by these corridors, not just butterflies, wildlife generally. We

get just over half of the British species but what we get is good.

They are out there for people to enjoy. We that we would take a

breather down by the viaduct. We have seen about a quarter of the 30

miles circuit of the valley trail. In the course of the trial, we have

seen so many fabulous wildlife species. You do not have to do much

of the trail to see a lot of wildlife.

If you want to find out more about had to attract butterflies into

your garden, it you can see the full version of Sally Goes Wild

expedition on our website. We are now starting to see one or

two showers poking their way in. We have done the best across the UK

with the sunny spells. A lovely sunset. Orange sky. It only

happened for about 10 minutes. Do keep the photos coming in to us.

The low pressure is still lurking, that is creating the showery

conditions. It will continue as we go through much of the evening.

Taking a closer look, the radar picture shows that we have been

missing some of the showers that we are starting to see them work their

way in. You may well get away with no showers at all. Generally dry.

The rain will work its way in from the south-east. Temperatures

overnight dipping down to around 11 degrees. Tomorrow morning, the

further east you are, the more likely you will see the outbreaks

of rain first thing. To the West, it is dry and cloudy to start. The

rain will gradually progressed northwards so it does look like to

the West you will see some drier spells although you are likely to

feel a bit of damp at times. In the east, you will be under the rain