05/12/2011 East Midlands Today

This is East Midlands Today with Dominic Heale and me, Anne Davies.

Our top story tonight: a convicted crime boss pulls the strings, from

his prison cell. A bleak future for closer

threatened maternity units. Some women feared the worst. My baby was

born quite quickly. If it had happened to me, my husband

delivering my baby would not have been ideal.

We speak to the residents who have not had there been as collective

more than two-and-a-half weeks. -- their bins collected.

And the pop star singing the praises of their community

recording studio. Fame isn't about money, it is about what you can do

with your fame, the positive things Good evening and welcome to

Monday's programme. First tonight, a gang boss convicted of murder has

won the right to demand the names of officers who write reports about

him. He wants to know who is compiling

his record as he serves a life sentence in a high security prison.

Colin Gunn ran a gang in Nottingham blamed for giving the city its

reputation for gun crime. He was finally jailed for ordering the

murders of John and Joan Stirland in a vendetta killing. Gunn's

serving 35 years, currently in the high security Belmarsh prison in

London. It's there he complained that prison officers' names and

other information were withheld from copies of his record. The

Prisons and Probation Ombudsman agreed and Belmarsh has now

arranged to give him uncensored copies.

Well, our chief news reporter Quentin Rayner joins us now. What's

behind his demand? Colin Gunn complained that since

being at the high security Belmarsh prison, reports written about him

didn't include names of the prison officers who'd written them. He

said officers' names hadn't been removed at his previous high

security jail. So he complained to the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.

The Prison Service advised the ombudsman that information should

only be redacted in exceptional circumstances. So the ombudsman

asked Belmarsh to review the records given to Gunn and a

governor there decided that he should receive unredacted copies.

How did this come to light? The ruling was actually made in May of

this year but it's only just come to the public's attention. Because

a letter from Gunn has been published in this month's edition

of Inside Time, the national newspaper for prisoners. In it he

wrote: I know that prison staff up and down the country must hate the

thought of us being able to actually see who has written what

about us and will try to tell us we are not entitled to see names and

redacted information but this is 100% wrong. I hope this will be of

help to others. The ombudsman ruled that the names of prison staff

should only be removed if there is reasonable expectation that bodily

safety or even life itself are put at risk, but the Prison Officers'

Association isn't reassured. If the ruling is put in force to

the letter, and there is a knee- jerk reaction to it, and every

prisoner in a country is good in the name of every single prison

officer it has ever made an entry about them or give any information

about them, it could place prison officers in severe jeopardy for

their safety. Now this isn't the first time the ombudsman has ruled

in Colin Gunn's favour. Last year he won the right to be called Mr

Gunn by prison officers, complaining he wasn't being treated

with respect. The future of two midwife-led

maternity units in the Derbyshire will be decided this week. The NHS

wants to close the Darley Birth Centre near Matlock and a similar

facility in Buxton. It says both units are relics from the past and

too expensive to keep open. A Maisie came into the world nine

months ago. She was born at the Darley Dale birth centre near

Matlock. Her mother got what she wanted, a natural birth and she had

no pain relief. It was fantastic. I had a really easy second birth and

no complications, no problems. family value the Birth Centre so

much that they have decided to spread the world -- spread the word

of a unit under threat. I did a big bike ride, without leaving

Derbyshire. The primary care trusts says it doesn't doubt people's

affection for the unit but says there are simply not enough birth.

In the last 12 months, only 100 people have used it. Have you been

winding its down? At its best it would have been 150 or 160. The

guidance we have is that around 300 makes basis Bain the ball -- makes

a sustainable Birth Centre. Could it be marketed before? That has

been done before. We don't think they are marketed fit enough before.

This meeting in 1980 it closed similar units in other towns. In

fact, there are now just four stand-alone midwife Redberth units

in our region. Darley Dale sells itself with a birth pool and mood

lighting. Today's weather has done little to lift the mood of

campaigners and it might not be the only winter gloom they have to put

up with if Wednesday's closure recommendations go through. Still

to come on the programme: a hidden army of young carers.

A normal childhood for Sophie means caring for her disabled mum. She

says it's no big deal but, as you'll, see it it ia, for Sophie

and thousands like her. British police officers have

travelled to Spain in the hunt for Madeleine McCann. Madeleine from

Rothley disappeared in Portugal four years ago. Scotland Yard

detectives were asked by the Prime Minister to review the case after

Portuguese police dropped its investigation. The Metropolitan

Police say last month's visit to Barcelona and previous trips to

Portugal were to liaise with other forces.

17 people have been arrested in Leicestershire during the first

weekend of the Christmas anti- drink-drive campaign. The None for

the Road campaign started last Thursday. Police say nine people

were over the alcohol limit on Saturday alone. Last year 125

motorists were arrested for drink driving during the whole of

December. It's not just the roads that are

being prepared for the cold weather this year, East Midlands Trains

says its improving the way it deals with freezing temperatures. The

company's planning special snow timetables and has new anti-freeze

in vehicles which can withstand temperatures as low as minus 28

degrees Celsius. It also plans to offer passenger information on

special screens and through dedicated Twitter feeds.

Nottingham City Council has apologised after people living in a

block of flats had to wait more than two weeks to have their bins

emptied. Residents said they felt ignored by

the authority. However, the rubbish was finally taken away less than an

hour after our lunchtime programme had reported their complaints.

The council says major changes to its bin collection schedules were

to blame for the delay. This was the scene at 10am today.

The council had not collected the bins at this block of flats since

the middle of November. Residents taking out their rubbish were

greeted by overflowing bins and piles of bags. It is not on. The

council just ignores us. They are ignoring a sound that is the only

thing I can say. They are totally ignoring our plight. If this is

council care, I don't know what is Foster with of a room beginning to

phone up, some residents were forced to put rubbish on their

patios. -- with the room are beginning to fill up. I found... We

are getting desperate. These were the views aired on our lunchtime

programme today. Then, at around 2pm, the bins were finally

collected. As soon as it is on television, it is clear within 20

minutes. Why has the response to the phone calls we've made... Why

have they done nothing? It is a side effect to last month's changes

to bin collections. It says the new system will save them �700,000 a

year but there have been some teething problems. Two weeks on and

the rubbish at at least 200 properties is still to be collected.

But for the residence here, things are finally back to normal. --

residents. A youth project that's facing

closure got some unlikely celebrity backing today.

The American pop-star, Aloe Blacc, popped into to Nottingham's

Community Recording Studio, ahead of a performance in the city

This is the track that turned him into a overnight recording star. He

was visiting Dane Nottingham youth project that is desperately short

of money. It has been taking teenagers off the streets for 21

years. There are questions for local school children as well.

is not about the money you have put about what you can do with your

fame. I hope I can inspire the local community to support this

project because without it, places will not be able to stick around.

We needed. -- we need it forced up and then he listens to some of the

young musicians. -- we need it. And then he came and listened to some

of them the UN musicians. It gives awareness to the work that we do.

Last year, another big name from the musical world came to visit.

Feargal Sharkey was here with the culture minister to unveil a new

rehearsal space. Now the studio might have to close because of cuts

in its funding. We are reaching the point where we could cease to be.

People were completely disillusioned, had no way to go, we

were bringing parents. We are trying to make sure that kids are

not confused because it was a big issue, the riots. I don't know how

easy we could have been of places like this were around. Getting

support from such a big star is a shot in the arm but it is money

they really need here. It will take very much more than a dollar to get

this centre up and running. Now it's hard enough caring for a

family member virtually full time but it's even harder if you're

trying to do well at school too. But that's the reality facing 14-

year-old Sophie Walker from Derby, who, with her dad, looks after her

mum who suffers from Huntingdon's disease.

In the first of our series on carers, James Roberson went to met

Sophie, whose only respite from her duties comes through her dance

classes. At classes in Derby, Sophie Walker

looks like all the other young dancers learning the latest routine.

For Sophie, this is her knee time. -- me time. But she soon get back

to her other eating, washing up and making food, so she can help to

look after her mother. She has Huntington's disease. It

progressively affects the brain and nervous system. Hadn't really mind

because I think I am used to it now. I don't find it as hard. -- I don't

really mind. Some people think it is a big deal but it is normal life.

Sophie has spent most of her child at helping care for her mother. As

her condition has worsened, so he has done more and more so Alpo,

from making her bed debating have lost up people say you are doing

really well. She just doesn't see what all the fuss is about. She

doesn't think she is anything special. So he also has to fit in

homework and every week her dancing, her bit of respite care. It gives

me a really good break and everyone is fully supportive. It gives me

someone to talk to land gives me a break. Because my father a break.

Her parents are proud of her daughter who has already won a

committee Champions Award and is hoping to be part of the Olympic

torch relay. The mother nominated me. I felt really good. I like it

when I make my mother pride and she is happy. As long as my mother is

happy, I'm happy as well. There could be up to 750,000 teenagers

like Sophie across the country. Many are reluctant to admit they

care for other people, a point made by Nikki Thompson from the

Barnardo's charity earlier this afternoon.

The overriding fear for young carers and their parents is if they

ask for help it will be perceived that they are not coping and they

are frightened that their family will be split up if they do ask for

some support. That is not what happens but I think that is the

overriding fear. That is the biggest challenge that we all face

in terms of identifying young people like Sophie and their

parents. Sophie is obviously comfortable with her role. She is a

great girl. There are other children who would fear being

bullied, is that right? Yes. At Barnardo's, day-in, day-out, we

would have lots of young carers who are not coping as well as Sophie

and to one not as resilient as Sophie evidently is. One of the

many negative impacts of being a young carer can be bullying from

Piers, which is very distressing. - - peers. No teenager wants to be

seen as being different. Sadly, in society, even today, there are

tremendous stigmas associated with mental health, physical

disabilities and alcohol and substance issues, which many of our

young carers parents are experiencing. By association, the

young carers are stigmatised as well. I know that Barnardo's

supports young carers. There is help out there, isn't there?

Certainly, Barnardo works with over 350 young carers in Leicester and

Leicestershire every year. There are other young care services

throughout the East Midlands. There is a great website younger carers

.net. You can search in your area. There is a safe chat room as well.

Still to come: it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.

Yes, snow in some parts last night. And there's another cold one on the

way. I am keeping warm and snug, looking at some of the snowy images

that have come in today four cross region. I will be giving you the

First Nigel Pearson says he'll be looking to tweak his Leicester City

squad in the January transfer window. It follows defeat to his

old club Hull City at the weekend. Jeremy Nicholas reports.

The Hull City Platt -- fans had been... They were not impressed.

Another game. That is your people's job to build it up like that. It

was a game we are all looking forward to. 10 of the 11 players

were signed by Pearson and it was left to his players to open the

scoring, nearly. A crucial moment was the sending off of his play a.

At first, the second red card seemed harsh but closer inspection

showed it wasn't for the initial challenge but for the following

trip. Have got no complaints with it. I've seen at a number of times.

-- I've got no complaints with it. Friarton made no mistakes from the

spot. Leicester were back in the game when David Nugent found

himself in space. His shot was straight at the keeper. The shot

came back to this other player. His right foot found the bottom corner.

The travelling supporters sang, with only got 10 men, and it looked

like they were going to win it. But this player scored a goal right at

We know we've got very good players. The balance of the squad needs

tweaking slightly. We will look at that when the January comes but

there is a bit of football to be paid between Valand them. --

between now and then. Leicester's squad, tweaked or not,

learned yesterday they will go to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup

third round. So no pressure for either team there. Actually, its

probably an unwelcome distraction for Forest in particular. A third

defeat on the bounce on Saturday in another game which Forest should

have won. This is why they did not. But his

injury time and a moment of weakness and Brighton and pick

Forest. -- unpick. It was a crawl way to lose it. We've got to keep

our focus and belief. We cannot turn in a performance like that and

there be too much wrong with us. can show you exactly what Steve

Especially in the second half, passing and movement to savour. In

the end there, all for nothing. Like it or not, Nottingham Forest

of Ackerman bottom three. -- back in the bottom three.

Bit of Forest news today. Former striker Marlon Harewood is back

training with the club. He's been playing in China and becomes a free

agent next month. Notts County are safely through to the third round

of the FA Cup, where a they have the rather dull draw of Doncaster

away. But at least they made it past non-league Sutton United.

Notts progress was by no means certain until the very end of the

game. Jeff Hughes had given them the lead 35 minutes in, but Notts

only stayed in front because Stuart Nelson was able to save a Sutton

penalty. The Magpies finally finished their non league opponents

off in injury time. Hughes again. One final thing from the FA Cup.

Derby, who drew against Crystal Palace in the league on Friday,

will be at home to guess who? Crystal Palace, in the third round

of the Cup. In Rugby, a bit of a relief for me.

On Friday I absolutely promised you Leicester Tigers against

Northampton would be exciting. So thank goodness it was. Tigers

victorious by just five points in a cracking Premiership game at a

packed Welford Road. It is fair to say they will not be

many Christmas cards sent between these two teams. Northampton's Tom

Ward was not pulling his punches. The cavalry arrived and it all

kicked off. Two of the players were sent off. Ashton, who started the

whole thing, escaped Scot free hand went on to score a try to keep

Northampton in the game. Young went over to keep Leicester's noses

ahead. Northampton hit back with tries from these two players. The

Saints went into the lead. They left Tigers fans with their hearts

in their mouths. A win is even sweeter when it is almost taken

away. To rub salt into Chris Ashton's wins, he was even GG

enough to touch down with his famous splash. -- cheeky enough.

It was also tight for Nottingham Panthers, though it shouldn't have

been. These goals had helped Nottingham to a four one lead but

later they somehow let Dundee back into it for a tense final few

minutes. In the end though the work Panthers did here was enough. 5-4,

the final score. A mention, finally, for Leicester

Riders. No BBL Cup final for them, a poor first half did the damage as

they lost in their semi final second leg at Newcastle. Now for

the first in a little series we're running to give you a flavour of

Christmas, with the emphasis on the flavour.

Yes, we've been lucky enough to visit some of those who put the

spice into festive food. Tonight, I'm off to Hambleton

bakery in Rutland, if I manage to I think I must have come a long way

round. I've got my mincemeat, all I Good afternoon. Welcome to the

bakery. Do you have any mince pies? We have some lovely puff pastry

mince pies and we make our own mincemeat. Lovely. Can I see the

Baker? Yes, Julien would love to speak to you. Hello. Hello. Crikey,

what is this? This is our Christmas Crown, a bun loaf, soaked in apple

brandy with stem gender and dried apple. This is one of our Christmas

product. What else? Mince pies are the killer, we have to make

thousands of them. We do we still since gone, celebrating the Stilton.

A cherry and almond tart. We have a new tarred with orange zest this

year. What about your mincemeat? That's a really, really nice. That

is the easy part though, the hard part is making the mince pies,

thousands of them! Shall I have a He wouldn't get too many done with

me doing it, would you? If I worked here, I would be about 73 stone.

I've tasted everything so far. You are never going to get cold here,

this is a wood-burning oven. It is huge in there. There are only three

in a country. The mince pies are And who shall I give my mince pie

Thanks. Sorry, Tom, it was a long journey

back and I couldn't resist trying its...

Good evening. We've had snow recedes across the East Midlands

and a couple of our cameraman went out to film these scenes. This dog

is having a great time, isn't he? Into Ashbourne as well, plenty of

snow around. If you have not seen any snow today, there has been

plenty around. We are set to see further icy conditions as we go

through the ceiling and overnight tonight. If you have any nice shots,

or send the men. -- send them in. We have a Met Office weather

warning, a yellow alert for icy conditions overnight tonight and

into tomorrow morning. It is mainly for the Peak District which is

going to be affected by this weather warning. As we move on and

look ahead over the coming few days, we can save there are some showers

trickling in across the region. Just to the north, we are seeing a

wintry mix. A little bit of snow is still over the Peter strict. Way we

do see those showers continuing as there temperatures plummet. -- over

the Peak District. Temperatures will be turning very cold. A very

cold start to Tuesday morning, I stand for Sunday. A touch of frost

tomorrow morning. A bright and sunny start but the cloud increases

and we get further showers blowing in through the afternoon. The

temperatures still struggling, only getting up to around six Celsius as

your maximum temperature. Another cold night ahead. Wednesday is a

blustery day. The chance of one or two showers although they will be

mainly rain showers. Further very wet and windy weather heading our

And finally tonight, a happy ending for a flock of geese. For ten years

they have lived on an allotment in Mansfield Woodhouse.

But their owner, Roger Spate, was told that after complaints the

birds would have to go. Well, after their case was highlighted on East

Midlands Today and after lots of offers, they've today moved to a