08/01/2014 East Midlands Today

goodbye from me. On BBC One we now join the BBC's news teams

This is East Midlands Today with Geeta Pendse and me, Dominic Heale.

Tonight, remembering the Kegworth Air disaster. 25 years on, we speak

to the ambulance chief whose crews were first on the scene. In other

news, police 0 were first on the scene. In other

news, police discover the body in Leicester. For workers apply for

redundancy at a council that is axing hundreds of jobs. In this gun

amnesty, I found out what happens to them next. And join me later when we

will be gazing at stars and making comics. `` comets.

Welcome to the programme. Our main story: Prayers have been

said this morning in memory of the 47 people who died in the Kegworth

air disaster. It's 25 years ago today that the aircraft crashed on

the M1 embankment near East Midlands Airport. Villagers and relatives of

the victims attended a service at Kegworth Parish Church. At the same

time, wreaths were laid at the memorial in Kegworth cemetery by the

chief constable of Leicestershire Police and a parish council

representative who was involved in the rescue and recovery efforts in

January 1989. The scene on the M1 today. Well, a former chief

ambulance officer has spoken to us ` the first time he's spoken in public

` about that night. His teams were the first to reach the site of the

crash. James Roberson's report contains images of that night and of

the 0 contains images of that night and of

the aftermath 0 contains images of that night and of

the aftermath of the tragedy. The broken fuselage of the plane on

the M1 embankment. It had been flying from Heathrow to Belfast when

it was diverted to East Midlands airport with an engine problem. It

crashed onto the busy motorway is just short of the runway. I

collected lots of letters of thanks. This was the chief ambulance

officer. He has an archive of documents from the disaster at his

Leicestershire home, including the official annual in`service blog for

the night. We had a radio message to say that it was believed to be down

on the motorway. In those days, and even staff were not paramedics.

There was a male driver and a female attendant. several people grabbed

the attendant and said thank you are here, they helped onto the wind and

pushed into the aircraft. The disaster meant a new emergency

first. Helicopters to ferry the injured from hospital stop I ran my

crew saying, don't worry, we have you safe. We'll pop you in this

helicopter and fly off to helicopter. 0

helicopter and fly off to helicopter. People said, I don't

want to do that. Some of our staff adopted the casualties and one chap

actually flew all the way from England back to Belfast with his

casualty because the guy was afraid of flying so he actually took him

home. A year later, I realise the effect it had on me. At the same

time the next year, the phone rang, and it was the control room with

another message and I actually physically went cold. Something

brought it all went back. All that is left is this plaque which recalls

that 47 people died but it also pays tribute to the heroic efforts of the

rescuers who made sure that 79 people did survive that terrible

disaster. You can read more about the Kegworth

disaster in BBC Online's special 25th anniversary report, which

includes analysis of the crash and its aftermath, as well as interviews

with the survivors. Investigations are continuing

tonight after the discovery of a woman's body at a house in

Leicester. Police sealed off two seperate roads in the city while

they carried out forensic examinations. One man has been

arrested. Helen Astle reports. Officers were called to a house on

this street in the Belgrave area of Leicester shortly before half past

six this morning. There, they discovered a woman's body. The road

has remained sealed off all day. Neighbours say the couple who lived

in the house were quiet and word well`known. I have been here for

over 20 years and have had no problems here. All the other

neighbours are friendly with each other. But this one particular

neighbour, we didn't know much about them. a couple of police cars went

past 6am. We were surprised to hear what had happened. It is not 0

expected of this area. It is a shock, really. Less than a mile

away, the police cordoned off another street and carried out more

forensic examinations. Later in the afternoon, a black Vauxhall Corsa

was taken away. There were more police in the morning. They were

keeping quite quiet about what was going on but as the day progressed,

they seem to be more and more police officers coming down to the 0

they seem to be more and more police officers coming down to the street

and investigation teams. Anybody on the street, people will tell you

they kept to themselves. The police say the investigation they have been

carrying out today are connected to the discovery of the woman's body. A

man has been arrested. He is currently in hospital receiving

treatment. In the meantime, the police are urging anyone with any

information to contact them. Next tonight, the scale of the task

facing our local councils as they try to balance their budgets. It's

emerged that at least 3,500 local authority staff face losing their

jobs in the East Midlands over the next few years. Derby City Council,

for example, needs to shed 350 posts this year. So, how many people are

taking voluntary redundancy? Well, so far, the council has only been

able to offer that option to four people. Officials say that means

it's inevitable that there'll have to be hundreds of compulsory job

cuts. One senior politician is suggesting that it may now be time

to consider cutting the number of councils themselves. With more

details, here's Simon Hare. It looks like there are trouble

times ahead for the staff of Derby City Council. 350 jobs have got to

be cut here in the next few months. It is still not clear which posts

will go. The counsellor in charge of the city's budget revealed on BBC

radio Derby's breakfast show this morning that so far, it had only be

able 0 morning that so far, it had only be

able to offer voluntary redundancy terms to just four people. The

inevitable outcome will have to be compulsory job cuts. That cuts are

relentless. They are deep and sustained and we are finding it very

difficult to find the savings and certainly, those will ultimately

result in compulsory job cuts. Unison says it is concerned it will

impact front line services and Derby City Council isn't alone. Just

yesterday, we reported how Leicestershire City Council needs to

lose about 700 posts over the next four years. Derbyshire county

council needs to shed 0 four years. Derbyshire county

council needs to shed about 1600. It says compulsory redundancies will be

a last resort and Nottinghamshire county council is currently

consulting on plan that would see 758 jobs lost. The financial

situation facing our local authorities is so severe that one

senior Conservative councillor, leader of the Tory group in

Derbyshire and deputy chairman of the local government Association is

reported to have said it could be time to cut the actual number of

councils that represent our communities. This is East Midlands

today. Still to come. Star spotting. It's

that time of year when we're all encouraged to gaze towards the

heavens. But look up tonight, and you are likely to see cloud and feel

the rain. However, there will be some perfect stargazing 0

the rain. However, there will be some perfect stargazing conditions

later in the week. I will tell you when shortly.

Police have made two arrests after a car crash in Nottingham in which two

men died. Janaid Shafiq, aged 19, from Nottingham, and 22`year`old

Abubakr Ahmed, from Peterborough, died at the scene. Both were

students at Nottingham Trent University. Their car crashed into a

tree on Carlton Road at around 11.20pm last night. A 21`year`old

and 24`year`old have been arrested and bailed pending further

enquiries. Elizabeth Byrne and her daughter, Skye Fletcher, were

witnesses at the scene. I heard a loud bang, looked outside my window

and saw blood car. I shut my mum, I rang the eminence and the police,

and outside the was just crashed over by the tree. I spoke to the

driver for a little bit, telling him it would be OK and that the ambience

was on its way, we could see the eminence coming up it street and try

to get him to stay calm. The Electoral Commission says urgent

action should be taken in Derby to make sure May's elections are held

securely. Officials have identified the city as being at 'higher risk'

of electoral fraud, after four people were found guilty of offences

in July last year. The Commission wants tighter security at polling

stations, such as voters showing ID as well as their polling card.

Weapons collected by Leicestershire Police 0

Weapons collected by Leicestershire Police during an amnesty have been

melted down today. More than one hundred and thirty firearms

including antique rifles and fake Uzi machine guns were handed in last

September. The police say the operation is a major step in making

sure guns are kept out of the hands of criminals. But once they've been

melted down where do they end up? Eleanor Garnier's been to find out.

Molten iron at a cool 1500 Celsius but some of this metal has been hot

property. Temperatures in this factory, a sign of the lengths the

police are going to to cut down on crime. These weapons were all

collected in a gun amnesty back in September last year. Officers say

around 130 guns were handed in and half of them were illegal because

they weren't registered with the police. And now they are all for the

melting pot. Destined to be destroyed. we have loads of weapons

from the mystique, shotguns, rifles, handguns, pistols, and there is even

an Uzi in here. Some of them can be used to threaten people and cause

people fear, violence, so it is important that all the weapons,

whether fake or real, are melted down and turned into another ``

other things. Once the weapons are delivered to this factory near

Melton Mowbray, there is no turning back. Picked up by a giant magnet,

they are melting down with other scrap metal, and finally, and

perhaps surprisingly, ending up like this, as 0

perhaps surprisingly, ending up like this, as greats for drains and

manhole covers. Nottingham's tram system should be

extended even further ` to Kimberley, according to a Government

planning inspector. Phase two of the tram is currently under construction

and 0 tram is currently under construction

and will reach Clifton and Chilwell. Planning inspector Kathleen Ellison,

said extending the network to Kimberley should be regarded as

desirable. The recommendation was made in a report allowing an appeal

for 116 homes on the potential route through Nuthall.

A 16`year`old boy who went missing from his home in Derby on New Year's

Eve has been found safe and well. Tristan Wilson left his home over a

week ago. Officers had appealed for information on his 0

week ago. Officers had appealed for information on his whereabouts.

Police say he was found in the area of the city this morning.

Students at the University of Leicester are to be offered paid

internships whilst studying for their degrees. The project will

provide 500 placements for undergraduates each year, as Sumeer

Kalyani reports. Pod casting with a purpose. This woman is recording her

latest staff interviews. It is part of the new job at the University of

Leicester which she secured after following a graduate internship at

its PR department. The job market is so combat that it is 0

its PR department. The job market is so combat that it is so having any

of that unity to do an internship before you graduate has got to be

invaluable. The University will provide paid casements to 500

undergraduates every year which it claims 0

undergraduates every year which it claims is a sound investment. our

students faced tough competition from students around the world so

what this gives them is a strong platform. Business leaders have

criticised 0 platform. Business leaders have

criticised students for not having the necessary skills when they leave

college. I think those students who have spent time in the working world

are much more prepared for it when they leave university, they know

what to expect, then know how to behave in a 0

what to expect, then know how to behave in a working environment and

then had to be a response or member of the team and the difference is

very stark. It is hoped the project will help students be more prepared

for the workplace. It's one of the UK's oldest schools

of art and design ` for 170 years a variety of budding artists have

learnt their craft in Nottingham. Now an exhibition at Nottingham

Trent University is showcasing their work and exploring the school's

origins. I went to take a look. From the acclaimed painter Dame Laura

Knight to rock music photographer, this is Nottingham Trent

University's own wall of fame, the works of 100 former students are

being displayed across the campus to mark 170 years of art education. The

School of Art and design originally started as the Nottingham government

School of design. It was one of several institutions set up to

improve the design skills of industrial workers. Soon enough, it

attracted hundreds of local lace workers. They understood the

economic imperatives for the country so Art and design education started

to support the manufacturing industry and also because it was

believed that we needed to develop a consumer market for products within

the UK. Stuart Trevor is founder of the UK fashion chain all Saints. He

was a student here in the late 1980s. Some of his designs feature

in the exhibition. They have external tutors, they come in, they

are designers and they come in and they inspire you and you learn from

them what it is like to go out into the big wide world and come up with

something. The school has come a long way since its industrial

origins with modern techniques and innovations at the heart of

teaching. This exhibition, which runs for a month, is as much as

about celebrity the past as looking output can come next. Did you know,

the musician Damon Albarn's parents went to Nottingham Trent University

and they are artists and their work is at the university.

Coming up, stand by for some celestial bodies. Yes, why has this

static that is making my head going wild got anything to do with outer

space? The report coming up will be out of this world. It is time for

the sports news. We start with football. We have rugby and ice

hockey coming up to. First, the former Derby and Notts

County defender Michael Johnson has denied being homophobic in the wake

of stepping down from the FA's anti discrimination board after making

controversial comments two years ago. On the BBC show The Big

Questions, 0 ago. On the BBC show The Big

Questions, he said this: despite the campaign against

homophobia, do you support the fight against 0

homophobia, do you support the fight against homophobia? Listen, what I

support their campaign? Because of my beliefs, because of the Bible

that I read, in that chapter in the Bible, it does state that

homosexuality is... He says he is deeply sorry and regrets coating

that part of the Bible and felt put on the spot J wring the programme.

Johnson had a 20`year career in the game and was working voluntarily for

the FA anti`discrimination advisory board. He said he felt he had to

step down but felt it was a great shame. He insisted he doesn't

discriminate against gay people and wanted the chance to show he had

changed his views. Next Leicester City manager Nigel

Pearson has given his strongest hint yet there may be movement on player

contracts at the club. Ten Foxes players, and Nigel Pearson himself

are out of the contract in the summer and as Kirsty Edwards reports

it looks like it will be an interesting January. This could well

be a profitable month for the foxes. All the talk not only about the

players that may be coming in during the transfer window but crucially,

in succession continues over the feature 0

in succession continues over the feature of a number of the current

stars. Amongst the ten out of contract at the end of the season

are the likes of gold paper Kasper Schmeichel, Captain Wes Morgan and

leading scorer David Nugent. Fans fear other clubs may capitalise on

the situation and try to lure them away this January and some of them

have expressed their frustration that as yet, there has been no new

deal offered. 0 that as yet, there has been no new

deal offered. I do understand there has been a feeling in security may

be amassing the fans have probably voiced some opinion in those lines

but hopefully, things will resolve themselves in a positive manner for

everybody. Alternately, we have to try and keep minds on the job in

hand and that is to try and achieve promotion this season. If we work in

the same fashion, we have a good chance to 0

the same fashion, we have a good chance to do that. While he hopes to

keep hold of his big stars, he is also looking to add to the squad. I

will do everything to keep my squad gather and hopefully add to it and

go from there. Could we see any deals being done in the near future?

I don't know what the near future is but let's hope so.

Derby have completed the sale of winger Michael Jacobs to Wolves.

Jacobs leaves the Rams just 18 months after arriving from

Northampton. It's thought the deal is worth ?300,000 with a sell`on

clause included. Rugby and at Leicester Tigers, Toby

Flood's England career looks to be over as he's set to be left out of

the Six Nations squad. Flood has won 60 caps for his country over the

past seven years. But his decision to move to French side Toulouse next

season goes against head coach Stuart Lancaster's rule of only

picking players based in England. And Tigers coach Richard Cockerill

wouldn't be surprised to see him left out. The rules are if you go

abroad, you won't get picked for England. He's with us now so they

can him for the six Nations but like most coaches, they look to the

future, if Toby is not going to be around next season, there is some

sense in looking forward and getting one of the younger guys in. But we

will see tomorrow at 12 o'clock when they announced the squad. We will

indeed. And in ice hockey, the Nottingham

Panthers are in Scotland to face the Braehead Clan tonight in the second

leg of the Challenge Cup Quarter final. The Panthers take an 8`0 lead

into the tie. Natalie, thank you very much indeed.

Next tonight, 0 very much indeed.

Next tonight, be prepared ` we are now going to take you out of this

world. Where did the stars come from? What would an alien look like?

What is it like to explore Mars? Well, at Leicester University, they

are dedicating this evening to the wonders of the universe. Our very

own star Jo is there. Hello. When I was a child, this was as good as

gold `` stargazing God. If you are very lucky and sophisticated, you've

got to use something like this, probably a bit smaller. Now, if you

are a fan of space, you get to come to nights like this, . This is what

has inspired the event at Leicester, BBC Two's Stargazing

Live. It has attracted a host of new fans to our solar system. Here they

ask, some of them making most of the cosmic fun. I like space. Being here

allows you to be part of something that is quite over and, looking into

space, and for them, it is oh look, there is the and the Earth. What are

you making? I am making comics. We are making it with Worcester sauce,

and dirt. And sand and water. I am standing on a Vander Graaf generator

and that is all to do with the aurora borealis, the Northern

lights, you can look at rockets. You can make, it's with dry ice, try

some freeze`dried marshmallows. They are expecting 2500 people here

tonight. Astronomy has taken off. It certainly has taken. Paul, how is

it? You are 0 certainly has taken. Paul, how is

it? You are macro 0 certainly has taken. Paul, how is

it? You are macro it is very popular. It is great. The general

public can ask scientists questions and that is what makes it so

popular. How important is it, Lewis, that we look at outer space? I think

we are a cubist bunch. We try to understand the world around us as

well as space and use 0 understand the world around us as

well as space and use that information to inform us what we do

back down here on Earth. It inspires people, it gets kids into science,

that is important, but by learning things in outer space, we can apply

that knowledge and technology back on Earth in hospitals and in the

third world, it is all about transferring knowledge, not just

keeping it where it is. I know you look at whether there is life out

there, is there? maybe. Maybe there is an intelligent alien in the

galaxy looking back. I think it is more likely we have some hardy life

forms, something like bacteria on the surface 0 0

forms, something like bacteria on the surface of Mars. Clearly, Lester

is very much a centre. Thank you very much. Tonight, it BM, BBC Two,

Stargazing Live. 7pm, here tonight, a big stargazing outdoor event but I

have to say it is pouring down so I guess we will be finding out soon in

the weather whether that will be successful or not. It is funny you

should say that. We're about to bind up the good news or not, it is very

dependent on the weather. Tonight is in the best night to be out

stargazing with all the rain we have on the way. But things do improve

with clearer skies expected overnight, Thursday, Friday and

Saturday so some good news there. Back to now, we do have rain pushing

in and what we have to bear in mind is another of our rivers have flood

alerts in force and with the added rainfall tonight, 0

alerts in force and with the added rainfall tonight, there is that risk

so do be extra careful if you are heading out and about. He was the

low pressure that is bringing in the rain at the moment. It is relatively

small at the moment. It will be quite quick to move away to give us

an improving story on Thursday. Here is the current position of the rain

that is with us at the moment. It is patchy but it will turn increasingly

intense as we go into the early hours of Thursday morning, just for

a time. Once it clears away, behind it we will start to see the showers

push in. They are heavy in nature and they do have the risk of rumble

of thunder. All the cloud and rain, it is a mild night, though, seven

Celsius. 0 it is a mild night, though, seven

Celsius. The showers still with us first thing tomorrow morning but

they start to die out and it is an improving story throughout the day.

One or two showers around but bright and sunny intervals as we go into

the afternoon. Temperatures tomorrow, we'll look at highs of

nine Celsius but the wind starts to change election and it will be more

northwesterly and you will notice it feeling a bit cold as you head Frome

from work tomorrow. Cloud coverage will increase to the day and this

area of rain, as it makes its way towards us, it will start to ease so

patchy rain towards the end of the day. Let's look at the day. Say

hello to high pressure, a rare sight at the moment, it will be crisp,

cold, but plenty of sunshine so let's look forward to that.

cold, but plenty of sunshine so let's Little bird tells me it will

be a lot colder next week, possibly, we shall see. I shall be back with

the late news. I do hope you can tune in. Until then, good night.