21/03/2014 East Midlands Today

Welcome to East Midlands Today with Anne Davies, and me Maurice Flynn.

Our top story: The infection spreading at an alarming rate.

This former soldier is up for a national award. He was has a smile

on his face. He's an inspiration to everybody.

From the heart of the European Union, I have come to Brussels. And

the vending machine on a village scale, using the loss of the corner

shop. I use it practically every day. I get my eggs and milk year. ``

here. Good evening and welcome to Friday's

programme. First tonight, 350 cases of scarlet fever have now been

confirmed across the East Midlands ` and that's just so far this year.

It's the highest number for 24 years. Parents are being urged to

look out for the symptoms of the bacterial infection, which is most

common in children. Our Health Correspondent Rob Sissons reports.

It is the red rash that gives scarlet fever... Name. Across the

East Midlands, there have been 350 confirmed cases this year, compared

to 75 in the first 11 weeks of last year. You can see here where the

cases are in the region. They tend to peak every five years. Derbyshire

has the most. In this primary school, they have had a number of

suspected scarlet fever cases and have written to parents. We have had

three cases we feel might be scarlet fever. They have been to their

doctor and been prescribed antibiotics. Symptoms generally take

several days to appear. The rash comes 12 to 48 days later. Red

blotches turn into a rash that feels like sandpaper, looks like sunburn

and maybe itchy. It usually starts in one place and spreads to other

parts of the body. It is really important if you feel your child has

scarlet fever, that you get to the doctor for treatment. Partly because

we want these things treated and taken out of circulation. When Bill

Maynard got scarlet fever, there were no antibiotics. He spent 16

weeks in isolation, but in some ways it kick`started his show business

career. While I was in there, I learned to play the ukelele. I was a

big George Formby fan as a boy, as I think most kids were. When I came

out, after 16 weeks, I was ready to be launched on the unsuspecting

British public. These days, parents are being asked to keep an eye out

for those symptoms. It's been revealed a theatre failed

to carry out background checks on volunteers working with child

performers. The Concordia Theatre in Hinckley

has been at the centre of child sex abuse allegations. However, the

police say the theatre has now made significant progress.

Well, our reporter Geeta Pendse has the details. Geeta, how did this

come to light? It was back in October when police

received information about two male members of staff at the Concordia

Theatre who were thought to have a sexual interest in children. They

were arrested and released on police bail. It also emerged there were two

volunteers and an actor with previous convictions of child sex

abuse. The theatre hadn't picked up on these because volunteers hadn't

undergone adequate background checks ` raising major concerns for the

police. Clearly, if there was a neck vectored system in place previously

`` an effective system in place previously for doing background

checks, then potentially these people might not have been allowed

to remain within the theatre. Well, the Concordia Theatre says it's

co`operating fully with the authorities to put in place a more

robust set of child protection measures. These have included a

change of staff and vetting system. As a result the police have put off

a review of the theatre's licence, providing it puts into place the

changes by May. At that point the council will consider whether to

re`issue a child performance licence. The police say they are

still investigating whether any children at the theatre were abused

and welcome any information from the public.

Sport coming up ` live from the I`pro stadium in Derby.

Where the big game of the weekend is taking place.

Yes, it is derby against For B. `` Forest. We are behind the scenes

later on. More up`to`date's news. The daughter

and son`in`law of a couple whose remains were found in a garden have

admitted burying them nearly 16 years ago. The bodies of William and

Patricia Wycherley were discovered at a house in Forest Town last

October. Susan and Christopher Edwards have denied murder. But

today at Nottingham Crown Court they admitted obstructing a coroner in

the execution of his duty by burying the bodies. A terrorism trial has

been shown more home`made videos of a Leicestershire teenager. Michael

Piggin has denied preparing plans and weapons for a Columbine High

School`style attack. The Old Bailey jury saw Michael Piggin spraying "No

More Mosques" on a Loughborough leisure centre. They've been told

that the local mosque was top of his list of potential targets. They were

also shown more video footage of him testing petrol bombs.

This is Michael. Here we go. Here we go.

A Nottinghamshire primary school once ranked among the best in the

country is being put into special measures. St Edmund Campion in West

Bridgford was judged as outstanding by inspectors. But in January, the

school's head teacher was removed from her post and replaced by an

acting head. Ofsted says the school is providing an unacceptable

standard of education. Hundreds of farmers were today given

lessons in how to avoid injury while they're working.

The agricultural industry has one of the worst safety records in the

country, being responsible for one in five of all work`related

injuries. Today farm workers were given

practical demonstrations of how to avoid some of the most common

hazards. Sarah Teale reports. A potentially tragic farming

accident, but fortunately, this is just a dummy. It is part of a

demonstration to hundreds of local farm workers, I letting some of the

hazards they face. This event was organised by the Health and Safety

Executive, to try and improve the poor safety record in the industry.

The agricultural industry accounts for just over 1% of workers, but it

is responsible for 20% of all work`related injuries. In the East

Midlands in the last year, there has been one death and 45 serious

injuries on farms. One victim was in a wheelchair for six months after

being run over by a poorly maintained tractor on a farm near

Melton Mowbray. His pelvis was crushed and he punctured a lung. The

company was fined ?10,000. Very few accidents are inevitable. Things

happen because of a lack of thought or for a small bit of expenditure or

maintenance that would make the job so much safer. And more effective.

Up to 400 farmers and workers are standard `` attended the workshop.

We want to make the place safer. There are a lot of things you don't

think about that are potentially dangerous. I think farmers can be

too relaxed about dangers. It is an industry that takes the risks for

granted and this event is to make people stop and think about what

they're doing. Hopefully that will ultimately cut the numbers of deaths

and serious injuries in a notoriously dangerous industry.

A Derbyshire soldier, who was paralysed in Afghanistan, has begun

a new mission to become a schoolteacher.

Next month Ben Zissman's up for a national award for injured

servicemen who overcome adversity. And he's hoping to compete in the

next Paralympic Games. Our Social Affairs Correspondent, Jeremy Ball,

reports. Dealing with a class of five and

six`year`olds is not easy, and imagine how much tougher and it is

if you are paralysed from the waist down. That hasn't stopped then

volunteering as a teaching assistant. His determination has

earned him an award. It means such a lot. Various charities are

recognising that I'm still achieving. I am still trying to put

together how it works in a wheelchair. The children don't

care, as long as you have the knowledge. He is so upbeat, he

always has a smile on his face. He does whatever we asked him to do.

Considering he is so young, he is an inspiration to everyone. Then was

injured in Afghanistan when he was working as an engineer and his

convoy was hit by a roadside bomb. I went through the top of the

vehicle. The most amazing thing is that after all of that, I have still

got myself here. A lot of people, you know, three people died in that

attack. It is amazing still to be here and tell the tale. Ben is not

going to let his injuries stop him looking forward. This summer he is

getting married. And he is focusing on competitive hand cycling and is

hoping to make it to the Paralympics.

Good luck. The elections to the European

Parliament may be two months away but the rivalry between two of our

MEPs has boiled over during a televised debate. UKIP's Roger

Helmer has been accused of not bothering to turn up to vote at the

European Parliament. The claim was made by the Liberal

Democrat Bill Newton`Dunn during a debate for our East Midlands Sunday

Politics programme. From Brussels, here's our Political Editor, John

Hess. The European Parliament and the EU

will be explaining to us what these elections are all about. That's why

are elected members know that there's a lot at stake. But is this

a flavour of what we can expect? Roger Helmer never turns up. His

voting record is dreadful. My attendance record and voting record

is better than the average of your party. I would like you right now to

apologise. That's not true. You were not there yesterday. On the surface,

a row about voting records. But at the heart of this clash between

Roger Helmer in Bill Newton`Dunn is what is really in Britain's

long`term economic interests. They fancy themselves at making some

really knock out there. But we can match them all the way. This brewery

was set up a 40% of its funding on the European Union. But neither is

doubt over whether Britain should stay in the European Union. Bakewell

market and Derbyshire sheep farmers are also torn. If we carry on, we

will get subsidies, but if we came out, we would have less red tape.

You never see the MEPs, because the constituency is too big. We may need

some other Belgian chocolates as a sweep there. `` we may need some of

those Belgian chocolates as a campaign sweetener.

Catch that debate in full on the Sunday Politics for the East

Midlands from 11 o'clock, here on BBC One. Plenty more to come on the

programme tonight. Including something for the weekend from Anna.

Yes, no spring has sprung, winter is fighting back.

Thousands of people across our region are taking part in events for

Sport Relief. It's a time to get active and also raise money for good

causes. Some of the big events took place

today, but there'll be even more over the weekend. Simon Ward joined

the fun in Leicester. The pupils, parents and staff at

this school and Leicester are off on their sport relief mile. Music to

keep them going. We have had a great start to wear mourning. It is a big

challenge for Kieren, whose longest walk so far is half a mile. Today,

he is hoping to double back distance. It took a lot of

organisation. You think you will make the whole mile? Yes. And he did

make it all the way to the finish. We're raising money for kids in

other countries. The special guest today inspired the children. All the

kids from the school, family members and staff, all dressed up and it was

really good. I got to walk round with Kieran, walk round the whole

mile with his Walker. And the celebrations continued long after

they had finished their Sport Relief mile. Cracking stuff. Well done if

you took part. Time for sport and there is only once place for Colin

to be tonight ahead of the game this weekend.

The players know there is so much more than the usual local rivalry at

stake, and here's why. This is the first time in 20 years these clubs

have come together, both looking at potential promotion. With both teams

having had a dip in form recently, this scheme could be the one that

makes or breaks their season. It is about points, it is about

pride, but this time, it is all about promotion. They are all big

games, but this one has a touch of spice. It is not just about Derby

and Forest, it is about the play`off position. It is passion, it is

energy. It is going to be a high octane game. I have no fingernails

left and it has not even kicked off. It is going to be a bloodbath.

They are fighting to get promoted and biting to set our place in the

play`offs. That always seems to be something going on. Hopefully, the

football will be the main talking point after the game. We would like

the Derby fans to go away happy. Whoever wins on Saturday will be one

step closer to promotion. This promises to be the biggest clash in

decades. We cannot emphasise enough how much

this one means. Plenty of other football this weekend ` and some big

events in other sport too. Rounding things up, here's Kirsty Edwards.

At Leicester city this week, we have been given special access behind the

scenes as they continue their march towards the top flight away at

Blackburn tomorrow. You can watch an exclusive feature on Monday night on

BBC One. Nottingham County have a big clash with Carlisle tomorrow.

There is a big local derby for Mansfield Town in the two. They are

at home to Chesterfield. Keep up with the action on your local BBC

Radio station. In rugby, Leicester Tigers are at home. In ice hockey,

Nottingham Panthers have been having a bit of fun of the ice. This is a

song they have recorded to celebrate reaching the Challenge Cup final.

They have the first leg of that in Belfast tonight.

Good luck to all our teams in action in what ever sport this weekend, but

we are focused on Derby against Forest. Take a look at this motley

crew, because the face`off has begun. Let's stop to you first. We

have been talking about Sport Relief already. What are you up to this

weekend? We are putting together Sport Relief the Five. `` Rivals. We

have legends coming out of our dressing room and fittingly, red and

white by the colours. I am not happy with these colours, but the cause is

the most important thing. Don't try and sneak that fly again. Come in,

gentlemen. You are both playing in the game. Let's talk about the big

game. It is a big game, now matter how you look at it. It is all to

play for at the moment and Forest need the points. How about Derby? If

we get the right result tomorrow, they will drop out of the top six.

What does it take to win a game like this? It is about pride. It is about

wearing the shirt for themselves, but the manager and the fans.

Hopefully, the result goes the right way. Briefly, which is the most

important game, Saturday or Sunday? No competition, Sunday. Don't forget

you can see a full report on the match on Monday on East midlands

Today. That is a reason why we are

surrounded by giant food. An inventor's come up with a novel idea

to help rural communities which have lost their village shop. It's a

giant vending machine full of essential groceries.

The first one has just been installed in a pub car park near

Ashbourne in Derbyshire. But there are plans to place them in other

villages in the area. Simon Hare reports.

This convenience store it really is open all hours. It has recently

opened behind a pub at Clifton near Ashbourne in Derbyshire. It stops

everything from hot dogs to food for hungry dogs. It is that range of

items you need day`to`day, where it is a real pain getting in your car

to drive for two or three miles to get what you need. I use it every

day. I get my eggs and milk here and once villagers get used to it, it

will be a boon for us. If I want E`bacc, the court is six to two. I

do the numbers, press OK and it gets the product. This collection unit is

quite important, because it means you can do delicate products like

eggs. I have bottled milk and eggs and bacon and bread. Guess what I

had for breakfast. Where else can you go shopping and have a pint at

the same time? The idea came from a couple of pints in the pub. It went

from a discussion over a pint of beer to a shop. It's incredible.

There are plans for other shops like this in the area. But they are

hoping for interest from a major retailer.

Simple, but genius. It is a brilliant idea, a giant vending

machine. Could we get sunshine and rain?

If you are unlucky, you would have been caught in showers today. But

also some stunning rainbows. The weekend and continues, sunshine and

showers. The temperature quite chilly throughout. There may be some

rumbles of thunder and some hail, but as we go into the evening, a

line of more organised showers moving through. Once the showers

ease, the wind also begins to die down and we're looking at laws of

two or three Celsius tonight. There is a risk of ice first thing

tomorrow morning. The Mac office have issued a yellow warning. ``

then met offers. `` Derby the Met Office.

A strengthening south`westerly winds tomorrow afternoon. Looking further

ahead, it is Sunday. A cloudy start, showers in the morning, but we are

hopeful the showers will ease in the afternoon. Still quite chilly, but

Sunday afternoon is looking like the best part of the weekend. Sunday

night, a widespread frost. So watch out.

We are back at ten o'clock. We'll have good pictures of the lull

before the