03/01/2017 East Midlands Today

It's almost 6:30pm - you're watching East Midlands Today.

Tonight - safe and well - the Leicester couple

stranded by a blizzard on a Scottish mountainside.

Huddled for warmth in emergency bivouack, they were eventually

We'll definitely be back but we'll be probably a little

become the new focus of the battle over fracking?

Plus, smashed windows and slashed tyres, scores of cars

vandalised across seven Leicestershire villages.

Do they wake up one morning and say, do you fancy

seeing how many cars we can smash up tonight?

And just imagine trying to do a headcount of this lot.

But they do have to count all the animals,

Good evening and welcome to our first full programme of 2017 -

First tonight, rescuers say a couple forced to spend a night

in the Cairngorms are lucky to be alive.

Bob and Cathy Elmer from Leicester were caught out when a planned hill

They sheltered with their dog in survival bags in white out

conditions before being found by a mountain rescue team.

This was the moment members of the Cairngorm Mountain rescue team came

across Bob and Cathy Elmer, 4000 feet up on a snow laden plateau. The

pair had been hill walking in Scotland for around 25 years but

they admit despite various periods and equipment they were unprepared

for the commitments they faced when they ventured out on the first day

of the year. We knew it was winter time. We probably didn't quite judge

how long it was going to take. They became an issue when I got two

thirds of the way down and Cathy was struggling to keep up with me. Then

I knew it was going to take a lot longer than I had anticipated. With

their dog in tow they found themselves in deep snow and

darkness. And when the batteries in both their torches gave out. The

snow was at times up to our waists. We decided we couldn't go on any

further because we didn't know really where we were going. You

couldn't see a hand in front of your face. So we decided to get the

survival bags out and gets down for the night in them. Mountain rescuers

say despite temperatures of -6 and high winds, Bob and Cathy's decision

to stay put and wait for daylight robbery saved their lives. The

prospect of staying out there isn't that attractive but it probably is

decision that saved their lives. And the pair saying being prepared for

when things might go wrong is key. You can go up on a summers day and

be knee-high and snow here. We've been there, we've done it. You have

to go equipped. You have do have the right kit even if the sun is

shining. We are now well into the winter climbing season and while

Scotland's weather can be unpredictable at the best of times

that is especially the case up here and during the winter months. The

message to anyone venturing into the hills is make sure you have the

right equipment, make sure you have the necessary skills and always be

prepared to turn back. Next tonight - Sherwood Forest

could become the latest battle ground for those

for and against fracking. Documents obtained by Friends

of the Earth show that a chemical company wants to carry out seismic

surveys to see if there's shale gas The survey area

could come within 200 Opponents claim it will

decimate the forest. But the company involved says

Friends of the Earth Here's Quentin Rayner

to tell us more. These plans have been revealed

through a Freedom of Information They show that the chemical company

INEOS Shale appears to have agreed terms with the Forestry Commission

to carry out seismic surveys in Sherwood Forest

and other licenced sites The survey would involve putting

charges in the ground to establish if there is any gas in the rock

underneath which might be extracted These tests could take place

within 200 metres of the forest's most famous attraction,

the 1000 year old Major Oak tree. The company insists

it's not fracking in Friends of the Earth

of unnecessarily alarming the public by misrepresenting information it

has received from the Forestry One of its directors recently told

us what's involved with the seismic surveys in licensed areas

in the East Midlands, What we would do is undertake

the survey work, then marry the survey work with vertical-cored

wells - not fracked - simply samples of the geology,

looking at the depths, the content, and then we would use

that information to inform our conversation with the communities,

with the regulator, with the planning authorities, to take

on to a horizontal well and a frack. The Country Park is a Site

of Special Scientific Interest, as well as a Special Area

of Conservation, and Friends of the Earth fear the seismic

surveys alone could damage the ancient woodland

and its wildlife. Local anti-fracking groups fear that

if fracking ultimately takes place, it could lead to the decimation

of the Forest; increase the number of earthquakes in the surrounding

area; disrupt the water table They intend to make it a rallying

point by generating an international campaign opposing the plans starting

this Saturday with a rally Still to come -

a saddle-sore end to 2016. We meet Nottingham cyclist

Kaiser Tylen who got on her bike every day last year -

and covered a record-breaking thirty Police are appealing for information

after more than 60 cars were damaged in the early hours of yesterday

morning across Leicestershire. People reported slashed tyres

and smashed windscreens Our reporter Navtej Johal is in one

of those villages tonight. Good evening. I was speaking to a

resident here earlier who told me this is a very quiet village and not

much tends to happen here. That is one of the reasons why so many

people have been so shocked by what has been described as just mindless

destruction. One woman told me she stepped out of her house yesterday

morning and counted ten cars damaged on this street alone. In total, more

than 60 cars have had their tyres slashed or Windows smashed across

Leicestershire in villages. However, nothing appears to have been stolen

from any of them. We spoke to a couple of earlier who had a window

smashed in their car and a woman here who had to tyres slashed of her

car. Me and the kids, because

the kids were happy that we'd got another car

similar to the old one. You know, what gets

into their heads? Do they wake up one morning

and say, do you fancy seeing how many cars

we can smash up tonight? My front tyre has just been replaced

about a month ago, so it's And already I'm going to have

to replace that, just because some people have gone

and vandalised my car for no reason. The police have told us that no

arrests have been made so far. However a black Vauxhall Vectra

believed to be connected to the incidence was found abandoned

yesterday afternoon in elms Road. Police are asking anyone with

information about these incidents to come forward and contact them on

101. 's Police have confirmed two officers

were injured following a failed They were called to the Nationwide

Building Society in Borrowash just after 4am yesterday,

after reports of a break in. As the officers arrived

at the scene, a van The gang then escaped

in an Audi 4x4 which sped off An East Midlands hospital trust has

started a campaign to reduce Falls remain a major cause

of injury and death amongst the over 70s and cases rise

during the Winter months. According to Age Uk one in three

people over 65 who live at home will have at least one fall

in a year. Our Health Correspondent

Rob Sissons reports. Ryan has had a full. Here is being

looked after in Nottinghamshire Nottinghamshire. He was going

downstairs. It took seconds. He says he will regret it. Four steps from

the Black bottom, handrail on the stairs, did I use it? No. Ryan

suffered a hip at fracture and of course he is not the only one. As

Kingsmill they see up to 400 hip fracture cases from falls each year.

Numbers are rising because of the ageing population. To prevent them

doctors recommend people check their homes for hazards, take regular

exercise, eat well and get medical help early for problems which can

cause dizziness. They say it is also important keep warm. The impact of a

fracture can be devastating. It can lead to long-term consequences.

About 65% of patients who have hip fractures can lose their

independence. In the run-up to Christmas they have been seeing a

lot of falls patients. Now, with the New Year cold snap they are

expecting more. Edna fell at home, aged 90, she says the fall really

suck her confidence. You have to watch the ice. I haven't walked to

well these last two back years. I'm glad it was inside out outside.

Doctors aim to operate as soon as possible because there is evidence

this can act age recovery. 300 historic buildings

and structures in Leicester are set to get greater

protection from development. City Council leaders want them

covered by so-called article four directions,

which mean they can't be altered The list covers everything

from churches to planters and even Lester has opened the first

supermarket where you can very nearly drive up to the counter.

1961. This was believed to be the first automated multi-scoring car

park in Europe. Today it is still one of Leicester's landmarks,

unlikely as that may seem. But like it or loathe it it is set to get

greater planning protection. One of 300 structures to be covered by

so-called article four directions. We have lots of buildings of

national heritage value. We also have many buildings of local

interest and value and we think it is important to protect that local

interest. The articles cover everything from buildings to this

stretch of planters, and mean they cannot be demolished, developed or

changed without planning permission. The vast and varied list which also

includes the former Lewis's tower and Georgian building has been

welcomed by the Leicester Civic Society. At least they can't destroy

the building before somebody has had a chance to make a case for saving

it. These buildings and the car park are also among 380 among the council

list of architectural interest, designed to give them extra

protection. You have these various categories. And it is much easier to

draw up plans and advise people. It easier to protect things. Some of

the listings may be controversial. Those behind them say in a growing

and changing city, buildings like this give a flavour of the past that

should be protected for the future. And now to a cyclist from Nottingham

who's broken the world record for the furthest distance cycled

by a woman in a year. Yes, endurance sportswoman

Kaiser Tylen travelled over 50,000 kilometres,

beating the record set back She cycled every day of 2016,

riding across England and Europe. And that includes Christmas Day,

does it not, Kaiser? Welcome.

Yes, it does. I have do ask you, why did

you embark upon this? I used to read the

Guinness Book Of World Records with my brother

when we were kids, and then I read about Billie Fleming who set

the record back in 1938 and it was just something

that resonated with me. And once I got it into my head

that was it then - I thought You've not been a lifelong cycling

enthusiast, have you? No, I only started cycling just

over four years ago. I'd climbed Kilimanjaro and I felt

this void, so I took up So, yeah, I've only been

doing that since 2012. You are a challenge

taker, aren't you? There's one thing I read,

and it said you wanted to have a year in the saddle, which

to me sounds like hell on earth, really, because a saddle can be a

very uncomfortable thing to spend Well, I rode my normal saddle

that I'd rode for pretty much all of my training,

and it was fine, but when I started riding every single day,

yeah, it took its toll. And then in September I changed my

saddle to a very fancy strange-looking contraption

and it was like a new lease of life. Actually, it's a saddle

that takes the pressure off your sit bones, so it

distributes the pressure elsewhere. We'll have to share

information at the end of What did you hope to achieve -

what have you achieved now I wanted to inspire other people

to get active, really, because I've gained so much from

doing challenges and it's not just about the exercise but it's

about the challenge itself, achieving a goal that you think

is out of your reach. And I wanted to inspire others

to do the same thing. So I started this thing

called a sweat pledge, whereby people pledged sweat to me

rather than donate money to charity So they would do

exercise themselves? Yes, I would say, I'm doing

this for the challenge and for the goal, so why don't

you set yourself something that you Well, may many people

take up your challenge. I think you're absolutely incredible

to have done that, and And there's more video of Kaiser's

story on our Facebook page. Still to come - a day

of reckoning for Twycross Zoo. They're having to count every

single animal they have - Time for sport, and January has

barley begun and already there's Yes more on Leicester Tigers search

for a new boss coming up Tonight the former England,

Manchester United and Leeds star Alan Smith is taking temporary

charge at Meadow Lane. We understand Smith who is currently

a player/coach will take the team for the game with

Morecambe on Saturday. Notts County conceded some

shocking goals yesterday. Then John Sheridan was sacked

by new owner Alan Hardy. The Magpies were beaten

4-0 at Cambridge. It comes after nine

league defeats in a row. This awful performance leaves Notts

just one point above the relegation zone and perilously close

to the prospect of So Notts County are looking for

their 12th manager in seven years. The January transfer window is now

open of course giving teams a chance to bring in new players -

with signings already lined up So was it a Christmas

cracker for our sides This was a great opportunity for

Leicester to start 2017 with their first win of the season. But despite

not getting that elusive win on their travels this was a good point,

with cardio adding midfielder for around 25 million it has been a

decent Christmas. They came out of the festive period with four points

out of nine in Fardy back for this week 's game. Derby county's run

came to an end at Norwich after Forrest turned down her Derby's bid

for lands brief. This defeat showed how important it was to strengthen

their squad in January. So, four points out of nine for the festive

fixtures is disappointing for Derby but they are seventh in the table

and well-placed for a good end to season. Meanwhile Nottingham Forest

defeat to Barnsley. All should be resolved as soon as the takeover

goes through. Nothing they could do about this goal though and the

bosses in the dark over that American takeover. We wait, we are

waiting and I hope the situation will be clear because I think

everybody needs the result. So after taking one point out of 18, Forest

are 20th in the championship, just two points above the relegation

zone. But the takeover is expected in days.

Matt Green seized his chance to score his eleventh goal

of the season as the Stags won one nil at Blackpool.

Mansfield are 16th in League Two - eight points off

Rugby now and yes, not exactly a Happy New Year

for the Leicester Tigers, who are looking for a new director

of rugby after the departure of long-time club loyal servant

He's paid the price for the Tigers poor run of form so far this season

after his players showed a distinct lack of new year resolution

The final straw for Richard Cockerill.

Within hours of witnessing Tigers's New Year's Day home defeat

by Saracens from the stands, the director of rugby had been sacked.

A brief statement brought to an end more than two decades playing and

coaching the most successful team in British rugby.

And it was probably that record of success - Tigers won

three premierships under Cockerill - that meant that this season's five

losses in 12 games just wasn't ever going to be good enough for the

Though the decision hasn't brought universal acclaim.

Halfway through the season is not ideal.

Also there's a couple of European cup games in the group coming up

that are pretty important, and mathematically I know it's very

difficult to see it happening but Leicester

From current players, publicly at least, regret.

Skipper Ben Youngs tweeting that Cockerill's commitment and passion

While Marcos Ayerza told his followers it was a very sad day.

This, despite reports of a players's revolt.

It comes to a point as a player where you are sort of

weighing up do we just turn up and do our job and let

things go or do we say, hold on, I want to take a

bit of ownership of this and not necessarily put the ship right but

certainly do something about it, can't just keep drifting along.

And, again, if you believe the reports

coming out at the moment, that seems to be what's happened.

Pointedly Cockerill's own statement wished

Youngs and the team well in the future but made no

The two are widely thought to have had a

Now, of course, though, thoughts turn to

Not surprisingly, Stuart Lancaster's name has already

been mentioned, but the club say they'll be no further statement on

And in ice hockey - a near perfect Christmas period

for the Nottingham Panthers as they took 13 points out for 14

Yesterday they beat Edinburgh Capitals by four goals

It looks to be an exciting 2017 for the UK's best ice hockey team.

The weekend after next, Panthers play in Italy in the Europe cup.

It's virtually un-heard of for a British team to make

the finals but our Nottingham boys will be there.

Now, it isn't the easiest of head counts, but today Twycross Zoo can

finally reveal its grand total of animals.

The zoo's stock take has been boosted by

a bumper birth of babies - 41 of them since last year's census.

The information's used by zoos around the world

to look at the potential for breeding endangered species.

Jo Healey reports from the new gibbon forest.

I know, you just want to see the baby animals.

How do you manage it with these guys, who are

It can be quite challenging but you just have to wait for them

to sit still for a bit and quickly count as

That isn't always easy and zookeepers have two keep a

That isn't always easy and zookeepers have to keep a

Some of the highlights include an more

Leopard 's which is one of the most endangered

big cat species in the

We've had a baby gorilla, a baby bonobo and we're the only zoo

in the UK to hold that, so it's a very special baby for us.

How many animals do you think there are, here at Twycross zoo?

So, not including all the insects, how many animals do you think I hear

I've finished counting these final three now and I

And we actually have 545 individuals, here at Ty Cross zoo.

That's all fed into a global database, recording populations and

breeding potential at zoos around the world.

It's making a positive impact on how zoos manage their species.

Is it ultimately to save endangered species?

And if they thought last year was good, very expecting even more

What is that baby elephant called? A baby elephant. A car. A calf.

We started off with a pretty decent sunrise and then that clouds rolled

in. For some there were some spots of light rain and drizzle as well

and that is how it is going to stay as we had through the evening and

overnight. Quite cloudy, a little bit of light rain and drizzle in

places. Because of the cloud it will not be as cold as it was last night.

Temperatures probably not dropping much lower than about 4 degrees

which is 39 in Fahrenheit. For most of us that will prevent frost. Just

a few patches of light rain and drizzle, and a moderate breeze.

Tomorrow it will be cloudy and damp to begin with but we will get

clearance from the north. By the afternoon it will be gorgeous, clear

blue skies and plenty of sunshine and still relatively mild, although

the breezes coming through them the North. Temperatures of about six or

7 degrees. Because of those clear skies to end the day tomorrow that

sets us up for a very cold and frosty night into Thursday. A

widespread, sharp frost so it will feel bitterly cold on Thursday. A

light breeze but temperatures at around three degrees. But beautiful,

lovely spells of sunshine ahead of the rain. You can start to see that

in the north-west. It will track through Friday. It. Try, the breeze

picks up and then the rain pushes in. We'll keep you posted on the

amounts of rain which will both through as we had through Friday. It

will sets up for a fairly quiet weekend with a lot of usable

weather. The best day looks to be Thursday.

Before we go - many of you have been asking about Kaye Forster -

On November the 25th, she and her husband, Matthew,

became the proud parents of twin boys - Freddie and Tom -

They've had a bit of a struggle but the family are now doing fine.

The proud parents want to say a big thank you to the staff at the NICU

at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre for all their fantastic care.

They're just so lovely! And if they these photos with you.

They're just so lovely! And if they are watching, we wish them well. We

will see you tomorrow. Goodbye. Magical new drama...

The Worst Witch. Something like this

could change my life. We're looking for someone

who can sing, someone who can move. Someone who can keep an audience

on the edge of their seat.