20/04/2012 Look East - East

In Look East tonight, still running for England. Lord Coe makes a run

for it as the Olympics bandwagon rolls into this region.

Hello from Susie and me. Also tonight... Exactly a week after a

multi-million pound raid on this Cambridge museum, police stage an

operation to find more clues. It is Paris to London via

Peterborough on two wheels. Iron Woman Chrissey makes it look easy.

And if you are out and about this weekend, will you be needing one of

Hello. The Look East region got a taste of things to come today. The

Olympics bandwagon rolled into town for the first time. But it was just

a dress rehearsal. The torch relay convoy set off from

Leicester at breakfast time this morning. It moved village by

village until it reached Peterborough. The torch itself was

carried by student volunteers. The whole thing was designed to help

the organisers get ready for the real thing. Shaun Peel is in

Peterborough now. I am in the heart of Peterborough,

where the torch will end up on July the. There was a rehearsal between

Leicester and Peterborough. -- 3rd July. It would help look at how you

people will deal with challenges. 12 hours a day in the light of the

torture started with jazzman just after 7 O Clock and will then

finish in Peterborough. -- the life of the torch. Lord Coe had to leg

it because of some problems. I know my local knowledge so well, because

I have ran around his campus, just taking a short cut. There was a

mixture of whether testing an air of the man plotting the route

through this region. It is a testing challenge. Peterborough

council have worked hard for us, looking at a traffic management, so

it has been a real partnership and will hopefully be successful.

travelled 80 miles to Peterborough today. In Ipswich, we have the

flame up travelling by boat, an exchange from a speedboat on to a

yacht, which will be important. And we have it travelling on a punt in

Cambridge, so seeing how the flame travels on alternative methods of

transport, that is important and good learning. Lord Coe getting

caught in a road block aside, it left in one piece, but arrived in

one piece. The torch is on its way to

Peterborough, wending its way through the streets of this city.

These are the first pictures when it first arrived in this region. It

then got on a train. It went from Wandsworth station to Peterborough.

On the platform, it made its way from Peterborough and should be

with us in half-an-hour. With me is Annette Joyce, one of the

organisers. You must be very excited? It has been wonderful, and

letting us test procedures. We have learned how to do this by the best

way possible. And from you, I lot to learn as well? Absolutely, a

one-off opportunity to welcome everyone to Peterborough and see

how beautiful Peterborough really is. And an opportunity to put

Peterborough on the map, which you are grasping. Absolutely, which is

why we are keen to have them. you very much. It will be in

Peterborough for real on July the third. It will be in Norwich and

Ipswich afterwards. Then Cambridge, Luton, then leaving the region

through Milton Keynes and we will cover that all the way.

Thank you very much. There were some sound problems with that

report. We apologise. Police officers are tonight

stationed outside a museum in Cambridge, exactly one week after

raiders broke in and stole art treasures worth millions. The

police are hoping to speak to people who were in the area at the

time of the theft. Alex Dunlop sent has this report just a short while

ago. Exactly one week ago this evening

at 7:30pm, it is not a gang of up to four people broke into this

world-famous museum, stealing a number of Chinese jade pieces worth

millions. One piece was a sculpture poll above all, thought to be worth

�1 million alone, suggesting the thieves knew what they were looking

for. -- a sculpture of above the law. They were only there for a few

minutes before escaping. We have many officers on this since it took

place and it is a priority, not least because of the value of the

property stolen and its complexity. Roger is an art historian and runs

a gallery in London. How significant is this loss? It is a

significant and tragic loss. One of them is a very significant piece

and we hope it is recovered soon. Would these have been stolen to

order? There is always that possibility, but that may be

speculation. This saleable value is not great in this sense it will

always be known and published and could not be resold on the Open

market. I know that Lord Nelson memorabilia was also stolen from a

recent museum. R our Museum has a soft target? Security in museums

always needs checking. -- our museums in this region as soft

target? I do not think the unnecessarily as soft target, I

think this is just the increase in value of Chinese art.

Police want anyone who may have Lots more to come in Look East,

including the Iron Woman getting ready to run the London Marathon.

And have a pen and paper ready, because we are after your marathon

photos. And after some heavy showers, there

is more on the way. Full details coming up later.

An independent prep school in Essex will be putting on extra lessons

during the summer holidays as a direct response to changes in the

11 plus exam. At stake, a much sought-after place in a grammar

school. But a change in the law means they will be held two months

earlier than expected. The hopefuls at St Cedd's in

Chelmsford. In September, they will sit the exams. Two months earlier

than the year before. 60% have signed up for a week of extra

lessons. It costs �250 a head. is about teaching, providing high

quality teaching and support, which is different to tutoring in small

groups, were you look at it trying to fill gaps. This will be the most

fierce and faced. 6785 applications to 12 schools up and with much more

limited places. That equals fierce competition. I acknowledge and

except parents want the best for children, but must reflect on what

that is and is the right thing being done by putting children and

the stresses and strains, putting them through examinations so young?

The Consortium for Selective Schools in Essex is in charge of

the tests. It has emphasised that the summer holiday is an important

time for children to rest. But those on the pick-up run say the

pressure is bearable. The children work very hard and it is a balance.

I think, as long as they are working hard, but also need to the

children and we need to keep it in perspective. Parents face leading

their children to the best future possible without ruining their

present. A stretch of the M11 in Essex has

been closed this afternoon after an accident in which a lorry shed its

load of baked beans. The southbound carriageway was closed between

junctions 7 and 6. A car hit the central reservation and the lorry

jack-knifed, spilling its load across all three lanes. One person

was treated at the scene for minor injuries. The road has just

reopened. A reward of �10,000 was offered

today to help find raiders who smashed their way into

Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. The ram-raiders made off with a

cash machine. Caught on CCTV, the thieves reverse

through a glass door. Moments before this picture is taken, a

cleaner polishing the floor has to dive out the way. The ATM machine

is pulled off the wall. The ram- raiders steal it and drive off in

another stolen car. This is the entrance to the treatment centre

Andrew Pearson well underway. These double doors were smashed and then

that thieves made off in a stolen BMW. -- repairs and well underway.

Whist the damage is still being assessed at Addenbrooke's, the

company that owns the cash machine has now put up a reward to try and

catch them. We hope it will prompt somebody who could no something and

this may be reluctant to come forward, perhaps �10,000 will

encourage them to come forward. This could have really injured

someone and we want to catch these people. Part of the cash machine

has been found in Bedfordshire. Police cannot reveal the exact

amount the ram raiders took. But they say it is a considerable sum

of money. They are appealing for anyone with any information to

contact them. Let's look ahead to the weekend

sport now. Here's Phil Daley. Football on the way very shortly.

But just over an hour ago, the latest athlete from our patch

qualified for the London Olympics. Lowestoft boxer, Anthony Ogogo,

successfully sealed his spot in Team GB with a win in the

It has been an interesting week in the life of Norwich City. On

Wednesday, the Canaries launched their new kit. A fan leaked details.

The police were called in. The ensuing row became known as kit

gate. Last night, the club apologised. And if all that was not

enough, chief executive David McNally is running the London

Marathon on Sunday. If Norwich City were hoping kit

gate might go away quickly, it hasn't yet. This morning, the story

was still being tweeted around the world. The marketing men had it all

planned. A new kit and a chirpy video with the catchy tag line

"Pass It On". That is what City fan Chris Brown did. He passed it

online. But he did it before the official launch. The club were less

than chuffed and called in the police. City director, Stephen Fry,

said on Twitter it was a storm in teacup. He issued an apology on its

website. On the pitch, the Canaries will hoping to put last weekend's

6-1 defeat behind them at Blackburn tomorrow. On Sunday, the club's

chief executive, David McNally, will join the thousands running the

London Marathon and raising millions for good causes. You'd

think he might get to use Carrow Road for training. But apparently

not. I am not allowed. I do not think the grounds will let me near

a wonderful pitch. -- the groundsman. He will not let the

Chief Executive on the pitch. I am lucky to have some great training

routes in the city centre, either in the city centre or the

countryside. The chief executive is raising money for the clubs'

Community Sport Foundation. community or on the football club,

so we are working together to try and raise money, particularly for

the disabled and disadvantaged through this appeal, so every penny

raised will help the good people of Norfolk. David McNally is part of

Norwich City team running the marathon. Together, they are hoping

to raise �50,000 to help people like Jamie. That puts kit gate into

some sort of perspective. Contract news from Ipswich Town and

bad news for this fellow man who has been released. Tommy Smith has

been offered a new deal. And some other deals are on going. You get

to 26 and you are getting married, so some neat need to move on. -- so

some people may need to move on. We hope to have a fighting chance of

signing Grant. Colchester United and South bend

both in action this weekend. -- Southend. Barnet are just outside

the relegation zone, so plenty still to play poor.

Southend's home form has been Topsy Turvey. But there has been

improvement late late. A win against Wimbledon latently -- week

late, and other successes have helped, but play-off is looking

likely. There are tensions looking to next

season. 12 players out of contract at the end of this campaign. On the

field, despite a valuable point against Sheffield Wednesday, there

was a failure to win during the last 10 outings.

And preparations for the World Championships in Sheffield and

The Education Secretary, Michael Gove, has been in the region today.

The latest big name politician to come here campaigning for the local

elections. Polling day is just two weeks away. Not every council in

the region is holding an election this year. But those that are could

deliver some very interesting results. Here is Political

Yes, voting taking place in just 19 councils in the East. Here they are.

Cambridge, which is controlled by the Liberal-Democrats. The Labour

authorities of Ipswich and Stevenage. Norwich, Colchester and

Milton Keynes. All of them are in no overall control. And all these

other councils are run by the Conservatives. Not surprisingly,

the Tories are defending the largest number of seats. 182. That

is twice the number being contested by the other parties. And with an

opinion poll today putting the Conservatives 13% behind Labour, it

is the Tories who have the most to The Conservatives are doing a lot

of number crunching, knowing they could do badly in two weeks and

want to draw attention to what they believe are their party's

achievements. That is why the Education Secretary was at this

academy in Harlow today, made famous by a Channel 4 programme. If

this is about the Government's record, Michael Gove wants him to

it -- once you to know that many schools will soon be academies.

sea only has this fantastic new building because of the wonderful

job Conservative councillors have done. Academies give head teachers

the chance to decide what should happen. It also means the school

becomes a focus of pride for the community. The Conservatives run

most of the councils in this region. Eric Pickles boasts the run

authorities efficiently and keep down council tax by sheering staff

and outsourcing services. Labour says the result is poor-quality

services and job losses. The cuts were beginning to bite last year

during the elections and the Conservatives braced for big losses.

Everyone was surprised by Ben making increases. Then councils

were taken control of, such as Northampton and North Norfolk. But

the heat is on this year, particularly in Harlow, and the

party needs to work hard to win over voters.

And next week here on Look East, we will be taking a closer look at

some of the more interesting battles going on in this election

campaign. Thank you, Andrew. And there is

more coverage of the region's political scene this weekend on

Sunday Politics. It is on BBC One on Sunday at the later time of two

o'clock. Have a pen ready, because we have

details coming up of where to send your London Marathon photographs.

One woman who is no stranger to the marathon circuit is Chrissey

Wellington, the world Iron Man champion. While most runners in

Sunday's big events are probably now eating lots of carbs and taking

it easy, Chrissey, who is from Norfolk, is in the middle of a

charity marathon and cycle ride. The route is taking her from Paris

to London. Today, she passed through Cambridgeshire. The event

is in memory of a woman who died from breast cancer.

They are riding in remembrance of a mother and a wife. Jane Tomlinson.

You sometimes question it, but have been accrued around you helps and

knowing why you are doing it. countryside is beautiful, the

fields, and you think, this is England at its best.

Well done, Chrissie. Great to be back in East Anglia at! It's a bike

ride which takes some beating. But for Iron Woman, Chrissey, she makes

it look easy. For others, the pain is beginning to show. I just have

to do my best. Not finishing is not an option. What Jane Tomlinson did,

compared to as, pales into insignificance -- compared to what

we do, that pales into insignificance. Their challenge

started last Sunday with the Paris marathon. From there, they cycled

to Zeebrugge. Then the ferry to Hull. It is wonderful to be part of

a teen Challenge, instead of racing on my own. She has been fantastic,

boosting morale, setting the pace, showing the boys girls are much

better. Jane Tomlinson finished the marathon. I will probably cry, and

I am not a crying person, because it will mean an awful lot. Most

marathon runners will tell you the final miles are the hardest. Spare

a thought for this lot. With two days to go, they haven't even got

close. I am delighted to say we can go to

Hertfordshire and talk to Chrissie. Isn't this just showing off? Riding

a bicycle to demand than -- to the marathon? It is part of this

challenge and I am so excited. are having some problems with

picture, but will hope it gets better. This is in memory of Jane

Tomlinson, a remarkable woman. absolutely was and continues to

inspire me eat and so many people - - continues to inspire me and so

many people... It is about getting out there, testing, encouraging

everyone to do the same. Chrissie, I am a very sorry. I can see it is

pouring with rain and we are having some problems here. We will try one

more time. Have you changed your mind now? I know that as you event

was not in the Olympics, do you know I wish you could be there?

Probably not. I chose Iron Man over the Olympic triathlon. I have four

World Championship victories that I am proud of. The Olympics is the

greatest sporting spectacle, so why will be there cheering everyone on,

hopefully doing some commentary work and enjoying it. It has

happened again. Chrissie, a we will have to leave it there. Thank you

so much and good luck with the marathon and well-run -- well done

raising so much money. Thank you. And if you are taking part in

Sunday's Marathon, share your photos with us. The best way is to

send them by email. The address is [email protected]. Good luck if

you are taking part. Now for the You are looking rather different.

Just a slight change of image. Opinion has been divided.

Today, another day of heavy thundery showers. Some places

getting dry weather. He is a picture of some hail. When we get

thundery showers, sometime -- sometimes we get funnel clouds. He

is a picture of one from Louis the Greengrass. Thank you for that. --

Lewis Greengrass. On the whole for the whole month, we would expect 45

millimetres on average of rain. But you will see that a number of

locations, particularly in the north, have exceeded that. Not

quite up to 45 in Essex yet, but there is still ten days to go. What

does this mean for the drought? We are no long term situation, so this

will not reverse things, but is a step in the right direction. Low

pressure right over us today, which is causing these intense

thunderstorms. Looking at the satellite, you can see shower

clouds gathered. The rate that chart shows some pretty intense

showers. Some places escaped and got some sunshine. Quite a lot

around. These pictures are from an hour and gold. Some further showers

this evening, possibly fading overnight. We could get some misty

conditions with dampness around. Clearing skies might just get down

to around four Celsius. We should stay free of ground frost with

these values. Winds should generally be light and tonne

westerly through the night. Tomorrow is a carbon copy of today.

Starting with early sunshine, then shower clouds gathering. The

potential for some heavy and thundery showers into that

afternoon. Temperatures climbing into double figures. The winds will

be alight north-westerly, a hazard of that meaning showers will be

slow-moving. If you catch showers, you might be stuck under a downpour.

The risk of heavy showers through the afternoon. The picture stays

the same. We still have low pressure looking ahead. That is

more potential for big showers. For the marathon, it looks like heavy

showers still around. And lengthy periods of rain on Monday. Further

showers on Tuesday. And some temperatures low enough for a

ground frost. We appear to have had some