25/09/2013 Look East - East

Hello and welcome to Look East. In the programme tonight...

A four—hour walk out by firefighters. The impact in this

region. The curse of domestic violence —

experts say lessons need to be learnt from the Cromer shootings.

In the cricket, Northants get promoted at Worcester. But as

wickets kept tumbling they had to do it the hard way.

And a sign of the times in Sudbury — why the old fashioned art of

sign—writing has never been more popular.

Good evening. First tonight, the region's firefighters walk out in a

row over pensions. But the region's fire chiefs say

there have been remarkably few incidents to report.

As you may have heard it was a four—hour walk out across the

country — the first national strike for a decade. During that four hours

there were just three incidents across Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk.

In a moment, we'll speak to the fire minister, but first this from Ian

Barmer. 12 noon, and hundreds of

firefighters across the East walk out. All the strikers today were

members of the Fire Brigades Union, which says the fire service pension

scheme will lead to a dad 's Army of 60—year—old fireman. The proposals

are unsafe, unrealistic and one workable. We know that a

58—year—old, 60—year—old, cannot crawl around on the belly infill

dear in the smoke and a dark and rescue people. —— in filled gear.

Today, all our fire service were coping with a a 50% cut in resources

as fire services manned the picket lines. Senior officers were hoping

for a quiet afternoon and that is how it turned out. In Essex there

was one incident, flooding in flight.

In Essex —— in Norfolk again just one incident, a grass fire.

In the event of a large incident this afternoon, we would have had

some fire engines and firefighters available to deal with it. We also

managed to come to an agreement with the union that in the event of a

serious incident the striking firefighters would return to work

and help us to deal with that incident safely and quickly. In

Norfolk, 50% of fire stations were closed by the strike and in Norwich

this afternoon some drivers showed support for the pickets.

TOOTING the union says this is not a

profession for firefighters to the age of 60.

The firefighters here in Norwich have said this is not a dispute with

Norfolk Fire service but a dispute, specifically, with the government.

Essex Fire and rescue decided not to use its fire station during the

strike, leaving them to the pickets and moving into special centres like

this one in Basildon, a breakdown recovery depot. The crews and

engines here were not needed and at 4pm they left.

This is likely to be the first in a series of strikes. Both sides are

preparing for more disruption. Brandon Lewis is the Fire Minister.

He's also the MP for Great Yarmouth. When I spoke to him just a few

minutes ago, I started by asking how he had monitoring the impact across

the country. We have a view of what is going on

across the country. Fire services across the country have been feeding

into others so we had a good overview of what has been going on.

What was your greatest fear when the clock —— clocked strut —— clock

struck 12 this afternoon. We had plans that fire services were in

place and we wanted them to work. Our chief adviser looked at them and

help they were robust and they have held up and done very well today.

Robust for four hours, but what if this becomes prolonged action? The

Fire Brigades Union have said this could go all the way through to the

general election. All of the individual fire authorities across

the country have a duty to have contingency plans in place to deal

with strike action. We do feel those plans are robust, but obviously

nobody wants to see strikes, certainly not prolonged strikes. We

hope the Fire Brigades Union will not go forward with anything

further. One of the points of the Fire Brigades Union is that they are

worried firefighters will have to be on active service until the age of

60. It is not like being a civil servant in an office, they may have

to carry people from burning buildings.

A couple of points on that — firstly the Fire Brigades Union have made it

clear to the government that the age of 60 is not what they are striking

about, that has been in place since 2006. In terms of fitness and

capability, we have hundreds of firefighters already over 55 doing a

fantastic job around the country for the communities, and that should be

recognised, not criticised. We also have a demographic in the fire

service that that will not can —— particularly change. So many

currently in the screen have —— in this scheme have full protection of

their put —— pensions anyway. It is likely disingenuous for the union to

be making that argument, not least because they are not striking about

that. What is this situation when it comes

to making sure there is cover during strike action?

We have a large proportion of what is called retained firefighters come

on call firefighters. The retained firefighters union have not had

strike action and they have been against strike action. They have

been doing a lot of cover work out there, so those contingency plans

have worked. All of those firefighters at all

times have been on duty today through the strike, and the UI great

debt of thanks to them for the work they have done.

The police in Essex have issued an urgent appeal after a man went

missing with his 12—week old son. Nathan Hamilton disappeared from a

house in Mistley this morning. Officers say they're very concerned

for his welfare. Gareth George is in Mistley now.

There is great concern here in the Mistley area for the safety of that

12—week—old baby boy. He was taken by his father from his mother's

house in the Mistley area. His father is called Nathan Hamilton, 24

years old. His nickname is Chase and police say there has been an issue

between Nathan Hamilton and the baby Buzz Michael mother, they cannot go

into details at this stage. —— the baby's mother. It is worrying

because the boy has been in the care of his mother since his birth,

Nathan Hamilton has had no access to the child. Inspector Christopher

Willis spoke to my colleagues at BBC Essex after —— short time ago and

they said they are worried because Nathan Hamilton has no childcare

experience, and no clothes or food for the baby. There is a train

station you're in Mistley and it is thought Nathan Hamilton may have got

on to other Ipswich, Colchester or even London. Police want anyone who

may have seen a man carrying a baby to contact them. Nathan Hamilton is

described as black, 5'10" tall, of slim build. He has short Afro here

and sometimes wears glasses and was wearing a grey Converse tracksuit.

The baby was in a blue T—shirt, a grey cardigan and had she known

style trousers and booties. If you think you have seen them both,

please call Essex police on May nine 19 they have both been missing now

for several hours. With each passing hour concern deepens. —— call Essex

police on 999. More now on the hidden extent of

domestic violence after an inquest into the death of a well—known

couple in Norfolk. Yesterday we reported how Keith Johnson killed

his wife Andrea and then turned the gun on himself. But it emerged that

he subjected her to years of physical abuse behind closed doors.

Tonight, a closer look at the recommendations of the review.

How can professionals — how can lead people — spot the tell tale signs of

violence within the home? —— lay people.

Andrea Johnson chronicled her pain in a secret diary. Police find it

after her brutal husband, council leader Keith Johnson, shot her and

turned the gun on his cell. He planned the execution and suicide.

Inside the bungalow he laid out the couple's wills. The homicidal review

of this case identified witnesses in systems. Andrea suffered from

depression, attempted suicide and had numerous contacts with her GP

practice. Her controlling husband was already —— always with her at

the Doctor. When she went to the GP, she was not seen on her own. That is

something for local practitioners to be in mind. There are issues around

cleaning and looking for the subtle signs of domestic abuse. The review

says GPs and health professionals should receive training to spot

domestic violence, improve information sharing and look at

links between medical conditions and abuse. Victims are prone to

depression and alcohol addiction. The report has already impact on

police. —— impacted. In Norfolk we have introduced a system where are

all domestic violence incidents, before officers are dispatched,

checked in the control room. In the future we want to automate that

across both Norfolk and Suffolk so the system is checked

automatically. The review says gun licence applicants should prove they

are fit and proper got —— fit and proper, pay for a medical and ensure

others and household are fit and proper got —— fit and proper, pay

for medical and ensure others and household checked out.

It is actually quite difficult to admit it is happening to you.

You are married to a guy because you loved them, you think you still love

them and these things keep still happening to you. They do not happen

all the time. Maybe once a week. In my case, it escalated until it was

everyday. She threw things at me, she hit me... And nobody... Nobody

wanted to listen to me. Nobody wanted to listen at all. The report

says it is not just public agencies that must act, it is everybody's

business. Friends and relatives should be alert to signs of domestic

abuse and be aware of the help out there.

Two men were stabbed in the street in Braintree this afternoon. Police

were called to Fore Field just before 1pm. The two men's injuries

are described as serious. Six people have been arrested. Parts of the

area have been cordoned off while forensic investigations take place.

Ipswich Hospital has admitted that its finances are much worse than

predicted. £4.6 million worth of debt has been accrued so far this

financial year. It could rise to £9 million by next April unless

spending is brought under control. The Hospital says measures are being

put in place including cutting the number of agency staff.

Still to come on the programme tonight...

A nail—biting day for Northants fans in the cricket.

And the old—fashioned art of sign—writing — the writing's on the

wall. After months of turmoil, the East of

England Ambulance Service says its withdrawing its application to

become a Foundation Trust. Trust status would have allowed managers

more control over the way they run things.

The decision comes almost a week after the directors failed to

appoint a new chief executive. The interim boss, Andrew Morgan, made

the short list, but didn't get the job.

So, where now? In a moment, one of the MPs who has criticised the

service in the past. The kiss of life came too late for

most of the ambulance to trust's directors. By June, six board

members had left the top table as it attempted to regain the confidence

of the public and politicians. It follows a litany of poor ambulance

response times, poor morale among medics and an endless list of

complaints from patients. In June, a damning report by the head of the

West Midlands and blood service accused the board of a sense of

helplessness and a lack of canned ability. We spoke to a front line

paramedic who voiced alike of confidence in the trust board. His

words are spoken by an actor. I do not know who they are, they have no

experience of front line work except one of them. They have continuous

meetings giving directors and are disconnected from the front line and

how we should work. Mindful of the need to focus on

patients, today the service said it is withdrawing its current

foundation trust application and will not be reapplying until

sustainable improvements have been made to the service patients

receive. The advantages of becoming a foundation trust are that they

have freedom to implement good ideas quickly. They can invest surplus

finances to improving services and have good engagement with local

people. If they do not become foundation trusts they can do it in

their own time and meet the standards they need to. They need to

assure themselves that is right. Almost a week since the trust failed

to appoint a permanent chief executive, Andrew Martin, himself a

candidate, remains the interim boss. —— Andrew Morgan. The board has just

one permanent director. The lack of permanence at the top of the

region's beleaguered and Dillons service cranks on.

—— ambulance service. The South Norfolk MP, Richard Bacon,

has been hugely critical of the Trust, saying it was a case of lions

led by donkeys. Earlier he came into the studio, and I asked him how

worried he was that there was still no permanent chief executive

appointed. I am very concerned. This is a

serious and important job come a very serious and important

organisation. £230 million organisation across the East of

England and they have no permanent leader. It is a source of serious

concern and it needs fixing. You said memorably a couple of months

ago during the crisis in the trust that it was lions led by donkeys.

Are you now saying it is Lions led by interim donkeys?

I am concerned no appointment has been made. Everyone relies on this

service from the ambulance trust and it is important it is well led. We

have a team of terrific people working very hard who do not feel

valued, do not feel motivated and I am concerned that in trying to make

the appointment they have not looked more broadly, because there are many

people, perhaps outside the health service, who may be able to do this

job very well. Senior army officers with decades of experience of

leading teams, motivating people, pointing them in the right

direction, making sure the achieve objectives and make the best use of

available resources, making sure they feel valued and thanked for

what they do, who could do this job. We heard the trust is suspending its

foundation trust status application, argue pleased two —— argue pleased?

I think it is the right thing to do, it is a distraction. This trust is

better funded than many other trusts of its kind across the country, so

it is not about funding or money particularly, it is about the way it

has led and managed. At a time like this, when you are trying to sort

that out, thin —— filling in huge, long documents to achieve foundation

did —— status is a distraction. Our local MPs have been the service ——

the syphilis and forward about their criticism lately, what will you do

to make things known? —— vociferous. I have not had a chance to talk to

my colleagues, but we have coming into our surgeries people,

paramedics working for the ambulance trust, who are very worried about

what is going on. I have no doubt we will keep the pressure up and make

sure an appointment is made quickly to give this organisation the top

quality leadership it deserves. Richard Bacon, thank you very much.

Cricket now, and Northants are celebrating winning promotion to

Division One of the county championship at the expense of

Essex. There were two games going on at the same time today — Northants

away at Worcester, Essex away at Hampshire. All Northants had to do

to guarantee promotion was to score 250. But in cricket, it's never that

simple. James Burridge has just sent this report.

It was a simple plan — scored another 147 runs, secure promotion

and create a little bit of cricketing history.

Northamptonshire's best laid plans was quickly pulled apart against the

mist in Worcester. 103—4 overnight, they lost three wickets in the first

hour. Fans looking for divine intervention settled instead for Rob

Keogh foot took them past 200 and gained a bonus point. Then, cue the

calamitous run out. One batsmen ran the other didn't, and the run chase

was as good as over. If you are a fan or a court of

Northamptonshire you are keeping across what is going on between

Essex and Hampshire. Essex mathematically also have a chance of

that second promotion spot but they have been losing wickets at a rate

of knots this afternoon. If that continues, Northamptonshire's what

is done for them and they can celebrate that long—awaited

promotion. It didn't take long. By 4:45pm the

news had come through — were out, Northamptonshire were going up. ——

Essex were out. It feels good, I made get some sleep tonight. Just

great to get over the line. In my mind we have done under ——

undoubtedly been the second—best team in the division this year and

it would have been cruel not go up. Amazing, absolutely fantastic. Great

for the club and great for the supporters. How nerve racking has

this afternoon been? The last few weeks have been a bit tense. It has

been in our hands but we have been aware of Essex breathing down our

necks, we have not been quite able to shake them off. Credit to them

for fighting all the way. The 2013 cricket season will rank as

Northamptonshire's best ever. A bus open top aide is planned for Friday

but the planned —— party here has already started. —— an open top bus

parade is planned. In golf, the former Solheim Cup

captain, Alison Nicholas, has been the star attraction at a new

tournament in Suffolk today. The competition at Stoke by Nayland

is aimed at aspiring young players. So we took the opportunity to team

Alison up with 25—year—old Hannah Moul.

Nice. I am getting longer now. After 30 years on tour, Alison's game is

sharp as ever. For Hannah, the WG —— WPGA International challenge

represents the first taste of true life. I'm a little short.

Enjoy that, yes, this is what it is all about.

It is going to be a bit different for me.

You will be all right, nerves are good, you will get nervous and that

is fine. You have to try and embrace that feeling... Hannah is one of 20

amateurs in an international field, and in a series geared at improving

the links between elite amateur and professional golf.

Well done. A practice round with a seasoned professional — an

invaluable insight into what it might take if she turns pro.

Obviously there is water on the left so I need to go right.

Yes, favour the right with it comes out, then it is a layup...

Perfect. Alison Nicholas, yet to win as a professional... Alison's

breakthrough came in 1987. What would you say was your career

highlight key matter what is the most memorable thing that has

happened? When I won the British Open in 1987.

A long time ago now, but it was my first tournament win. Somebody said

enjoy the experience and embrace the pressure, like I said before. I

managed to do that and obviously crossed the line. That was very

memorable. What about you, in terms of your aspirations?

I have just come back this January, I had for years off, so I am sort of

looking at taking the good things from this tournament and seeing how

I get on then seeing where I go from there. With a purse totalling 25,000

euros, the pressure is on. On this evidence, Alison is still the one to

beat. It is not compulsory that everyone

working at Look East has to be good at golf.

In the age of the computer you might think that traditional sign—writing

would be a dying art. After all, even your own laptop can

churn out hundreds of different fonts with just the click of a

mouse. But it turns out that people still like things done the

old—fashioned way. Richard Daniel has been speaking to Wayne Tanswell

from Sudbury. In an age of mass production, Wayne

Tanswell is a breath of fresh air. I could not wait to leave school. I

did not even want to wait for the bus. I scarpered through the

alleyways down to Milford Road and I was hitchhiking a lift. This guy

came along and give me a lift and he said, what are you doing? I said I

had just left school. Have you got a job? I said, no. He said I am

looking for a lad to chain —— train as a sign writer, you better come

with me. He never looked back. Demand for his traditional

handwritten signs has never looked stronger. With a deft hand he makes

it look simple. These two strokes again but a shorter right—hand one.

We have got be, then we have a seat —— then we have a C...

No job is too big or too small. He now teaches sign writing and has

written three books. My father, who passed away in 2007, said to me the

more technology moves on the more you will become a specialist. Stick

at it. He said, believe me, boy, it is not about the money all the time,

it is about doing something that will keep you interested in life for

ever. And he was right. Next month, Wayne holds the first solo

exhibition of his work in Cambridge. Not bad for a boy who left school

with no qualifications. People talk about job satisfaction.

It is everyday, every sign. I cannot do anything else, so it is just as

well I do love it! I do have banter with my customers with my spelling,

but I carry plenty of right and white spirit. Do I make a mistake?

Guess, of course I do, but I can get over it.

Now there is a talent. It has been beautiful today, nice warm weather.

I went for a run this morning, got home a bit hot, so I took my top off

outside the house... No, no, nor! I put it on top of the beleaguered. I

went into the house and forgot today was collection day. —— I put it on

top of the bin. I went out and they took it, so there is a lesson.

Don't strip off in public! It was quite humid today, but we

have some changes on the way. We have a weak cold front on the way,

marking the boundary between the warm air below it and behind it some

much cooler but clear air. That is introducing more cloud already

across the region and will continue to increase through this evening. It

will be a night of two halves. We start with a lot of cloud around,

turning Misty in places, possibly some fog patches, but as the night

progresses the northern half of the region will start to see the clear

air. It is here that temperatures could get lower. These are the sort

of values expected in tandem cities, around 11 and 12 Celsius, some

places could get down to single figures and the winds will be a

light north or north—easterly. Tomorrow will start cloudy in places

but we should see Sunny spells developing. It will be noticeably

cooler and fresher, a little bit of a chill in the air, but the cloud

will continue south. Decent sunny spells are expected through the

day, but temperatures will be lower than today, so for many of us highs

of around 16 or 17 Celsius, perhaps getting up to 18 degrees in some

places. The winds are alike to moderate easterly. Tomorrow

afternoon and evening, increasing cloud on the southern half may

produce an isolated shower. On the next pressure track you can see

low—pressure moving up from the south—west. This will bring with it

an increasing risk of showers, but not for everyone. We should stay

largely dry into the weekend but the showers might start across southern

counties of the region. Friday May start a little misty and foggy in

places, but we should see some sunny spells, still on the cool side and a

variable amounts cloud. Saturday starts dry and a bright increasing

amount of cloud may produce showers across the southern half of the

region, but for most of us here we should stay dry. And Friday on

Sunday, but certainly a freshening easterly wind. Temperatures

overnight staying in double figures, but it could get a little lower in

the countryside. Good running weather! Yes, don't go

out without your shirt on! That is all from us, goodbye.