01/11/2013 Look East - East

changes to grading and assessment. That is all from

Hello. The bonfire party weekend starts here, but the fire crews are

on strike. We speak to both sides in the dispute over pensions. I can

understand where they are coming from, but as a fire and rescue

service we are having to do the best with what we have as the dispute is

between the union and the national government. Anger in Colchester

after yet another attempt to restore the town's Jumbo Tower falls foul of

the planners. It is the second time it has been refused... When it gets

political, I get about set. McCarthy's rain at Ipswich reaches

its first anniversary. Strong winds forecast for Saturday

night, I will have all of the details later.

Good evening. Hundreds of firefighters in Essex,

Suffolk and Norfolk are walking out of their fire stations about now in

a national dispute over pensions. Fire chiefs across the region insist

there will be cover as people prepare to stage bonfire events.

Tonight's action is being taken by members of the Fire Brigades Union.

It's the second walk`out in six weeks. The timing of the stoppage,

between now and eleven o'clock tonight, is being seen as

provocative with families across the region starting to celebrate Guy

Fawkes. In a moment, we'll be hearing from the FBU. But first

this, from our chief reporter Kim Riley.

The region's Fire and rescue services say they have contingency

plans in place to maintain cover. Not all front line firefighters are

members of the FBU and many retain staff. This fire station in Norwich

is expected to stay closed all evening. Dan is responsible for

public protection. As far as the urban areas are concerned, we have

contingency appliances available which will be staffed by people from

other stations who are either willing to work or are retain staff

who are coming in to do that work. The urban areas will have coverage.

Many maintain stations will be open for business as usual. The head of

operations is spending this evening coordinating events from the control

room. The 909 service is operating normally. I would like to reassure

members of the sub public that if they have any problems tonight, they

should dial 999 as they normally would. We have over half of the fire

engines available than they would normally have anyway and they are

quite well spaced across the whole of the county. Reparations are

advanced for tonight's fireworks spectacular in Suffolk. A crowd of

up to 10,000 are expected. We have fire officers on`site that are

marshals, we have a water browser. As you can see, we are in an

exclusion zone and everything that is done has been recommended by the

fire service. We are happy. During the last four hour strike in

September, Essex firefighters walked out alongside hundreds of others. In

the event, only a handful of incidents needed dealing with. The

long`standing dispute goes on, but the FBU predicting proposed changes

will lead to a GATT army of 60`year`old firefighters.

It is a Friday night, it is the start of the bonfire weekend, you

couldn't have chosen a busy time, if that's not irresponsible? In many

ways, we did not choose the time. The fire minister and employers fail

to reach an agreement. We were forced to come back to strike action

and we deliberately selected the Friday night and Monday morning to

avoid what our research shows to be the vast majority of events

being... If you are concerned to avoid the offence, when as do it a

couple of days ago. There is no good time for a strike. There is not a

good time for doing it, we have avoided the main events that our

research shows. We would urge people to take more care. What happens if

there is a major incident? If that happens, we have reached an

agreement that if there is a terrorist event or... We will recall

our members. But the ordinary things would be left to the contingency

cover. Do still think you have the public 's support? We have some

tremendous support. The governments don't grasp it, but most people

understand that they don't want 58 and 59`year`old firefighters trying

to do the very physically demanding job we do. Everyone knows it is a

nonsense and their own evidence shows that nine out of ten of us

went reach pension age if it stays at 60, we will be sacked as we

wouldn't be able to maintain our fitness and we want to get a

pension. He got a guarantee not to be sacked, would that solve it? We

would like that. But we want is to... Firefighters already pay more

than double what every other pension scheme member in a private sector

and public sector play. They asking us to pay more. Not yet ``

generously looked after. The government says you have a great

deal. Yeah MAC the Government says that, but not everything they say is

true. We have written to the minister asking him to come back to

the table. Nobody, least of all firefighters, we know what it is to

be on strike and we don't want it and to continue. Thank you very

much. One of the best`known landmarks in

Essex has been plunged into... The Jumbo Tower has stood in the centre

of Colchester for more than a hundred years. Developers want to

adapt it for apartments and a restaurant.

It has dominated Colchester's skyline for over a century, but the

debate about what has to do with it has been rumbling on. Its owner

wants to transform it into a restaurant and apartments. Plans

that are seen as controversial. 1000 years ago, the Romans built

something on there. The Victorians, bless them, they built that. I'm

just trying to preserve something that was built in the 1800 's. They

knew, I have done my best. It is the largest Victorian water tower and

was decommissioned back in the 1980s. Let's go inside. This is the

entrance to where it is. We will have lifts to take us up, but today

we will have to climb 132 feet. Leon.

`` lead on. We are just approaching the service area. It was here that

the water pressure was controlled. Under new plans, a restaurant. After

another climb, it is into the main structure. We are nearly at the

top. This area used to be the water tank and it is to hold up to 230,000

gallons of water. The views stretch for miles, as does Jumbo's presence.

The council says that the plans would harm the architectural

integrity. We do have some responsibility, but our funding is

being cut, as most councils are, and we don't have the resort is to buy

it back. I cannot imagine who wouldn't want to go up in then have

a meal. I will be one of the first people there. Naked something nice.

It has `` any change for Jumbo remains uncertain.

We should just say well done to our colleagues at BBC Radio Suffolk. The

station's coverage of this year's Benjamin Britten centenary has won

them a gold award. It was at the Gillard Awards which recognises the

best in BBC local radio. The Britten centenary culminated in a live

performance of his opera Peter Grimes on the beach at Aldeburgh.

Earlier this week we reported on a new work programme in Ipswich aimed

at cutting the number of young people who haven't got a job.

Tonight, another scheme which uses volunteer work to help people climb

onto that crucial first rung of the jobs ladder. This is Jimmy's farm,

created by the TV presenter Jimmy Doherty. It plays host to thousands

of visitors every year, but today is the setting for a new idea, set up

in a partnership between the farm and the social enterprise group

called So Active. . The aim is to get students and young adults

lending a hand to develop new skills. Confidence is important. We

don't know `` mind what they know or don't know, but as long as they're

polite and respectful, whether it is outdoors here or whether it is in an

office, it is different. It is just developing those skills. People say

it is easy to get a job. James braid is here and could not be happier.

After leaving school, this is ideal as he is desperate for a career in

farming. When I was younger, I thought it would be easier, but it

is hard. I have applied for three jobs and got turned down. I got AIDS

in most of my GCSEs. It is about experience. `` as. Young people have

to realise that when you talk to somebody for the first time, they

may have a blank face. That opens the way for a conversation. You need

to work as a team. You can tell some... To all just fall apart. Also

on the farm were people from a host of local organisations. The hope is

that more than 100 youngsters a year will be involved in the scheme. The

goal is simple, inspire and energise them to do more.

Still to come, the experts give their verdict on this week's big

storm. Plus remember our Olympic games

venue, it gets ready for a weekend of white water action.

Next tonight, the small European state of Macedonia. It's a

land`locked country of two million people and it's where Mother Teresa

was born. John Toshack used to manage the country's football team

and it's one of the latest countries to apply to join the European Union.

That application has sparked a wider debate about the future direction of

the European Union. Does that matter to us here in the East of England?

Well yes, according to one of our leading Euro MPs. Tonight's special

report is from our political correspondent Andrew Sinclair.

This is Macedonia. It is part of the former Yugoslavia. The capital is

and the main industries here are food and chemical production. It has

32% unemployment and a third of people live below the poverty line.

In a few years time, Macedonia could be part of the EU. As Europe has

grown, trade has grown and we are all more prosperous. Every family in

the east of England is more wealthy because of us trading in Europe. He

has been chosen by the European powers to oversee Macedonia's

application. He points out that Johnson already has a production

plant in the country. He is sure that more firms will benefit.

Neighbouring countries of Montenegro, Serbia, Iceland are all

applying for EU membership. At the European Parliament, not everyone is

happy. Some feel Europe is getting too big. We welcome the principle of

enlargement, but before we get onto enlarging it any longer, we need to

sort it out. We need a fundamental reshaping and bring about great

change in the EU. These are poor countries, there are 100 million

population in those countries who would be entitled to come to the

rest of Europe, including the UK. Also, the idea that you can make

poor countries rich and make us richer by trading with them is a

circular argument. Why does all this matter? With European elections

approaching, there is a big debate about what the EU is ready for and

what it should look like in the future. Should it continue to expand

and provide more opportunities, particularly for business and

travel? Macedonia's application is bog down in a row with Greece. It'll

still be some time before it joins the EU. In fact, depending on our

referendum, they could be joining just as Britain is leading. ``

believing. And you can see a round`up of the

week's political news from the region on this weekend's edition of

Sunday Politics. It's at eleven o'clock this Sunday, here on BBC

One. This time last year, Ipswich Town

were in the doldrums and there was unrest on the stands. But then,

exactly a year ago today, the club appointed Mick McCarthy as its new

manager. Since then, Town's fortunes have been on the up. And for the

first time in years they can start to dream about promotion to the

Premier League. Tonight, Ipswich take on Barnsley at Portman Road.

Let's go there now and join our sports reporter James Burridge.

That old sporting cliche, what a difference a year makes. It could

not be more true here. Look at a few facts. One year ago, they were seven

points clear of safety at the bottom of the Championship, now they are

seven points from the play`offs. Can fans start to dream?

Unorthodox entrance, but after 12 months, Mick McCarthy has Ipswich

heading the right way. I could not resist it. After a rocky few years.

Welcome to Portman Road. A year to the day since replacing Paul, with

Ipswich in real trouble. it is a great time at. Are you proud of what

you have achieved? I guess so. I think at the end of last season,

there was a sense of achievement. Last year has been good. It has been

very exciting. Frustrating, annoying, sometimes. It was a

success considering where we were last year. This year, we're doing

OK. Should be doing better. He boasts an impressive record since

taking charge, 46 games, 19 wins, 12 draws, 69 points in all. It carried

that would have earned them a place in the top six last season. 13 games

into the new campaign, whilst not in promotion form, they are comfortably

mid`table. Much better than expected. He has come and the main

thing is he has put a smile on the face of the players and the

supporters. The results have been mixed, but they are an improvement

on a year ago. Is their pressure on him to deliver promotion sooner

rather than later? The fans are the biggest pressure gauge for us. Yes,

there is pressure to achieve. But there is an understanding that what

he has done with the team, we have the right team and there are always

improvements we can make. We have the right team and that has been

proved in the results and why should we not go up at the end of the

season? Having inherited an ageing squad, it has been a period of

transition. 20 of the club's 28 professionals are under 25. It is a

healthier, happier place to be. Let's speak to a legend and get his

insights. Mick Mills joins us. Mick, the past 12 months, how would you

describe them? They have been superb. I think he was the right

choice at the time. He has done what everyone expected him to do. Do fans

have to be realists? Is the Premier League a dream too far? To be this

year. One step at a time. What he has done in one year is tremendous.

He has organised the defence, first of all, he has a solid unit, players

are happy playing under him and the results are steady. Whether he can

push this team into the play`offs, I am unsure. He may not be getting the

Republic of Ireland job, so that some consistency. I hope not, from

Mick's personal point of view, it may have been nice to be asked, a

couple of weeks ago, it was serious stuff, now I think he will stay.

Thank goodness for that. Coverage with Mick and the Suffolk team on

BBC Radio Suffolk at 7:45pm. We remember the gold medal in the

canoeist `` canoeing. I have been back with him where he won that

amazing gold medal with his partner, Tim Bailey. You will find some of

the world's best canoeists, . It is the hardest course of the

world. Any one section would probably be the hardest in any other

course. This is continuous, intense. You have to be positive and clear

minded. If you start to timidly, it'll be a mistake. He starts to

aggressively that can be a mistake. Just over 100 of the world's best

canoeists will be here at the weekend, some starting for the first

time, some champions. With the world Championships coming up, this is

vital practice time. It is a good course. I won the last Olympic games

here. For me, it is the best course in the world. It is a difficult

course, but... A little bit further on, you can see the big drop behind

me, that is probably the most significant test on the course. You

are always trying to get the precision, a small difference can be

a big difference after the drop. Two years ago, 16`year`old George

Cooper was just passing by a canoe club. My dad asked me if I wanted to

have a go. I spoke to one of the people, through on St Kitts and had

a go. When was that? About two years ago. It is incredible that I am now

competing. It is one of the steepest and shortest courses in the world.

The rough and tumble of these waters will soon sort out the old hands

from the young pretenders. The skill is to anticipate and take account of

the water and harness the water. It is about gaining the power, so much

energy in this water, if you can tap into that, you will zip along. Good

luck to all those competing. If you want to go, it is free to watch.

Good luck to Northampton Saints' five players who will be taking on

Australia tomorrow. You can catch up on BBC Three if you cannot watch it

live. We have an update on our top story.

Fire crews in the London area are being recalled to work in response

to a major fire in Dagenham in Essex.

Weather experts and the power companies said today they were

pleased with the way they anticipated and then dealt with the

storm which hit our region on Monday. Engineers have spent the day

continuing to re`connect homes. Tonight, just a handful are believed

to be still without power. The storm was called St Jude, after the patron

saint of lost causes. In this report from Mike Liggins we ask, just how

severe was the storm? And how effective was the operation? Suffolk

counts the cost of the heavy winds. Monday the 28th of October, a date

likely to live long in the memory for many. The M11, blocked by an

overturned lorry, a terrified driver described what happened The wind was

pulling me all over the place. I felt the wind got underneath the

lorry and it took off. It was an exceptional storm. The interesting

thing about this one is that it was very well forecast. I was told how

forecasters get its spent on `` spot on and how a stinging jet, comes

behind the lower area of low pressure, does the damage. it comes

from high up in the ad for cashback atmosphere, it produces really

strong gusts. You get a `` and area that started west of London and then

tracks north eastwards into Essex and Suffolk. There was an intense,

but very brief period of strong gusts. That is what caused most of

the damage. The high winds caused chaos. It was a miserable start for

those using the East Coast mainline. They said there was nothing until

9am. Do you wish you had run trains earlier? No, I think... Some of you

thought that question was unfair. Ruth said...

The train problems went on into Tuesday and by Wednesday people in

the elite of Rockwell were still without power. I was here in 1987.

That report commented Nicky Cook e`mail...

The last time we had a big storm was 2007 and we had about 450,000 of

supply. This time, we have 700,000 of supply and they were back. That

shows how quickly we have improved. Monday's storm was not as severe as

the storm of 1987. The period of strong winds in that... It lasted

quite a lot longer. In this particular storm, on Monday, the

Saint Jude's storm produced a period of maybe less than an hour when the

winds were most damaging. For many, the storm brought delay,

inconvenience, even temporary hardship. Thanks to the efforts of

forecasters, engineers, and call centre workers, it could have been

much worse. Thank goodness it wasn't. Let's have

a look at the weather. It won't be as windy as Monday. A

series of low pressure areas that will bring us rain and strong winds.

Not heavy rain this evening, instead we will have a lot of cloud, maybe

some bits of patchy rain and some persistent rain after midnight. It

will stay mild with lows of nine Celsius. The wind also between

north`westerly direction by the end of the night. We start tomorrow with

this pressure system heading in our direction. We get rid of that low,

this is the next one. The rain on this low is not the real concern.

The strength of wind is. As it pulls away, the winds will strengthen.

Looking in detail at the day, it looks as though it is a mostly dry

start, there is a lot of cloud around first thing and then we will

see the sunshine. Those winds. To strengthen into the afternoon,

coming on a south`westerly wind and they could blow in some heavy

showers for the afternoon. Temperatures climbing to 14

Celsius. Into the afternoon and evening, that is where they are

likely to be less longest. There could be heavy. The winds may gusts.

We could get up to 40 mph and they will continue to be strong

overnight. Bonfire night celebrations, not the best night for

the strength of the wind. As the low spins away, that is when the winds

will be strong. For your bonfire night on Saturday, expect some

strong winds, it will feel quite cool and it will certainly have a

chance of showers. Then we get to Sunday. It will still be quite windy

for Sunday. There will be some sunny spells, just the chance of a shower,

but most showers for Monday would be quite isolated. Certainly feeling

chilly in the brisk wind. Then we have another low pressure system

arriving on Sunday night. That will bring some overnight rain.

Particularly across the southern and eastern half of the region. Some

rain to clear the first thing on Monday, still quite a cool, chilly

day with highs of nine Celsius, but some sunny spells developing with

winds coming from a northerly direction, feeling cool. The next

low`pressure arrives on Tuesday, that will mean rain, milder

temperatures, but not before we have some very cold nights. That is all

from us, have a grey weekend. Goodbye. `` did begin.