21/02/2014 Look East - East

Thousands of protest to remain in Thousands of protest to remain in

Independence Hello and welcome to Look East.

In the programme tonight, new concerns over the safety of a cruise

ship where a man was killed when a wave crashed through a window.

A highway to Hull? Could the M11 be extended north from Cambridge?

Battling for the right to be England's hooker. Should it be Bad

boy Hartley or Youngs, the British Lion?

And the woman from the Ivory Coast who loved this pub so much she

bought it. There's more evidence tonight of

safety worries on board the cruise ship, where a man from Essex died.

James Swinstead was on board the cruise liner Marco Polo when a wave

crashed through a window in the dining room during a storm.

Following a tip off, Look East has discovered that reports of leaking

windows first surfaced two years ago. After safety checks the Marco

Polo was allowed to leave on another cruise and tonight she is in Norway.

But when she returns to Tilbury next weekend, she will face more

inspections. Almost as soon as she stepped

ashore, at the end of this ill`fated cruise, the widow of 85`year`old

James said she would battle for tighter safety rules. She claimed

the Marco Polo on which they had travelled to the users was badly

maintained and what happened on Valentine's Day as they were

battered at proves safety was compromised. Was there a moment when

you and your husband thought this vessel meant to get truly bored or

did you think the vessel could make it? Become a we thought we could

make it because it was an icebreaker. We also heard that the

person who sailed with the captain many times, she said he was very

good. So we had faith in that. There are many sites were cruise has

injured can post reviews about their experience. This is one of them.

They need to be treated with caution because a lot of what goes on here

can be anonymous. Have a quick flick through and time and again, this

vessel and safety crop. One former passenger said the captain should

never have taken the ship out of Tilbury.

Here is another. Finally.

Shortly after arriving back in Tilbury at the weekend, the Marco

Polo was checked and clear to sail into Norway. Her owners say she

complies with stringent regulations. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency

said past inspections have revealed no defects. It says the vessel will

be checked again when she returns to Tilbury on March the 2nd. Helen told

us today that she is seeking legal advice and is determined to lobby

for tighter safety on cruise ships. Tonight the ship's owners Cruise and

Maritime Voyages denied Marco Polo had a poor safety record. Managers

confirmed that a previous cruise at Christmas had also suffered adverse

weather conditions. Seven passengers had required medical assistance

onshore but six had rejoined the cruise. They said... This incident

is still under official investigation. It would be

inappropriate at this stage to make further comment until the

investigation is completed. The Government has floated the idea

of extending the M11 motorway north from Cambridge. It's one of the

ideas being considered for the next round of funding which would start

in 2020. Under the new scheme, the new road would run all the way up to

Hull. At the moment, drivers from Norfolk

they have to use either the A47 or the A17 which are mostly single

carriageway. Dennis knows almost every road in

and out of East Anglia. The nearer he is to motorway, the less stressed

he is. The worst bit of our job as we go north is the A17. It would

probably save of a good half an hour 45 minutes just to get to the A1, I

would reckon. Based near King's Lynn, his boss wants 23 drugs on

very tight margins. For him, and Mextension cannot come soon enough.

If they would come up close to us, it would make a significant

difference. Any improvement in the road system, where we are not ``

where we are on motorways and proves our fuel economy and journey times

and make a difference. A current stretch from London stocks just

north of Cambridge. Extending it could see it run into Lincolnshire

and all the way up to the Humber Bridge. It is only one idea in the

Government's plans for the next round of road funding starting in

2020. It is early early days and nothing has been found out. The idea

was around when a very young looking Ken Clarke first opened the M11 but

extending it was shelved due to cost. Some say it will be a

lifeline. I think it will be great. It is a perfect opportunity to

improve the economy of East Anglia. It would cost billions of pounds and

others say the money would be better spent on local roads. What they

really ought to do is concentrate on upgrading the A17, A16 and the A47.

Effect on the local debate about the benefits or otherwise of a brand`new

motorway, those who study government policies and road spending say it is

highly unlikely that an M11 extension will ever be built. This

is probably dream on. It is a scheme that many would argue is essential

but equally, there are other pressing priorities with the network

that needs upgrading. `` Dreamland. It needs sorting out first. This

scheme maybe in a few years' time have more of a hearing. The new M11

debate is just underway. On one point all agree, key local routes

must be upgraded or duelled before they can feed into any new motorway.

A man in his twenties has been arrested after a police chase in

Suffolk last night. It began in Ipswich just before 10pm last night

and ended in the village of Whatfield, some ten miles to the

west. Felicity Simper sent this from the village.

It was just before 10pm last night people here in what field say about

sex or lease cars came here through the village `` half a dozen police

cars as well as a helicopter hovering overhead. They were chasing

a 23`year`old man who did not stop for him when they tried to get into

in Ipswich. That took them right through the centre of this village,

much to the surprise of the residents. There were quite a lot of

police cars that came down the road very quickly and there were some

without their lights on. And then a police helicopter came, shining it's

been down at the field. We were looking and trying to work out what

it was. They work `` I was checking the news website and there was

nothing on. As the chase continued, the man continued up the road and

turned off to the right and it was there, in a field, that the police

finally caught him after his car ended up in a ditch. He tried to

escape on foot but the police went after him and managed to catch him.

After that, one local resident told us that he had to help the police

because forever police cars had got stuck in the mud. It was a flood of

lights, to be honest, when I first got here. We brought up a tractor

from our house and navigated here in the dark. Yes, I think there were

six police cars and double when we arrived and a little later the

recovery truck arrived also. For cars buried it just behind me. And

yes, a sea of mud. Fortunately, three of them already has bungee

cords from the police officers pre`empting our arrival. The fourth

one was a bit more muddy and we had to get underneath and attach a

strapless top it was a case of hooking them up, engaging the

tractor and towing them out. There was one police officer who almost

backed into the tractor when we got onto former grand! The 23`year`old

man was wanted on inspection of burglary, possession of cannabis and

theft. This evening, he is continuing to be questioned.

Tonight, the police have confirmed that no cars were damaged in the

incident but they did need help retrieving the vehicle.

More than 500 young people in Norwich found jobs in the first year

of the into cut youth unemployment. The MP for Norwich North is buying

the campaign which was set up a year ago. It is called Norwich For Jobs.

The idea is to encourage local businesses to invest in young people

to help them develop new skills. The hope is that the number of young

unemployed in the city can be halved by the next election. Nearly 100

businesses have pledged their support to this campaign. This is

what has enabled those young people to go into work for them. My message

would be that we would love more businesses to pledge. We need to do

the same again in the second year in order to be able to meet the target

that we have set and we want the help and support of as many city

businesses as possible in doing that.

We've had a big reaction to our item last night about the internet

drinking craze NekNomination. We heard from Dawn Lister, whose

daughter Megan was rushed to the hospital in Southend with alcohol

poisoning. He was shaking violently. I could not hold still. Her eyes

were rolling back on her head. She was screaming and had heard herself.

She lucky. It could have turned any other way. She could have died and

lost her life through the amount of alcohol she had drunk. People have

died with less alcohol in the system.

We had lots of emails and comments on our Facebook page about the

subject. Liz St John said, "I was nominated and just didn't do it. I

like a drink but in moderation". Jackie Palmer told us, "My uni

student son was nominated and decided to do a random act of

kindness instead by donating ?20 to cancer research". Carleigh Pomfret

says, "I was NekNominated and I did it. It's only the people that go

overboard that have made the press. For 99% of people it's just been a

bit of fun". Rebekah Tokley thinks it's outrageous we did a feature on

it. "This will only draw attention to this awful craze," she said. And

this from Margaret Candy. "It is a sick craze. The sooner it stops the

better". Thanks to everybody who got in touch.

A man is being questioned on suspicion of murder after a

26`year`old woman was stabbed at her home. She died earlier today in

hospital. She was found at a house in Westcliff just over a week ago. A

42`year`old man from Southend has been arrested in connection with the

attack. A police officer and two other

people has been arrested in Norwich in connection with a fraud

investigation. A man and a woman both in their 30s and a second woman

in her 50s were arrested yesterday. The police officer has been

suspended and released on bail. Fire crews have been dealing with a

fire involving 4,000 tonnes of wood chip in the port of Harwich. It

broke out early this morning. Crews had to use a digger to create a

firebreak. The woodchip pile measured 50 metres by 30 metres.

Also coming up: Could you name your Police and Crime

Commissioner? Is the new system really working?

Also, from 2014 to 1914, a look ahead to look back at the impact of

the First World War had on this region.

The Six Nations returns tomorrow with England taking on Ireland at

Twickenham. But who should be England's hooker?

The contenders are both from this region. It's Northampton's bad boy

Dylan Hartley versus Tom Youngs, the Norfolk lad who made the grade with

the British Lions. James Burridge reports from the England training

camp. COMMENTATOR: England make changes.

Hartley comes on for Young's. Norfolk's Tom Youngs and another

player are battling for one jersey between now and the Rugby World Cup

in 2015. The seesaw of form and favour is as clear as ever. Hartley,

frankly, is lucky to beat. Last May another moment of madness cost him a

Premiership trophy and a Lions jersey. Tom Youngs to be his chance

and the glory in a string. Hartley's list of indiscretions, the

biting and gouging, was mounting. When the call came from the England

head coach, he feared the worst. Instead, they met over a pint in a

Northampton prop. He was given one last chance. It shows how quickly

things can turn on its head and I am very realistic that you are only one

game away from, you know, being back on the bench or, you know, until

form. Or, in my case in the past, with a ban or something like that.

And you're grateful that you have, like Stewart Lancaster giving you

the chance? Yes and obviously Jim at the club. But, you know, I am on a

chance here and I like to think I am repaying some of that faith shown in

me. Hartley is back in favour partly because of his consistency. Take the

line`out for instance. He has thrown 30 times in this year's Six Nations.

It has gone wrong just once. Youngs is now the one having to sit and

stew. Dylan, for me, his errant the short at the moment. Youngs is

desperate to get it back. Tom recognises that Dylan is playing

well and will please the porting role from the bench. It is a great

position to be in as a national coach to have two players fighting

for the shirt. Tom Hall after week for the opportunity when he gets the

chance to come on to show what he can do and through injury, form or

whatever, he will get the chance again. I have no doubt that when he

gets his shot, he will play well. It is nice to know that I have waited a

year and I'm getting my shop. Hartley has been on trial and have

had his fair share of two relations. He has channelled the intensity and

it is serving him well. With terrier like Tom snapping at his heels, it

is serving England also. Police and Crime Commissioners

across the country have been in the firing line today over a concern

they are not talking to the public enough. The first PCCs were elected

in November 2012 when only 15% of people turned out to vote.

The latest figures concern the police and crime panels, which were

set up to hold the commissioners to count. Across the country, BBC News

found that only 52 questions have been asked by members of the public

at the 280 meetings held so far. In our region, no questions at all had

been asked in Bedfordshire, Norfolk or the Thames Valley. In Suffolk, it

was just three questions. So what's going on? Earlier today, I asked Tim

Passmore, the Suffolk Commissioner, if the figures showed people just

weren't engaging with the new system. I do not agree with that.

That is one small part of the engagement. If you look at the

public engagement sessions we have right across Suffolk, I can assure

you that we have had hundreds of questions on our district and

panels. I think you're referring to the Police and Crime Panel. They are

organised by the County Council. I would like to reassure the list is

that the last panel, I was questioned relentlessly for two and

a half hours! You must remember that the members of the panel are there

to represent the public. I think we are not quite hitting the right

target that we see `` when we say there are no questions from the

public. How can you convince people that this system is better than what

we had before? It is certainly cheaper. It is certainly in Suffolk

making for much quicker decision`making. Without being

disrespectful to the old police authority, nobody had any idea who

they were whatsoever. All I can say is that the huge number of public

meetings I go to, I have one tonight and last Wednesday and three more

next week, the number of questions and awareness is rising rapidly. We

are doing our best with things like social media and Twitter. The

website, e`mails, letters. Another statistic you may be interested in,

in the first year, we had over 1000 e`mails and letters sent directly to

me. The police authority in its last year did not even have 50. We are on

an upward trend and have a lot of to do. I am not complacent but we are

getting there. Labour says the system is not working. It wants a

reformed. Do you think we have another Labour Government that our

jobs will be abolished? If you talk to some of the other commissioners,

and there are some good people but our labour commissioners, the wind

of change is blowing through the Labour Party. They realise that our

job is about trust and accountability. Policing spends 12

volume pounds per year throughout the UK. What we need is a system for

that accountability and transparency. `` ?12 billion. There

have been some difficulties nationally in the last year. Part of

the role of these commissions is to build trust and confidence in a good

and important public service. All next week in Look East, we're

looking at how people in this region were affected by the First World

War. We'll be starting to tell 100 stories selected to mark 100 years

since the outbreak of World War One in 1914.

A taster now from Shaun Peel. We begin the week in the trenches as

we try to get a sense of the horrors of battle on the Western fronts. The

sheer misery of the war they said would be over by Christmas. We take

you back to a time when life expectancy for men was 52 and when

the school leaving age was 12. But there were many ten`year`old who

actually had jobs and it was very unusual for many children to go on

to secondary school. We also find out how our region bore the brunt of

the German Zeppelin attacks, as bombs rained down from the skies

over Britain for the first time ever. This is Zeppelin crashed in

the fields of Essex. All of the campers got burned and just left a

bit of the piece of the relics, you see. That is aluminium for

lightness. As the war raged, we find out how the shoemaking factories in

Northamptonshire rose to the challenge of producing 50 million

boots for the Allies. If attack from ships in the skies were not enough,

what about the ships of the seas? The devastation wreaked upon

Lowestoft as German vessels fired bombs on the Suffolk town. They

realised what was happening and shouted bombardment, all downstairs

now, as you are. Also, the Reverend Richard calls on Bernard van, the

only ordained priest to win a Victoria Cross as a serving officer

in the British Army. How could a man of God become a man of war? Van is

actually killing. He at this point becomes a killing machine. On

Friday, the tragedy of the 100 lost boys from a Norfolk school and

headmaster who was said to have died from a broken heart. For him

particularly, the war was utterly shattering. Extraordinary stories

from the war they said would end all wars. World War I at home, all next

one on BBC Look East and BBC local radio.

And you're going to be in the trenches on Monday night but not the

real trenches? Thank goodness for that. They're

actually in Suffolk and used in a lot of film sets. You will have seen

them in television programmes and movies. I have only seen the

photographs but they look very wet and very uncomfortable and it is

incredible to think that people spend weeks and months it is going

to be fascinating. So that is the series that we will

start on Monday, as Susie said. I shall be in the trenches in Suffolk.

And our radio stations will also be looking at the First World War next

week. Every morning, every breakfast show at 8.15.

Now we often hear that the pub trade is having a really tough time at the

moment. Around 20 pubs in Britain close every week. But not everybody

has been put off. Eunice Wortley comes from the Ivory Coast and when

she walked into The Crown at Smallburgh in Norfolk, she just knew

she had to buy it. This from Mike Liggins.

This is a village on the edge of the Norfolk Broads, a traditional

English village with a very traditional English pub. But inside,

there is something... Or someone very African.

Her name is Younis and she is originally from the Ivory Coast. She

met George at the start of 2010 and married him before the year was

over. In December last year, they went for a drink in The Crown and

Eunice decided she wanted to run it. They started coming but they were

wondering if I had to have AIDS or if I bite! She did not, in fact she

was lovely. Now, the locals are big fans. It is nice to have someone

with a little bit of cultural difference, I think. Have you ever

been to the Ivory Coast? No, but it has come to me! When you walk

through the door, there is a huge smile which is lovely. Become over

and stand with me and chat and families come and dogs and anything.

And they are just lovely, lovely locals. But The Crown really is your

traditional English pub. There is darts in the back and the snug has

not been decorated in donkeys. It is about as far from the Ivory Coast as

you can imagine but Eunice does not plan to change it. You would be lots

of money to have this done. Lots of money to have chairs made of old

barrels. Lots of money to have all of this wood and everything. She

might be 3000 miles from home but Eunice is loving the wave of the pub

landlady. There is official opening on the 1st of March she is promising

African food and locals cannot wait. Issue not just great? Was my

wonderful! If you're interested in what the BBC

does in this region then you might be interested in joining the BBC's

regional audience panel. We want to hear from people of all ages and all

backgrounds from across the region. The panel meets three times a year

and it's your chance to tell us what you think about the BBC. You don't

get paid but you will get expenses. The closing date for applications is

seventh March. Just go to bbc.co.uk/ace for an information

pack or call 0800 092 6030. I am always deeply impressed when

you do that! One day I will get you to read the

number. Let's have a look at the weather.

number. Let's have a look Hello. It has been a pretty lovely

day. It might have felt a little bit chilly in the wind, a little cooler

and fresher but we reach highs of 10 Celsius in the sunshine and plenty

of that threw out the morning. This is our satellite picture of today.

We did see a little bit more patchy cloud in the middle afternoon a lot

of that has good away. Set a scene for quite a chilly night and there

are some showers around as well. I am going to draw your attention to

the radar. They are not on our part of the region but creeping into the

Western counties. If you live in pieces like the western half of

Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and into Hertfordshire, you might catch

a showers rate this evening. In fact, the computer is predicting

more showers than there may be will be. They will be very isolated. For

most of us, it looks like a dry night with long, clear spells. The

winds have been quite brisk through this evening. Still some gusts of 30

mph but they will continue to ease overnight. With those light winds,

temperatures drop close to freezing. For some of us, there will be patchy

frost around by the time we get to tomorrow morning. By the end of

tonight, a south`westerly wind. The chilly start to the weekend. Out of

the two days, Saturday looks like the best. There will be some rain

spends sunshine and it will stay mainly dry throughout the day. ``

some long spells of sunshine. Sunday will be cloudier and it may mean

some light rain or drizzle but the feature of Sunday's weather will be

the wind. Very windy expected on Sunday. We will start tomorrow with

light winds and plenty of sunshine through the morning. Into the

afternoon, was a bit more cloud feeding through into Western

counties. `` a little bit more cloud. Highs comfortably claiming to

10 Celsius, 50 Fahrenheit. The wind will be coming from a south`westerly

direction and will pick up through the afternoon and into the evening.

Increasing amounts of cloud by the end of the day. It may well produce

some light rain or drizzle. That is how Sunday ships up. The pressure

pattern maker would be dramatic. There will be rain across the

western half of the country, but not much for us but a brisk wind. Gusts

of around 40 mph or possible and a lot of cloud around on Sunday. The

figures across the West, producing some light rain and drizzle not

significant amounts. The winds ease little for Monday but there will be

some showers, staying pretty unsettled to start next week.

Tuesday, little cooler. There will be some showers and windy once more.

Thank you very much. Just when you think things are

getting better, along comes the forecast! Had a great weekend.

Goodbye.