09/04/2014 Look East - East

Hello and welcome to Look E`st. In the programme tonight..

The 83`year`old stranded in an Abu Dhabi hospital, because his insurers

won't pay for him to come home. New sea defences costing ?5 million

are approved despite local opposition.

Well shod. How this shoemakdr can't make them fast enough for the

booming Asian market. And the Princess Royal pays a visit

to the Norfolk Broads and hops on board one of the smartest boats in

the fleet. First tonight, the great gr`ndfather

from Essex stranded in a hospital in the Middle East. Tonight,

83`year`old Gordon Griffiths is on a ventilator in hospital in Abu Dhabi.

And every day, the bill keeps going up. It's already more than ?20, 00.

?20,000 his family say they cannot afford to pay. When Mr Griffiths

left Saffron Walden in Febrtary his daughter said she would buy his

health insurance for him in the Middle East. But now, that hnsurance

company is refusing to pay out. 83`year`old Gordon Griffiths has

visited his daughter Liz in Abu Dhabi for the past 20 years. But

now, he is stranded there after being admitted to hospital with

chronic lung disease in February. He is too ill to fly home. His other

daughter, Isa, who travelled out with him, is now back home hn

Cambridge. The family did bty travel insurance for ?6.50 when thdy

arrived in Abu Dhabi. But hhs daughters say they have been told

the insurers will not pay for ongoing tear on his flight home

because the company says it is a pre`existing condition. `` ongoing

care or his flight home. Yot had to go home, leave your dad in hospital.

What was that like? Devastating I hated that. I really hated ht. And

they were asking if any famhly, siblings, in the UK had mondy that

could be sent over for medical costs. We were saying no. There is

no one with that amount of loney in our family. Isa has been getting

regular updates on her fathdr's condition from her sister in Abu

Dhabi. Look East has spoken to Liz and asked if paying just ?6.50 in

Abu Dhabi for insurance for a 83`year`old asthmatic smoker raised

any concerns at the time. When he went into hospital, we didn't

realise that he was going to go and stay in there all this time. We

thought he had a chest infection, bronchitis or something, whhch he

has had before. We also askdd why her father had not bought insurance

in the UK. Maybe he was a lhttle bit complacent and thought that he would

be OK. He had got through everything before and he could manage. The

insurance the family bought was through one of Abu Dhabi's biggest

and most respected health insurers. Gordon's children say he had had a

chest infection, but had bedn cleared by a doctor to fly out

there. He felt unwell when he arrived. The family are now faced

with a ?23,000 health bill. And as Gordon needs oxygen, a medical

flight home would cost 40,000. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office says

it is aware of the situation and that it cannot pay any medical

bills. It advises travellers to get comprehensive insurance, declare any

pre`existing medical condithons and check exactly what is coverdd.

Earlier this afternoon, I spoke to Andrew Woolgar from the Association

of British Insurers about the lessons we could all learn from this

case. This underlines the nded for consumers to buy appropriatd travel

insurance before travelling. And if you are buying through a UK insurer,

there are a number of safegtards in place to make sure the insurer deals

with that claim responsibly. And if the consumer chooses to makd a

complaint later, there are mechanisms in place. That whll be

dealt with. So if you fail to declare either your age or that you

are a smoker to an insurancd company in this country before travdlling,

would that mean they would not pay out? First of all, travel insurers

in the UK are not looking to avoid valid claims. At the start of the

sales process, they will ask clear questions about your medical

history. Any treatment that is ongoing. Any medication you take.

And if you answer those questions fully and honestly, you shotld not

need to worry about a claim being declined. It is unlikely th`t

insurers in the UK will ask about aspects of your lifestyle, such as

whether you are a smoker. Btt if you are in any doubt about questions

asked, it is always best to check with your insurer before buxing the

policy. Would you consider ht reasonable that somebody in his 80s

would get health insurance cover in the Middle East for ?6.50? H am not

going to be able to comment on the exact price. But clearly, the price

of travel insurance is determined by the risk that is posed by that

individual. That means that older consumers will often pay a price

that is slightly higher. Th`t is because they are more likelx to have

a number of pre`existing medical conditions. And also potenthally a

number of undiagnosed conditions. But cover is available to travellers

of every age, no matter what destination they are travelling to.

We would encourage consumers to shop around, consider using spechalist

brokers to think what would meet their needs. Thank you very much.

Thanks. This weekend is the official start

of the holiday season. And ` number of businesses on the North Norfolk

coast still haven't re`opendd after the tidal surge four months ago Our

chief reporter has spent thd day at Wells`Next the Sea and is there now.

This has a population of 2700, but in high summer it gets as m`ny as

20,001 single day. This season started pretty well, but sole

businesses and me are missing out. Perfect day, and the historhc key

packed with visitors. One b`ck for months and the water is crept up

over sea defences and flooddd a number of businesses. Today, an

amusement arcade is not abld to welcome visitors. Chris Brown lost

?180,000 worth of machines `nd is anxious to get up and running again,

but the building is still drying out and major construction work yet to

begin. It is the insurers ghving the contract was the go`ahead. @nd it is

two three weeks before that. Very frustrated. This is having ` major

revamp. The owners hope to open to drinkers very soon. Do you `nd other

businesses feel you have bedn well treated? No, that includes the

insurance companies have bedn very and helpful. And a family btsiness

dating from 1960, the sign hn the window today saying at all. She was

here as the waters flooded hn through the back doors. She is

despairing note as insurers drag their feet, building work not even

starting. This is my livelihood has been since I was 15, working here

since then, and it is the fhrst time I have not been open. The only time

when people ask if I am open every day, and it is that unless there is

a crisis, and this is a crisis. I hope I will be open for Whitsun I

cannot say for definite stop she is also opening that next week the much

delayed building work will finally begin. `` she is also opening.

She gets very tearful when talking about this. People forget that when

a flood happens to a self`elployed person, their income stream dries up

and the bills keep on coming. Behind me, and other businesses celebrating

the arrival of the official reopening of their officers, but for

Kay, and people like her, the celebrations are some way of. `` way

off. Next, the unusual story of ` coastal

community fighting against plans for new flood defences. This afternoon,

Southend Council approved a ?5 million scheme to protect htndreds

of homes and businesses by building a seven foot high sea wall. That's

despite 1500 people in Shoeburyness objecting to the plan.

Behind the beach huts, the common. But locals say it is under threat.

They do not want to lose it. It is fantastic, a beautiful area away

from the hustle and bustle `t Southend and you can have f`mily

entertainment. I remember as a child playing here. But mindful of the

floods of 1953, the council wants to improve defences and plans to build

a two metre high wall stretching for one kilometre behind the be`ch huts.

Campaigners say it will dev`state the common. Unbelievable th`t a

common that has been here shnce 1900, with the beach huts hdre

before my house and any houses within two miles, that that can be

destroyed in such a and chedring fashion. There has been a c`fe on

the common for as long as anyone remember, the owner seeing business

will be hit. And beach hut owners do not want the while either, saying

disabled access will be difficult. `` do not want the whole. I am a

retired war veteran, on 100$ disability, and I feel if the wall

is built, with the best will in the world, it will be extremely

difficult to climb any inclhnes It is an absolutely beautiful spot And

I just do not want it ruined. But even though the recent storl surge

did not breach the existing wall, the council says he defences do need

improvement. There are nearly 2 0 homes, not just people, but Holmes,

with all those people at risk at the moment. `` but homes. If we do not

put that protection in, somd of the events that could happen, Anja

Juniper know when one in 200 year will happen. `` you never know when.

Those people will be at risk. The planning committee came to learn

more about the proposals thhs morning. There was later a protest

outside the Civic Centre, btt the plan was still voted through, the

whole will be built. `` the wall. Detectives have released new

photographs of James Attfield who was murdered in Colchester 01 days

ago. He was found on Saturd`y 2 th March in Castle Park. He had more

than 100 knife wounds. The police want people who may have sedn him in

the area to contact them. Three people appeared in cotrt today

in Ipswich charged with supplying crack cocaine and heroin. Antonio

Bennett and Clare Rivett from Finchley Road and Leonard Flynn from

Tye Road were arrested during police raids yesterday. They face ` total

of 25 charges related to supplying drugs.

A public meeting is being hdld tonight over controversial plans to

merge parts of the police sdrvice in Norfolk with Suffolk. One proposal

is to relocate the Suffolk Police control room to Norfolk Polhce

headquarters. Still to come tonight... Prhncess

Anne gets a lesson on the bhrth of boating on the broads.

And why Seb is preparing to run the marathon dressed as the London

Gherkin. Fetching costume, isn't it?

A strong pound is being blaled for a fall in exports from this rdgion.

The latest figures show thex fell by 4.6% in the last three months of

2013 compared to the same pdriod in 2012. That's the bad news.

The good news is that exports to Asia, the Middle East and South

America are all booming. Sales to Saudi Arabia were up nearly 40%

Sales to Chile were even higher Up 93% to ?63 million. It's spdcialist

products and luxury items they're after.

They do things the traditional way at Cheaney Shoes. And it sedms to be

paying off. Exports at the tpmarket men's footwear firm have dotbled in

the last four years. Good ndws for the 140 staff at Desborough in

Northamptonshire. A pair of shoes made here cost up to ?300. @ price

middle`class consumers in Asia are increasingly willing to pay. Well,

England is still, rather like Italy, renowned for footwear. But

particular the welted type of construction and it's a verx high

quality mark to be made in Dngland. Japan is our number one market.

Continental Europe is also pretty strong. We have also been growing

very well in new markets, stch as China, South Korea, Russia. Asian

demand for luxury goods is ` bright spot in our trade figures. But the

region's overall exports ard down over the past year. The main reason

is falling sales to the countries of the EU, especially France. But

exports to certain places ottside Europe are booming. Regions such as

the Middle East and North Africa. Saudi Arabia was up 39%. Libya 0%.

And Qatar 58%. Middle Eastern sales are fuelling growth at this small

firm near Newmarket. It recdntly won a ?35,000 contract to supplx a horse

feed supplement to Qatar. It helps racing horses to fight muscle

fatigue, so they can exercise and compete for longer. Qatar is very

much a growing market on thd racing scene. But also, many of thd owners

will also have operations in Europe in terms of horses based with

European trainers and around the world. So really, to be involved

with Qatar at this stage, for us, is great. Selling more to small

countries like Qatar is alw`ys welcome. But for overall exports to

start growing again, the recovery in major markets, such as France and

Germany, is essential. Lots of midweek sport to look at.

Here's Phil. Thanks very much. We'll start with

football. Former Norwich City boss, Chris Hughton, has spoken for the

first time since he was sacked on Sunday. In a statement, he said he

was "disappointed" to have lost his job, but "proud to have served

Norwich City". He also said he was confident that he would havd kept

them in the Premier League. He added he would take some time to reflect,

before moving on to his next challenge.

Elsewhere in football, a big win for Ipswich keeps alive their hope of a

Championship play`off spot. Paul Anderson and Daryl Murphy on target

against Huddersfield. The Blues are now two points off the top six.

And in League One, a 2`0 win over Gillingham keeps Posh in sixth

position. But importantly, ht stretched the gap over seventh place

to six points. The Speedway season kicks off for

King's Lynn Stars tonight. @nd for the first time in the Elite League,

16`year`old Robert Lambert revs his engine. He's stepped up two

divisions and many believe he could be a future world champion.

Nought to 60 in three seconds on a bike with no breaks isn't for the

faint`hearted. `` no brakes. Not to mention throwing it sideways,

skidding through every corndr. But at speedway, the Elite Leagte

welcomes its youngest member of Kings Lynn this season. 16`xear`old

Robert Lambert. Despite his lack of years, he knows a thing or two about

two wheels. I've been riding motorbikes since I was thred. Then I

went onto grass track when H was six and slowly progressed from that I

went on to speedway when I was nine. So I have been around speedway since

I was nine years old. Maybe a lot of people from speedway don't know who

I am. But hopefully they soon will. I will put something good ott there

and they will be shocked at what they see. And if he wants any

advice, he doesn't have to go far. The third best rider in the world is

next to him in the pits. It's going to be exciting to see what he can

make out of it. There is a big difference between being a big

talent and to bring it on at the track as well. But he definhtely has

the talent to make big things. Back in the workshop, speedway is a bit

different to other sports. Failing to prepare won't only leave broken

hearts, but broken bikes and broken bones. He has had one big m`jor

crash, which was last year over in Germany. His protection,

undergarments, are paramount. When he comes off the bike, it rdleases a

gas canister and he blows up like a big balloon. And that saved him last

year. Despite the odd crash, the trophies are already flooding in.

But the target is already sdt high, being the best. I want to bd world

champion. I think every riddr's goal is to be world champion. I lean if

you go out there not thinking that, I don't think you can do well.

You've got to aim for the top. I believe I can get there. Yotng

Lambert has set his sights high His friends and family hope he can keep

both feet and both wheels on the ground.

And there's full coverage of the Stars' meeting with Lakesidd Hammers

on BBC Radio Norfolk this evening from seven.

In cricket, the England captain Charlotte Edwards, has becole only

the second woman to be named as one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the

Year. Edwards, from Cambridge, has won five Ashes series, the World Cup

and the World Twenty20. I'vd had a lot to take in over the last six

months. And this was another thing that has completely shocked me. You

know, since I was a child, H've looked at the Wisden. My dad always

had every year. To be knowing that I'm in the 2014 edition, it is a

very proud moment for me. And finally, some call it a sport.

Some just entertainment. But wrestler Paige, who's from Norwich,

became the WWE's new Diva's champion this week. The 21`year`old hs now

the number one women's wrestler in the world. Congratulations to her

and her very proud wrestling family in Norwich. Fancy giving it a go?

LAUGHTER. I'm sure I would be unnatur`l! You

should give it a go. I will stick to kick boxing. And you're verx good at

that. But you have not tried the London Marathon? I have not, and I

will not. We have some very good people, the director is running

That is this Sunday. Between now and then, we'll be meeting some of this

year's runners. We start tonight with a Cambridge man who's lade sure

he'll stand out from the crowd. Seb Falk is doing a PhD. He's

studying the history of medheval astronomy. He volunteers here at the

Whipple Museum of the History of Science in Cambridge. But in his

spare moments, rare moments, Seb Falk is Gherkinman.

Seb is running the London M`rathon as the London Gherkin. And ht is

going to hurt. The furthest I have run in this costume in training is

eight miles. Um, the first time I did that, I crashed into a low

bridge. So it was a bit of ` concern. It needed a bit of patching

up with gaffer tape. But ye`h, I've done all my runs with extra weight,

so I am prepared for the wehght but the wind resistance could bd a bit

of an issue. Seb has made a video of his training, which is helphng to

raise money for Parkinson's research. He's already got ?8,0 0

and he's hoping to push it to ten. It is Parkinson's Awareness Week.

But he's more aware of Parkhnson's than most. His dad Fergus h`s

suffered with the condition for 15 years. It's a disease that can

affect men and women. At allost any age. And it really just takds your

life away from you and it's pretty hideous. So it's something that I

think is a really important cause, obviously, and I hope that other

people will agree with that and will support me. And if nothing dlse

they'll get a laugh out of trying to watch me run the marathon in this

costume. Seb was born in 1980, the year Seb Coe won at the Moscow

Olympics. On Sunday, he will go like Coe. He's aiming for sub`3 hours,

15. That is chafing fast in a papier`mache body suit. Tod`y,

last`minute training and a snap with some French students on a school

trip. He'll be wearing race number 31955. But you can't really miss

him. Go! CHEERING. Go, Gherkin!

Brilliant. Bumped into some low bridges. I love that! And if you're

taking part in the London M`rathon this weekend, please send us your

photos. Either share on our Facebook page or email [email protected]. I

cannot even say that. If you like mucking about on boats.

You might know the name Herbert Woods. He was a pioneer of boating

holidays on the Broads nearly 9 years ago. Today, the Princdss Royal

joined the celebrations at Potter Heigham to mark his contribttion to

the industry. And as Mike Lhggins reports, she found that much has

changed since Herbert Woods started out.

Herbert Woods was a visionary. In 1920s comedy designed and btilt a

new class of board especially the Broads, easier to handle, rdliable,

great to look at. The Princdss Royal went on board the latest crtiser,

the ?180,000 sovereign light. And she saw the last word in luxury And

part of what the company is seeing is a bright future. It is looking

good this year, last year w`s good because of the nice weather,

carrying through this year, 20% up on this point last year. We hope

lots of people will enjoy Broads holidays. The Princess Royal spent

about an hour looking at thd old wooden boats, speaking to staff

presenting a watch to one m`n who worked here for 50 years. Hdre is

really man and boy! He has seen a lot of changes, not least in what is

demanded from a Broads cruiser. All the modern things, like teldvisions,

microwaves, heating. That is all right? Yes, but more things to go

wrong. Which we have to fix if they do. Herbert Woods' youngest daughter

flew in from New Zealand for the visit. She has so many happx

memories of growing up here, playing in the boat yard and on the water.

And here we are today, a melber of the Royal family has been hdre,

which must make you very proud? Certainly does, really does, and she

was so pleasant and easy to chat with and I enjoyed meeting her. A

proud day for the family and all the staff at Herbert Woods. Can you

imagine how delighted the m`n who gave his name to the companx would

have been? They had a lovely day for it.

It was, but at the chilly start some places close to freezing

yesterday. Look how the temperatures climbed, a number of locations

getting to 17 degrees today, so not bad at all. High pressure across the

southern half of the British Isles, looking pretty settled this week.

Varied cloud. This afternoon, that pushing into western countids. For

some, some cloud over the l`st few hours. But that will begin to melt

away this evening. Into somd chilly temperatures overnight. But those

should not fall away quite so low because of high temperatures today.

Long clear spells allowing Lr to fall into the early hours of

tomorrow. `` allowing mist. Temperature is a degree or two Lower

rural sports could mean somd ground frost. Tomorrow is similar to today.

Dry and sunny spells. Cloudx through the afternoon than today. That may

suppress temperatures are lhttle. Off to a chilly start, earlx mist

clearing, then sunny spells once more. The cloud bubble bobble up of

the afternoon, so we could dnd up with quite a cloudy picture through

the afternoon. That battle cloud will bubble up. Temperatures to

15`16 degrees and a light whnd from the West. The afternoon maybe

cloudy, but a fine end to the day. Some change on the way. The pressure

part in late Thursday into Friday, a cold front, not much rain on it

just probably get using mord cloud. High pressure then builds in for the

weekend, so not a bad forec`st at all. For Friday, it maybe cloudy in

that front cleared to slow `` slow to clear, and feeling cooler, and

sunny spells for the afternoon. Then into the weekend, and it looks like

good conditions for the London Marathon. Cool start, becomhng

Sally, `` becoming sunny. One chilly night to flag up, Friday night,

tomorrow night with more cloud will be milder.

That is it. Thanks for your company this evening. See you tomorrow.

Goodbye. 'But mostly,

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