04/08/2014 Look East - East

Hello and welcome to Look E`st, live tonight from Colchester,

as Britain's oldest Army garrison pauses to recall the outbre`k

Events across the region to mark the beginning of the First World War:

It still means a lot. It is important for us to respect it.

Here in Colchester, we recall the role

They couldn't get them all on the wards, they put them in the gym and

on the school floor. The region's ambulance chief is

under fire tonight for what one minister calls

his "obscene" pay package. And drivers are being warned of

diversions on the A11 as engineers Events have been taking place

across the region today to lark the The Romans were here. We're here

because there'll be a vigil here. Colchester has strong links with the

military, but during the First World War the population was 2000, but

while the soldiers came herd War the population was 2000, but

while the soldiers came here to while the soldiers came here to

train the population doubled by 20,000. We will hear about the

history of Colchester Garrison and looking at the vigil. There is,

let's have a look at what has been let's have a look at what h`s been

happening across the region. At the memorial in Huntington,

they lined up to lay flowers. More than 200 gathered here,

all ages. I am a childminder so for md

bringing all the children I have, it is important for them to relember

and find out history as well. I think it still means a lot and it

is something we learn about and it is important for us to respect

the people who lost their lhves It is a very good turnout

for Huntington. I thought there would be half a

dozen people here and the amount of Dozens of flowers laid to mark

the outbreak of World War I. And for the 120 people

from Huntington lost their lives Respectfully remembering those

who went to war a century ago. It is part

of what makes us who we are today. The past as part of our present, our

own identity, so remembering our identity as human beings together,

but then as fellow citizens. Yesterday, pipers paraded through

Bedford, passed the final resting place of the 42,

killed fighting in the Great War. At Stadium MK, 100 balloons were

released, one for every year since. It is incredibly important that we

remember the sacrifice made by quite literally millions

of people 100 years ago tod`y. It was the most horrific war that

mankind has seen, In Norwich, messages posted for the

men and women who didn't come home. A chance

for people to tell their family We lost over 3000 men in total

from the city, so this is street after street, areas of the city,

like King Street. These are men who marched toward

In Cromer, and amongst the flowers, a group read the names

Who fought and died in a war meant to end all wars.

I am delighted to say the local MP is here, Bob Rossall. Part of this

vigil here. Tell us about what we have got here. The whole thhng was

have got here. The whole thing was paid for by the former MP for

Colchester at the turn of the 19th Colchester at the turn of the 1 th

century. Where we are standing Colchester at the turn of the 19th

century. Where we are standhng there were buildings and he lived near

here. He gave this site and paid for the whole of the county and the war

memorial. This statue is peace. the whole of the county and the war

memorial. This statue is peace. The other side we have St Georgd.

memorial. This statue is pe`ce. The other side we have St George. And up

other side we have St Georgd. And up there you have the sword and also

the peace symbol. If the calera can go all the way, that is the angel of

victory. Behind as we have the Norman castle, which was 1000 years

before. That is a centre of military activity. You have a special reason

for wanting to commemorate? Six miles from here at 7am a memorial to

miles from here at 7am a melorial to my great uncle, Alfred, who was the

bus operator. He died from wounds in May 1916 and a memorial tablet had

been in the church, which is now a house. My brother retrieved its and

looked after at and it will be repositioned in the parish church.

That is happening over there. repositioned in the parish church.

That is happening over therd. I m That is happening over there. I'm

here as MP. Lovely to have xou here. here as MP. Lovely to have you here.

We'll be back a little bit later on looking at the history of the

garrison but first let's catch up with the news where you live.

The Suffolk MP and Health Minister Dr Dan Poulter has

described the pay of the region s ambulance boss as "obscene".

It comes after details emerged about the expenses paid to Dr Anthony

Marsh, the chief executive of the East of England Ambulance Service.

Doctor Marsh is the Chief Executive of two ambulance trusts. The

Doctor Marsh is the Chief Executive of two ambulance trusts. Thd East

Doctor Marsh is the Chief Executive of two ambulance trusts. The East of

England three days a week and the West Midlands had two days. He ends

?230,000 a year. That is more than the head of the whole of NHS and

?90,000 more than the Prime Minister. One local health linister

isn't impressed. It is sending a bad isn't impressed. It is sendhng a bad

message out to front`line ambulance staff. The issue is that he's being

to salaries. Even though he's only doing half a job each ambul`nce

service. His expenses are also causing concern. Over ?9,000 a year

for his range Rover travel costs and ?17,000 taken by taxi from

Shropshire to Cambridgeshird, even when he is here his hotel bill

when he is here his hotel bhll amounts to more than ?7,000 a year.

But the ambulance service says since But the ambulance service says since

he arrived here say them ovdr But the ambulance service s`ys since

he arrived here say them over ?8 he arrived here say them over ?8

million in back office and management costs. Speaking on BBC

look East last week, he defdnded his look East last week, he defended his

page. My salary is set by others. I am focused and determined to turn

this organisation around. IM this organisation around. IM

determined and focused it in this organisation around into being one

organisation around into behng one of the best and then services

organisation around into being one of the best and then servicds in

organisation around into behng one of the best and then services in our

of the best and then servicds in our country. `` I am. We get at least an

extra seven hours a week out of him. He can deal with a number of issues

around correspondence, e`mails and around correspondence, e`mails and

meetings. He wouldn't be able to do that if he was driving himsdlf

across to his base here. The that if he was driving himself

across to his base here. Thd matter across to his base here. The matter

is being looked at the Department of Health.

Drivers are being warned of disruption on the A11 at Elveden

this week, as engineering work is carried out to protect

The area affected is the stretch between Elveden

and the Fiveways roundabout where a new dual cariageway is being built.

The road is being closed ovdrnight for the rest of the week.

You would be forgiven for asking yourself what is that. It is a rare

sight in Britain and the first in Suffolk. That is a bat wire. Six are

being built to protect the largest population of bats which lives in

the forest. The wires strung between poles either side of the

carriageway. They look simple but cost an estimated ?2000 each. Bats

navigate by flying just above trees and hedges. If the trees are taking

and hedges. If the trees ard taking away they will fly closer to that

instead. But cost an estimated 2000 instead. But cost an estimated ?2000

each. Bats navigate by flying just above trees and hedges. If the trees

are taking away they will fly closer to that instead. The wire bridge

links the trees and the hopd is they links the trees and the hope is they

will follow that and stay above the traffic. Opinion about thesd bridges

is deeply divided. The team at Leeds University two years ago did some

research. They saw the bats rarely use them at all and continued

research. They saw the bats rarely use them at all and continudd to

research. They saw the bats rarely use them at all and continued to fly

low. Their conclusion was that bat wire bridges don't work. Thdy tend

to use underpasses and roads quite well. This particular netting

doesn't actually join the ndtting to doesn't actually join the ndtting to

the trees properly. I have my doubts. We have to maintain the

foraging ground that the bats have. We tried hard to maintain them and

newswires will help them to fly across. We need to continue doing

our survey works to establish how well they work. There are other

options, including green tunnels used by other animals. They are

popular with conservationists but even more expensive.

The owner of a family business in Norfolk was convicted today

of burning the building down to claim the insurance.

Justin Hindry had denied arson and fraud after the destruction

of the Aylsham Bathroom and Kitchen Centre two years ago.

He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced next month.

Afterwards, the police said 40`year`old Hindry

tried to deceive fire fightdrs, the police and insurance staff.

There was more success for this region on the final day

A gold in the badminton and another silver for Norfolk's

But she now plans to retire from the sport,

After nine years in the saddle and over 90 kilometres around the

streets of Glasgow, a fitting end to a remarkable career on the bike

It was a superb effort and it has yielded

Emma Pooley is 31 now and retires one of England's most

decorated cyclists, world time trial champion four years ago, silver

She leaves Glasgow with two more silvers, leaving

I have to say I was not dreading, but I have a lot respect

I am very pleased because I think Lizzie rode a perfect race,

but she had a great team behind, and the young girls are really strong.

There will be plenty of good riders to keep the team going.

In the badminton, gold for husband and wife team Chris and

It is the first time a married couple have won the

They were unbeaten throughott the games.

It is just so nice that we can do it together.

The feeling that we will have for the next few weeks at home,

and with our dog, we'll be so happy every day.

Our Suffolk hockey trio of Harry Martin, George Pinner and

Tim Whiteman won bronze, beating New Zealand on penalty flicks.

And Essex squash player Petdr Barker claimed a silver

We came off and I'm disappointed to lose but I'm not disappointdd with

I thought it was the best we have played all week.

Peter's training partner didn't go home empty`handed.

Daryl Selby won a bronze in the men's doubles.

Who says the Commonwealth Games don't mean the world?

That's all from me, but I'm back with an extended edition

of the late news tonight to mark the World War 1 lights out vigil.

Now though we can re`join Stewart in Colchester.

Welcome back. We have come into the castle gardens. Until 1934 there was

an old tank year, before it was taken away. They have made for this

year a tank hours of flowers. 14,000 year a tank hours of flowers. 1 ,000

flowers. This was a tank which was flowers. This was a tank whhch was

using the First World War. They bought that would help to end the

war quickly. `` thought. Let's continue our coverage now

of the centenary of the outbreak The story of the English at war has

involved the garrison town And on 4th August 1914 the town was

galvanised into action to meet They still enjoy a game of tennis

at the Colchester officers club but 100 summers ago, a dist`nt

bugle call heralded a sudden end to the officers' afternoon tea party

and a prelude to the Great War. In a weeks to come where chhldren

play in Abbeyfield, tens of thousands of men will be tr`ined to

join the kitcheners volunteer army. They may never have seen a gun

in their lives. They certainly never

learned to drill. Andrew Phillips brings

history to life. Colchester, he says,

wasn't just another garrison town. Its role

in the Great War was critical. It was a head of the Eastern

command. It had good rail links with London,

with the East Coast. It was close to the continent,

so that not only could you ship troops out but you brought loads

of wounded in. First in ones and twos, eventually

a train load of wounded soldiers. And train loads more recruits will

arrive to be fed into the Great War In the end, Colchester was handling

tens of thousands of wounded over this period. The artillery were

based year, the cavalry werd based here. Small businesses are based in

converted army barracks. We are keen to keep the feel of the artillery

barracks as it was, and you can see these columns. Each one indhcating

barracks as it was, and you can see these columns. Each one indicating a

these columns. Each one indhcating a large horse. Do you still get a

sense of the feel of the buhlding? sense of the feel of the building?

Everyday. You feel what it lust have Everyday. You feel what it must have

been like the war. Colchestdr Everyday. You feel what it lust have

been like the war. Colchester is now been like the war. Colchester is now

home to 16 brigades. 3000 troops, compared up to 40,100 years ago The

town is a focus to show respect for the fallen. `` 40,000, 100 years

the fallen. `` 40,000, 100 xears ago. They burst through the police

cordon and rushed towards us memorial. They need closure. They

needed to touch that war melorial needed to touch that war memorial

because we know the gravestones lined Flanders but they don't line

Colchester. There is a visu`l starting here at 7pm to mark the

centenary of the great War and there centenary of the great War and there

are lots of people here alrdady waiting to come. Lots of people

coming with photographs. Let's talk to the commander of the Colchester

Garrison. What does this mean to you Garrison. What does this mean to you

as a modern soldier? It is hmportant as a modern soldier? It is hmportant

to mark what was a no significant commitment by men, women and

children in Colchester for the great War. To be part of that as `

commemoration is special. Warfare commemoration is special. W`rfare

was different then but from time to time men from Colchester would

was different then but from time to time men from Colchester wotld be

was different then but from time to time men from Colchester would be in

time men from Colchester wotld be in similar situations, hiding in

similar situations, hiding hn dangerous positions. That is right.

Despite the changes since the First World War, technological ch`nges,

there are engineering qualities, World War, technological changes,

there are engineering qualities for there are engineering qualities for

example Basic soldering, courage there are engineering qualities, for

example Basic soldering, cotrage and example Basic soldering, cotrage and

commitment in the face of the enemy are no difference. Operations in

Iraq and Afghanistan are the are no difference. Operations in

Iraq and Afghanistan are thd same as 100 years ago. We heard the

reference the fact that the soldiers who died in the First World War are

not buried here. How import`nt who died in the First World War are

not buried here. How import`nt is that two soldiers? The scale of the

First World War was clearly why that had to happen. You will see in

modern complex men and women being flown back. It is important today

that fact is accepted. To mark the occasion today, what does it mean

for them? A significant amount. We for them? A significant amotnt. We

are all comrades in arms, whether you are in the Army in 2014, whether

you were in the Army in 1914. There's a common bond between

There's a common bond betwedn soldiers because despite the

technology, warfare is an a business which involves warfare. Colchester

has made a significant contribution to all of them. The people have

turned out to support you. @nother turned out to support you. @nother

engineering quality is not only the nature of warfare, but also the

importance of the home front. They played a significant role during

World War II one. It also played an important role recently `` World War

I. Thank you for being with us this evening. We hope your men save where

evening. We hope your men s`ve where they are. This isn't the only place

where there are events this evening. Ben Bland is indeed beta brdath

There has been a whole day of events. `` is in Peterborough. There

is a converted fish and chip van as part of the occasion. One of the

highlights is a big meal which will highlights is a big meal which will

happen in the tent behind md. highlights is a big meal whhch will

happen in the tent behind me. People happen in the tent behind md. People

whose relatives died in the war had been invited to attend. One is

Janet. Tell me who you are remembering. I am commemorating my

uncle Harry he was killed in the Somme in 1916. He was aged 27 and

this is his memory card. This is Somme in 1916. He was aged 27 and

this is his memory card. Thhs is one this is his memory card. Thhs is one

of the beautiful postcards he sent his sister, my grandmother, saying

happy Christmas. They are precious mementos and have been admired by my

grandson who is learning about the First World War. Have a really

enjoyable evening. Everyone who has attended has been asked to bring

photos of their relatives. One of the other big highlights will be the

big lights out events here in Peter big lights out events here in Peter

breath. The cathedral will be marking that. `` Peterborough.

I'm delighted to say Stephen Cotterell is here. Across your

dioceses yet had ceremonies to mark the 100 years? I don't think there

is a church in Essex where there is not something like this happening.

It has been moving to see how many people want to see how many people

wanted him, just to stop and remember. People will say what does

the church have to do with war. What does it have to do with war?

Nothing. It has a lot to do with peace. The reason we are relembering

is the horrors of war. If you look at any memorial there are hundreds

of names etched into it. We are remembering the sacrifice of those

young men who were cut down in their prime. Our intentions are primarily

pastoral. We provide a space where pastoral. We provide a spacd where

people can bring their sorrows and Hertz, their confusions and anger at

all of this. `` hurt. Do you Hertz, their confusions and anger at

all of this. `` hurt. Do you ever wonder why this happens? Thd God I

believe in doesn't start these believe in doesn't start thdse

things. I'm afraid warfare begins in the human heart and it is God who

ministers that. The role of the Church in all of this is to support

those who are caught up in war and witness to a better way, thdir way

witness to a better way, their way up please. There would have been

before the war all of those young men going after two war frightened

and the church would have been and the church would have been

praying over them. The same thing when I been happening on thd other

when I been happening on the other side. Its word. The church hs

when I been happening on thd other side. Its word. The church is not on

any side. Our role is pastoral. It is to speak out against the

injustices of the world, to speak out against the horrors of war, but

to support those caught up in it. We to support those caught up hn it. We

have heard in recent months of clerics in this region who went off

to war and killed in war. Yes. The church does believe there is such

thing as a just war and just cause. There are sometimes last resort

where we have to fight. They There are sometimes last resort

where we have to fight. Thex should be a last resort. It is hard with

the retrospect of 100 years. It is hard to see how the First World

War... When the war ended wd were War... When the war ended we were

still on the same patch of ground it happened on. It was a tragedy. The

war to end all wars didn't. People bought, believing what they were

doing was right, fighting for their country `` fought. Sometimes

religion is at the heart of wars. How does that make you feel?

Religion is a use for banner. War starts in the human hearts. People

use all sorts of things as ` use all sorts of things as a

rallying cry to gather people to their cause. But the role of

religion has always been to bring peace. And the turnout is a

phenomenal tonight? It is. Today is not a date to discuss the politics.

It is a day to remember those lives are lost and is a really important

instinct to say, let's remelber instinct to say, let's remelber

Bishop, thank you. Let's catch up with the weather. We have changes

this week. Lots of sunshine across the region this morning. Yot can see

the cloud developing through the day. One to isolated showers but

most places end on a drying out. day. One to isolated showers but

most places end on a drying out. Any showers will quickly fade away and

we are with a lot of dry weather showers will quickly fade away and

we are with a lot of dry we`ther and we are with a lot of dry we`ther and

after midnight it will be largely after midnight it will be largely

dry. One or two showers and mist patches, and the winds light

tonight. Quite a chilly night, 10 tonight. Quite a chilly night, 0

degrees. Comfortable sleeping. Lots of sunshine tomorrow. Like today, we

will get some patches of cloud developing. I can't rule out one or

two showers. The east should stay dry and in the sunshine, feeling

dry and in the sunshine, fedling warm, 25 degrees. That

south`westerly breeze will tend to pick up as we head through the

afternoon. Changes will happen on Wednesday. Some heavy rain spreading

northwards. It could be quite a wet morning. That should clear

northwards, so by Wednesday afternoon something a bit brighter.

The risk of a shower but a breezy day as well. By Thursday all this

bad weather has pulled away. So Thursday will be a much better day.

Many places staying dry, but the risk of one or two showers. As we go

into Friday and the weekend, a lot of uncertainty but a risk of wet

weather. Some rain showers `t time, weather. Some rain showers at time,

not all the time. There will be some sunshine in the week but do prepare

for wet weather. So the outlook is heavy rain on Wednesday, showers in

the afternoon. Thursday is mainly the afternoon. Thursday is mainly

dry with one or two showers. An increasing risk of wet weather on

Friday and Friday night. Stuart. increasing risk of wet weather on

Friday and Friday night. Sttart Friday and Friday night. Sttart

Dan, thank you. There is a very dark cloud of others. A World War I

producer, Sean Peel, is here. cloud of others. A World War I

producer, Sean Peel, is herd. This producer, Sean Peel, is herd. This

is not the end, is it? Know, everybody is being invited to switch

off their lights and burn one candle between ten and 11pm tonight, as a

countdown to the declaration of war by Sir Edward Grey, the Foreign

by Sir Edward Grey, the Fordign Secretary, who said in his private

moments that the lambs are going out across Europe and will never be let

again. `` lamps. We are being asked to light a candle and switch the

lights of. There are also lots of events across the region. I will be

at the Norwich War Memorial. They are also switching off stredtlights?

are also switching off streetlights? Yes. That is it from us in

Colchester. The vigil is about to begin, but from us, good night.

We've got factory boys and butchers' apprentices and office clerks

Don't stop moving! If you go back you'll die!