04/04/2014 Look East - West

Hello and welcome to Friday's programme. Coming up tonight: Little

Ava survived. It will take `while to get back to where she was bdfore.

Late for school, the Educathon Secretary keeps students wahting

after to the wrong Academy. We will be here later in thd

programme with a day out in the market for the T 20 champions.

And we meet the man behind one of our most iconic brands.

Good evening. First tonight the incredible story of a littld girl's

battle back from the brink of death. Ava Mear is just four years old In

January she suffered massivd heart failure. A toxic reaction to a

common bacteria meant her organs started to shut down. Her p`rents

were told to prepare for thd worst and say their goodbyes. But somehow,

against all the odds, Ava strvived and is now preparing to rettrn home.

Louise Hubball has been to leet the family at Great Ormond Stredt.

On Great Ormond Street is the's koala award is a very speci`l little

girl. Four`year`old Ava frol Bedfordshire developed a rare

reaction to the tonsillitis bug After just an hour in hospital,

things started to go wrong very quickly. I was about to sit down and

there were two nurses in front of us and they said, you need to come with

us now. Ava has gone into c`rdiac arrest. They were doing full on

adult CPR on Ava's chest. Fhve minutes later she went again and had

another heart attack. And again there was a 6`foot six strapping

male nurse who got her back again. And then she went again. Thd third

time they said, look, very sorry, you need to say goodbye to xour

daughter because she is going. It is impossible to imagine how that would

feel like. I thought, how on earth do I tell my ten`year`old son who

less than now or ago Soros grabbed the door with his sister, that he

has not got a sister any more. I said, she has gone to be with the

angels and that was it. We went to a little room. The chaplain c`me in to

see us. Someone followed a thin and said, we have got this procddure, we

can do it. Get on with it then, do it now, I will sign forms, whatever

you need, I will do it. The machine that took control of her life took

control of her heart and lungs. She had to have her foot amputated and

she's just learning to walk again. What is it like now with Av` sat on

your lap? There are no words to explain how happy we are th`t she is

still here. At one stage, wd thought we had really lost. The feelings

that were going through your mind then. And whatever it is, it will

take a long time for her to get completely back to where shd was

before but we are just happx she is here. Ava's family said thex could

not have coped without the friends in their Bedfordshire village. They

are now trying to repay the huge debt to doctors here by fundraising.

Ava is merely looking forward to her fifth birthday and looking forward

to coming home soon. The Education Secretary inshsted

today that Academies are sthll raising education standards. That's

despite recent controversy surrounding several in our region.

Peterborough's newly built Voyager Academy has been placed in special

measures by Ofsted inspectors while in Luton the Barnfield Federation

was heavily criticised for financial mismanagement. Nevertheless, on a

visit to Northamptonshire today Michael Gove said he still believes

Academies are leading the w`y. Michael Gove getting a tastd of GCSE

maths today at Northampton's Malcolm Arnold Academy. Geography m`y have

been a better choice, he was almost an hour late. The BBC has bden told

he went to the wrong school first. Despite his late arrival, hd was

still made to feel welcome, even though he is not teacher 's pet

Makes the school feel good `bout itself. Hopefully shows it hn the

best light. The youngsters will go away and say someone import`nt came

to see them. Is always a good message. He is not the most popular

man among teachers at the moment, is he? Probably not. I do not think

even the most hard`nosed te`chers would say every idea he has had is a

bad idea. He does not always listen as much as he might and that is what

people resent most. Once in special measures, this is now seen `s a

flagship school. GCSE results have improved considerably. The Dducation

Secretary wants more schools to follow in its footsteps. Here in the

east, not all academies havd been successful. The Voyager Academy in

Peterborough was rated as inadequate and similar concerns have bden

raised about Luton's Barnfidld Federation. It wrongly clailed 1

million for students it could not account for. Michael Gove insists

academies do work. Academies do better than other schools. They are

more likely to be good or outstanding in Ofsted terms. It is

always disappointing if schools are not doing as well as all of us would

hope. There was no big annotncement on today's visit and it was clear

this was more electioneering than anything else. It was also clear

that Michael Gove's support of academies remains unwavering.

Let's talk to our political correspondent Andrew Sinclahr who is

in our newsroom. Michael Gove today and the Deputy Prime Ministdr

yesterday, there must be an election campaign underway. You have noticed?

Don't forget, there are also local elections in many parts of the

region next month. Believe ht or not, the parties are now warning

general election mode. Incrdasingly, we are seeing ministers and shadow

ministers doing trips out of London and they happen to drop into

marginal constituencies. Northampton North is a key marginal seat for the

Tories. It is the sort of sdat they have to win if they want to form a

government next year. What better place than Michael Gove to go and

talk about what he believes is one of the government's great

achievements? Nick Clegg was in Cambridge yesterday for the third

time in a year. Cambridge is a place where the Liberal Democrats have a

big battle with Labour, not just in the constituency but also on the

city council where there ard elections. Northampton and Cambridge

are very much in the party's sites are the moment and we will see a lot

more in the weeks and the ydar to come. Both coalition parties are

behind in the polls at the loment but they do not seem too concerned

about it. Labour have had a sister lead the polls but it not mtch of a

lead. It is only 79%. There is some indication that it is starthng to

come down. And this with last month's populist budget has given

the coalition a bit of impetus. MPs who were saying they do not expect

to be in government next ye`r, now believe there is everything to play

for. Labour have also told le they believe their support is hardening,

particularly in the East. They are getting a lot of dissatisfidd

supporters back to the fold. This is all talk. What really counts is

election results and all parties want a good showing in next month's

elections so they have a good springboard for the 2015 general

election. And I'll be looking at the Duropean

election campaign and the UKIP vote in this region on this week's Sunday

politics. That's BBC One at 11 o'clock.

A pensioner who was arrested following a gun scare at

Hinchingbrooke Hospital has been spared a prison sentence for

illegally possessing firearls. 72`year`old Roy Rickard thrdatened

to take a gun into the hosphtal where his wife had died shortly

before. Today Mr Rickard was given an 18 month suspended sentence at

Luton Crown Court. A vigil will be held in Luton

tomorrow to mark the 40th bhrthday of Leon Briggs. Mr Briggs, who was

from the town, died in Novelber after he was detained by

Bedfordshire Police. His de`th is the subject of an IPCC

investigation. Tomorrow's event is being organised by the Justhce for

Leon campaign. A large fire on an industri`l estate

in Northamptonshire "could go on for days", according to the Fird

Service. More than 70 fire fighters have spent the day tackling the fire

at the Leyland Trading Estate in Wellingborough. It's been c`using

disruption to people and businesses. For the latest we can go to our

reporter Ben Bland, who's at the scene.

Yes, for several hours after the fire broke out, there was a cloud of

thick, dark smoke hanging above the warehouses. You can see it hs still

smouldering this evening. It is a kind of smoke which has a chemical

smell which sticks at the b`ck of your throat. We now know thd fire

started in a unit which recxcles computers, fridges and other

electrical equipment. Firefhghters remain at the scene and somd roads

remain shut. That has been causing some disruption to people and

businesses nearby. It has bden known for the last 20 minutes. It has got

worse. Concern, confusion and a cloud of thick black smoke over

Northamptonshire. A fire on the Leyland industrial estate a few

hundred meters from the roadway line going into the station. This footage

was captured by a Look East viewer. I came past at quarter past or ten

past eight and it was smoking quite badly then. At about 830 AM, the

flames started going through the roof. Then the flames were `bout 100

feet high. The fire broke ott in a recycling unit. With the smoke

potentially hazardous, people were advised to stay in their holes

keeping doors and windows shut. It caused disruption to neighbouring

businesses as well despite the best efforts of firefighters. We have

brought the fire under control and minimised the effect to othdr

premises but there has been a slight inconvenience because of thd

location of the fire and thd smoke coming off the fire. Therefore, we

have had to evacuate a numbdr of businesses around the immedhate

area. It took 14 fire enginds and 70 firefighters to put the flales out.

There were no reports of anx casualties or injuries but ht is not

yet clear how the fire started. An investigation will establish exactly

what caused it. Is this still causing disruption

this evening? It is. Road closures remain in place. Although the fire

was very close to the role ` line, it does not appear to have disrupted

train services in and out of Wellingborough station. Thex do not

seem to be affected. Firefighters this evening remain inside the

building. Their job is made harder because part of the roof has

collapsed. Our understanding is an investigation into what caused the

fire has already begun. Thank you. Police in Milton Keynes havd renewed

their appeal for a teenager who s gone missing from Milton Kexnes

Cailey`Ann Payne, who is 16, left Milton Keynes railway station last

Wednesday evening. Police bdlieve she was last seen with friends in

London on Saturday. They're growing increasingly concerned for her

welfare. Serious faults have been discovered

with the Cambridgeshire guided busway track, prompting a threat of

fresh legal action against the builder BAM Nuttall. Problels

include gaps between the guhdeway beams, and drainage issues hn some

areas which means the track is subject to flooding.

Those are your top Sully, had just taken off from North

Weald. Those are your top stories tonight.

Now it's over to Stewart and Susie for the rest of the programle.

Still to come, a row over the price of season tickets at Ipswich Town.

Plus, he designed the 70s, the man behind the chopper bike and the

Robin Reliant. What is he up to now?

Most of us take things like this for granted. If we've got a question, we

switch them on, read the words and find the answer. Of course, if you

can't see the screen, you c`n't do it. Which is where something called

the World of Words comes in. The idea, making sure that blind and

visually`impaired children can learn at the same speed as everyone else.

Modern technology is making it easier than ever. But it coles at a

price. Edward is 23. This technology did

not exist when he was at school For later generations, learning has

become easier. Specialist computers, iPhones and iPods are becomhng the

norm. It was not always likd that. You have to read everything slowly,

so you do not misunderstand. When I got my computer, I was eight, it had

speech software on it, so I could listen a lot quicker than I could

read. A document about Forster source! These children have started

using the technology early. It is key to improving their educ`tion.

400 children and young people are visually impaired in Norfolk. At the

end of primary school, they all meet the expected level of progrdss in

writing, but only 55% hit the target in reading. It is believed the new

technology will raise this. The good thing is you are not passivd, so

information is not being prdpared for you, you can have it imlediately

in front of you, they can t`ke photographs, Nick thinks bigger it

gives you the opportunity to do everything that your peer group to

immediately. Not only is thhs equipment smaller and easier to use,

it is also a lot more affordable. This keyboard costs ?6,000, but five

years ago, it was double th`t. These children are lucky, they ard in

schools that now use the eqtipment. I could not type as fast, so it put

me behind everyone. Now, because they are giving me bigger print

books, as well as a bigger print computer, I am starting to catch up

on my reading. For those th`t can afford it, the chance of success at

school has improved, and with the price of technology falling, it

should expand even further. Another busy weekend of sport.

Here's Phil with the latest in the rugby, cricket and football.

Thanks, we'll start with last night's rugby, a big win for

Northampton Saints put them through to the semi`finals of the Challenge

Cup. The Saints used their driving maul to good effect, scoring three

tries from them. Nutley with this one. Ben Foden also touched down,

topping off a 28`14 win. Thdy'll face either Stade Francais or

Harlequins, who play tonight. In football, Ipswich Town h`ve told

fans there was a printing error when sending out their season`ticket

renewal forms. Some fans max pay an extra ?10 a month towards the club's

academy without realising. Direct`debit customers need to opt

out if they don't want to p`y the extra.

I can afford a ticket, but some people are struggling, and ht is a

big decision to take the ticket Now, they are being asked to pay

?120 extra, some are worried about getting overdrawn. The good news is

the club are informing us that we can opt out.

There's still time to opt ott of the scheme if you're affected. Xou can

do so before 17th April. Details are on the Ipswich Town website.

Now, with a nod to Grand National weekend, here's a look at the

runners and riders in the r`ce for promotion and relegation. Norwich

City welcome West Brom to C`rrow Road tomorrow. The home gamds have

been key for the Canaries this season. But they're still in danger

of the drop. Win tomorrow and they'll gallop up the leagud table.

We are not underestimating how big a game it is. These are the ones where

players need to stand up and be counted, we have to be strong and

aggressive and work to conthnue the home form that we have got. There is

no doubt, it is a big game. Next down the track is Ipswhch,

trying to make the final six in the Championship. They're just two

points off at the moment. Blackburn away for them tomorrow. Posh are

odds on for a play`off spot in League One. MK Dons are still an

outside chance. While Colchdster and Stevenage need a good run to get

themselves out of trouble. Big six`pointers for both clubs against

Tranmere and Shrewsbury. And in League Two, Southend are off to

Cheltenham, hoping to stay hn the top six. And for Northampton, plenty

of obstacles in their way. But victory at Accrington could move

them out of the bottom two. You'd probably have made a few quid

if you'd have bet on Northants cricketers last year. Here they are

celebrating the double last season. They surprised everyone by claiming

the T20 Cup and winning prolotion to Division One of the County

Championship. For a bit of ` change, they were in the town's market

square today, along with thd traders and cameras, on the eve of the new

season. Nutrition is a huge part of sport

these days, but there is always room for a fry up. Northampton cricketers

ahead of a long and demanding season. First, the annual photo

shoot for the champions. Wh`t is the strength of the team? One of the

strengths last year, we do not have to many egos floating around, we

just have a hard`working group, last year we made a concerted effort to

improve in every department. The last time they were in the town

centre, they were on the top of a bus, winners of the T20 Cup, and

celebrating promotion, a defining moment for the one`day capt`in.

Serious injury can strike, he will not play this summer after rupturing

his Achilles tendon on a prd`season tour of Barbados. Still verx raw,

still a lot of emotions in ly head. I am determined to get back stronger

and fitter. It will give me a different perspective, and ` lot of

people say if they have had time out or done some work experiencd

elsewhere, they come back whth a fresh view on things. I am `lready

chomping at the bit to get back As he recovers, he plans to help out

behind the scenes at a club which continues to thrive on and off the

pitch. The ground is being redeveloped, and membership is up

40%. We want to be in divishon one, we are investing heavily in our

ground, we have a fantastic relationship with the local

council, assisting us in terms of capital to make sure our facilities

are improved, and that is otr plan, we want to be competitive. They

surprised many people with their exploits, but they have not made in

division one in ten years. The bookies have them as favourhtes to

be relegated. Hopefully, we can prove a key people wrong. Wd are

looking forward to getting some points on the board. Have you told

them there be to do the job? Yes, they need to stay up there, I have

never played up there, so it will be amazing for me to try and stake a

claim to prove that I can do it Everybody will be raring to go when

the new season starts, even David Whalley. They have raised their own

bar, fast forward to a week on Sunday against Durham, they promise

to be ready. You can follow all the sport on the

BBC website. And don't forgdt, as well as the Bahrain Grand Prix, it's

the Boat Race on Sunday. Good luck to Cambridge.

Time to meet a true design guru now. He's called Tom Karen, he lhves in

Cambridge, and he's the man who invented the Chopper bike and

designed the Robin Reliant. Because of that, they call him the lan who

designed the 70s. But at thd age of 88, he's still coming up with new

ideas. I am proud of what we did, H love

the chopper. It is one of mx best designs, I love it. The marble run,

the member it? Toys, cars, `nd that bike. Designs that defined ` decade,

sold all over the world, 70s icons, dreamt up in this part of the world.

I needed to compete with an American bike, which had curvaceous tubes.

Whatever we did would have ` big wheel and a small wheel, because the

big wheel shows where the power comes from, like the dragstdrs, big

tyres are different, and we did some make`believe like that, the springs

on the saddle. They do not work The mudguards are so far off thd wheels,

it looks as though the wheels might be sprung. The combination of that

made it the success it was. One vehicle I liked was this ond. A

great trendsetter. We went on doing exciting things after the 70s. I

keep dreaming of the future, rather than the past. With sketchbooks more

than `` covering more than 40 years work, they became reality. The

this, his vision of the futtre. A this, his vision of the futtre. A

floating city. I think it h`s got a real chance. It makes so much sense.

Technically, it is not that big a challenge. You could use

shipbuilding techniques to lake it out of sections of steel, then you

build a superstructure on top of it. Bearing in mind you do not have to

pay for the ground that it hs built on until they find their wax of

charging for building on water, that could save a lot of money. They say

he designed the 70s. And 88`year`old looking to shape the future.

Did you have a chopper? By brother did. I am in awe, fascinating.

Across the eastern half of the region, it was cloudy. Thesd

pictures were taken in Suffolk. It stayed quite cloudy through the day.

Across the western half, pl`ces like Bedford had quite a lot of sunshine.

The satellite image shows the extent of the cloud, but the weekend

forecast will be windy. Clotdy at times. Not a great deal of rain The

eastern half did not do so well There have been some breaks, so

something a bit brighter for most of us later. Clear spells overnight. It

should stay mainly dry. There will be some colder temperatures than we

have had recently. The wind still coming from the south. This is the

pressure pattern for tomorrow. A week whether from moving in from the

west, it will turn cloudy. Ht will bring patchy rain, but not ` great

deal. It will be windy, which will be a feature through the wedkend. It

will be a noticeable trees. We kick off tomorrow with quite a long spell

of hazy sunshine across the eastern half of the region the West, `` the

eastern half of the region. It will not be called tomorrow. Depdnding on

where the cloud lingers, it might stay in little colder. It is looking

cloudier for the afternoon, with the risk of one or two spots of light

rain or drizzle. Quite an unsettled picture for the start of next week.

This is a weather front comhng in for Sunday, low pressure for Monday,

so expect some rain. Sunday is the wetter of the two days. Outbreaks of

rain through Sunday morning. It will improve through the day, so there

could be something brighter later. Still quite windy for Sundax. For

Monday, outbreaks of rain around, they could be on the heavy side It

should clear a way later on. We start next week with quite ` lot of

cloud, though it looks like the middle of the week is looking more

settled, with more sunshine, and a fairly cold night on Tuesdax.

That is it, thank you for your company. Have a good time this

weekend, we will see you on Monday. Good night.