10/05/2013 Look North (East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire)

North. The headlines tonight: Seven weeks and counting - the

government's running out of time to arrange affordable insurance for

people threatened by flooding. The government seem to be dragging

their feet and reducing the amount of money available. They should get

on with it. Up to speed - villages in rural

Lincolnshire get access to broadband levels normally only seen in city

centres. A mother calls for wider testing for

heart conditions in young people after the death of her daughter.

There were no warning signs, no nothing. It did not just rip a hole

in our family, it ripped a hole in the community.

Out of the frying pan, into the fire - the chef heading south for two

weeks with Gordon Ramsay. And I will be back later with the full weekend

forecast. There's a warning tonight that the

Government is running out of time to secure affordable flood insurance

for homes that are at risk. At the moment, the insurance companies have

a deal with the Government to ensure that anyone affected is offered

cover which is reasonably priced. But that deal runs out in seven

weeks, and there's still no sign that it'll be renewed. In Hull and

East Yorkshire, more than 180,000 properties are at risk of flooding.

In Lincolnshire, it's just over 100,000. And the MP for Hull North,

Diana Johnson, says David Cameron needs to act. Caroline Bilton is in

Hull this evening. What have flood victims been telling you? People

feel let down by government. These talks have been going on for three

years, with still no agreement. I am in West Hull tonight. I can show you

images of what happened here in 2007, when people were walking need

deep in water. That was six years ago, but people are still feeling

the effects of those floods today. We both climbed over here.

Kathleen and Barry, it seems like yesterday. The day their home

flooded is one they will never forget. If something bad happens to

you, the place you go is home and you shut the doors and you are

inside. You had nowhere to go, that was the feeling, that your place of

safety had gone. In 2007, we were told it was a once-in-a-lifetime

event, but tell that to those living in cool and Burton Fleming, whose

homes have since been flooded. Now there is an added worry. As of next

month, thousands of homes may not be able to get insurance. A government

deal with the industry to guarantee cover the Flood customers runs out.

I was told a year ago by the then Secretary of State that a deal was

imminent, and it would mean premiums would be at a reasonable level and

excesses would not be too high. We are still waiting, with a matter of

weeks to go. We don't know what will happen after July. Insurance

companies could decide not to ensure areas of the country which have

flooded in the last few years, which would cause mayhem. It is a big

worry, and the government seem to be dragging their feet and reducing the

amount of money available, instead of getting on with it. In 2007, this

area was knee deep in water. today it is regarded as a low risk

area to flooding because of the considerable amount of money that

has been spent on new flood defences. You would think that would

mean that people here would find it easier to get home insurance, but

they tell me that is not the case. Ron Smith's home overlooks the new

defences. He knows his property is better protected, but that message

is not getting through to the insurance companies. If you are

going to sell a house, the new people coming in may have trouble

getting that insurance, even though you have a letter from the

environment agency that says you are very low risk. This will affect

something like 7% of the properties in this country. In a statement,

clock is ticking. They don't want to talk, they want action, so they can

have one less thing to worry about, come July.

This issue is so important that a special conference was held today in

York, to discuss it. We seem to have come to a stalemate, with no side

saying... Sorry, we just lost the link to Caroline.

Earlier, I spoke to Malcolm Tarling from the Association of British

Insurers. I asked him whether a deal would be done in time. The insurance

industry is 100% committed to doing all it can to resolve the

situation. We want Flood insurance to remain available and affordably

priced to homeowners and businesses in Yorkshire. We are doing all we

can in our discussions with government. Why should the

government help you on this? You are a commercial organisation. People

will not understand that. We are not asking the government to bail us

out. But in no other country in the world is Flood insurance widely

available to people at high risk without some form of government

support. If you leave the situation without any sort of partnership with

government, you could get to a point where large numbers of people will

be unable to afford flood insurance because over the years, the risk of

flooding in this country has sadly increased so significantly that the

costs have to reflect the risk. So if we can develop a partnership with

the government, as we have done successfully over the last 13 years,

that can end sure that we better manage the flood risk in this

country and keep premiums affordable. And if they say they

will not give you money, what happens to me, who lives by the side

of water? We are not asking for money. We have developed a scheme

that will safeguard the future affordability and availability of

Flood insurance, which would include adding a small levy on all policies

so that Flood insurance can remain available. We are saying to the

government that if there is a large flood in the early years of that

scheme, the government may need to provide a temporary overdraft that

will be paid back. For somebody who does not live in a flood risk area,

why should they pay money that goes towards you? These days, everyone is

at risk of flooding. If you go back to 2007, large parts of Yorkshire

were devastated. Many of those floods were as a result of surface

water drainage. You don't have to live near a river these days to be

at risk of flooding. It can strike at any time, anywhere in this

country. That is the risk we have to guard against and that is why we are

in these discussions with the government.

And we'd like to hear from you on this one. Should there be insurance

help for people living in flood risk areas? And have you found it

In a moment...high art - Hull gets �3 million to develop its creative

talent. 32 villages in rural Lincolnshire

are getting access to broadband speeds similar to those seen in city

centres. The county has some of the slowest broadband speeds in the

country. Now, instead of waiting up to two years for cables to be laid

to some villages, West Linsey district council is using devices on

the roofs of village halls. Turning a not-spot into a hot spot.

This little device will enable residents of Glentham to join the

21st century. We have got the news and the sport. People like Margaret,

whose connection at home is painfully slow. I do my own family

history. It will be a lot easier to fetch the laptop down here and logon

and get instant access to things. The speed of this, to me, is

brilliant. I would be sitting there with my thumbs like this. It seems

ridiculous. Man has walked on the moon and installed machinery on

Mars, but still, half of Lincolnshire's residents can't

quickly download a movie on their laptop, or talk to family across the

world on Skype, because their internet connection is simply too

slow. In 2010, campaigners used a carrier pigeon to transport a memory

card from Beverley to a village near Skegness. It was quicker than

uploading a video to the internet. Earlier this year, Lincolnshire

County Council announced they will work with BT to bring superfast

broadband to most homes in the country. But many will have to wait

until 2015. In the meantime, this achieves a superfast broadband

signal in order to stimulant business, create jobs and make

everyone's life a lot easier. easier in so many ways, according to

Fiona White. She says poor connections can seriously

disadvantage those in remote locations. This is one of the top

three worst areas for living in the fuel poverty. A third of all

households have fuel poverty, and they can't get access to the best

deals online because they can't get online. It's a small local company

who are installing 32 of these devices without the need to dig up

loads or lay expensive cables. And despite the fact you've got to walk

to the village hall to connect, it's making these residents very happy.

You can see what the weather is going to be like.

Linsey Smith joins me in the studio now. Linsey, great news for the

villagers, but has this come at a huge cost?

Surprisingly not. It has cost around �500 each to install these devices,

compared to the cost of the BT Project, �48 million. That will

involve miles of roads being dug up and disruption to traffic. But

still, people in our most isolated villages will not benefit from that

as they live too far out for the cables to go. So in those places,

these wireless devices will stay as permanent features. Campaigners say

internet access is more crucial than ever because of changes to the

Government's benefit system. You now have to claim online, and there were

fears that those with poor internet connections may struggle. Hopefully,

these new devices will minimise those problems in Lincolnshire.

The MP for Boston and Skegness, Mark Simmonds, says he's ready to take on

Nigel Farage if the UKIP leader decides to stand in the constituency

at the next general election. UKIP picked up 16 seats in Lincolnshire

during this month's council elections and meet tonight to choose

their group leader, but the local MP isn't worried about a challenge from

the party. I would be delighted if Nigel chose to fight Boston and

Skegness, because it would give a real opportunity for some of the

challenges we face to be put into the national domain. But I would be

very surprised. As a national leader of a national party at a general

election, he has to be able to access the media centres at the drop

of a hat as events unfold. He can't do that if he is canvassing here, as

I will be doing. The Health and Safety Executive says

it's still considering whether any charges will be brought against RAF

bosses over the death of a Red Arrows pilot. Flight Lieutenant Sean

Cunningham died when he was ejected from his hawk while on the ground at

RAF Scampton 18 months ago. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed

in April that no criminal charges would be brought.

A family in Lincolnshire is calling for wider testing for heart

conditions in young people and their families. 22-year-old Sarah

Tenwick-Ford from Bassingham died in her sleep in February last year. Now

her family is trying to raise awareness of the condition, and says

relatives of those diagnosed should also be tested as a matter of

course. Sarah Tenwick-Ford was a happy and

apparently healthy young woman. But in February last year, she died in

her sleep of an undiagnosed heart condition. For her family, it came

as a bolt from the blue. There were no warning signs, no nothing. It

didn't just rip a hole in our family, it ripped a hole in the

community. It was only afterwards were speaking to the coroner and her

GP that we discovered she had passed away from this syndrome. We knew

nothing about this. We didn't know where to go for help or who to look

to for advice. For one East Yorkshire family, it's a familiar

story. Richard and Donna Fell from Hornsea lost their teenaged son Josh

in 2011. Since then, they've raised thousands of pounds for the charity

Cardiac Risk in the Young, or CRY, at events like this football match

held last weekend. I would like to see the government bringing it in to

screen kids in schools, along with other in operations at 14 years of

age. It would pick up on problems like what we lost Josh two.

charity CRY says that each week in the UK, 12 people aged 35 and under

die from undiagnosed cardiac conditions. 80% of those won't have

had any previous symptoms. In Italy, screening is mandatory for young

people involved in sport. They have reduced the incidence of young

sudden cardiac death by 89%. There is a 50% town is that somebody else

in the family will have the condition. For example, siblings are

at an immediate risk, and either mum or dad, if it is genetic, will be

the carrier. Sarah's family are now holding a series of fundraising

events, including a 900 mile bike ride. They want to raise awareness

of the condition, and ensure all relatives of those affected are

screened as a matter of course. Still ahead tonight: Taking up the

Challenge - Hull KR prepare to avenge their worst defeat of the

season. Preparing for the storm - the chef

heading to work with Gordon Ramsay. If you have a photograph you are

proud of, we will show it halfway through the programme. The last one

for this week was taken by Alf this week. You have been poorly.

Thanks for popping round with the grapes! That is not true, that is

how rumours start. It is a good rumour for you! Not at all! Moving

on with the weather, a mixed bag. It will not be as nice as last weekend.

There will be dry weather, but it will cloud over and there will be

rain from the West as we go through tomorrow. It is all down to this

area of low pressure, this included front which will bring outbreaks of

rain. To end the day, we have some sunshine. We see the cloud deck up

nicely to bring sunny spells, but still the odd risk of a shower in

the short term. Then it will mainly be a dry night, with variable

cloud, some clear spells and temperatures falling back. The

start the day tomorrow. But it will be fairly limited. We will see the

cloud thickening and any showers in the morning will gradually merge

into longer spells of rain for a time as the band of rain spread

eastwards. By the end of the day, we should see a return to some

sunshine, but there could still be a few heavy showers around.

Temperatures are half the values of last week. There will be a moderate

breeze from the West. Sunday starts off quite pleasant through the

morning hours, but the cloud will thicken during the afternoon. By the

end of the day, some rain in places, quite a breeze as well. Then

we are back to a mixture of sunny spells, scattered showers and some

overnight frost. I can't believe you said that. You dropped me right in

it. I prefer the days when you would not say boo to a goose. The flowers

were a bit over the top, but the Both Hull FC and Hull Kingston

Rovers could take important steps towards a Wembley final this

weekend. Both are involved in Challenge Cup games, with Hull

facing Wakefield tonight and Rovers taking on Wigan on Sunday afternoon.

Our sports reporter looks at their chances.

They've tasted success in this competition before, which for Hull

FC came in 2005, but for Hull KR was back some 33 years. How they'd both

love a crack at the trophy again. First, though, Hull, who defeated

London last week, begin as favourites against Wakefield

Trinity, led by former coach Richard Agar. David Doyle Davidson used to

play and coach the game, but for the past 30 years, he's reported on the

sport. Cup games, he says, are unpredictable. You don't have to to

be the best team in the league to win cup ties. It is what happens on

the night. If the game plan is right, you have a chance. This will

be a tough game. A month ago, Hull KR received their record Super

League, beating an 80 point demolition at the hands of Wigan.

Guess who is back in town on Sunday? Wigan are a great side. But every

team has weaknesses and we will do the best we can. The only way to

beat Wigan is to get among them. You have really got to be mean, cruel

and nasty, and you have to absolutely throw everything at them.

If they can win, the Hull sides will be in quarter finals, and Wembley

will feel very close indeed. And just a reminder, commentary of Hull

FC's game can be heard on BBC Radio Humberside. Kick-off in that match

is at eight. And they'll have coverage from Hull KR's cup tie

against Wigan on Sunday. Kick off at Craven Park is at three.

Last night, we told you that the transport minister is backing a

group of campaigners in Lincolnshire who want speed limits reducing

through their villages. People living between Grantham and Sleaford

say the council has not listened to them. We have had a big response on

When Hull first announced a bid to be named the UK's City of Culture,

it was regarded as a rank outsider. But now the odds on winning the

title have been cut at the same time as the city's art scene has received

a major boost. Art - it's perhaps not what Hull is

well known for. But with �3 million, that could be about to change.

People in the city will see new work. They will see new

opportunities to get involved in making work across all art forms.

They will see new spaces popping up, but also bringing in national

and international artists in the city to work with communities here.

Interest in the arts is steadily growing here. Tens of thousands of

people came to see the Larkin toads, which were dotted around the city,

and the Freedom Festival - a mixture of street theatre, music and comedy

- is now in its sixth year. But it seems Hull City's promotion to the

Premier League has further boosted the city's appeal. In fact, the

bookies have lowered the odds for Hull to become the UK's city of

culture from a 14-1 down to 6-1. But there is still a long way to go.

Tester is out in front at 4-1. It is hoped that the extra cash will

improve and strengthen what is already here. At the moment, we are

standing in the heart of the old fruit market in Humber Street, and

here, there are lots of different businesses and community

organisations working in the old fruit sheds, making amazing things

happen. There is a jewellers, there is a venue called Fruit, there is a

recording studio, art galleries, a museum, all sorts of things happen

here. Artists like Rob say more needs to be done to keep talent

local. We have a great School of Art and design in Hull. Loads of

graduates leave every year and go to cities where there is an

infrastructure to support them and they have career opportunities. If

there could be some investment in persuading those people that there

was something worthwhile staying for in Hull in terms of galleries,

workshops and business opportunities, that would be

fantastic. It is hoped that the funds will help paint a better

picture of the area. The odds have gone down. Fourth

favourite at the moment. We just have to knock Chester off the top

spot in the city of culture 2017. A cook from North Lincolnshire is

hoping to impress one of the country's most famous chefs.

Victoria Jolly from Burton Upon Stather is swapping her country caff

to work at Claridges. She'll spend two weeks working with the team at

Gordon Ramsay's restaurant, and hopes to learn the secret

ingredients in some of his famous dishes. Gemma Dawson has been to

meet her. Not everyone enjoys sharing a

kitchen with Gordon Ramsay. Start again! But then Victoria isn't your

average cook. Having quit a career in finance to follow her dream of

becoming a chef, she's now preparing to head to the capital for a

placement at Ramsay's restaurant at Claridges. It is quite nerve

wracking. I have met him before and I was really nervous the first time

I met him. He is very tall, which I always find intimidating. But he is

a nice man. I would not serve that to my dog, let alone a diner.

Victoria is hoping Gordon will be more complimentary about her

cooking. Victoria currently runs her own caff in Burton Upon Stather.

Grandma and Auntie Pat popped in this lunchtime for coffee and a

cake. She is very clever in everything she does. She turns out

some lovely food, and we have sampled nearly all of it. She has

done very well. News of Victoria's placement soon spread among the

regulars. She will have to up her game with Gordon Ramsay. She will

need some earmuffs for all the swearing! But Victoria's ready for

the challenge, having already cooked for celebrities. James Atherton, he

came in. Gary Barlow. Some footballers, but I don't really know

who they are! But before she heads to London, there's plenty more

orders to complete. Let's get a recap of the national

and regional headlines. A woman is found alive after 17 days

trapped under rubble in Bangladesh - she's pulled from the ruins of a

collapsed clothing factory. Warnings that the Government is

running out of time to secure affordable flood insurance for homes

that are at risk. Tomorrow: Some dry and bright

weather to start, but showers will merge into longer spells of rain and

it will develop into a cloudy day, with showery rain, perhaps

brightening into the evening. Now some responses on the subject of

flooding. Sean says the government should do more to help people who

have a high risk of flooding. Money should not come into it. Gareth

says, I have no sympathy with people buying homes on a flood plain. Andy

says, I live on the coast, never been flooded in the 26 years I have

lived here. But my insurer withdrew all cover for the entire post could

just because of a perceived risk on an environment agency map. Gary says

the reason the insurance companies are kicking up a fuss is because

they don't want to pay out. Are they the new bankers? And Eddie says, I

live on top of one of the highest points in Yorkshire. How am I at