11/07/2011 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Hello, and welcome to Look North. Coming up. The end of Southern

Cross care homes. But is that the end of uncertainty for residents

and their relatives? A mother is warned she could be

jailed for leaving her three children in a baking hot car.

I am in an County Durham and, and that is a �2 million tunnel to know

where. Find out more later. And they do, again. The couple

posing for their wedding album, three years after they got married.

In Sport, find out which of our Premier League fixtures have been

chosen for live TV. And why this goal wasn't enough for

two North-East footballers to avoid It is the end of the line for

Southern Cross care homes. The Darlington-based company cares for

more than 30,000 people in their homes, thousands of them in our

region. But after months of uncertainty over its financial

stability, Southern Cross has announced it is closing. So what

does the future hold now for its residents and their relatives? Our

business correspondent, Ian Reeve, joins us now. Ian.

It is obviously not good news with the winding up of the company, but

it is a much better scenario than what we could have seen and it

brings a degree of certainty for residents and their relatives.

Jerry's Selby's wife Joyce has been in a Southern Cross home for seven

years and is one of the many relatives left not knowing what

could happen to their loved ones. Four weeks ago, it looked like the

company could go bust and the nightmare scenario was a redundancy

-- was redundancies and residents taken from their homes. We know it

happened, you may remember they said, we are no -- we have a

problem but we are not going to lay off staff and do this, we are going

to do this. Various things. If you weeks later, what happened? We are

laying off 3,000 people. Heck but now the landlords who owned the

Southern Cross homes are taking them back to run them themselves.

The Director of the company has given Gerry some assurances.

she said Joyce would never lose her place in that home. I known -- I

now know she will not. A Southern Cross has been brought down by two

things, it sold 750 homes and rented them back, getting caught

out in a falling market. And it suffered from a big reduction in

the fees local councils would pay for residents. But the company

since -- but the company insists looking after those residents is it

priority. It means the process we have been embarked upon for some

months of maintaining continuity of care will be achieved. And all our

landlords and lenders and other creditors have been very supportive

of the process which delivers that outcome. 250 homes are about to

imminently transfer back to their landlords. The remaining 500 will

follow, probably over the next four months.

Throughout this crisis, it is the relatives of people in Southern

Cross homes who have been most affected by all the uncertainty

over the future. There has been uncertainty for everyone, but it is

the relatives who perhaps have suffered most. Our reporter has

been to see and 83-year-old man. His wife, Grace, lives in a

Southern Cross home, and I'll reporter has been to gauge his

reaction. -- our reporter. It has been an unsettling time lately for

Peter Carle. His wife, Grace, a resident at Charlton House in

Wallsend for the last 14 years. He woke up to today's news of a wind-

down. It is up in the air, there is nothing concrete, you wonder what

is going to happen. And when your wife is in there, you want her

looked after properly and do not know where it will end. I just hope

something can be sorted out and the patients can be left where they are.

Peter visits Grace five days a week. His concern is she doesn't move to

a hospital. He says visiting is too limited. He is hoping for answers

today. She might have some information, the matron, give us

some idea. The home wouldn't talk to us. But the Matron spoke with

Peter. The matron hasn't got a lot of information at the moment. Just

what she heard on the radio and over the great fine. But as far as

she is concerned, the home will be safe and not close, just taken over

by another company eventually. I want to come here and see Grace,

that would be lovely. So I am hoping it is what she says and it

will be all right. You mention the staff and

shareholders, what happens to them now? The staff have been assured

they will continue on their existing terms. Shareholders are

stuffed. Shares have been suspended today, just over 6p, and

shareholders will not get money back from the winding up of the

company that was one -- that was once worth �1 billion.

"This was a horrific and despicable crime against a much loved

grandfather.'' The words today of a senior police officer leading the

investigation into the death of Terry McGlade. Initially, it was

thought the 77-year-old pensioner died after a fire at his Redcar

bungalow. Then a post-mortem examination revelled he had been

assaulted. A 50-year-old man is being questioned by the police.

Stuart Whincup has the story. A much-loved grandfather, killed in

his own home. Detectives had thought Terry McGlade's death was

the result of a tragic accident. Now they say he was attacked. The

difficult question they are trying to answer is why? It is absolutely

despicable. Terry, at 77, a grandfather, a lovely man, by those

that know him. And well respected and well-liked within the local

community. How anybody could possibly want to hurt someone like

this is beyond me, this is the lowest of the low! For a third day

running, forensic officers remain at the property. A small quiet

community has become the scene of a major police investigation. Friends

and neighbours say they are still in shock. He was always there if

you had a problem. And I think it is sad that a man should reach that

age and then ended like this. He was a nice guy and it is just sad.

Detectives say they are looking at the possibility that the fire was

started deliberately by the attacker in an attempt to destroy

evidence. This evening, a 50-year- old local man is still being

questioned by the police on suspicion of murder.

A 46-year-old man is being questioned on suspicion of

manslaughter after an incident in Dalston, near Carlisle, last night.

A 62-year-old man died after being injured at his home in Summerfields.

The police were called by the ambulance service at around 8

o'clock. A possible takeover of Northumbrian

Water by a Hong Kong company has come a step closer. Northumbrian

Water has received a bid from CKI, valuing the firm at �2.4 billion.

CKI has offered 465 pence a share, and Northumbrian Water has now

agreed to open its books to the firm for a limited period.

A Carlisle mother who left her three young children in a baking

hot car for 45 minutes has been warned she may go to jail. Kelly

Marie Langham, who is 26, admitted ill-treating the children, who are

aged eight, five and two. Alison Freeman was there was at Carlisle

Magistrates Court. The court heard how a scenes of

crime investigator found the temperature in the car to have

reached a sweltering 40 degrees last Monday morning. And one

witness described how the baby strapped into the back of the car

was in an extremely distressed state, despite the efforts of one

of the older children to calm it down. The mother admitted three

counts of neglect here in Carlisle. She said she had parked the car in

Chapel Street to go to a nearby cash converters, but a large queue

had held her up for 45 minutes, so the children were left alone. She

said she had no idea of the temperature it could reach in the

car. The defendant also admitted one count of possessing amphetamine,

a Class B drug, which she said recently she had turned to to lift

her spirits. The case was adjourned until August 1st when the defendant

will be sentenced for all those four charges. The lead magistrate

said he would not rule out a custodial sentence.

A waste management company has been fined, after residents complained

about the smell of a rubbish dump. People living in Houghton-le-Spring

complained to the Environment Agency about the landfill site at

Houghton Quarry, after finding the smell unbearable. The owners, Biffa,

admitted two environmental offences and were fined �27,000.

A Tyneside park is getting a huge funding boost. Exhibition Park, in

Newcastle, has won a grant of �2.4 million from the Heritage Lottery

Fund. It will be used to conserve the park's grade-two listed

bandstand, the boathouse and croquet pavilion. It is hoped local

people will be involved in designing and maintaining adventure

play areas. Work on a �2 million underpass has

ground to a halt, after it emerged that Network Rail don't own some of

the land. It actually belongs to a small church, which has owned it

for 50 years. Every day of the delay is costing Network Rail a

small fortune. It now wants to buy the land and the church, but their

journey is far from over. Sharuna Sagar reports.

This is the pocket of land that is keeping Network Rail is out of

pocket They started work on a 25ft underpass, only to be stopped in

their tracks by a church. A were church members turned up on Sunday

in February and discovered all the trees cut down. Network Rail had

just come on without permission. They claimed they had the

permission of the council. They do not own the land, we do. And for

�10, a simple check with the Land Registry would have verified this.

Or they could have just asked Clive next door.

We moved here in 1979 and I have known about the land ever since. I

knew it belonged to the church, yes. What do you think about this

situation? There has been a big mess up somewhere along the line by

The tunnel is costing �1.8 million. Some people say that is a

Conservative estimate. But Network Rail has confirmed every day this

site stands idle is costing it thousands. And so to get the

project back on line, Network Rail now wants to buy the land and the

church for �65,000. We do not think that is enough. It is a challenge

to take on a company the size of Network Rail. After all, we are

only a small group of people. We are not wealthy. It is a bit of a

David and Goliath. But David one! - - but David won! So there could be

light at the end of this tunnel yet. Almost 70 years after the end of

the Second World War, the contribution of Canadian airmen

from North Yorkshire bases has finally been recognised. A monument

was dedicated at the National Memorial Arboretum to the sacrifice

of Canadians who flew bombers out of RAF Leeming and Linton on Ouse.

Danny Carpenter was there. With proper ceremony and in the

right place, at a memorial to the men of the Royal Canadian Air Force

he flew in Bomber Command. Fantastic, beautiful memorial. I am

so pleased they have done that because they took a lot of stick

during the war and they did their part, they deserve a good memorial

like that. Many were based at RAF Leeming and Linton on Ouse, they

are remembered here, and that is why those serving here now raised

the money for the monument. Almost 70 years after the end of the war.

At long overdue, it yes, long overdue. I think we are at last

going to make some acknowledgement of the services of the Canadians

did during the war, came over here in droves. Good guys to fly with,

generous, brave. A barrel of the memorials, simple stones in perfect

formation in Harrogate cemetery -- there are other memorials. 600

Canadian m men who flew from here. Or memorials are important, but

this is noted by its absence. The contribution of the Canadians has

not been overlooked but in some ways not rated, so this is quite

this has been dedicated now. importance of the contribution of

those who have gone before is rarely lost on servicemen and women

today. They are like families and they have histories, histories

there are honoured. Coming up next, proof that money

does grow on trees. And later, a preview of the statue

of the country's first black footballer, that will soon have a

home in the North East. Weather Wise, not all plane sailing

but fairly quiet over the next few days. Join me later for the details.

The Great Yorkshire Show begins tomorrow, and farmers and

horticulturalists all over the North are preparing for one of the

highlights of the agricultural calendar. Among them, a farm in

Northumberland that has an unusual specialism. It produces millions of

trees. Keith Akehurst reports. Nestling next to the banks of the

river between Corbridge and Hexham, in the Tyne Valley, lies the most

unusual farm. This looks like grass, it is not. There are about 1

million conifer trees and when they have grown higher, they go off to

forests like this. There are 90 acres of trees in all. 100

different varieties, from conifers to broadleaves, evergreen to

deciduous. From a few millimetres to a few metres in height. And this

coming winter, they plan to sell three million trees. It tends to be

farmers for farm woodlands, forestry for timber production, a

landscape trees and native hedgerows. So it would be

surprising for people to realise that you grow trees, millions, in a

farm setting? Yes, a lot of local people I speak to, farmers, they

never know what is going on down here. It is a really big production

site. Trees Please are wholesalers supplying trees in their thousands,

not the occasional specimen to the amateur gardener. Shows like the

Great Yorkshire are essential to keep sales turning over. A lot of

people do large-scale plantings and they might not want any more trees

for the next four or five years, so we have to keep reminding customers

we are still here and still doing the job of growing for trees.

the trees. And that job involves weeding by hand. It is all right,

after you have done eight seasons of it, you get used to it. Tyne

Valley trees go all over the country. From Cornwall to Caithness.

It was the biggest day of their lives. But newlyweds Caroline and

Colin Heslop were left devastated when they saw the wedding pictures.

So poor were the snaps, the photographer was ordered to pay

them compensation. But now, years later, they have been back to

church with a new photographer and done the whole thing again. Peter

Harris reports. Here comes the bride, again. So

angry were the couple with the original wedding pictures, they

went back to church for a second take, three years on. I think I am

nervous as I was on the day! We are both nervous, aren't we? And this

is what went wrong first time around. Look North reported how

they were eventually paid compensation for these shots of the

big day, including one of the groom, complete with cigarette. The bride

and groom have come outside now, no confetti, but the bridesmaids are

he and behaving very well. But only one man really matters today, and

that is him, the photographer. The Master Photographers' Association

stepped in to help and provided a snapper for free, after seeing Look

North's story on the couple. It has gone excellent, they have been

great. They could very well, they were both extremely relaxed and

very co-operative. And I am sure they will be delighted with the

pictures! Pictures done, there was even time for the bridesmaids to do

the conga. And for everyone else, at least a chance to dress up again.

She is getting what she has had to fight for for three years, which

has been heartbreaking at times. There have been tears, but we are

getting there. We had a fantastic photographer today. You can see

what he has done is fantastic. difference is unbelievable, no

comparison to the one they had for the wedding. What did you think of

the dress? Nice. Most men are only get to see the bright ones, you

have seen her twice, how did she look today? Beautiful, as three

years ago. They will have pictures to be proud

of at last! They all looked very smart. The

televised fixtures have been released for the first half of the

new Premier League season, but the Wear-Tyne Derby on the second

Saturday has not been selected for live TV, although the kick-off has

been brought forward to 12 noon. However, Newcastle United's opening

match at home to Arsenal will be on ESPN, with a teatime kick-off. And

the Magpies will feature in another four matches, all shown by Sky.

Just two Sunderland matches have been chosen so far, though - the

away games at newly-promoted Norwich and QPR - both weekday

evening fixtures. They were just minutes away from a

place in the World Cup semi-finals, but instead, England's women are

back home from Germany today after losing to France on penalties.

Among them are North East players Steph Houghton and Jill Scott, who

scored the goal that looked to have secured England a place in the last

four, for the first time in their It was a cruel end to a World Cup

dream and, sadly for England, a familiar one. Denied once again by

a penalty shoot-out, as France took their place in the semi-finals.

Earlier, English fans were full of hope in Leverkusen, thanks to

Sunderland born Jill Scott. For many, Scott has been England's

player of the tournament, and she fired her team in front just shy of

the hour mark. But with just minutes remaining, France equalised

to force extra time, and would eventually send their opponents on

a flight home. All the girls were obviously

devastated, especially the way the game went, and the penalties. I

think as time passes, we will probably look back and think we got

a great result against Japan, who are 4th in the world, and we took

fans right at the end. So as time goes by, we will be able to hold

our heads up stop my --. Women's game has enjoyed a high

profile in Germany, where many of the World Cup stars are household

names. There has even, for the first time, been an official Panini

sticker book of the competition. All a little overwhelming for

someone making their World Cup debut. You used to collect them

when you were drunk, the mail footballers. Now we have one, it is

a real when people were you to sign their sticker. The experience was

amazing, we had 26,000 in the crowd, the Act was -- the atmosphere was

great. Like a man's football game. Really happy for the team. So amid

the disappointment, still plenty to be proud of.

Indeed. Middlesbrough long jumper Chris Tomlinson is the new British

record holder. Tomlinson finished second in the Diamond League

meeting in Paris, but his leap of 8 metres 35 in the competition

extended the record by five centimetres. If he had jumped that

distance at the Beijing Olympics, it would have been enough for a

gold medal. Cricket, after defeat by Yorkshire

in the Twenty20 Cup yesterday, Durham are away at Warwickshire

hoping to keep alive their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals. They

are batting and are 144 for 5 in the 7th over. Durham had a bright

start. And then there was a brilliant run-out. At Scarborough,

the Yorkshire captain awarded a cab to rising star Johnny Burstow. And

the visitors were bowled out for 168. The Tykes a 141 for three.

A statue of the country's first black professional footballer has

taken a step nearer to being unveiled in his adopted town of

Darlington. Arthur Wharton played in goal for

the Quakers in the latter part of the 19th century, but until

recently, his name was barely remembered. However, a long

campaign to honour him is slowly coming to fruition. Andy Bell

reports. Over a century of neglect, a lost

icon of the sporting world. But now, the unveiling of a 9ft bronze

statue in recognition of the world's first black professional

footballer moves a step closer, after a mould replica by Southern

artist, Viv Mallock, was given the nod of approval from the North East

man who has fought for years to raise awareness of the Arthur

Wharton story. I am in absolute shock at the minute. Looking at

that statue, and I am taken aback. It is fantastic, a new Viv could do

that job beautifully and she has done us proud -- I knew. I am lost

for words, almost. Viv has been working on the mould for months.

had the whole thing and large for me and then I had to do the hands

and the head separately. And then I married them together but they did

not seem to work very well so I had to manipulate and put more plaster

on, take some off elsewhere. In the end, it worked. So a fitting

tribute to the man who first played in goal for Darlo all the way back

in 1883. When completed, it is hoped the statue will travel the

country. But for Shaun, there can be only one final home. He is going

to return to Darlington in fine fettle. He is going to return to

Darlington, which I see as his natural home, to be frank. Yes, he

is coming home, for short! -- the shore at!

Some great news now following our Transplant Week on Look North. You

may remember the line-up of youngsters on Friday night's

programme waiting for a heart transplant at the Freeman Hospital

in Newcastle. Well, a match was found for Noah here, and he went

into the operating theatre this morning for a transplant. We wish

him all the best. A mixed bag again over the weekend.

Things were variable at the north- east's biggest regatta. These

scenes were taken on Saturday off the coast at wife, torrential rain

under a thunderstorm. -- at life. Same venue 24 hours, completely

different, beautiful sunshine. Over the next few days, sunshine and

showers, the mixture continues. But the sunshine will dominate and the

shower -- showers become fewer. A few showers the seething over the

Pennines, but they will disappear and most places will be dry -- if

you show us this evening. -- a few showers. Temperatures no lower than

10 Celsius. Tomorrow, a large week right picture. Most places having

broken cloud, sunny spells -- a largely right picture. Cumbria

probably more likely to see showers tomorrow. Temperatures, at 19, 20

Celsius in the West. In the north- east, a bit cooler, 15, 16. The

breezes coming in off the North Sea. Into Wednesday, high-pressure keeps

control of the weather and into first date. It will keep us strive

for a few days because -- before the end of the week. A few showers

around tomorrow, but fewer on Wednesday. Most of us, fine and dry.

Temperatures a bit cool for the middle of July, 18 Celsius is

typical. By Thursday, it should warm up a bit, temperatures back

into 21 Celsius. Make the most of that sunshine, cloud and rain

And now for a look at tonight's headlines. The News of the World

paid a police officer for information on senior members of

the Royal Family. The News Intertnational bid for BSkyB has

been referred to the Competition Commission.