26/07/2011 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Good evening and welcome to Look North. Coming up.

Government cash for the volunteer life savers, but critics say it is

not enough. Jailed - the drunken woman who

caused terror when she took a gun onto the streets.

Padlocked gates and unpaid players - a special report on the crisis

that nearly killed off one of our football clubs.

And in our Headliners series, former North East journalist Greg

Dyke on Iraq and Rupert Murdoch. In sport, we meet the middle

distance runner with London 2012 in her sights.

And where now for Joey Barton, after one twitter rant too many saw

They are called out dozens of times a year. They risk their lives to

save lives, not just during the height of the summer holidays, but

in the depths of winter too. Today, the Government has announced it is

giving money to the mountain rescue teams around the country to help

with their funding. But so far there has not been much rejoicing

at the news. That's right. As you can see, I am

in the glorious Cumbrian countryside, very popular with

walkers at this time of year when the School holidays are upon us.

But what happens when those walkers get into trouble? Often they call

on a or volunteer mountain rescue teams.

William Bingley, who was 61, from Lancashire, fell while walking at

the Rawthey Gill at Ravenstonedale on Sunday. The Kirkby Stephen

Mountain Rescue Team was called out. For he suffered serious injuries

and died. It just goes to show, the risks that people take. Today, the

government announced with great fanfare that they are giving

�200,000 to the mountain rescue teams across the UK and Northern

Ireland. Of that, 124,000 will go to teams in England and Wales. That

includes here, in the Lake District. That works out to around �1,600 per

team, per year. A earlier I spoke to the man who created the all

party parliamentary committee who looked at funding on this issue. He

said he did not think it was enough. It is a profession or activity.

They put much effort into it, in many cases more than their jobs. It

is a fantastic commitment of time and effort. They may be other ways

of doing it, but if they are going to get money from the government,

it needs to be more to make up for the lack of fund-raising they will

get if they are seen as funded. So, is this good news for our teams?

Joining me now is the leader of Cockermouth Mountain rescue. This

is a donation promised by the government, it has not yet arrived.

To put it in context, it costs �46,000 per year just to operate

the team. This donation is being given to 70 teams across the

country. Also, the Cave rescue Organisation. An estimate of their

costs is around �3.1 million. It is a donation, but it is only a small

donation, compared to the vast amount of money that has to be

donated through businesses and the general public. Thank you.

feeling here is that if people see these teams as being government

funded, the generous donations may cease.

A 21-year-old woman was jailed this afternoon after she caused terror

by taking to the streets with a rifle. Jane McComb pointed the

weapon at passing motorists, forcing the police to lock down

part of North Tyneside during a huge armed operation. In the end,

the weapon turned out to be an unloaded air rifle, and McComb told

the police it had been a drunken dare.

Seven police marksmen, schools told to keep children in class, and

dozens of terrified 999 calls. On what had started as a quiet January

morning, here in Cullercoats. All caused by this woman - Jane McComb.

A court heard she has been abusing alcohol since the age of 12. She

had been drinking all morning and the previous night.

She told the police she brought a rival out for a dare. She pointed

the gun at its passing motorist, who the judge said was genuinely

scared she would be shot. Then it was the turn of a taxi driver, who

also told the judge she feared for his life. -- He. McComb admitted

the offence of affray and was sent to prison for 12 months. Newcastle

Crown Court heard the air rifle was actually powerful enough to kill

somebody, but wasn't loaded. The police say those who had the gun

pointed at them wouldn't have known that. The 12 month sentence

reflects the criminality. My advice to anyone thinking of playing a

prank like this is that we are right resource is in place, we will

rescue, taking to court, and push for the strongest penalties.

people who live here say the incident didn't seem real. For the

woman responsible, crying in court Northumbrian Water, which provides

services for much of our region, could soon be in the hands of a

Hong Kong tycoon. The firm has accepted a takeover offer run by C

K r I, run by a multi-millionaire who made his fortune from plastic

flowers. -- CKI. It provides essential services for millions,

now a Northumbrian Water has accepted a takeover from a group of

Hong Kong firms owned by this man, the 11th richest in the world.

He made his fortune on plastic flowers, and experts say his

company could have had an eye on Northumbrian Water for a while.

Last year, Datacom UK based electricity assets. -- they took on.

They are trying to build a global infrastructure network.

Northumbrian water was privatised in 1989, taking over in 1995,

listed on the Stock Exchange in 2003, but even then, the

international connection continued with 27% of the company's shares

bought by teachers in Ontario. What does this all mean for customers?

Are they should be prepared for price rises, but that is largely

because inflation is on the up. If share whole does approve a takeover,

it could go through within months. A new Accident and Emergency regime

The new football season is just days away. But 25 years ago this

month, Middlesborough fans feared their team would never play again.

In the summer of 1986, the club was on the brink of extinction. Facing

massive debts, the gates to Ayresome Park were padlocked and

the players went unpaid. In the end, Boro were saved with just minutes

to spare. It became apparent that the club

was going to close. We were called into the boardroom and closed --

and told it was going into liquidation and everybody was out

of work. For or August, 1986. Boro facing oblivion. A massive

debts, relegated, and events conspiring against them. A

consortium had formed to try and save the club. Other clubs at the

time had gone bust, and simply reformed, without paying off their

debts. No such luck for Boro because the Football League was

insisting they pay all of their debts in full or be kicked out. The

players continued training without pay. We were literally using

jumpers for goalposts. We were playing in open, vast areas with no

pictures marked out. Even Margaret Thatcher was a roundabout problem.

Speak council had pledged �200,000 to the consortium but the threat of

a budget cap from the government forced them to pull out. That left

four parties trying to save the club, including Steve Gibson's

Bulkhaul, which had raised �825,000. They needed �1.9 million. And so to

deadline day, 22nd August. They had until half past four to seal the

deal. The Football League was in another office.

Not once did everybody getting the same room and resolve it. It was

just people running from room to room, with different messages and

suggestions. I was called by the chief of police. He said sorry, the

deadline has gone, we cannot now police the game at Middlesbrough.

So the game will not take place. The only saviour was it a big

company like ICI would bundles. And that was what saved Middlesbrough

Football Club. Next day, they kicked off at Hartlepool as their

own ground was still padlocked. The team went on to win back-to-

back promotions, a fairy-tale complete. I think the hardship

created a bond which survives today, we are still in touch with each

other. The can a robbery of the players, it created a unique and

special bond. -- camaraderie. For a Coming up next, former BBC Director

General Greg Dyke on weapons of mass destruction, Rupert Murdoch

and more. And, living her Olympic dream, we

meet one of the Northern athletes hoping to be a part of next year's

London games. Brolly all shades?

Looking at tomorrow's weather, I would pack both. -- brolly or

shades. On to our series of Headliners, about people from the

region who are making an impact. This week we have been to meet

someone who has spent almost all his working life making the news as

well as being a part of it. Only you might not recognise him in the

outfit he wears for his current job. Speak to any were no who has worked

under him, and they will tell you that Gregg Dyke is a first class

boss and a first class bloke. But you do not quite picture him in

the cap and gown he has to wear on graduation day, in his role as

Chancellor of York University. tier's is not really me! The only

time I would wear them is here. You have be connections here? I came

here as a mature student. I've always stay in touch. A news paper

reporter before attending York, he left to join the Newcastle Journal.

I'm only ever applied for two jobs at the BBC.

The first I did not get, the second was director general. Which I did.

I did an interview for Radio Tees but I think they thought that

nobody would understand me. So, why you got that second job, the BBC

finally realised you are worth? had worked with the chairman before

and I think he felt the BBC needed changing and you wanted somebody

who would cheer the place up a bit. That is why so many staff took to

the streets when he took the rap for a controversial report.

I do not meet anyone now who does not think the Government sexed up

the case for war. The other day, I bumped into Alastair Campbell, and

he said I got it wrong. I told him that he manned Tony Blair were the

only people who still believe that, everybody else knows. After that,

Peter Hennessy said to me that history was on my side. Do you get

any pleasure, having had run-ins with Rupert Murdoch? Enormous

pleasure, the way things are going. I have never liked his empire, the

way they used politicians. Australian Americans lecturing on

how to run his country's broadcasting. It will never happen

again, their credibility has gone. Something that gives him almost as

much pleasure as Rupert Murdoch's problems is this building. Opened

last month at a cost of �20 million, it is York University's Department

of film, theatre and television. used to run London weekend

Television, a rehearsal rooms were over a pub. This is a great

facility. One last thing, I have to ask about your passion for football.

I'm afraid Carlisle are on our patch. We beat your lot at Wembley.

We didn't turn up. Carlyle could have got more goals in. There was

no doubt, on the day, Carlisle were the better side. Much as I hate to

say it. You might lie to a no, Gregg Dyke joins Jacqui Smith, the

Home Secretary, and the ex Formula One boss Max Mosley, to talk about

emotional subject of resigning in the wake of a crisis tomorrow night

on BBC for. -- Four. Now, is he a disruptive influence,

or just telling it like it is? Whatever your view on Joey Barton,

it seems just a matter of days before another Premier League club

takes the outspoken midfielder off Newcastle's hands. His relationship

with the Magpies' hierarchy has completely broken down after

perhaps one rant too many on the social networking site twitter.

For which, he has been fined two The news that one of Newcastle's

best players and highest earners has been offloaded by a free

transfer should perhaps not be a surprise. He had become ever more

on spoken about the club's transfer policy, but when his tirades were

accompanied by a verbal equivalents at work, things became untenable.

It is a sad day for Newcastle, when a good player leaves. He is trying

to run the club rather than let the management buy-out. He should just

played football. He should not be on a free transfer when they paid

so much for him. You cannot keep employing -- annoying your employer

and get away with it. The supporters have been brilliant

with him, spit is a shame he has to announcement but was beaten to the

punch by the club, who will now forgo a fee, just to get him off

the pitch. He has lost he is best mates.

think this has been coming for a long time. They were looking to

sell him anyway, they want to be mad because of his previous

outbursts. I am sure there will be further developments. A near sold-

out Victoria Park will tonight show its appreciation for Hartlepool

United's Ritchie Humphreys. Pools' record appearance holder will

celebrate a decade at the club with a much deserved testimonial. Steve

Bruce's Sunderland are the visiting opponents and you can follow full

coverage of that match which kicks off at 7:30 on BBC Tees.

Now, it is less than a year to go until the Olympics and this week on

Look North we will be featuring some of those athletes from our

region dreaming of competing at London 2012. One of those hopefuls

is Stacey Smith, a middle-distance runner from Hexham. The 12-year-old

lives and trains in the North East and is mentored by none other than

Dame Kelly Holmes. -- 21. We have been ton her home town in Kent to

meet the Olympic champion and her Stacey is just one of the 2012

Stays C Smith, getting really involved. She has the lead in her

side. Stay seen recently made her debut

for Great Britain in the 1,500 metres.

Those within the sport believe she has the potential to make it to

London in 2012. If it was not for the intervention of Dame Kelly

Holmes, that potential would have been lost for good. I gave up

athletics at the age of 16. I found it too serious and wanted

to spend time socialising with my friends. I think every athlete

needs to go through that. Kelly wrote me a letter saying that she

thought I was a wasted talent. watch too or on the telly, at

Athens, she was very inspirational. I am admired her very much. I

thought, well, she definitely knows her stuff so why had better listen

to her. She was persuaded to give it another try. She joined Kelly's

mentoring programme. We select The Gulls by looking at the ranking

list. I noticed her name, and that she was not really doing much. --

the girls. She is a really talented young athlete. I thought it was a

real shame for her to give up when I did not want to see some one of

her ability not give it a go. was five years ago, and she has not

looked back. The Olympics is always special, but in your own country,

the support will be unbelievable. I want to be there. I want to make my

country proud. I have the determination to get there. It is a

hard sport, nobody ever knows. You have to hit certain times. But can

she do it? Absolutely. We will be following another young

athlete to Morrow. You can follow them all online. Now, the author of

horrible histories is making history himself. Yes.

He is embarking upon a challenge to run the length of Hadrian's wall

His is a world of naughty nuggets, foul facts, and a higher quotient

of Pru. -- poo. Going to the toilet in a hole onto the street has

The children's author will put his writing decide. I love Hadrian's

wall. I want to encourage people to visit. They asked me to set up a

runner's trail which will run parallel to the wall, so people do

not run on the wall itself. Just like the Romans before him.

All money raised will go towards a children's charity.

I have been bullied all of my life. It did not help my confidence but

this charity gave me friends and it has really helped.

So, with the right help, horrible histories can become fantastic

futures. A after six days of doing half a

marathon a day, Terry and his legion of runners will end up at

his Roman fort. But there is no rest for the wicked

because the next day he will be doing the Great North Run! Even the

I know it has been humid today because I have very frizzy hair!

There are more mixtures of downpours and sunshine to contend

with tomorrow. You can say that in this picture. Tomorrow will be even

more humid than today with another outbreak of big and thunderous

showers. You may be wondering why it is so humid? We trace the air

back to where it has come from, it is coming from the Gulf of Mexico.

Of course, that is a warm and humid place. That there continues towards

the British Isles tomorrow. For Thursday and Friday, we start to

get a different direction coming in. If we trace that air back, it

becomes a more northerly flow. As you will see, it will cool down and

freshen up. If you are coping with frizzy hair, it will be OK by

Friday. Mainly dry overnight tonight, clear spells and mist

patches. A sultry night with temperatures all in the teens. Into

tomorrow, we start the day dry and bright with sunshine and, but that

is the fuel for the showers which will bubble up through the end of

the morning. Into the afternoon, it will turn heavy and thundery again.

Temperatures on the rise, highs of 21 for Cumbria. Into the North East,

25 around York. Through the rest of the week, let's have a look at

Cumbria. The temperatures remain high through Thursday, but the rain

will wash the humidity out. Friday looks fresh, dry and bright, and a

similar pattern for the North East which loses the high temperatures

on Thursday the. Friday is the day if you do not like the humidity. A

bit of freshness will be back. Please continue to send your

weather pictures to us. They are great for checking if the forecast

A father, dying from heart failure, has been given the UK's first

artificial heart, which allows him to leave hospital and awaiting