15/11/2011 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Hello and welcome to Tuesday's Look North. In the headlines, they are

safe in our hospitals. A NHS Trust boss reacts angrily to claims that

patients will suffer because of a cash crisis. I find the claims

irritating. I believe this hospital provides good quality, safe patient

care. Fuelling debate. As MPs discuss soaring prices at the pumps

we here of the growing pressure on the region's small businesses.

Remembering Alan, a call to honour a Geordie song writer who wrote

some of the most famous anthems. Lindisfarne did for few compasle

what The Beatles did for Liverpool. And the only record shop on

Teesside is starring in a new film. Sport, what is it like to be 5,500

miles away from home? We have an interview with Dong Won Ji, the

striker hoping to make a big splash with Sunderland. Hospital bosss

have hit back at claims that patient care will suffer, because

of a cash crisis, at an NHS Trust. Last week it was reveal had the

North Cumbria University Hospitals Trust is looking at closing wards

to try to claw back a �1.3 million overspend, in October alone. The

Royal College of Nursing says that will put patient safety at risk but

today the trust chief executive called that nonsense. Financial

problems at the trust which runs hospitals in Carlisle and

Whitehaven are long-standing. Last week though, a leaked e-mail

revealed they were getting worse, with a �1.3 million overspend in

October alone. That prompted sharp criticism from among others the

Royal College of Nursing. We know from our members, that the

pressures that they are under, and the lack of staffing and

inappropriate skill mix, patients are at risk in this hospital today

and have been for some time. We want the trust to be honest about

that. It is not just about money, and the Government have to decide,

do they want the population of Cumbria to be safe in their

hospitals, or do they just want to save money? But today, the boss

brought in to sort out the financial problems at the trust,

before it is taken over, hit back. Nonsense. I think they have got to

produce the evidence to support that claim. I do find the claims

irritating. I believe this hospital provides good quality, safe patient

care. We meet all our performance targets. The only significant

problem we have is financial management. Everything else is fine.

If the RCN believe that, they have to produce the evidence. I have

asked them do that. If they can't, they should be be quiet.

Campaigners have written to the Prime Minister, asking for historic

debts to be wiped clean We have had a decade of this kind of financial

problem, and it is getting no better, and think we have reached

the point where enough is enough and we need some Government

intervention with it. Dr Good win says the trust cannot go on being

bailed out year after year, and that it will have to show it is not

a financial basket case. He knows the trust will have to show it is

vol au vent before any take over take place, but he knows he's will

have to placate critics who worry what that might mean. Mark join us

from our Carlisle studio. What happens now? To give you an

indication of the scale of the challenge, it has to save �15.2

million in this financial year alone. We know the trust is

discussing the possibly closure of wards and the non-renewal of short-

term contracts to try to claw back some money. Unions as we have heard

as that as squeezing more out of less and put pressure on the work

force T managements say the two hospitals in Carlisle and

Whitehaven can work more fissionly and will do so if this cash crisis

is to be solved of.Ing are said that none of this is going to be

easily and it is unlikely to be popular. MPs have been debating the

soaring price of fuel, with many demanding the Government take

action to cut prices. But the coalition has said it needs to

raise fuel dutys by three pence a litre to reduce a budget deficit it

blame tons last Labour Government. Here, the cost of unleaded and

diesel varies widely. With rural towns such as more teth -- Morpeth

and Harrogate paying more. Businesses here are warning high

fuel bills are crippling hopes of a recovery. They are working harder

than ever at this delivery firm, but for no more reWard. Fuel price

rises mean they have had to try to get more business just to cover the

cost of the diesel they use, so they don't have to pass it on to

their customers.. It is totally disheartening, you know, we work

long hour, we work as really hard to prevent, to give a service, and

just to see the bottom liner roaded month on month is, it is soul-

destroying. It is, you know, it makes you wonder whether it is

worth continuing. In the past year, Mr Dixon says the Penrith firms

spend on fuel rose 15%. Costing them another �60,000 a year. But it

is not just businesses that are suffering. Prices on the forecourts

have tripled in the past two decades. Causing real problems for

people who live in rural communities and rely on their cars.

For those on low incomes, it can cost them a tenth of their wage,

just to keep their tank full. Today, MPs debated a motion calling for an

end the fuel duty increases. More than 100,000 people signed an on

line petition calling for the debate. Many MPs want the

Government to think again. I would like to see the three pence rise

abandoned by the Government. I appreciate we will have to wait for

the appropriate statement from the Chancellor to see whether that is

going to happen. I feel a lot of people feel strongly about it.

has proubl doubled in the last three years, so what I was spending

three years ago. It is a lot of money. It is like a mortgage,

having to run your car. Put a cap on it, because there is no need for

it. I would like to see the diesel prices coming down. If I have to do

a long distance I will get the train. It is not worth it. But with

a further three pence a litre due to be added in January, some

motorists fear by priced off the road. A County Durham family is

seeking help from a Belgian court over the death of their son 11

years ago. Christopher Rochester died in a balcony fall on Rhodes

but when his body was returned to the UK it was missing a kidney. A

row with Greek officials over whether an organ sent later on

belonged to him ended in an exhumation to allow for independent

DMA tests in Brussels. It is a fight that has lasted 11 years and

it started the night Christopher Rochester fell from a balcony in

rode. Today there are no answers about why his body was sent home

missing a kidney. All we have ever wanted is justice. We need justice

against those that done what they done to him after his death.

kidney was eventually sent back but tests showed it didn't belong to

Chris. The authorities in Greece disagreed and ordered his body to

be exhumed for independent DNA testing the Brussels. For the

exhumation was done it was horrendous. We are no further

forwards. The results are in but the family can't access them

without a court order. Durham Police have written to Brussels but

now it is another waiting game. Where do you find the strength from

to keep fighting? The only thing Chris hasn't got in our family is a

voice. We are his voice, and if it takes us to our dying day and dying

breath, then perhaps that is when the fight would come to an end.

there is no answer, the family say they will pay for DNA testing

themselves, for them, there is no giving up. Once those people are

punished we will have closure. co-pilot of an RAF helicopter which

crashed in North Yorkshire killing a pile and two others has pleaded

guilty to negligence. Flight Lieutenant David Sale from Norton

near Stockton died along with crew man Sergeant Philip Burfoot and

Private Sean Tait. The crash happened near Catterick Garrison in

August 2007. Ex Flight Lieutenant Robert Hamilton who was severely

injured in the crash admitted neglect in flying likely to cause

loss of life board -- bodily injury. Durham Tees Valley Airport Durham

Tees Valley Airport is at the centre of the row over the

relaxation of border checks. It is after E-mails claimed that

passengers arriving on private plights were not being checked at

all. The Border Agency denys this and the airport says it can't

comment on what is a UK Border Agency issue. It has been revealed

that Newcastle was one of 2 airports where controls were

relaxed this summer. Well, it is just three more days until the big

night of fundraising and fun for the BBC's Children In Need appeal.

This week on Look North we are looking at some of the hundreds of

good causes that have been helped by money raised by you, here in the

North East and Cumbria. Tonight we hear one teenager's story of how

she was driven to attempting suicide after a lifestyle of

underage drinking and bullying. And how the north Benwell youth project

helped to give her hope for the future. Kids having fun after

school. Off the street, and out of danger. This is the north Benwell

youth project. Offering a safe environment for local youngsters in

one of the most deprived parts of the country. The youngsters growing

up in Benwell live chaotic lives, surrounded by decay. Seven years

ago a documentary highlighting Britain's streets of poverty

focused on Benwell and the dangers of drink, drugs and violence for

the kids growing up with little hope. Kids like Jackie, now a

worker on the project. But living a very different lifestyle in her

early teens. I used to go and sit in the park and get slaughtered and

that used to be our daily routine after school. When I when it got to

Friday we were like, it is Friday, it is time to get (BLEEP). At 13

Jackie was drinking to blot out her own existence, with no-one to turn

to. I felt I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. I don't talk

to my family, and most of all, I can't talk to my mam. I nerve could.

After years of bullying and name- calling at school about her weight

and her glasses, Jackie was already self-harming. When life got too bad

she even tried to end it. I calfed my name in my arm. I tried cutting

my wrists by cutting my veins and stuff. I tried to slit my throat,

and I took an overdose. I was 20 minutes away from dying. Jackie's

story is one of many in a community where poverty combined with

multicultural rivalry can maybe a vol time environment. Some of the

issues are worse than they were, with the economic climate and

benefits and the cuts in funding and the policing of the area, we

will find that crime starts the rise and it has recently, with

violent incidents. John took part in the streets of poverty film.

Seven years on, he says Benwell's streets look better but the dangers

maybe worse Drink is a massive issue. It is not just the drinking

it is the knock on effects from the drink. With young peopling

depressed. Some people self-harming. We get more people attending the

prosqect who have serious mental health problems. The weekly

football session is one way of bridging the cultural difference,

that is how Jackie got involved with the project and started to

turn her life round. She is still getting weekly counselling but she

is studying for an NVQ to become a professional youth worker. I was

grateful. That made me think. Do I want to talk the cowards way out

and hurt everyone round us? I thought right, I'm going to sort

myself out, and, I want to become a youth worker and help the young

people in the community in the way I have been helped. He seems to be

on the right track. The 2011 Children In Need party is being

held at Beamish Museum in Stanley and the BBC will be there. It is

free to enter. The gates open at six so why not head along for

Pudsey's party? Now, he wrote the song that has become an anthem for

a nation t Geordie nation, the main singer song writer of the biggest

band to come from Tyneside, now there are calls for Alan Hull from

Lindisfarne to be remembered in the city where he was born and brought

up. It was 40 year ago that month his most famous song was released

to take the charts by storm. # Slipping down slowly

# Slipping down sideways sh # Think I'll sign off the dole

# The Fog on the Tyne is all mine # The Fog on the Tyne is all mine #

Alan Hull wrote Fog On The Tyne. The worldwide hit that helped make

the five Geordies of Lindisfarne famous round the world. Born in

Benwell he is seen here in rare Look North footage from the '60s.

Alan wrote most of the group's songs and Newcastle City Hall was

where some of the most memorable concerts were staged. They sold out

140 times and for 17 performed their Christmas concerts. He was

good company and a very talented song writer. Alan died in 1995 when

he was 50. Now there is a call for him to be remembered by his home

city in some way. One school of thought would be the memorial to

Alan is his song, but, I think you have to remember before, before

Lindisfarne and they would never have worked without his songs,

Tyneside wasn't cool. After Lindisfarne it was it was. He would

love it if there was a pub named after him, or a beer. Or perhaps a

street Alan Hull way or the bar in the City Hall. Hully's Bar.

Something that befits the man. dreams are all have #

He is featured in a new film about the Tyne and his songs. It is

released today and will raise money for local charities. Newcastle City

Council rejected suggestions of a memorial back in 2006. Now they are

prepared to let the people decide. Absolutely, the City Council is

committed to find a way to recognise his achievement and many

of the others of the legends of this local area. Obviously

Lindisfarne did to Newcastle what The Beatles did for Liverpool. We

want to find a way to best remember him.

# I've travelled the land # With a guitar in my hand #

Takes you back. Another story with a musical theme, it was made in the

region on a shoe string but a film about the very last surviving vinyl

record shop on Teesside has been winning rave reviews, it has been

called wonderous and funny by the Daily Telegraph and a rare find by

the New York Times. The shop itself is also something of a success

having lasted for 15 years in a town hit by the very worst of the

retail downturn. Our business correspondent reports. Tom

Butchart's record shop is a little gem. In a town that gets bad press

for its many charity outlets this is Teesside's last independent

record shop. Holding out in the face of similar businesses shutting

at the rate of three a week. who walks in here is welcome. You

will listen to any type of music you want. I will happy play some or

recommend some. I like to think when walks in I can nine times out

of ten say I 've go itor have you heard this? It is the subject of a

film. Or rather the customers are.. The Jackson, they call him Mike

Jackson. He wrote the song. I like my Quo. People say I'm mad, but I

don't smoke, don't drink, I don't have a woman. What more do you

want? DJ Frankie. The house crew. The film's had great reviews,

London critics discovering the girky Teesside charm and it has

done trade no harm at all. I get calls saying are you still open.

They had forgotten I was here, people go to the major shop on line

so they forget about little shops which exist. And in Stockton where

27% of the town's units are empty, it is more than important that

people remember that shops like Tom's are here. Even if it takes a

feature film to do so. I bet you have a few? I have a few. Most of

them nicked. It is a long story. Leave it until after the sport. Yes,

we start with football, the international break is a worrying

time for every Premier League football manager. Players head off

all over the world to represent their country, one of Sunderland's

strikers was in Beirut playing against the Lebanese national team.

By now he should be starting the long journey back the Wearside.

Never mind the Premier League, these days English football is like

the league of nations, at the last count the 20 clubs had players from

66 different countries. Ten remitted at Sunderland. --

For the record that was a quick blast of Egyptian, Swedish and

French. But it is not often you hear South Korean, especially when

you are down on the Roker seafront. Dong Won Ji, the Black Cats summer

signing from Chunnam Dragons who is enjoying life on Wearside despite

being 5,500 miles from home. TRANSLATION: I think it is perfect,

but the one thing is the weather is too windy. I like fans in

Sunderland, they are very fascinated and yeah, I like it. I

enjoy it much. The fans haven't had too many chances to enjoy his

talent but he did get off the mark in only his fourth game for the

club. The young striker could be due a run in the first time. That -

- team. That would help boost the Black Cats' fan club in the Far

East. TRANSLATION: It is famous in Coria,

but it is more famous now, because I came here, and many people who I

can play more and more. Sunderland University graduate Hyoung Jung Kim

has been helping him with his English and showing him round the

city. It is a bit hard but he says he is, with his appearance, so

maybe they support him a lot, so it is not really like lonely. Any way,

it sound very hard for him. English, learning erpbg lish, you

speak it very well. Is he managing to learn it? Yes, he studies very

hard, and obviously, everyone speaks in English round him, so I

think his r he is listening. I think he is a bit of lack of

confidence about speaking, but I think it is getting better. As long

as the footballers don't teach him any rude words. Yes, maybe not.

Some hope!El where Hartlepool have been dealt a double blow with two

strikers booked in for knee operation, Colin Larkin and Colin

Nish seen here scoring face surgery. Larkin's op is an exploratory one

but nish has torn a cartilage. He is expected to be out of action for

six weeks. Staying in Hartlepool and sad news with the death of one

of the region's sports remoteers and businessmen. Gus Robinson

founded his company in the early 70s and became a well-known boxing

promoter. He stood for the Conservative Party against Peter

Mandelson in the 2001 general election. Mr Robinson leaves a wife

and three daughters. We send or couldn't lenses. Right. --

condolences. It is a good idea to give the groom the job of planning

a secret wedding for the bride? One North Yorkshire woman did just that

and ended up at a reception that looked like the inside of a

spaceship. The day was completed by laser lights and a cake in the

shape of a flying saucer decorated with aliens. It wasn't to be every

girl's dream wedding, but it was a boy's dream. Ladies and gentlemen

would you please standing. biggest day of lawyer reens life

was totally planned in secret by charms Thompson who happens to be a

big fan of all things sci-fi. The first clue Lauren had that it

wasn't going to be the traditional wedding she had imagined, came when

she saw the invites. Which read, to boldly go where no bride has gone

Congratulations on your big day. For the reception Newcastle's disof

-- Discovery Museum was transform to look like a spaceship and the

cake decorated with aliens. # This is ground control

# To Major Tom # You've really made the grade #

I've shown you sci-fi can be romantic, today is proof. It looked

good. A very understanding wife. You can see more on their wedding

on Don't Tell The Bride tonight at nine. And Trai is in the perfect

place to spot flying saucer, because she is in the room. It is

nippy up here. Both we had fine clear skies towards the end of the

day which was great, but saz soon as it got dark the skies meant we

are seeing temperatures really taking a tumble at the moment.

Quickly first this evening. I means if we look at the headline that

tonight, we are going to see patchy frost in places and one or two fog

patches developing by dawn tomorrow. So, let us look at the evening

chafrts first of all. We have the clear spells in place at the moment,

generally we will get more cloud building up overnight. But we will

stay dry. Where you manage to keep the cloud at bay, that is where you

see temperatures falling like a stone. The temperatures for Cumbria

here, throw or four C. That is in town. Once you get into the rural

areas we could be down at one or two, and that is the most likely

place where we will get a frost. Mist could be anywhere where you

get a break. Tomorrow, after that misty and foggy start to the day,

we will start to ee the cloud building up a bit, some clear

spells, sunny spells at first, but again the cloud just retreat --

recover manager the afternoon and we should just about manage to stay

dry through the day tomorrow. Top temperatures round about nine or

ten, round about average for this time of year and not too much of a

breeze. Looking ahead. Let us look at the North East first of all.

Through Thursday, it looks like a return to dry, fine and sunny

spells kind of weather, but for Friday a lot more cloud back in b

and there is a chance of drizzle. Similar pattern for Cumbria.

Tomorrow you will have sunshine in the morning. The cloud catching up

through the day. Thursday looks fine but we end the week on Friday

with that rain coming back. Now, in the meantime, if you would like to

get out and buy a calendar join Paul and Pudsey in north al on the

in the town square. North aler on the. Now the main headline. More