08/11/2013 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Hello and welcome to your Friday night Look North. In the headlines

tonight: The family of Danny Wake, killed in a hit`and`run, have

appealed for the driver to come forward. The best way we can

describe Danny is a fun loving, popular boy with an incredible

cheeky smile. He was loved by so many and was the light of our lives.

He's one of the last of The Few. And he'll be proudly laying the wreath

at his village memorial on Sunday. Police stage an identity parade, for

sheep. And a song for Pudsey. Our region's

choir gets in tune with a week to go to Children In Need!

In sport, we meet the North East boxer hoping to bring home a world

title for Christmas! And while Newcastle look to make

capital out of a trip to Tottenham, Sunderland are going for an unlikely

four`in`a`row against big`spending Manchester City.

The family of a three`year`old boy killed in a hit and run on Monday

have made an emotional appeal to the driver to contact the police. Danny

Wake was knocked down in Darlington as he walked home with his family

from a shopping trip. This afternoon Danny's relatives asked the driver

to imagine how they feel. Stuart Whincup reports.

This was Danny in his green cot just seconds before his death. He was

with his family and had just been through a toy catalogue to choose

his presence when he was knocked down and killed. Four days on,

Danny's family appealed for the driver to come forward. Words cannot

express how we are feeling. Since Monday morning, we can only describe

our lives as a living nightmare as we struggle to come to terms with

the thought of never seeing our boy again. Instead of looking forward to

Christmas as a family, we are now facing Danny's funeral. Detectives

believe the person who hit Danny knew what happened but may have

panicked and drove off. Officers want to speak to the owner of a

light`coloured van. We still want to find out exactly this Mercedes

vehicle that was in the area at the time. Do you believe that as the van

that had Danny? We will never know until we trace this vehicle.

Detectives say it could have been a delivery van. The driver may live

outside the area. Hundreds of flowers have now been placed at the

scene where Danny was killed, and this afternoon 's parents appealed

directly to the driver to come forward and contact the police. They

said, imagine if this was your little boy, and how you would feel.

A North Yorkshire pie maker has created 150 jobs at its new factory.

Yorkshire Baker has grown from a tiny artisan venture to being taken

over by the food giant Cranswick. Our Business Correspondent Ian Reeve

reports. It wasn't always like this, this

North Yorkshire company started life in 2008 with just a handful of

people. Today there is 200 year. Marks Spencer is the big client,

and the company has been bought by the food producer Cranswick. Surely

the crush of cultures `` clash of cultures has shareholders to answer

to. We belong to a company that has the same ethos that I have at the

heart of this factory. And as soon as we start to try to cook and find

ways of making things cheaper and quicker we will be the same as

everyone else. Sam has no qualms about what the company has become.

It is amazing to see it from start to finish. The parent company has

invested ?12 million here and overseeing the creation of 150 new

jobs. So 150 jobs in an area that really needs them. But the company

is looking to a day when it makes 1 million products a week. Then they

can employ another 150 workers. The developer of a Tyneside housing

estate devastated by flooding says another block of flats will have to

be demolished. Spencer Court, in Newburn, was hit by the floods after

an underground culvert collapsed in May last year. A block of flats was

demolished in October last year, and now a structural inspection of the

remaining blocks has revealed that another has sunk beyond repair.

Part of Harrogate District Hospital had to be evacuated this morning

after a chemical leak. It happened around 9am when a member of staff

spotted fumes coming from a container filled with a substance

used to de`contaminate clinical equipment. Part of the building was

evacuated, with staff and patients forced to wait outside while

emergency services dealt with the incident. No`one was hurt.

A 19`year`old`man has been arrested after two women were robbed at

gunpoint in Cumbria this afternoon. In the first incident, a woman was

threatened with a gun in a street in Wigton and her car was stolen. An

hour later another woman was threatened during a robbery at

Kirkbride Post Office, where cash was taken. A high speed chase

involving police cars and a helicopter took place before the car

was stopped on the A596 near Aspatria.

A group of North East MPs says funding and support for foster care

needs to be extended to young people until they reach 21. Currently the

majority leave foster care before their 18th birthday, and there's

concern they're left without the help and advice they need. North

Tyneside was one of the first councils in the country to give

every child in care the right to stay in a funded foster placement

for longer. Here's our political reporter Luke Walton.

Like a lot of 18`year`olds, Arran has a busy schedule. Along with work

as a swimming pool lifeguard, he's also training to be a sports coach.

That means trips to the gym as well as study at college. And for all

this, his foster mum is vital. Heather gives me the encouragement

to do what I want. And I have kind of also got the confidence that

Heather believes in me. Arran's case is far from typical. Most foster

children leave care before their 18th birthday. Arran's foster mum

thinks that's too early. They should be given the opportunity and the

choice, if they wish to stay on after 18. The evidence is

overwhelming. People who've been in care are more likely to be

unemployed or suffer ill`health. But those who stay in a foster family

for longer do better. Why then, across the country, does only one in

20 remain fostered until the age of 19? North East MPs say the solution

is a new legal right for young people to stay with their foster

family until the age of 21. I think we should support them and give them

some of the advantages that perhaps, you know, young people in

stable family relationships end up with. Extending foster care could

cost councils millions. But campaigners say teenagers like Arran

deserve somone else to share the burden.

More on that story on Sunday Politics this Sunday lunchtime at

the later time of 12.25pm on BBC One.

Police have rounded up the ewe`sual suspects for an identity parade with

a difference. These aren't villains lining up for identification `

they're sheep! Sheep rustling is a major problem in remote upland areas

which can seriously damage the precarious livelihoods of hill

farmers. At Kirkby Stephen mart this morning, Cumbria and Durham police

paraded 40 stolen sheep, hoping to reunite them with their owners. Mark

McAlindon reports. Farmers came to the marked from

across the Pennines, Cumbria and Durham, anxious to trace animals

that have gone missing from their own land. Theft is an annual

headache. It's been an honour not problem for a number of years. ``

and on and off problem. Sometimes it can be natural causes and sometimes

it is theft. It is very difficult to prove one way or the other. This

might be an unusual identity parade but the police note this kind of

crime can have a devastating impact on farmers' livelihoods. These

farmers are feeling the pain of these thefts. They want to come down

and show a bit of solidarity because of you are losing sheep here on

year, the financial impact is huge. The police were not sure how many

people would show up, but the fact there are so many farmers here today

is an illustration of the extent of the problem. It makes keeping track

of their animals difficult. An uncomfortable thought for the

victims is that the culprits are likely to be other farmers. It is a

disgrace. It is also a disgrace on the farming community, someone

amongst ourselves would do this. The whole thing is built on trust. You

expect to get the sheep returned because you trust everyone. The

police intend to step up efforts to prevent thefts. The farmers here

clearly depend on it. You're watching Look North, still to

come: Jeff has all the weekend sport. Plus we profile our second

Unsung Hero short listed for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year

awards. And I have the weather on isolator in the programme. `` on is

later in the programme. As we approach Remembrance Sunday,

one of the last of the "few" ` the RAF fighter pilots who defended our

skies in the Battle of Britain ` is preparing to lay the wreath at his

local church in Cumbria. John Nicoll was a Hurricane pilot who was

awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Graham Moss has been to meet

him. John Nicoll celebrated his 93rd

birthday this week. But on Sunday his thoughts will turn back seventy

years to when he was a young RAF fighter pilot. I just happened to be

the right age at the right time, and all I wanted to do, really, was to

shorten the war. He flew unarmed Hurricanes on reconnaissance duties

during the desert battle in el Alamein and later in combat in the

Mediterranean. We thought we were going to be attacking tanks, because

we had practised on a roll of captured tanks. But we found to our

horror that we were going to be attacking shipping instead. And for

sinking enemy ships, he's unsure of how many, he was awarded the

Distinguished Flying Cross. Every pilot's ambition was to have that,

but not everyone achieved it. I am a bit lucky for a few hits on these

ships. They thought that was rather a good show. We just didn't realise

the stress we were under. We were young adventurers, I suppose, and we

have this job to do and we just went on and did it. And John Nicoll

believes it's important to remember. The names of those who died will be

read out. As well as more recent victims. It was one of the most

critical times in the history of this country. Things were desperate

at that time, and as somebody said to me the other day, what did they

say? We would all be speaking German now if it wasn't for people like

you. So I do wish young people could be more informed. And to that end,

one former pilot is happy to tell his Wartime story.

Incredible. Now, we all know that the thousands of sports clubs in our

region don't just happen by magic. There are always one or two

dedicated community figures who work hard to make them happen. Keith

Wilcox, from Guisborough, is one of them. He's been looking after the

Skelton and Cleveland Branch of the Special Olympics, as well as many

other sports clubs in the North East, for 35 years now. And Keith's

the second of our three regional nominees for the Unsung Hero Awards

` part of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year event. Phil Chapman went

to see one of his training sessions. I just want you to pass the ball. I

like to see the goalkeeper picked the ball up. The magic number for

Keith is now up to 35, the number of years he has been helping others

improve their lives through sport. In a simple sports hall, and many

other venues, he is still helping to make dreams come true. I've improved

in football and that, so he has helped me a lot with football

skills. He is great to do all this. He has achieved such a lot and

allowed us to be given opportunities. It is very

time`consuming for him, and these kids love him. For Keith, that this

is best reward, for looking after dozens of clubs and players in

Olympic sessions, all sessions, and of course football training. It is a

great honour for someone to come forward and think about the work I

have done over the years and nominate me for an award. The

passion comes from playing football and cricket and many of the

different sports, and devoting some of the time to help others get

involved in sport, be part of sport and knowing that they certainly

appreciate that opportunity. The love and respect that Keith has

managed to gain over the decade is plain to see here. Even though he's

the gaffer, he can still be seen cleaning up after every single

session. See Philip in his leisure gear

there? You're staying with football, are you?

Yes I am. There's a chance for some of the region's football fans to

start their Christmas shopping tomorrow, because Sunday's the day

for both of our Premier League teams. Newcastle are hoping to

continue their climb up the table, with a 12 noon kick`off at

Tottenham. And a couple of hours later, Sunderland are hoping to make

it four in a row, against Manchester City.

Bent, so often Sunderland's main man, and he's won it.

That was how it all began, with Darren Bent's penalty back in 2010.

Next up, Ji Dong Won's never to be forgotten moment in the spotlight.

And then Adam Johnson made it three home wins in a row over the blue

half of Manchester. To make it four, the Black Cats will have to be at

their best, and City, well, just the same as those last three trips. We

need to find a little bit of a win list somewhere. And then be

practically perfect, you cannot make any mistakes, you cannot give

anything away because you know the quality players they have got, they

will punish you. Newcastle fans are in a happy frame of mind at the

moment. Fresh from last week's win over Chelsea, United go chasing

another London scalp this weekend. They take on at Tottenham side who

made it four wins out of four in their Europa league qualifying

group. Jermain Defoe topped off the evening and became Spurs' top scorer

in Europe. It is tough. I don't think it is fair on Spurs' players

are our players last year. It is very difficult, in the modern game,

with the demands of the modern game, that those demands are put on those

players. Whether we benefit from it, we will have to wait and see.

In the Championship, as we mentioned last night, Middlesbrough are at

home to a Watford side who've just slipped out of the play`off picture.

There'll be commentary from the Riverside as usual on BBC Tees, as

stand`in Boro boss Mark Venus looks to make another pitch for a

permanent job. Now four of our clubs are involved

in the FA Cup First round. Tonight, York City manager Nigel Worthington

takes his side to Bristol Rovers, hoping a good Cup run can put some

life into their League Two campaign. No such problems for Hartlepool

United, who host League One's bottom side Notts County tomorrow ` with a

couple of trophies in the Victoria Park cabinet already!

Just a few months into his first management job, and Colin Cooper has

the first of what he hopes will be many manager of the month awards on

his desk. But he is characteristically modest about his

achievement. I'm very pleased. I have only been in for a short space

of time but I am loving every minute of what I am doing, and because of

hard work from the players and the staff, October has been a good month

for us. It is a bit of recognition, a pat on the back for everyone.

Cooper isn't the only one to be recognised. Luke James has earned

player of the month award, scoring crucial goals. I never thought in a

million years I would win something like this. A few weeks ago, awards

were the last thing on anyone's mind. Relegated from league one last

season, Hartlepool were bottom of league two with only one league win

to their name by the end of September. But after four straight

wins, they are now just three points off a play`off place, so what's

changed? Everything just clicked, it took awhile for the players to gel.

We will hopefully continue that into this month. Cooper is not worried

about the curse that reportedly accompanies the managers award. But

with three games in six days it will be tough to keep the winning run

going. Everyone is feeling good about themselves. I want to have a

great week, get three points on the board, but football is not an exact

science. And Colin Cooper is not the only one to win the manager of the

month award. Gateshead's Gary Mills as one the Conference prize. He

takes his side to Oxford. BBC Cumbria will have commentary of

Carlisle United's trip to Borehamwood.

Just a few months into his first management job and Colin Cooper has

the first Now, it's nearly 25 years since the

North East hailed its only officially`recognised World boxing

champion. But Glenn McCrory may soon be joined in the region's hall of

fame by a roofer, who's had to wait until his early thirties to scale

the sporting heights. Mark Tulip's report contains some flash

photography. Hard to believe but it was back in

1989 that County Durham's Glenn McCrory put Stanley on the boxing

map by winning the IBF World cruiserweight title. Now, almost a

quarter of a century on, the roofer turned pro boxer Stuie Hall, who's

33, is hoping to do the same for Darlington next month. Hall, likened

by his promoter to an excellent second hand car with low mileage,

will find himself in boxing's showroom fighting South African Vusi

Malinga for the vacant IBF bantamweight crown. It's all a bit

rags to riches. It's a fairy tale, really, when he came to me he had

come off two losses. I knew he had it in him. He had learned from these

losses anyway. He has plenty of ability. He is against a tough lad

from South Africa, I am very confident he can pull it off. Hall,

who turned pro in 2008, gets his opportunity at the Leeds Arena on

December 21st thanks to the complicated boxing politics which

saw Jamie McDonnell relinquish his world title. He wants to emulate

Glenn McCrory's 1989 success. I can't wait to be the second world

champion from the north`east. It really is going to happen. I haven't

been in loads of fights. My opponent is 34, but he is an old 34`year`old,

which often in the later rounds will help me. Hall took part in Glenn

McCrory's period`themed golf day near Stanley in the summer.

Legendary status from becoming a World champion would be some

Christmas present. Good luck to him and all the

competitors taking on the 160 mile Roger Albert Clark Rally over the

next three days. 23 stages, right through our patch, between Pickering

in North Yorkshire and Brampton near Carlisle, taking in the Dalby and

Hamsterley Forests, Croft Circuit and reaching as far north as Hawick

Services. Let's hope the weather holds up for them.

A week tonight Look North will be live in Hexham for this year's

Children In Need fundraiser. One of the highlights will be a performance

by our region's 200`strong BBC Children in Need choir.

Yes, they'll be linking up with choirs across the UK for a national

performance. Today our choir, made up of children from four local

schools in Hexham, joined up for the first time for a dress rehearsal.

Watching, was Julie Smith. Nerves disappearing, the rehearsal

begins. These children will be singing live on BBC One with over

1000 other children in different parts of the country, so their

performance needs to be precise. I'm still getting a few souls. Schools

have taken on the parts of teaching the harmonies to the children. It

makes my job a lot easier. And as there are sound grows, the

anticipation builds. Together they are ready for Children In Need.

It's been quite exciting, and a bit nerve wracking. Everyone sang

together, the harmonies and everything. Everyone is going to see

us, I am just going to smile. This performance is all about celebrating

the fundraising that goes on for children in need `` Children In Need

and these children are hoping that their performance will move you to

make a donation. It is cute, isn't it? Sounding good

as well. No time for the weather forecast. Hannah is risking life and

limb for us. Hello. It is easy when you have got some help. Welcome to

the ice rink here, opening for the winter season tomorrow. Myself and a

few other lucky skaters have been given a sneak preview tonight. It

could be frosty for all of us on Saturday morning. Let's take a look

at the headline for your weekend weather, feeling chilly with just a

few showers. Many places will be fine and dry, particularly for

Remembrance Sunday. Overnight, a few showers and Cumbria, and you will

notice a few flakes of snow on the map there. The showers will fall as

snow at around 500 metres, on the North Pennines, and the hills of

Lakeland. In the East tonight, clear, starry skies allowed

temperatures to fall to a couple of degrees above freezing. First thing

tomorrow, a frosty start, but a sunny start in the East. A few

showers continue in the West. Through the day, long spells of sun

here in the north`east and North Yorkshire. It stays cloudy and

showery in Cumbria, and everywhere colder than today. Top temperatures,

six or seven Celsius. The mid to low 40s in Fahrenheit. Let's look at the

pressure sequins, this is what is happening in the skies. A ridge of

high pressure develops overnight, making it clear and very cold

overnight. A clear, sunny day for Remembrance Sunday. A change for

Monday, a weather system sweeps in from the west bringing milder air

and potential outbreaks of rainfall through Monday. What will that mean

across the region? Let's look at the detail for towns and cities. In

Cumbria, bright skies on Sunday, crisp, cold and clear for the

Remembrance Day parades. But then change on Monday, spells of rain,

and temperatures leap up words. Very similar in the north`east. Bright

and dry, feeling chilly with temperatures in single figures, but

a change on Monday. Sunny spells and much milder. With all of this is

around, it is starting to feel like Christmas. What could be better than

Pudsey's favourite calendar in your Christmas stocking? Here is how to

get yours: That is the weather. Back to you in

the studio. I am off for a skate. Be careful. That looked very festive

indeed. 47 days to go to Christmas. We will leave you with this. Good

night.