02/04/2014 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

The Hello, welcome to Look North. outlook is mixed. Thank you.

The Hello, welcome to Look North. Coming up in the programme tonight.

We'll still fine you. York Council stands firm after a ruling that it

didn't have the right to punish motorists for using this brhdge

He's already won the Nobel Prize. Now the acclaimed scientist Peter

Higgs comes home, to accept a more modest honour. We'll be meeting the

multi`lingual choir preparing for the BBC's Big Easter live broadcast

from South Shields. And going their separate ways ` but only because of

this labour of love ` which could end up being Shed of the Ye`r! In

sport, we'll meet the young table tennis team who're heading off to

the World Championships. And while the guys have struggled his season,

how will Sunderland's girls fare in the new`look Women's Super League?

There are calls for York's transport boss to resign after a tribtnal

found that fines handed out to motorists crossing Lendal Bridge

might have been unlawful. As we reported last night, the cotncil has

issued more ?1 million in fhnes so far during a controversial traffic

trial on the bridge and in nearby Coppergate. But the council says it

will continue to give out fhnes while seeking legal advice. Phil

Chapman reports. When the latest Lendel Bridge was

built in the 1860s it put the ferry man out of business at the time And

his compensation was ?15 and a horse and cart. In 2014 the city of York

Council could potentially f`ce a much higher compensation bill. If

drivers insist their fines `re paid back. Nearly 60,000 people have been

fined. Motorists have been fined more than ?1.3 million. That

generated ?700,000 for the council. The man who started all of this was

not actually fined himself of course but thinks that everybody else who

was should get their money back The adjudicator is a barrister `nd he

has a copy of what we have got to know, the council have seen this

because they are taking leg`l advice. They say that they `re

taking legal advice but this barrister knows what he is on about

because it has made people stand up and think a little bit. He has said

about the signage and all the different things that they cannot do

because of all the traffic that uses it. We have to look at the decisions

and decide whether to challdnge them. We get that the base `nd then

we can form of you. We do not accept it. It is a dark day for Jacque and

it is farcical. I think now that the Labour Cabinet member has got to

take responsibility. It has been a nightmare from start to finhsh. Some

would say go ahead with the trial and some wouldn't. The whold process

which even he himself has s`id that the signage is very confusing he has

to take responsibility. Manx in the Cabinet have got questions to answer

but Dave should offer his resignation. The council is now

seeking independent legal advice on this. They told us in a statement,

we will also be speaking to the Department for Transport who

approved signage used for both schemes. In the meantime, the

restrictions will remain in place here on the bridge and drivdrs are

urged to continue to observd them. A killing so horrific it shocked

even the police. Tonight, the two men responsible are starting lengthy

jail sentences. Their victil was 47`year`old granddad John H`ll `

mercilessly beaten with a b`seball bat at a house party at Shiney Row

on the outskirts of Sunderl`nd. At Newcastle Crown Court this

afternoon, 45`year`old Nicholas Rought was given life for mtrder.

He'll serve a minimum of 19 years. And 42`year`old Stuart Smith will

serve 15 years after being convicted of manslaughter. Our Chief Reporter

Chris Stewart has the story ` a story the police say could have had

another outcome without the bravery of witnesses.

At the start of this investhgation we did not know where John Hall had

been murdered. During our course of enquiries, we discovered th`t John

had been murdered here. It was a horrific murder. So horrific that he

was unrecognisable. His head beaten to a pulp with a baseball b`t,

throat cut, 20 fractures to his ribs and his body hidden at first in this

builder's yard. He was less than 20 yards from where he died whdn a

drinking party descended into violence that a judge descrhbed as

hideous. Rought and Smith thought that nobody in the neighbourhood

would help the police but they were very wrong. The police cannot do

these investigations on our own We need the help of the public. The

police and the family are rdally grateful for the assistance that the

community have given us. Mr Hall's daughter had gone looking for him

that night. She had this to say today. The man that we knew and

loved was a family man who loved nature and the outdoors. He would go

out his way to help anyone he could. Nothing will justify what h`ppened

to our dad who will be sadlx missed by those who loved him and `lso who

he loved. Rought and Smith decided to move the body. A CCTV calera at a

filling station caught Rought'scar as he drove towards woodland. This

is three or four miles away from where Mr Hall was murdered. This is

where Rought decided to dump the body. A bad choice. It is a popular

area with dog walkers. It w`s not long before a dog walker discovered

it. Judge John Milford said that while Rought said he had a

long`standing grudge against Mr Hall, it seemed excessive drinking

was a real reason for the attack. An attack without the courage of the

community may not have ended in the conviction of the killers.

Cumbria police have been pidcing together the last known movdments of

a missing Teesside man. 20`xear`old Matthew Jordan from Middlesbrough

left his friends in a pub in Bowness`on`Windermere just `fter

midnight last Thursday. Our reporter Alison Freeman joins us frol our

Carlisle Newsroom now. Is their new information? Today the police said

that they think the police said that they think they knew of two more

times when he was spotted. He went missing at about 12:30pm last

Thursday from the Stags Head pub. His friends thought he'd gone to the

toilet but he never returned. Today police said he'd asked for help at

two other establishments in the town. At the first he asked for a

phone charger or for a taxi to be called. At the second for a room for

the night. Matthew wasn't particularly drunk ` and was booked

into accommodation with his friends just a mile and a half away in

Windermere. Police say this is still a search and rescue operation and

are urging people to check `ny private CCTV.

He's one of the greatest living scientists and a Nobel prizd winner.

But today our region honourdd the man who cracked some of the secrets

of how our world began. Professor Peter Higgs was born in Newcastle in

1929 before achieving fame for his work. Now he's been awarded the

Freedom of the City. Our News Correspondent Peter Harris went to

meet him. He is one of our own. Today

Newcastle on the great scientist. The of the city and a plaqud at a

new science Park. I was born here and even though I did not stay here

long. It is an honour and a pleasure to come here to receive it. You have

received `` achieved a degrde of celebrity. Notoriety. Do yot enjoy

the attention? It is somethhng that I am trying to scale down at the

moment. I am about to have ly 8 th birthday and it is time that I

retired. When he retires he will be remembered from `` for his great

achievements for the Big Bang, and the Higgs bosun that did all the

other particles mass. The h`dron Collider proved that he was right.

He is surely one of the gre`test men alive today. He has already won the

Nobel Prize for physics and by giving him the freedom of the city

of Newcastle puts him on thd part of people like Bobby Robson. The fact

that he has `` he was born on the road from here, it is a tribute to

the work that he has done and the celebration of the science

endeavours that we are making in Newcastle. Those endeavours include

this science park which will one day be home to scientific dismisses He

is truly inspirational. When you think about what he has shared with

the world and what he has ddlivered, to know that he was born just around

the corner for `` from here. It has been the most momentous occ`sion

today. A report out today by a teal at

Durham University claims th`t the care of heart patients in the UK is

inadequate, and has not improved in a decade. The project, led by a team

from the university's Medic`l School, together with staff from

Darlington Memorial Hospital, looked at how clinicians diagnose `nd care

for patients with heart failure The research showed that clinichans are

uncertain about how to diagnose different types of heart fahlure and

who has overall responsibilhty for heart failure management.

A report into the partial ddrailment of a train in West Cumbria, which

was carrying more than 100 passengers, says more needs to be

done to reduce the risks from landslips. The 6am train from

Maryport to Lancaster was south of St Bees Station when it hit two

landslips in August 2012. No`one was seriously hurt. But investigators

from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch say if more of the train had

derailed, it could have fallen down a cliff. At this time of ye`r it's

described as one of North Yorkshire's hidden gems. Thd

daffodil walk at Rosedale h`s long been over shadowed by the f`mous

display at Farndale. This ydar the daffs at Rosedale have been

described as the best ever `nd as Phil Connell reports, a fivd`year

survey has been launched to record and monitor their progress.

It is the time of year when this idyllic part of North Yorkshire

starts to turn yellow. For several weeks the wild daffodils along the

river bank at Rosedale are ` spectacular sight. A well`kdpt

secret which the North Yorkshire Park Authority is starting to take

seriously. I think it is very important. You can see how beautiful

they are. They are quite a different daffodil from the common garden ones

that we see. They are very delicate and it is a beautiful wild flower

that we have. It is important to protect them particularly as they

are only native daffodil as well. A similar walk in nearby Farndale has

taken most of the daffodil glory. Now the daffodils in Rosedale offer

spectacular sights too. And to monitor and record their progress, a

five`year survey has been l`unched by the Park Authority. And ht is

Alex's job to log and monitor the areas where they are expandhng fast.

It takes about five years for a young daffodil to produce its first

flower. From last year we h`ve definitely got more followers in

this area. `` flowers. Residents too are recording the health and growth

of the daffodils here. Helphng the Park Authority to keep track of this

growing splurge of yellow. H love to see them every year. They ghve us a

nice feeling that summer is maybe on its way. It is very important, it is

part of the ecology of the `rea Each year they just get better and

better. And the warm start to spring has encouraged one of the bdst

displays in years. A sight that is hoped that this five`year strvey

will ensure for future generations to enjoy.

Coming up next, the women whth a real Passion for Easter. And the

table`topping table tennis players who are off to France to colpete in

the World Cup. Some breaks in the cloud will not to

lift temperatures. Parts of the north`east struggle to beat six

Celsius. Will things change? It's just under three weeks to go

before the Great North Passhon. The BBC's Big Easter Live broadcast from

South Shields. It'll featurd 12 specially commissioned arts projects

to mark the 12 stages of Jesus' final journey to his crucifhxion.

One of the artists involved is a Middlesbrough based music producer,

who's worked with Boy Georgd and some of the biggest names in reggae.

Here's our Arts reporter Sh`runa Sagar.

I am a songwriter and composer and film`maker. My role into thhs

project is to help the women to former choir. `` to form a choir.

And then to create a song that is meaningful to them. And to perform

it during Good Friday. # Whdn a stranger comes knocking, knocking,

knocking at your door. When we were approached by the BBC to work with

this project we were told to be welcoming a stranger. I am dxcited

because I am from Africa and in Africa we love to welcome strangers.

Every time a stranger comes through the door will you offer thel food,

shelter and a drink. I came here as a refugee. I am a professional

singer. I cannot have all mx rights in my country. To be part of this

song on this project, it is something very, very nice to me It

is giving me a push towards a good life. And sending a very big message

for women in Sudan that lifd can be easy. I was born in South Africa. I

have lived in Middlesbrough alone for over 30 years. I was asked to

join this group of women to sing about culture and to tell the world

about welcoming a stranger hn your home. The kindness of peopld in

Middlesbrough have shown me. It was unbelievable. I would like to think

that we can spread the word of kindness.

And next week, we'll bring xou another report as one of thd

shipping containers takes to the water as it makes a very spdcial

journey to Bents Park to be part of the The Great North Passion. And you

can watch the final event lhve on BBC One at noon on Good Friday.

Time for sport now, and in interesting move by the plaxers of

Norwich City, Jeff? We have all thought to reimburse plans for the

ticket money. Newcastle werd defeated 4`0 at Southampton. The

first team of Norwich got today that `` got together and felt th`t the

supporters deserve their money back as a one`off gesture. We ard asked

Newcastle if they would makd the similar gesture. It is no rdply yet

but we will still get the opportunity to put the question to

Alan Pardew at his press conference tomorrow.

Now, while the men have been finding life in the Premier League tough

this season, Sunderland Ladhes can't wait to make their debut in the

newly`expanded Women's Super League. Three years after missing ott on the

chance of a Super League fr`nchise, the Wearsiders will kick off in the

second division of the new`look competition, against local rivals

Durham, on April 17th. These were the scenes last Lay when

Sunderland Ladies won their third consecutive Premier Division title

making them a worthy addition to the new league structure of wom`n's

football which has seen the original structure of WSL now become two

divisions of ten each. Stepping into the limelight the

girls wil still play their home matches at Eppleton and will use all

the facilities at Sunderland's training ground. Sunderland have

taken us on board and we have got the financial backing from the

football club and it has made a massive difference to us. Bdfore

this it was volunteers and parents who could help on the day. We have

got two fantastic coaching staff members coming. It is exactly what

we needed and we are ready for it. Also relishing the challengd of

quality opposition is the top scorer from last season, a five foot four

inch goal machine. I would not say a lot of them were in the air, most of

them would be on the ground, off my feet. Left foot and right foot, some

headers. Being accepted into the league this year and being given the

opportunity we want to show people what we can do. We want to progress

into the Super League eventtally. It is a great marketing platform to

build on. It is the right place at the right time. The expansion is

part of a wider bid to promote the women's game in this countrx with

great exposure from live TV and radio coverage. Promotion to the top

tier would see them come up against a former Sunderland player Steph

Houghton. The Great Britain, England and Manchester City star. As a

Sunderland fan you would like to see Sunderland in the top leagud.

Knowing how hard the staff `t the club work they deserve to bd in the

top league. They have been successful over the past ye`rs so

there is no reason why they cannot get promoted. I hope so. Definitely.

It is a challenge but we will do it. Changing sports, to a club which

started out in an old school boiler room. It's now grown to become a

centre of excellence, producing some of the country's best young table

tennis players. And a group of students from Northfield School

Sports College in Billinghal, on Teesside, are heading off to France

in a few days, to compete in the World Championships. Stuart

Whincup's been to meet them. Every match is different, your

opponents will not be the s`me, they play differently. It is just quite a

contrast between sports. Eldanor started playing when she was just

ten. After years of hard work and training she's going to the world

Championships. I'm expecting my team to go out and perform as well as we

can. We're not expected to win but we are expected to try our hardest

and do our best. Northfield's girls are used to winning and thehr roll

of honour makes for impresshve reading. They have won 36 county

championships. 22 regional Championships. Three nation`l

championships. It is all a far cry from when one of the PE teachers

started the club 14 years ago in an old boiler room. The age ranges at

this club are 5`85. Table tdnnis is a great sport for anyone. It is

space sufficient and you do not have to rely on the weather. It hs cheap

to start. It is enjoyable so everybody can play. To compdte at

the top level the girls trahn four times a week, juggling training with

schoolwork and GCSEs. Their reward for all this is a place in the World

Championships. I am proud of the team. I am really excited to go We

expect lots of people and to see other countries play. It is the

first time I'm playing internationally so it is good

experience. It is really good because we never thought we would do

this and we are very proud of ourselves. Sporting success is not

just confined to the girls. The boy's team also happens to be one of

the best in Britain. Just time to tell you about a

charity bike ride which is taking place on Saturday, from the Stadium

of Light to St James's Park ` and on to Croft Park, the home of Blyth

Spartans. It's in memory of the former Spartan Scott Bell, who sadly

died of motor neurone disease last October at the age of just 35. From

1pm on Saturday there'll be fund`raising activities at the

ground, ahead of Blyth's gale against FC United of Manchester

Now there's a lot been written and said about men and their shdds. You

have admitted that you have got one. I have got to outside lavatory as

well. Well the days of the len`only shed are ending, thanks to John

Hardisty. He's built a luxurious shed for his wife at their home in

Benton on Tyneside. You could live there. Why? Because she told him he

was spending too much time hn his own. It sounds like a real labour of

love. Stephanie Cleasby's bden to find out more.

Men and their sheds. John spend hours in his. What goes on? Being I

tell you? I come in in the lorning and I do some drawings. I ctt some

class. At 2pm I get a telephone call. My wife has got some coffee

from me. She will ask me if I am coming to bed. Do you think he

spends too much time in his shed? John and his workshop, he spends a

lot of time there and he is a workaholic. After running a bicycle

business genomics stained`glass windows. This one is seven feet high

with the Newcastle striker `t the top. He got the idea after the finds

prose tested after the club stadium St James's Park was renamed. He was

spending so much time in his shed that his wife said that she wanted

one too. He spent two years building this. It is a Russian summerhouse.

It has made it into the shed of the year competition. It is not strictly

a shed but it has been a labour of love. That is where the trotble

started because it was a difficult job. The weather was terrible.

Details on the wall came from my next Tony Bosworth. He was having a

new roof fitted. `` came from my next door neighbours roof. This is

used just for pleasure. I h`ve coffee with friends and neighbours,

or my husband. I think he dhd a very good job. You do not see much of

your wife? I see Hart occashonally. I can remember her name. Thdy are

selling up for a new house `broad. The sheds could have new owners

It seems very sweet, it is ` sweet story. I will not ask if yot have

got the shed. People have been complaining that we

do not have the temperatures that the pad in the south but we do not

have the pollution problems as well. It has been just six Celsius in some

eastern areas. It has been 04 Celsius on the Cumbrian coast. The

wind will change direction but not yet. We are in for a cloudy day and

they will be some heavy rain. There are some showers around this

evening. I would not be surprised to hear thunder. The temperatures will

be only change from the daytime figures. The East will be fhve or

six Celsius. In the West it could be double figures. It is a clotdy start

tomorrow. There will be somd showers around but they will not be too many

showers during the day. We `re keeping that easterly wind. There

will be a range of temperattres and it will be coldest in the E`st. We

are looking at 70 Celsius on the East Coast. You could get into

double figures. `` seven Celsius. As we head into Friday this we`ther

front moves eastwards. It whll bring a south`westerly wind. Things will

change. Having said that, Ctmbria will stay fairly cloudy. Thdre will

be some outbreaks of rain as we head into the weekend. It is the east

that will have better weathdr. Temperatures will be in double

figures. It could be up to 05 Celsius. They will be cloud and

showers but they completely different feel to things. Wd are fed

up with it. It is not shifthng. The glitch or grumpy face. The wind will

change and it will stay likd that. `` look at your grumpy face.