08/04/2014 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Hello. Welcome to Tuesday's Look BBC One we join

Hello. Welcome to Tuesday's Look North. In tonight's headlinds. A

police inquiry into activithes at a funeral parlour after a gridving

daughter is refused the right to say her final goodbyes. A warning that

money problems at UK Coal could leave the North with a big clean`up

bill. Overwhelmed and underfunded. It s

claimed our local charities are running out of cash.

Meet Lauren the life`saver ` a cool`headed seven year`old, who knew

what to do when her mum slipped into a coma.

I knew she was having a hypdr so I picked up the phone and called the

police. In sport ` Sunderland boss Gus Poyet says only a miracle can

save them now. A fabulous fhrst goal for Lee Cattermole isn't enough to

change their fortunes as a thrashing at Spurs leaves the Black C`ts

rooted to the bottom of the Premier League. Police have begun a theft

and fraud investigation at ` funeral parlour after a grieving datghter

was refused permission to s`y her final goodbyes. Pauline Kent had

died from breast cancer. But the funeral director told her d`ughter

Tina she couldn't see the body because of a highly contagious

infection. The coroner becale involved. This afternoon,

Northumbria Police confirmed they're now involved. Our chief reporter,

Chris Stewart, has the storx. Pauline Kent died from breast

cancer. She was 58. The hospital mortuary contacted a funeral

director and she was taken to this funeral parlour at South Hylton in

Sunderland. Her daughter Tina asked to see her one last time, btt was

told no, because of the presence of a highly contagious infection. That

wasn't correct. Tina has bedn asked by the police not to speak `bout

what happened. But a friend says she was left devastated. She is

brokenhearted. She is having to see a counsellor. She has been put on

medication because she is not sleeping. The whole family hs

absolutely distraught and trying to make sense of everything. The

funeral director involved is Tony Clarke, seen here on his colpany

website. Unusually, the Coroner s Office intervened and there has now

been an inquest. At that inpuest, Mr Clarke said a form given to him by

the mortuary led him to belheve there was an infection presdnt. The

coroner said he found Mr Cl`rke s evidence unreliable and if he was

unclear, all he had to do w`s ring the hospital. He said what he did

undermined the integrity thd death certificate.

the hospital. He said what he did undermined the integrity thd The

police are saying little, other than that they've received a number of

reports relating to possibld theft or fraud offences involving a

50``year`old man. And that hnquiries are ongoing.

or fraud offences involving a 50``year`old man. Pauline Kdnt's

body was removed from Mr Cl`rke s funeral parlour and she was laid to

rest after a second undertaker was instructed to take over. We did

manage to speak to Mr Clarkd by telephone, but he declined to

comment. There's a warning that financial problems at UK Co`l could

damage the environment in the North and cost taxpayers thousands of

pounds. The firm says it nedds to raise ?10 million of investlent

within weeks to save itself from insolvency. Now, an environlental

group called the Loose Anti`Opencast Network says the Government should

halt UK Coal's plans for fotr new surface mines in our region. Mark

Denten, has been following the story. UK Coal has financial

problems. Why could that be an issue for our region? Last month, UK Coal

said it was consulting on plans to close two pits in Yorkshire and

Nottinghamshire leading to 0,30 job losses. The firm says it nedds to

raise ?10 million in investlent within weeks to stave off

insolvency. The firm does rtn three surface mines in our region. But it

also has planning applications in for another four and that's where

there are concerns. Calls for plans for those new pits to be halted

That is what some people want. The sites near Whittonstall in

Northumberland, Marley Hill near Gateshead and Bebside near Blyth and

this site seen here at Bradley near Consett. The group the Loosd

anti`Opencast Network has now written to the Local Governlent

Secretary Eric Pickles callhng for him to put a moratorium on those

planning applications. They say if UK Coal does fold and the ndw mines

are in operation there would be uncertainty over who would be

responsible for operating the sites. Campaigners I met agree. As a group

we raised it with the plannhng authority, whose say UK coal would

be minded to agree to some sort of Bond. We do not feel it is good

enough. We feel that UK Coal will go into liquidation and we will be left

with a 40 metre deep hole bdhind us. And I was unclear who is responsible

for it? We do not want the burden falling on the local authorhty,

which is really stretched at present. Any response from the

government? Yes and no. The communities department said they

cannot comment on individual planning applications because of the

role of Eric Pickles. Despite repeated phone calls and e`lails to

the head office today in Doncaster of UK Coal, no response.

Canoe fraudster John Darwin, who faked his own death to clail

insurance money, may be orddred to pay back more of the cash. The

63`year`old from Seaton Cardw, who was jailed for fraud with hhs wife

Anne in 2008, may be ordered to use the funds from a pension whhch has

now matured. He appeared at Teesside Crown Court today, for a brhef

proceeds of crime hearing. @ further hearing, to decide the mattdr, will

be held in May. A Cumbrian town s main shopping street will ftlly

reopen to traffic in time for the summer holidays, after traddrs

complained of a sharp drop hn customers. One end of Cockermouth's

Main Street has been shut to cars since the beginning of March, while

new drainage is installed bdneath the surface. A second section is due

to shut at the beginning of May But Cumbria County Council said both

will be open by the end of June not August, as first thought. Work to

renovate pavements will, though continue throughout July. L`bour has

said it will reintroduce a Linister for the North East if in wins the

next election. The Government scrapped the post and says hts

already handing power to thd regions through City Deals. But the

Newcastle MP who used to be Minister For the North East says its time to

bring the job back. I think it is a welcome announcement. It is good

news for the north`east. Thd appointment worked really wdll for

the Northern English planning regions until the last government.

Even independent assessment, say over the economic cycle, had 68 000

new jobs, between 98 and 2000 and eight. A seven year`old girl from

County Durham, who called an ambulance when her diabetic mum

collapsed while driving, has been praised by paramedics. Laurdn Price,

from Bishop Auckland, dialldd 9 9 after her mum lost consciousness.

She managed to tell ambulance staff where they were. Her mum has since

made a full recovery. Steph`nie Cleasby has been to meet thdm both.

When her mother passed out `t the wheel of the car, Lauren kndw what

to do. Her mother is diabethc and Lauren had seen her father called an

ambulance before. Using her mobile phone, the seven`year`old dhalled

999. My mother started crashing She started shaking and she closed her

eyes. I knew she was having a hypo. I picked up the phone from her bag

and called the police. Did xou feel scared? Yes. Lauren calmly `nswered

questions from ambulance controllers and asked a passer`by to tell

paramedics their location. Her mother, who has since made `

recovery, is very proud. I `m assuming I had just about enough

around about us to know I h`d to get the car off the road, but I do not

have any memories at all. I am very proud of her. We have always said if

mum is not well, and you ard by yourself, phone for an ambulance.

But it has never been put to the test before. The North East

Ambulance Service praised L`uren for bravery and quick thinking `nd

presented the life`saver with this certificate of commendation.

How do you feel about getting that? Happy. If you tell your children, if

you are diabetic, asthmatic, whatever, if something could happen,

you show them how to dial 989 and get help, then they take it in and

they can make the call when it needs to be made. Very brave little girl.

We may think of binge drinkhng as a modern problem. But during the First

World War, the government w`s so concerned by the alcoholic

consumption of munitions workers in Carlisle, it nationalised the local

brewery and pubs. It was an experiment in controlled drhnking

that lasted until the 1970s. Now it's hoped a living history of state

management can boost tourisl in the city. Carlisle became well known for

its nationalised brewing industry. The government's attempt to put a

lid on excessive drinking. Lost pubs were once part of the a

state`management scheme and some here believe it's a unique history

waiting to be told. Now a grant will help kick`start the project. The

first thing is to gather information people still have, their melories of

state funded days. There ard 16 pubs in the city centre that werd trading

in 1916 and we are sure manx people living in Carlisle will havd

memories from their fathers, grandfathers, grandmothers, about

what it was like in the state managed pubs. In 1916 the country

was at war and in Carlisle, 20, 00 people came to work in the lunitions

industry over the border in Gretna Green. With 120 pubs, but activity

dipped. The government had to act and Carlisle became an experiment in

controlled drinking. The first ?10,000 from the Heritage Lottery

Fund will help create a history trail and the group behind this hope

future funding will allow them eventually to recreate a st`te

management`style pub. We want a living history within the ptbs

themselves. Which is why we are looking to identify pubs th`t really

can show off what it was like in 1916, initially, and right through

to 1973 at the end of state management. Still to come in

tonight's programme: News of the old Masters coming to County Durham

this, . `` this summer. And next stop, South Tyneside. Final

preparations are being made for the BBC's big Easter event. In the

sunshine today it looks likd spring, but it feel `` still felt cold in

the westerly wind. I will h`ve more later in the programme. Charities in

the North East say they are struggling to meet demand after

changes to the benefits system. A survey by Voluntary Organis`tions

Network North East found ch`rities are also suffering from cuts in

council grants. Forty per cdnt of them say they'll run out of money in

just three months. It's a forlorn place today, but just a year ago it

was a thriving activity centre for Hartlepool children with attention

deficit disorder. The charity that ran all that has closed. With

lottery grants ended and cotncil funding squeezed, they say they had

little option. If we had not, we would have run into debt and the

trustees would have to pay the debt. It was a decision we had to make,

very hard. Working with young people, it is very hard. I `m sorry.

It was a tough decision? Very. We learned five charities in the

Hartlepool area have closed in the last year. A survey by voluntary

organisations network north`east said over 40% of charities hn the

region will run out of monex in three months. This South Shhelds

charity helps homeless young people get the skills they need to live on

their own. It has survived. 19`year`old Nicole is glad. It has

helped us to learn new things, new skills, like cooking for myself

cleaning up. And general hygienic area of how to fend for mysdlf when

I move into my own place. Btt organisers here have also bden

forced to cut services. At one time, young people could st`y in the

house for up to two years and learn the skills necessary for thdm to

have a tenancy of their own. We have reduced that to six months. The

demand for our services has increased which is partly bdcause of

the impact of welfare of firms stop `` welfare reforms. Also, N`tional

government has reduced local government funding and local

government origin using the funding to charities. `` have at reducing.

The Department for Work and Pensions reject that. In a statement they say

their vital benefits changes are actually improving the lives of some

of the poorest families in our communities. Truth and kindness and

shipping containers! Just some of the ingredients that'll makd up the

BBC's big Easter event on South Tyneside. The Great North P`ssion is

a one hour special hosted bx Fern Britton, and featuring singdr

Alexandra Burke, together whth local people, telling the story of the

last moments in the life of Christ. But with just over a week to go the

pressure is on. Arts reportdr Sharuna Sagar has been to sde how

the Good Friday event is sh`ping up. A shipping container arrives at the

North Shields quayside. Nothing unusual there. But inside this one,

an installation bound for the Great North Passion. Whitley Bay `rtist

Brod prepares his cargo for it's maiden voyage. They will usd this

almighty crane to lift the box on. Then they will come over and lift

this on to the container. And then we have to go on the roof of the

container and bolts the boat down onto the container. This bo`t does

not float? It does not have a bottom! It definitely will not

float. Last weekend, the public were given their first peek at the

artwork ` created with the help of local fishermen and children and

prompting some praise. It looks really brilliant. It is excdllent. I

am not sure of the container, mind, it is almost as if the children s

stuff is on the outside but to understand you have to get hnside

the container. Maybe later. Meanwhile back at the water's edge,

there's been a minor miracld. Finally, after three hours hn the

cold and rain, the little boat has been lowered onto the Sir Bobby

Robson. It is a ship sandwich. We have just left North Shields and we

are on the way to South Shidlds around one and a half miles. It

could be the only time the bottomless boat is actually on the

water. This will eventually be its final destination ` Bents P`rk. But

with just ten days to go before the huge BBC live broadcast, it's a case

of keeping the faith. Here we are in what looks like a field of shipping

containers. What are your thoughts, can you see the vision? Sort of I

agree, it is like a field of shipping containers. But it will

become a pop`up cathedral and an amazing performance space where

people will come inside, 3000, and watch this fantastic show that will

go out live on the television. By Good Friday, 50 shipping containers

and 12 community art projects will be here arranged in the shape of a

giant cross. What is your involvement? I will perform a poem

on the day with children from South Shields community School. Wd have

written this poem. We have decorated a shipping container, a random

kindness generators so that if people step in, they cannot step out

with having an urge to do something kind. So with kindness covered, back

at the South Shields quayside the moment of truth has arrived. And

it'll soon take its place in the BBC's Easter celebration. Alen to

that. It looks fantastic. And you can see

The Great North Passion livd on BBC One at midday on Good Fridax.

The Great North Passion livd on Time for sport. Almost time for the

inquest to begin on what looks like being Sunderland's farewell to the

Premier League. Yes, that's why we've got BBC Newcastle's Stnderland

commentator Nick Barnes herd and we'll talk to him in a minute. First

if you're a Sunderland fan xou might want to look away now. Gus Poyet

says his side need a miracld if they're to stay in the Premher

League after losing 5`1 at Tottenham last night. The Black Cats remain

bottom of the league and seven points from safety and relegation is

looking increasingly inevit`ble Sunderland started brightly enough

and when Lee Cattermole pounced on a horrendous defensive error to score

his first goal for the club with a superb finish you had to wonder if

this was the moment of magic that would help to save the Black Cats'

Premier League status. After all he had not scored in 112 games. But

Spurs were a constant threat and Wes Brown couldn't quite do enotgh to

stop Emanuel Adebayor equalhsing. Luck hasn't often been on

Sunderland's side this season and later replays showed the striker had

actually put the ball in thd net with his arm. 1`1 at half thme

though and the game could h`ve gone either way. Poyet had succulbed to

fans' demands to play top scorer Adam Johnson from the start rather

than as an impact sub. But ht didn't pay off and when young Harrx Kane

tapped in his first Premier League it was always going to be a

struggle. The Wearsiders kept fighting for a while. Ignacho Scocco

almost finding the target immediately after coming off the

bench. But after Christian Driksen put in the third goal for Spurs

With the help of a deflection off Phil Bardsley it was game over and

Sunderland knew it. They evdntually capitulated. Defensive mist`kes

allowing Adebayor to score his second before Sigurdsson put the

final embarrassing nail in the coffin in stoppage time to lake it

five. Fans may have given up hope but tried their best not to show it.

Gus Poyet meanwhile is left pondering life back in the

Championship next season ` just what will it take to keep his te`m in the

top flight now? I think we need a miracle. We need something tnique, a

shock. That is because if not, I cannot see it coming. Fans `greed. I

would not bet on staying up. I hope we do, but I would not bet on it. I

have been saying we have to win this game, this game, and they h`ve not

done it. Deep down, even me, who is die`hard, I think we are gohng down.

I have reviewed my season thcket for next year, although I think it will

be in the championship now we are struggling. And it's not gohng to

get any easier. Next up it's Champions League chasing Evdrton at

the Stadium of Light ` Sunddrland have the worst home record hn the

league. You have watched every game this

season. The nature of miracles is they do not happen often. They done

for this season? People likd to think there will be a fantastic end

to this season, but you are right, miracles do not happen and the

supporter who said he knows that Sunderland are going down, that is

spot on. If we are honest, we have known since August that Sunderland

would struggle this season. They don't stay in the bottom three if

they are going to be out of it. Do you think some of the blame should

be laid at the door of Paolo to can you? He has to take his share.

Realistically you have to look back two or three seasons when Stnderland

have flirted with relegation. They have been on the edge the three

years. The squad is ageing. I think it has been proved they havd been

caught out at this level. They are just not good enough. The players

have beaten Chelsea and man united on the way to the league cup final.

The cup run was a benefit to them if you look to it results in J`nuary

through February in the lead up to the league cup final, it was their

best period of the season. There is an argument playing in the cup helps

them. Since the final, things have gone off the rails. So they have two

left in hand. If they have lost games at home, why would thdy win

three out of four now? So Stnderland may well have local derbies against

Middlesbrough in the Championship next season, but tonight Boro take

on Lee Clark's Birmingham Chty at the Riverside. Karanka will be

hoping last weekend's win over promotion chasing Derby will inspire

his side to a late season strge It's claimed that the biggest

one`off sporting event in the North East this year will be a golf

tournament. The English Senhors Open at Rockliffe Hall near Hurworth is

expected to draw up to 15,000 spectators over three days. It's the

second year running the course has hosted the event. Andrew Hartley

reports. It was, as they say, a lovely day

for a game of golf. The sun shone for the launch of the English

Seniors Open, expected to attract thousands of fans to this course

over the August Bank Holidax weekend. Rockcliffe Hall is a

wonderful club and this part of the countryside is wonderful. The golf

course facility is in superb condition. The tournament, one of 15

on the European Senior Tour, is just for the over 50s. But there are no

shortage of top golfers, including this guy, one of the star pdrformers

since he joined the senior circuit two years ago. You cannot bdlieve

two years ago I was a club pro in the shop selling Mars bars for a

living and now I've travelldd the world playing with the superstars

and winning the order of merit last year. I have two pinch myself. The

decision to award Rockliffe the English Senior Open reflects the

growing importance of the g`me to the North East with a number of new

upmarket golfing developments in recent years. We are trying to put

golf in the north`east on the map. Certainly, we should be competing

with any region of the country, even Scotland, which has the major

courses. We think the coursds in the north`east are as good as it gets in

the UK. The organisers clail the English senior open will be the

biggest sporting event in the north`east this year and thd fact

they can make that claim is a sign of golf's increasing import`nce in

the region's sporting calendar. And some late news. The head coach

of the Falklands, Peter Russell will leave at the end of thd season

the personal reasons `` Falcons It has been on the cool side, dven in

the sunshine. Tomorrow it whll be different with cloudy skies.

Especially in western areas where it will be on the damp side. It will be

on the breezy side once agahn. Mostly dry through the evenhng

tonight. The cloud will increase from the West and eventuallx the

thick cloud will bring patchy rain through the second half of the

night. Most eastern areas whll stay dry. Temperatures down as low as

four Celsius. Tomorrow it is an east and west split. In the east, thicker

cloud and outbreaks of drizzle. Towards the east, it will bd drier

and at times brighter. Most places should dry up by the end of the

afternoon and temperatures similar figures as we saw today. Yet again,

the wind coming in from the West will be brisk. Even in the sunshine,

it will not feel particularly warm. This is the picture for the next few

days. We offered by the weather fronts coming in from the north

which is why there is a lot of cloud around. By Friday, things should

brighten up, although they light not get that much warmer. Patchx rain on

Thursday in Cumbria. Drier `nd brighter by Friday. Not a lot

warmer, despite more blue sky. Still a fair amount of cloud around at

times. The temperature is only making it into double figurds. Cold

enough ground frost overnight in one or two places. Send your we`ther

pictures. We are looking for pictures that say April and that

picture will feature in next year's calendar.

That is all. We will be back at the same time tomorrow. You can join me

for the late news also.