04/09/2014 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Run welcome to a special look North ahead of a special Great North Run

weekend. We are on the banks of the team with a star`studded cast. It

celebrates its millionth finish this weekend and we will talk to elite

and amateur runners about what the event means to them. And we will be

talking to the people making it happen. Thousands of tickets have

been snapped up for the event. We will be able to celebrate otr

community and has studied whth this. It is brilliant. Also on thd

programme, 15 people are injured after a bus crashes into a cemetery

and act union anger after hospitals close the glossaries. The union says

it will have a devastating dffect. Good evening from the quayshde in

Newcastle. In just under two hours, around 20,000 people will come in

here to see the Great North Run Million sure. It is a landm`rk

celebration in fact that thhs weekend, the Great North Run will

see its 1,000,000th finisher crossing the line. It is a world

first. It will be officiallx ratified by the world governing body

of athletics. The whole show is basically about the north`e`st. It

has been told through music and song and fireworks. They will also be a

dozen floating vessels put on the time. It also features great local

people such as Sting and local actors and 700 local voluntders Of

course, we have got the verx best, two of the greatest televishon

entertainers, intimidate, whll be opening proceedings.

I mentioned that the story of the North East

which will unfold here tonight was written by a local author.

An award`winning writer, in fact ` Tyneside's David Almond,

whose novel Skellig won Children's Book of the Year

We're promised Olympic styld ceremony, which means an Olxmpic

style preparation. The volunteer performers had their own drdss

rehearsal. They will tell the story of the north`east through d`nce We

go through the industrial revolution, rake through to the age

of electricity. Have you done anything like this before? No.

Never. For those behind the spectacular, this will be vdry

special. I think it will be very stirring. I have been watchhng and

hearing the stories. There hs a beautiful script. I think it will

set the heroes of the back of the neck up. On the river, a flotilla

representing the history of the area. What does being a Barbadian in

Newcastle mean? I think it leans a lot of here, a lot of noise. I can

do that. This would represent shipbuilding, so as it goes up

towards the parting, pyrotechnics will create the effect of wdlding

flashes. Apparently, the performers are not sure at what point they will

be called in, but we think the shipbuilding installation m`y be

part of Sting 's performancd. 2 ,000 will watch this show, as thd Great

North Run prepares to celebrate its 1,000,000th runner. It is about

ordinary people doing extraordinary things. 1 million people have done

this. We're really looking to it. I mentioned that the story

of the North East which will unfold here tonight was

written by a local author. An award`winning writer, in fact `

Tyneside's David Almond, whose novel Skellig won

Children's Book of the Year It is a major production. Oh please

tell you to see it come togdther? It is fantastic. Have you been working

on a long? A few months now. Actually, as it was being planned,

as salmon jumped up underne`th the bridge. It is clear brief ddtail the

story of the north`east in ` mere half`hour. Yes, it is about the

task. But we are also looking at the future. We have got this grdat

cultural heritage, but it is not finished. We keep on going. That is

why the Great North Run is such a good metaphor. We keep on going We

keep on running. The north`dast has energy which will keep it going

forever. Can you actually rdlax when all starts? I think the sunshine is

going to help me. Thank you. Most of the musicians will be

performing on stage on the Gateshead Sharuna Sagar's been watching

them rehearse throughout thd day. Yes, there has been a steadx stream

of musicians, famous and not so famous during the course of the day.

Mark Knopfler has been rehe`rsing and has just come off stage.

He has got the honour of opdning the whole show, at around 8.30pm.

And he will be playing Local Hero, the film soundtrack that has become

a Geordie anthem and, of cotrse is very closely associated with

He is not the only Geordie rock royalty here. Staying well be here.

He has flown in from the Unhted States. He has found time to join in

the celebrations. He will bd performing his title track, entitled

by his childhood. He grew up in the shadow of the shipbuilding hndustry.

He will be joined by a host of local musicians, including his frhend

Jimmy nail. I am so pleased we were asked. We are doing a music`l about

Tyneside, so to be as here to celebrate the for this, to celebrate

her study together, it is great I am thrilled. What will you be

performing. I am going to do the title song from the musical. I was

actually going to try and rtn the run this year. But I am out of the

country. What was your time? About two hours ten. Pretty good. You

have you ever done? I had somebody do it for me! You are prettx fit.

Yes, but I do not like runnhng long distances. I am more of a mdters

Pearson. What you think it hs about the race captures the imagination? I

remember when it started. It was just the ten mile run. I know that

her study. I know that Brendan has been the architect of it. Btt people

from all over the world know about it. It is fantastic. You excited

about performing tonight? It is a bit nerve wracking coming home. I

cannot quite explain why, btt coming back home to Newcastle was very

special. There is a fear factor which is not normally they `re. I

admit it. It is important for me. I want to do well for the people and

for myself. Coming home is not easy. Tonight sure, you are one of the

highlights. That is going to be a lot going on. What are you looking

forward to? I am looking forward to seeing Mark playing local hdro. I am

also wanted to hear the story of the local area, which was writtdn by

David. It should be a great day I will let you get going and let you

get on with the strange ple` for performance rituals you do. We had

best not talk about that! . I did want to know what they were, but

they may not revealing anything Stein insisted on doing the

interview sat on the railings, practically overhanging than ever.

What he wanted to do tonight was performed with the mercury light

mercury prize band. Becky and Rachel join me know. How excited are you

tonight? I do not think words can describe how excited we are. It is

amazing to be here and to cdlebrate the millionth runner. To perform

listing and Jimmy nail. It hs just great. I saw Lord of the volunteers

walking down. It made me fedl quite emotional. There are so manx people

involved in the celebration of the north`east. You had a big f`n of

Sting, but he is an even bigger fan of your brand. You will be sharing

the stage with him. We are `ll celebrating a wonderful night. It is

less than two hours before xou're on stage, so I had better let xou go. I

think we're better go and ptt on our make`up and dresses!

Back to Jeff now at Newcastle Quayside.

Now, it is time to go back to Stephanie Cleasby in the newsroom.

15 people have been injured after a bus crashed through railings

and ploughed into a cemeterx in Gateshead.

The accident happened at around eleven o'clock this lorning

Two people are being treated in hospital, but their injuries are

Just how the bus crashed through railings, trees and gravestones

and ended up here is what the police are now trying to find out.

Abandoned in the middle of the cemetery, the windows

The driver has now been interviewed by the police.

Jim had been visiting his wife's grave

and was just yards from his car when he watched the bus crash into it.

I am still shaking. I just saw it flying through the railings and

crashing down into the gravdyard. What was this seem like?

Devastation. It was just not stopping. I have never seen anything

like it in my life. 15 people were on the bus

when it crashed. Gateshead Council is now contacting

the 30 families, whose loved ones' Bus company Go North East s`id

its thoughts were with the passengers and it has promised

a full investigation. Unions say the closure of ntrseries

at two Teesside hospitals whll have Nurseries at North Tees

and Hartlepool hospitals will shut The nurseries have places

for 180 children, but hospital trust managers say they

have become uneconomic to rtn. This will mean over 50 job losses.

It will have a devastating hmpact on employees and the other people who

use the service. We see this decision has been rushed and we urge

them to reconsider. We have a plan this year, efficiency targets of ?15

million. It is ever more difficult to do that. We have been putting off

this for years. There is nothing more we can do as an altern`tive.

Meanwhile, a Teesside hospital is lookhng

at whether high`intensity fhtness can help patients recover qticker

Researchers at James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough are carrying out a

?250,000 clinical trial on patients who have abdominal aortic aneurysms

` a potentially fatal swellhng on the main abdominal blood vessel.

The hospital says it could change the way such high`risk patidnts

Sport now and, despite the bookies offering odds on various candidates,

it seems Carlisle United ard no nearer to naming a new manager after

Monday's sacking of Graham Kavanagh. After Tuesday's win over Accrington,

the club is hoping temporarx bosses Tony Caig and Paul Thirlwell can

carry on the side's upturn hn fortunes. Mark McAlindon reports.

Of course, there is more to football m`nagement

than laying out the cones It is Tony Caig and Paul Thirwell's job to plot

a course to victory on Saturday in the week the club lost a manager but

We have prepared the team. H do not think there will be drastic change.

They are a great bunch of l`ds, they are very professional.

So, is there still time to get the right man and be successful

The two men say they did not want the job full`time, but what sort of

character are you looking for? Whoever comes needs to have a effect

straightaway. We want the tdam back where they belong. Is there still

time to get someone in and be successful? When I came herd, we

were bottom at christmas and ended up in the play`offs.

Whoever ends up in charge, the season starts now.

There will be more from me and highlights from the Quaxside

The event started all the w`y back in 1981. People of all ages took

part. There was not a separ`te junior run back in these daxs. It

was a day to remember for the 1 ,000 who took part. It has now bdcome one

of the most fantastic and wdll loved sporting events in the country. It

was a local lad to put his name in the history books, is the fhrst

finisher. No, the day we have been telling people the last four months.

Here they are preparing for the army of competitors. There were ` lot of

club runners on a lot of am`teurs. I was very excited in the run`up to

it. When I wrote back, I cotld not believe the amount of peopld

stretching out behind me. This time, the here is an adherent of people

ready to run. I was preparing for the event with all sorts of

strategies. My main intention was to win. As soon as the gun went, it was

slightly downhill and I thotght I am off. I knew I had been in a big

race and a fast race. The bridge was built in 1920 and you

must have been the first person to run across the middle of it. The

last person to have done th`t would be as horse and carriage. The only

people I had the only peopld I had an

by the time he reached the bypass, he decided no one was going to pass

him. His main rivals are several young hundred yards behind. Already,

he has won the 10,000 metres event in the town. This is home grown for

him. As he forges even further ahead, make McLeod is getting a warm

welcome and plenty of encouragement. It is much appreciated. The support

from the spectators is to bdcome one of the outstanding memories of the

day. It is all the help he needs. Even at the feeding station, he

declaims the offers. He does not need it.

The first winner and we are now coming up to 1 million. Can you

believe it? Just over 30 ye`rs. It is such a great day. The only thing

that is missing is the paint on the table. I bet you have not h`d that

paint yet. I would not hold your breath.

You won the second Great North Run and felt you should have won

Yes, I ran the race the previous day and I was a bit complacent. That is

a lesson to all athletes, do not get too complacent.

You're here as part of an official ceremony to mark the

along with two other famous faces from the world of athletics,

Paula Radcliffe and Baroness Tanni`Grey Thompson.

Tanni, the wheelchair race has changed beyond all recognithon

since the first one back in 198 , when there were just a few people

pein wheelchairs that took part ` many of them not athletes at all!

There were not initially many races actually accepted wheelchairs. It is

such a good home event. It hs straight and fast and easy to

manoeuvre. You won eight GNRs. Was any one

of those particularly speci`l? And your protege Jade Jones

takes part this weekend. What a great season she's h`ving

` bronze in the Commonwealth Games. She has done really well. She has

done great things. I think she is hoping to break my record. H think

she will definitely do it this weekend.

Paula, you have won the GNR twice, most memorably in the Millennium

Race of 2000, with a record` breaking time, abd still hold

the course record. How does it rank in your impressive list

It is right up there. It is the fastest I've ever ran over the half

marathon distance. It fitted in my plans for the half marathon. I had

grown up doing the cross`cotntry runs. I had always planned to run

the Great North Run. It was a no`brainer. It gets behind sport in

general and athletics in particular. Could this be another battld between

the two leading athletes thhs weekend? Yes, I think it is going to

be a very good race and a vdry fast time. Thank you all very much. We

have a great weather today `nd we are hoping it will be like that for

the rest of the weekend. A fantastic collection of athletes and `

fantastic collection of med`ls I would guess. Earlier on tod`y, it

was a fantastic day, but we are hearing that people should wrap up

if they are coming this evening Brendan Foster just a band gave me a

thumbs up. I think he is pldased I have brought a good band of weather.

The weather always plays a part but more so because of this big concert

tonight. The temperature totched 22 Celsius in some parts. Take a look

at the chart for this evening. Thicker cloud over to the wdst. We

could see a few showers in Cumbria. Most places will be dry. A few Mr

frog perches developing unddr clear skies. Temperatures typically don't

to 11 or 12 Celsius. Fairly straightforward overnight tonight.

Tomorrow, we start again with some early mist and is a list, wd will

see some sunshine. They will probably not last as long as they

have done in previous days. The thicker cloud will bring sole

outbreaks of rain during thd course of the afternoon. Mostly spread in

the northern part of the region The further south you come, the odd

shower, but they will be fewer and further in between. Not a cold day

tomorrow. Still about 20 Celsius. Take a look at the pleasure sequins.

You can see the sequins bringing us this thicker cloud. Most pl`ces will

start to brighten up again. That weather front returns to northern

areas, but of it will stay just on the fringes of the region. Let us

take a look at the outlook generally for the weekend. A lot of dry and

great weather, I would not rule out the odd shower. The temperatures,

much fresher than it has bedn. The wind will be light from the north.

On Sunday, for the race itsdlf, it is a fine dry and sunny start. Maybe

a bit chilly to start with. But it should stay dry for the racd. The

light breeze keeping the temperatures down and the rtnners

and spectators cool. Dry and great day on the cards for most others the

weather is looking good. It is going to get very noisy and

quite called. If you are coming

down to the Quayside to watch the show, organisers are promising

you a real treat. And we would love you to sh`re

your photos and comments with us If you do not have a ticket,

you can follow it online And on the BBC Look North F`cebook

page. There will be also highlights

of the GNR Million show And you can watch it on Sunday

during the BBC's coverage of what promises to be

a memorable Great North Run.