10/09/2014 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Hello and welcome to Wednesday's Look North.

A Russian teenager pleads gtilty to making explosives

following the bomb scare at Newcastle University in June

All five of our police forcds link up in a crackdown on rural crime.

The flood prevention scheme that, six years on,

The young couple living a 1950s lifestyle.

In sport ` Yorkshire are on the brink of winning

the county championship aftdr another stunning day at the crease.

And rugby league razzamatazz ` Newcastle's St James' Park will

The Russian teenager who sp`rked a city centre bomb alert th`t saw

roads closed and Newcastle University sealed

off has pleaded guilty to m`king an explosive substance.

Vladimir Aust appeared at Ndwcastle Crown Court via videolink from

Remind us of what happened hn June ` and what happened in court today?

The 18`year`old student spoke only to confirm his name and to `dmit the

charge of making an explosive substance.

This dates back to two separate bomb all arts at the campus over three

years back in June. There w`s severe disruption when the campus was

evacuated, police sealed off roads around the university as well. The

bond is was all squad had to be culled in, and Robert had to sent in

to deal with the substances. The `` bomb disposal squad.

Vladimir Aust was arrested hn London and another student arrested at the

time in Newcastle we believd is still on bail.

And do we know what this man's motivation was?

He hasn't faced terrorism charges, has he?

Although Vladimir Aust was originally arrested on susphcion of

terrorism offences, it is offensive under the explosive act that he has

admitted to. Essentially making a substance that is commonly tsed in

the mining industry. He has not given any more details about exactly

what he was planning to do with that substance, it is possible wd will

find out more when he returns to be sentenced next month.

A man has been charged after the death of

Nathan Smith was killed when he was hit by a van as he got off ` bus

with his mother in the vill`ge of Boosbeck near Redcar last November.

A 23`year`old man has been charged with causing death

by careless driving and driving without insurance.

He'll appear at Teesside Magistrates Court on Friday.

All five of our police forcds, plus the Scottish force and

British Transport Police, have been involved in a joint

operation that targeted travelling criminals roaming across thd North.

More than 250 vehicles were stopped, seven of which were seized,

Phil Chapman joined North Yorkshire Police on Operation Checkpohnt.

Deep in the Yorkshire Dales, simple stop and check police work hs

combined with numberplate recognition technology and teamwork

on a massive scale across the North. The theory is by combining the

efforts of the seven forces involved, each force will bd able to

work smarter, sharing inforlation and targeting criminals wherever

they are from wherever they are going. It is like building tp local

contacts. I have got good contacts with Sergeant in Cumbria ``

sergeants in Cumbria. And also in Cleveland. It is sharing

information. What we suffer from a lot is quad bike thefts and Land

Rover thefts. So we're lookhng for those people who come in to do those

kind of thefts. Some of thel are quite old, they were go into farms

and wander around, and if they are not challenged they will take

anything that is not bolted down. `` quite old.

This was the latest effort hn the fight against travelling opportunist

criminals. What they are behng caught in the wider net being cast

across the countryside. We have been bothered all last autumn by people

driving across our crops, jtst willy`nilly with no respect for

anything. We had was `` suspicions they were looking for dear, and one

day they made a mistake and got stuck and we got the vehicld. We got

a conviction. The intelligence does work, I know of cases where the

police have had a plate number gathered here and they have

apprehended somebody else in another part of North Yorkshire. So I think

the more knowledge we have `bout these people, the better.

Even when Gathering that intelligence means having to stop

law`abiding people occasion`lly they seem happy to pay that price.

The farmer had a quad bike stolen. They cut a hole in the doors of the

building and stole it, and they had an awful lot of sheep stolen by

rustling. So there is a lot of work to do but they are doing a fine job.

A senior nurse who won ?115,000 in a race discrimination case

against the trust which runs hospitals in Carlisle and Whitehaven

claims she's been blacklistdd by the NHS in the north of Dngland.

At an employment tribunal today Dr Sarina Saiger said she's failed

to get permanent work, despite applying for multiple

The North Cumbria Hospitals Trust, the NHS trust development atthority

and a recruitment firm all dispute the claims.

Our reporter Alison Freeman was at the hearing today, and joins me now.

Alison, what is the basis for her claim

Dr Saiger says the most recdnt example of her being blacklhsted was

not making the shortlist for the role of director of nursing

at the trust which runs hospitals in Carlisle and Whitehaven.

Now, that's the same trust against which she won her claim

for racial discrimination and unfair dismissal back in 20 0.

She claims she should have been interviewed,

as she was more qualified than those who were shortlisted

Dr Saiger says this is not an isolated incident.

That she believes she has bden victimised after applying for many

jobs from director to staff nurse across the north of England since

winning that tribunal ` but she has never managed to get permandnt work.

She says the NHS is run by a small family,

with a friends' network, and that she does not fit into the clique.

As a result, she says she has been forced to take

on interim jobs in the south of England and even Australia, a long

What do the hospital trust, NHS trust development authority and

In cross`examination it was put to Dr Saiger that just

because she met the criteri` of the job role, it did not mean she would

It was also questioned why she had left off her application,

the job from which she was dismissed and was the subject of another

As we've seen on the nation`l news, the leaders of all three mahn

political parties were in Scotland today trying to persuade Scots to

"Yes" campaigners say it's ` desperate stunt.

And in our region, people are trying to figure out what an indepdndent

Our political correspondent Mark Denten is on a border trail

this week to find out, and tonight he's by the side of Kielder Water.

Just look at that behind me. I guess the big theme here is peace and

quiet, but I reckon, bearing in mind today's news, if you listen

carefully you can hear the noise, a dull thunder of boots on thd ground,

political boots, from that way, north of the border in Scotland All

three main party leaders thdre today, all for once campaigning on

the same issue, trying to pdrsuade Scots to vote "No". On the third

trial of our border trail `` day of our border trail we have bedn in the

Kielder area. My report just `` does contain some shots filmed whth a

remote camera. Four miles into Kielder Fordst, the

Foresters at work felling spruce today working on while that

referendum debate rages not far away. There is a border between

England and Scotland in Kielder Forest, but you would not know it

when you have foundered. It is just a mass of trees out there. But the

Foresters who work in this environment cross but order as part

of the daily working lives. `` that border. There are times we `re

coming off the tarmac road hn England and hitting the fordstry

tracks in England and all of a sudden crossing the border. There is

no signage. This is a profitable business, and

the Foresters are confident it will stay that way, whichever wax the

Scots vote next week. I'm vdry relaxed about the whole thing. It

isn't going to affect my business at all. We have contracts lined up

Government contracts, so thd last couple of months we have lined up

sort of ?1 million of work for the next four years.

A political reporter, and a vulture. I know what you're thinking, and it

wasn't the perfect match. Btt this is one of the main attractions at

the Bird of prey Centre. Thd boss has no `` no firm views, but Lindsey

of questions. We get probably 4 000 Scottish visitors each year, so

obviously if they do get thd independence, will it have ` major

impact on tourism in the arda? Probably until maybe a month or six

weeks ago, I suppose it nevdr really entered my head. And then wd started

thinking, we do buy a lot of our birds, all bred in captivitx, from

various centres in the Scottish area. Does anyone know what is going

to benefit and what isn't? So, Mark,

is there much sense in your rather tranquil neck of the woods of

the enormity of next week's vote? I think what you heard therd from

the Bird of prey Centre is pity typical, because ironically while it

has been a huge debate in Westminster and all with a smacked

also Hollywood, I think ironically given that Scotland is so slall ``

close, people have only in the last few weeks realised there is

potentially huge change comhng, and that huge changes coming whdther it

is "Yes" or "No". Six years ago, the River Wansbeck

burst its banks and flooded 1,0 0 Today, the town's long`awaited flood

alleviation scheme upriver The river, which had to be diverted

to allow construction, is bding Good news for local people `

and for local wildlife, Six years ago this week, cold,

wet misery was visited upon Morpeth in an unusually severe flood that

inundated a thousand homes It shouldn't happen again `

there are new flood defences in the town itself,

and this impressive`looking new dam We have a number of gates on the

front of the dam, and in tiles of flood gates will shut and hold the

water back. Are you behind schedule? We are a

few weeks behind, but as with any construction project we get to catch

up and get it finished. `` we are going to.

What difference will this m`ke to the people's quality`of`lifd?

Hopefully it will give the people reassurance that they are going to

be perfect `` protected. So the dam has been built to protect

Morpeth from being flooded like in 2008, but he is also been btilt with

regard to these things, which are extremely threatened. `` it has also

been built. Here we are, look at this f`ntastic

thing. This is the white cl`wed crayfish, and the crayfish `nd the

eels that use this river have their own covert hidden behind thd main

structure over there. The converts are in place, so we are

essentially putting the rivdr back to its natural alignment. There are

no other animals in the divdrse `` we have to make sure there `re no

animals in the diversion ch`nnel. It is a strange feeling standing

here, at the bottom of what would be the reservoir if the floods came

again, and the water could go to the top of those trees. Clearly better

than flooding Morpeth as in 200 . The modern Noah who's transporting

his ark of animals 40 miles Plus, would you

like to re`live the 1950s? We meet the couple who weren't

there the first time ` so they're And the latest weather, will it be

autumn sunshine all the way, well, probably not. Join me later for the

details. A major new interactive website

mapping the impact of the First World War on people across

County Durham has gone live today. A lottery grant

of nearly half a million potnds will help the region mark

the centenary of the outbre`k of war The project will allow people to

access thousands of original documents

and real`life stories about local An insight into the First World War.

This website will give people access to thousands of original documents,

showing them the impact of the war on their community, and possibly

even their own family members. David Beresford's grandfather, a liner

from County Durham, was awarded the nation's highest honour for bravery,

The Victoria Cross. He was out on a mission with his officer, when his

officer was shot through both fires by the Germans. Discarding his rifle

and all his kit, he proceeddd to try and carry the officer on his back

while trawling through mud for over an hour, still he found a s`fe place

to leave him and then get ftrther help. I am very, very proud of the

fact my grandfather was the first to win a Victoria Cross for thd Durham

Light Infantry. A chance to share stories, but also

discover the many as yet untold tales of real people.

Behind the website's logo lhes the story of three `` two poppy is a

soldier sent from the front line in 1917, the year before he was killed.

John hikers sent these popphes from France, he pressed them and wrote on

them the names of the battlds where he had been, and sent them to his

young wife in Washington. She was my great aunt, my mother's and, and I

can remember opening them, being allowed to see them but not to

touch, as a child. They `` their survival story is remarkabld.

Today holds special significance for many in County Durham, as it is the

100th anniversary of the dax in 1914 that the first Durham Light Infantry

soldiers arrived in France. It is hoped between now and 201 ,

people will explore all the website has to offer, and contributd to it,

to help preserve the voices of the past.

One of the biggest events in rugby league's calendar hs coming

St James' Park has beaten off competition from other stadha around

the country to host the Maghc Weekend, an extra round of Super

League fixtures aimed at showcasing the sport to a bigger audience.

And it could be a big boost for the local economy.

The Magic Weekend is heading to our region, and for the first time

in 15 years top flight action will be played in the North East.

All 12 teams battling it out for the Super League trophy will

travel here to St James' Park next May, when there'll be six ldague

The Games are not friendly latches, we will be doing our best to

absolutely knock each other about on this pitch behind us, and one of the

biggest assets rugby league has is its physicality and it's honest

nature as well, and we want people to experience that.

The event's been held at Manchester City's Etihad st`dium

for three seasons, but it's not free next year.

It might come as a surprise that the North East, famed for its love

We have established a tremendous reputation for hosting largd`scale

events, which started with the Olympics in 2012, and when xou look

at what is going on with thd Falcons, just on the outskirts of

the city, it bodes very well for the future, and growth of the sport in

terms of spectators. St James' Park also host three rugby

union World Cup Games next xear And landing these major events

is about much more than what Numbers are predicted to be upwards

of 65 thousands over the two days. I think the fans will have an extra ``

an excellent experience comhng to the city with everything on the

doorstep. Cricket, and it's the second day of

vital county championship g`mes for Yorkshire could be champions by

as early as tomorrow if they beat fellow title contenders

Notts at Trent Bridge, and ht looks Gary Ballance followed Adam Lyth's

122 yesterday with an impressive innings of his own `

putting together a 64`run partnership with J`ck

Leaning before falling agonhsingly short of his century when hd was

bowled by spinner Gary Keedx on 99. They continued to pile on the runs `

Tim Bresnan hitting 15 fours and a six in a confident knock

of 95, before being caught by Riki Wessels, at which point

Yorkshire declared on 532`9. They then proceeded to

take four quick wickets. Notts need 383 to avoid

the follow on. And at the other end of the table,

in their relegation battle against Middlesex, Durham are

in the driving seat after dhsmissing At stumps they were 28`1

in the second innings. And if so, can you remember the

fashions and the fads of thd day? Well, one young couple from

County Durham have turned their home into a living museum

in celebration of the decadd. And it's now earned them a prize

for their lifestyle! Martin Forster has been to leet

the runners`up of Mr and I wonder how many teenagers

would know what to do with this Melanie and Frankie Calland may have

come second in the Mr and Miss Vintage competition,

but this isn't just something they It's something they do everx day

of their lives. No reason, just a love of the

music, the style, the homew`res Things were changing, you know,

after the war, more colours and things were coming in and there was

more, nicer fabrics and things came through.

memorabilia for more than 30 years, and now their home is a livhng

museum. While the couple adlit they get plenty of second looks,

they say for the most part reactions to their dress sense are positive.

Fashion is a merry ground, dvery ten or 20 years it just revolves. ``

merry`go`round. People laugh at things, they say I will nevdr wear

that, yet you do at some period in your life. You may laugh at it, but

you will where it eventuallx. But a few ground rules here ` not

everything post`1950s is unwelcome. Open cupboards and you WILL find

a few mod cons hidden away here Of course, it is the 21st`cdntury. I

don't think we'd like to go back and live it. Nice to choose and have

your modern things as well. aspect for the Callands. Thdy run a

fancy dress shop in Consett, and say they are now planning to

expand their vintage range. Though don't expect any of

their cherished originals collection I bet the summers were back back

then `` better back then as well! Sunshine has been a feature over the

last few days, and cast your mind back to Sunday, the great North run,

because the triathlon was in full flow as well. Peter Bailey tells us

the participants swam a mild in Ullswater, did a 30 mile cycle

ride, and then a 9 mile run uphill. Thanks for the picture, Petdr.

Lovely sunshine there. Tomorrow it will be a misty start like we have

had over the last few days, but eventually the sun will comd out for

many of us. The sun came out for most of us today, there was some

cloud around but it was fairly hatchery, fairly tenuous, blue skies

the order of the day. `` patchy This evening, again we will have

largely clear skies, just a few patches of cloud, and that will

allow some mist and fog to reform. The temperatures in the towns and

cities probably staying in double figures, but like the last few

nights one to outlying areas may be dipping down to five or six Celsius.

So it should we start tomorrow, but the mist and fog patches once again

will live through the morning and we will see some good sunny spdlls

Best of the sunshine through the morning in Cumbria. Some patchy

cloud in eastern areas, and a little bit more cloud than today.

Temperatures not quite as w`rm, but we must `` we should still see 9 or

20 Celsius in the West. Agahn, that night southeasterly breeze though

keeping things a touch cooldr along the East Coast. `` light brdeze As

we head towards the tail end of the week there will be subtle changes.

This is delayed breeze will `` we will probably see more of the `` in

the way of cloud as we head into the weekend, but it is not all bad news.

Increasing amounts of cloud as we had through the rest of the week, so

temperatures not quite as w`rm as they have been. Unless sunshine for

the weekend as well with cloudier skies generally, western parts

hanging on to the best of the blue skies, but it is swings and

roundabouts with more cloud around it should not be as cold ovdrnight

and any mist and fog should become less extensive as well with a bit

more cloud cover. We will rdveal the oldest winner of the weather picture

competition very soon right here, in the meantime if you think you have

the September picture that should feature in our calendar, we would

love to see it. Check out the website for more details. Wd will

keep you more `` fully updated either via the weather app or on BBC

local radio. Pick up your rubbish, come `nd join

us, because we are going to sign you up for that triathlon! Now xou have

said it, you have to do it. It happened for me for the great

North run, you mention it, xou have to do it! Night.