19/12/2016 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

We did not want to hear that. That is

bring this once famous outdoor pool back to life.

Hello and welcome to Monday's Look North.

In the headlines tonight: Battling Bradley Lowery

could be a record breaker - 200,000 Christmas cards have been

And a song for Bradley is storming up the download charts.

Could it be the Christmas Number One?

Silent Night at York Minster as the unholy ding dong

with the ringers means no Christmas bells.

And pooling their resources - The community paying to transform

In tonight's Team Talk, it's been a winning weekend for most

So plenty of Christmas cheer for Boro's elves

and Sunderland's Santas - as well as their managers!!

Last week he was a star on the pitch when Sunderland took on Chelsea.

Last night he was a guest of honour at the BBC's

Sports Personality of the Year event.

Bradley Lowery is the County Durham youngster with a rare form of cancer

who's received lorry-loads of Christmas cards from well-wishers

and is on track to receive 200,000 cards and parcels!

The five-year-old from Blackhall was diagnosed with neuroblastoma

in 2013, and has undergone years of intensive cancer treatment.

Bradley Lowery's story has seen an outpouring of affection. The

five-year-old with a rare cancer, a guest at last week's Sunderland

match and today more evidence of how people have been touched. Tens of

thousands of cards and parcels passing through Hartlepool's sorting

office. A wave of warmth destined for Bradley -- Bradley. Bradley has

200,000 and it has added to the Christmas spirit. It has been really

good and he has reached everybody's hard. The atmosphere and the office

and everybody here, the staff have been wonderful. Lynn has encouraged

this tending -- the sending of cards but is overwhelmed. We didn't expect

it to be this big. The response has been fantastic. We have had them

from all over the world, from China, Belgium. They have the huge

campaign. Australia, USA. On top of the cards, ?850,000 has been raised.

Its original aim was to send Bradley to America for treatment. That may

yet happen but the New Year will see him start a new course of treatment

here in the UK and if his tumour shrinks, he could yet be America

bound. For now, it is a Christmas like any other for Bradley. Born up

on a compassion that transcends the region. A message willing him to be

in festive good health and beyond. And two sisters from Hartlepool

are hoping to raise as much money as they can for Bradley this

Christmas with a song they've "Our Superhero - A Christmas Wish"

is proving to be a big hit for sisters Olivia and Georgia

in the download charts. But they'd appreciate a final surge

of support to raise even Phil Chapman went to see them

at their home studio. Thank you everybody for the cards

and presents and money. Merry Christmas. Bolivia and Georgia have

written countless songs together in recent years but Bradley's story has

inspired them to write an extra special tune released just in time

for Christmas. # Christmas Eve, standing next to

the fireplace, children playing with the same smile on their face. Week

came in and started writing and it all came together in half an hour

and it all felt right. It was all about Bradley, super heroes. He

inspires us. He is so brave and we thought that was the best subject to

make him the superhero. The sisters will be performing best song here at

the Middleton Grange shopping centre on Thursday between 12 and one.

# DuBois the definition of a superhero. -- you are the

definition. We were so excited that it had reached the charts and when

it dropped to 14 in the afternoon, we realised it was possible and the

girls, they've worked hard and we've all worked hard trying to get it out

there. The formation is behind Bradley and we could get him to

number one if everybody was to download it.

Newcastle University says it will investigate the death

of a 20-year-old student who died after drinking too much alcohol.

Ed Farmer was in his first term at the university.

He passed away in the Royal Victoria Infirmary on Wednesday.

Police say he arrived at the hospital in a life-threatening

condition after drinking an excessive amount of alcohol.

The University says it's saddened by the news and says once

the Coroner establishes the facts, it'll take any appropriate action.

Four people are being held by police investigating the murder

He's been named as 29-year-old Mark Shaw.

His body was discovered in a house in Grange Villa

near Chester-le-Street on Saturday night.

Four people in their late teens and early 20's were arrested

in connection with his murder, all of whom knew the victim.

The cause of death is as a result of a single stab wound but I can't

say that this was a prolonged and vicious attack and that he has

It is important that anybody who has any information comes forward

so that we can get these people off the streets.

It's the last day of consultation on drastic changes to health

services in Cumbria and people are still being urged

More than 3,000 people have had their say on the controversial

proposals which could see a downgrading of services

at the West Cumberland Hospital and a change to the running

The consultation ends at midnight tonight after months

It's been a year of firey meetings, public protests and fear

about the future of health care in Cumbria.

This has to be everybody's number one priority in fighting those

changes because it is going to cost lives.

This document is at the centre of the debate.

With a focus on making services safer, most of the preferred options

would see a downgrading of services at the West Cumberland hospital.

Services like childrens and maternity, meaning some mums

could have to travel 40 plus miles in labour.

If ladies have to be transferred over and because of that mothers and

babies may die. If they suffer foetal servers -- foetal distress,

they could be brain damaged. with the loss of inpatient beds

suggested in Alston, We are in dire circumstances and our

lives matter as much as anybody in Penrith or Carlisle or Manchester or

London. Those in charge say they've listened

to the views expressed they insist decisions haven't been

made and the changes discussed Instead we're told this

is about making sure services The public consultation hasn't been

a referendum, is -- it isn't voting on the favourite and is. There are

some underlying problems with the services. The inability to recruit

specialist staff. That problem is not going to go away. It is a

national problem affecting lots of parts of the country and we have to

look at the long-term safety of the services as well as the immediate

opinion of the public. online with postal submissions

being accepted until Friday. The decisions will be

announced in March next year. A vicar's warning that fines

introduced to tackle begging in South Tyneside could lead to many

homeless people going Father Chris Fuller says good

Samaritans will stop giving food to the most vulnerable members

of the community. But the local authority stresses it

isn't targeting those This drop in cafe

at St Hilda's Church in South Shields is a lifeline

for people like him. He's spent time living

on the streets. Accepting food from

strangers was part of life. He's angry that a simple act

of kindness can now result It is outrageous, put it that way.

It is like people taking money off the poor and making the rich,

richer. Public Spaces Protection

orders of PSPOs were South Tyneside council was concerned

about street drinking But the vicar here at St Hilda's

says the most vulnerable could now be punished for accepting food

from strangers and that's not good Some of these people will have

somewhere to live but don't stay They find themselves

on the street and hungry because they haven't got

the facilites for cooking Some written warnings have

been sent to people. However, South Tyneside

council says it has taken Joanne Carter,

BBC Look North, South Shields. The bells at York Minster

will remain silent this Christmas, despite last ditch attempts

by the church authorities to recruit The 30 bell ringers

at the Minster were sacked in October and told they had

to re-apply for their jobs over The bells have been heard since

1361. In October, the Dean stopped its 30 volunteer workers from

working over concerns about safeguarding and vetting procedures.

The BBC understands bell-ringing from -- bell-ringers from elsewhere

were asked to stand and that finding trained volunteers is not easy. It

depends on the willingness of other ringers to come forward when they

have their own responsibilities to fulfil at that own churches and how

the Minister approaches it and whether they are willing to get some

of their own ringers back in as part of the Christmas team. One

experienced bell-ringer told look North it is likely anybody would

take up what he described as a poisoned chalice and ring at the

Minster. They are not commenting about the latest developments in

this increasingly bitter dispute and stop a source close to them that

they would be prepared to come in and ring the bells if the Minster

has a change of heart. Locals and tourists in York expressed

disappointment than bells are likely to remain silent on Christmas Day.

It will be sad for everybody. A lot of visitors come here and they will

be expecting to hear the bells the Christmas. It will be sad if they

don't ring any more. It is important. Tradition, nice

Christmas. You would like to hear the bells? Yes, it is beautiful.

Love to hear them. You always and stop -- you always stop and listen

for the bells. Especially at Christmas time.

Unless there is a quick resolution to the dispute, it seems the

Minster's famous appeal will not be heard over the city for the first

time in years this Christmas. Jeff has team talk coming up and

pooling their resources, community shareholders plan to revive a

seaside outdoor swimming pool. It is looking less like a white Christmas

and more like a wet and windy one. I will have the full forecast late in

the programme. Now, for 70 years it

brought tourists flocking to Tynemouth and was well loved

by local people too. Tynemouth's outdoor sea water pool

had magnificent views of Longsands Beach,

even if the water was But for the last 20

years it's been closed. Now though, there are plans

for a new pool costing Here's our News

Correspondent Mark Denten. From the mid 1920's onwards it often

happened at the town's outdoor Up to the early 90's the place

was a top local attraction. It looks rather sad today. More I

saw them tourist attraction. The Al bought -- outdoor pool has been

closed for 20 years. It was hit by more people deciding they wanted to

take holidays in places like the Mediterranean rather than in the UK.

Could this place be heading for a new start?

And could that new start look like this?

Campaigners want to bring the pool back 21st century style.

It'll be a vibrant space, somewhere where you can look down and think it

looks amazing. It'll be somewhere that people will want to visit.

A grant application to the coastal communities fund's planned.

A community share offer will let people put money in too.

Over ?300,000 has already been promised.

There is no maximum and minimum limit for investing. You can put

whatever you want in. We have had some large pledges and small

prejudice. The average amount is around ?400.

The plans were welcomed by beach walkers today, some

When you went to the beach, you went into the poor rather than you'd pay

your couple of pence to get in. Confess now, everybody knows! What

are your memories of the pool? Freezing cold.

This time we're assured it'll be heated.

If all goes to plan the pool could reopen in three years' time.

Mark Denten, BBC Look North, Tynemouth.

I would love to have the first swim in that. I have said it. Now it is

time for a round-up of the sport action.

Plenty of festive football cheer at the weekend -

one of those rare occasions when most of our teams

The fans love Christmas because the games come thick and fast -

how is it for the players, Steve?

It is part of the job and hectic park of the year.

In the Premier League, Sunderland can enjoy Christmas week,

And Middlesbrough are up to 14th after a Christmas Karanka

They are so much more positive. Good play here from Ramirez. He bides a

bit of time and beads and intelligent ball in. Com and

components. Superb. He doubled it with a nicely taken penalty. It is

important that they make the most of the home games. You mentioned his

confidence there. A big plus for Middlesbrough. Back in form. It was

the best win of the season. We said they needed to take the shackles off

and they look to be doing this. They looked more positive. Wonderful ball

here in. Middlesbrough need to keep this going. They have quite an

inviting run of fixtures now. I am really happy and doubled my

goal is the last few years. I am really happy and more happy that I

could contribute to the team win. It has been our biggest one. Some days

it is football and we play really well. Sometimes we have lost those

other games and today, we were playing in a good way and we won

3-0. I am really pleased because we had good game today.

So, a big win for Middlesbrough, and an equally important one

for Sunderland, at home to Watford - who beat Boro at the Rriverside

Plenty of Christmas cheer at the Stadium of Light -

skipper Jermain Defoe giving a warm welcome back to defender

Younis Kaboul - who mysteriously left the club early in the season.

And even a smile from the assistant when he was taken out

Not so happy - Watford boss Walter Mazzarri.

So important to score. Don't know how he missed that! The left back is

turning out to be one of the best attackers. He is unlucky not to

score there. What is he doing playing centre forward? He realises

Jermain Defoe isn't going to score there. Jordan Pickford starring yet

again. Recovers well and makes a good blog. The issue is can

Sunderland keep hold of him? Clean sheet, very important.

As soon as I scored the goal, we didn't want to get a goal behind. We

kept a clean sheet. It was a must win today. Especially over the

Christmas period, we have some tough games. The player has done great

today. A bit ugly at times. Three points were the big things that we

needed. So this is how the table

looks - Sunderland off Boro four points

above the drop zone. Nearly at the midway point, Steve -

what do you think? West Ham and Leicester are in false

positions. Sunderland have the big experience to get out of it. Burnley

will struggle but have got themselves back in the mix.

In the Championship, Newcastle couldn't be doing better

than they are at the moment - they're in the number

one spot for Christmas, guaranteed by a hard-earned

Dwight Gayle getting them off the mark!

Rafer Benitez, his first visit. So important to them. He is really

positive and some days it doesn't come off. Richie does well and waits

for music. Is that an own goal? One for the dubious goals committee,

definitely. Burton straight back into wet. Newcastle, mentally and

physically, they look very strong. We see an example of this. It is a

fine finish. Shaping it ran the goalkeeper. Took a battering in the

second half. Showing that resilience. They are a strong side.

You mentioned that resilience there that you need. Two games in the

week. Didn't play well in both. Two big winds to keep on top of the

league. It is looking like a two horse race. Newcastle at the top.

Brian, is that to you fancy? Yes, I think they'll go up. If they were to

go up, I would be very happy. In League Two, Hartlepool upset

the odds - and a few punters, I would imagine -

by picking up a point at Portsmouth. Keith Curle will enjoy

watching this one again, even if it wasn't Christmas,

we'd still call this goal a real cracker

from defender Shaun Brisley - It completely deceived the

goalkeeper. Time and time again, we see quality delivers from Carlisle.

Sitting pretty. Showed resilience because they conceded in the second

half. This is how the table locks and they are looking good. Seven

points clear. Good opportunity for them. What a great point. Worst

defensive record in the league. A long ride herd made better on the

back of a clean sheet. Six teams sharing two points between them. To

close the comfort. Hopefully they can be steered clear of trouble but

they need to get a move on. And Darlington have been given

the go-ahead to return to the town, Thanks again, Steve - watching much

football over Christmas? Guess hoping to get a couple of

games in. On to basketball,

and congratulations to Newcastle Eagles

through to the final of the BBL Cup The Eagles had a seven

point lead from the first leg of the semifinal,

but found themselves ten points down, early on,

against London Lions, one of only two teams to have

beaten Fab Flournoy's side But they aren't British basketball's

most successful team for nothing! They battled back in front of a huge

home crowd at Sports Central to win the second leg 89-82 -

Rahmon Fletcher netting 33 points. Newcastle now play

Glasgow Rocks in the final Jen in London gave us this idea that

they weather might be wet and grey for Christmas Day. You have

mentioned it. We will get to Christmas Day by the

end of the forecast. Saturday night, we have Strictly Come Dancing,

Sunday night, sports personality and Monday night is Tree Of The Year

night. The Woodland Trust's annual competition to vote the best tree of

England and it has one. This is one of our favourite spots. These lovely

pictures sent in. Onto the weather this week and it is a fairly settled

start. We are going to see spells of wet and windy weather and it will

win out by the time we get the weekend. There will be some drier

spells in between. It is a cloudy night to come and there will be

spots of light rain or drizzle. There will be some spells of missed

as well. Overnight, we will keep away from the frost with

temperatures dropping down to five Celsius. For Tuesday morning, we

start off on a fairly misty notes. It is a largely dry day and the club

will break up in places and we will see the sunshine, it. By three

o'clock in the afternoon, the it is turning quite breezy and the

temperature will be at seven Celsius. Some sunshine across the

North East likely here but temperatures around five Celsius.

Still breezy as we go through Tuesday night and into Wednesday.

Cloudy initially and we have this area of rain pushing on and that

could be quite heavy for a time. Most of that will clear away

Wednesday morning and the temperatures dropping to five

Celsius. A cold start to Wednesday and some bright spells through the

morning. Some of these are a touch wintry. A breezy day and

temperatures reaching seven or eight Celsius. Looking further ahead

through Wednesday and into Thursday, we have -- it does look like things

are going to settle down a little bit. Here is how things are looking

towards the end of the week. Thursday starts off on a dry note.

There may be the odd shower around. It is a largely dry day. We are

expecting things to be wet and windy. Some outbreaks of rain as

well. This is how things are going to look for Christmas weekend.

Things are looking fairly unsettled. It will start off on a mild note,

quite wet and turning very windy later on in the day. Things could

change, so stay tuned. Before we go, here's a treat for

people in Carlisle and Sunderland. The BBC's Christmas Red Carpet

Cinema Tour will visit both cities with screenings of some

of our festive shows.