22/12/2016 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Safe haven - the resettled Syrian families hoping for a peaceful

Special delivery - tens of thousands of Christmas cards

continue to flood in for Bradley Lowery.

Retread the boards ? a ?3 million revamp for an historic theatre.

And the first cut is the kindest - free festive haircuts

In rugby - there's a tough Christmas ahead for Newcastle Falcons.

They face the three Premiership teams who're at the top of the tree.

And we'll meet the young gymnasts - back home after a successful trip

Their country's been torn apart by a brutal civil war,

but hundreds of Syrian refugees have found sanctuary in our region.

The Government's "vulnerable persons' resettlement programme."

will offer new homes to 20,000 Syrians in the UK by 2020.

Gateshead Council has taken 121 people so far,

making it the local authority with the third highest

But other councils in the region haven't taken a single refugee.

Our News Correspondent Mark Denten met one Syrian family

The Al Jamal family savouring the simple pleasures of Christmas.

They fled from the Syrian capital Damascus as a war

TRANSLATION: Every day is bombs and a different army in Syria.

The family came to Gateshead under a government programme designed

to bring 20,000 vulnerable Syrians to the UK by 2020.

TRANSLATION: The war and the bombs very dangerous

Her mother died from the war in her country.

Overall 318 Syrians have now resettled in the north-east.

Gateshead has taken 121, Newcastle 72 and Redcar and Cleveland 34.

But both Middlesbrough and Stockton haven't taken any.

Both councils say they already support a significant number

The Government pays full resettlement costs under

the scheme for a year, but are the Al Jamals

in a house that could have gone to a local person?

In terms of people really needing housing, having

an urgent need for housing, we are able to respond.

We need to meet the needs of the people of Gateshead

The UK has taken in 0.1% of the total Syrian refugees

How are these families selected for resettlement in the UK?

They haven't just turned up on our doorsteps. They have been selected

by the British government from refugee camps and places like

Lebanon. They have been security ref -- security vetted there and come

over here so they haven't just been come, they have been selected,

partly to avoid the tragic scenes we have seen of people using

overcrowded boats and with the tragic loss of life we have seen

there. The Government will pay local authorities ?8,500 per refugee for

the first year they are here. There are challenges ahead. After five

years just drops to just ?1000 and some figures involved 10,000 school

places according to the National Audit Office will be needed if we

have those numbers by 2020. A bus driver who's been charged

with causing the death of a pensioner in Darlington has

appeared in court. 82-year-old Eileen Brennan

died after the accident Michael Gilbert, of

Middleton St George, near Darlington, appeared before

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates and the case was adjourned

to Teesside Crown Court in January. A County Durham man who siphoned

over a quarter of a million pounds from the estates of deceased clients

has been jailed for four years. 67-year-old John Dowson

from Ingleton ran a will writing and probate business,

but when his company hit financial trouble around six years

ago he began dipping Durham Crown Court was told he's

selling the family home Now, a restaurant offering more

than just a good meal is set It's offering jobs to ex-offenders,

the long term unemployed The Fork in the Road aims to fill

20% of its posts with people who find it difficult to find jobs

because of a past prison sentence - It's the idea of Teesside charity

leader and businessman Andy Preston, who claims it'll be the first

in the country. Our Business Correspondent

Ian Reeve reports. It may not look like it,

but Middlesbrough's newest bar, cafe and restaurant is due to open

on Christmas Eve. So I think initially it was your

idea to have the performers here. I think we can do that a few nights

a week, all kinds of acts. And the man behind it

sincerely hopes it will. It's a venture, he says,

that is desperately needed. The aim here is to have 20%

of the staff made up of former offenders,

long term unemployed What we're going to do

is give people a chance who want to rebuild their life,

to really have a go at that. And if we can get just a small

number to improve their lives, rejoin society, pay tax,

that's a beautiful thing. At just 18, this is his first job

after nearly two years in a young I didn't think I was going

to get a job, but Andy 's Being told that it could lead to me

getting a better job. As well as full time jobs, such

as here in the restaurant kitchen, volunteers are being recruited

for a bar that won't serve alcohol. Referred here by

a Middlesbrough-based We work with many people

from all different backgrounds, they've got a lot of skills,

a lot of experience, qualifications, but they just need that first step

to help back into the arena of work. But what do other staff make

of working alongside those with past or current issues of offending

or addiction? I have I think the area really will benefit

from something like this. Once you've served your time,

to move on and be able to be given To put that into practice,

this place needs to open Now, he's the little lad

from County Durham who's really unlocked the spirit

of Christmas in 2016. Five-year-old Bradley Lowery has

neuroblastoma but his cheerful smile and thumbs-up have endeared him

to hundreds of thousands Adopted by Sunderland

as their mascot at two high-profile games, football fans started

sending him Christmas cards and he's Well, tonight that total has surged

again with further truckloads of mail delivered to his home

village of Blackhall Colliery. Wow, look exactly. This is a story

that has captured people's hearts. As we already know this little boy

has received thousands of cards already and tonight here at the

local community centre at the latest batch has been countered by this

massive team of volunteers. We talk of 250,000 cards already received.

There are rumours here tonight that a new world record is being set.

Earlier Bradley and his mum were here and they told me what all this

mentor them. It just means Bradley will leave a bit of a legacy and

that means a lot because it is heartbreaking to supplement and

everything but the sapling means he will leave this behind and hopefully

help children in the same position as well. You are the friend that has

organised all this, I guess this is exceeding your expectations? It

really has. A short post on Facebook and the whole community has

involved. Tell us about the new world record you think you have set.

The world record last time I checked was 200 and 8000. At the moment just

only post office cards we have had 230 4000. There are boxes of cards

so we have well exceeded it. Clearly this is a difficult time for this

family. What kind of difference do you think these cards are making? It

makes the world of difference. We have but this place on the map with

Bradley. A little five-year-old boy with a stool in the hearts of the

world. People are taking -- -- has stolen the hearts of the world. What

kind of things have people been saying in the cards? Jokes. People

who have been through similar situations, some with good and bad

results. People are saying they have been there and you will get through

it. This has really brought the community together. It has. One post

office book, one have said that they are coming to help us. It is a busy

time of year and they have still taken the time to come and help. I

can't thank them enough. With 250,000 cards already received the

new record could be confirmed soon. It is making a real difference to

this family. Absolutely, thank you. I hope there is a few selection

boxes in there. You would like that, Bradley, wouldn't you?

Now, Peggy Ashcroft, Cleo Laine and even a young

A Cumbrian theatre built by a flamboyant Hungarian will soon

Almost ?3 million has been spent giving the Rosehill Theatre

Built in an age before hard hats and hi-vis,

Rosehill was once at the centre of Britain's theatrical circuit.

Today plans to bring it back into the limelight

We go through here, which is the main new entrance,

whether you are coming into the theatre or the restaurant

This is the box office reception area there.

A lift to go up to the first floor and the second floor,

the second floor has the restaurant, the kitchen and restaurant

with the terrace looking over the Solway Firth.

There are still some challenges ahead in getting everything

open and up and running, but very exciting and all the more

so because of the great community engagement,

the great community support behind it.

A much loved facility community, fundraising and donations have

Now it's hoped the new restaurant will drive commercial

revenue and the theatre will regain its position

I think it will change the attitude to culture and performing

It is an absolute jewel in the crown of the area and we expect to have

top international artists here as well as community

The theatre was the idea of Sir Nicholas Sekers,

a Hungarian immigrant who founded West Cumbria's once

He worked with Oliver Messel, one of the foremost stage designers

of the 20th century, to create Rosehill's

Early doors, this project, we decided to leave the stage

and auditorium as they were, not only because it is the jewel

in the crown, the centre of it all, but if you change the geometry

of the place, one might as well have knocked it down and started again.

The seats have gone down to near Warrington to be refurbished.

The Sekers fabric that is on the walls, it will all come down

and be replaced by a new generation of Sekers fabrics.

We have also got, rather wonderfully in the stalls, an orchestra pit,

a small orchestra pit, so it has been given

a new lease of life based on this remarkable history.

The theatre is expected to reopen early next year.

Still to come - Jeff has the sport and we meet the barber who's

providing Christmas haircuts for the homeless.

Walking netball is the slower version for women who want

Batten down the hatches. A stormy run-up to Christmas. Join me shortly

with the full forecast. Join me shortly with

the full forecast. This week we've been bringing

you stories featuring ordinary Tonight we meet a Newcastle barber

who's turning over his business on Christmas Eve to give free

haircuts to the homeless. Paul Lishman says it's about helping

people keep their dignity, at a time when others

are concentrating on He's also persuaded local

businesses to get involved - It's just a normal working day

for Paul Lishman, but this Because on Christmas Eve

he and a female colleague will offer their services

to homeless men and women, for free. He says he got the idea

from watching this There is not enough charities that

deal with the homeless in Newcastle or anywhere else in the city. There

is nowhere for them to go on Christmas Eve.

It's a simple gesture, but not one Paul has seen

If me and my mum goes shopping she always gives them a favour and she

feels so guilty about sit, so she always give them money. -- five. I

always think, give them a free haircut, give them a free shave.

Paul has also recruited local businesses, who will bring food,

clothing and toiletries to donate on the day.

Those who work with the homeless are full of praise.

Amazing. Absolutely amazing, but one person can have that thought and the

whole person -- process is snowballing. It makes you realise

how lucky you are spending Christmas but Lawson and if you spend a few

hours making someone else's Christmas a little bit better you

have done a good job. All through the year these people are invisible,

they step over them and step around them and they are people with

dignity and self-respect and it matters to them, it matters that

they look mate and that they dump the commerce. -- if they don't look

homeless. You can find Paul's barber shop

near Newcastle's central library. They'll offer as many free haircuts

and shaves as they can A lot of people give to charity but

not enough people give something back and do it themselves. They

think I will throw ?30 or ?40 there, but poll is doing it, he doesn't

know how many people are going to turn up. -- Pol.

Now, you may have heard of walking football ? well,

A team sport for people who don't want to go full pelt -

and it's taking off in Northumberland.

The Wentworth Leisure Centre in Hexham now has a weekly match

for people of all ages, abilities and fitness.

A lot of us get to an age where we can't lay netball. It is amazing how

quickly you can walk when you're chasing a ball. It doesn't mean you

push yourself. It is part of being a team again. With the age I am and

giving up work and not giving up exercise. It is great. I tried aqua

fit which I enjoyed but you don't seem to get the work-out. And I

leave here I am absolutely worked. Perhaps that is because it is just

too tempting to perhaps just break into the tiniest of runs. But

enthusiasm is key especially when you consider how many years it is

since these women played netball. 15. 26. 32. 56. 52. Seven. 44. Last

night. Last week someone had a pedometer on their arm and they

walked two miles and that was unbelievable because you don't feel

like you walk the distance at all. It is designed for people who have

come back from injury forced to want to exercise but don't want to go to

the gym. They want to play sports or they might be really tired from

sport. They just want to exercise but it is very recreational so it is

all about the cup of tea at the end and making new friends and having a

laugh and the ability to do it at your own level.

It is pacey. How come you were only watching? I didn't have my trainers.

Talking of movement, managers on the move. Alan Pardew the former

Newcastle manager sacked by Crystal Palace. The big money is on some

holiday sticking over. It could get interesting. We will start with

Rugby Union. Newcastle Falcons are

currently seventh in rugby union's Premiership -

enjoying their best start But the festive period

may not deliver much in the way of good cheer

- or points. Fresh from an impressive win over

Lyons in the European Challenge Cup, Dean Richards' side face

the league's top three teams over First up it's a 600-mile

round trip to leaders The Falcons have celebrated some big

wins this season including beating Harlequins and Northampton,

but Sarries don't concede many points and will

punish every mistake. I think what is good about them is

that they go about their job and they do it relentlessly and

accurately. They don't make many mistakes, they have a game plan that

something is boring but actually is really effective and it enables them

to win games so they go about it and they don't deviate from it at all so

any after Fraser quite easy to put prepare for but you have to be right

on your game to make it happen. Easy to prepare for

but not easy to beat. And although a Christmas Eve trip

to Allianz Park may not be on everyone's wish list,

it means the players will at least be able to enjoy

Christmas Day for a change. I can have a bit of Bucks fizz in

the morning which would be nice. It will be good to make a real

difference, Christmas is fun as well, it is good for the young kids

and you can relax and not worry about eating too much for playing on

Boxing Day. You can have it proper Christmas dinner? I can have two if

I want. I don't have to worry about the next

Overeating will be the least of their worries with clashes

against second-placed Wasps and third-placed Bath,

who've both beaten the Falcons heavily this season, to follow.

On to football, and the Middlesbrough winger Viktor Fischer

is out of the club's Christmas and New Year programme

The damage the 22-year-old suffered early in Saturday's 3-0

Premier League win over Swansea is expected to keep

him on the sidelines for up to three weeks.

We'll have a full Boxing Day preview in tomorrow's Look North,

when we'll follow Boro's players spreading a bit of goodwill

Top of the table at Christmas guaranteed, Championship leaders

Newcastle United face back-to-back home games before the New Year,

starting with the tricky Boxing Day visit of sixth placed Sheffield

Although the Magpies' away record is currently better,

they have won seven out of ten league games at St James' Park,

where the players appreciate the help the crowd can give them.

Yeah, they have been there all season and it has been amazing

playing at home. It has been a big boost for us it has been one of the

main reasons we are top of the league. The support that they give

us at home and away has been phenomenal so far and we just hope

it continues and we can stay at the top of the league. Hopefully we can

get the home fans going and enjoy Boxing Day.

A North Yorkshire gymnastics academy is celebrating

after a successful trip to the European TeamGym

Five of the Scarborough gymnasts - and their coach, Niki Walker -

were making their British debuts at the international competition.

Carla Fowler's been to the seaside town to learn

This is where champions are made. In the training hall of a small club in

Scarborough. For the very first time five local teenagers made selection

for the Great Britain squad competing in the European TeamGym

Championships just a couple of weeks ago. In the TeamGym Championships

gymnasts compete as teams as teams rather than individuals. This year

British gymnasts took their first medal. Ten gymnasts from Scarborough

went to the first phase and gradually people dropped out. It was

really hard work. We ended up with five representing Great Britain in

the European Championships which is absolutely amazing. We are such a

small club but we are getting fantastic results and we have got so

many members. 13-year-old Brodie was one of the youngest members of the

junior men's team that took a bronze medal for their powerful team

performance. It was really overwhelming because we worked so

hard towards it and going through so many phases, worked hard in the gym.

To know the hard work has finally paid off was amazing. You are like a

family when you are altogether. You get so much support from everyone

and it is just more enjoyable and fun. Because of the squad training

it help us prepare and we were all working together really well as a

team. Nicky Walker was also selected as one of the national team coaches

helping this year 's British squad smashed all previous records but it

is not just their own skills these gymnasts are booming. I train four

nights a week, two or three hours depending on the night and I coach

as well here so I help some of the younger ones training to be gymnasts

themselves. There are more than 300 young people in this one club, a new

generation making team gymnastics the team sport of the future.

Fantastic. I'm worn out! The weather forecast

with Paul in a moment - but first here's a very impressive

display of Christmas lights. This festive finery

is in Burnopfield, County Durham. And believe it or not -

it's all in just one garden! Take a bow, Derek and Elaine

Armstrong, who are encouraging people to come and see the display -

and make a donation But will all those lights be blown

away tomorrow, Paul? That is the danger for your

Christmas lights but keep the festive theme going with a couple of

Christmas in County Durham pictures. A festive frosty starred in Beamish

Museum. And some festive holiday as well -- Holly. A stormy run-up to

Christmas. Windy and wet at times but relatively mild. Fairly quiet

overnight before that finally gets going. 12 showers. Some clear

spells. The winds eventually freshen up but later in the night

temperatures start to recover but temporarily down to three or four

Celsius. Tomorrow the weather really gets its act together. We have the

Met Office warning for strong winds, 60 or maybe 70 mph gusts and some

heavy rain to go with that. It is Storm Barbara Spedding the wet and

windy weather. These black arrows indicate the gust values. Anywhere

could see 60 mph. Parts of Cumbria, Northumberland, western parts of

anti-Durham could see 70 mph from time to time and for a time some

heavy rain. -- County Durham. Some heavy rain in the afternoon leaving

behind some bright spells. Temperatures are borrowing to 211

Celsius but the dusty wind will cause problems if you are out and

about tomorrow. It is all thanks to Storm Barbara. As the storm starts

to clear away. It doesn't quieten down that much through Christmas Eve

before the next front comes in through Christmas Day. In between

the warm and cold front that Christmas Day it will be fairly mild

and pretty windy. A wet and windy day for many of us tomorrow.

Outbreaks of heavy rain through the middle part of the day. Gusty winds

from the south or Southwest. These are the average wind speeds. Higher

gusts. Another windy day on Saturday for Christmas Eve. Mostly dry. A few

blustery showers but staying pretty blowy through the day and then windy

again with a Met Office warning out for Christmas Day itself. Eventually

some rain coming in to western parts late in the day. Temperatures of 13

or 14 exceptionally mild for Christmas Day this year. Things do

settle down as we head through Boxing Day and into next week and we

will keep you up-to-date on the latest forecast of IOU BBC local

radio station and of course the app and you can check out the latest

forecast and warnings on BBC Weather website. Thank you. We have got one

more item of news before we go. It is the York Minster spells, remedy

issues they have been having, they are ringing tonight for the first

time in nearly three months. They were silenced when the bell ringing

team was removed in October. Join Paul and I for the latest news. For

now goodbye. Let's make this the best

Christmas ever.