23/12/2016 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

The festive shopping frenzy the BBC's news teams where you are.

The festive shopping frenzy continues with calls to close shops

on Boxing Day. Don't overdo it, the call to those

heading out tonight. How plans to demolish this building

have divided opinion. And the mums in Durham choir bring

the final full-length programme of the year to a close.

We talk to Rafa Benitez about his player's five match ban for racial

abuse and find out what fans want from Santa Claus this Christmas.

Last minute Christmas shoppers have been making their final dash around

the North's stores ahead of the holiday weekend.

Hundreds of thousands of people hit the shops today

Some stores are hoping to cash in by staying open until nine

But when the tills finally fall silent tomorrow,

it'll be a only brief respite - as many will re-open at dawn

Peter Harris is live at a shopping centre in Middlesbrough for us now.

It is nice and calm here know. It was horrendous earlier. Although

that is a matter of opinion because some people were here who were not

shopping but just came down because they loved the atmosphere.

Horrendous! He has been working until yesterday

saw it as last minute. It is hard with the little one.

It makes me think I should do shopping online or call earlier.

Do it earlier lake we do. We just came down to watch the queues.

I'm not doing it this late next year because it is too busy.

People laughing, I love it. If Christmas Day offers some respite

it would be for long because some shops are due open on Boxing Day

morning. Some think the commercialism

is just too much. I always look down for road and see

how many people are smiling at this time of year and it is not many. I

know we have to shop but why do they have to be open on 6am on Boxing

Day? Why is it necessary to open so early? Why not 10am?

But there'll only be a short Christmas break for shop staff

who'll have to get ready tomorrow for the sales on Boxing Day.

The shop workers union USDAW says it's an unnecessary

There's nothing quite like leaving it to the last minute.

At The Bridges Shopping Centre in Sunderland, people

were grabbing their final gifts on what was set to be the busiest

A couple more things to get then I'm completely done.

The car parks are full but, you know, everyone's just

You used to have to wait till January for the sales but nowadays

you can get bargains throughout December.

But the next big shopping day is Boxing Day.

I think once customers have spent one day away

from shopping they actually really love to come out on Boxing Day.

We'll expect around 90,000 people through

the doors today and probably between 70,000 and 80,000 on Boxing Day.

Unions argue opening the day before and after Christmas

People are physically exhausted come Christmas Day so on the day they

are supposed to be spending with family and friends

they are recuperating for going to work the next day.

Sometimes Boxing Day is their Christmas Day to see their

children and because they haven't come out to work they are missing

The shoppers seemed to already know though if they'd be

This is the only time I shop, this time of year, and I'll not be

It's pandemonium, isn't it, Boxing Day?

But some at The Bridges seemed relaxed even

Have you done all your Christmas shopping?

Well, the wife is doing all the Christmas shopping.

This shopping centre closes at 9pm. The Metrocentre closes at 10pm. Bags

of time. Don't overdo it if you're out

on the town tonight enjoying That's the message from

the emergency services The North East Ambulance Service

has attended nearly 800 incidents today - and in many

cases they've responded to people hurting themselves

after drinking too much. Here's our News

Correspondent Mark Denten. You could call it the calm

before the storm. Keeping early revellers

away from the city centre. Ten days of partying

for some people. More than 10% of the North East

Ambulance Services calls And those figures

are expected to rise. So, this year, ambulance crews

and police have a new way Operation Ginger is a joint

operation with the police officer and paramedic in a vehicle together

to provide that swift early intervention and treatment to anyone

who made to come to harm. designed to be a place

where people who are worse for wear and vulnerable

can get help. Newcastle's street pastors

will also play a vital role. You may get a call from police

officers for someone in a vulnerable state, especially as the night goes

on, vulnerable females and they just want us to be a presence. We will

often go there and relieve the other services. Last year we gave first

aid to over 400 people and often people are in a vulnerable state and

can save getting an ambulance because we will get them back on

their feet. This mobile medical unit will also

be in the Bigg Market over the holiday period

to treat minor injuries. But the ambulence service

could do without some From a drunk person stuck

in a hole in roadworks. asking whether he was

breathing or not. And a patient pulling

a garden gate on themselves. As Christmas is ongoing, we are

responding to the usual calls as well so off we have to attend a

trivial matter or alcohol induced matter, that is an ambulance getting

diverted away from someone with a more serious life-threatening

condition. but remember the people working

to keep you that way. Pupils from remote parts

of Northumberland who stay overnight at a local school rather than face

long commutes say the possible closure of the boarding department

could damage their education. Haydon Bridge High is currently one

of the few state schools in the region to provide a free

residential facility at Ridley Hall. But there are growing fears

the impending transfer of the school from Northumberland County Council

to academy sponsor Bright Tribe Our political correspondent

Luke Walton reports. For 14-year-old Harrison,

Christmas holidays means a chance to relax and mess

around on the computer. In term-time life's

a lot more complicated. To avoid a circuitous hour

and a half bus ride from his home to Haydon Bridge High School,

he's one of 25 pupils who stay weeknights at the school's rather

grand boarding department which for 40 years has been the

grade-2-listed Ridley Hall. If I wasn't staying there I would be

travelling to or three hours every day back per tonne for its. It is a

good opportunity to meet friends that I probably won't see for quite

a while due to distances. Now the future of the

tradition is under threat. Academy chain Bright Tribe,

which is poised to take control of the school in place

of the council, reportedly doesn't want the boarding facility

as part of the deal. Dad Steve, whose younger son Conor

is also due to start there, says closure would mean a 70 mile

round trip Monday to Friday. We have got many B roads and C

roads. To ask them to do that journey every day would be

disastrous. And the family aren't put off

by a recent Ofsted inspection which criticised facilities

and staffing levels at Ridley Hall. We have hardly walk around and spoke

to the staff. It is a caring environment Andy wants nothing but

the best for the children. The questions hanging over this

place are part of wider uncertainty around education in this

corner of Northumberland. Ever since the Haydon Bridge High

was put into special measures by Ofsted, it's been in line

for a takeover by academy chain Bright Tribe, but that's not

yet complete. us it was "concerned

about Ridley Hall's future" and transferring the school

without the boarding facility left families "in a very

difficult situation". The Department for Education says

it's "working with the council to ensure a good sponsor

for the school". For the Bright Tribe,

it's a row it could do without. The academy trust already

faces a potential strike here at its Whitehaven Academy

in Cumbria after a damning Ofsted. It'll be eager avoid similar

controversy in Northumberland. A 1960s concrete block in Durham -

built in an architectural style known as "brutalist" -

could be demolished, after the government

refused to have it listed. Durham University wants

to demolish Dunelm House student's union in New Elvet,

and replace it with a performance space that'll also be

open to the public. But the move has mobilised fans

of the landmark building. They're organising petitions

to save what they claim is a distinguished part

of Durham's cityscape. Our Business Correspondent,

Ian Reeve, reports. Dunelm House beside

the River Wear at Durham. It's either a brutalist masterpiece

or a concrete carbuncle. That is, if you're either

a supporter or an opponent of the building threatened

with demolition. Newcastle architect James

is a firm supporter. Petitions to save

have been drawn up. Academics and students have

voiced their opposition. It is a brilliant building in the

way it responds to the city and staggers in form. It is very polite

for a modernist building. The building has been

here since 1966. It belongs to Durham University

which would like to demolish it The claim is, it's too

costly to refurbish - It is equally expensive to demolish

and expose of a building. We did some cost comparisons against

similar buildings at the University, new buildings are more expensive per

square meeting than the prices quoted by Durham University to

refurbish. I would see as an architect we should be reusing and

recycling buildings rather than disposing of them because we don't

like the way they look. The government has refused

to list the building. Although comments are being taken

before a final decision on immunity Fans of the building

say that it complements That was designed by

Newcastle-born Ove Arup. Considered to be one of the greatest

engineers of the 20th century, Property agent Craig

and his colleagues have a view of the brutalist block

from their office. I don't think it is a very

attractive building. It is quite ugly. It has got chips, the roof has

moss on it. It is not well maintained and not nice to look at,

especially with the Cathedral and the castle in the background. Durham

is a beautiful city and that does not fit in.

Durham University has said that if demolition occurs, the replacement

building will be of high quality. A world-class design for this most

sensitive location. Steve Harper referred to this not

being much of a holiday time for footballers.

The fans love it though. Let's start with our

Premier League clubs who - after spending part of the week

handing out gifts to children in local hospitals -

will be hoping NOT to come home empty-handed from their Boxing Day

matches in the North West. Young fans at Sunderland's Royal

Hospital got an early Plenty of supporters will be asking

Santa for at least point on Boxing Day when David Moyes

returns to Manchester United, where he replaced Sir Alex Ferguson

in 2013 only to be sacked I was definitely unfairly treated. I

think you need to look and see that other managers have come and gone

and it has been difficult for them as well. It was a great privilege to

manage the club so I'm looking forward to going back.

Sunderland willl be without midfielder Adnan Janusaj

who isn't allowed to play against his parent club

and they have several long-term injuries,

including Jan Kirchoff who's out for 12 weeks after knee surgery.

With the squad looking and thin and the club admitting they've

little money to spend in January's transfer window, it's even more

vital they keep hold of their best players,

including their star striker, who's been linked with West Ham.

Jermain Defoe is very valuable to us because of the goals he scores. He

would give us our best chance of being a Premier League team, having

him and his calls. I would be very, very surprised if there was any

business done. Hospital's probably the last place

youngsters want to be in the run-up to Christmas but children

at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough have something

to tell their friends after members of the Boro first team squad spread

some festive cheer on the wards. The footballers themselves will get

to spend Christmas Day afternoon at home with their families

after training and before Preparation time

shouldn't be a problem. We have had more days to prepare. We

had Christmas dinner. After the last game at home, everything is better.

We need to keep going. We know how important this period is. We have to

know that we are playing Boxing Day. It is an important day but they are

another three points. Former promotion rivals Boro

and Burnley know each other well. They have won many points on the

roads. We have experienced to play there. I played twice. We know it is

an important game for us. Karanka will have half an eye,

meanwhile, on Sunderland's Boxing Day game as Boro are the next

visitors to Old Trafford on New Year's Eve,

while the Black Cats Championship leaders

Newcastle United have decided NOT to appeal against the five-match ban

for racial abuse, handed down The exact details of the case aren't

clear, but manager Rafa Benitez says Having suffered from alopecia -

losing his hair as a boy - Jonjo Shelvey has no doubt had

to take any amount of name-calling on the football

field down the years. On this occasion, the FA decided

it was Shelvey himself who seriously He knows that he has to be careful

in the future and just concentrate on his football. We know that we

would have him for the next five games and that is it. I will say

again that strange things happen on the pitch and a way that everybody

was referring to this issue, we continue to support him because we

don't support in the way that he was making a mistake. We know that he

made a mistake. It is very confused. We have to move on and think about

the future. The immediate future

sees Sheffield Wednesday heading to St James' Park

on Boxing Day night. And with a place at the top

of the Championship and a nine-point cushion keeping the play-off pack

at arm's length, even owner Mike Ashley is

enjoying life these days. I think he is really happy.

Everybody involved with Newcastle United has to be happy. We still

have 24 games to play. I want to be sure that the players realise it is

not the job done. In League Two, Boxing Day

sees Hartlepool United play host to Blackpool,

while Carlisle United go to Crewe. And in the National League,

Gateshead go to Barrow, But Berwick Rangers are next

in action TOMORROW - a one o'clock start for their game

at Annan Athletic. The weather is very much in the news

particularly for people in the north of the region.

Fairly widespread problems due to storm Barbra. There were some power

outages in Cumbria, for instance. Wind is the main theme over the next

few days. There will be some rain and it will sometimes be heavy but

generally it stays mild. Those donkeys are making a return. We

still have a Met Office warning out for a gusty winds. Especially for

Cumbria, North Upland and parts of County Durham. Remember the black

arrows show the expected cost speeds as we head through the evening and

overnight as the graphics stuttered their way through the night. He will

see some blustery showers with clear spells in between. Temperatures will

drop down to a chilly three Celsius in places. It will stay windy so

Frost will not form. We will see a scattering of showers tomorrow

morning. Some sunshine in between and it stays windy through the day.

Those showers will merge into a widespread area with rain coming in

from the west. We keep that gusty Westerly went through the day making

it feel colder than the numbers might suggest. That is the pressure

pattern as we head to tomorrow. Storm Barbra has gone and we are

watching out for Connor now. That will bring another spell of bad

weather. That is only part of the story, the wind, as we head through

Christmas. Showers giving way to more widespread rain. There she

goes. Gusty wind throughout the day tomorrow. Another Met Office weather

warning through the night-time going into Christmas Day because of that

second storm coming in from the Atlantic. That will bring gusty

winds and Christmas Day. That is worth bearing in mind if you are out

and about on Christmas Day. Dry and very mild on Christmas Day.

Temperatures could edge up to the mid teens. As we head towards Boxing

Day, it stays windy. A major change in that it will be much drier,

brighter and cooler. Chips just stuck firmly in single figures on

Boxing Day but again a cost only Western day. The weather starts to

settle down as we head through the rest of next week. We will keep you

updated on your Christmas forecast on your local radio stations and on

the BBC weather app. Now they're known as the Mums

in Durham and they've made quite They were chosen to represent

the whole of the North AND Scotland Here's a little clip of them

competing on the show. # Trust it, use it,

prove it, groove it # You're swelling out

in the wrong direction # You've got the bug,

superstar you've been bitten # Trust it, use it,

prove it, groove it Well, the Mums in Durham

came into the Look North studio earlier today,

on our last full I had a chat with them

before they sang for us. Well, I'm delighted to see the mums

in Durham are here in Semifinalists of the Gareth Malone

Best in Britain competition. Rachel Gibson, you're

the lady who brought all these, can I say,

ordinary mums in Durham together We couldn't have asked

for anything better. It has been such a sensational

experience for all of us. Did you ever expect something

like this would happen when you got It was literally get

some mums out the house. I didn't have the

confidence to join a choir so I thought,

I will try and start my own, and it just kind

of snowballed from there. I got in touch with

these lovely ladies and Are you looking for

bookings for 2017? We've had all sorts of opportunities

put in front of us. Personally, I'd like

to do a work-out DVD. We'll concentrate on the singing

for no, shall be? From everybody at Look North, this

is our last full-length lake north We want to say a very

Merry Christmas to you at home and, # It is the night of our

dear Savior's birth # Till He appeared and

the soul felt its worth # O night

O night divine # It is the night of our

dear Savior's birth # Till He appeared and

the soul felt its worth # O night

O night divine Christmas is about family.

I'll have that. Let's get this Christmas party

started! Oh, my...

Dai! Your gays have arrived.