07/09/2011 Look North (Yorkshire)

Welcome to Wednesday's Look North. Tonight: One of Yorkshire's best-

known war heroes could be forced to leave the Army. Ben Parkinson was

the most seriously injured British soldier to survive Afghanistan, now

he is likely to only get have the compensation he was expecting.

is not what he wants. It was contrary to promises he was given.

But most importantly, if he is discharged from the Army, he loses

his rehab. Also tonight: Putting the giggle

into Giggleswick. What you need to queue unsmiling despite the weather.

Yorkshire folk are the happiest in Britain.

And tapping her way into the history books - the fanatic who has

achieved her dream of setting up our own tap dancing company.

A rain-bearing cloud its reported. It looks like there is more rain to

come tonight. The details coming up later on.

Good evening. Our main story: Doncaster paratrooper Ben Parkinson

could be forced to leave the Army, and may only receive half the

compensation he was expecting. Ben Parkinson loss of his legs and

Afghanistan and was the most seriously injured British soldier

to so survive his wins. He has now been recommended for a medical

discharge but Ben Parkinson was to stay in the army and his family say

they will fight the proposal. He fought for this country in

Afghanistan and has been fighting ever since to get his fitness back.

Now though Ben Parkinson is facing a new battle - to stay in the army.

He has been recommended for medical discharge, news that has left his

family furious. It is something that we cannot let happen. It is

first and foremost, not what Ben Parkinson wants. It goes contrary

to promises he was given about his retention in the army. But most

importantly Iffy his discharge from the Army, he loses his rehab. He is

doing magnificently. He is doing things that were medically

impossible and we cannot take the chance away from him to get as good

as he possibly can. Next week will mark five years since Ben Parkinson

became the more seriously injured soldier to survive his wins. He

lost both his legs, suffered brain damage and injured almost every

part of his body. Ben Parkinson was told he was eligible to receive one

million -- the Government has caps payments to wounded soldiers. He

will receive a maximum of �570,000. How is that Ben Parkinson feeling?

He is positive. He knows that he is getting better and he cannot

conceive that anyone would want to stop him on that road to recovery.

So what happens now? We appeal against the board. All serving

soldiers have the right of appeal. That is the first step end what we

fear there will be a long and difficult process. For Ben

Parkinson and his family, it has been a double blow. But there could

be one bit of good news ahead. Ben Parkinson is now through to the

next election round FA Olympic torch bearers. He will find out if

he is chosen in the winter. The MoD will not comment on

personal cases. But they say they are committed to making sure those

who have been wounded are injured in service receive the care and

support they need during recovery and the UN. We can talk to the MP

Dan Jarvis who also served in the army. You are reaction to the MoD

wanting to turf Ben Parkinson out of the army. I believe he is a true

British hero. When the time came from to go to Afghanistan, he did

his duty. It is now our turn to do our duty to ham. It cannot be right

that his compensation is being captain the way that it is. It is

not right that he should be discharged from the Army prior to

the medical rehabilitation he needs and desires. Taking on the MoD is

not an easy task. You have heard the family say they will appear let.

Do they have any chance of being successful? I have already tabled

some questions. I think people across Yorkshire and across the

country understand that if we go met her service people to conflicts

in Afghanistan and Elsa, whether you agree with them are not, people

know that we have a responsibility to make sure those people who do in

outstanding job get the service, the care that they deserve when

they have been injured. I will be writing to the Secretary of State

of Defence. I think a lot of people lobby out rage at the treatment

that Ben Parkinson is being given. They need to keep him in the army.

Up until a point that he has a completed the Rehabilitation I

needs. Many thanks for joining us. Next Kinect: A man who claims that

he was one of dozens of boys abused at the Catholic community to a home

in Yorkshire more than 40 years ago. He fears he may not live long

enough to get any compensation. Robert Maxwell from Europe went to

live at the St William's Home in Market Weighton in 1963. In 2004,

the principle of the hall was convicted of sexually abusing boys

there in the 60s, the 70s and 80s. The cases of more than 154 Marisol

-- former residents who claim they were abused will now not be

resolved until next year. And because Robert has terminal cancer,

he is unlikely to live that long. This was a home run in a reign of

Fair -- fear. One headmaster was found guilty and jailed for 14

years. Robert Maxwell is one of more than 150 former pupils seeking

compensation. But with terminal cancer, time is running short for

him. People were ashamed and embarrassed. They do not up about

it properly. You did not sit and up about it. But we all knew. This

legal wrangle has already been going on for more than six years

and even if the Supreme Court rules against the Catholic Church next

year, it may be several years beyond that before any compensation

is one by anyone. This Alastair represents all the complainants.

For this to happen in such a secluded spot with people who were

entirely trusted, has been a shocking experience. What a

robber's options? His options are to pursue justice rectal the very

end. In which case, he will not see the end of his case. His relatives

will continue the case. Another option could be for him to ask for

some compassion from the diocese of Middlesbrough and seek an early

settlement in his days before he passes away. I cannot believe, and

I hope people get justice. People have not got the just as they

deserve. As 60s scandal still without resolution for many.

The diocese of Middlesbrough did not want to comment. They said that

on a human level, they were very sorry to hear that he was unwell.

Do stay with us tonight. With the tamest -- latest TV revolution. As

4 million more of us go digital, what happens if your TV is from the

dark Ages? Plans to make major cuts to care

provision for the elderly in Leeds have moved one step closer today.

After months of protests, the council's executive has voted

through plans to close four day- care centres and three care homes

in the city. Three other residential homes have been given a

reprieve until other facilities can be built in their areas. The cuts

will also reduce the amount of money paid to private operators who

provide beds for elderly people. A final decision will be made by the

full council next week. South Yorkshire's Chief Constable

has been talking to MPs this afternoon about the effects budget

cuts will have on policing in South Yorkshire. Med Hughes says he is

concerned that crime will rise as a consequence of smaller budgets.

Journalists in South Yorkshire who had been on strike for two months

return to work tomorrow. 25 staff at the Doncaster Free Press,

Epworth Bells, Selby Times and South Yorkshire Times will begin

negotiations with the owner Johnston Press. They walked out in

July because of job cuts and workloads.

Police have charged two men in charge -- in connection with the

death of a man. The 36-year-old man has been charged with murder and a

37-year-old man has been accused of assisting an offender.

This Sunday marks the 10th anniversary of the terrorist

attacks in New York and Washington. It is difficult to believe it is a

decade since the awful events of that day.

But for one group of people here in Yorkshire, the commemorations will

take on extra significance. Members of the West Yorkshire

Police brass band will be playing a law Manhattan on Sunday at the 9/11

commemoration. PC Keith Williams and the band's musical director

Captain Gary Clegg are with us now. Welcome. This is not the first time

you had been to Ground Zero? went out for the fifth anniversary

in 2006. The guzzler wanted a British brass band for the 5th

commemorations. We can hear you playing in the background. Ground

Zero is a very different place now. It is starting to be rebuilt. I

suppose S the 10th anniversary, it is a moment when the whole world

can start to remember. We're very lucky to be chosen to go out there.

One ban gets to go from Britain and we are a band. We are not only

representing West Yorkshire Police force, but the whole of the UK,

remembering a lot of people who died in that incident. What is the

feeling among members of the band, is the one of responsibility,

emotion or pride? A lot of pride is taken on these engagements. We go

out to D-Day as well. We perform a commemorations out there. We're

very fortunate to have such a committed its gripper people to go

out and play and give up their time to go over to New York. -- a group

of people. There will be members of the public whose fat members of the

family were killed in the events. In the Times of cuts, the members

have had to fund raised to pay their own way. Every member is

paying about 50% of the costs themselves. We are up revolver the

Chief Constable to arrange the raffle. -- very grateful. We are

all volunteers. We do it in her own time. We are not contesting band.

It is a privilege. Someone said to me, I did not know West Yorkshire

Police had a brass band. They are a very good brass band. As

America will soon hear. Have a wonderful time. Have a time when

the best of British is on display alongside everybody who is

remembered backgrounds 0. -- at Browns 0.

Midnight last night, how many were watching BBC to? I had to confess,

I will cut this morning is and what is wrong with my television.

If you have witnessed a bit of TV history last night. Have a look at

That is what you would have seen. That was the moment that the

Channel's analogue system was switched off. You can remember when

it was switched on! I cannot believe you said that. It is one of

the biggest changes so far in the digital changeover. That was how it

happened last night. It happens more than 4 million people in the

region. We sent a very young man, Joe Inwood, to a home where they

had a rather unusual challenge. That is to convert a black-and-

These weather sites and the sounds this television first received. It

was built in 1979 and it is still going strong. The picture is very

good even though it is black and white. The little girl next door or

saw it and thought it was a microwave oven! It has cental --

sentimental value as well. because the analogue signal is

being switched off, it does not necessarily mean that old TV sets

have to sever the same fate. In fact any set, even museum pieces,

can be brought into the digital age although you may need a bit of help.

We added a digital box which beats the signal from the aerial cable

because this television does not have the normal sockets. We have

come and long way from the barely days of television. And you can see

more at the national media museum were the grandson of John Logie

Baird is now the curator. It is on the same level as the arrival of

colour television. It takes it into a different medium. And while this

set may have missed the colour revolution, it is now ready for the

Digital One. It has witnessed 32 years of history. A couple of

cables and a little help later, it is good for 32 more!

If you need any help with re-tuning, the digital UK number is on your

screen now. Or if you're over 75, registered blind or partially

sighted, or entitled to certain disability benefits, a BBC help

scheme is also available. If you'd like to see someone in

person there are also more than 40 advice points around the region.

The details are on your local BBC website.

Hope for the it will all goes smoothly and unlike me, you will

remember that it is happening! Coming up before seven o'clock:

What now for Yorkshire Cricket? As their chairman admits they're going

down after a dismal season. And Yorkshire goes Dutch as the

Olympic Swimming Team for 2012 arrive in our region.

A Barnsley woman has achieved her dream of setting up her own tap

dancing company after being diagnosed with cancer. Katie

Pearson says becoming ill gave her the push she needed to chase her

ambition. She's now running what's thought to be the only professional

touring tap dance company in the UK. Sally Young's been to meet her.

In the dancing world it is no longer a favourite. Tap dancing was

big in the Thirties and Forties but over the decades its popularity has

waned. But now these dancers want to bring tap dancing back. This

summer Katie Pierson finally achieve to a dream to set up her

own tap dancing company. She had always kept her ambition as secret

but then she was diagnosed with cancer and it changed everything.

wasn't frightened any more or are worried about what people would

sink. Life is so precious, it gave me that pushed to do what I wanted

to do. Katie Studdick dancing in New York and Toronto. Since

undergoing chemotherapy for bowel cancer will she has suffered some

nerve damage and cannot dance professionally any more. But now

she has a new challenge. She drafted in at leading choreographer

from Australia and knelt in Leeds they are preparing for their first

show in her home town of Barnsley. This is a first for this country

which is a very exciting prospect and to be a part of this, it means

I get to do what I love. The Lord and have company will bring a more

modern twist but Katie is still advance of the traditional style.

get go has pimples when I hear tap dancing, it is so lovely to hear it.

You almost to not need any music. You have the music there.

company only started life this summer but now they are less than

three weeks away from their opening show. Katie's health is still

fragile but cancer has given her a focus and a drive she never knew

that she had. It's been a day of rain

interrupting play at Headingley today. Not what Yorkshire need when

they're so close to being relegated. It is disappointing after the high

hopes at the beginning of this season. Even the chairman today was

not optimistic. He said his mood was like the weather, dismal.

knew it was going to be a difficult year but we did not anticipate that

four or five of the players would have a four year which is what has

happened. We are in a position where they are contracted and with

everything else going on around us, we hope that they stay with us and

get us back in the First Division. What about the supporters, are they

here would every division you're in? I have had a lot of letters in

the past 10 days same date as a board what we're doing and support

our strategy. They understand we have had a difficult year and they

just want us to respond. It is raining and does not feel Sunni in

terms of the outlook for cricket. think this sums up the year and how

we feel. I'm certainly disappointed. We gave the players the contract

they wanted, but salaries, we invested in the club and there's no

one more disappointed than me. Matty Moxon has been tearing his

hair out in the past three weeks. A lot of people are disappointed but

we need to pull together and get stuck in and Pru next year that we

are back where we deserve to be, in the First Division.

Let's check out the score at from the first day.

An Olympic swimming team from the Netherlands arrived in Yorkshire at

this week to have a proper look at their training base. Paul Ogden

reports. When we come here next year we will

not have time before the Olympics to visit and so it is important

that the athletes get to know the place better than we do now and

know something about the culture here. That would be lovely.

And they have chosen the best place! It's official - adults

living in Yorkshire are the happiest people in Britain

according to a new survey. Almost six in ten say they're satisfied

with their lives compared with a national average of five. And it's

got nothing to do with wealth or status. We sent Charlotte Leeming

to carry out her own research. This summer holidays are over and

the weather is rotten for the time of year but here in Yorkshire we

have reason to be cheerful. We have been named as the happiest in the

whole of the UK and that contentment stems from an abundance

of this. Forget well for status, it is the access to green open spaces

it makes Yorkshire people such a contented lot. A new survey on

British lifestyles says that those we live in cities are more likely

to be unhappy than those in rural areas. So surely the Yorkshire

Dales was the place to test this out. I am satisfied, I have a young

child and a new family. I used to live down south and people up here

are more friendly and down-to-earth. There are good people, they have

the time of day for you. Despite the awful weather on my journey

down to Skipton, I was struggling to find anyone with anything

negative to say. I have lived here all my life and I just like it.

happy here, it is very friendly. His Yorkshire up more friendly than

anywhere else? In England? We are very biased! The survey was carried

out by Mintel. They asked people around the UK if they were

satisfied with life. 57 of those living in Yorkshire said they wear.

60% of the contented folk are retired. I just want you to take

some of my Yorkshire happiness back to Glasgow. We will!

Oh thank you! What a bonus! Give a Yorkshire girl a bag of

Give a Yorkshire girl a bag of chips and she is happy!

I am always happy, and I have some pictures to show you. It has been

pretty rubbish across the Pennines in the last couple of days. Let's

take a look out side. The rain clouds are building. It looks as if

it is going to be another wet night across the Pennines in particular.

Tomorrow the headline is a further patchy rain for the time in the

West. To the east it should be mostly dry. It is an unsettled

looking weather chart. Friday afternoon will turn out to be

brighter and warmer but the weekend is looking unsettled and severe

gales are possible early next week. So you can see that cloud coming in

it now from the West. That rain will be gritty persistence tonight.

To the east of the high ground, the amount of rainfall will be pretty

small. So the sun will rise in the morning at 6:27am. A fairly cloudy

day to come tomorrow and again across the Pennines further patchy

rain and drizzle. But to the east, just a few showers and quite a few

places could well be dry and fairly bright at times. Further west with

all that drizzle and light rain, temperatures down a little to