15/11/2011 Look North (Yorkshire)

Good evening. Tonight on Look North:

Crisis? What crisis? Police are criticised for their failure to

deal with stranded drivers last winter. Residents helped prevent a

tragedy. We'll be getting a response live from South Yorkshire

Police. Also tonight: It's time to go. Singer Billy Bragg

lends his support to anti capitalist protesters outside

Sheffield Cathedral. Church leaders say it's time to go.

And aiming high. Will the unveiling of Britain's highest city centre

water fountain in Bradford mark the start of a new era for the city?

Some unexpected sunshine in Yorkshire today reaching the

Pennines. This was Huddersfield a few hours ago. Will it last? Join

Hello, good evening. First tonight, a damning report

into how the police dealt with one of the most dramatic weather

incidents of last year. Hundreds of motorists were trapped for two

nights near a village in South Yorkshire. An internal report seen

exclusively by Look North has criticised the police and says

people would have died if it hadn't been for local residents. Our

reporter Dan Johnson is at South Yorkshire police operations centre

in Sheffield. What do we know? this report is the result of a

debrief conducted by all the emergency services involved in this

incident. The scene here last year was incredible. I saw it for myself.

The snow was really deep, but this report suggests that, even against

those extreme conditions, the police response was so low and

could have been better co-ordinated. In fact, it even says some BBC

reporters were on the scene before many of the staff who were involved

in a rescue operation. When the snow came, it hit this plays hard.

The chaos was clear. More than 200 drivers stuck and in the village,

local people jumped into action opening up the chapel as a place of

refuge. Valerie was a volunteer who led the initial relief effort.

beds and sleeping bags appeared. You know, it was like a refuge like

you see on television when these people lose their homes, you know.

It was absolutely magic, it really was. We couldn't believe it.

Mountain rescue arrived quickly to reach stranded motorists and off-

duty police officers who live nearby tried to manage the

operation on the ground but, as time wore on, drivers got

increasingly frustrated. I hope to be home this evening, so we have

got to clear the road first. Organised chaos. We have not seen

no emergency crews until five minutes ago when the mountain

rescue turned up. Nobody has helped us. What I will say is the locals

have been absolutely brilliant. That effort is recognised in this

review of the incident written jointly by all the emergency

services involved would also admits there were failures at strategic

levels. It says there was a lack of co-ordination between agencies in

the initial stages and emergency services didn't understand the

scale of the incident at first. Even on the second day, the police

did not recognise that some drivers had spent the night in their

vehicles. And there was an overall failure to recognise that a

critical incident was occurring. It took 48 hours to get the road

cleared and vehicles moving again. This report concludes that

everybody working together made the operation a success and also says,

without the local community, it's highly likely there would have been

tragic consequences. I'm joined by Chief Superintendent

Keith Lumley in charge of the operation at this place last year.

This could have ended with tragic consequences. People could have

died? Absolutely. The weather we experienced particularly was

unprecedented in the area. If we go back to the floods of 2007, when

lives were put at risk by the weather, we are talking about the

same scale we saw on 1st December. The weather was capable of taking

lives. The criticism was you fail to respond for emergency calls,

didn't know people spent the night trapped, didn't have enough of 4 by

4 vehicles available to get there, it wasn't good enough, was it?

report was commissioned by ourselves and I was involved

through the resilience for making sure any lessons learned by the

emergency services could be put into future contingency plans. Hour

plans are rarely as good as the last major incident we dealt with

but certainly, there were slowness in returns to responding, but we

were delayed and we also saw a massive increase in the number of

calls to us. Are you better prepared this year? Certainly. We

have changed the way we respond to these incidents, much better co-

ordinated and better-informed for the future. For thank you very much.

The police say they have learned lessons. It's an incident the

people of this village won't forget and I think everyone is just hoping

they never see an incident like this ever again. Thank you. We're

all aware of the dangers of smoking but there's now growing concern

about the use of smokeless tobacco. Products that are chewed or rubbed

on gums are widely used in the Asian community. About 17% of

people of South Asian origin say they use smokeless tobacco. It is

now a growing problem particularly amongst women. 29% of all users

think it's less harmful than ordinary tobacco. It is in fact

more harmful. Our Health Correspondent Penny Bustin has been

to a screening session held in Bradford during mouth Cancer

Awareness Week. Its tobacco used but not as most of

us know it. During or sucking tobacco is common amongst South

Asian people, but the risks are not so commonly recognised. Like

smoking, it's highly addictive and can cause cancer. This man is

trying to give up and today attended a stop smoking session.

Bradford is leading the way in a campaign to help South Asians quit.

One hand, a surgeon checking for signs of cancer. That's good. Once

again. A very good. But, it's the use of smoke less tobacco a amongst

women which is a major concern. This woman used to do combat to

take more than 30 years ago. Now she has lost half of her mouth to

cancer. I didn't realise there was a team which turned into cancer

because I was still chewing smokeless tobacco. Obviously, when

I realised, I stopped. My message is please stop chewing because, if

you do chew tobacco, you could get cancer. Quite a common scenario is

an Asian lady invariably with family members come in with her to

the clinic, with a patch in her mouth, and we will inevitably come

to a part of her history one I want to know about tobacco products.

Eyes averting, love and around the room, and it seems to me, there's

some behaviour going on but they want to admit it. This woman is one

of two South Asian advisers employed for the last year to work

with the community. So far, 50 people have been supported to give

up smokeless tobacco. Mohammed is hoping to quit soon.

Thank you, Penny. Later on Look North, Pudsey's

helping out again. We look at a project for teenage mums funded by

Musician Billy Bragg has been in Sheffield today, lending his

support to a protest against poverty and capitalism. He

performed a number of songs to a crowd of 200 people outside the

cathedral. Occupy Sheffield pitched tents there ten days ago. However,

the Dean of the cathedral says they have made their point and it's time

His music blends punk, protest and politics. Their campaign is just as

diverse. Billy Bragg took it to the most basic stage today to support

the occupied demonstration. wanted to come down here to support

the young people down here particularly. They have grown up in

a time where politics is a mish- mash, it's hard to get a grip on

things and they could be the first generation since the war to grow up

worse than their parents. Among the canvas and placards, you will find

more than just the young people. It seems all walks of life vice-chair

with their own point to make. about years of inequality in

society. I think the main problem is the banking system. It's the

start of a movement where we can experiment with new ways of running

things, basically. It's ludicrous how much money people have got.

It's obscene. It people struggling, who work their fingers to the bone

for a pittance. They have been here for just over a week now. The tense,

go there before with a presence on site and that's because it's

outside Sheffield Cathedral and the staff now think the point has been

made. We do want them to move on. There's a difference between making

a protest and actively engaging in the difficult work of rebuilding

our society. That's what I want to invite the protesters to do now.

But, you get the sense of those living and supporting the camp, say

they want change, whatever their personal point of view. There's no

sign of them packing away in Sheffield.

More news from around Yorkshire. The co-pilot of an RAF helicopter

which crashed in North Yorkshire, killing the pilot and two others,

has pleaded guilty to negligence. 12 servicemen were on board the

aircraft, which came down in fields near Catterick in 2007. Ex-Flight

Lieutenant Robert Hamilton was left paraplegic by the crash. He'll be

sentenced next month. Anglo Saxon jewellery found by a

metal detector enthusiast looks more likely to stay in Leeds. The

West Yorkshire Hoard comprises six rare pieces of gold jewellery

dating from the seventh to 11th centuries. A grant of �95,000 has

been given to Leeds City Museum by the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

But another �15,000 is still needed. The tributes just keep coming. The

late Sir Jimmy Savile's popular TV show Jim'll Fix It will return to

our screens for a one-off Christmas special. It will feature the

original theme tune and be presented by Shane Ritchie.

There are three days to go until this year's Children in Need appeal.

And this week we are looking at how your money has been spent in

Yorkshire. Today we visit The Getaway Girls. The Leeds based

charity helps young women including teenage mums, some as young as 14

I had a family breakdown, was homeless, jobless, in trouble with

the police and fell pregnant with Marcus. My head was all over the

place because it was not planned and I didn't expect to fall

pregnant. I was actually on the Pill but also suffering from

depression at the time so the medication I was on for the

We go, and there is a creche, so some days it is all about the mums,

so it helps me as a woman as well as as a mum.

I do live, but it is just like a day out for me. I feel safe around

then it is like a family. Quite a few of the mums have gone

into training courses, they have gone into College, if not into

university. It is showing them that you can do better, so from their...

I am getting my Diploma, and next month I will be a qualified youth

worker. I am just proud, and I have been at The Getaway Girls for 40

years, and in number of things I have done in those four years and

the opportunities... -- for years. It is unbelievable. With The

Getaway Girls, they have told me to be confident, to accept who I am

and you need to accept, and be confident to be the best mum that

you can be. You will have spotted by mistake

there - it is The Getaway Girls. We will be looking at all the fun you

have been having for Children In Need, Amy Garcia and Keeley Donovan

will be live in parts the on Friday. If you have been fund-raising and

you want to bring along your cheques, do get in touch. We would

love to see you there. You can e- mail us, or phone us.

Coming up before 7:00pm, we would love you the action. Bradford gets

a spectacular new fountain for the city centre.

We are going to look at cricket, and Yorkshire have announced

wholesale changes to their coaching staff. Former Australian fast

bowler Jason Gillespie comes in as first-team coach.

Former Kent coach Paul Farbrace will oversee the second team,

leaving Steve Oldham, Kevin Sharp and John Blain.

Australian batsman Phil Jackson returns to the club for the next

two seasons. Tanya has been talking to the

director of cricket. She started by asking, why all those changes?

was felt we needed a more efficient and streamlined structure, probably

with a little bit more specific roles within that coaching

structure. So obviously this is what has happened. I guess some

people say it coincides with relegation and it is a result of

relegation, but it is something that has been on the agenda for a

while, and I believe now that we have got to where we want to be and

are looking forward to the future. A lot of people look at it, and a

lot of -- a few people have lost their jobs. Did you look at you on

position? Yes, you question yourself all the time, but

obviously the board have given me their support. They still feel I am

the right man to head up the operation, if you like, and I thank

them for that. But there is no more -- nobody more disappointed that we

were relegated last year. Jason Gillespie comes in - what

would he bring to the role? Great experience as a player. Good

reports from a coaching point of view, people speak highly of him as

a coach. He will bring a freshness to the side, and a great enthusiasm.

He is really looking forward to take up his position. He loved his

time here as a player, so he has got a bit of Yorkshire cricket in

him. Phil Jackson joining you for two

years. Everyone will be applauding that one. Yes, last year we try to

do it on our lawn and it did not work. We have shown that we lacked

a bit of experience, and obviously Phil has not only got a great

quality as a player but also vast experience. He is another one who

enjoyed his time here before, and is keen to help the young players

develop and help us get back to where we want to be.

You have heard of the Canterbury Tales, we want to introduce you to

know our own Yorkshire Tales. It is a brand new BBC project to find out

what you feel passionate about in our county.

It could be the places, people that you love, or people who make you

smile. The best of your contributions will be looked at and

read by award-winning playwright John Godber who will turn them into

a 90 minute radio drama. We will hear from John here in the

studio in a moment, and we will tell you how you can take part. But

first, he is something to get you started. We decided to get

passionate ourselves, and come up with a couple of things which make

us proud to come from Yorkshire. What I love about Yorkshire is its

heritage, its industrial past. How the hills farms started we think --

the farmers started weaving, to these mills been built. That

brought poverty, social deprivation, and so they built not on the this

but an entire village. For me, the joy of Yorkshire is that it is

always a news story. Things are always developing and moving on.

Imagine this room full of thousands of Weavers, the weavers who created

real wealth from Wall. But there are now just as many people who

come here as there ever was in its heyday. The beauty of Yorkshire is

it is for ever changing. Like Chris that I also respect the

Heritage, but I have come here to the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.

Brassington Bridge. If you look at this or photograph you will see why.

I was born a stone's throw away, and took my first steps here and

learnt to swim here. But it is because the Dales are so varied. As

you can see, the lush valleys, the bleak moors, and wherever you are,

each Dale has its own character. No matter where I travel, I always

think of the Yorkshire Dales, but there is more to Yorkshire than

just places. To reflect on that, I am popping up the hill.

It is the character of the Yorkshire people that I would like

to see reflected. The people you see in this village or any time in

the county. The dry sense of humour, the nosiness and issue a

Yorkshire's spirit of the people who live and work in this great

county. You can debate for ever, because I

would say the North York Moors against the dales... What is your

favourite tale of Yorkshire, you must have one? It is not me that is

under the spotlight. This is a project about people out there

expressing their views about Yorkshire. My job is to collect

them in and try to weave a 90 minute drama out of people's ideas.

I agreed, the dry sense of humour, the self-deprecation, people and

character. I think Yorkshire grit his seminal. And this project is

called -- also not just about people submitting their

contributions, we are looking for 200 words about people, places...

But also they can take part in the drama as well. If they do not want

to take part and be involved they can nominate friends or family to

be involved. It is not just going to be on radio,

it is going to be filmed. It is going to be a 360 degree commission,

so the whole concept of people submitting their things online, and

then we will put them together as a documentary, and then it will go

out across the northern radio stations. With a bit of luck and a

fair bit of wind maybe we will get to radio for.

Once we start putting our thinking caps on. What is the bit about

Yorkshire that gives you that sense of pride, that is what you want.

is not easy. You never even answered my question! No, I could

not do. I have lived here for 55 years and am still working it out.

I am fiercely proud to be a Yorkshireman, and I think it is

people being straightforward, not messing about. There is also

sensitivity, great beauty, great humour, muscularity in the place. I

lived in the Far East, the Humber Bridge!

As you said, it is having that choice, to Ooh of the biggest

national parks in the country, north York Moors, Yorkshire Dales.

What I would like to say -- seat is a wonderful expanse of community

play, so the whole region gets in. We are trying to find out what it

is that cements the yacht has buried together. That is what I

have signed up for. -- the Yorkshire spirit.

People will love this, and we want to tell you what you can do to take

part. We are really excited. You can e-mail us at

[email protected], tell us in no more than 200 words what

is the best bit about Yorkshire, what makes its thing for you. All

submissions received by Sunday 4th December.

Talking about Yorkshire landmarks, they are normally the preserve of

sophisticated European capitals or stately homes, but Britain's Thomas

urban water fountain is soon to be opened not far from here in

Bradford. A huge jet of water with a

centrepiece in the park, and Spencer Stokes was there to see if

it could deliver the promised 100 ft-high glass of water.

Some are grand, some are braced for, others are simply gargantuan.

Britain's three tallest phantoms or explode into the air at stately

homes in Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Chatsworth. --

phantoms. Today Bradford joined that list of places where water is

said sky high. -- fountains. This is if you like the beginning

of the end for the development of the city park. We will be testing

the rest of the fountains next week, and I think people are seeing the

whole concept coming together. It will be great for the City of

Bradford. For a decade now Bradford had

talked about creating a city centre, and for the first time the lake has

been filled, but it is what is at the centre of it that made time

people's heads. It looks pretty but it is kind of a waste of water.

has all been recycled. It is marvellous. It will look really

nice in summer. You can eat your lunch out there and stuff like that.

It looks call, but what will it be like when it is windy? It might get

wet. To testing will continue this week,

and you will be able to see and possibly feel Britain's Thomas

Urban find ten regularly from early next year. Britain's poorest urban

fountain. If I were to write my things I was

passionate about, it is Yorkshire generosity. Something happened

today - Paul, out of his own pocket, bought me a cup of tea. The first

It was a moment of weakness and cost me 35p! Let me show you the

unexpected sunshine, the sun came out and the cloud clear against

what we were forecasting. The sunshine got up to Fountains Abbey

in Yorkshire Dales, so we did very well. I am not so sure we will be

that lucky tomorrow. There will be some breaks around, especially in

eastern parts of our region. We are looking at Variable cloud and

brighter spells. Variable clout, with some brighter spells in the

east. We are dragging air up from the near Continent, it is a mixed

bag. We will see bricks coming and going, but in the next few hours we

will see temperatures dropping away, and a lot of mist and patchy fog

developing. A huge break sweeping up from the South East. It reached

Swale Bell and Wensleydale. Many of us are starting on a clear note,

but before long that low cloud, missed and fog. Especially over the

hills. But not before it has been colder than of late. Temperatures

right about four Celsius, 39 Fahrenheit. The breeze a light east

or south east. The sun rises in the morning at 7:34am. It is a largely

grey start. A little drizzle especially in the West with some

help fog. I think Western Areas will struggle to brighten up

tomorrow, but the most favoured location for the brakes will be

further east with some sunny intervals. The top temperatures

actually very close to the long- term average - Scarborough a round

about ten degrees and Summer Love argues in land. Doncaster might get

to 11 degrees tomorrow afternoon. This is the very Cup. I will