08/08/2011 Midlands Today

Hello and welcome to Midlands Today with Michael Collie and Suzanne

Virdee. The headlines tonight: Strike warning as council workers

prepare to apply for their own jobs. Probably lose about �3,500, which

will eat into my savings for my retirement, really. The bottles

whose contents could have killed - hundreds of bottles of fake alcohol

taken off the shelves. There is a high level of methanol in there.

There are two other chemicals associated with cleaning products.

Job worries in the carpet industry as a historic manufacturer

considers a takeover. And cricket's stars come out in Birmingham ahead

of England's crucial test match Good evening. Welcome to Monday's

Midlands Today from the BBC. Tonight: A union warns of a "series

of strikes" this autumn at one of our region's councils. It comes as

thousands of Shropshire Council workers are to be balloted over

industrial action. Unison will tell Shropshire Council on Wednesday

that it's opening that strike vote next week. It's happening because

6,500 staff have been told they'll be dismissed next month and then be

re-employed at lower salaries as the council tries to protect jobs

and save �76 million. It's one of only a handful of councils in the

country pursuing the "fire and re- hire" policy. Ben Godfrey has this

report. Malcolm Allmark's due to retire in

four years, but he told me he's had to think again. The site manager at

Shropshire Council was told he'll be fired and only re-hired if he

accepts less money. 6,500 people from admin staff to social workers

have been told they'll be dismissed at the end of September.

response was to send out the ballot paper.

If you earn less than �13,000, your salary remains the same. We have

tried to put forward alternative ways of saving the amount of money

that we need to save. On members are telling us very forcibly that

they are going to be calling industrial action.

So is there a precedent? Look at Southampton. Here the city council

has just been through its own so- called "dismissal and re-engagement

plan". Most workers signed the contract, but there's since been 12

weeks of strikes, and bins are stacking up. That won't happen in

Shropshire - refuse collections are privatised. In fact, to avoid

dipping into a pool of public money, even the Quarry swimming baths in

Shrewsbury will soon be privately managed. We asked people whether

they sympathised with the workers. It seems there is a lot of people

working for the council, maybe they could have made it a small amount

of people. With that is the way they are going to save their jobs.

Needs must. They are overpaid anyway.

The strike ballot opens next wednesday, with the result a

fortnight later. As dark clouds formed over Shire Hall, no one

inside was available for an interview. In a statement,

Shropshire council says it is disappointed by news of the ballot.

This will save making between 405 hundred redundancies, and many

staff say they will accept the changes, according to the council.

Joining us now from our Southampton studio is BBC South's political

reporter Alex Forsyth. Alex. How does the situation in Southampton

compare with what's being proposed in Shropshire? There are huge

similarities between the two, but staff in Shropshire have it

slightly worse. Here we are talking about pay cuts at up to 5.5%, and

staff on less money will take less of a pay cut. In fact, those who

earn less than �17,500 will not have a pay cut a tall. But they are

being told that if they don't sign up to this, they will lose their

job. Here What impact have the strikes had in Southampton?

departments have been sent out on strike a week or two at a time.

Some libraries have had their opening hours reduced. But by far

the biggest impact here in Southampton have been the bin

strikes, some of the binmen have been out for two months. If you

went out into Southampton a few weeks ago, you would have waded

through piles of rubbish, and the smell permeated the streets.

there any end in sight to the dispute there? I think because

Southampton was the first council in the country to implement these

pay cuts, the union have focused here. I think they thought the

ethic of stoppage here, they could stop it elsewhere. There have been

lots of talks, but so far no resolution. The council here are

saying that if they don't cut pay, they will have to cut jobs.

Later in tonight's programme: Learning how to make the perfect

oatcake - courtesy of Robbie Counterfeit wine and spirits that

are so toxic they could kill drinkers have been seized from

shops. Hundreds of bottles have been taken off the shelves by

trading standards teams. Bootlegging is a growing problem,

costing the taxpayer an estimated �600 million a year. Here's our

They are backed up as evidence, but all these bottles were on sale at

off-licences in North Staffordshire. The team responsible for seizing

the spirits had also subjected them to scientific test. The results are

startling. There is a high level of methanol in there, and to other

chemicals that are associated with cleaning products. The potential is

that it could cause of blindness in somebody if they drink sufficient

quantities, and also there is a possibility of causing death.

Counterfeit wine has also been recovered, produced by criminal

gangs. These bottles have all been seized with and the last few weeks.

Counterfeit alcohol is becoming a growing problem. And the potential

dangers were highlighted last month after the explosion which killed

five men at an industrial estate at Boston in Lincolnshire. Police

suspect it was an illegal vodka distillery. For reputable sellers

of alcohol, like here at the Duke William pub in Burslem, the

increase in couterfeiting is unwelcome. The reason for the rise

is partly put down to economics. is because of the recession. There

is a market for it now, isn't there. People have less money in their

pockets, so there is a niche in the market. For anyone caught

counterfeiting, the penalties can be harsh. Whoever produced these

bottles could face up to two years in jail if they're prosecuted. Liz

Copper, BBC Midlands Today, North Let catch up with the rest of the

day's news. A Port Vale footballer has appeared in court charged with

rape. 22-year-old defender Clayton McDonald, who recently joined the

club from Walsall, is charged with raping a woman at a hotel near

Rhyll in north Wales in May. He's been jointly charged with the

Sheffield United striker Ched Evans. A statement on the Port Vale

website says Mr McDonald strongly refutes the claim.

Nearly �10 million-worth of machinery has been stolen from

farms across the region. That's according to a survey by Stratford-

on-Avon based NFU Mutual, who say "agricrime" has risen by 17% over

the past two years. Many farmers are now having to invest in

immobilisers for tractors. Lawnmowers and jetwashers are most

commonly targeted, followed by quad bikes.

A global private equity firm has confirmed today that it's in talks

about taking over one of the biggest names in the region's

carpet-making industry. Brintons has been making carpets in

Worcestershire for more than 200 years. There are concerns that any

takeover could lead to job losses. Andy Newman has this report.

They have been weaving carpets here since 1783. But is the historic

fabric of this family run business about to be unpaid? Talks are under

way on a deal which could lead to ownership of the Kidderminster

factory being handed over to foreign investors. In a statement,

the managing directors said that Barrington's are in discussions

with the global private equity company, but would go no further.

We understand that company is the Carlyle Group, based in the United

States, although we cannot officially confirm it. My concern

would be a private equity company were only interested in buying the

name, had no interest in the very historic connection with

Kidderminster, and simply wanted the name, and had their main base

in another country and wanted to shift manufacture. Concern for jobs

in industry which is already a shadow of its former self-. This

was the factory in the 1930s, thousands pouring out of the gates.

Today it is hundreds. Many more worked at other firms, in a town

where 33% of the entire work force made carpets.

If back in the 1960s, there were no fewer than 60 carpet companies in

the Kidderminster area, employing 17,000 people. Today there are just

five main competitors left, employing just 200 people -- 2000

people. Mike was a Barrington's employee for 30 years, and went on

to become chief executive of the Carpet Foundation. He believes this

deal may be unwelcome, but necessary. There will be many

people who will born -- mourn the loss of the influence, because they

have a wonderful record over the years, but we have to be realistic.

Nobody predicted a recession, and we are now stuck with a situation

where all manufacturing companies are finding life very difficult.

after famous names like Cabaret, another Midlands brand with a

worldwide reputation could end up in foreign hands. More news is

expected in the next few weeks. A lot of people in Worcestershire

with great interest in what happens there. We will keep you up-to-date.

There's just one month to go now until the final stage of digital

television switchover here in the Midlands, when the Fenton and

Sutton Coldfield transmitters make the big switch. Our science

correspondent David Gregory reports now on someone who was so impressed

by the help they got, they're now making sure they spread the word

She is a busy woman about Redditch, but Kathleen still enjoys high

quality TV. Oh, John Barrow man! I love him.

So she's made the switch to digital, and she was delighted to find she

qualified for free help. He got the little box out, turned the

television around, put all the things in, showed me how to do it,

and he was nice. Her daughter, Mayor of Redditch no less, was so

impressed with the scheme, she's helping get the word out too. So

you were doing a bit -- doing your bit to tell people about the scheme

yes? Yes, because if people don't know what is happening, if people

do know of anybody who was on their own, they should go and check that

they know what is going on. Half the Midlands has already gone

digital. The remainder switches in a month. On 7th September, if you

haven't done anything you'll find BBC Two will disappear. It's a

warning you're about to be left behind. But there's plenty of help.

We are doing around 1,000 installations a day. The

installation involves putting the boxing, and the installer will take

the time to explain how the equipment works, and they won't

leave that person Bolm at home until they are comfortable with the

new equipment. If you qualify for help with digital switchover, you

were sent a letter. But we will give you the contact details to

find out more a moment if you have lost it. And you can make sure you

continue to get your little bit of Barrowman.

Kathleen will be delighted! People who qualify are 75 or over,

a registered disabled, registered blind or partially-sighted, or in a

care home. The number is here on the screen. Somebody will come out

by appointment, for free, and fit a digital box, and make sure you know

how it works. That is held for specific groups of

people. What about the rest of us? Yes, you have to go and find the

money will feel a TV or your Freeview box. There is another

number that you can phone. These are the technical people with

regards to any questions that you might have. They have the manuals

for all the TV's and Freeview boxes that you might have. The first half

went fairly smoothly, so we are hoping that this will, as well.

So there is a final switch later? Yes, all the details are on the

website. Still to come in tonight's

programme: England's cricket stars meet their public - but will they

be good enough to be crowned the world's top test side at Edgbaston?

And I'll be here later with the latest weather for the Test - and

the news isn't great. There could Swimming in rivers and lakes was

once a popular pastime, especially here in the landlocked Midlands.

But health and safety fears resulted in a bit of a decline, and

jumping in your nearest lake wasn't thought advisable. I am not sure

about Now, though, enthusiasts are reporting a revival of so called

"wild swimming". Bob Hockenhull caught up with a group of "wild

swimmers" at Carding Mill Valley in Shropshire.

In recent years, this reservoir has been officially out of bounds for

swimmers. But now it's one of a number of locations where

organisations such as the National Trust are encouraging wild swimming.

This walking group is taking advantage of the trend. People have

stopped doing things outside, they have eased off a lot. And suddenly

everybody has started coming back to it. Until the 1970s, swimming in

your local river or lake wasn't considered unusual. In some cases

diving platforms were set up alongside the water.

Since then, Britain has become much more health and safety conscious,

but the river and lake summing associations has only a small

proportion, about 12%, of drownings are as a result of people swimming

in the water. Most accidents occur when people fall in - many have

been drinking alcohol. The National Trust owns the reservoir, which

once supplied water to Church Stretton. Up to now the trust had

discouraged swimming here, so why the change of heart? Of the

National Trust has had a huge campaign to get people out of doors,

and part of that is embracing things like while slumming. What we

ask is that people don't do it alone, make sure someone knows

where you are, and make sure that you are aware that there is no

lifeguard here. So what did these intrepid swimmers

think about the experience? Swimming pools are follow if the

chlorine, and you have to wear goggles. It is much nicer. It in

the open air. It is lovely. After walking all day, it is really

refreshing. It might be cold, but these

enthusiasts say they'll definitely be back for more. Bob Hockenhull,

BBC Midlands Today, Shropshire. Refreshing! Is that a word for

perished? Excitement is building ahead of the

third test match between England and India at Edgbaston, which

starts on Wednesday. If England win, they'll replace India as the

world's number one Test team. Nick Clitheroe's at the Council House in

Birmingham - an unusual place to talk about cricket, so Nick tell us

Yes, phenomenal interest in this game, with more than 85,000 tickets

already sold for the first test match at the new look Edgbaston.

England's current success has really captured the imagination of

the fans, and they got a chance to get a few tips from their heroes

Hello, mate! English cricket is riding a wave of success. Victory

in the Ashes last year has been steadily built on. Even so the size

of the crowds who turned up in Birmingham city centre this morning

surprised the players they'd come to see. It is massive. It is good

to see such a massive turnout. The start of the football season,

interest usually drops off, but it hasn't this year. And if you were

in any doubt about the excitement been generated, just look at the

size of the queue here for autographs. All this talk about the

demise of Test cricket, and it to me it is the best form of the game.

England is doing so well, it is lovely to get the grass roots up

and going. You could never get as close to football players like this.

If I was younger, I wouldn't be seeing all these players!

This was Cricket in the City - an initiative launched by the ECB to

spread the word about a sport enjoying its time in the spotlight

and make sure children all across the Midlands persuade their parents

this is the sport for them. It won't do that ambition any harm if

England seal a series victory and number one spot by winning at

Edgbaston to rise to the top of the Test rankings. It is always a

unique atmosphere at Edgbaston. It is a very passionate, very

knowledgeable public in Birmingham. You only have to go to Birmingham

City or West Proms -- West Brom to know that the fans know what they

are on about. This England team are breathing new

life into the sport. I am sure India will have something

to say about that. And joined by one of their squad. You have had a

fantastic reception here from the Indians and the square. Yes, a

fantastic reception. It is nice to see people come and support you. It

is nice to see the youngsters here, as well. How much are you looking

forward to playing? I am really looking forward to playing, and

just happy to be in the squad again. I'm really happy that I'm back in

the side, and very eager to play. I'm sure there is determination

among the Indian team to get back into the series. Yes, you lose some

and then you win some, and it is time for us to pick ourselves up.

We want to go out there and win a few matches. And keep that No. 1

ranking in the world? Yes, you don't get that easily, so we want

to hold on to that! We just want to get the result our way. I hope you

enjoy yourself in Birmingham and enjoy the new look Edgbaston. That

will be a really exciting test on Wednesday, England against India,

the third match of the series, it will be a fantastic few days at

Now, the Football League season got Both Birmingham City and Coventry

City suffering defeats in the Championship. But in League One,

Walsall fans may have already seen their goal of the season, as Ben

Sidwell reports. A new season and a new man in

charge at Birmingham City. Chris Hughton must have been delighted

with the way things started. But Birmingham began life back in the

championship with a defeat. It is certainly going to be a long season,

this one. There are a lot of good teams to play, and we need to keep

determination and enthusiasm, and we will pick up results. A There

were more sending-offs than goals as Coventry took on Leicester at

the Ricoh Arena. Former Aston Villa and England striker Darius Vassell

got his marching orders after just 11 minutes, and Coventry were also

down to ten men before half time, Carl Baker getting a straight red

for this challenge. The only goal of the game came early in the

second half, Lee Peltier earning all three points for Leicester.

Walsall spent most of last season battling for their Division One

lives, but they started this one with a 1-0 win against Leyton

Orient, and what a goal, too. Adam Chambers, with one of the best

finishes you'll see at the Banks' Stadium all season - on his debut,

against the side who let him go in N new season, but the same old

argument, with the Port Vale fans calling for the board to go. On the

pitch, Louis Dodds scored an injury time equaliser as the sides drew 2-

2. Former Port Vale striker Justin Richards got two goals on his debut

for Burton Albion at Torquay, but the home side fought back from 2-0

down to snatch a point. And if your team's goal wasn't

there, don't despair. Just log on to the BBC Sport website where you

can find the goals, along with more news and interviews from your club.

If you're having your tea right now, what are you having? Maybe an

oatcake? I only ask because today is National Oatcake Day - a day

when lovers of the Potteries delicacy tell the world all about

it. That's if campaigners get their way. The oatcake has been eaten in

Staffordshire for hundreds of years, and some half a million are made

every week. Even Robbie Williams' dad is a fan, as Laura May McMullan

The humble Staffordshire oatcake is It doesn't sound like much of a

delicacy, but it all depends on what you fill them with. Two bacon

and cheese, please. Two sausage and cheese. You can put anything on the

new like. People in Stoke on Trent prefer cheese and bacon.

Well, now there's a group of oatcake lovers who are campaigning

to achieve a National Oatcake Day! Today in Hanley they seemed to be

going down a treat. It is not just an oatcake. You have got the

pottery, the football. Oatcakes bring people together. People on

mad over oatcakes. They will travel for them. It has been born and bred

into them. And with more than 10,000 supporters of the campaign

so far, it looks like they're hitting the spot. We love them

because they are from Staffordshire. If everybody knew about them, they

would be mass produced, and they wouldn't be very good. And there

are a few famous fans as well. I don't know why, but they don't sell

them in Beverly Hills in California! Well, of course we've

got pancake day, there's a Cornish pasty day in August, and there's a

national fish and chips day, which was started in May last year. So

why not make August 8th national oatcake day? I do actually think

the date needs thinking about a little more. Across the city, more

than half a million oatcakes are produced every week. Campaigners

believe there's definitely an appetite for the Potteries' best-

And why not? Cheese and bacon are the top ones! Now, as promised,

Shefali Oza's here with a look ahead to what the weather has in

store. Will the sun be shining for Not really. Let's just cut to the

chase and look at what is going on for the beginning of the cricket.

We don't go into the weekend on this table, but you can see it

isn't looking promising for the start of the test. This is what is

going on on the pressure chart. We have this ridge of high pressure

from tomorrow, but then this rain starts to push in. It is a classic

wishbone formation, two fronts a hinged at the top. Wind it will

start to increase as those isobars squeeze together. Temperatures

today were under par for the time of year. He would normally expect

23-24 Celsius, but we only reached 18 today. It will become cooler

overnight. We could see a trickle of showers coming in through parts

of Shropshire, but otherwise it is dry tonight. Temperatures could

fall as low as five Celsius., otherwise tens and elevens. We

maintain that a little flicker showers through the north-west

going into tomorrow. For the rest of us, it is dry, but we will see

the cloud infilling from the north- west. Temperatures again, 18 or 19

Celsius, but coupled with a brisk wind. For the rest of the week, it

A look at tonight's main headlines: More violence on the streets of