21/12/2011 Midlands Today

Good evening, welcome to Midlands I was horrified that yet another

collection that is so important to the UK, was going to be broken.

high-tech engineering part that could bring 2000 jobs over the next

five years. First it was the gypsies refusing

to move, now protesters say they will not go until these gypsies are

evicted. And determination of a mum-to-be

who lay head down for three months to ensure the safe delivery of her

baby. For me, now that I have got Good evening. Tonight, we talk

exclusively to the billionaire, prepared to spend big to preserve

the heritage of the the Potteries. John Caudwell says he's "horrified"

the historic exhibits at the Wedgwood pottery museum could be

sold and his offer would keep the collection together.

There are 10,000 ceramic pieces under threat of being sold to plug

a pensions black hole. Christie's auctioneers value the collection at

between �11-�18 million. Many of the exhibits have been

together since they were manufactured by Josiah Wedgwood in

the 18th century. Today, members of the Wedgwood

family said the collection must be saved, and described news of the

offer to buy it as very encouraging. Here's our Staffordshire reporter

Liz Copper. Born and bred in Stoke-on-Trent,

John Caudwell says it would be "disastrous" for the Potteries if

the Wedgwood Collection were to be sold off. Speaking from his

Staffordshire mansion, the businessman who made his fortune

from mobile phones, says Josiah Wedgwood's entrepreneurial

achievements must be saved, and his offer is a serious one. We have got

a very valuable collection. Somebody is going to buy it at what

they see as its fair value. That person might as well be me, which

then enables the museum to go on and be sustainable. If other people

buy it in bits and pieces, it is going to be broken up, and we have

lost their heritage. The Museum at Barlaston found itself at the

centre of a legal battle after Wedgwood went into administration

with a pension fund deficit. On Monday, a high court judge ruled

the museum is liable for that shortfall - so these treasures face

being sold. This is quite a shock, that we have got a museum that a

pension fund is able to claim all the items of that museum to swell

it. I understand the difficulties of the pension fund, but it doesn't

seem to meet, for what I understand of the situation, that there is

anything other than a technical right for the pension fund to

acquire these items. Whatever the view of the current law, it's this

man, who's now charged with finding a solution to the Museum's dilemma

- and hopefully saving the collection for the nation.

whole intention, the whole thrust of this, is to try and raise the

money the collection is worth, to save the collection in situ. If

that takes time, the gritters have indicated they are willing to let

me have that time to try and come up with a proposal -- of the

creditors have indicated. Generations of the Wedgwood family

donated items to the museum - they've welcomed offers of

financial help. It is very encouraging to know that there are

people out there willing to keep it together, that the contents of the

Wedgwood Museum of the contents of the last 250 years of industrial

history in the Midlands. The whole collection will have to be revalued

ahead of a sale. It's likely a multi-million pound sum will need

to be found to preserve Josiah Wedgwood's precious legacy.

And if you're in Staffordshire, you can hear more of Liz Copper's

interview with John Caudwell on BBC Stoke's breakfast show tomorrow

morning. Thanks for joining us this evening.

Later in the programme, a man of remarkable courage: four years

after losing his arm in Iraq, he's 2,000 new jobs over five years -

that's the prediction for a city struggling with unemployment. After

a decade of planning, a new high- tech engineering corridor is

finally emerging in Wolverhampton. Last night, Jaguar Land Rover got

the green light to build its new engine plant - while neighbouring

businesses have told the BBC they're winning international

contracts and recruiting fast. There are also plans to build an

academy to groom the next generation of skilled workers. Ben

Godfrey reports. Goodrich Actuation Systems employs

more than 1,000 staff in Wolverhampton - making flight

controls for the likes of Boeing and Airbus. It's high-skilled

engineering which just been rewarded with international

contracts that should preserve this business for 30 years. We are

recruiting, both in terms of engineering, technical skilled

staff, as well as machinists, Christy site macro. With the highly

skilled work force in the area, there is no end to the success we

could have a. Regeneration of the city's northern limits is underway

- these aerial pictures show a new hi-tech corridor alongside the M54.

It's now an enterprise zone but for almost a decade, the i54 site

struggled to take off. That was then, and this is now. After a very

bumpy side, this site is seen three macro -- companies moving in.

There's Jaguar Land Rover's engine plant, but aerospace firm Moog and

lab testing company Eurofins got here first, and they'll open in the

spring. A new road network's also planned. We will be looking and

funding the new motorway interchange that will give the site

direct access to the and 54. In a city with one of the UK's worst

employment records, there could be a new training centre to prepare

the next generation of local engineers for new employment

opportunities. We anticipate several hundred more new jobs being

created in the supply chain, so they are likely to follow, leading

to around 2000 jobs possibly, over the next five was six years.

international eyes are watching. Goodrich Actuation Systems is in

the process of being bought by a US firm, which could create one of the

world's largest aerospace businesses.

With us now is Professor David Bailey from Coventry University.

This is all very encouraging, albeit a long way off? It is hugely

positive news, it anchors Jaguar Land Rover in the region. A huge

amount of research and development as well, and it will create jobs.

Maybe 750 jobs directly, more in the supply chain, although we don't

know how many yet. It is good that it is about manufacturing, because

that is the heartbeat of the region? It is what we are good at,

it is more important in this region than other regions, and we are

seeing a great success in the automotive sector, aerospace, also

JCB, which is exporting. Other manufacturing sectors are

struggling, like materials and nettles. We have got the Jaguar

Land Rover factory coming along, and this increased pay and bonuses

for workers at a JCB? They're doing well, because they have excellent

products, and they export to places like China, Brazil, Russia, India.

They are growing quickly. Countries that are focused more on the UK and

the euro zone are seeing a smaller growth and the prospect of not as

good. There are still a climate of fear about jobs, though. It depends

on the sector they work in. Those in the public sector are seeing a

lot of cutbacks. It depends what company they are working for,

whether they are orientated towards the growth markets. Sadly, we will

see unemployment rise over the next year, and we have seen the

manufacturing slowing down. It will be a pretty turbulent 2012, given

the head wind coming from overseas. I think the deputy governor of the

Bank of England said yesterday that he expects the next half of 2012 to

be tough, but there could be signs of real growth after that. I think

there is an issue about how tough it will be, but we dip into double-

dip recession, but it is difficult to tell. We don't know what is

going to happen in the euro-zone, whether it goes belly-up, the US

economy is growing slowly, there are fears about a slowdown in China.

That is a pretty tough external environment. Thank you.

Two men have been convicted of murdering a Gloucester shop worker

for his iPhone. Keith Soons, who was 36, was stabbed in the head

with a screwdriver after a night out in Cheltenham in February. 27-

year-old Michael Sexton and 26- year-old Richard Smith had blamed

each other for the fatal blow. The judge at Bristol Crown court said

he'll pass mandatory life sentences, including a minimum term they'll

serve. The inquest has opened in Norwich

into the death of Donald Neilson, who kidnapped and murdered the

Shropshire teenager Lesley Whittle. In 1975 Neilson, known as the Black

Panther, abducted the 17-year-old heiress from her home and hid her

in a drain in Staffordshire. He also shot Black Country postmaster

Sidney Grayland. Neilson was 75. He'd been suffering from motor

neurone disease and died on Sunday. A fourth ward's been closed at

Warwick Hospital because of the winter sickness bug Norovirus.

Visiting on the affected wards is now restricted. Over the past

fortnight, there've been 14 outbreaks of the virus in hospitals,

care homes and schools in the region The Health Protection Agency

says that's a "reasonable" level for this time of year.

Now, "Put your feet up, love" is pretty routine advice for mums-to-

be. But to protect her unborn child, Donna Kelly had to put her feet up

quite literally for three months, 24 hours a day.

She'd already endured two miscarriages and when she fell

pregnant earlier this year it looked like it might end in yet

more heartache. Until a doctor stepped in and turned the problem

on its head - so to speak. Here's Welcome to the world, Amelia Kelly

- a baby born into an upside-down world. A baby her parents feared

they'd never have. Looking at this game, I just thought, how on earth

are we going to get to 28 weeks when things are looking so bleak?

But then, do think we got to 34 weeks, it was absolutely amazing.

When the neck of Donna's womb started to open far to soon,

doctors realised she was about to suffer her third miscarriage.

Surgery and medication failed, so their solution was simple - raise

her feet up above her head. We were hoping to only have to do this for

about a month, but it ended up going on for three months. After

three months, she was quite weak, she hadn't walked for the whole

period, but she did not have exercises, and can walk very well

now! As a result of this aggressive treatment, she has had this lovely

baby, so we are all delighted. Amelia was born prematurely by

emergency C-section. That she's here at all is due to not just to

that simple idea, but to her mother's determination to stick it

out for so long upside down. makes it all worthwhile now we have

got her. Not forgetting the two who are not with us, but without them,

we wouldn't have got to where we are now. Definitely worth

celebrating. I don't think I could have laid down for three months! It

took a lot of resilience that she is here. Phenomenal. Everyone here

is delighted by Donna's success and enchanted by Amelia. There is a

recognition that the upside-down method is not ideal, and they have

begun research to find an alternative. Blissfully unaware of

her topsy-turvy start to life, Amelia's now back home at Shilton

near Coventry - in the season of giving, the greatest gift a family

Joy out of heartache. A classics starry. -- story.

Villagers who have been protesting outside a gypsy camp for more than

18 months are emerging from a meeting that was expected to force

them to leave. Solihull council was considering ordering the cam's

removal before taking action against the illegal gypsy site.

What has happened? We have had a decision in the last few minutes

and the council has decided to delay making a decision on this

enforcement order. They have given the protesters until January 16th

to let them know what their intentions are and they will

discuss that enforcement order in February. What they had been

intending to ask the protesters to do was to take down the awning and

the things they have put up so they can watch over the gypsy camp which

they want moved from Meriden. With me is the leader of the campaign,

David McGrath. You will not have enforcement officers, but it is not

over. We do have a breathing space to plan and we will write to the

council to talk about a voluntary withdrawal but our concern is hour

withdrawal should be linked to enforcement action against

travellers. Enforcement has to happen and we will not move until

we see that. Nevertheless, you are protesting about the gypsies

breaking the law but you are as well. We are not. The Council have

given us time to consider our voluntary period of withdrawal. At

the same time, we do not want to be fair. We want to move but we want

to see enforcement action against the gypsies. It will be 600 days

since you started this vigil and it will continue through Christmas.

Yes, we will have a carol service, mince pies, you are welcome to come.

The gypsies have said the protest camp is in the wrong place and it

should be out here calling on Solihull council to provide more

spaces for gypsies to move to. They say there is nowhere for them to go

Still ahead: 12 months ago they were locked in by the big freeze.

This year the sprout harvest is better than ever.

And the 12 months have brought a change in our weather. Last year we

had snow and ice, but this Christmas things look much milder.

All the details coming up. It is a staggering statistic and

one we do not want to think about, but a quarter of us will have

mental health problems at some time in our lives. Drugs and therapy can

help, but one man has found a different way of keeping his

illness at bay. His home is his studio, his studio,

his sanctuary. A safe place where Jean Pierre Kunzler can express his

emotions through art. If the it rather than intellectualising it.

Jean Pierre believes he was born with bipolar illness. It means he

plunges into periods of manic depression. As well as medication,

his love of painting, he believes has rescued him from the depths of

despair. When I get to those dark places, rather than let it can see

me, eye pain. My paintings may not be cheerful, but when I am more

balance, I will make them more peaceable. For like most patients,

Jean Pierre has a psychiatric nurse. I went to ask him if art can really

help. There have been famous individuals over the years who

suffer with manic depressive illness, who were very creative and

this art therapy is a great medium for them to express what they are

feeling. Jean Pierre does not do it for money. He donates his work for

all to see but that is not all. Jean Pierre Kunzler's work has been

sent to Prince child and photograph of the Angel of greed -- Gabriel

has resulted in a letter from the Queen. Learn to love the world,

because if you can commit it will be a bit easier but if you are in

Forkball and offs manager Mick McCarthy has praised the spirit of

his players with their draw with Norwich. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake to

return to the team with the first equaliser and Ronald Zubar got a

second to insure the biggest crowd of the season did not go home

downhearted. Steven Fletcher thought he had the winner but it

was ruled offside. They do keep going and I am lucky I got every

last drop out of them. We just did not have that finish and I know it

was an open game but in the last five minutes we had enough chances

to win and we should have put it to them. We erupted when that third

goal went in. Aston Villa, Stoke City and West

Bromwich Albion fought in action this evening and you can follow

their games on your BBC local radio All these games going on, I will

have to revisit my diary. In 2007, Jon-Allan Butterworth lost

his arm while serving with the RAF in Iraq. As part of his

rehabilitation he got on a bike. Four years on he is a world

champion and a gold medal they have read for the Paralympics next year.

The velodrome in Manchester - home to the most successful sporting

team in Britain and there is another star emerging. 25-year-old

Jon-Allan Butterworth is already Para cycling world champion. In

London next August, he will add Paralympic gold. To get on a squad

with only nine places, it does not take a genius to work out that

there are more than nine made -- nine men on a squad and we are not

all going. It will be tough to get to London. I met up with Jon-Allan

to hear his remarkable story. He was an RAF weapons technician in

Iraq in 2007 when he was caught up in an explosion and lost his left

arm. I was trying to stem the bleeding, give myself a chance to

get over the injury and survive. I would have slowly bled out. If I

had to wait five or 10 minutes, I would not have made it. He was sent

to a Paralympic talent day. With no other expectation than to get fit

again. Next summer's Paralympics seems a long way off, but with

defence of his world title, Jon- Allan is about to embark on the

year of his life. We wish him the best of luck. The

weather has taken a mild tan for now. War in a moment but last year

we were in the grip of a freezing winter. Crops up like Brussels

sprouts were often locked in the frozen ground. Very different this

year with no chance of a Seabrook shortage. One grower has seen sales

soar by 15 %. This was the scene facing farmers

last year as they struggled to harvest vegetables in snow-covered

fields. But what a difference a year makes. Harvesting a healthy

crop of sprouts today at Essington was simple by comparison. It is a

downside easier cutting them. Last year we were under six inches of

snow, it was minus 10 and it was a pain getting them out. This year,

sales are buoyant and it is much easier cutting them. These proud

season usually last for the end of October until the beginning of

March, but last year which it says it lasted only until January due to

frost. Sales in the run-up to Christmas are always.. Which it

expects to sell 5,000 stands along with another 100 kilos of loose

spells this week alone. At his farm shop, a quarter of the entire

season's sprouts are sold in the week leading up to Christmas. It is

a vegetable that people love or hate. It just for Christmas because

nobody really likes them. They make a nice little meal now and then,

quite refreshing. I think it is absolutely fabulous and it is one

of your five a day. You need to start cooking them now for

Christmas they to make them tender. As for the price, �1.49 East End

the same as last year. But as growing conditions are better, the

sprouts are heavier. This farm grows modern varieties of sprouts.

The other secret to a bumper crop according to the Pharma, a rotating

them with his herd of pigs. Mighty fine pigs. Bursting with

vitamins and good for you. Brussels sprouts because they were first

grown in Belgium. Divided in the office about sprouts.

Love them or loathe them. Now the weather.

They are very good with bacon or They are very good with bacon or

chestnuts. Now the weather. We had the cold frosty weather last

Christmas. This Christmas looking very different, much milder and

that milder air arrived last night. It gave us very impressive

temperatures. In Perthshire we got up to highs of 14 Celsius, way

above what we should be this time of year. The average of more like

six Celsius. As we go through tonight, it will remain mild but

mostly cloudy. That cloud moving down and settling over the hills to

give some mist and murk and some spots of drizzle. Some clear spells

but it will be mild with temperatures no lower than seven or

eight Celsius. Four some it could be a great and murky start tomorrow.

Some breaks appearing in their cloud as you go through the day.

The most favoured places for this will be anywhere to the east of

high ground. Parts of Shropshire and Herefordshire. It will be mild,

whether you are stuck under a cloud or sunshine with highs of 11 or 12

Celsius. Tomorrow night a cloudy story and a very mild story as well.

Into Friday, a bit of a change in our weather. This band of rain will

work its way south and east. Quite a breezy day, temperatures of 10 or

11 or 12 Celsius. Behind that band of rain, cool air. If you follow

the isobars, you can see the air comes in from the north-west. It

will bring cooler air towards Christmas Eve but only a temporary

feature as on Christmas Day, the mild air works its way back up

again from the south-west. With temperatures around 11 Celsius, if

you put a bet on the white Christmas, go back for a refund.

Tonight's main headlines: the England and Chelsea captain John

England and Chelsea captain John Terry has been charged with a

racially abusing another player during a match in October.

And billionaire John Caudwell is prepared to buy the Wedgwood

collection to keep it in the potteries.

Finally take a look at this, this is possibly the biggest and best

Christmas tree in the region. We have both given by it and it is

lovingly decorated each year by Bournville Village Trust.

Magnificent! It was planted in 1948 to commemorate the 90th birthday of

Dame Elizabeth Cadbury. A fitting tribute. It is just next door to

the Cadbury factory and as we think it is the most breathtaking tree,

but we do not want to be biased. If you know of a better one, get in

touch. It is that all-year-round, that tree. Very special indeed.

Absolutely magnificent. But get in touch if you have a better tree.

That is it. Tomorrow we are meeting some of the people setting up a