22/12/2011 Midlands Today

Welcome to Midlands today. The headlines: The biggest rise in

homelessness in the country, we are live at a shelter preparing for

Christmas. It can happen to anybody. Police said they are treating the

death of a man in Worcester as murder.

I was going to see if I could get up there and save him but it was so

intense. French prosecutors investigate that

the themed party attended by MP Aidan Burley.

The mum had a heart attack when she was pregnant, baby Ryan was less

than three pounds at birth, but now the family is together.

Good evening. Tonight, the growing problem of

homelessness in the region, as numbers reach a record level.

Two years ago, the number of homeless people was 7,100. Last

year it had gone up to 8440. That rise is the largest anywhere in

England. Surprisingly, -- not surprisingly, Christmas is the

busiest time for shelters. Why are so many people living in this

situation? Beds, like its and food. Just some

of the supplies being delivered to help the homeless at St George's

community centre in Newtown in Birmingham. Last year, the shelter

are catered for 170 people on Christmas Day. 115 slap Dover. The

indications are it could be even busier this year. Speaking to sit

kitchens and organisations in Birmingham, they have been seeing

an increase of 35-40%. We anticipate that we have an impact

on us. We have never hit capacity here but we do not want to turn

anyone away. Homelessness can come unexpectedly. Carol Brown was a

successful publican but when her marriage broke up she found herself

with nowhere to live. Now she works for the charity that helped turn

her life around. If you had said to me for years ago but I would be in

a homeless hostel, I would have laughed at you. It can happen to

anybody, it is so easy. This manager in Birmingham says the

tough economic climate means the building has doubled in size,

catering for 95 residents. We have people coming with us stories about

how they had a job 12 months ago and they don't have a job any more

and they have lost their job, they have lost their home, and they are

homeless and they just want somewhere to stay. The story has

changed. Back at St George's, 200 of -- volunteers have signed up to

help cope with the inspected increase. -- expected increase.

is a lovely feeling seen them all tucked up in bed. It is not nice to

come into somewhere and put your head on the floor. Not only will

the people who come here get food and shelter, they will also have

access to professional services might drop it is, massage, and The

Samaritans. -- like a charade that is. They expect to have served

around 3,000 meals by the time may close next Friday.

Really worrying figures, how are they coping?

They are coping very well at the moment. They have laid on a party

for 100 people this afternoon. A Christmas dinner has been cooked by

the executives and they are serving it. I am joined by the manager.

This is a good example of what can be done to help homeless people,

isn't it? On a day like this, when the Executive have come together to

cook for less privileged people in our community, we have said about

100 people. It is the time of the year to give back to people in the

community. How does this Christmas compared to last? This Christmas is

different in a sense that we have got more people presenting as

homeless and that is why charities like this are trying to provide for

this community. At the same time, it is an opportunity for the

community in the West Midlands to come together. It is hard to

predict, but any predictions for how the homelessness problem may go

next year? If the economy remains the way it is, more people will

become homeless. That is why we want to provide for the less

privileged in our society. That is why -- when you're doing this

afternoon. Everybody seems to be enjoying themselves. We just wish

everybody here a very happy Christmas.

Well done to the volunteers to give up their time.

Coming up later... How pictures of Coventry in times

gone by are helping patients with dementia.

Police in bet -- investigating the death of a man in Worcester said

they are treating it as murder. Andrew Heath was found dead inside

his property in the early hours of last Wednesday morning. Today, his

neighbours and friends appealed for help to find his killer.

Tributes outside the flat were Andrew Heath had lived for the past

nine years. The severity of the fire that killed him, there for all

to see. His neighbours and close friends, Sue and Clive Dayus, were

often -- I have woken in the early hours of last Wednesday morning by

banging from the flat above. wanted to go up and save him but

the fire was at the doorway. I ran around to the front and I was

shaking. -- I was shouting, Andrew, to see if I could get a response.

Within minutes, flames shot out of the window. I knew that was it.

were aware that somebody was inside. We deployed for firefighters with

breathing apparatus to fight the fire and to go and try and rescue

the person. Sadly we were unable to do so. Police arrested two men over

the fire. One was released after questioning. Another, in his

thirties, has been released on police bail. The fire was started

in the porch of number two. Police are trying to work out whether

Andrew Heath was already dead at that point, or whether he was

killed by the fire. They are also desperate to find out what would

motivate somebody to kill him. would ask anybody their new Andrew

Heath to contact us so we can piece together the details of his life to

establish what happened. The fire was particularly ferocious and

clearly had been in a block of flats. It was one that put other

people's lives in danger. Sue and Clive Dayus's flat was so badly

damaged they said they have lost nearly everything they own and will

never live there again. We want to catch whoever did this. It is not

only his family they have taken him from, they to come from us as well.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact them

immediately. French prosecutors have launched an

investigation into the Nazi themed stag party attended by the MP for

Cannock Chase, Aidan Burley. But Conservative MP was sacked from his

job as a government adviser after he was pictured sitting next to the

groom, who was wearing an SS uniform. It did it transpired he

may have paid for the hire of the outfit himself. -- it later

transpired. What are the French opera TI's serene today? What they

have announced is a preliminary inquiry. This is the first step. It

is a result of a complaint lodged by a group, SOS Racism, which has

followed this story, and felt that in its year, a breach of French law

might have been committed. It went public with this complaint and

pressurise the local prosecutor, who then opened this preliminary

inquiry. The preliminary inquiry isn't -- into what happened, not

into individuals. It is simply to work out what happened and if there

was a case against anyone involved. At that point it would turn into

something more formal. People would be named and then I -- a judicial

investigation would be launched. What laws could be broken?

group involved thinks two might have been broken. One is incitement

to racial hatred and the other is apologising for her, otherwise

supporting and making arguments for, war-crimes. From my conversations

with the representative of a so West Racism, he thinks the second

is more likely to stick. That is apologetic for war crimes. Wearing

eight Nazi military uniform is, for him, possible to interpret as

championing the Nazi movement and therefore apologising for war

crimes. That is his opinion. Two men have been sentenced to a

total of 53 years in jail for murder. Richard Smith and Michael

Sexton were found guilty of murder yesterday. Sixten will serve a

minimum of 25 years and Smith, MM run -- minimum of 28 years. This

man died after being stabbed in the head with a screwdriver.

Part of a brand-new housing estate in Gloucestershire have at -- has

been bulldozed after a victory of residence in a planning battle.

Building began after planning permission was given five years ago.

At a tribunal, local people claimed part of the land was protected by

an old covenant. The housing company has been forced to tear

down the homes. Families who have members of the

armed forces overseas are being offered support over the Christmas

period. One of the busiest airfield in the UK is in Shropshire and bar

have people deployed all over the world this Christmas. It has a long

established welfare programme. We have met some of the families

facing separation this Christmas. I need you to look after mum while

I am away... Josh reads a letter written by his father just after he

left for Afghanistan. The family will be spending Christmas

thousands of miles apart. All my love. I will so, so, so Miss You,

dad. Josh and his mum will be in Shropshire on Christmas Day. His

dad has been in Camp Bastion since late summer. There is a good

community to have art. There are good neighbours and good friends

who are willing to help out. Hynes family will also spend

Christmas apart. Here at the Christmas party, Corporal Tony

Hynes crams in as many cuddles as he can with his son, Jacob, who is

only five months old. Tony has now flown out to the Afghan capital,

Kabul. To be away for his first Christmas, I am gutted. I have been

away before it. To be a way for his first Christmas is the worst thing

I can think of. Most people take it for granted that they will spend

Christmas with the people they love. Four military families it is common

to spend the festive season thousands of miles apart. The

welfare programme at RAF Shawbury is well established. Families are

given all the support they need when loved ones are posted overseas.

We do not want people to feel that once their partners are way that

they are on their own. We always have a point of contact for them,

we check how they are doing, as well as other avenues. Josh and his

mum and the other families have no there is a vital job to be done,

even at this Christmas -- even at Christmas. The community here at

RAF Shawbury make sure that no one is left out at this special time of

As we live longer, the number suffering from dementia is

increasing. Providing the right care in hospital is difficult. A

recent report criticised hospitals for not doing enough. But one is

improving the lives of those facing what can be such a disorientating

illness. Dementia, the condition affects

more than three-quarters of a million people across the UK.

Hospitals are struggling to keep pace but making a more attractive

environment for confused patients can be beneficial. That is what is

happening in Coventry. One area is this forget-me-not lounge designed

to calm patients who suffer confusion. Like 92-year-old Rose.

could put my feet up and have a cup of coffee and relax. Much of the

project includes these montages which show old pictures of Coventry

and they are known to evoke soothing and pleasant memories.

Rose has not been diagnosed with dementia but those who are often

get less than satisfactory care. 32% of NHS staff interviewed for a

report felt they had enough training. The hospital has made

great strides, there has been a dimension group at the hospital. We

have done things like improving communication skills with activity

packs and the project is a great example of improving the

environment. To me, it makes a huge difference, a difference providing

quality care for older people and making sure they are looked after

properly in hospital. It is a bit of all right. As well as the

memories and lounge, staff are taking other steps to help dementia

patients, simple things like spending more time with them and

engaging in conversation about the past can go a long way.

You are watching Midlands Today. Still to come: the family

celebrating their first Christmas together after a deeply traumatic

year. And we could all do with a bit of

festive cheer this weekend with a seasonal setting. But Jack Frost's

out of town. So what is it going to I think it'll be quite mild. One of

our top universities is leading the way in some of the biggest

scientific discoveries ever made. Our science correspondent David

Gregory reports now on how the discovery of yet another new

particle at the European organisation for nuclear research,

CERN on the French Swiss border, This is the Director of CERN,

preparing to reveal to the world's media their news on the Higg's

Boson and where did he come just a few days later? To the University

of Birmingham to receive an honorary degree cementing the

strong relationship between Birmingham and CERN. I think when I

came in from the airport, I saw a sign, University of Birmingham,

research with global impact. I think you do research with global

impact. There are four experiments and the

University of Birmingham is involved in the most of any

university in the country, three out of four. But back to the Higgs

boson, have they discovered it or not? What you can say is if there

is one we are seeing the right sort of thing at the moment. But it is

not at the level where you can say it is definitive. You could talk to

me in six months' time and I might be going, that disappeared and it

is different or does it exist. As for the experiment itself, well

it's now offline. It is a complicated machine and needs

maintenance. Experiments themselves have to have maintenance, there was

shut down over winter. Next year, it will run even better than this

year. And now the university has joined

up to a third experiment. Right after all the hard work of

designing and building has finished and just as the data gathering

starts. That's the fun bit for a physicist. Yes, we feel bad about

joining but it is fantastic to join. We can contribute a lot. It is the

most complex, expensive and groundbreaking experiment ever

attempted. And Birmingham and the Midlands are at the heart of three

quarters of it. Very impressive and proud. Dan's

here with the story of the most important goal of the season so far.

The Aston Villa midfielder Marc Albrighton says it's a great honour

that one of his goals has given Acorns Hospice a �20,000 windfall.

Albrighton scored the 20,000th goal of the Premier League last night.

And although Villa lost 2-1 it proved very precious.

He didn't know it at the time but Marc Albrighton was about to score

the goal of a lifetime. That is a mistake and there is Albrighton.

was celebrating drawing Aston Villa level against Arsenal. It was only

afterwards the significance of his goal became clear. It was the

20,000th since the Premier League was launched in 1992. The league

sponsors Barclays offered �20,000 to the player who scored it and

it's gone straight to Villa's charity partner Acorns Hospice.

is a great honour and it is a great cause. We see the great work they

do their and the kids are great. There was a smile on her face all

the time. I am pleased it is going towards a good cause. �20,000 is a

day's care across the trust. You can imagine to be given an infusion

of that magnitude without any warning at all is wonderful.

night's low point came three minutes from time when Yossi

Benayoun scored to give Arsenal a 2-1 victory. But Villa could still

celebrate an improved performance alongside the charity pay-out.

Charity was in short supply from league leaders Manchester City

though. They beat Stoke 3-nil and the result was never really in

doubt. In contrast Albion's game at Newcastle was unpredictable and

exciting from the moment Peter Odemwingie gave the baggies an

early lead. Demba Ba equalised for Newcastle with a fine free-kick.

But Gareth McCauley put Albion back in front before the break. Ba again

equalised and Newcastle went in search of the winner. Albion had

other ideas and a scintillating move was ended with Paul Scharner's

athletic volley. Albion's last win at Newcastle was way back in 1977.

This five goal thriller was almost worth the wait. And talking of

waiting, Wolves fans will now have to wait 24 hours longer to see

their side play at Arsenal over Christmas?

Yes, they were due to play at the Emirates Stadium at 3pm on Boxing

Day. But the match has now been put back 24 hours due to a drivers

strike on the London Underground. This is what Wolves fans have made

of it today. It is all fun. The fans have to get

down there, travel to the ground and stuff. It is tough. It is the

right thing. It is annoying because you like to watch it on Boxing Day

because no one is a work. There's nothing to be done about it. It is

about tradition and a football on Boxing Day is a big tradition.

Other matches are taking place that day why have Arsenal called this

one off. Well, in a statement they cited a duty of care to supporters

and in their defence the vast majority of fans use the tube to

get to Arsenal because there just isn't any parking around there. But

the traditions of Boxing Day isn't set in stone these days. For

example TV dictates that Birmingham City play West Ham in a 5.30 kick-

off. Stoke host Villa in a 7.45pm kick-off. But we don't have to wait

much longer to find out who's this year's BBC Sports Personality and

we could have some Midlands winners tonight.

Yes the programme starts at 8pm on BBC1 tonight. Cyclist Mark

Cavendish is favourite to win the main award but we could have

winners in the young sports personality award. Paralympic

swimmer Eleanor Simmonds from Walsall and golfer Lauren Taylor

from Rugby are down to the final three from what's been described as

the "strongest ever field". And don't forget Bill Longmore, from

Hanwood in Shropshire. He's a contender for the Unsung hero award

after winning the Midlands version earlier this month. Let's hope we

have good news tomorrow. A couple will be celebrating Christmas at

home as a family a day they thought they'd never see as both mum and

baby were seriously ill in hospital after his premature birth. It meant

long trips to hospitals in Birmingham and Leicester for dad

Daniel Tookey, who was also helping to look after their daughter at

home in Shropshire. Joanne Writtle has been to meet them.

Baby Ryan Tookey finally home in Oswestry, after he was delivered 10

weeks early back in May, weighing just 2lb and 9oz. Mum Tina had a

heart attack when she was just seven weeks pregnant. But all then

appeared to well. Until she suffered pre-eclampsia and a liver

and blood clotting disorder when she was 30 weeks pregnant: I had

him via emergency Caesarean section and as I have that, both of my

lungs collapsed. All I can remember is saying goodbye to my husband at

the theatre door to have emergency Caesarean section and next thing I

woke up in a different hospital. Tina had been transferred to

Glenfield Hospital in Leicester, where she had to be kept alive by a

machine doing the work of her heart and lungs. She was home a few weeks

later, but Ryan then had to go to Birmingham Children's Hospital for

an operation to remove part of his bowel due to a condition which had

caused it to die. Dad Daniel and big sister Kelly meanwhile, were at

home in Oswestry. I was told within a two week period

I could lose both of them. But I put that to the back of my mind and

kept thinking to myself they will be home soon. It will all get

better. I had to keep thinking that. Tina also has Polycystic Ovaries

Syndrome, and it had taken five years to conceive Ryan. As for the

future. Hopefully we will all be fine. I am confident I will be OK.

Ryan seems to be doing well. Providing he keeps growing and is

bowels keep growing with him, it will get better. How special

Christmas be? It will be amazing after the last 12 months, two years,

it will be a most amazing Christmas ever. Finally, as if they hadn't

all been through enough, big sister Kelly here slipped in the shower

and broke her toe the day before Ryan came home from hospital two

My goodness, they have been through it. What a lovely Christmas they

will have. Happy Christmas. Here's Something along the lines of today

would be nice for Christmas Day. It will be mild, some sunshine but I

do not think we will be able to pull that out of the back. Not

snide but cloudy conditions, it will be damping places, mild and

windy. Nothing Chris and see about Christmas. Christmas Eve is looking

OK. Tonight, cloud piling in from the West, it will be mild. It will

state knows the drive but rain it ageing in towards dawn.

Temperatures only eight or nine Celsius. Very mild. It will be a

mild start tomorrow, a dull day and we see this rate band moving

eastwards. Some will be fairly heavy, particularly in the east and

the North. Flakes of snow on at Staffordshire Malverns. It is still

quite mild. The air is coming in from the north-west. 10 and 11 in

the day, the rain it plays East Wood's In the Night and skies will

play quickly. Temperatures plummeting down to 2 or three

Celsius. There will be a touch of frost on the cards. That is how we

start Christmas Eve, it is looking quite nice on Christmas Eve, dry

and sunny. Temperatures up to around six Celsius. Then, south-

westerly and temperatures in double figures. Cloudy and dampen places

and windy. A Christmas Day barbecue. A look at

tonight's main headlines: Multiple explosions rip through Baghdad -

the worst violence Iraq has seen for months. And here homelessness

hits a record high - it's growing at a faster rate in this region

than anywhere in the country. That's all from us this evening. On