18/11/2013 Midlands Today

Hello and welcome to Midlands Today. The headlines tonight: Who murdered

Maxine? Killed in the pub bombings ` now her family meet one of the

Birmingham Six, once blamed for her death. We'll be hearing from Maxine

Hambleton's brother and sister nearly forty years after that

fateful night and asking how it felt to meet a man they long believed

killed their sister. Also this evening ` losing our countryside.

Fears that haphazard planning rules could become a developer's charter.

With colder weather on the way, the struggle to pay soaring energy

costs. They always go up higher so you have to skimp back on things.

It's going to get difficult. A hard`fought three points puts Wolves

at the top of the table. Surely just the platform they need for a

promotion push? He would tip them to do it, be one of the sides competing

at the top of this league. And according to the calendar, it may

still be autumn but as far as the weather's concerned, winter's

already here. Brace yourselves for a cold week.

Good evening. Maxine Hambleton was 18 when she died in a Birmingham pub

at the height of the IRA bombing campaign in the '70s. Tonight a BBC

Midlands documentary looks at growing demands by Maxine's family

to have the case re`opened. They've formed an unlikely alliance with

Paddy Hill ` one of six men wrongly convicted of the atrocity. Although

it's now almost forty years since the Birmingham pub bombings, the

Hambleton family say they'll never give up fighting to bring those

responsible to justice. Anthony Bartram reports.

Brian and Julie 's sister Maxine was burnt `` killed in the Birmingham

pub bombings. They haven't given up hope of finding out who did it and

support their campaign is growing. It's really nice to meet you. Oh my

God. We have so many people around you. Surprisingly few of those

affected by the bombings know each other. Julie and Maureen Mitchell

had never met. She was so badly injured in the explosion that

priests gave her the last rites. It's emotional for me, because you

were there. You have been through it, literally. And my heart goes out

to you. Ladies and gentlemen. Many of the victims families feel that

they have been forgotten in the controversy that surrounded the

unsafe convictions of the Birmingham six. 22 years after their release,

one of them is now offering to help the Hambletons, but can they

accepted? I understand what those people feel like, they have had

years of having someone to focus their anger on, and of course their

anger was focused on us. I have a similar anger. But my anger is

focused on the West Midlands serious crime squad. Mr Hill and the

Hambleton 's first meeting took place at this peace foundation. It's

in our DNA that we were told that you were the ringleader of the

so`called Birmingham six. As far as I was concerned, you killed my

sister. And all the other 20. I understand that, you don't have to

tell me, I know what they said. I would love to see my country united

but I had nothing to do with the IRA. It's the 39th anniversary on

Thursday and detectives are currently reassessing the case. The

Hambletons and Mr Hill admit they are an odd alliance but they truth

about who bombed Birmingham has to come out.

Joining us now are Maxine's brother and sister, whom we saw there, Brian

and Julie. Good evening to you both. Can you briefly outline the last

time you saw Maxine, what were her plans that terrible night 39 years

ago this week? I gave my sister lived into town, I didn't know she

was going to the pub, she got these personal invites, she was going to

hand them out to her friends to invite them to a house`warming party

at the house we were living in. So you knew she was going to the

tavern? I didn't know it was that pub, she didn't state where she was

going. I heard the news later on in the evening when an ITN news flash

came on. They said two bombs have gone off in the city centre. And you

didn't know specifically? You get these gut feeling is that something

is wrong. Do you think you will ever know who did this? I certainly hope

so, that's why we took part in this documentary, to raise the plight of

our campaign for justice to be seen to be done. We horrified, as are our

supporters, that no one is looking for the perpetrators, we live in a

democratic society, and for the past 22 years since the man known as the

Birmingham six were released, no one in the West Midlands Police or

government have taken up looking for the perpetrators. They are still at

liberty. What was it like meeting Paddy Hill, the man you long

believed killed your sister? It nearly didn't happen. I walked in

and I thought my knees would buckle beneath me. I just fell apart. I

must have been suffering for about six minutes, I was thinking about

Maxine, thinking about mum. Mum had to identify Maxine and she was told

not to buy her face because their injuries were such that they detect

this didn't want her last memory of her daughter to be of her injuries.

So mum identified her from the rings she was wearing and the bangles,

which I now in my position. Brian, will the police ever reinvestigate,

do you believe? No, I don't think they will, there is too much to

lose, for them and the authorities. But that goes with the comment made

on pre`recorded television with the BBC, where Marcus Peel stated that

if it's the right thing to do, they will reinvestigate. What did you

think when you heard him say that? I was shocked, because they are

pre`empting what's coming down the road as far as I'm concerned. We

have taken it as a personal slight, but only to our family but to all

the other victims and survivors. It's 39 years on but it's still

incredibly raw, clearly. It is, we live with it every day. I was 11

when my sister was killed. I will never forget. The police have all

the clues, all the forensics, they could clear this case but they are

not prepared to because there is too much at risk. Thank you for talking

to us. Coming up later in the programme `

details of a new scheme that could help you cut more than ?200 a year

from from gas and electricity bills. The Government's facing a backbench

revolt from Conservative MPs over changes to planning rules seen as "a

developer's charter". As ministers battle to ease a chronic shortage of

affordable housing, there are warnings that haphazard developments

will threaten the countryside. Our Political Editor Patrick Burns has

the details. Middle England, marching on Middle Quinton, the name

given by developers to proposed 6000 home eco`town near

Stratford`upon`Avon. The people Power saw it off and 11 others like

it. It had fallen flower of a U`turn by the previous Labour government.

Their other big idea, the regional spatial strategy for up to 400

thousand new homes across the West Midlands, was promptly scrapped by

the incoming coalition government. In its place, the National planning

framework. It comes in when local authorities fail to agree housing

developed plans in their areas, and its controversial because it resumes

in favour of housing planning applications. That's what critics

say it is a developer 's charter. Take this area in Staffordshire. The

plan envisages 600 houses in 12 key servers villages over 20 years. But

the new rules enable National planning inspectors to intervene

when they deem local plans inadequate. The inspectorate ruled

they did not have a five`year supply of housing. The results, a rash of

ill considered developments. The government intention was to be a

plan led system but this ad hoc development brings that into

question and we will have to see if that is just a glitch. There is no

excuse for a local authority not to put a plan in place. That is a

fundamental responsibility. Those who haven't need to get a move on.

The Minister was in Chomsky would, where the local MP was keen to show

him how rundown housing can be reclaimed. It's one of the biggest

project of its kind, a ?150 million partnership between Solihull

Council, the housing association and British Gas. This estate has been

regenerated, creating 900 extra homes, to rent, to buy, to part by,

everything possible, with lots of local jobs created. But the housing

association umbrella body warned there is no substitute for a step

change in house building. It is often the same people who say don't

build here as you say, my child can't find a home they can afford.

We need to say yes to homes. We have a campaign to lobby local councils

and petitions to get housing built. This development is on a brown field

site, once part of the good year tyre factory in Wolverhampton.

According to the Shadow Housing Minister and local MP, it's being

built with a minimum of fuss. A handful of objections were made. It

shows that brown field can be fantastic. We need to kick`start

building and make sure that developers aren't sitting on land

where there is planning permission. So it can be done but for

governments past present and possible future, finding a plan

without ignoring `` igniting a firestorm is the political

equivalent of the holy Grail. And you can read more about the

issues surrounding these big new housing developments on line ` just

go to Patrick's blog which he's devoted to the subject.

More than ?3 million has been paid out to women who underwent

unnecessary or incomplete breast cancer operations at hospitals in

the West Midlands. Ian Paterson carried out unregulated procedures

on women while working for the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust. His

case is still being investigated by the police and he's been suspended.

Families struggling to pay soaring energy bills have until tomorrow to

benefit from a scheme where councils negotiate to buy in bulk. Savings

would be passed on to consumers. The average cost of a dual fuel bill `

electricity and gas ` is now ?1,300. Ten years ago that figure was ?570,

so costs have more than doubled. The Big Community Switch could save

customers around ?220 on their bills. Ben Godfrey reports. Lana

Johnson is struggling to pay her bills. The single mother from

Bilston has seen her gas and electricity tariffs rise again and

something's got to give. Especially at this time of year, they always go

up high, so you have to skimp on things. It's going to get the court.

I am not a salesman, work for the council. Lana's decided to sign`up

to the 'Big Community Switch'. Here's the idea ` local councils

invite people to join a club ` the bigger the club ` the harder the

energy companies will compete for this sizeable custom. And, they

hope, offer some of their lowest tariffs for gas and electricity.

Around 3500 people in the last nine months have taken up the scheme.

Overall, people are expected to save pitting the 101 inch and ?50 on

their energy bills by going through the switch. Here's the BUT. In

Wolverhampton, thousands have registered but fewer than 200 got a

deal ` many haven't followed the process through. And critics of the

scheme say ` ultimately ` people have no power over a firm's pricing

policy. Five of the big six energy companies have recently increased

their tariffs by an average of 8.1%. And the Government's Spending

Watchdog National Audit Office says consumers face 17 more years of

above inflation increases. Lana Johnson is one of 27,000 people

across the UK hoping to bag a bargain. How confident are you that

your bills are going to come down at the end of this? You can only hope,

really. I will believe it when I see it, hopefully. It's customers trying

to 'call the shots' at a time many feel so helpless.

And if you want help bringing down your energy bills, there's more

information on the Energy Saving Trust website. This is our top story

tonight: Who murdered Maxine? Killed in the pub bombings ` now her family

meet one of the Birmingham Six, once blamed for her death.

Your detailed weather forecast to come shortly from Shefali. Also in

tonight's programme ` the schoolgirl who lost the use of her legs

overnight and how that's spurred her on to become a world class

competitor. And why this acclaimed schoolboy musician says his

inspirational music teacher is the best there is. He is not just the

best beauty teacher, I think he's one of the best teachers I've ever

had. Dan's here with a sport and an

exciting weekend in League One. Who needs the Premier League? Remember

the name, Ethan Ebanks`Landell. He is on top of the world of the

scoring on his debut. Every year, Wolverhampton Wanderers spends ?2.5

million on developing young players at the club's Academy. And it's

proving to be a wise investment. Farewell to St Edmunds School in

Wolverhampton. Today, the old building was being raized to the

ground. Soon to be replaced by Wolves' new football academy. In

recent years, the club has produced a good crop of talented home grown

players. And now the name of Ethan Ebanks`Landell can be added to the

list of Academy scholars who've graduated to the first team. And

what a debut it was. With only 14 minutes left, he popped up with the

match`winning goal to earn three priceless points. You looked

delighted! He has come through the ranks, as have many of the lads, I'm

sure it will mean a lot to him. He is a very good character, a calm

character, very professional lead. He has a good future ahead of him.

160 youngsters are chosen for the Wolves academy and it is this man 's

job to make sure the club gets good value from its annual investment of

?2.5 million. There has never been a good time to be a young Wolves

player, you have to be given an opportunity, and for us to do that

is a real step forward. Next month, Ethan Ebanks`Landell celebrates his

birthday but nothing will match the feeling of scoring on his debut. So

Wolves are top of League One but there was also drama and controversy

for Coventry City yesterday. They drew 3`3 at Bradford City but that

only tells part of the story. The Sky Blues took the lead within a

minute. Andy Webster scoring after a mix up in the Bradford defence. And

they went 2`nil up within seven minutes ` Callum Wilson's pace

setting up the chance for Leon Clarke. Bradford fought but but

trailed 3`2 four minutes into injury time when this happened. Jordan

Clarke handled it. Nakhi Wells scored to complete a hat`trick and

make it 3`3 but the drama wasn't finished. The Sky Blues manager

Steven Pressley involved in a touchline row with the Bradford

manager Phil Parkinson. Pressley wouldn't say what was said to him

afterwards but said it was appalling and unprofessional. And quite a game

between Port Vale and Shrewsbury Town. League One was the place to be

wasn't it? Vale won 3`1 but the result was in doubt until the 90th

minute. Following a Shrewsbury corner Vale broke away to make it

3`1 through Jordan Hugill. And we've still got Walsall against

Peterborough this evening. Imagine going to sleep one night,

able`bodied. And waking up unable to move. That's what happened to Lauren

Rowles at the age of thirteen. But less than two years later, the

wheelchair racer from Worcestershire is on the verge of going to the

Commonwealth Games. Ben Sidwell's been to meet the latest contender

for newcomer of the year in the West Midlands Community Sports Awards.

Lauren Rowles was a promising young runner until one night. It happened

within the space of ten, 12 hours, I went to bed that night, fully

able`bodied, nothing wrong with me, and I woke up the next morning and I

had completely couldn't feel my legs. Diagnosed with the spinal

condition Transverse myelitis and left with no sensation from the

chest down. But inspired by the London 2012 Paralympics she was

determined to return to the track. I never thought she would be on the

track, she would be in a racing chair, just so happy. It just goes

to show Lauren 's strength of character. At North Bromsgrove High

School, fellow students have raised over ?15,000 to buy equipment to

help Lauren in her sport. I was watching her go around the track and

I was really proud of her, it's a great feeling to see my best friend

succeeding at what she does best. It has been an inspiration for other

students to see somebody who was able`bodied coming back and tackling

everyday school life with a positive attitude. People say, how can you

smile every day and I say there are worse things than being in a chair.

I don't see myself as disabled, I just do something alternative to

everybody else. Already ranked fourth in the UK for the 1500

metres, Lauren's hoping to make it to next year's Commonwealth Games

and then the Paralympics. Were you lucky enough to have a

teacher who inspired you at school? Someone who helped change your life?

Well there's one teacher in Birmingham who's inspired hundreds

of students. But when his encouragement was matched by one

pupil's talent, the results were extraordinary. Cath Mackie reports.

He's the inspiring music teacher. He's the inspired pupil. Both about

to sign off their school careers on a high note. Peter Bridle and pupil

Robbie Ruisi teamed up six years when Robbie won a music scholarship

to King Edward's school in Birmingham. He is without doubt the

most talented fiddle player we've ever had in this school. But Peter

Bridle has a talent of his own. As a teacher. He's won a national

lifetime achievement award. I gather it was their idea for some students

past and present to nominate me for this award, so coming from the

pupils themselves, and some of the staff, I am really quite

overwhelmed. I think he is one of the best teachers I've ever had. The

way he inspires people to do things like Symphony Orchestra, he runs

that every week, everybody wants to do it and do it well. Maybe not for

themselves but for him, because he inspires people to do so. He is just

fantastic. For the third year running, Robbie has been chosen as

leader of the national youth orchestra. The role of a leader

generally is more kind of motivating, it's also a way of

connecting with different sections of the orchestra. Robbie's hoping to

go to music college. And after more than 40 years of teaching Mr Bridle

retires next year. I think the word is irreplaceable. We are already

scrabbling around desperately. I have been a schoolmaster for 30

years, he is one of the few genius is I have come across. But there's

time for a few more recitals before this golden era ends.

And staying with music, a big thank you to all of those who helped make

this year's Children In Need so tuneful. On Friday, the event

culminated in a choir of 225 children from ten schools in

Coventry and Birmingham singing in the new Library of Birmingham. It

was a night when this region donated almost ?2.5 million. And if you mist

the choir, here's a quick reminder. Onto the weather and warnings of

plummeting temperatures. Winter has arrived early, the

vocabulary is starting to change, Frost, ice and also fog. We could

see some snow as well. Wednesday will be the wettest day this week,

after today, there will also be a lot of dry weather on offer. This

was the front that alters today's rain, constantly out of the way now,

we have a ridge of high pressure behind it and at this time of year

that tends to give us near perfect conditions for overnight frost. It's

wet on Wednesday with this low pressure coming in from the

North`West that will bring the rain with it. More so than that, it's

probably the strengthening winds that will be a teacher. Back to

today, we had some rain today, that was the cloud associated with it,

which is now out of the way. In the last couple of hours, that has been

breaking up, so it is during these hours that we will see temperatures

plummet. In the countryside, down two sub zero values. Not quite cold

enough for a widespread frost overnight but there will be some

patchy frost. In countryside areas, definitely a widespread ground on M

Frost. `` and air frost. Some cloud coming in from the Northwest, that

will bring with it some snow lorries. `` flurries. Certainly damp

surfaces, we could see some icy patches by the morning. Moving on,

we still have this trickle of wintry flurries in from the Cheshire gap,

following a line through central parts, into Coventry and

Warwickshire as well. In contrast to today, it will be much prior and

brighter and sunnier, with temperatures between four to seven

Celsius. Tomorrow night, temperatures will fall quite early

on, they will be a widespread ground frost and air frost before the rain

set in. Tonight's headlines from the BBC Two internet giants are to

crackdown on online searches for images of child abuse. A woman

pleads guilty to murdering three men and dumping their bodies in ditches

and the attempted murder of two other men in Hereford. Who murdered

Maxine? Killed in the pub bombings ` now her family meet one of the

Birmingham Six, once blamed for her death. And losing our countryside `

fears that haphazard planning rules could become a developer's charter.

That was the Midlands Today. I'll be back at ten o'clock with a report on

how Twitter is helping businesses in Worcestershire win

'We wanna do a science fiction series.'

CS Lewis meets HG Wells meets Father Christmas, that's the Doctor.