03/01/2014 Midlands Today

Hello and welcome to Midlands Today, the headlines tonight: Severe flood

warnings, defence barriers up, and there's worse to come this weekend.

It was very dramatic indeed for a period this morning, the river came

up extremely quick. Talking to the locals, they haven't seen anything

like it. We'll be live in Gloucester with the

latest on the floods and the outlook for the weekend. Also tonight, a

warning from farmers, changes to European subsidies will damage their

business. If you take the average farm today,

if you were to take away the support from CHP, it would not make a

profit. Filmed and produced in the Midlands,

actor Mark Williams tells us why he's loving the role of Father

Brown. He is so interested in so many

things, and I thought my natural inquisitiveness and nosiness would

carry me through. Up for the Cup, the striker who

could just cause a third`round upset.

And it's the detail that counts with the weather this weekend, I'll be

telling you when, where and how much more rainfall we can expect over the

next few days, that's later in the programme.

Good evening. After last night's heavy rain, flooding is causing

problems along the River Severn, and there's more rain to come. Tonight,

there are two severe flood warnings in place on the Severn around

Minsterworth in Gloucestershire. Elsewhere, there are 13 flood

warnings on the Severn, and also on the Wye and the River Leam. Further

upstream, flood defences went up today on the Severn in Shrewsbury.

But it's Gloucestershire, where the Severn Bore has been surging, that

has been worst hit so far, as Cath Mackie reports.

The tidal wave made its way up the river, already swollen from days of

rain, and it hit had. The water rose by several metres, a force of nature

breaking through the banks. In Minsterworth, they were prepared

with a severe flood warning, and many had done what they could to

protect their homes. It was about 18 inches in one part of the house,

three or four inches in the other, so it was quite something, a tide

coming out of the bank. At this pub, usually the spot to see the tidal

surge, carpets were taken up in readiness. We have got our sandbags

ready, but who knows? The coastguard moved along the river making sure

no`one was trapped or injured. There was relief that the fences had not

been breached. Elsewhere, the Midlands escaped the worst of the

weather, and places used to flooding like the cricket ground and

racecourse in Worcester were underground, but flood defences in

towns along the river are doing their job. No problems at all, it is

great to have them here, we don't have to worry about being flooded.

There was concern that news that the Environment Agency is cutting jobs,

including some in flood protection. I am appalled, to be honest, because

they worked tirelessly, they work with communities, they raise

awareness of flooding. What is going to happen to communities if these

members of staff have gone? In Minsterworth, the next surge is at

about nine o'clock tonight, it is predicted to be big but not as big

as this morning. But weather forecasters are predicting more rain

this weekend. These problems have been caused by a large search moving

up the River Severn, due to an area of low pressure at high tide and

strong winds. Couple that with excess water running of the Welsh

mountains and more rainfall expected through the weekend, we could see

even more flooding. The Environment Agency is advising people to monitor

flood warnings and weather conditions.

And Cath is near one of the areas worst affected in Gloucester, how's

it looking now? Mary, the weather has been absolutely appalling this

afternoon! Thankfully, we have some respite at the moment from the

horrors of rain and howling winds. You can see the river behind me

charging along, and with me is Chris from the Environment Agency, you

were here this morning, was it as bad as you expected? It came within

the parameters that we were expecting, it came very high indeed,

and we were right to give that severe warning, because there were

properties and lives at risk. Eyewitnesses said it was scary. It

was. Initially, the Severn Bore came through that preceded the search

itself, but I myself was further down river, and it came in a

extremely fast, probably higher than I was expecting, so you can see the

potential that it has. You still have a severe flood warning in

place, what is the advice tonight? There was a bit of flooding but

thankfully not too much into homes. Importantly, we are going to get

another one tonight, because we have another astronomical high tide

combined with wins and the fluvial flooding coming down the river.

Importantly, we have kept that severe on. It is really to keep

people away from the river and the parameters of the river. We still

have to do an awful lot of work, we have people checking our

infrastructure here. Just briefly, Chris, moored bad weather this

weekend, what can we expect? Yes, we have another band of rain coming in,

and other extremely low depression which will give us a lot of water on

saturated ground, so another 20 or 30 millimetres of rain on high

ground. So we will see further flood warnings and flood alerts further up

in the Midlands area, for sure. If you're planning on travelling this

weekend, you are best to check with your local radio station and the BBC

News website. Back to you, Mary. Rebecca Wood will have the full

forecast for the West Midlands later.

Coming up later in the programme, 31 years in charge of Aston Villa, Doug

Ellis at 90 on the highs and lows. We could not come in at midnight and

put the lights on, because the moment you did, the phone would go,

a van was down the road waiting to come in. That was my wife and I.

Abuse, abuse, abuse. It's going to be a challenging year

for our farmers as they face getting less cash from the Government in

2014. Half of them say the changes will damage their businesses.

Instead, more money will be diverted away from farmers and into

environmental schemes and, you may be surprised to learn, grants for

amateur dramatic societies. Here's our rural affairs correspondent,

David Gregory`Kumar. The Lapworth Players in Warwickshire

are tidying up after their Christmas show, a show staged with the help of

cash from the Common Agricultural Policy, buying scenery and even a

laptop for lighting. It has made a fantastic difference, a fantastic

difference. We have used it in three production so far, all the

equipment. It has just meant that we have moved on as well, we have not

been stuck with old lighting, old sound, you know, we have been able

to actually make our production better. The government has been

shifting Common Agricultural Policy cash towards projects like this for

a while now, and they want to do more of it, but the question is, how

much extra cash should they take off farmers and what should they spend

it on? 9% of the CAP budget had been diverted away from farmers, but over

Christmas the Government increased that to 12%. And while this cash has

been used to fund Warwickshire amateur dramatics, most of it is

used for environmental schemes, often on farms, like Georgina Aird's

Shropshire wetland. The money that we are getting for environmental

schemes is absolutely crucial to what we are doing here, and if the

NFU position means there is less money in that part, then that is

really going to have a serious negative impact on our farm

business. The NFU accepts the importance of grants for

environmental schemes but worries taking cash from farmers to fund

them will cause problems. Given that we are competing in the European

Union, in the same market, the fact that actually English farmers are

receiving less than farmers in France, Germany, Denmark, Ireland,

the Netherlands, even in Scotland, well, that creates challenges when

it comes to how competitive we can be. As farmers face cuts, the CAP is

a growing part of rural life. And David is on a Shropshire farm

now, to pick up on your last point, it's not great news for farmers, but

surely more cash for rural projects is a good thing? Well, yes, in

theory, Mary, but if you look at the numbers, you will see that counties

like Warwickshire do better at picking up these grants that are on

offer for rural businesses and even amateur dramatics when compared to

somewhere like Herefordshire, and that could be because there is less

need for cash and Herefordshire or because Warwickshire is better at

getting hold of it through the system. That could be an issue as

more of the funds go to the arrears. Let's return to farming, we have

sheltered inside with a combine harvester and our Bay Hill, who

farms here with his son. Why do farmers still need subsidies? We are

still not at a level where we are meeting the industrial wages yet, so

that was the idea of setting up CAP, and as soon as we get there, we will

do away with subsidies altogether. Now, more money for green measures,

most of that farming stuff, on farms, why can't you do more of that

and grab back more of the money that way? I think at the moment the rules

are very unclear on that, but they are going to be definitely

targeting, and not everybody will be able to get them, and that, of

course, could be a major problem for some farms were looking to

diversify. Briefly, in Wales, even more money is going away from

farmers, you have done quite well, really. They have had the benefit of

it for many years in Wales, we love them to bits! Thank you for talking

to us. If you go to my blog, you will find some useful tools that

allow you to find out how much farmers near you are getting in

subsidy and what sort of grants have been given to groups around you. We

found well dressing in Staffordshire getting CAP money!

Wise to stay indoors! 60 workers at a Black Country firm which

manufactures brass products have lost their jobs after it went into

administration. McKechnie Brass Limited, which is based in Aldridge

in Walsall, dates back 140 years. It appointed administrators at the end

of last month after making heavy losses, partly caused by an increase

in scrap`metal prices, which pushed up costs.

Detectives have released CCTV images of a man seen using a bank card

stolen in a burglary. He was spotted at a Spa shop in Chelmsley Wood near

Birmingham just minutes after a nearby house was burgled. Officers

are hoping that releasing the pictures will help to identify the

thief. The crime`fighting priest Father

Brown is back for a second series on BBC One. Made by BBC Birmingham and

filmed largely in Worcestershire and the Cotswolds, it's a worldwide

success, seen in 16 countries. Our arts reporter, Satnam Rana, has been

following filming throughout the year. She went on location to meet

the star Mark Williams, who's perhaps even better known for his

role as Mr Weasley in the Harry Potter films.

Stand`by and action! Drama and motor history coming

together on Shelsley Walsh hill climb in Worcestershire. Today the

world's oldest motor sport venue in continuous use has been transformed

into the set of BBC drama Father Brown. The top priority for us is to

use the resources available to us locally and kind of put the Midlands

on the screen, really, and to show where so much of the talent on and

off is regional talent locations as well. It makes sense to use the

local locations as well. I appear to be having an episode! The drama, set

in the fictional Cotswold village of Kembleford in the 1950s, is based on

the character created by GK Chesterton. Father Brown is played

by Birmingham's Mark Williams. I remember the telephone call, and I

remember thinking about whether I could do it or not. And I thought,

yeah, I can do that. He's so interested in so many things, and I

thought that my natural inquisitiveness stroke nosiness

would carry me through, and it has. The series is made by BBC

Birmingham's Drama Village, which produces 120 hours of TV per week.

It's one of 31 features shot in the West Midlands last year. It's

estimated ?8m was spent in the region. These shows also bring

opportunities for local people. 64 extras have taken part in filming

today. Now it's given theses supporting actors a chance to enjoy

this beautiful landscape here as well as watch big names like Mark

Williams in action. I think it is really good for the county, and it

was a lovely drive over first thing this morning at 6:30, two, were when

the sun had not risen in the clouds were in the valley. It was a special

time of day to be driving. This is probably the oldest race track in

the world, I believe, over 100 years old, and that is why they chose this

place. Nice to see the Midlands featuring highly again. The second

series of Father Brown starts on Monday afternoon at 2.15 for two

weeks. And such is its success, filming starts for series three in

the spring. 17 minutes to seven. This is our top

story tonight, severe flood warning, defence barriers up, and there's

worse to come this weekend. Your detailed weather forecast to come

shortly, Rebecca will tell us how much more rain we're in for.

Also in tonight's programme, it's FA Cup third round weekend, but Aston

Villa's striker crisis deepens, Libor Kozak out for the rest of the

season with a broken leg. And serious scores in Solihull, where

Britain's best are competing for the title of champion.

Sir Doug Ellis will always be linked with Aston Villa. Fittingly, he

celebrated his 90th birthday today at Villa Park. He took over when the

club was on its knees in the '60s and finally sold it seven years ago,

with Villa established in the Premier League and solvent. Sir Doug

has been talking to Nick Owen about his long love affair with Villa, on

being the target of protests from the fans, and his relationships with

a series of managers. I was fed to them all, they knew

that they had complete control of training, choosing a team,

discipline, whatever they did. When it comes to the finance,

particularly if we were buying players, then it was passed to me

once they have decided that was the player they wanted. But I spent

120,000,001 year. Yet the fans often said you were too cautious. Oh,

yeah, they kept calling me to get my cheque`book out. They abused me,

they did all kinds of things to me and my wife and family. This house,

a three tonne lorry driving all around the lawn here. We could not

come in at midnight and put the lights on, because the moment you

did, the phone would go, because they was a van down the road waiting

for us to come in. Despite the abuse, I still kept to my principles

of believing you cannot spend money which you have not got, and I didn't

spend it. What did that do to you? Didn't it make you want to get out?

No, no, just made me more determined to stay! I fought hard to keep the

club stable, and I sold it without a penny of debt, with a good stadium,

a good training ground, and a good set of players, and a lot of

youngsters coming up. People have said you have got a huge ego, what

do you say to that? If I did, I am sorry. I don't! I like to be humble

and normal, and I'm not trying to be anything other than what I was when

I was born. How important do you think the football club is to a

community? The industrial cities are reliant upon the local football club

being successful. And it is the talk of the town. When you lose, the men

who are working in industrial cities' factories, on a Monday

morning, they downed tools for the first half`hour, because they are in

the toilets talking about the football match. Aston Villa's

greatest success happened when you were not gently on, does that

wrangle? It does a bit, because I knew the majority of the team and

the staff behind the team were my appointments, so I was pleased for

them. You were knighted for your services to charity, that must have

been an absolute highlight. It was, knowing from where I came, six

shillings a week to pick up milk and deliver it at 6:30. It was. You have

been married for 50 years now, what challenge has been for you living

with Mr Aston Villa, a driven businessman? Every match, home and

away, she took a lot of the abuse, particularly on the telephone when I

am not there from supporters who were abusing me. But she stuck it.

And she is still here today. Finally, what are your hopes for

Aston Villa? Oh... To win the premiership. Many happy returns. My

friend, Nick, for many years, many thanks.

Round three of the FA Cup takes place this weekend. There's sure to

be an upset somewhere, but will it involve a Midlands club?

Let's hope so, Kidderminster Harriers think they can, and they

might have the man to do it. 12 months ago, Joe Lolley was studying

at university and playing part`time in the Midland Combination. He

scored 88 goals in 83 games for the Worcestershire club, Littleton. And

this season, with Kidderminster Harriers, he's caught the eye of

several top clubs. Joe's been talking to Ian Winter before

tomorrow's FA Cup third`round tie against Peterborough.

Joe Lolley, playing for fun and fully focused on the FA Cup. He's 21

with pace to burn and a powerful shot. Peterborough, beware of the

new kid on the Kidderminster block. I thought I might take a bit longer

to get my chance in the team, it is happened quicker than I expected,

but I'm not complaining. You are not afraid to have a crack at goal. I

have already had the most shots, sometimes I think I should pass it

more, but I see the goal and take a shot.

And with seven goals so far, he's currently one of the hottest

properties in non`league football. It is no surprise that his

outstanding talent has caught the eye of many Football League clubs,

surely one of them will make an offer that Kidderminster cannot

refuse during the January transfer window. Everyone is on the edge of

the seat when he gets the ball, it is fantastic, I know what the fans

are thinking, something is going to happen. How good could he be tumour

he is a special talent, the young lad making a name for himself, I

have high hopes he can go to the top. By sheer coincidence, one of

Joe's biggest admirers just happens to be Peterborough United, who'll be

watching him like a hawk when they go head to head with the Harriers

tomorrow. But his ultimate dream would lie a little closer to home.

Are you an Aston Villa fan? I am, quite a big fan! But yeah, no, I

love Villa. Now there's food for thought. Just imagine if Harriers

got drawn against Villa in round four. But first, they must pull off

a shock against Peterborough to write a famous chapter in the

football life of Joe Lolley. So Kidderminster are up for the Cup,

but the Aston Villa manager is a little less enthusiastic.

Yes, in his pre`match press conference, Paul Lambert said that

top`flight managers could do without the FA Cup. That raised a few

eyebrows! Well, he'll certainly have to do without one of his strikers

for the rest of season. Libor Kozak broke a leg in training yesterday

and will be out for the rest of the season. He's scored five goals so

far and has been increasingly important this season due to

Christian Benteke's poor form. He has had injuries as well. Villa host

Sheffield United in the Cup tomorrow. Let's look at the full

list. Burton Albion are going well in League Two, they're up to second,

so will hope to cause an upset at Championship side Bournemouth. Stoke

City host the Championship leaders, Leicester City, so won't have that

one all their own way. Birmingham City are guaranteed to be in the

fourth round draw, they are at home to Crawley or Bristol Rovers, but

they have not played the second round replay, it has been postponed

twice. They hope to play that on Wednesday, with the Blues playing

the next week. It is a cup run without blowing! Eight teams

involved this weekend. That's it for today's sport, Mary, and onto more

of a hobby now, Mary? Well, don't let players of the

world's most popular word game hear you say that, Dan. The UK Scrabble

Championships are being held in deadly earnest in Solihull. And we

sent our reporter Bob, B`O`B, seven points, and it's OK because it's a

word as well as a name, Hockenhull to join the action.

A world of word experts representing ten countries has gathered in

Solihull. I have come from Australia, I'm not sure how far it

was, but I was travelling on an aeroplane for over 21 hours. It is

one of the top international Germans, but there are local

players, and this player is from Solihull. `` to an immense. I was

not going to do it because it was the school holidays, but thinking

about international players being two miles from home, I had to do it,

it has been brilliant. Nearly 50 intense games will be played during

the competitions. They have 260,000 words to choose from, but some

increasingly familiar terms do not make it onto the board. Words that

have become common in the last year do not necessarily count in

scrabble. For example, twerking is not allowed. Neither is Bitcoin, but

what about selfie? It might be acceptable for world leaders, but a

quick check on a Scrabble computer program shows that selfie is not

permitted. But surprisingly girl, a young woman who enjoys aggressive

punk rock, is allowed, and you can also have the word vlog, a blog

using the medium of video. The championships have already thrown up

a few surprises. World champion Nigel Richards from New Zealand does

not give interviews. Perhaps he is lost for words after being beaten

three times by a 13`year`old from London. It was a good game, I got

four bonuses, a close game. I only won by 28. You can never master it,

you can always get better. It looks like Jack is setting himself up for

a lifetime of playing with words. They say that Scrabble is one of the

world's most addictive games. Let's turn to the forecast now.

Rebecca is here. Compared with coastal areas, we've got away quite

lightly, haven't we? Well, yes, Mary we've still seen

some heavy spells of rain and strong gusts of winds, but apart from that

we have largely managed to escape the worst of the weather, although

there is a risk of another storm surge this evening as winds peak

round high tide. We could see another storm surge in

Gloucestershire. We are in for quite a bit of rain! Yes, we still have

two bands of rain to contend with, each with the potential to deliver

up to 20mm in a short space of time, that's nearly an inch. The good

news, if there is any is that tonight is the worst of the weather

is largely behind us. It will get colder, though, and we have more

rain to come tomorrow night and through to Sunday. Still a few

showers remaining tonight, some could be quite heavy, but they will

eventually move off, and behind that under clear skies temperatures will

fall away. That brings us to our next problem, which is ice, and we

can see another weather system waiting in the wings which has quite

a lot of rain on it. That will drop 20 millimetres on saturated ground

tomorrow morning, but once it has clear the way things will not be too

bad to end the day. We will get good spells of sunshine, but there will

still be the odd shower. Temperatures not doing too well,

despite the winds easing, still around seven or eight Celsius.

Tomorrow night we continue to see showers pushing through, some quite

lively, the potential for some to be wintry over high ground. And

tomorrow night temperatures fall rapidly again, a widespread frost,

ice patches once again, and we have some patchy fog to come through

Sunday morning. By Sunday, we have the next weather system didn't end

with, it is moving through and bringing with it, once again, some

heavy rain. We start Sunday with dry and bright weather, but the rain

moves into saturated ground, we will see a fair few millimetres with it,

and this wet and windy weather is not going anywhere as we head into

the new working week, we will see that pattern repeating itself,

perhaps a little more brightness on Monday.

A glimmer of hope! That is the main headline from the BBC. Another

massive winter storm sweeps up the entire west coast of the UK with

winds of 90mph. That was Midlands Today, I will be back at 10:30pm

with the latest on the flood warnings and the outlook for the

weekend. Join me for that, have a good weekend, bye`bye.