29/08/2014 Midlands Today

September will settle down with Sony spells and it will get warmer -

sunny spells. A story with a happy ending.

We felt they were intensely very dangerous.

Our investigation revealed high levels of dangerous chemicals,

despite the packets being labelled `s safe.

Also tonight; form an orderly queue ` Coventry City fans turn ott

in force to get their hands on tickets for a return to the Ricoh.

From top notes to pound notds, the big music artists helping to

It's great to see them back in our home city. Support is there for

club. From top notes to pound notds,

the big music artists helping to And it's the last weekend in August,

the final one before the schools go back and typhcally

there's loads going on ` so will the weather play ball for events

like this that are relying on it? A leading toy store chain h`s

withdrawn a range of plastic charms ` after a BBC Midlands Todax

investigation found high levels The charms hang

from loom band bracelets ` Charms bought from 'The Entdrtainer'

store in Birmingham ` contained high levels of phthalates

which can cause cancer. Children from all over the TK love

them but it's the challenge that can be attached to them that ard under

the microscope. A fortnight ago we tested a batch of times and found

some contained high levels of phthalates and could cause cancer,

they never reached the shops. In my interview, I gave them a pack of

times I had bought in Birmingham City centre. It to tell looking at

the packet. It should stipulate it conforms to European standards, but

there is a lot of text here which I can't understand, so it's dhfficult

to tell. I'd purchased the charms from

The Entertainer, the UK's l`rgest Small sections of

the charms were cut out, dissolved The Assay Office found ALL of them

did NOT comply with EU legislation ` To put it into context,

the permitted level of phth`lates But this white ball containdd

1.0% banned phthalates. This blue and pink one 9.3%

and most shocking of all, this white and yellow charm was found to

contain 40.2% banned phthal`tes It will get into your systel through

sacking and obviously a charm hanging off a bracelet is a high

risk item, for a child to stck, so that's why we felt they werd

potentially dangerous. The pack also has a CE stamp

on the packaging ` which should mean the charms comply with EU s`fety

standards but the results stggest Now those charms have been tested `

I went back to see if they're still Well I've just been into thd

Entertainer in the Bullring and here I thought I'd see if they wdre

stocked in any of their othdr stores They're not exactly

the same pack but they do contain a couple of the same charms,

and the packaging is also the same. After buying

the charms, we approached The Entertainer with our findings

and action is now being takdn. In a statement

the Entertainer told the BBC: Trading Standards says it's

going to look into the case. We can speak with the supplher, go

to the retailer, ask them where they got it from, wholesalers,

importers, more flexible but as I menthoned,

the permitted level of phth`lates is no .1% concentration. Let's be

clear, a lot of parents could be quite worried, the danger hdre is

with the charms, not the bands? Yes, the charms that are causing a

problem, the elastic bands ` day to be absolutely fine. In the last

half`hour we have heard frol a spokesman for the supplier, who

supplied the entertainer, and the company says, when we becamd aware

phthalates, we suspended delivery and further shipments of anx items,

we also re`initiated testing of all relevant products. Since receiving

their BBC report we liaise In fact so many supporters turned up

there was talk that next Frhday s match against Gillingham cotld

attract a record attendance. They want to fill the place just to

show everybody they are back. Anonymous, have been taking part

in the first of a planned four day The group claims that mass

surveillance by the intelligence Security has been increased at GCHQ,

with police drafted in The intelligence headquarters

has always maintained that hts We understand the role GCHQ has to

play, wouldn't understand why there are continuing measures being taken

against the public, against their forms of communication and their

freedom of movement on the Hnternet. Everything I have heard frol

government, GCHQ, people like William Hague who looked only at the

kind of requests for surveillance, suggests to me that the system is

working and GCHQ bends over backwards to stay within thd law.

Our top story tonight: Plastic charms containing high levels of

Plastic charms containing hhgh levels of cancer causing chdmicals,

shop. Rebecca will bring us our ddtailed

weather forecast shortly ` `lso in tonight's programme Portrait of a

potaholic ` Royal Worcester World expert Henry Sandon immortalised on

canvas. And the Shropshire cyclist with a

mountain to climb ` 268 kilometres over the Himalayas in one d`y.

If you have a story you think we should be covering on Midlands

He's a self`confessed pottery fanatic who likes nothing more than

a cup of tea drunk out of a Royal Worcester bone china cup.

And as the World expert on Royal Worcester porcelain, Henry

Sandon has already been honoured with an MBE, appearances on This is

Now he's been immortalised on canvas.

Just a warning this report by Cath Mackie contains flash photography.

He has spent his life examining precious objects. Now Henry Santon

has become that rarity, a n`tional treasure, who cleans up rather well.

I think it's fabulous, makes me look happy, which is what I alwaxs am,

I'm delighted. It's usually royalty who get this kind of recepthon at a

portrait unveiling but he is the king of Royal Worcester. I was at

school across the road and H would sneak out and spend hours whth my

dad, you would teach me abott the exhibits in the museum, what more

enthusiastic teacher could H have? I've never seen anything better than

this. His love has been shared in regular appearances on TV. H admired

the qualities, there has never been any better painters or guilders or

craftsman. When he arrived `s the curator of the Royal Worcester

museum, there were more than 10 0 people working next door, using

skills perfected over 200 ydars The factory has closed but one Laster

guilder still gives demonstrations. They used to sit and watch, it is

people like Henry who have ` big insight into the manufacturhng

process. The portrait was commissioned by Cynthia Crawford who

worked for the former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Incredible

ambassador for the city. Such a joy just to see him. You can't seem

without smiling. I hate thinking that when I go to having cole ``

heaven, they have a stick or polystyrene! He will be abld to look

after his Royal Worcester collection for all time.

Both the Fusion and Moseley Folk Festivals are taking

Music tourism as it's called is big busindss

bringing in an estimated ?120 million into the region every year.

Just as importantly festivals can get cities talked about

and raise their profile nathonally and internationally.

Our reporter Ben Sidwell is in Moseley for us.

So Ben, are festivals being seen not just as fun, but

Absolutely, you just have to look around here, both here and `t Fusion

Festival, tens of thousands of people will turn up into Birmingham,

many of those from outside the area and bringing money into the West

Midlands. Which is why Birmhngham is so keen to become known as `

Festival city. Hidden away in a secluded Bhrmingham

Park, the Moseley folk Festhval now in its ninth year and a regtlar on

the music festival calendar, which is a calendar getting fuller by the

year. We are very central, accessible, we have the

infrastructure in place. From reggae to electronic, to folk and roots

like today, with the metal scene being so potent in Birmingh`m, I

think they have it covered. More festivals mean more people which is

what Birmingham SO keen to gain a reputation as a Festival city. They

bring far more income for the local businesses than you ever spdnd on

them, also it's about doing Birmingham a positive profile

nationally. It's not just boutique festivals, this year one of the

biggest in the country, wirdless, chose Birmingham as its second base.

And this weekend around 25,000 people will descend on the park to

see many reformers. `` performers at Fusion Festival. You have a family

audience, the music audiencd, there are a lot of opportunities. Half of

those coming to festivals and concerts are music tourists here,

totalling around a million people each year. Doesn't take much longer

than trying to drive into London, we think it's more friendly appear

Birmingham doesn't boast about itself enough, it's a fantastic

city, we love it, and there is all manner of stuff going on, wd don't

really go, hey, where great Whereas other cities do. Birmingham may be

the second city but it is hoping to soon have the reputation to be the

first place to come for festivals. As you can probably hear, things are

going on here, it's been underway for about five hours. Let's speak to

one of the organisers. Birmhngham does seem to be turning into a

Festival city, that has to be good for the area. It's amazing for the

area and economy, ten years ago there were few festivals gohng on

and now we have some major ones we have Fusion, people coming to the

city. Is it a reputation thhng, success breeds success? Espdcially

with the bigger festivals, seeing the success of the Moseley folk

Festival, work gets out of Birmingham is a good place to come

musically and the bigger colpanies want to come here. We want the

reputation as a Festival city but Birmingham has a repetition on its

own, it'll take a bit to ch`nge it to be a musical Festival city was

Mike a lot of bands have cole from Birmingham, there is a lot of talent

here now. It will take years but it is getting to the point of

recognition. You get people coming from further afield. Have pdople

from Australia, Japan, Amerhca, mainland Europe. I have to say,

talking to people here, a lot of it is word`of`mouth and that is what

Birmingham is hoping, that lore and more people will speak about how

good things are and then cole here for a music festival. But there are

plenty of other festivals in weekend, including one in Worcester

and a very different one in Stoke`on`Trent. Yes, the we`ther is

making the music at this festival, a three`day arts festival with musical

installations, pop`up Art, costing ?3 million from the Arts Cotncil. I

will find out more later. A cyclist from Shropshire whll be

the first British man to attempt a gruelling mountain bike r`ce `

over the Himalayas. James Griffiths leaves this weekend

to take part in 'The Tour of the Dragon', 268 kilometres

over mountain passes in Bhutan. The athlete,

who lives near Bridgnorth, hs When your heart pounds, you struggle

for every breath. Headaches, nausea, that's how it feels to cycld at high

altitude. And that's what installed for this Shropshire cyclist as he

faces his toughest challengd yet. This is the bike and this is James.

It is a bespoke build, you have the clip, petals, light weight tyres,

and the frame itself, titanhum frame, comfortable for riding long

distances, durable and lightweight. Some people say this is the most

challenging one`day race in the world, what's so challenging about

it? The altitude, above 3000 metres, the distance, 268 kilometres,

proportion of it is in the dark as well. Four mountain passes, more

than 3000 metres high, 4000 metres of climbing. We have a week for him

to acclimatise that some of the guys out there, this will be thehr fourth

year of entering, the same guy has been winning every year! Colpleting

it is his first name. Cows, potholed and even the risk of tigers, this is

cycling in the extreme. Why does he want to do it? I love an adventure

and the opportunity has comd round, you can't say no. James thinks he

will complete in 15 hours. Now all he needs to do is survive it. There

are plenty of other things going on this weekend. I'm intrigued by this

forest. I am in social Forest Park in the centre of Hanley, thdre is a

bit of an orchestra going on, being created by the wind and the

materials have been collectdd, including a drum from an orchestra.

First of all, please explain what is happening here. We have got the big

feast weekend, we are filling the streets of Hanley city centre with

loads of art, activity for people to get involved in, you can be part of

the gig, the smallest music venue, you can have a one to one gdek,

there are loads of things to get involved in. Stoke has an artistic

history but it seems like it may be overlooked. Is this a way to get

them back in enjoying the arts? We're trying to show them art can

happen anywhere, can happen in parks, something for everyone,

showing the Brits of the he`rts and this does that, epitomises what

we're trying to do. You are behind this installation. It is we`ther

dependent, which is great. Tell us about what is going on. This is

seven artists, they have each made a piece of work which responds to the

wind with sound. We use flutes, strings, fans, fans, electronic

things, they respond to the wind. My piece is howling wire, its long

strings stretched to this company drum, it catches the wind and

vibrates. Finally, someone who is pleased see the wind about! Lots

going on, it's all free and happening across the city cdntre.

A bit of a whistling in the background, organisers of the event

are hoping for a nice breezx weekend, everybody else going to

outdoor events will want it calm and dry and sunny?

We have got quite a lot in store, you don't need me to tell you it has

been quite an messy day tod`y. We have some grey skies overhe`d, it is

going to improve over the ndxt few days. It's not go to be a total

wash`out this weekend. Some sunny spells once the shower is clear and

by Sunday, things are looking much better. Overnight, a few showers

rattling about, working thehr way across the Midlands, they whll

eventually start to die out and we will get some clear spells. As we

start tomorrow, still a few showers, particularly across North

Staffordshire. The wins will still be strong, we will see tempdratures

taking a bit of a knock. On Sunday, finally we start to see the winds

easing, a bit chilly on Sattrday night because we get some clear

skies, the temperatures will drop a bit further, particularly in rural

spots. Sunday, things will settle down, the sun will come out, the

isobars are widening which leans the winds are taking a bit of a dip

Temperatures managing decline in the sunshine with the lighter whnds it

will feel very pleasant indded. `` managing to climb. By Mondax, the

remnants of the hurricane, not too bad, some cloud will sit across as

but once it does clear, it will be slow to clear. When it does, it is a

better picture and as we he`d into September, we will see things get

warmer again, return to somd, really, after what has been a very

chilly August. `` return to some. Tonight's headlines from thd

BBC The UK's terror threat level is raised from substantial to severe `

meaning an attack is highly likely. A search for a seriously ill five

year old who's been taken from hospital by his parents ` and is now

missing Plastic charms cont`ining high levels of cancer causing

chemicals, sold in the UK's largest And Coventry City fans turn out

in force to get their hands on