16/08/2011 South East Today

We can exclusively reveal that the Pfizer site at Sandwich is to

become one of the government's new enterprise zones. Our business

editor is live at the site in East Kent with the latest.

Rail fare hikes of 8% on average but the Transport Minister says

south east commuters will be winners from more investment in the

network. The prices have just been going up incessantly over the last

couple of years, and it's become harder and harder to actually make

a living. Also in tonight's programme:

The chair of Kent's police authority criticises the government

for bringing in an American supercop to advise on gang culture.

The youngster who has biked 500 miles to raise money for deprived

youngsters in Africa. And it's the Eiffel flower, 21 feet

tall and still growing. We meet the Kent grandmother who's accidentally

Tonight we can exclusively reveal that the Pfizer site at Sandwich is

expected to become one of the Government's new enterprise zones.

An announcement is due to be made tomorrow and BBC South East Today

has learnt that the site, now known as Discovery Park, will be given

the status which aims to encourage economic growth. Companies which

move to the new zone will benefit from five years' worth of tax

breaks. But will this be enough to replace the thousands of skilled

jobs that will be lost when Pfizer, the international drugs company,

leaves Kent at the end of next year? Our business correspondent

Mark Norman reports. Pfizer are getting out of Sandwich.

They will leave behind a multi- million-pound investment, 3 million

square feet of office and lab space, and almost 5000 skilled staff will

be moved on or made redundant. Replacing all of that, Discovery

Park, at the same site but renamed. From tomorrow, it should become the

government's newest enterprise zone. Let's see whether we get it

tomorrow, that is the most important thing, that we are clear

when we get it that the strategy around it works for everyone. We

are only talking about 23 enterprise zones in the country,

and if East Kent can stickier one, it'll be good for businesses right

across the board, whether they are located on the site or in the area.

The new zone will be based on the existing Pfizer site. It was

thought it might extend north, but I understand that will not be the

case. A bigger impact will be on other towns, how will it affect the

Thames Gateway and other towns? Some economists think the

enterprise zone is the wrong answer. I do have reservations, and I hope

I am wrong. The location, I think there are other more attractive

locations in the UK and the world for companies that wants to set up

hi-tech, high-growth businesses. There is also something called the

displacement effect when established local companies choose

to move to the new enterprise zone, taking advantage of the deals on

offer. That will not help its surrounding areas and their economy.

We must be very careful on this. If people are about to renew their

property leases in and around Sandwich, will they do that or will

they think, I can get money if I moved here? Businesses will look

very carefully at the cases. We do not want to take away business, we

want to generate it. announcement from the Treasury and

the Department for communities and local government will be made

tomorrow morning. It will be then up to the Local Enterprise

Partnership to attract new business to the new enterprise his own.

What's his is actually going to mean for the site itself and the

businesses that might move there and the wider economy of East Kent?

It could energise the site and any potential sale. Pfizer have been

working very hard behind the scenes to sell the facility. There have

been some concerns raised, and I have also been talking about --

talking to a businessman who owns a lot of business space across the

south-east. He is angry because he has to pay a lot of business rates

to pay for the empty office, and people here will not have to pay

any business rates for five years. Rail passengers are facing average

ticket price rises of 8% next year. It comes as the latest inflation

figures are released today, putting RPI at 5%. RPI is the retail price

index. Under government regulations, train companies are allowed to

raise their fares by RPI plus 3%. On top of that, they're allowed to

increase prices by another 5%, as long as that's balanced by equal

price reductions on other routes. Meaning some selected fares may go

up by as much as 13%. Many people are experiencing a squeeze on their

wages, or are worried about their jobs and nobody wants to pay more

to go to work. There is no other choice. There is no other cock --

option. Of the railways are funded by passengers and tax payers, and

the government has said that taxpayers should pay less which

means fares will go up. Many commuters will be concerned by

today's announcement. Our reporter Jon Hunt is live outside Tunbridge

Wells train station now where hundreds of them are arriving from

their daily commute. Jon, how do train travellers in in Kent and

Sussex fare? The train companies have yet to

reveal exactly what they intend to charge on which routes, we will

know more about that in November. Here are a few worst-case scenarios.

If you have a season ticket between Bexhill and London Victoria, it

could cost you an additional �518. Four ticket between Brighton and

London Bridge, the season ticket could cost a further �428. And

season-ticket holders travel -- travelling between Chatham and

under Victoria could see their bills rise by �445 per year. These

are the worst case scenarios, but commuters arriving here tonight are

preparing for the worst. A lot of commuters are looking to get

alternative transport into London such as coaches. Some are looking

to drive and some are looking for jobs in Kent which will not involve

rail travel. Unless there are visible changes, the customer or

can feel the change, it is not right. With everything else that is

going on, the austerity, it is not really another expense that I can

afford but I will have to because there is not another choice.

many people, the cost of their travel, getting to work, is their

single biggest monthly outgoing. Believe it or not, according to the

train operating companies, once you take inflation into account, the

cost of the season ticket today is cheaper than it was 15 years ago.

Earlier I spoke to the transport minister at Theresa Villiers and

asked her whether she thinks it is fair that commuters will see their

fares rise by up to 13%. It is a tough decision we have taken up to

see fair raises up 3% per year in real terms for three years. The

reason we are doing that is in able to fund a huge programme of rail

improvements with around two hulls and 700 carriages, -- 2700

carriages and big projects like Thameslink and CrossRail. And yet,

the South East has had some big increases to pay for high-speed

rail for example, which is a service which lots of the commuters

around here do not get to use. London as a south-east as a whole

are going to get some very significant benefits from the rail

improvement programme, directly for passengers travelling and

indirectly in terms of the economic boost that the improvements will

provide. Are we going to scrutinise individual routes? We have

commuters who use the roots that the high-speed trains are run on

saying that classics services have slowed down, subject to delays, and

the knock-on effect almost metres is not an improvement in services.

How will you scrutinise how the money is spent? We will scrutinise

every penny spent on rail improvements. They are essential

and will make life much better for many passengers across the network.

They are focused on some of our busiest routes. The south-east will

be one of the major winners in the rail investment programme, both in

terms of its economy and passengers. It is essential that we deliver

this programme, but at a time when budgets are under extreme pressure,

we have to look to other sources of funding as well as the taxpayer.

Let's look at the situation in the South East, we have the third rail,

every winter when it snows it seizes up and there is nothing

effectively that can be done about that rather than -- other than

manage the chaos that ensues. They will not get rid of the third rail,

so the extra money people are paying is effectively going down

the drain because they are still going to see massive delays in the

winter. Certainly, every effort is being made to try and make the

third rail system more resilient with things like conductor rail

heating. It is clear we need to do better in terms of dealing with a

winter crisis like this no episodes we have had a last winter. We can

see -- you can see the full interview on our website. We want

to know what you think. How will more expensive train ticket affect

you, and have price rises so far had an impact on your travel

experience? E-mail us, contact us Coming up, is this the dream will

work placement, the pub is offering an apprenticeship.

He's been dubbed the American supercop, a no-nonsense law

enforcer coming over here to tell British police how to prevent more

riots breaking out. But tonight the government's decision to appoint

Bill Bratton as an advisor to the Prime Minister on gang culture is

being questioned by the Chair of the Kent Police Authority. Ann

Barnes has criticised what she calls the fascination with all

things American. Simon Jones reports.

The former New York's commissioner credited for cutting crime by

flooding the streets with officers. He is coming here, but the chair of

the Kent police authority which scrutinises the work of the Police

says it may not go down well with officers. The Prime Minister it

seems very keen on Bill Bratton, who is a very successful former

police officer from the States coming over to advise our police.

Who, I think, were rightly concerned that he was being brought

over as if he was being brought over to tell them what to do. I do

not understand the fascination with all things American. We have a

different kind of policing here in our country, it is policing by

consent, not policing by enforcement. Following the riots,

Bill Bratton has already said communities cannot arrest their way

out of gang crime. My assignment is to focus more on the issues of the

American experience dealing with gangs, and what we may be able to

share with them. This is complete and utter chaos. This was looting

in Orpington. Kent itself suffered only low levels of vandalism and

violence. Some MPs are welcoming Bill Bratton's role. I think it is

good to get advice in from outside, and I think Bill Bratton has got a

lot of experience with policing gangs. But after a week of violent

disorder, the chair of the Kent Police Authority says it is wrong

to court -- talk about a crisis in policing. It is more a crisis in

Society. Simon his line in Chatham for us

now. I understand police there are renewing their appeals for

information about the disturbances that happened in Chatham? Last week,

over an eight-hour period, there was violence and vandalism on the

streets of Medway with Ince being set alight and confrontations with

the police. Nothing like the scale of the disturbances in London but

there were 11 events -- 11 arrests. One man has been charged with arson,

10 more have been released on bail and police want to hear from

further witnesses to bring people to justice. There was no comment

from Kent police today about Bill Bratton, they say they do not want

to get involved in a political role. -- a political row. They have

described their policing as the best of British.

A man's body has been found following the sinking of a tug boat

from Kent in the Thames at Greenwich last Friday. The tug

Chieftain, which is thought to be owned by Palmer Marine Services

based in Gravesend, was carrying three crew members. Rescue teams

are now preparing to bring the boat up within the next two days.

Magistrates in Maidstone have banned comedian Jim Davidson from

driving for a year after he failed to tell police who was driving a

luxury car leased in his name when it was caught speeding. The Aston

Martin DB9 Volante was photographed doing 39 miles an hour in a 30 zone

last September. The ban was suspended when he announced he'd

appeal. Sussex Police have bought a new

sniffer dog with money raised by selling goods seized from a drug

dealer. The seven week old spaniel called Cooper will be trained to

search for drugs and explosives across the county.

Now, if you've ever fancied following in the footsteps of

famous fictional landlords Al Murray, Bet Lynch or Peggy Mitchell

into the pub trade but didn't know how to go about it, you can now get

a qualification in the industry. A new apprenticeship scheme has been

launched today. Sara Smith has been to Lidsing near Gillingham to meet

pub workers who are keen to sign up. Come on then, one at a time, please

remember your manners, we have new staff and new rules.

apprenticeship scheme could be just what they need in the Queen Vic.

Enthusiastic staff, desperate to improve their skills. We had a

delivery is morning, we have got quite a lot of gear here. Over this

side, you will find a decade. Happily in Lidsing, they have got

Chris, at the first new apprentice on the British innkeeper scheme. He

is learning all he can about the business from cellar management to

put in a perfect bite. There is a lot more to it. You have got to

look after the cellar properly, you have got to tap it and make sure it

does not go out, -- go off, and changed the barrels. You have got

to check the till and the money. There is a lot more to it than

people think. The manager here is a great supporter of the

apprenticeship scheme. He wants to see the pub trade back as a trade

with staff earning qualifications to show just how much money they

have -- and knowledge they have gained. It can be a very rewarding

career for people, and we need to push that forward. The

apprenticeship scheme is a great opportunity for youngsters, at

people in all ages, to get involved in the hospitality industry.

Getting training through apprenticeships has been a common

way to get into the building trade for many years, and a growing

number of hairdressers are learning on the job. Earlier this year,

small businesses were challenged to create more apprenticeships.

Customers here do not see why pubs should not be included. People come

out and spend their money, and they should be treated by people who

know what they are doing. They have got to be trained in cellar

management, how to behave with the public and front-of-house. It is

only good if it covers everything. Everything about the pub trade is

what Chris is determined to learn. It is just gone seven -- 6:45pm.

Our top stories tonight: South East Today has exclusively

revealed that the Pfizer site at Sandwich is expected to become one

of the Government's new enterprise zones. An announcement is due to be

made tomorrow. The status aims to encourage economic growth after the

announcement of thousands of job losses. Also in tonight's

programme: It's been nicknamed the Eiffel

Flower. We meet the lady who's grown a 21 foot monster by accident.

It has been increasingly cloudy for us all into this afternoon, but

will the sunshine be back tomorrow? Join me later in the programme to

In his lifetime, the great artist and sometime Margate resident JMW

Turner painted hundreds of works. But ironically just about the only

pictures we have of him are his self portrait and his death mask.

Now a new bronze bust of Turner gives us a 3D view of his head and

it has pride of place at a Margate art gallery. It's the work of

Dominic Grant, whose other career has always been pop music. Robin

Gibson has tonight's Special Report. Everything in here tells -- tugs a

colourful forelock to Turner. The roses named after him. It is sort

of a JMW Festival poor market, which has been born again as Tanner

town. -- cannot town. With my style of photos realism, it would be

great to resurrect him and people see what his -- what he look like

if he was to have had a photo taken. Many eyes are focusing on this

bronze, and they are talking it up. What we have here is a complete and

unique aspect, which is worthy of world acclaim and recognition. I

would hope that was the main focus of what we are trying to achieve as

a gallery. I think he is quite a good-looking guy. He had away with

the girls. The artist himself has quite a down-to-earth approach.

did come from south-east London. So we have that in common. He sounds

quite populist. Pop, that is something that Dominic Grant knows

a bit about. Are there is a whole lot of loving just for you...

was awesome, great times. Awesome. He is talking about his years at

that -- he is in the charts. We are not known here any more, we are

known in Europe. It is a strange life we have. We leave there, get

all the attention, and could come over here, and it goes away. It is

a story told in the pictures on the walls of his home. It is also his

artist's studio. The artist is an You may remember back in January we

were joined on this very sofa by an 11-year-old boy from Crawley who

had given away virtually all his birthday and Christmas money to

charity since the age of four. Then, three weeks ago, we told you about

Charlie Doherty's latest fundraiser, cycling more than 500 miles to

Glasgow. And today we're delighted to report he's done it! But as John

Young reports in our story update, things didn't go entirely to plan.

Journey's end, after 18 days on the road, come rain and shine with

today's off. Destination, the headquarters in Glasgow of Mary's

meals, a charity that provides food for children in South Africa.

to meet you. Well done, we are so proud of you. Thank you so much.

Mother and son set off from Sussex last month, unsure if they would

make it be on the home can -- Home Counties. They did, but that

camping trolley did not. But kindness breeds kind as. People

took us into their homes. One lady stopped us and asked us what we

were doing, and she ended up putting us up. So many people

wanted to know about the charity. This is why they say they are doing

it. �6.15, according to Charlie, will give much schoolchild in

Malawi breakfast every day for a year. Two Scottish schoolboys were

so impressed they gave him his football. It has been really fun.

We have met some amazing people, it is amazing what is out there.

Instead of sitting in your house, wire onto out there? Next up,

swimming the Channel, once he has started in secondary school in

September, of course! He is a model child!

He is a human dynamo. It is a shame they do not make a

Template. Football now and Charlton will be

hoping to extend their perfect start to the season at unbeaten

Colchester tonight. The Addicks, who could be unchanged for a third

successive game, will go into the match with plenty of confidence

after scoring five goals in their opening two league wins.

In League Two, Crawley face their toughest test in the football

league so far when they meet Southend tonight. Crawley boss

Steve Evans has been delighted by the impact made by his summer

signings, especially striker Tyrone Bennett who has scored in both

their opening games. Gillingham have a few injury

concerns before their game tonight. Curtis Weston is standing by to

make his first appearance of the season.

The new �8 million cycle park at Gravesend isn't due to open until

next spring, but this afternoon the USA BMX team got the chance to try

out the new track as part of their build up to this weekend's Olympic

test event in London. They say you reap what you sow, but

Eve Fielding from Margate got a bit more than she bargained for when

she planted a sunflower seed, which has grown into a 21ft monster. The

Kent grandmother expected it to grow about 12 foot tall. Now she's

got a beast that's been nicknamed the Eiffel Flower. And it's not too

far off being the tallest sunflower in the world. Claudia Sermbezis has

This was the result of a leftover seed. Eve Fielding had decided to

get her granddaughter interested in gardening by having a competition

to see who could grow the tallest sunflower. We sowed the seeds, and

she was winning, basically. She was winning. She is very happy about

that. And then disappeared. The beast! -- this appeared. It is

enormous. Eve Fielding is 5 ft tall, the beast is 21 for it. We did not

think it would come to anything, and it grew! I have not faded

anything. It is a nice thing to come out and look at, it is

cheerful. The world record was growing in Germany and reached just

over 26 for it. The sunflower is the national flower of Peru, Russia

and Ukraine, and before modern materials were available, the pith

within the Stork were used in lifejackets to provide buoyancy

force. We have had quite a nice, consistently warm summer so things

have grown well. The look -- the things that looks really write

about it, it is in such a nice cosy spot. It has a war against that,

there is no wind to take the top off, it has grown in a nice micro

climate. She had a nice cheap -- she had a taller San fire but it

snap when she tried to tear it -- tie it up. Another five ft, and she

will smash the world record. It is a monster! Let's go back to

work out our top stories. Earlier, we ask you how well more expensive

train did it affect you? And how have price rises had an impact in

your travel? People are not impressed. Keith says, it takes me

longer to get the Victoria de my first me to make way 20 years ago.

I have less trains to choose from but My Fair has gone up 100%. John

says, my salary is not going up so why other train fares rising? We

have the most expensive train fares in Europe which penalise people who

go on peak trains. It is slower than last year. And Ashley says, it

is 30% prepared for me to drive my Land Rover from Tunbridge Wells to

Canterbury. Clare said, her National Express coach affair, --

We saw the sunflower, what sunflower needs his son! -- it

The best of the brightness is in the morning, sunshine likely in the

morning, cloud thickening in the afternoon. Despite a lack of

sunshine, temperatures today were not feeling too bad. We had south-

westerly breeze is picking up to 20 miles an hour. The reason, a

weather front has been spreading eastwards, a cloud thickening in

front of it. It stays that way tonight, staying dry, quite a bit

of cloud around. More in the way of clear skies towards the end of the

night. As a result, fresher night, temperatures getting down to 10

degrees. The best of the brightness is likely through the morning, the

cloud cover thickening in the afternoon. A fresher feel to the

day. Temperatures getting up to around 22 degrees. Mostly dry

tomorrow, but whether cloud is particularly thick, we could see

some patchy rain. Similar story tomorrow night. As we move into