28/11/2011 South East Today

Welcome to South East Today, I'm Polly Evans, and I'm Rob Smith.

Tonight's top stories: The Chancellor prepares to announce

�30 billion of capital projects, but will the South East see a penny

of it? Why an energy company blunder meant

this vulnerable man spent the coldest winter in 100 years without

heating. It was cold when I was going to bed, yes.

Also in tonight's programme: Knitting yarns - we have the tale

of a very tall woolly Christmas tree, the biggest in the South

East! And check out his Captain Hook!

Vanilla Ice takes on Peter Pan in Good evening. The Chancellor is

preparing to announce �30 billion of public capital projects tomorrow,

but there are fears that none of the major transport building

schemes will be in the South East. The huge investment progamme is

aimed at getting Britain's economy moving, but a list of 11 possible

projects does not include any in Kent or Sussex. The Chancellor will

set out a full list in his Autumn Statement tomorrow.

This web design company understands good communications. What they

don't understand is why the transport links are so bad. Why

can't the Government pay for a new relief road? Getting to Bexhill in

itself, we have customers there, and it is a nuisance to get there.

I am hoping the government pays some attention. There are three

major infrastructure projects in the South East that need that

government funding. One London �25 million will pay for parts of A21.

-- �125 million. And then a larger scale, at �1 billion would build a

new Thames crossing. We have got a lot of schemes in Kent that would

fit the bill very well. The Thames crossing would be one. It would

involve pension fund money and bond if necessary. And in Sussex, road

improvement projects are linked to new jobs.

The twenty-one corridor is here, right down to Hastings. -- the 821.

Tomorrow, the Treasury will publish a full list of projects they want

to focus on. Whether or not the Hastings relief road at all a new

Thames crossing what -- on that list remains to be seen.

And Mark Norman is in Hastings now. Mark, is there much optimism from

local MPs about tomorrow's announcement? The short answer is

no. We have spoken to two MPs in the past half-hour. One of them

told us that she expected to hear something if any of those schemes

are on the list. She has not, so that does not look promising. That

windowed -- that won't go -- that won't go down well in Hastings.

Later in the programme, we'll be looking at what businesses,

families, and the young unemployed are hoping for out of the

Chancellor's Autumn Statement. A 59-year-old man with learning

difficulties was left without heating during the coldest winter

for a century because his gas company changed his meter and never

made sure he understood how to use it properly. Douglas Carter, from

Tunbridge Wells, couldn't top up his gas credit last year because he

lost the pre-payment card, and didn't know who to call to get a

new one. He was without gas for six months. British Gas has apologised.

Douglas Carter is now warm again, and is enjoying his favourite

hobby: Music. I like the '60s music. But it is only thanks to a

community support officer that his gas supply is back on. She spotted

that Douglas looked unwell that and dishevelled. Really cold. I put a

coat on, and when I went to bed, I used to go to bed early, and the

next morning, if I wanted to shave, I had to put the kettle on. One

minute, I was watching TV. Carter had been put on a pre-

payment meter by British Gas. come in here, put some money on the

card, the card goes in, press the red button, and that will tell me

it is working. But he lost his card, and didn't know to court to get the

new one. When his credit stop, so did the gas, for six months. We can

understand why Douglas may have got into debt with his gas bill, and

why the gas bill acted in the way they did, but they should have made

sure that Douglas was able to use the meter properly, and he wasn't.

Nobody explained it to him, and he was unable to access a gas all of

last winter. British Gas said they were sorry they did not recognise

Mr Carter's circumstances, and failed to provide him with the

service they should expect from them. They would urge any customer

with caring responsibilities to make them aware of any special

requirements. Each winter, the death-rate among order and far

Honourable people increases. Mr Carter's case was resolved

thankfully. In a moment: Why low staffing at

weekends mean a greater chance of There have long been arguments

about the exact location of the Battle of Hastings, but a group of

so-called "bio-locators" claim they finally have evidence it wasn't at

Battle or Hastings, but near Crowhurst. Using divining rods they

say react to magnetic fields, the team claim they can detect buried

metal, even bone and blood, and hope to prove they have found the

real spot where Harold was defeated by William in 1066. Robin Gibson

joins us from Battle, which had a long association with the place

where King Harold fell. Robin, is that all now thrown into doubt?

don't think they will be checking the history books, and many experts

will be going into Battle, as it were. This is where William the

Conqueror had the abbey built to celebrate his victory, but nothing

significant has been found here, and nothing significant has been

found anywhere else. But these buyer locators say that may change.

-- by only caters. Bayfield like any other field, or

could this be the battlefield where King Harold was defeated in 1066?

Tradition says the Battle of Hastings was fought at Battle Abbey,

but a camp was claimed that it was set up at Crowhurst. You can

condition yourself to find different chemicals or objects, not

magic, not supernatural. I have come to meet a group surveyed the

site using a divining technique. This is a skill, and it takes

practice. As I walk, I hit the keys, and a walk out. They discuss -- it

they describe this as an evidence gathering exercise. What we are

standing on here it really is the sight of the Battle of Hastings.

Nick is the local author, who spent many years trying to establish his

theory. He says he has already found some intriguing object in

this area. It looks very much like a spear tip of some sort. Difficult

to say what it is made of. It is too early to say it is proven, but

I think it is due to say that the evidence suggests strongly the time

right. The interesting thing is that things are starting to come

out of the ground. The locators claimed the area is dotted with

anomalies Underground, indicating something major happened here.

There was obviously a big Battle here. The field is nearly a mile

long, and we know there are large numbers involved, and eventually, I

hope, we will be able to say that... I went pre-empted that it is 1066,

but we won't know what kind of war it was. They say they have

identified what could be defensive lines, and made drawings of what

the battlefield may have looked like. Bird until archaeologists dig

here, the theory remains a theory. Fascinating stuff to some. What

will settle the argument is when archaeologists come and pick the

side, and may be uncovered third those men with coat-hangers were

there when the true secrets of the Battle of Hastings started to be

revealed. Two men have been jailed for a

total of nearly 20 years after breaking into a flat in Sheerness

and robbing the teenagers who lived there at knifepoint. Matthew

Chaytors and David Pay trailed their three victims after first

approaching them at a cashpoint and asking for money.

A shop owner from Bexhill has been fined �8,000 by magistrates after

admitting taping up packets of food that had been gnawed by rats and

putting them back on sale. Yogalingam Thavarajah was ordered

to pay the fine after environmental health officers found the gnawed

bags, along with a dead rat and rat droppings in his Price Cutters shop

in London Road. Death rates at three of our

hospital trusts are among the highest in the country, with a

leading health watchdog identifying weekend staffing levels as a major

factor. Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford has one of the lowest

levels of senior doctors working in accident and emergency at the

weekend. Together with Medway Maritime Hospital and East Sussex

Healthcare Trust, it also has some of the worst mortality rates in

England. Fall ill at the weekend, and you

are more likely to die. Why? Because consultants work 9-5 on

weekdays, leaving a junior staff in charge on Saturdays and Sundays.

Darent Valley is one of the hospitals were the lowest levels of

weekend staffing. Dr Foster says that while more staff cannot be

conjured out of the air, better ways of working need to be explored.

Hospitals need to think about how they worked together, because not

every hospital can be able to provide the optimum standard. We

will have to start being honest about what hospitals can and can't

do. If there is an area where hospital were not be able to divide

a safe service, in these to think about working with other hospitals

in the area. When David suffered a stroke on a Sunday earlier this

year, the ambulance was at his home very quickly. But confusion over

which hospital to take him to mend it was five hours before he was

properly seen. He could have died. Fortunately, it wasn't, and they

should be qualified staff on all hospitals. It should be any

hospital you go to, preferably the nearest, they should be qualified

staff to do with the problem. trusts were criticised for

mortality rates through the week. Medway, Dartford and East Sussex

had higher than expected deaths. All said they are carrying out work

to address the concerns, but also that they don't believe there is a

problem with the prop -- quality of care. Across the NHS, there has

been a remarkable fall in mortality This is our top story tonight:

The chancellor is preparing to announce �30 billion of public

capital projects tomorrow, but there are fears that none of the

major transport building schemes will be in the South East. But a

list of 11 possible projects revealed today does not include any

in Kent or Sussex. Also in tonight's programme.

Possibly the tallest knitted Christmas tree ever. Checkout the

hook. I played Captain Hook. Come over here and checking out.

What is Vanilla Ice talking about? Find out later in the programme.

Tomorrow lunchtime the Chancellor George Osborne will deliver his

latest update on the economy in his Autumn Statement. He's expected to

offer help to small businesses, explain how he will pay for schemes

to tackle youth unemployment and get the housing market moving again.

What do you think the Chancellor should be doing here in the South

East? When the Chancellor delivers his autumn statement, it will be

done against a backdrop of gloomy figures are showing the UK is

slipping back into it recession. The Prime Minister prepared the way

for bad news. We are behind where we need to be. Deep and difficult

recession... Despite their not being much money to spend, the

government has announced a fund to help young unemployed to, like

Brandon from Hastings he was not currently working or in training.

It is ridiculously hard to get anything around here. I have been

on jobseeker's for over 18 months. I have never had a job. I do not

have the qualifications because I did not do well at school.

Yesterday the Chancellor announced a scheme called credit easing to

help the banks lend to small and medium-sized businesses. It has

been welcomed by a tailor from Brighton. Banks have really got to

help small businesses and they have not. They have been taking up to

nine weeks to make decisions on loans and there should make those

decisions quicker even if it is not a yes, so the company knows that.

There may be some relief for hard- pressed families. It is believed

the increase in fuel duty due to being creased in the new year will

be reduced or postponed which should help car owners like Lisa

from Chatham. I need a car because I pack a lot into my day and I find

that because the fuel prices have gone up excessively gets beyond a

joke. It costs about �65 to fill my tank up now. As expected, rail

fares will be capped at 1% above inflation. Even the Chancellor

admits that will not be a great cause for celebration for rail

users who were still expecting a steep rise. It may be some

consolation for commuters and the South East to pay some of the

highest fares in the country. And you can read more on the autumn

statement on Louise Stewart's blog. The man behind the first hip hop

single to top the US charts is not necessarily the first person you'd

choose to appear in Peter Pan. More recently he has been on the reality

show, dancing on ice. Now he is starring in panto in Chatham.

Yes, he will be Captain Hook in Peter Pan. He spends most of the

year in Miami but says he has thick of the Sun and has come to enjoy a

proper winter. It is one of the most recognisable

beats in hip hop and it is synonymous with this man. A I love

it, I wrote the song. I think it is fantastic that people still

remember it to date. I'm glad they enjoy it. I am very proud. Vanilla

Ice was one of the biggest rap stars in the late 80s and early 90s

and he still makes music and his latest album came out in August.

Problems with drugs and quarrels with his record label led him to

focus on other interests for a while. Professional motocross, jet-

ski riding, a passion for extreme sports and being a condition it --

contestant in this year's dancing on ice. I had a Prom my eye and

concussion and a crazy ride to the hospital. I learned that it is not

easy. The ice is hard. Also credited for his return to the

spotlight, he ignites it -- he allowed the most recognisable

haircuts in pop to use the most recognisable the two. I have

nothing bad to say about those guys because any time you're in a room

with them you will be laughing. They are funny. Now he is taking a

break from Miami sunshine to played Captain Cook in a panto in Chatham.

He is a hardcore rap megastar who was a father of two who does a load

of charity work for children and is actually a lovely and a decent guy

and he does a really funny job for his job. He is fantastic. Checkout

the hook! By D J revolves it! is a -- that is a Tatton remix. --

a Chatham or remix. How on earth did this come to

happen? The producers of the panto saw him on dancing on ice and

thought he would make a pretty good Captain Hook. Today was the panto's

first rehearsal and the show opens one week on Thursday. Than an ice

flew in from Miami today so I asked him if he was worried about

learning his lines and he told me he was not because he is a rapper

and remembering a lot of words is what he does for a living. He told

me years looking forward to fly in his whole family over here to spend

Christmas in Chatham. I would do that! Who wouldn't?

Football and there were encouraging victories for both Brighton and

Crawley on saturday but Gillingham were held to their first goaless

draw for almost eight months. Neil Bell looks back at the weekend's

action. Brighton were a bit short of confidence but they made

advantage of some sloppy defending. There was a well-timed run and a

powerful header. Surely before half-time there was another

stunning header to restore Brighton's advantage. They went

back up to 10th. They are just one point of the play-off positions.

kept going forward. I think the last 10 or 15 minutes we were the

best team to store. Gillingham's game against Brighton it contained

few highlights. An early effort that hit the post was their closest

they got. We did not earn the right to play today. The ball spent too

much time in the air. You have to give Bradford a lot of credit and

they came here and a frustrated us. Crawley stormed back at Rotherham.

A drive level things out and then they moved level at the top of the

table. League One leaders Charlton take on

third place Huddersfield Town at the Valley this evening. The

Addicks go into the game on the back of a six match winning run,

but their opponents are unbeaten in 43 league games. Someone said to me

I would make or break a season and this is the 19th game. I am surely

will be saying the same thing. Nothing is won or lost in this game.

If we put the onus on this game, then that might distract us from

the bigger picture which is 46 games.

It's 20 foot tall, it's bedecked with 100 metres of garland, it is

spangled with more than 200 pom poms. It's the biggest woolly

Christmas tree the south east has ever seen. Hundreds of people have

helped to knit and stitch the tree at the Burrswood Christian Healing

Centre in Groombridge. Ian Palmer has been along to see it.

If you have to have a tree -- if you had to hug a tree, you would

want it to be this one. Soft on the outside and scaffolding on the

inside. It has taken about five hours with the hanging the

decorations but the scaffolding to can hour-and-a-half. The idea began

here. This woman marshalled all the knitters. I wondered what would

happen if nobody knitted leaves a we have been overwhelmed with the

support that we have had. It has been fabulous. 300 people got

involved in making this tree and they had to knit more than at 2,500

leaves. Two stitch them has taken more than 81 at a worse. The

hospital offers post operative and convalescent care. It's a Christian

organisation but people from any faith a welcome. There is a lot of

love in that tree. People have knitted the leaves with thought and

care. We have received all the donations, whether they have been

huge bundles from groups or one day be got just one leaf in an envelope

that someone had taken a lot of time and trouble to me it. There

are two other woody trees in the country and this is thought to be

the largest. Visitors are surprised by its appeal. I am very impressed

it is very colourful. beautifully made and the colours

are lovely and I like the Father Christmases all over it. Visitors

can buy gold stars to decorate the tree and raise money for the

charity. After the holiday it is thought the fabric could be made

into blankets and donated to worthy causes.

It is fabulous, isn't it? I am lost for words!

You could cuddle it to keep warm because we will need to in the next

. It has been increasingly mild but it will stay that way tomorrow. It

will be increasingly blustery. At the end of the day there is a bad

not the rain spreading eastwards and that will affect us all. High

pressure will be in control of things. Last night temperatures got

down to freezing for all of us would have widespread frost but low

pressure is moving in again from the West and the southerly winds

will continue to Pickup. Temperatures are not too bad for

the time of year. As we move into tonight, we are holding on to the

southerly winds and they continued to strengthen. There will be

outbreaks of rain and it will be a mild picture. Temperatures will

hardly change from their daytime values. It will really be quite a

change from last night. Tomorrow morning will initially be a dry and

mild start but as you can see there is a band of heavy rain making its

way eastwards. By the end of the day we were all be affected. The

morning will be dry and mild but very blustery. The winds will pick

up to 30 mph with gusts even stronger than that. The

temperatures are above average for the time of the year. Once we have

seen is heavier pulses of rain in the south-west breezes, it will

feel a bit more call them the numbers suggest. -- cool than the

numbers suggest. Through the night there will be further outbreaks of

rain. On Wednesday the rain will slowly clear and it will be

increasingly dry in the afternoon. It will not stay dry for long. On

Thursday there will be heavy rain which would clear by Friday and the

increasingly dry and bright. Thank you very much.

Before we go, a word about tonight's Inside Out. A former

Somalian refugee has gone undercover inside a camp for asylum

seekers in Calais. Makeshift tents and abandoned buildings, known as

jungles, are used by migrants waiting to cross into the UK

illegally. But conditions are such that a charity is supplying them

with blankets and medical aid. And you can find out more about the

conditions the migrants face and the role played by charities in

tonight's Inside Out at 7.30pm here on BBC One.