05/12/2013 South East Today

6pm. It's goodbye from me and on BBC One, we join our teams where you

are. Welcome to South East Today, with

Natalie Graham and Rob Smith. Tonight's top stories: Kent braces

for flooding, with predictions of the most serious storm surge since

1953. Homes are being evacuated. I've lived here for 40 years and

it's never been as bad as this, so it really is quite scary.

We're live in Sandwich with the latest on the defence preparations.

She died of a broken heart ` family of an elderly fraud victim tell of

the impact of her care worker stealing ?50,000. She stopped

looking after herself and stopped any interest in life. She always had

a joie de vivre. Also in tonight's programme: Two

Brighton based footballers are charged with match fixing as part of

a national criminal investigation. Camilla's Christmas cheer ` the

Duchess of Cornwall visits a Sussex charity which helps the homeless.

# These are honky`tonk women. And the Rolling Stones as you've

never seen them before ` rare photos of their early days go on display.

Good evening. People in the South East are being told to prepare for

severe flooding. The environment agency has issued its most severe

threat level, a danger to life, for four stretches along the Kent coast.

In total, 3000 households are deemed to be at risk. Sandwiches believe to

be one of the worst affected areas in the country. Simon Joseph is

there for us now. There have been a raft of evacuation notices issued by

councils in the last hour. Yes and the last few minutes I've

learned that parts of sand which will be evacuated. `` Sandwich.

People are filling up sandbags now. The first surge is expected to hit

here just before 1am, then a second search tomorrow lunchtime. This is

being taken very seriously. `` a second storm surge.

A warning that lives could be at risk. I'm very worried about it.

We've never had a situation like this before. I've been here nearly

40 years and it's never been as serious as this. So it really is

quite scary. Here, they are working to prepare the gardens of a local

guesthouse. If it is as high as they say it is going to be, it will be

devastating because the trouble is, the gardens lie actually quite low

against the river so if it makes it past this high point, it will just

pour into the garden. You can't stop the tide and if it comes, it comes.

Many are questioning what to do for the best. My husband is staying here

and we'll have to wait and see what happens. We've only got a tiny

cottage, so as far as taking any furniture goes, it's a no`no for us.

We'll just sit and watch and see how it's going. There four severe flood

warnings, which indicate a danger to life, in the South East, with

Sandwich expected to be one of the worst affected areas in the country.

Five other areas have been issued with flood warnings, including

Folkestone and sure harbour. Up to 3000 homes in Kent could be at risk.

`` Shoreham harbour. We have issued a number of warnings which indicates

how worried we are for the public and their possessions. Experts

stress that back in 1953, when there was a great surge, there was very

little public given to the `` warning given to the public and

defences are much better now. We've got the normal high tides which

occur multiple times got the normal high tides which

occur ur %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%ur %%%%%%% got the normal high tides which

occur multiple times during a 24 hour period. On top of that, we've

got strong winds pushing that water, so it is mounted water funnelling

down to the bottom portion of the North Sea. On top of that, we have

the waves. Three factors, added to a very high sea level. This hotel has

just been relegated and now they fear it will be undone. ``

renovated. The renovations are just finished and now we have to prepare

for the flood and take all the proportions we can. `` precautions.

For the people of, Chris and which, it is a waiting game. The question

is, how much protection will be sandbags provide? Tell us the latest

on the evacuation situation. We gather that Dover district Council

has decided to evacuate parts of sandwich. We have been monitoring

the tide as it has been coming down the North of England and we have

seen that the tide is coming in at least at the same level and a bit

higher than we predicted so we do anticipate that defences here will

be over the top of that will be significant flooding the night.

You've put that warning out. Should people stay in their homes or go. We

are advising people to look at their safety as the prime thing and also

protect their property so people are using sandbags, which will give some

protection but not perfect protection. We advise people to move

valuables upstairs and if they have the opportunity to stay elsewhere,

that is their decision but we do advise that you stay out of flood

water and away from where the tide will be coming in because there is

fast flowing water becoming very dangerous. Parts of Seasalter are

also being evacuated. It is the countdown now. The flood is expected

to hit here in the early hours. We'll have a full weather forecast

for you later in the programme. And if you're in one of the affected

areas, let us know how you're preparing for the predicted

flooding. You can email us, tweet us or find us on facebook.

And, of course, you can keep up to date with the latest information on

the flood on your local BBC radio stations.

The family of an elderly woman from Bexhill who had ?50,000 stolen by

her home help say the stress of the theft contributed to her death. The

daughter of Barbara Clarke from Bexhill said her 89`year`old mother

died penniless after Elizabeth Wonnacott systematically stole tens

of thousands of pounds over five years. Wonnacott was jailed at Lewes

Crown Court this week after pleading guilty to 18 counts of fraud.

Barbara Clarke died of a broken heart, defrauded of ?50,000 of her

life savings by a woman she considered a friend. Very cold, very

systematic and manipulative. Elizabeth Wonnacott was Barbara's

home help but she began systematically raiding the

89`year`old's savings. The court heard that Elizabeth Wonnacott wrote

herself checks from Barbara Clarke's cheque`book. Between 2007

and 2011, she helped herself to more than ?50,000. The fraud remained

undiscovered for so long because Barbara Clarke was so independent

about her finances. Her daughter says the crime had a massive effect

on Barbara and she died not long after. She started to shrink and

stopped looking after herself and lost any interest in life. She

always had a joie de vivre but I'm afraid it was destroyed. Those who

work with the elderly sale only mess can make them vulnerable. People are

often isolated and don't have regular company so when somebody

does show some interest, they come across as being friendly in the

older person and that is something they warm to. Sarah welcomed the

two`year prison term handed to Elizabeth Wonnacott but says more

needs to be done to protect the elderly from the kind of crime she

believes not only robbed the mother of her savings but also of her

life. In a moment: Turning the green

fields blue ` how plans for a large solar farm have angered residents in

Two Sussex footballers have been charged over match fixing

allegations, the National Crime Agency has revealed. Michael Boateng

and Hakeem Adelakun, both 22 and from the Croydon area of south

London, were charged with conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law.

Well, let's cross live to Brighton and speak to our reporter Mark

Sanders. `` John Young. This is breaking news and the

details are few and far between but we know that the organised crime

division have found that there is sufficient evidence, their phrase,

and they are satisfied that it is the public interest these charges to

go ahead. Let's remind ourselves about these two men. Hakeem Adelakun

is here scoring a friendly for Scunthorpe in July. And here is

Michael Boateng. The club is Whitehawk FC from conference South.

We know they have been bailed to appear at Birmingham magistrates

Court on Wednesday next week. If this rings bells with you, it's

because these are the third and fourth meant to be charged with

allegations of match fixing. It follows two other footballers who

were charged on November 28, following reports in the Daily

Telegraph about this alleged match fixing last month.

The Royal Marine convicted of murdering an injured Afghanistan was

living in Brighton when to serve in the Marines. ``

Afghanistan insurgent. Sergeant Alexander Blackman, who is 39, shot

the man at close range with a pistol in September 2011. He was convicted

at a court martial board hearing following a two week trial and will

be sentenced tomorrow. Long`term plans for the future of

maternity services in East Sussex will not include having full

consultant`led departments in both Eastbourne and St Leonards. Options

published today look at how services will be provided. The consultant`led

department at Eastbourne was changed to a midwife`led one.

Tax breaks to encourage the controversial procedure of fracking,

announced by Chancellor George Osborne, could be illegal,

environmental campaigners have claimed. Mr Osborne said in his

Autumn Statement that he would introduce a new tax allowance to

encourage investment in shale gas that halves tax rates on early

profits. George Osborne also announced that train ticket price

rises will be capped at the rate of inflation. And there will be help

aimed at boosting the high street ` with tax relief for small

businesses. Our business correspondent, Mark Norman, has

more. Today we go further with a commitment to invest... After a

summer of demonstrations against the shale oil industry, this was perhaps

one of the most significant moment in the Chancellor's speech today.

The country that was the first to extract oil and gas from deep under

the sea should not turn its back on new sources of energy like shale gas

because it is too difficult. Today we go further. A new tax allowance

to encourage investment in shale gas that halves taxes on early profits.

We are sitting on top of a lot of shale gas, services to encourage

companies to explore now, to drill and see if they can get it out. The

Govan giving its backing to the shale gas and oil industry. It has

its opponents. `` the fore. This is such a short`sighted policy. Is it

wise to invest so much hope on this one area of possible energy

development at this early stage? It is almost as though the Chancellor

is putting all his eggs in this basket. The Chancellor also had

these for commuters, announcing that train ticket prices will be capped

at the level of inflation. And there will be tax relief measures for

small businesses. These are just part of a wider attempt to grow the

UK economy, get rid of the deficit and put an end to one of the longest

period of austerity on record. Louisa Stuart is at Westminster. How

significant are the announcement the Chancellor has made stay? `` made

today? George Osborne was clear today with the announcement of tax

breaks for companies that extract shale gas. There was good news for

commuters. The planned fuel duty rise has been cancelled next year,

and also for those who use the railways. Their season tickets from

January will go up is 3.1% instead of a planned 4.1%. But anyone

thinking there was light at the end of this austerity tunnel may be

disappointed. The Chancellor also announced that anyone in their 40s

will now have to carry on working until they asked 68 before they can

claim their state pension. Residents in a Kent village have

reacted angrily to plans for a solar farm on 45 acres of farmland ` they

say it would ruin the rural environment. The site at Sellindge,

near Ashford, is one of 50 solar farm projects which are planned for

Kent and Sussex over the next five years. For the latest in our

Switched On series, our environment correspondent, Yvette Austin,

reports. From green fields to green energy. A

company wants to plant solar panels here on 36 acres, to generate enough

electricity for 2500 homes. The panels would all face this way, so

we would have a complete their off them all the time. Norma has lived

here for 20 years and fears her rural spot will soon be ruined. We

bought a house out in the country somewhere lovely, away from other

people, so we've got our dogs and... Sorry, it really upsets me.

It really does. It's absolutely devastating. And she's not alone.

Solar companies have earmarked some 50 sites across the South East. The

farms ` some bigger than others, some more rural than others but most

are on farmland and environmentalists are worried. The

problem is the proliferation of these on what is good agricultural

land. We have no problems with solo panels in industrial areas. At a

public consultation in Sellindge today, the company was reassuring

the public that the National Grid as it is doesn't have the capacity for

a large number of new solar farms. There will be deployment but if it

is well built and well screened, you can't hear it or see it. Providing

it's not built in an area of outstanding natural beauty, I don't

think people need to be concerned. We don't have a food crisis in this

country but we have a looming imminent energy crisis and it is

really important to get behind low carbon renewables, particularly

solar. The government wants 25% of our energy to come from renewables

eventually. It is hoped that this will help reach that target.

Our top story: People along the Kent coast are being told to prepare for

severe flooding, with the most severe threat warning, a danger to

life, being issued by the environment agency. Upto 3000 homes

in Kent are being identified as at risk, with sand `` Sandwich being

identified as one. Also: Rolling on ` 50 years after

the Stones took the world by storm, unseen photos of their early days go

on display. And after a day of strong winds and high tides,

warnings of a storm surge as we go through the night.

We have warnings from the environment agency and I'll have the

latest later. The Duchess of Cornwall has paid a

pre`Christmas visit to a Sussex homeless charity. Camilla met the

residents of Emmaus Hastings Rother, who live on site and sell

second`hand furniture and other donated items. Claudia Sermbezis

joins us live from Hastings. Claudia, it's not the first time

that the Duchess has met some of the Hastings residents. PK yellow no,

she went to Paris in May to visit centres there and she went with Mary

Rose, a resident at the centre here in Hastings. Mary said they talked a

lot about Sussex because the Duchess was brought up in Lewes. The visit

was partly to open a new accommodation block that it is also

the first time she has visited the centre here so she wanted to meet

residents and find out about the work they do.

All the residents the Duchess met today also work here. This is the

newly opened cafe, run by Mary Baker who accompanied the Duchess to

France in the summer and showed her around. She is really lovely. It

helps to raise the profile of the charity in general and especially

today in Hastings has we're a small community. It is marvellous. So he

colourwhite the Duchess of Cornwall is behind me talking to three of the

people who currently live here. She's been a patron of the charity

since 2006. She also opened a new accommodation block. Every time I

come to one, you get the same positive feeling about life and I

think that is the point. The charity provides a home and employment for

15 people who have experienced homelessness. They work on site

selling second`hand furniture. After getting ill, Andrew lost his job and

ended up on the streets. He has lived here for three months. I got

to a stage, because of my illnesses, but I didn't see any purpose. I

couldn't work or do anything and I came here and they let me work. It

makes me feel useful again. That is the best way to say it. If you are

on the streets, sleeping rough, you are going from day`to`day, whereas

here you've got the chance to settle down, get on your feet again and

plan for the future. These communities are not hostile for the

homeless. They provide a home as long as someone needs it. ``

hostels. The residents call themselves companions and on

Christmas Day, they will go down to the kitchen, make themselves a

traditional Christmas lunch, and in the New Year they get ready to

welcome more residents as more rooms open.

50 years ago, two young men from Dartford changed the face of rock

music with their rebellious take on the blues. They became pin`ups on

both sides of the Atlantic, and created a brand that is still going

strong today. In their early years the Rolling Stones ` formed, of

course, by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, were photographed by Gerry

Mankovitz. And to mark the 50th anniversary of the band, 800 of his

pictures ` some of which have never been seen before ` have gone on

display. The song defined an era, as did the

band, but rewind a few years and it's the Rolling Stones as you've

never seen them before. 50 years later, there is a really interesting

sequence of images. It has become quite interesting. It has captured

the moment. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards met a primary school in

Dartford. By 1965, they were preparing to conquer the US with

their band. This photo was taken at London city airport just before

their tour. They treated me like one of the band and when I went on the

road with them in America in 1965, it was as if I was part of the band.

That's how it felt and that's how I was treated. The photos were all

taken between 1965 and 1967 but most weren't printed onto the mid`1970s.

This is the one. One in particular offers a real insight into what

Keith Richards, who now lives in Sussex, chose to do to relax after a

busy to schedule. `` tour schedule. He took me and the tour manager off

to go camping, dressed as cowboys, chasing cattle and sleeping under

the stars. It was absolutely fantastic. It's a long way from

Dartford and a long way from Sussex. The collection of rents, as well as

individual duplicate, are all up for sale. `` print this. `` prints.

A former windmill in East Sussex that's fallen into decay will

hopefully be restored as part of a Lottery funding project. The

historic Post Windmill just outside the village of Mayfield ` thought to

be just one of 40 left in the country ` hasn't been used since the

1920s. It's one of a number of magnificent buildings in the South

East that's battling for survival. You can see more on that story

tonight in a special Inside Out programme called Restoring England's

Heritage on BBC One at 7.30pm. Let's return to our top story.

People along the Kent coast have been told there for severe flooding

as a number of evacuation notices are issued. Up to 3000 homes in Kent

are being highlighted as at risk. Sandwich is potentially one of the

worst affected areas of the country. We've been monitoring the tide as it

has been coming from the North of England and we are seeing it coming

in at least at the same level and a bit higher than we predicted. We do

anticipate that the defences will be over the top and there will be

significant flooding in Sandwich tonight. Simon Jones is in Sandwich.

We're hearing 178 homes in Sandwich are being evacuated. If you're

affected, you should get a knock at the door and it's up to you to

decide whether to stay or go. Busy activity here with people pulling up

sandbags. A pretty worrying time. It is. It is a close`knit community, a

small town, and people are very worried. What are you going to be

doing, sir, when it hits? Well, hopefully, with what we're doing

with the sandbags, we'll keep an eye on the situation and if we need more

sandbags, we will to keep it away from the rain. I've been here for

over 20 years and it is great to see the town spirit getting involved

with the bags. I haven't seen it flowed over the last six years but

it is worrying tonight. Fingers crossed it all passes often night.

Due to hit at around 12:45am. It is going to be a long night for a

lot of people. Let's find out what the forecast has in store exactly.

The reason for this is a storm surge. For that, you need a deep

area of low pressure, really strong winds and a high tide. Today, we've

had these really strong gale force winds, with gusts in Kent up to 50

mph. Of course, there has been listed area of low pressure and that

is rising air, which gives us the storm clouds. It also rises the sea

level and that is being driven south by the really strong winds. Through

tonight and tomorrow, the Environment Agency are suggesting

that on top of the high tides, we could see a water surge of up to

four metres. The sea levels are going to be rising further so

through tonight and tomorrow, flood warnings are going to be in force

and they are suggesting that if you have any concerns, you give the

bloodline number a call. `` flood line. Winds have been gale force

today but the rain has not been particularly heavy. Across the south

coast, there have been 35 mph wind speeds with gusts up to 50 mph.

Temperatures feeling significantly cooler than the figures. Once that

is out of the way, clear skies with temperature is close to freezing so

where we have lying water, there is a risk of ice. A risk of coastal

flooding, which picks up from 2am. Temperatures in rural spots dropping

a bit below freezing. Tomorrow, high pressure is going to be building and

the warnings are still in force through the day. Winds are

continuing to ease off. Mostly it is going to be a dry and settled story.

Winds continue to ease throughout the day with top temperatures

tomorrow around five degrees might really struggling. High pressure

continues to build towards the weekend. Temperatures start to

recover. Thank you very much. We will be

updating you during the course of the evening in the late bulletin at

10:25pm. Meanwhile, you can stay tuned your BBC local radio stations

for the latest on the weather and the evacuation is taking place. Good

night.