14/01/2014 South East Today

evidence of suspected illegal where you are on-line.

evidence of suspected illeg`l Welcome to South East Today, I'm

Natalie Graham. And I'm Rob Smith. Tonight's top stories: The

neighbours at loggerheads over who should pay for clearing up a tree

should pay for clearing up ` tree blown over in the Christmas storms.

It is just a nightmare. It is blown over in the Christmas storms.

It is just a nightmare. It hs not even our chief.

Police make three arrests after finding evidence of suspected

finding evidence of suspectdd illegal cockfighting at a farm

finding evidence of suspected illegal cockfighting at a f`rm in

illegal cockfighting at a farm in Kent.

We're live with the latest on the story.

Also in tonight's programme: How one mother's ordeal persuaded a Sussex

MP that a change in the law is needed for parents whose babies are

stillborn. The dark art of growing rhubarb `

and the farmer who's cashing in with his crop.

And Gavin and Stacey star Mathew Horne tells us how he's going to

tackle three characters on stage in Sussex.

Good evening. A huge tree that fell onto a house as fierce storls

onto a house as fierce storms battered the South East on Christmas

Eve has still not been removed three weeks on because of a row over who's

responsible. People living hn the damaged property in Walderslade,

damaged property in Walderslade near Chatham, say they shouldn't

have to foot the bill. But the owner of the garden from which thd

have to foot the bill. But the owner of the garden from which the tree

of the garden from which thd tree fell says her insurance company's

fell says her insurance company s told her not to pay either. Simon

Jones reports. And unwanted Christmas decoration

that the woman living here says should have been taken down a long

time ago. We are on day 23 now. It is a nightmare. It is not otr tree.

The owner of the GC is legally she cannot remove it because of where it

has come down. If you have a cannot remove it because of where it

has come down. If you have ` tree has come down. If you have a tree

that you have planted in yotr garden that you have planted in your garden

and it falls on somebody else's house how is it the responshbility?

The family say they have had to vacate part of the top floor and

water has gotten. Their neighbour has told us that her

insurance company told her ht is normal procedure for the other

insurance company to sort the situation out and then clail back

situation out and then claim back from her insurer.

But the landlord says he cannot afford it. Originally I had ? or

?2000. My insurance company said they would try to retrieve that

money but I would have to fit that money but I would have to fht that

bill prior to then getting their money back. I cannot do that.

People in the area say the dispute needs to be resolved.

I know they have other things to do that for people living in this

building that has got to be one of the worst hazard I have seen. I

would want it sorted. They can get their money back eventually. Someone

has got to sort it out. The Association of British hnsurers

confirmed that if a tree falls on your house in a storm your hnsurers

need to sort it out even if it is somebody else's tree.

Simon's in Walderslade for us. How Simon's in Walderslade for ts. How

is this possibly going to be resolved?

It does seem to have reached a stalemate. Heidi says it was

stressful that the tree camd down stalemate. Heidi says it was

stressful that the tree camd down on Christmas Eve that she cannot be

read that the tree is still there. There is a rate of hope. The

read that the tree is still there. There is a rate of hope. Thd tree is

resting on another property next door and the other property owner

says his insurance company hs says his insurance company is

prepared to move in. There lay still prepared to move in. There lay still

be a battle ahead over which insurance company will finally foot

the bill. Kent Police have arrested three men

after discovering evidence of illegal cockfighting. Sever`l dead

cockerels were found at a farm in Iwade near Sittingbourne. Officers

also discovered 170 live birds during the raid, and seized

suspected class A drugs. I have been the area commander for

seven years. This is the first case I have dealt with. It is not that

prevalent. Let's get more from Piers Hopkirk

who's at Sittingbourne Police Station. When did this happen,

Station. When did this happdn, Piers?

This raid happened yesterdax. As well as the large volume of birds

that were found police also found what they believe is a cockpit, that

is fighting arena where birds are placed to carry on cockfighting.

They also found dead in the league drugs which could have been used.

And many people will be surprised to hear that cockfighting still

happens? I am sure they will be staggered.

The policeman said it is the first The policeman said it is thd first

time he has come across this train end three decades. It was outlawed

in 1835. When ever we see it it is inevitable that betters secretive.

Cockfighting has been illegal for Cockfighting has been illegal for

200 years. Banning an activhty does 200 years. Banning an activhty does

not stop it from happening that you would hope 200 years down the line

from the legislation that pdople from the legislation that people

would realise there is no place for this sort of activity. Thred

would realise there is no place for this sort of activity. Three men

this sort of activity. Thred men have been arrested following the

raids yesterday. They have been mailed to reappear at a polhce

mailed to reappear at a police station in April.

In a moment: What's it all `bout? Malfi. How Gravesend's Gemma

Arterton has taken on the role of a Jacobean Duchess.

A Sussex MP wants a change in the law to give parents whose b`bies

A Sussex MP wants a change hn the law to give parents whose babies are

law to give parents whose b`bies are stillborn before 24 weeks of

pregnancy greater rights. At the moment if a baby dies earlier, the

moment if a baby dies earlidr, the death isn't registered and the

mother doesn't automaticallx get time off work.

The former Children's Minister and MP for East Worthing and Shoreham,

Tim Loughton, called a Commons debate this afternoon after a

constituent described her ordeal following the death of her unborn

baby. Our Political Reporter Ellie Price has more.

This woman's BB died in her room at 19 weeks. `` unborn child. She has

passed her personal story to Parliament. I had contractions and

gave birth to my child. Our family saw him and held him if they wanted

saw him and held him if thex wanted to. Then we had a funeral for him.

The fact that he did not exhst in The fact that he did not exist in

the eyes of the law is a bitter pill to swallow.

This is purely about giving closure and peace of mind to parents who

have gone through the agony of having a stillborn child. A simple

change in the law could givd having a stillborn child. A simple

change in the law could give more change in the law could give more

support to parents who had to go through that process.

Currently the parents have no right to paternity leave.

They need time to grieve. If it changes. It is not known how many

similar cases there are because they similar cases there are bec`use they

are not recorded. Ellie joins us from Westminster Tim

Ellie joins us from Westminster. Tim Loughton says he's not trying to

change the law on abortion, but could that be an unintended

consequence of his campaign? The abortion limit in the UK is 24

weeks. There is concern that a recognition of the foetus before

that could impact on the abortion debate. The MP said his bill has

nothing to do with abortion. He said the emphasis is on acknowledging the

difficulties faced by families at difficulties faced by families at

what is our sad time. A woman's escaped unharmed after

A woman's escaped unharmed `fter fire gutted her home in Kent.

Around 40 firefighters were sent to the scene yesterday at a

semidetached house in Ashford. Kent Police officers are investigating

the cause. An Afghan man who says he could be

killed if he returns to his homeland because he's an atheist has been

granted asylum. He came to Kent seven years ago as a teenager

granted asylum. He came to Kent seven years ago as a teenagdr and

was brought up as a Muslim, but later lost his faith. The Kent law

later lost his faith. The Kdnt law firm representing him say they

believe it's the first time anyone's been granted asylum in this country

on the basis of atheism. A legal challenge to the

Government's decision to allow the expansion of a Kent airport will be

heard at the High Court latdr this month. Lydd Airport on the Romney

Marsh was given permission last April to extend its runway `nd build

a new terminal. Campaigners are opposed to the expansion as it's

close to the Dungeness nucldar power close to the Dungeness nucldar power

station, a nature reserve and a military range.

Campaigners fighting the closure of a Sussex Free School say thdy're

a Sussex Free School say they're cautiously optimistic after meeting

a minister from the Department for Education in Westminster thhs

afternoon. The Crawley MP Henry afternoon. The Crawley MP Hdnry

Smith led a delegation from the town's Discovery New School which is

set to close in April after it was put in special measures by Ofsted.

Mark Sanders reports. These are the dying days of this

free school unless the government can be convinced to change hts mind

about closing it. Supporters met the schools minister this afternoon to

ask for a reprieve. We did not to get a definitive

We did not to get a definithve answer. I was hoping we did not get

a flat now. I view that as lore a flat now. I view that as lore

positive. Discovery New School opened in September 2011. By May of

opened in September 2011. Bx May of last year it had been put into

special measures. Last month it was told it had to shut by April of this

year. Pupils went to Westminster last

month to lobby for it to remain month to lobby for it to relain

open. This person pulled her children out

of the school. My daughter had missed all of the foundation stage

of learning. It made me feel guilty. You make that decishon.

of learning. It made me feel guilty. You make that decision. Then

they ruined it. And education charity has offered to help the

government to keep the school open government to keep the school open

until at least the end of this school year.

This is our top story tonight. A huge tree that belt onto our house

has still not been removed. It is estimated that removing the cheek

could cost ?2500. Also in tonight's programme, we're

Also in tonight's programme, we re going underground with the Sussex

photographer who captured passengers photographer who captured passengers

on the tube in the 70s and 80s. Join me to talk about my new play.

We've heard a lot about the damage and disruption caused by the wet and

stormy weather in the last few weeks. One of the slightly lore

weeks. One of the slightly more unusual consequences is that there

is a shortage of British rhubarb. is a shortage of British rhubarb.

However, its good news for one Kent farm, where they grow theirs

indoors. It's known as forced rhubarb and

it's harvested in sheds in the dark. The plants are grown outdoors for

three years, storing energy from The Sun in their roots that's why

they're able to keep on growing when they're moved indoors in late

autumn. The end product is sweeter and

The end product is sweeter `nd pinker than rhubarb harvested in

The end product is sweeter and pinker than rhubarb harvestdd in the

pinker than rhubarb harvested in the field. Peter Whittlesea's bden to

field. Peter Whittlesea's been to Mockbeggar Farm near Rochester for

the latest in our Food Chain series. It sounds like they are preparing

for take`off. In fact it is a heater that keeps the temperature at 18

that keeps the temperature `t 1 degrees, perfect for growing forced

rhubarb. The other key ingredient degrees, perfect for growing forced

rhubarb. The other key ingrddient is rhubarb. The other key ingredient is

darkness. When you are cooking this you need

less sugar. It is sweeter. It has been a traditional crop in

Yorkshire for years. Today they are harvesting bx torch.

Today they are harvesting by torch. Once you know it is the right

length. Sometimes it takes lore length. Sometimes it takes more

effort. The rhubarb is initially grown

outside for three years. Endrgy outside for three years. Energy

bills up in the root stocks. It provides enough food for it to grow

in the dark. It is then harvested and cut to size.

It requires a lot of fuel and a lot of labour. It is a higher price than

the outdoor crop. But chefs say the higher price is

But chefs say the higher prhce is worth it. The rhubarb that may grow

at the bottom of your garden is a lot bigger and denser. It takes a

lot more work. It has not got that sweet flavour that forced rhubarb

has. It is so versatile. It is wonderful in pastry. It can be used

on Savary dishes. It is really versatile. It is more versatile than

other rhubarb is. That passion about the prodtct has

led to supermarkets stocking Kent rhubarb.

She's the Gravesend schoolgirl who won fame in St Trinians, before

starring as a Bond Girl. But in her latest performance, actress Gemma

Arterton's taking on a classical role. She's playing the lead in The

Duchess of Malfi. It's the first production in a new venue next

Duchess of Malfi. It's the first production in a new venue ndxt to

Shakespeare's Globe in London. Chrissie Reidy has the story.

What do you do? That is not important. She is alive.

Tonight the Gravesend actress who began her professional caredr seven

years ago will appear on stage at years ago will appear on stage at

the new Jacobean Playhouse. This has always been a special place for me.

We have our press night tomorrow. We opened last week. It was something I

opened last week. It was solething I will never forget.

Gemma says being back on stage was Gemma says being back on st`ge was

an opportunity to good to miss. an opportunity to good to mhss.

This is the right space, the space This is the right space, thd space

that they were designed for originally. There are not m`ny

countries that can boast such a wealth of classical writing.

That was a misquote. I am voluptuous. Maybe they found that

bit. This is a very intimate space. You

can almost reach out and touch the can almost reach out and totch the

actors. The atmosphere is created before you open your mouth. The

audience already have an excitement. She hopes it is not too long before

she is back there again. For many long`suffering commuters, a

For many long`suffering comluters, a journey on the London Underground is

a twice`daily ordeal to be endured. But for Sussex photographer Bob

Mazzer, it's been a chance to capture the good, the bad and the

ugly side of human behaviour ` and turn it into art.

He's now publishing a book of dramatic photos he took on the Tube

in the 1970s and 80s. We sent Charlie Rose to speak to him

in the 1970s and 80s. We sent Charlie Rose to speak to hil at his

Charlie Rose to speak to him at his home in St Leonards.

Perhaps it's never been the most inspirational backdrop for the daily

commuter. But to a photographer on his late`night journey home the

London Underground presented some unmissable opportunities.

There is a whole world under the ground.

Bob's job as a film projecthonist meant he was always travelling home

meant he was always travellhng home late on the tube. But he didn't

mind, with every picture telling a story.

She was doing all this posthng. When she got off the phone she hitched up

with this other match older person. They went down into the tube. I

followed them. I wanted to know what was going on. I never found out I

lost them. Much of the time Bob's only

companion was his trusty Lehca M4. companion was his trusty Lehca M4.

You had to do everything by hand including focusing. But somdtimes,

including focusing. But sometimes, he also had the company of his

long`term partner. Lots of things were different then. People would

smoke on the Underground. A different sort of place. Less

private. Of course many more different sort of place. Less

private. Of course many mord people private. Of course many more people

use the London Underground now, but that's ideal for Bob, who still

rides the tube trains looking for the next story. I find it a

fascinating place. It is a subterranean world.

A Kent skier has won two gold medals in two days at the Paralympic Skiing

World Cup in Canada. Charlotte Evans, who's from Chatham,

is the guide for visually`impaired skier Kelly Gallagher. The British

pair have won the giant slalom and super`combined races, having secured

a silver in the downhill on Friday. In football, Charlton's pitch has

passed an initial inspection ahead of tonight's re`arranged FA Cup

third round tie against Oxford United. The match has already been

postponed twice because of a waterlogged pitch. An inspection was

carried out on Monday afternoon The Addicks have problems with the

drainage system at their ground, which they say cannot be resolved

until the summer. He's best known for his starring

role in the hit BBC sit com Gavin and Stacey, playing Gavin, who of

course was also known as Gavlar. and Stacey, playing Gavin, who of

course was also known as Gavlar But course was also known as Gavlar. But

Mathew Horne's branching out from comedy and turning to more serious

subjects. He's on stage in a play called The

Pride at the Theatre Royal in Pride at the Theatre Royal in

Brighton this week from where Jane Witherspoon joins us. It's quite a

Witherspoon joins us. It's puite a challenge for Mathew Horne ` he's

challenge for Mathew Horne ` he s playing three different characters,

Jane. He plays very different rolds. There

He plays very different roles. There is a man for higher, a Dr, `nd

He plays very different rolds. There is a man for higher, a Dr, and the

editor of a lad magazine. Hd said he editor of a lad magazine. He said he

is excited to be here in Brighton performing at the Theatre Royal

because he used to live just up the road.

It is coming home of sorts for Mathew Horne. He is back in town.

The comedy drama tells the story of a love triangle set against

Britain's changing attitudes to sexuality.

It raises issues that we should be thinking about.

I thought you were not going to come. Of course I was going to come.

I cast reunion for Gavin And Stacey could be on the cards. I would not

rule it out. I tested route the other day to congratulate hdr. I

other day to congratulate her. I heard nothing back.

It is just going to be called and It is just going to be calldd and

Stacey. That does not have the same ring.

Although tonight is the first show of a limited run there are no

opening night nerves. I onlx get nervous doing interviews for BBC

south`east. This is cathartic late south`east. This is catharthc late

getting all my nerves out now before the performance tonight. And he has

got exciting news about another of his shows.

I am shooting a short with Jack Whitehall.

The opening night curtain goes up within an hour. It is all very

within an hour. It is all vdry exciting. There are a few tickets

exciting. There are a few thckets left. You can see the show until

left. You can see the show tntil Saturday January 18.

Russia are traffic was brought to a standstill as an ostrich ran between

cars at speeds of 40 mph. It is not known where the ostrich

had biscuits from. Here is the weather. Clear blue

skies earlier, but not so as they go into tonight. Much milder ahr

tomorrow. Strong winds and rain at times over the next couple of days.

Today we saw sunshine. Fairly light winds. Tonight it will turn

increasingly unsettled. Fairly persistent rain. Temperatures

increasingly unsettled. Fairly persistent rain. Temperaturds cooler

as we get towards the early hours of tomorrow morning. Quite mild but wet

as we start the day tomorrow. South`westerly winds lustily

throughout the day. `` south`westerly winds lustily

south`westerly winds lustilx throughout the day.

South`westerly winds. Not feeling South`westerly winds. Not fdeling

particularly pleasant. I'd breaks of rain. It will be overcast and damp

start to the day on Thursday. It start to the day on Thursday. It

will be a day of showers. Spot the difference as they go into Friday.

More of the same. The weekend is looking wet and windy.

I will be back with the HPM update and delete news at 10:25pm.

Goodbye.