09/06/2014 South East Today

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

A U`turn over closing the Pilgrims Hospice?

Management signals a change of heart after more than 17,000 join

We're live in Canterbury with the latest.

A lack of staff could lead to more unrest,

and even deaths, at Maidstone Prison warns an independent watchdog.

150,000 visitors reluctant to spend ` how low takings could mean

Saving faces ` pioneering plastic surgeon @rchibald

Mcindoe, who helped badly burned aircrew, is honoured with a statue.

And does Bewl Water have a resident puma?

A Sussex photographer thinks he may have captured a big cat on camera.

A groundswell of public protest against closing inpatient beds

at the Pilgrims Hospice in Canterbury may have forced

It had been announced that the Hospice would close in 2016,

with nurses going into the community to provide care at home instead.

However, after 17,500 peopld joined a petition

against the plans, today Pilgrims Hospice cancelled two further public

meetings and announced they were reviewing their plans.

Closing beds at a loved hospice was never going to be easy or popular

and now public anger has forced the trust to put the idea on hold.

Pilgrims Hospice said previously it wanted to close its Canterbury

wanted to close its Canterbtry inpatient ward and offer care in

homes and hospitals. But th`t triggered a campaign against the

idea and more than 30,000 people idea and more than 30,000 pdople

showed their support on Facebook and even more signed the petition. I'm

glad that they have begun to listen to the public. It is the public who

give money to the hospice and other ones keeping it running. If they do

not listen to these people the funds will drop. The trust released a

will drop. The trust releasdd a statement. One trustee said she was

extremely concerned at the depth of public feeling and that the trust

was taking the matter very seriously. It is to the credit of

the trustees that they have recognised they must carry local

opinion with them in any strategy they have if they want to bd able to

they have if they want to be able to continue to fund raise. Pilgrims

Hospice has done much good work like caring for Mike Radford before

he passed away in March. Staff are he passed away in March. St`ff are

so welcoming and even when my so welcoming and even when my

daughters come to visit. Thdy so welcoming and even when ly

daughters come to visit. They have daughters come to visit. Thdy have

enabled me to spend more quality enabled me to spend more qu`lity

time with my family. The charity enabled me to spend more quality

time with my family. The ch`rity has time with my family. The charity has

postponed two public meetings about the closure plan and said it must

listen to its supporting community. Well our correspondent is ottside

the hospice this evening. Was Well our correspondent is outside

the hospice this evening. W`s this a surprise decision? I think it

the hospice this evening. Was this a surprise decision? I think ht was.

surprise decision? I think it was. There was a large public medting on

There was a large public meeting on Friday night and the public as the

trustees if they would take part in a consultation process. They were

a consultation process. Thex were told that it was just a presentation

and 75% walked out. I'm told the mood was quite ugly. But thhs

and 75% walked out. I'm told the mood was quite ugly. But this is

still just a review process with no timescale to the review. I think the

trustees have been overwhelmed by trustees have been overwhelled by

the depth of public feeling and gratitude for the hospice being

gratitude for the hospice bding there.

A lack of staff could lead to more unrest and even deaths of inmates

That's the conclusion of a report by the Independent Monitoring Board,

following a serious disturb`nce at the jail last November.

The prison service insists the jail is safe but officers say they're

The prison now houses foreign nationals only.

Among the problems listed is that 32 inmates remain in the prison

despite completing their sentence, because they can't be deported.

A volatile situation and thd period of turbulence. The report finds it

of turbulence. The report fhnds it was the transfer of 150 inmates

of turbulence. The report finds it was the transfer of 150 inm`tes at

short notice from another jail that culminated in the disturbance last

November. Prisoners protesting over November. Prisoners protesthng over

delays in receiving their property, catering and extended lock finds. ``

lock up time. We do not feel we have the right support to do our job. The

owner of the pub opposite the prison was working on the night of the

disturbance. We heard shouting and disturbance. We heard shouthng and

it just got louder and we realised it just got louder and we rdalised

something was going on. The report says the situation could develop

again. Do you find that worrying? It is a concern. The Dell dashdd the

jail you've almost solely with jail you've almost solely with

foreign national prisoners. There is concern that pressures arising

foreign national prisoners. There is concern that pressures arishng will

lead to more serious incidents rise in the number of deaths in custody.

When you have more prisoners to fewer staff, there are less staff to

look out for prisoners and know what might be wrong. Also we know that

things like when you have reduced things like when you have rdduced

association time with prisoners, it association time with prisoners it

means they cannot maintain contact with their families and have less

time outside to associate whth other time outside to associate whth other

people. This is pressure on them in terms of mental health. The Prison

Service told us there were appropriate levels of staffing to

run a safe prison in terms of national guidelines and says it is

more effect did to hold fordign national prisoners in one location.

It praised the response of staff during what has been a period of

significant change. Simon Jones is outside the prison now. This report

outlines some significant challenges ahead. It paints a picture where

staff are too busy to deal with the problems of prisoners. There

staff are too busy to deal with the problems of prisoners. Therd are

language difficulties, culttral differences, staff dealing with

different religious denomin`tions along the inmates. But the situation

now needs to be resolved, how they go forward on this. The Prison

Service and says that the shtuation remains acceptable in terms of the

level of staffing. Coming up, extraordinary achievements from the

one armed golfer is taking part in the World Championships in Sussex.

The organisers of yesterday's Airshow in Folkestone,

say that the show may not rtn next year, following poor takings.

The airshow was very well attended, with more than 150,000 visitors

but the private company that took over the show says that thex did

not spend enough money to make it viable.

On the face of it the airshow appears to have been a total success

with up to 200,000 people attending the free event over the weekend. But

today the organisers said they have failed to break even though this

could be the last airshow for the town. We are hoping to get together

at the weekend as direct as and by that time I should have been able to

have a look through the figures that at the moment we are not making any

plans for arranging a date for next year. When Eastbourne introduced an

entry charge in 2008, spect`tors entry charge in 2008, spectators

stayed away. But as the clean`up continues at Folkestone, residents

say that the airshow is vit`l to the say that the airshow is vital to the

local economy. Having something like the airshow does bring people into

the town and I would imagind that the town and I would imagine that

traders are keen to have it continue next year. It would be a sh`me for

Folkestone as a town. It brhngs a boost to the local economy. The

shortfall is being put down to a lack of sales of programmes and

parking. But one pressure group says it is such a good advertiselent for

Folkestone that a solution must be Folkestone that a solution lust be

found. My council would be that they keep quiet about their costs and do

a proper debrief with local authorities and businesses who are

keen to see this happen and are very pleased with how it all went off.

The organisers of the airshow say they are still calculating the total

losses and will make a final decision about the future of the

airshow this weekend. The families of residents who died

at a Sussex care home have called for a public inquiry and a complete

overhaul of the care industry to There were 19 unexplained ddaths

at Orchid View in Copthorne between Last year a coroner ruled that five

of those cases involved neglect. Today, a Serious Case Review said

several other residents and their families suffered

distress, poor care and discomfort. Our home affairs reporter Rebecca

Williams was with families `nd Margaret Tucker was one of five

elderly residents who died as a elderly residents who died as a

result of the care they recdived at result of the care they recdived at

the nursing home. Today her son said a review into what happened at the

home does not go far enough. As a child she survived the Blitz. The

house was hit and she and her sister house was hit and she and her sister

were pulled out. But she did not survive the lack of care. There is

something badly wrong. The inquest something badly wrong. The hnquest

heard how residents were repeatedly given the wrong medication. They

were not able to reach their call bells and sometimes Sellotape was

used to secure dressings. The review today suggested that strategies to

put in place to avoid similar failings at nursing homes in the

future but some fear it will only have the effect at a local level. We

do not know how much of this will be implemented and we believe a public

implemented and we believe ` public enquiry would go deeper and look at

the whole industry in more depth. I would like to sit with David Cameron

and show him some photographs and greet him a journal and still having

tell me that the private sector is the right place for the care of the

most vulnerable. Russell saxs his mother was used as a cash machine

mother was used as a cash m`chine and he believes people should have

been prosecuted for what happened at the home.

So what were the main findings of today's report?

Orchid View operated without a registered manager for most

of the time it was open. Care plans identifying the

individual needs of patients were so poor they didn't provide safe care.

And a lack of good English `mong a number of staff was detrimental

a number of staff was detrilental to the overall quality of service.

to the overall quality of sdrvice. It also criticised the

Care Quality Commission which regulates care homes for bring

too tolerant of problems and showing an outdated "good" rating

for Orchid View on its website. We failed to act and did not bring

all the incidents together to look at the bigger picture. That would

benefit from today's to takd at the bigger picture. That would

benefit from today's to takd action. Rebecca Williams joins us now from

Chichester where the report was published today. What are the main

recommendations put forward? Well the document makes a number of

suggestions from informing perspective residents about any

concerns at a particular nursing home. It says the families of

residents should be involved in any inspections had also suggests that

employers should thoroughly staff have the qualifications thex say

have the qualifications they say they do. During the press conference

today the author of the report admitted that no one has bedn

today the author of the report admitted that no one has been held

to account for what happened at Orchid View and he said that due to

the law in the UK no one has been prosecuted for it. Since the Orchid

View care home closed the btilding View care home closed the building

has reopened under new name and new management. The top story tonight.

Public protest may have saved management. The top story tonight.

Public protest may have savdd the Public protest may have saved the

Pilgrims Hospice in Canterbtry. It Pilgrims Hospice in Canterbury. It

was announced at the hospicd would was announced at the hospice would

close in 2016 but after 17,400 people put their names to a campaign

against it, management said they are now reviewing the decision. Also

tonight, could this be a big cat on Bewl Water? We investigate. And we

have quite settled and warm week ahead. All details later.

A statue in honour of a pioneering plastic surgeon,

renowned for his work rehabilitating badly burned aircrew in the

Second World War, has been tnveiled by Princess Anne in Sussex.

Sir Archibold Mackindoe tried out many procedures and treatments

on his patients that were completely new.

In 1941 his patients became known as the Guinea Pig Club.

By the end of the war it had grown to 649 patients

including Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Russians.

58 of them are still going strong ` and many came to East Grinstead to

Piers Hopkirk joins us from there now.

What was the reaction? Well the reaction from people has bedn very

positive. The statue has been reaction from people has been very

positive. The statue has bedn placed here on the corner of East Grinstead

high street because this is the route that Archibald McIndoe

high street because this is the route that Archibald McIndod took

high street because this is the route that Archibald McIndoe took as

route that Archibald McIndod took as he went back and forth to hospital

to treat both men. He had a profound impact on their lives. For the men

who owe so much to his pioneering skill it was like seeing an old

friendly face from decades ago. Jerry is 93. Back in 1941 hhs

Canadian air force bomber crashed, leaving his hands and face badly

burnt. Sir Archibald McIndod helped to rebuild him. Once I left hospital

I was so confident, I never looked back. And seeing that unveiled?

Wonderful. The tenants and disorders suffered his injuries crashhng a

suffered his injuries crashing a Tiger Moth in 1945. Today hd

suffered his injuries crashhng a Tiger Moth in 1945. Today he came to

Tiger Moth in 1945. Today hd came to remember the man who gave him reason

for living. He was such a brilliant man. I owe him a great deal. He

restored me to such a condition that I was able to lead a successful

career. He brought me back self`respect and confidence in

facing life again. The patidnts became known as the guinea pig. It

became the template for the development of reconstructive

drastic surgery. For the sctlptor Martin Jennings it was the most

Martin Jennings it was the lost personal of commissions. Sir

Archibald McIndoe had treated personal of commissions. Sir

Archibald McIndoe had treatdd his Archibald McIndoe had treated his

father. I think the time has come when monuments are just not about

heroism and glory but about the people who went on to thrivd because

they were treated with the kind of compassion that he showed them. And

Sir Archibald McIndoe could gain greater still notoriety. Actress

Amanda Redman who was treatdd by greater still notoriety. Actress

Amanda Redman who was treated by one Amanda Redman who was treated by one

of his accessories for childhood friend is in discussions over a

of his accessories for childhood friend is in discussions ovdr a film

friend is in discussions over a film about his life. It is just fantastic

and I really do want a lot of people to know about him. And about the

guinea pig who I think are just wonderful people. Today those men

gathered one more time to p`y gathered one more time to pay

tribute to a man they say they will never forget. Now the statue is not

just a tribute to Sir Archibald McIndoe but also a tribute to the

people of East Grinstead. The plaque reads, the patients found acceptance

here and that was a huge step reads, the patients found acceptance

here and that was a huge stdp in here and that was a huge step in

their ongoing recovery. A man has photographed what he

believes to be a puma There have been several othdr

sightings of a large animal spotted at the tourist attraction

on the Kent/Sussex border. Last Saturday David took photographs

of the sunset at Bewl Water. If you look closely at this one it is

something that looks like a big cat. I do not see how it can be anything

else. It looks like a big c`t to I do not see how it can be `nything

else. It looks like a big cat to me. else. It looks like a big c`t to me.

The 65`year`old former aviation technician did not spot the strange

creature until he looked at his computer at home. Big cats `re

creature until he looked at his computer at home. Big cats are not

computer at home. Big cats `re not especially known for the love of

water but pumas and Cougar is can be water but pumas and Cougar hs can be

strong swimmers. There have been a number of big cat sightings on Bewl

Water, pleasure seekers and walkers. But none so far have ever been

confirmed. Neil Arnold is a renowned big cat expert. He studied the

picture and thinks it could be a genuine sighting. The image suggests

it could be a young or possibly it could be a young or posshbly

female humour swimming across the lake. Other people have put forward

explanations like a seal or not but the head does resemble a cat.

Dashboard and otter. Back at Bewl Water David shows people having a

picnic but he captured a couple of picnic but he captured a couple of

nights ago. You always hear rumours about the cats. And you think I do

not believe that. But having seen the photographs, it looks

convincing. So is it or isn't it a big cat? A man who caught it on his

camera believes it is. It is a mystery!

As far as houses go, a new one in Brighton is certainly unique.

It's been made almost entirely from rubbish.

The Waste House is part of a University

of Brighton project and not only is it made out of recyclables including

toothbrushes and unwanted clothing, but it was built by students.

This house may look normal but the building materials tell a dhfferent

building materials tell a different story. 80% is made from rubbish

This house is proof that you story. 80% is made from rubbish.

This house is proof that you can build something beautiful,

permanent, and environmentally friendly, with material that other

people discard. Building materials include 2000 carpet tiles, 19,000

include 2000 carpet tiles, 09,0 0 802 expresses and two tonnes of

denim jeans. `` toothbrushes. The staircase is made of paper but it is

not going to collapse `` because it has been compressed making it as

has been compressed making ht as strong as raving stones. In fact the

recycling is everywhere. Thd strong as raving stones. In fact the

recycling is everywhere. The legs on recycling is everywhere. Thd legs on

the table actually contain over 2000 plastic bag. They are now sturdy

legs to this and the seat back is legs to this and the seat b`ck is

made from black airliners. Apart made from black airliners. @part

from the builders who dug the foundations back in 2012, the

tradespeople have not been what you would expect. Predominately it has

been college and university students and volunteers of the street. The

house will now become the University of Brighton's headquarters for

sustainable design. England's mens hockey team have just

started their crunch game The team `

which includes seven players from Kent and Sussex ` were beaten 5`1 by

Australia on Saturday in Holland. England now need to beat Belgium

in their final pool match to reach Golf is a challenging enough

game for most people. But imagine playing

with just one arm. The one`armed golf society's world

championships are currently taking place at Seaford Golf Club and this

afternoon the competitors attempted Back in the early 1930s it was not

unusual to see men playing golf in buttoned up jackets. But thdse

players were different. They only had the use of one arm. This morning

a suffix that old golfing tradition is still in full swing. The first

national one armed golf championship national one armed golf championship

took place in 1931. Competitors were veterans injured in the First World

War. Today there are 180 melbers War. Today there are 180 melbers

from all over the world. Sole are born with one arm, some have

born with one arm, some havd accidents, some have disease. I

guess you just get on with ht. accidents, some have diseasd. I

guess you just get on with it. The guess you just get on with ht. The

favourites for the title this year favourites for the title this year

include Alex from Sweden, l`st include Alex from Sweden, last

year's winner. You are playhng with people with similar disability

year's winner. You are playing with people with similar disabilhty and

the camaraderie is fantastic. Everyone is very competitive.

the camaraderie is fantastic. Everyone is very competitivd. Mary

Everyone is very competitive. Mary from Dublin has never missed the

World Championships since t`king up the game. They seem to be having

the game. They seem to be h`ving such fun and I said I would love to

join. It is just a pity we do not have more ladies. The highlhght

join. It is just a pity we do not have more ladies. The highlight was

have more ladies. The highlhght was a crack at the world record for the

longest one Arm Drive. They just fell short. Just crack it is hard as

you can. I'm just loving it. One armed golfers have also problems to

contend with, the same as regular contend with, the same as rdgular

golfers. They just do not know about them. `` do not moan about them

Europe's first "rainbow road crossing" has been

The rainbow coloured pedestrian crossing has been painted on

Madeira Drive where the city's annual pride march begins.

It was unveiled to celebratd Pride month and follows others painted

around the world to recognise equal rights.

But it has not been the most pleasant of days to be doing it. The

pleasant of days to be doing it The only slight fly in the ointment

only slight fly in the ointlent could be some showers around this

evening. But for the next couple of days it will be feeling warl.

Especially by Wednesday when we have a lot of sunshine around. For the

most part this evening is going to be dry. When we had showers earlier

they were quite sharp but m`ny be dry. When we had showers earlier

they were quite sharp but many of be dry. When we had showers earlier

they were quite sharp but m`ny of us they were quite sharp but many of us

had a dry day with temperattres in had a dry day with temperattres in

the top teams. Tonight we still see those sharp and thundery downpours.

Lingering until about two or three o'clock in the morning. The wind

will be easing off a little. And we have some mist and fog patches

forming. So another quite close and muggy night. But things start to

feel fresher over the next couple of days. Tomorrow any mist and fog will

bring back pretty quickly. @nd days. Tomorrow any mist and fog will

bring back pretty quickly. And lots bring back pretty quickly. And lots

of sunshine for the afternoon. Temperatures around 70 or 80 team

degrees. And the wind coming from the south westerly direction, so

quite gentle, but some fresh air going through the afternoon

tomorrow. Plenty of sunshine going through the afternoon

tomorrow. Plenty of sunshind around tomorrow. Plenty of sunshine around

tomorrow evening. And of high pressure builds it remains settled

with some mist and fog patches forming. But temperatures several

forming. But temperatures sdveral degrees down on the values that we

are seeing tonight. So lots of sunshine around. And high`pressure

staying with us. By the aftdrnoon staying with us. By the afternoon

feeling very warm. The wind still from a southerly direction. Just

look at those temperatures, very pleasant on Wednesday. Into Thursday

very little changes. We have the high`pressure staying with ts.

high`pressure staying with us. Temperatures a little cooler along

the coast. More of the same as we go into Friday and indeed for the

weekend. So a lot of sunshine over the next couple of days. Enjoy.

That is marvellous. Pretty perfect! That is all for now. I will be back

later tonight at eight o'clock and 10:25pm. Goodbye.

THROWS VOICE: 'A weekly treat of all the best bits of Radio 2 '

But that isn't quite the end of the story.

..then... ..he landed...

..and in a flurry of feathers, they were gone.

But that isn't quite the end of the story.

Perhaps you'll dream of a great adventure.