01/07/2011 South Today

Good evening. Welcome to South Today. A slightly weaker than usual

edition. -- later than usual. The headlines: Can the us trying to say

that children's harp unit have made their case. That was beyond our

wildest dreams. We have always wanted that. And heading home.

Athletes from around the world head home, after the curtain comes down

on the Highland Games. -- island games. A "deliberate attack" on

underground cables in a village between Southampton and Salisbury

has knocked out thousands of phone lines and around 2,000 broadband

BT says people living across a wide area have been affected including

Salisbury, Andover, Romsey, Winchester and Poole. Some could be

without a normal service all weekend. Let's cross live now to

our reporter Sarah Farmer. She's at the site where cables were cut. And

Sarah, this has had a far-reaching effect. It has indeed, yes. I can't

tell you exactly where we are because British Telecom say that

there is a concern there could be repeat attacks. But I can tell you

that at around 1:30am today, five fibre-optic cables were Cup, won

copper cable was damaged and that has knocked out telephone and

broadband services for so many people. Workmen have been trying to

fix the problem and will be a enter the early hours of tomorrow morning.

But they have got a long pass - each of the individual Cable's has

a 48 fibres which have to be delicately at past. And then there

is 3,000 metres of cables which need to be replaced. While

everything is being done to get the problem fixed, there is disruption

which is causing frustration. morning when I tried to log onto

the Internet I received a message from British Telecom that that was

not working, that my home up was not connected to broadband, and

when I called British Telecom there was a statement that I could expect

disruption for 15 hours, because of an event locally. Many of the

customers have in fact been businesses. Langford Post Office

has been without internet all day. It has caused them problems giving

out pensions and car tax and all sorts of other issues. The

postmaster said that as well as having an impact on the community

it is affecting businesses. Sadly, we have had to turn a lot of

customers a way, through not been able to access the internet. That

is now the main hub of Post Office business. We do car packs, cash

withdrawals and deposits, postage - - car tax. My husband works from

home. We have the business website and business telephone. We have not

been able to access the website all day. People : the business number

and getting an unobtainable tone. - - people calling. British Telecom

hope to have things back up and running some more. They acknowledge

that this is a huge problem and have set up that task force to look

at times like this, visiting crime scenes, liaising with the police

and visiting scrap-metal yards as well. In the last year, more than

400 people have been arrested for stealing from the network. We are

being asked to be vigilant. If you see anyone suspiciously removing

cable cabinets or manhole covers, you are being asked to report them

so that we can prevent or discourage things like this from

happening in the future. The crew of the Portsmouth based warship HMS

St Albans has saved 14 men off the coast of Oman. Falmouth Coastguard

picked up distress signals. HMS St Albans gave medical assistance to

three remembers suffering from severe seasickness, and then they

are latter-day crew to safety. A review of that JLS concert on the

edge of Winchester has concluded that bad planning was to blame for

the problems which surrounded it. People arriving over a short period

of time all combine to create the long traffic jams. Under its Mr

concert altogether. In future specialist advisers used by

Glastonbury and Reading festivals will be hired to help avoid a

repeat of the fiasco. A "monumental failure". That's the damning

verdict on a government project to set up centralised fire control

centres to cover Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Sussex,

Surrey and the Isle of Wight. The centres were built but never opened.

The project was later scrapped, wasting nearly �500 million of

public money. Steve Humphrey has been looking at the detail of

today's report by the National Audit Office. Steve, this report

doesn't pull any punches. No, just look at the headline on the report.

They've called it "The Failure of the FireControl project". It was a

project, started under the Labour Government in 2004. The big idea

was to reduce the number of fire control rooms across the country

from 46 to just nine. Quite quickly, the new buildings went up - and

this was the one for the whole of the South East, built in Fareham.

It has never been used - but it costs the government �121,000 a

month in rent. Originally the nationwide project was supposed to

cost �120 million. But by the time the project was scrapped last year,

it had wasted �469 million. The Fire Brigades Union was highly

critical of the project from the start. This then the case

everything we said from the start of the project. -- it vindicates.

It has wasted almost �500 million for us to be proved right. If we

had been listened to in the first place, we would not be on now.

what about political reaction? the Tories are happy to say this

was a Labour mess. Fareham's Conservative MP Mark Hoban said

they'd ploughed ahead despite widespread opposition - and wasted

money rather than admit they were wrong. The Southampton Itchen MP

John Denham inherited responsibility for the troubled

project when he became Secretary of State for Communities and Local

Government in 2009. It was very serious. As the report says, that

is when we began to get a grip of it, but the leadership was poor,

contractors were known to be feeling and nothing was done about

them. The fire officers were not United in their support for the

project, and we had buildings to put the system into when the system

showed no sign of working. government cancelled this project -

so what happens next? Hampshire's fire chief says lessons have been

learnt - he says fire services are already looking at greater co-

operation - at a local level. will be walking with close

neighbours in Dorset, Wiltshire, and Devon and Somerset to

collaborate so that we get good economies of scale and a quality

system that works for all of us. What happens to these unused

buildings? They are like elephants and the Government would love to

find a use for them as quickly as possible -- white elephants.

Today's report comes on the same day that the Fire Service in West

Sussex held meetings with its staff - on a possible merger with East

Sussex - in an attempt to save millions of pounds. Earlier this

year West Sussex cut frontline services and closed three stations

in Keena, Bosom and Findon. But the Fire Service insist that no

stations would close under this new merger. Plans will go to public

consultation in two weeks and if agreed will be put into action in

2013. There are other options of closer collaborative working. These

do not appear to deliver the same level of savings that we would get

out of a full merger. And it is not just about money. The chief fire

officers of both East and West Sussex are enthusiastic about this,

because they feel it will give them better operational capability and

resilience. A man's been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent

to endanger life, following a pub fire in Lymington earlier today.

Five people were treated for smoke inhalation after the fire at the

Toll House pub on Southampton Road in the early hours. Extensive

damage was caused to the building. Around 1,000 jobs will come to

Reading if plans for a huge supermarket distribution centre are

approved. Tesco is submitting a formal planning application to

build on the former Courage Brewery site near junction 11 of the M4.

They've wanted a big new depot in the south for some time - but the

plans haven't always been welcomed. David Allard reports. In its heyday,

900 people worked at this brewery. Back then, Reading was famous for

the 3 Bs - biscuits, bulbs and beer. But last year the brewery moved out.

Now this 75-acre site close to the M4 has been almost totally

demolished. Enter Tesco. They want to build a big distribution depot

here to serve the whole of the south east. It would replace the

existing one at Weybridge in Surrey and, Tesco say, bring 1,000 jobs to

Reading. Today they started the public consultation. I have been

out of work since last April when the brewery closed, production wise.

So why am very excited about it. will be a good use of the on-site.

The council will look to see how many traffic issues aren't all than

what the impact is on local roads, but in principle I am delighted.

It's not the first time Tesco has tried to build a huge depot in our

region. Remember the Pyestock megashed, planned for this former

military site near Farnborough? Or the battle of Andover airfield?

Both plans met fierce local opposition. Tesco pulled out of

Andover when the local council laid down strict limits on lorry

movements. But now, three years on Andover has its big shed - though

not quite so mega. It's a distribution depot for the Co-op,

and it's due to open very soon. The Co-op's also had to fund

improvements to the A303 junction here, and it's brought hundreds of

jobs. Back in Reading, Tesco is on a charm offensive. It's inviting

people to apply for jobs even though it's not got planning

permission yet. If we are here in Reading and talking to people and

they are carrying out a public consultation then why not give them

the opportunity to talk to us about jobs? It is critical that we get

all people for local jobs. -- local people for local jobs. Tesco will

submit plans later this month. It wants the depot open by Christmas

next year. It's been a hard fought battle over the last four months -

and now they must wait for the decision. The consultation over the

future of Southampton General Hospital's child heart surgery unit

ended today. Our health correspondent David Fenton is here

now, David. Southampton's heart unit could close because of an NHS

plan to change the way heart surgery works. Managers want to

scrap some units, and concentrate on specialist centres. No-one

expected Southampton to be at risk, but earlier this year, the heart

unit learned it was included in only one of four options - and

despite being rated second best in the country for its operations,

faced a real threat of closure. Very quickly, a vigorous campaign

to save it got under way, led by parents of children who'd been

treated there. In March, little Aaron Prior confronted the Health

Secretary, asking him why he was closing the best, not the worst.

And in May, hundreds of parents and children - many whose lives have

been saved by the Southampton unit - held a rally outside the city's

Guildhall. The campaign culminated last week with these box loads of

petitions - 250,000 signatures - being presented to 10 Downing

Street. But even after all that, campaigners are still worried.

Banyard was born with half a heart. Two hospitals said she probably

wouldn't survive. So her parents brought her to Southampton, for an

operation that had never been done before. Knowing that her condition

was like limiting, we thought we would bring her here. You would do

anything for your children. Three surgeons spent eight hours

operating - but Cora recovered, and is doing now things she could never

do before. At school I do PE. I do tuck jumps on a trampoline. Cora's

one of 330 children treated here every year - but the national

review wants bigger centres, doing more operations, and Southampton

may have to close. That prompted a huge campaign. In May hundreds

turned out at this public meeting. We are here to support the heart

unit. It has done amazing things for us, it has given us our son.

is very personal. I get emotional thinking about it. And staff here -

surgeons, nurses, cardiologists - have also been working hard, behind

the scenes, to keep the unit open. For the last few months, and number

of the staff have spent at one- third of their working time doing

work based on trying to make the case for why Southampton should

continue to be a centre. they'll have to wait to see if that

effort is rewarded - a decision is expected in the autumn. No-one

doubts that Southampton is a very good unit. What we have been

looking at is the patient lows and the travel times to the unit, and

where patients are prepared to travel from, so that's it underpin

can get to what we feel is the minimum number of operations for

this unit. This has been a nervous time for staff and patients - but

the work goes on, and all they can do now is wait, and hope for the

best. Thank you for watching South Today. Still to come in this

evening's programme - in a moment, Tony has the sport and Alexis with

the weather. And - while we're on that subject. What do you get when

you put three whether girls together at the hat fear in

Winchester? Trouble, trouble! -- hat fair. Feedback about the

proposed �3 million viewing tower in Weymouth has been positive, says

the company behind the plans. Merlin Entertainment has received

more than 100 feedback forms with nearly 90% of people backing them.

But others have raised concerns about parking and the design. The

53 metre structure should be open in time for the 2012 Olympic

sailing in Portland. Tony husband is here with the sport, later

unusual because of Andy Murray. years and counting we wait for a

first men's Wimbledon winner. especially to the Isle of Wight

Footballers' who beat Guernsey, 4-2, before the closing season --

closing ceremony. It has been a great week of action. 4,000

athletes from islands around the world have been competing in a

range of sports from Archery through to Volleyball. Roisin

Gauson has been following the action. To the uninitiated, the

island games may seem like an indulgent event for small

communities. Those that see it first hand know it's anything but.

MUSIC: Beautiful Day, U2. 25 islands from around the world come

together for a week of competition across 14 sports. For some that are

more isolated, it's a rare chance to take part in international

competition. The 43-strong team from the Falklands travelled the

furthest, at 3,000 miles. community of the Falkland Islands

gets into the Island Games, because it is something where we can really

compete and be at a one-to-one level with the other islands.

those other islands was St Helena. With an endurance record all of

their own. It took them 12 days to reach the Isle of Wight. You're not

exposed on the island to top sporting events. Just looking at

the TV. You cannot even go to watch a good rugby match or football game,

so to come and be a part of it is fantastic. The Island Games is

seriously addictive. Once you've experienced it, you just want more.

It is just such fun to meet everybody again. This was my first

Island Games and it was great fun and I enjoyed it. I l looking for

work to 2015. -- I am looking forward. Next time round, in two

years, Bermuda will be the host. It will have a hard act to follow in

matching the hospitality and warmth shown by the Isle of Wight. There

is heated debate in the office about who's going to Bermuda, to

follow the Isle of Wight! Southampton are yet to receive any

formal offer for their teenage star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. That's

according to manager Nigel Adkins. Chamberlain is one of the best

young prospects in English football. Arsenal are keen to sign the player.

But Adkins was insistent this morning, that the player is staying

put for now. All we can say is that there has no been passed - there

has not been any bid put on the table. There is newspaper

speculation about Arsenal. But we are not trying to sell Alex. We had

the same scenario in January. He had a good first season positive

happen. -- good first season for Southampton. I tweeted all the

latest Southampton news today as it was breaking, including news of

Rickie Lambert's new three year contract, and Saints having a bid

accepted for Chelsea's Jack Cork. There's also lots more from Nigel

Adkin's interview online at the BBC website. Brighton and Hove Albion

have signed Dutch striker Roland Bergkamp. He's agreed a two year

deal and comes from top flight club Excelsior. The move is subject to

international clearance. And yes, Bergkamp is related to Dennis -

he's his nephew. Let's hope that he scores as many goals for Brechin as

Dennis did for Arsenal down the years. There are two Twenty20

victories for amateur cricketers. Last night they might beat Kent.

Neil McKenzie top scored for Hampshire with 48 as they made 141

for 6. Kent were then skittled for just 72, with three wickets for

Dmitri Mascherenas, the most spectacular being the dismissal of

Kent skipper Rob Key - Imran Tahir's catch, he was rather

pleased. Tonight they have beaten Middlesex by seven wickets at

Uxbridge. Meanwhile, on the third day of the county championship

match at Arundel, Sussex closed just 29 runs ahead of Warwickshire

with a day to play. They have five second innings wickets in hand.

Thousands of children across the south were trying to break a world

record today. On playing fields and playgrounds across the country at

precisely the same time, more than 250,000 youngsters danced to the

same tune. It was the last major event for a school sports body

which is being closed this summer. Sean Killick was looking on. They

waved and wiggled, clapped and cheered. At 11:40 precisely, 800

children from schools across north east Hampshire joined others

nationwide trying to stage the world's largest simultaneous dance.

The event at Farnborough was organised by the local school sport

partnership. The partnerships were set up by the government a decade

ago, but are now being scrapped. Some funding will still be

available to boost sport in schools. But one of those behind the

partnerships believes much vital work will not happen in future.

Professional development for teachers, curriculum Updates,

focused work on attainment and behaviour, so a raft of staff will

be lost. -- of stuff. It was brilliant, it was good fun. They

have picked it up really quickly. The Max seen to be enjoying it when

we got them waving and clapping. -- they seemed to be enjoying it.

Professional development for teachers, curriculum updates,

focussed work to improve attainment and behaviour with children in

schools, so I think a whole raft of stuff will be lost. But the

children here today were simply enjoying the fun of the record

attempt. They'll find out later in the summer if they have managed to

dance their way into the record books. Last night I was at the

Corky, and the Americans won again, 13-eight. Two on top for America.

Alexis is here. You have been about, taking advantage of the Nice

weather at the Hat Fair in Winchester. It is about St Peter as

well as hats. Tony is taking the lead with his cricket hat! -- it is

about street theatre. I did not just go to watch. I have always

wanted to perform. Somehow, just doing the weather is not enough. I

want to be in and band, I cannot sing but I can play an instrument.

OK, it is the drums. Who am I going to play with? With us, the BBC

south where the girls! -- where the girls. -- weather girls. It's

raining men! Then I went around town to see what else was on offer.

I think it is really important to acknowledge that the festival has

been around for seven years. People come year after year to see this.

We tried to honour that tradition. And there is a balance of stuff

that has been here before, some quite a new staff, some quite edgy

stuff, we have shaken up the evenings so people find they are or

a little bit different. Do you have a favourite? My favourite is a

French company called Les Apostrophes. It is Street are, and

done innocently amazing way. We're walking on Sunshine, and broke it

feel good? Sadly, the weather girls will not be plain again this

weekend, because of musical differences. The forecast was

always for pressure rising! thought the other two were mining.

-- miming. The Hat Fair is on all weekend, but if you cannot get to,

here is some other things that an going on. The hit musical, Greece,

has been performed by Christchurch Former Prime Minister Edward

Heath's house is being reopened this weekend. Situated in Cathedral

Close in Salisbury, it contains many historical items from Sir

Edward Heath's Light. This Wednesday -- this Wednesday, top

road cycling racers are coming to Guildford to battle it out on the

High Street. Thursday sees the start of the inaugural job Ali

history society. They will be discussing ancient conflicts and

conflicts of the past 30 years. Speakers include Peter Snow. The

Caversham Festival starts this weekend. 10 days of family-friendly

entertainment at venues around Caversham. Hopefully, you can make

it to some of those events. This weekend is looking good, dry with a

Tonight will be dry with clear spells here and there. Temperatures

dropping to single figures around the countryside. Expect low

temperatures of five Celsius. In the towns and cities, lows of a

London-To 18 Celsius. Mild in towns and cities but chilly out in the

countryside. Some decent sunshine on offer posting tomorrow, but

cloud increasing throughout the afternoon. -- on offer first thing

tomorrow. Temperatures will be a degree or so warmer than today.

Tomorrow night, a repeat performance of tonight, skies

cleaning, patchy cloud here and there, with lows in towns and

cities of ten Celsius, could lose out in the countryside. More cloud

arriving during the afternoon on Sunday. Sussex are in Twenty20

cricket action against Gloucestershire. Temperatures will

be up into the twenties. Monday his eyes well, staying settled. High

pressure, still in charge. We have this rain out in the Atlantic. That

will be heading to us next week. Tuesday starting on a dry, bright

not. The weather front is on its way, on Tuesday night. It will

arrive on Tuesday night into Wednesday. Here is the summary for

the all-important weekend, if you are heading out and about. Not as

warm as last weekend, but pleasant, with warm sunshine. Temperatures,

keeping up by Tuesday, up to 24 Celsius in places. Looking good.

Thank you very much. Looking at the weekend guide, don't forget, there

was the South coast Proms. A musical dull and Portsmouth to

raise money for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines charity. This year,

it will spend �5 million selfing service personnel and their

dependence. There are concerts tonight and tomorrow in Portsmouth.

Several thousand people expected to attend this year. I would have

asked you what you were doing four or Friday evening, but we have