26/07/2011 South Today

Hello. I'm Sally Taylor. Welcome to South Today. In tonight's

programme: Keep off the tracks - the warning

about the danger of live rails. It could happen to anyone. You can

trip and fall and that was all it took.

Cutting care - Pam is in her 80s and disabled - but her funding for

home help has gone. If I haven't got any care, the only thing I can

afford is dine as peacefully as I can.

-- dying. And a simple tale of country life

as thousands visit the first day of the New Forest Show. There is

something for everybody. They are graphic images which show

the consequences of trespassing on, or vandalising, live railway tracks.

As the summer holidays begin, Network Rail has released pictures

showing the horrific burns people have suffered in the hope it

prevents more people being killed or injured. Across the country, 69

people died as a result of being electrocuted on the railway over

the last ten years. In this region, there were almost 1,500 reported

incidents of trespass and vandalism last year. Catharina Moh has been

to meet a man whose girlfriend was killed when she fell onto a live

rail. This report does contain some images you may find disturbing.

Electricity enters the body and has a massive amount of destructive

damage internally. These are the photos of real-life victims,

showing what can happen if you trespass on to train tracks.

get massive surface burning of the skin. Network Rail launched this on

YouTube. Some images are terrific for us to show. And this is the

potential killer, the third rail. Leighton Walford still cannot go

near NL weight line. It has been five years since his girlfriend

Sammy was killed after she tripped and fell onto the electrified third

rail. They were with a group of friends. They had all been on a

night out and decided to take a short cut home by walking along a

railway track. The police and paramedics were not able to get

worse because the line was still electrified. Unfortunately, by the

time they had reached us, Sam had passed away. Whilst young people

commit more obviously risky crimes such as plain chicken on a rail

track or even doing graffiti in hard to reach places, figures show

that actually more adults commit will crime simply through

trespassing on the tracks in a bid to take a short cut, just like

Leighton and his girlfriend. In a survey of 2000 parents nationally,

one in 12 admitted they had missed about on the railway or trespass by

taking a short cut. Nearly half didn't know that the third rail

line is switched on all the time. One in five of them didn't think

the railway line was a risk to their children. One of the things

people don't realise is that the electricity in the third rail is

always switched on. It is really important, as we approach the start

of our holidays, that young people realise this danger so they are not

tempted to mess around on the railway. It is so dangerous. I

can't explain enough how quickly what you think is a great night out

can change. It is the worst decision we have ever made. It cost

Sam her life postop Leighton Walford ending that report

by Catharina Moh. Social services have been

criticised for withdrawing funding for care for an 82-year-old

disabled woman. Pam Bartlett used to get �240 a week to spend on

carers. This enabled her to stay living in her own home near

Haywards Heath. Now that money has been stopped. The council says it

no longer funds practical support. Sarah Smith reports.

Only in the full stop and three times a week Lorne Thomas comes to

help Pam Bartlett. But where for years she was a paid carer, now she

does it for free. She is one of three women who continue to visit

despite Mrs Bartlett's care funding being stopped. Then we would do

your breakfast and two other bits and pieces.

I can't possibly leave her without any care. She is 82. I can't go to

bed at night knowing she could about an accident, she might not

have had anything to eat or drink or seen anybody all day. A very

active women into her 70s, Palm Pilot was left disabled by a car

accident. She was assessed nine years ago as needing care and given

funding. So she is puzzled and dismayed that nine years on, with

her eyesight deteriorating, that money has been taken away. I am not

able to do as much as I used to be able to do because I am older. So

without lawn there and Sue and Callum coming in, I really don't

know. Social services didn't want to talk about Mrs Bartlett's case

but said only those whose needs were assessed as critical or

substantial would now get support. She is only classed as having

moderate knees. It is a way of rationalising social care. It is

almost designed to exclude people who can live independently.

Bartlett's site has been affected by immaculate degeneration and it

has worsened. People might have difficulty moving around their

homes. They could have difficulty taking a shower on their own.

now sitting here waiting to die. If I haven't got any care, the only

thing I can look forward to his dying as peacefully as I can.

the moment, she says the only thing keeping her going is the generosity

of others. A Brighton cyclist is fighting for

his life after being involved in a collision with a milk float this

morning. The man is being treated at Hurstwood Park Neurological Unit

at Haywards Heath for serious head injuries. The 22-year-old milk

float driver has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and

is currently in custody. A family of three from Brighton accused of

attempting to claim fortunately �1.5 million from a bus company

will have to wait until the autumn before their fate is decided.

Teresa Dowds suffered brain injury when she was hit by a bus in

Brighton in 2005. Her husband and two daughters are accused of

colluding to make her injuries seemed more serious than they were,

a claim they denied. Two High Court judges have reserved their judgment

until they have reviewed all the evidence.

An inquest has begun today into the deaths of three British soldiers

who were killed by a rogue Afghan soldier. The three, including Major

James Bowman from Salisbury, died during an attack at their base in

Helmand province in July last year. Our correspondent Nick Higham

reports. Members of all three men's families

were in court today for the start of the four-day inquest, including

corporal -- the Coppell's widow and their son. The three were serving

with the 1st Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles, soldiers known for their

toughness and royalty. Like these British troops in Helmand, they

have been patrolling alongside and training soldiers of the Afghan

National Army. They were betrayed and murdered in cold blood by a man

they thought was an ally. The men were operating from an encampment

known as a patrol base three at Nahr-e Saraj near Lashkar Gah. In

the small hours of the morning, one of the Afghan soldier shot the

company commander, Major Bowman, where I slept. He then fired a

rocket-propelled grenade into the operation centre, killing the other

two. Then he escaped over the wall of the compound. James Bowman was

34. Like the others, had work to win friends a lot -- among local

people. Neal Turkington was 26, lost a man. He taught himself to

speak Nepalese in an Irish accent. The other soldier was 33. Their

bodies were repatriated to Britain a week after their deaths. Among

the crowd waiting to pay their respects as they passed through

Wootton Bassett, the Coppell's family, including his daughter,

then aged eight. As for their Keller, he took refuge with the

Taliban. He is still a wanted man. Carlos to it and told the inquest

that the Gurkhas had been working close partnership with members of

the Afghan national army has done the same base. He was asked by

members of Neal Turkington's family why lessons had not been learned by

beginning in 2009 of five British soldiers by rogue policeman they

were meant to be mentoring. The Afghan army and the piece, he said,

were very different organisations, the army was much more professional

and accountable than the police. Campaigners trying to save five

libraries on the Isle of Wight lost their case today. The campaigners

say the delay was caused by a Services Commission. The council

needs to say �18 million this year. Still to come in this evening's

South Today: Jo Kent has spent the day in the forest.

From feathered friends to heavy horses. We will have a flavour of

the sights and sounds of Day One of the New Forest Show.

Cuts to student travel grants in West Sussex could stop some poorer

teenagers from studying. That's the warning from college heads in the

county. Five principals who run colleges in West Sussex have sent a

joint letter to the county council urging them to reinstate the

funding. The council says it made the cut reluctantly and is

continuing to help some students with their travel needs. But the

colleges say the change will have an effect.

About a few hundred per College will lose out, so students where

families are earning under �21,000 a year and travelling from rural

areas or rub difficult rail or bus journeys to us may not be able to

afford to get into college. The South Downs Way has long been

enjoyed by ramblers, with its fine views over the Sussex Downs. But a

row is now under way over efforts to market it to long distance

runners. The Trailblaze scheme sees runners swiping a white plastic box

at various stages of their run - blighting the landscape, according

to some objectors, and commercialising a beautiful stretch

of countryside. Rebecca Barry has been listening to both sides of the

debate. For people like Stuart Mills, this

is the only way to enjoy the South Downs. Now a new way of expressing

the countryside is keeping him going further and faster. A string

of electronic checkpoints means he can lock his route. Runners pay �70

for a year's subscription. Why not just time yourself? You could do

that, but the added bonus you get is that you're looking for these

checkpoints and it is a bit like a treasure hunt and you find the

checkpoint, and you get a beep and you go off to the next checkpoint.

It is that added extra to the run. It is a bit like orienteering. You

use a tad like Mr register at one of these checkpoints. There are

about 10 of them across this 100 mile route. It records your speed

and distance and post it online. But not everyone is happy. They

argue it is commercialising public land. Hundreds have signed a

petition. It is the boxers themselves, they are intrusion upon

the ethos, the feel of the place. They would be more at home in a

public lavatory than on gateposts on the South Downs. It is obtrusive.

The Government's adviser on the environment, Natural England, says

it is listening to feed back but it needs to find new ways of raising

money. There are stunning roots and we want people to experience

running and walking. It is a really good way to a stay fit. These roots

need rig tiny -- retaining. They are under pressure at some points,

so we look at all sorts of opportunities for raising money.

the Trailblaze scheme is running as a pilot for a year.

Close to 100,000 visitors are expected at this year's New Forest

Show, which opened its gates today. It comes as the future of the

forest is debated. Our reporter Jo Kent is at the event in

Brockenhurst. Jo, a chance for anyone and everyone interested in

Things are grinding down now. This special display has been put down

for asked. The day started with a bit of a shower but thankfully the

Sun has been with us for the rest of the day, much to the delight of

the crowds. From exquisite equine star horse

power of another kind. This is a celebration of country pursuits,

agriculture and tradition. We like looking at the main arena, all the

variety in there. There are motorbike displays and something

for everybody. It is very big. There is a lot to see, dogs and

sheep and cows. This year there is a new man in charge. And 27, he is

the youngest yet. We will be making sure the public have a great time.

A very busy few days ahead. How did you get into thatching? Walking

home from school, I was brought up in the forest, I saw a load of

Thatchers working and they were cutting out fancy patterned ridges

and it was arty and I thought it would be a good job. Can I have a

go? Pattin nicely into place. You are a natural. In the parade ring,

the finest live stock. I train them to go on a halter. I help choose

which ones to bring. As day one crew to a close, clouds piled out

with smiling faces and wagging tails. The show celebrates New

Forest traditions but it is an uncertain time. The Government is

carrying out consultation into the future management of the forest.

There are diverse opinions. Chris Packham says he is worried about

the forest and would like to see changes. The New Forest Association

is worried about the way the Forestry Commission is doing things.

Joining me now is a verge of the New Forest. Are these worrying

times? They are very worrying times. Hopefully people will see sense at

the end. The National Park are quite happy when they say it if it

is not broker, do not Mendip. -- mend it. Hopefully they will see

sense. We need them working for us and we do not need an open outlook

where we can see however, we need a working forest. It has to happen

for my grandchildren and their grandchildren. Hopefully we can

keep it growing. There has been talk of limiting traffic because of

the damage visitors' cause. What is your opinion? Yes it does cause

damage but the snag is that the Forres belongs to everybody. I

would love to see the traffic kept on the outside but we must more

literate and get people to leave the rare species in the middle to

the quiet times. A lot for the panel to consider. They will report

back in the spring. Thank you very much. A young man

from Bournemouth is hoping to transform Boscombe Beach after

winning a �2,000 grant. 25-year-old Lee Park grew up in a children's

home. He started using drugs and committing crime. But he got his

life back on track and is now a chef and a youth worker. He's used

the money to train 12 new lifeguards. I was lucky to have an

inside aspect and I saw that Boscombe needed something like this

to get young people to engage with the beat. I felt it was a personal

obligation to get back and help others. I will continue to do that

as long as I can. On to the sport with Tony Husband. Glorious

Goodwood. It would not be summer without it.

There is Test cricket at Lord's. They are events that we expect

every summer. Day One of Glorious Goodwood

produced an exciting finish in the feature race, the Gordon Stakes. It

was a cloudy day for race goers on the downs. The race, which is seen

as a key stepping stone on route to the final classic of the year, the

St Ledger, was won by the Mark Johnston trained Namibian riden by

Brazilian Silvestre de Souza who held off a strong challenge from

Fiurente. A great day for the beginning of

glorious Goodwood. It ended up as a two horse race.

The Poole Pirates ended their elite league speedway meeting at Coventry

last night with only four fit riders. The Pirates lost three to

injury or illness in the meeting. Renat Gafurov was disqualified

after crashing out in heat 14. It meant the race was rerun with the

unusual sight of only two Coventry riders on the track. The home side

won by 49 points to 42. Last night we told you the story of

two men from the south were taking on a charity challenge.

Two fundraisers are on schedule to complete a marathon challenge to

swim to the Isle of Wight, run around it, and then swim back again.

Martin Kennaugh and Dave Savage set off from Gosport yesterday. The

pair swam to the Island and ran 20 miles. Today they've been, I'm told,

bowled over by the support from islanders during a 30 mile run.

They're shattered tonight and have to complete the challenge tomorrow

which includes swimming back to Gosport. They're raising money for

the Southampton Hospital charity. Best of luck to them. They finished

tomorrow evening. Hampshire are back in action

tonight after producing one of the best results in their 40 over

cricket history yesterday with their 174 run win over Northants.

They were asked to field at It's a big day tomorrow. It will be

a year to go until the Olympics. The journey to 2012 has well and

truly begun for pupils from Park House School in Berkshire. They've

been involved in a twinning project, teaming up schools from the UK with

the former schools of Olympic athletes from around the globe.

They've teamed up with School No 79 in Mongolia, which is the former

school of boxer and Olympic Gold medallist Badar-Uugan as Alexis

Green reports. The two schools first came together

at an event in London held at the British Museum along with other

schools from around the world. Earlier in the year the Berkshire

school took their Mongolian friends to Newbury Racecourse, as horse

racing in Mongolia is a very popular sport. Since then the

pupils have been finding out more about the Mongolian Culture in a

week long project which they filmed and edited themselves. Three things

come to mind when you hear the word Mongolia. Fruit and nomadic

conditions. In horse racing, people from the age of six can ride a

horse. Many nomadic children are educated with skills needed to

continue the nomadic tradition. It is given by helping and assisting

their family members to carry out a task.

Questions were then put to Mongolia's Olympic Athlete Badar-

Uugan about himself and the Olympics. Your first question was

what inspired him to become a boxer, this is what he said. From a young

age my grandfather trained me in wrestling. He said that one day I

would become a famous wrestler. My uncle said because I was getting

into fights the boys in the streets, I should do boxing instead. Three

Mongolians really believe in the power of the idea that if you say

something positive it will become a true. I was thrilled that he

responded because you do not expect them to reply to you and it was

really nice because it shows that our link is working. His reaction

was very personal and he made sure he had a bit of a sense of humour

in there. I was amazed by how normal he was and how he managed to

achieve what he really wanted to. As London 2012 approaches it's not

just the athletes who will be striving to make their Olympic

dreams a reality. Loads of Olympics stuff all over

the BBC tomorrow. It's a big week for Brighton and

Hove Albion. Later this week we'll be charting their eventful journey

to their new Amex Stadium on the outskirts of the city. And with

fans just about getting used to the idea of watching the beautiful game

at their new stadium, now they can also get a chance to see some art

at Falmer. New pieces have gone on display around the stadium. Many of

the artists have worked with local people and fans to try to capture

the spirit of Brighton and Hove Albion. Fans on the terraces and a

range of emotions that they all go through. This is the one that was

so near and yet so far. And then with the players and the action on

the pitch, I wanted as much colour and music -- movement and the drama

unfolding. Tonight BBC Sussex has a full

preview to Albion's first season at their new home. More than 300

tickets have already gone for their Football Forum, if you want to

listen in, it's live with Johnny Cantor from 7.05pm. We have the

weather now. We have some lovely pictures.

Come rain or shine, you can't dampen the great British spirit.

Robin Boultwood captured this scene this morning at Swanage Market.

They are having a great day! It was a mixed looking sky showing

Brighton-based. Back to the New Forest Show. I am

hoping those are cows behind you but I do not think I there is a

I am fine, they are behind a barrier. This is a Guernsey cow. We

had a cloudy start to the day and cloud has been the main complaint.

Some intense downpours this morning but it is quiet now. On the

satellite image we can see a bit of cloud once again. It will linger

over eastern areas through the CV and tonight. A few bricks

developing to the far north. -- breaks. In the overnight. The cloud

will build up once again. It is essentially dry but the cloud is

increasing at the end of the night. It will hog the south coast. A

cloudy and mild start to the day almost everywhere except for parts

of Dorset where there is sunshine, as well as Wiltshire. At cloudy and

quiet start to the day with possibly some early mist and fog.

Sunny spells begin to appear on our map, favouring the far north and

west of our patch. Eastern areas will hang on to a lot of cloud

throughout the day. The wind is not shift in the cloud anywhere.

Hopefully a quiet day at the New Forest Show but they could be the

odd light shower through the day. As we head into the evening there

is patchy cloud around with just a few breaks. Thursday is looking

much better. It should be the warmer day this week. You should

see better sunshine amounts again. It will favour the east because we

have a little bit of activity going on to the far west by Thursday.

Wednesday is not too bad, just a bit cloudy. Thursday is better but

Friday could have light rain or even the odd heavy shower when the

afternoon. Thank you very much. We are just

watching the back-end of the cow fair but all is well.

Let me tell you about a special edition of South Today tomorrow

evening as we mark the opening of the Hindhead Tunnel. Four years

after the digging started, construction on the mile long

tunnel has been completed. It'll remove a major bottleneck on the A3

between London and Portsmouth. We'll be looking at what it means

for drivers and the town of Hindhead. And how the tunnel will

protect the Devil's Punchbowl, one of our most beautiful landmarks and

protected habitats. I'll be on location as South Today comes live

from the tunnel entrance. There will be a special edition of

the BBC Surrey Breakfast show ahead of the opening of the Hindhead

Tunnel with Nick Wallis and Mark Carter, tomorrow morning from

6.00am. And as it's on the Hampshire border, Julian Clegg will