14/11/2011 South Today

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

programme: Struggling to support the Ghurkas.

Will financial help ease the pressure? It will not be enough.

And long-running planning battle to develop an historic building

finally gets approval for hundreds of homes.

Fit teenager coping with ME. Her family claim they are losing a

vital service. It is just so isolating. To not be able to do

anything with your friends at the weekend or anything.

And goals galore, as the FA Cup serves up a dream tie for AFC

Totton. It was just like, is that The government has announced it is

to give �1.5 million to help councils cope with the big increase

in the number of Ghurkas who have settled here since winning the

right to do so two years ago. In particular, it aims to ease

exceptional pressures on Rushmoor Council in Hampshire, were around

10 % of the population is now Nepalese. Already, questions are

being raised about whether the money will be enough.

Joe Campbell is in Rushmoor. Ever since the door was opened a

couple of years ago, councils have been bubbling under the strain of

the extra service. Take a look of this -- at this, leaflets on fire

safety, getting access to a doctor, which have had to be translated at

extra cost. After several months of complaining, the government has

been listening and has announced �1.5 million extra for authorities

dealing with the influx. Rushmoor, her between six and 12,000 people

out of a population of 90,000 are from the Paul, expect the lion's

share. The rest of that money will be spent -- being spent in a port

trying to stop more people from Their Ghurkas were at a heart of

events over the weekend, honouring those who have served in the

military. The Nepalese veterans have been stirring up a song and

dance here as thousands have settled in and around the town.

They proudly boasted is the home of the British Army, raising an extra

burden on the council and the NHS. We are very pleased the Government

had recognised the pressures we face. The money will be very useful.

We understand that is a national settlement, but we would expect the

large proportion to come to Rushmoor, recognising that

particular challenge we face. right of all the veterans to settle

in Britain was backed by both parties in the coalition when they

were in opposition. Now in government, they are using money

from the Home Office, communities and defence ministries to establish

the fund. But while the arrangement shows how difficult it is to raise

cash in times of austerity, questions remain about whether it

will be even a. It is a relief to hear that at least the government

is waking up to the cry of help from Rushmoor. But having said that,

1.5 million, for a size of this population, will not be enough. It

might fill stockings for this Christmas, but that is it. Four

groups say the labelling of the cash could be counter-productive.

Making this area even more appealing as a place to settle.

We saw in your piece that quite a number of the Ghurkas were quite

elderly. Surely that in itself is cause for concern?

For yes, the situation was that when the changes came in a couple

of years ago, they opened the door to former Ghurkas who had served

between the late 1940s and 1997. Inevitably a lot of them are a bit

older. And with quite a few of them, in the next few years they will be

needing to move into care homes. Ghurka charities are warning that

should be a concern. Earth a 46-year-old man has

appeared before magistrates in Reading charged with murder. Sandra

Maralha's body was found on Friday last week. Luis Marrafa from

Coronation Square has been remanded in custody and will appear before

Reading Crown Court later this week. The Sussex Police have apologised

to the family of a mother who died in police custody last year. Sharon

McLaughlan was 32 and had been arrested for shoplifting. She was

found unconscious in her cell in Worthing. The inquest started today

and will run for two weeks. The he was a self-styled

international money trader who promised his investors a fantastic

rate of return. They believed him, handing over �750,000. Today, Golam

Rashed Choudhray from Portsmouth went on trial accused of defrauding

members of the city's Bangladeshi community. The prosecution and --

claims much of the money ended up in his own pocket.

Golam Rashed Choudhray was described in court as a prominent

member of the Bangladeshi community in Portsmouth. But he was said to

have abused the Trust and respect he received. He defrauded people

out of a total of �750,000. The prosecutor told the court that he

would offer people different ways of investing their money, these

included buying cheap air tickets and the chance to invest in a car

parts business or at Bangladeshi tea garden - businesses that did

not exist. He also claimed he could invest or transfer money to

Bangladesh at preferential rates, rates the prosecution described as

too good to be true. One alleged victim gave him �20,000 due in rest

and was promised dividends of �800 per week. After the first payment,

she received nothing. Golam Rashed Choudhray told her he had been

kidnapped and lost the money to the Mafia. When he was arrested, he

told police he had never promised to invest money for everyone -- any

one. He denies 10 counts of fraud, and the first witnesses will appear

at his trial tomorrow. A few months ago, a controversial

plans to build homes at a site in the South Downs National Park were

thrown out. Today, the scheme was given conditional approval.

Developers want to convert their historic King Edward VII Hospital

near Midhurst into accommodation, and build new properties in the

grounds. Objectors say it is the wrong place for such a large

development, and the scheme is not viable.

There has been a chorus of disapproval about so many new homes

at a King Edward VII Hospital near Midhurst. Sat at a meeting of the

South Downs National Park austerities planning committee,

property developers were given conditional approval. The idea is

for 410 homes on the site. Some would be in the old hospital, but

there would be new properties built in the grounds. It's the extra

development would pay to save these decaying historic buildings. They

are of national importance. But opponents think the plans are not

viable. Four we are concerned about hundreds of houses being parachuted

into an area of woodland miles from the nearest town, and further from

a railway station. It is so isolated. It was billed as an

isolation unit. This is just creating a gated community in the

middle of nowhere. But the planning committee approved the project, on

condition that developers agreed to more controls to protect the

landscape and wildlife. We could have been under a lot of pressure

to go with the local people. But you cannot get away from the fact

that that building has to have something done to it. It is a

listed building. They were refused planning permissions earlier this

year, but have since agreed to work on the Grade two Style listed

sanatoriums and the chapel before any new buildings go up. There have

been concerns around viability. Us we had been in business for 40

years with specialists in this type of development. That should give

people the confidence to know that we can deliver, and everyone should

be proud of the end result. Its so developers say they want to start

work as soon as possible. It is a controversial scheme, as the most

difficult planning case the new South Downs National Park of

authority has had to consider in his short existence.

And mother from Hampshire whose daughter has ME says vital home

support is being withdrawn because of NHS cutbacks. Eleanor Read has

chronic fatigue, and until two months ago was helped by a

specialist nurse from Frimley Park Hospital. That has now stopped. Tha

hospital says the service is no longer sustainable.

Eleanor Read can spend 12 hours a day too tired to do anything. Today

is a good day - she is making charity cards. It is kind of like

having a really rocky day, your legs are very heavy and you just

cannot really do anything. It is like having that every day. She has

ME. Her leg shaking is a sign of extreme physical fatigue. This is

higher in 2007, an active little nine-year-old. Now she struggles to

leave a house. It is just so isolating. Two not be able to do

anything with your friends at the weekend or anything. Four she has

been in part-time school for five years, she has not really been in

schools since Christmas 2010. She gets bored, lonely, frustrated, I

am happy. She has been helped by a specialist nurse in the four years

since these pictures were taken. Without a specialist services, we

know the prognosis is poor. To allow these children to lose their

childhood, their teenage years, and going to have a life with a long

term, debilitating condition is a travesty. It must not be allowed to

happen. The hospital says the role was part of a limited national

pilot scheme. There are only nine similar posts across the country,

and the service was no longer sustainable. One in 1000 secondary

school children are affected by ME. The hospital says it is committed

to providing an excellent service. But the family are worried that she

will get worse, Nat -- rather than better.

Imagine being tricked out of the home you have lived in for decades

and forced to move out. That is what has happened in a pensioner

from West Sussex. Tonight's Inside Out examines whether her solicitor

failed to protect our interests. Four this woman had lived in her

family home for almost 40 years. She was tricked into taking out a

�1 million loans By Sheila Mason, who used Treharris as security.

whole life has been ruined. That is what has happened. I have not the

courage to commit suicide. They travelled to Wales, where she met

her lawyer, Geoffrey Townsend, and the broker for that alone. Not only

was he and business partner of the broker, he also represented Sheila,

who eventually walked off with her money. Two very clear conflict of

interest. There was a risk that if the loan

was called in, only one party would have the ability to meet that

obligations. In those circumstances, it is foolhardy to accept

instructions from both parties. I think it would have been evident to

even a solicitor who was only just qualified that he had difficulties

in this situation. When we showed him and evidence, he was so

concerned he reported Mr Townshend to the regulator.

Did you ever think this day would come? Well, I had hoped it would

not. Why I have been hit in this way I do not know. Thefts her fight

for justice goes on, but she has got to leave her home for the last

time. It has all ended. All due to something I never really understood.

More on that story on Inside Out Coming up, it is Children In Need

week. The fund-raising starts here. Fire has destroyed be thatched

cottage near Petersfield. Fire- fighters from Hampshire were sent

to tackle the blaze. It happened in South Lane in Buriton just after 7

o'clock last night. Wind helped the flames engulf the roof. They are

trying to extinguish the fire and nobody has been injured. A night

shelter in Brighton open for more than 25 years is closing. The

Riverside group that operates St Patrick's says the accommodation is

basic and needs development. The housing scheme at the former judge

will remain open but the night shelter closes in January. A

Berkshire father is encouraging parents to wise up to the risk of

supplying alcohol to their children. The son of John Higgins died after

falling from a cliff in Newquay. He was celebrating the end of his

exams and had been drinking. One MP is calling for parents to be

prosecuted for giving their children alcohol. For the pupils at

this school, this is just another teacher. This was the day they

found out he was the father of John Higgins, who died after falling off

the cliffs in Newquay. To see how such a story would affect somebody

personally, hits it home. A my mum says at the end of exams I can go

on holiday and now I am a bit nervous. Trying to make sure they

learn about the potential dangers, they talked about the dangers on

the coast. They launched a video and education pack distributed

throughout Berkshire and Cornwall. But the message must go further

afield. The minister James Birkenshaw talk about the safety

pack and said we do not need to legislate against binge drinking,

we must educate and this is the project we must support.

authorities have learned the lessons of the summer but some

parents have not and one MP has called for the law to be used

against parents sending children to the south-west stock up with

alcohol. I am not a lawyer and politician and I did not know where

the line is drawn but it is about educating the parent so that they

take their responsibility properly. This was a hard-hitting lesson but

one parents cannot ignore. On to sport and what a weekend for AFC

Totton. They did it on Friday. They set the records tumbling on

Saturday. Eight goals. I was watching the fans and they could

not believe it. Fantastic. first non-League team to score

eight since the 1930s. Walthamstow did it. A hat trick in 15 minutes

and it was the parties to hat-trick by a substitute in the FA Cup. --

fastest. Everybody is watching. We can take a look at the reaction to

the draw. AFC Totton! The Mighty stags from Hampshire, Bristol

Rovers. I think they enjoyed that. It was a tremendous draw for them.

Great scenes yesterday at the stadium. A plum draw in round two.

They could get �100,000 from ticket sales and further inducements.

is a small club making big ways. The magic of the Cup is rubbing off

on the minnows and a lucrative prize awaits after the staggering

win at Bradford Park Avenue. They only move to their new ground this

year. We might got -- and not get many days like this. It was not

helped when they lost a couple of players to red cards. But the team

players to red cards. But the team produced a clinical finishing to

earn their place in round two. By the time the substitute scored the

first goal of his 15 minute hat- trick, they led 4-1. Park Avenue

crumbled after they took their crumbled after they took their

chances to rub salt into the wind. It was the headline result of the

round. It was joy yesterday as they prepare to face Bristol Rovers.

last couple of games, we have come out really well. It is a fantastic

draw and it will really grab the imagination of everybody. It was

such a highlight yesterday. I was thinking about the draw and could

not get to sleep and I made a cup of tea and could not get back to

sleep. It was like a late shift. They are consulting with the

authorities before confirming that the stadium can accommodate the

second round match. On this evidence, they would not want to

give up home advantage! I will show you the full draw later it. Five

other clubs are hoping to make it into the next round. The round-up

into the next round. The round-up starts at Griffin Park. One a

moment of quality and did Basingstoke. It was a free kick to

send them out. Salisbury were in charge for much of the match here.

They took an early lead. Then, Salisbury went back in front. The

substitute curled in the third. Crawley's lost a Cup tie was in

Manchester, beaten at Old Trafford. But a victory two-0 at Bury.

Bournemouth's lead against Gillingham. A great goal head. But

this effort was even better. A couple of goals in two minutes gave

them a 3-1 advantage. A third scored here. But they fought back

in the data 20 minutes. This equaliser came in the final seconds.

The club's blushes were spared with It Bournemouth beat Gillingham next

Tuesday, they get to Leyton Orient. Salisbury against Port Vale or

Grimsby. Sheffield Wednesday based Maidenhead or Aldershot. London

Irish were beaten in the opening Heineken Cup pool match. They

surrendered a nine-point advantage in front of the home crowd. A try

by Ross Samson and two conversions by the visitors 11 minutes from

time and Edinburgh edged it at all stop this Blair was saying --. This

player was sin-binned. Basingstoke 13-2 but Gilford bounced back and

were victorious. It was a win double at the weekend and Bracknell

were beaten at Sheffield on Saturday. I have got a great

Olympic story. Nick Rogers, the Olympic medallist has mortgaged

himself up to be held to get to London, 2012 Aug. More about that

tomorrow it will stop -- 2012. are going to be at the National

Museum and boy, had he been busy this week raising money for

Children In Need. We have been busy and we are going to find out some

of the fund-raising methods. 15 miles pounding the streets and the

countryside of the New Forest. 200 Scouts and explorers from across

Hampshire took part in a sponsored expedition for Children In Need. I

turned up for the final three miles and even this one took part. He has

really enjoyed it. Exhausting. people were wary but pushed on

through and it was certainly worth it. I would like to make a donation

for Children In Need. This went all out on Hallowe'en night. After a

trip to the local, the ghosts skipped forward a season and turned

their hand to carol-singing instead. Children In Need today! Timing was

everything for members of this dance club in Brighton as a tapped

into a nationwide dance. People are young and old put on their dancing

shoes, from little ones aged four to ladies with decades of

experience. No breeze to congratulate the dancers but you

were still favourites. -- Bruce Forsyth. You were a cub scout.

Would he not have been proud of that badge? You are all going to

get that badge. Fantastic. That is really nice. Well done. More about

that later. We have got something a little bit special coming up as

well. Eight presenters from Children In Need have been split

into teams and have the challenge of making and selling ice-creams.

Your task is to create Children In Need a themed ice-cream and sell it

across the region! A major spanner in the works. A little bit of

attention. It is not really about the ice cream! It is going to be

difficult. That team has been playing dirty tricks from the

Two down and 498 to gave. 498! But we do not want to give anything

away. But we did have a fabulous time a. But it was difficult.

was hard work but it was great and we had great support. And you got

yourself in trouble. More about that on Friday. We have had some

lovely pictures today, even though it has been a bit gloomy. Look at

these beautiful butterflies in Sussex. And look at this picture of

the birds watching the world go by. I'd like that. And we have got this

photograph of a dog walker on the beach in East Preston. A hint of

beach in East Preston. A hint of bright conditions. But not many of

us got that today. What A difference a day makes compared to

the weekend. 18 degrees on Saturday it. But top temperatures struggling

to get into double figures in many places. Plenty of cloud. Cloud and

mist is around. Be careful on the roads. Outbreaks of rain and

drizzle tonight. Still feeling a little damp. Fog is expected

tonight. Colder than last night. Temperatures getting down to six or

seven. Tomorrow morning and is a bit gloomy. Mr Aas well. Cloud

lifting and breaking up. -- mist as well. Part of Buckinghamshire and

Oxfordshire not getting as much sunshine but still bright. Tomorrow

night, a bit cloudy and a bit damp in places and we could get a bit of

fog forming. Temperatures getting down to five or six. A bit more

like November but avoiding frost are. A bit of a split on Wednesday

between the east and west. Cloud getting thicker hair. Rain

overnight. Wind is changing direction. It is beginning to turn

to the south-west. More rain from the Atlantic. More showers in the

next tee days. The outlook is not looking at. A bit of a gloomy start