06/01/2014 South Today

Hello, I'm Sally Taylor. Welcome to South Today.

In tonight's programme: Hundreds are flooded out of their homes.

A river runs through it ` thousands of pounds worth of damage to a Grade

I listed church in Dorset. Howard Church is a beautiful old

church. To see it in this state is heart raking.

`` heartbreaking. Meanwhile the mopping up continues for others who

are bracing themselves for more flooding.

Fundraisers trying to help this six`year`old boy are duped by

fraudsters in America. It is quite upsetting to see

pictures of your children being posted on someone is page. `` for

someone else's gain. And the Sussex charity helping to

replace a Sri Lankan man's DIY tin leg.

He has got a leg that is home`made, looks like something out of the dark

ages. New Year, same old weather. The

South has again been lashed by storm conditions. There are currently

three severe flood warnings in Dorset, the only part of the entire

country placed on the highest alert. They affect parts of Christchurch,

Portland and Weymouth. At Hurn in Dorset, 25 millimetres, that's

around an inch, of rain has fallen in the last 24 hours. And wind gusts

of 81 miles an hour have been recorded at the Needles. Let's join

Ed Sherry who is in Christchurch. The water level has dropped

significantly but it could rise again, the ground very wet. Behind

me the river is 40 metres away and the water is still coming up to the

building. This is the second time they have had to deal with this

stretch of flooding in a fortnight. The call to evacuate came late last

night. Police warning residents water levels could rise to over 5ft

and they should leave immediately. Things are always scary at

night`time. Was scary for me because the speed the water had come up. The

police officer also said it was still coming up fast, as a result

how much water is there going to be, I had to make sure myself and my

wife were safe. It really scared me. Paul and his wife spent an anxious

night in their car watching water levels rise just stopping short of

the door. But home owners on the ground floor weren't so lucky on

Christmas Day. I got up and after about 20 minutes,

half an hour, the whole flat was flooded. It was coming up above my

ankles, reached about 18 inches in depth.

Just downstream at Iford Bridge home park a severe flood warning remains

in place. Residents were evacuated on Friday and face another two

nights out of their homes. The scene has been repeated across the south.

Floods through the centre of Titchfield where villagers helped

unblock drains and gullies to help water drain away. In Wareham the

south causeway closed. Locals saying the River Froome was at the highest

level they'd ever seen. Heavy rain in Salisbury saw the newly

refurbished Elizabeth gardens underwater. In Blandford East Street

was flooded yesterday evening. Standing water still causing

problems. Back at Stour Bank residents now want to see flood

defences installed. The properties may become impossible

to live in, people may be dragged out of their homes. Many of the

residents are quite elderly, and it might well fall to the local council

to house these people, maybe at some considerable cost. What I would like

to see is a review of the plans to put a band into our garden area

between us and the river. Like in many communities across the

south the clear up continues, while keeping a watchful eye on the

weather. That is very much watch the

situation is. `` what the situation is. Residents are anxious, and the

Met office have issued a warning for rain tomorrow.

A Grade I listed church near Dorchester has been badly damaged

after a neighbouring river burst its banks. St Mary the Virgin Church in

Charminster was flooded partly because a nearby bridge couldn't

cope with the volume of water. Parishioners are angry that the

bridge can't be modified for higher water flows because it's listed.

James Ingham reports. This looks like a wall. It is in

fact a bridge, its three low arches hidden below the river swamped by

the sheer volume of water. This blockage is forcing the river

through a cemetery flowing over graves and into the nearby church.

It has done huge damage was him sure `` within the church, particularly

to the flooring, the pews, and probably the organ. It is a

beautiful old church. To see it in this state is heartbreaking.

The problems caused by the low bridge were first flagged up by the

vicar here in 1894. It was to be demolished but that never happened

and now it's listed. But some parishioners believe too much

emphasis is being placed on protecting the bridge.

We are stuck with the bridge that floods because English Heritage say

it is a grade two listed structure, three arches presume to take

priority over peoples and. `` over peoples homes and this church. We

would ask them to reconsider the decision.

After protracted debate a flood defence scheme has now been drawn up

that leaves the bridge untouched. If all parties with a say give it the

go ahead this church may be better protected in the future.

There's been considerable damage caused by heavy rain and rising

waters, especially in parts of Surrey and Berkshire. People living

near the River Thames in Walgrave say it's the worst flooding that

they have seen for ten years. It is just a case of getting

everybody in and out safely, we are moving the kids out because they

have got school tomorrow. The nurses cannot get to me so I

have to come out and stay out until I can get back.

The return to work for rail commuters was less stressful than

expected this morning. Network Rail have been working round the clock

following the earlier storms. A landslip which had blocked the main

line between Portsmouth and London near Liphook was repaired in time

for this morning's commute. Flooding near Hamble in Hampshire resulted in

speed restrictions on services, but these passengers had feared the

worst. Absolutely fine, I checked Twitter

every day. I get to drains to work every morning. Everything was fine.

I read earlier on the Internet the train was delayed because of

flooding between one `` Salisbury and Romsey but it was fine. A

detailed forecast, not later. You'll remember the Prime Minister

came in to see us last week at South Today. One of the people he met on

that trip to Southampton has caused a storm on`line and in the papers.

Sharon Ray was one of the first in the country to buy a new property

through the Help`To`Buy scheme. Downing Street invited the cameras

to film in her new flat. And David Cameron described her as a single

mum, someone who would have struggled to find the deposit

without help from the taxpayer. But then it was revealed she was a sales

director of the estate agents selling the flat, still married, and

that she'd boasted on Twitter that she'd bought a brand new convertible

BMW. Our political editor Peter Henley was the reporter with the

Prime Minister at the flat that day. Were you sold a pup? Is this a case

of too much spin to sell a political policy?

It might look like that, and there were a lot of people making comments

on line. But then Sharon started to point out a few facts. Yes, she's

married, but separated six months ago, that's why she needed the flat

for her and two`year`old Maisie. She never hid that she was an estate

agent, while her job title is sales director it's more of a branch

manager, not a huge salary. The car was bought a year and seven months

ago, through a company scheme, before the break up and not the

flashy three Series in the picture but the smaller one Series. Still

the BMW convertible loan. And on the day of the visit she talked of how

important the scheme was to her. I wouldn't have been able to afford

childcare and be able to afford to save at the same time so it helped

me get onto the ladder, and being in an estate agent I appreciate the

importance of having your own home. All this digging around in her

private life must have really upset her?

The remarkable thing in many ways was how she fought back against the

online criticism by providing details of her private life online.

The idea that this was all a stunt spread widely on the internet,

promoted by people who disagree with David Cameron and with the

Help`to`Buy policy. But when people heard her side of the story they

started to realise it wasn't quite the con they thought it was. There

are legitimate questions about whether schemes like this should be

available on properties up to ?600,000, whether they will create a

property bubble, what will happen when they end. But despite the

online articles it's clear Sharon Ray and many others are perfectly

entitled to apply. Still to come in this evening's

South Today: In sport the FA Cup results can prove too much for some.

Charity fundraisers are being urged to make sure they take proper

precautions to avoid being targeted by internet scammers. One

Bournemouth family set up a website to raise money for an operation for

their disabled son, but soon found eight fake websites in America

raising money in his name and siphoning off donations made by

unsuspecting well`wishers. Katy Austin reports.

Elliott is six and a half years old, he has cerebral palsy, which affects

his legs. Eliot relies on crutches or a wheelchair to walk. He needs an

operation soon to strengthen his legs. I like to run a lot, to give

me plenty of exercise. And when your legs are better you will be able to

do more. Yes. The operation will cost over ?66,000, fundraising has

gone well but... We found out somebody had copied details from our

website, our first website we set up, and WorldCom mandrake pretending

to be someone else to get money. They have got some of the fake sites

in America" that only after strangers had donated hundreds of

pounds to them. Action Ford says it is hard to tell whether it is

genuine `` fraud. The advice they give is to check a charity is

registered with the charities commission, check the collection is

authorised by their charity and look out for any spelling mistakes in a

fundraising e`mail. A charity is helping them to safely

fund raise online. We would ask all the families that we support and

help to go through a registered charity like ours and use a

respected brand. People living in the Hampshire town

of Yateley are being asked whether or not the local cemetery should

allow decorations and ornaments to be left on graves. Heathlands

Cemetery is officially meant to be laid to lawn with plain headstones,

but some families have embellished the graves of loved ones. For the

second time in two years the town council is attempting to clarify the

rules on an issue which divides opinion. Chrissy Sturt reports.

Heathlands Cemetery, gently warmed by winter sunshine, a place of

tranquillity. But some of those who come regularly to tend the graves of

their loved ones feel far from peace. This is officially a lawn

cemetery and the town council is again consulting on whether

decorations and adornments should be allowed, or cleared away. The grave

of David Cox's father is one of the more elaborate. We should have a

choice, if a person wants grass on their loved ones' graves let them

have grass but if people want to decorate their graves up, I think

they should be able to do it. We would like to go back as it was. We

feel all the time we are in life we feel we can come and look after it.

Warned they were breaking the rules by the council two years, this

couple cleared their daughter's grave. We used to come up in the

summer and I put some plants on it, make it like a garden. I didn't want

them taking our stuff off so I did it. But a lot of other people

haven't done it, that has made us angry. I feel it is not the same.

7,000 questionnaires have been sent to homes in Yateley, asking what

people want the rules to be, then it's up to the town councillors to

make a decision. The solution would be something

everybody feels comfortable with, and reflect the solution everyone

would feel would be the right one. People have until the middle of

February to make their views known. There are warnings that Portsmouth's

Queen Alexandra Hospital is under intense pressure following the

festive period. More than 300 people turned up to A on New Year's Day

alone, exceeding capacity by 10%. There's also been a big influx of

elderly patients with serious chest infections. Another issue is people

who've put off seeking medical help over the holidays.

Now, Inside Out South returns for the New Year tonight. And for the

first programme the team has been looking at cycling in the South and

asking whether the sport has grown out of control. More and more people

have been getting in the saddle since the London Olympics. But the

growth in road races has angered some residents in the New Forest who

say laws are needed to regulate the events.

To see people out trying to go down narrow, single`track planes in mass

numbers as fast as they can, without any regard to anybody else is not

acceptable. It is not some of the extension of the anti`cyclist 's

back gardens, it is a national park for everybody to enjoy.

There's more on Inside Out, tonight at 7.30 on BBC One including a look

behind the scenes during the final days of the historic Jackson's

department store in Reading. A couple of heart`warming stories. FA

Cup third`round weekend, that brings the romantics out because they think

about giant`killing. Two different types of the story, both equally

very good. We will call you about the poor West Ham fan in a moment

but Bournemouth, what about this. They were playing Burton Albion, an

hour and a half it was postponed because of the heavy rain, so

Bournemouth van had a great idea, let's pay for the travel for the

Burton fans to come back again and it has really worked.

David Whitehead's idea quickly spread and by Sunday night he'd

raised almost ?3,000. Dean Court was still showing the

effect of the heavy rain today, but David was given a warm welcome by

the Bournemouth chairman. By Sunday night his idea had seen fans from

around the country raise enough to bring eight coach loads of Burton

fans back down next Tuesday. We had contributions from people

from many club is, Liverpool, full, Tranmere, scum bop, some in Sweden,

all saying the same thing. We are all part of the football family, as

fans we have got a lot in common, nice to help each other out. We

built up an amazing relationship when we had our moments of glory and

people thinking back to that day, why was it so special, all the

staff, the stewards, let us take over the stadium.

It is all the best in football when there is a rich bad news around. The

surplus money will go to charity. Bournemouth were the big winners of

the weekend without even playing. They'll host Liverpool at home in

round four, if they beat the League two side next Tuesday night. Oxford

won't play their tie at Charlton until next Tuesday either, it's been

postponed again tomorrow night. Southampton have a home tie.

And it's at St Mary's where the round up starts with a seven`goal

thriller. Southhampton then's pass seemed smooth thanks to these two

rectangles. But Burnley fought back through Hampshire boys some folks

who was told he was too big by Southampton as a youngster, and

Danny Ings who grew up in Netley. Southampton rescued the type through

a goal from Jay Rodriguez, and although barely pulled one back

after this effort, Saints held out. Reading boss Nigel Adkins said he

had `` hoped uncertainty over the club 's future would be over soon.

MK dons get another crack at the cup holders, they were 2`0 down at Wigan

but then Reeves pulled them back into the game before half`time, with

two side fitted finishes. They missed a penalty and fell behind

again when Alan McManaman scored, but just six minutes were left when

Patrick Bamford completed a scramble to send the type to a replay. ``

send the tie. You may have seen this picture in

the morning papers. Michael Carberry surveys the remains of his bat, and

perhaps his England career. The Hampshire batsman top scored with 43

as England slumped to a final humiliating defeat as they were

whitewashed in the Ashes series. Carberry's bat breaking summed up

the tour. Despite some reasonable knocks it's thought major changes

will be on the way and that could spell the end of Carberry's test

career. There was a notable victory for

Worthing Thunder basketball club over the weekend. They beat the

league leaders Hemel Storm 85`75 at the Worthing Leisure Centre. Bud

Johnston was on target with a series of three pointers as Thunder downed

the table toppers with a fine display in front of their home fans.

Reading Rockets had a home win over Westminster. Basingstoke bison is

stayed top of ice hockey's Premier League they had victory over

Manchester Phoenix. London Irish will try to bring

Australian star James O'Connor back to the club next season. O'Connor

scored all 22 points as they beat bottom of the table Worcester for

only their third win of the season on Saturday at Reading's Madejski

stadium. He added to this try with five penalties and a conversion. To

our second heart`warming story of the weekend. Maybe you saw this

yesterday, West Ham supporter in tears has his side crashed out of

the FA Cup by Nottingham Forest, the dream of Wembley cup final over in

the competition at least. West Ham saw how distraught he was, and they

have invited him to be a guest in the directors box at a future game.

He takes us through the pain. When they scored, I was like, oh

no, we have two score another goal. Then the second goal I was like, I

am going to grow. So then five, four, three, two, one... The third

goal, again. The fourth goal... The fifth goal... Then at the end...

I am just glad it stopped at five. Paul, Callum. Defeats, they can

really hurt you. They have got a semifinal in the capital one cup. He

might be celebrating again. You might be feeling a little down,

perhaps it was your first day back at work, the weather's rubbish and

the New Year's resolutions are testing your resolve. So here's an

uplifting story for you about a Sri Lankan tea farmer called Lakshman

who lost his leg in an accident. For more than a decade Lakshman's been

getting around on a false limb he fashioned out of tin. That's right,

a homemade metal leg because he couldn't afford a proper prosthetic.

Now a charity run from West Sussex has decided he needs an upgrade. Rob

Powell has the story. Fashioned from tin, this homemade

prosthetic leg looks more like medieval armour than a mobility aid.

It's owner, and maker, is Lakshman, a Sri Lankan tea farmer, now being

helped by the West Sussex charity Extra Cover.

He had a story that would melt anybody's heart, he lost his leg in

a bear trap which was bad enough then a few months later he was

helping his brother built a house and they had to blow up a rock to

make room for it and unfortunately the expression blinded him

completely. Lakshman's wife and teenage son are

also both disabled. The three of them live together in one room,

supported by Lakshman's tea picking and brush making. All carried out

with no eyesight and a homemade leg. There is a foot that is very popular

in Asia, a rubber foot, which is for a lot of people who have lost their

feet in mines and explosions, and I think he gets hold of those and then

he fashions those with the rest of the lake that he makes himself.

Now Matthew, his family, and his charity are raising money to get

Lakshman a new leg, and a new home. Matthew set up the charity Extra

Cover after the Boxing Day Tsunami. Sri Lanka has special significance,

his son Ben had been playing cricket on the island just three days before

the tsunami hit. It is humbling, having that thought

in our heads as dad heads out year in, year out keeps this going, there

is no reason to stop and help is needed.

And they're not going to stop. The next Sri Lanka trip is planned for

February. And for Lakshman, plans are currently being drawn up for his

new home, and his new leg. The poor people in Jalandhar are as

poor as anywhere in the world, but they do make you think what have we

got to worry about? Lax man has made that feel `` made us feel that more

than anyone. His life is bizarre, and we walk away from him and say

why on earth do we worry about anything? It certainly does put

things into perspective. We wish him all the best and

hopefully the charity can help them. Let's move on to the weather.

We are not out of the woods until midweek onwards when we see the

high`pressure turning it more settled.

Barry Goble took this picture of the crashing waves and high tide

Worthing Lido today. Anne Biggins captured the flood water from the

River Avon in Fordingbridge Park. And Harnham Water Meadows and

Cathedral Close taken from Salisbury Cathedral Tower by Chris White.

More rain through the course of the night in the form of torrential

showers. The Met office have issued a weather warning. That is valid

through the course of tonight and tomorrow. We may have another inch

of rain fall. Some torrential downpours, thunderstorms, hail mixed

in. The showers by dawn tomorrow will merge into longer spells of

rain. With the rain there will be some gale force wind gust along the

south coast. With a high tide at the moment the risk of some large waves

on coastal stretches. A mild nights, despite the cloud and rain,

thunderstorms continuing through the day tomorrow. The showers will

gradually ease throughout the day. Some dry conditions, the odd shower.

The wind along the south coast touching gale force. All in all, the

wind will be lighter than today. Another band of rain moves in and

that could produce some heavy rainfall which is why the warning is

still in place tomorrow. Temperatures stay mild. A drier

started the day on Wednesday, but it will not stay that way. Another

weather front moving out from the, the wind stays light `` the

Atlantic. The rain could be torrential and heavy, lasting

through much of the afternoon, into Wednesday evening. Another inch of

rain for a possibility. There isn't a warning as of yet, but the Met

office are keeping a close eye. Stay tuned to the forecast. A lot of rain

tonight in the form of showers. More rain Wednesday night into Thursday.

High`pressure built on Thursday onwards.

We were watching that snow in America last night.

Tomorrow night sees the start of Stargazing Live on BBC Two with

Professor Brian Cox and Dara O Briain. As well as the TV show,

there are live events around the country. Ours is in Portsmouth

Historic Dockyard. All the tickets have been allocated but we will get

you a ring side seat as we hope to be live from there with Alex Dyke in

tomorrow night's programme. Make sure you are with us for that. More

at 8pm and 10:25pm. Goodbye. TOM: # And if there's

anybody left in here # That doesn't want

to be out there... #