09/05/2014 South Today

one of his daughter's friends. That's all from the BBC News at Six,

so it's goodbye from And `` And ready for their day in

the limelight ` Sholing prepare for their Wembley appearance. So score

here would be out of this world A father from Sussex whose 11`year`old

son took his own life after being taunted on the school bus s`ys more

needs to be done to protect young people on their journey to school.

Ben Vodden killed himself in 20 6. His father Paul has now published a

report calling for things lhke CCTV cameras and adult chaperones on

buses to help make them safdr. Tim Muffett has been to meet hil. Some

of his peers were calling hhm names and using inappropriate language

towards him. For 11 year old Ben Vodden, travel by school bus had

become a humiliating ordeal. Like any parent, you probably thhnk,

well, you put them on the school bus, off they go to school `nd

everything is fine. You don't actually think about the potential

for something to go wrong on the school bus. We took this to the

school and got in touch with the local authority and with thd bus

company itself. But, although we were given the impression that, oh,

well, we will do something, in the end it turned out that not luch was

done. Ben took his own life in 006. At the inquest into his death, the

bus driver also admitted calling him names, which Paul believes lade the

situation worse. West Sussex County Council has said that since then,

it's put many measures in place to deal with bullying on school buses,

including better training for drivers. But Paul Vodden, b`cked by

anti bullying charities, produced this report. We received a number of

responses. Of those, it's qtite clear that a number of children are

having an extremely torrid time of it, going to and from school. Paul

would like CCTV and microphones to be installed on all school buses. It

is difficult for a driver who is concentrating on the roads to know

exactly what is going on in the school bus. That's why Paul Vodden's

report is also calling for `dult chaperons on all school busds. Lydia

would welcome them. It was puite physical at the start because they

shaked my seat really violently You could tell the driver because it is

an adult but they are driving, so they are not going to be able to

stop the bus. Lydia's bullyhng stopped when a teacher she told took

action. The Department of Education has received Paul's report `nd is

considering its recommendathons Whilst some school buses do have

chaperons and CCTV, many fedl they should now be compulsory.

Home secretary, Theresa May, has been talking to victims of domestic

violence in Reading today. She was invited to see the work being done

to help women who've sufferdd abuse but also a newer programme which

works with the perpetrators of domestic violence, to help change

their behaviour. Our Home Affairs Correspondent, Emma Vardy, spoke to

Mohammed, who volunteered to undergo the programme himself. First I was

shouting. Then I threw things. I slapped her and once, the fhrst time

I slapped her in this way, so next time it kind of ` I was open to do

this thing again and again. He was offered Aid for Help, after his

behaviour led to the break`tp of his marriage. That behaviour brought me

to this level then I understand I needed help for that. The rdality is

that the perpetrators of dolestic violence are usually in the longer

term granted access to their children. That's why this protect

decided it was not only important for work with victims but to work

with those that have committed violence themselves. Today the Home

Secretary heard about the ndw way this is project is helping but

Theresa May's recent report, commissioned to look at how police

forces were dealing with dolestic vile he is, highlighted somd serious

failings. Last year 77 women were killed by their partners or

ex`partners. The report said in Surrey there was a lack of clarity

about safe`guarding victims through the justice system. Wiltshire Police

were told that officers werd needed to better understand coercive or

controlling behaviour. Across the board, cases where the police were

having the wrong attitude to domestic violence, weren't taking it

serious lane sadly, weren't even doing the basics, weren't even

bringing the evidence together. `` seriously, and sadly. Here the

project is working with children who have been exposed to domesthc

violence and have begun to behave violently themselves, an eldment

that is need needed to help break all that up. Three Queens mdet the

duke. Yes, the 10th anniversary of the world's only working ocdan

liner, the Queen Mary 2, was celebrated in Southampton. Cunard's

three Queens are all docked and the Duke of Edinburgh was guest of

honour, revisiting a ship originally named by the Queen a decade ago Our

Transport Correspondent Paul Clifton reports. Just after 5.00am `ll three

Cunard ships sailed together in their home port of Southampton.

FOGHORN PLAYS HAPPY BIRTHDAX TUNE There was a foghorn salute to mark

the 10th birthday of Queen Lary 2. The plan had been to launch 10, 00

balloons in celebration. Th`t was called off. There were fears that

plastic balloons would be a hazard to marine wildlife. We had planned

to set off some balloons but there were one or two comments about it

and, as always, we listened to those comments and decided just to go with

that, and so we cancelled the balloons. The Duke of Edinbtrgh

looked around the liner's l`undry then, had a briefing on the bridge.

I name this ship Queen Mary 2. May God bless her and all who s`il in

her. This is the last time he stepped on board. The naming

ceremony in 2004 remains thd most spectacular Southampton has seen.

Sebastian met the Duke todax. He remembers the previous visit and has

worked on board as head butcher since. It is a great, great honour

to be a part of that historx. Queen Mary 2 is the world's only working

ocean going liner. It has a stronger hull than other cruise ships to cope

with transatlantic travel. The three Cunard ships sail again this

evening, after a firework f`rewell at 10.00pm.

Today's campaigning for the European and local elections here in the

south took a bizarre twist with a row over balloons. Christchtrch

Council banned UKIP from releasing balloons from public land. Leanwhile

the Lib Dems have been talkhng about flooding in Berkshire and the

Conservatives sent their Bicycling Baronet onto the campaign trail in

Portsmouth. Steve Humphrey reports. It was billed as the great TKIP

balloon launch but here in Christchurch not everyone thought it

was a good idea. All the balloons we are reldasing

and the cards are 100% biodegradable. Environmental matters

were also on the Lib Dem agdnda in Newbury where the aftermath of

recent flooding was being dhscussed. They brought their own two`letter

message about Europe. Europd can help them. We have worked in the

last Parliament. I was workhng very hard to make sure environmental

protection measures were included in the European funding streams. Back

in Christchurch the balloon now was now fully inflated. With no

permission for a take`off from council`owned land, they had to find

a private launchpad. Meanwhhle along the coast, the Conservatives had

their feet on the ground whdre Sir George Young visiting a cithzen s

advice bureau We go into thd selection, convinced we havd taken

the right decisions for the country. There are still some more ddcisions

to take. We want a strong tdam, not just in the House of Commons, we

want a strong team in the Etropean Parliament to tonight work David

Cameron has been doing. In Christchurch, UKIP finally got their

message off the ground. I love holidays going over there, xou see.

I want myp independence, to be my own man, if you like. Later it

emerged that UKIP's national balloon launch had been cancelled bdcause of

environmental concerns but the message hadn't fluttered down to

Christchurch. Disgraced former Eastleigh LP Chris

Huhne will have to pay just under ?78,000 in legal costs relating to

his court case. The former Liberal Democrat Energy Secretary w`s given

an eight`month jail sentencd for perverting the course of justice.

It's after he passed on spedding points to his now ex`wife Vhcky

Pryce. Ms Pryce, who was also jailed, will have to pay just over

?49,000 in costs to the prosecution. All this week, we've been looking at

the rise in the use of dronds ` unmanned aerial vehicles `

particularly in the civilian world. We've seen what they're being used

for and debated their pros `nd cons. Well, tonight, we have an albitious

plan. We hope to fly a drond across the Solent, and see it take off and

land during our programme. The whole thing is weather dependent, so who

better to see it off from the Isle of Wight than our own weathdr

presenter tonight, Sarah Farmer Sarah, dare I say at this point how

is it looking? Well, actually we have just had take`off. Halo is en

route heading across the Solent to Southsea on the mainland. At the

moment we are standing on the slipway for the Hoover travdl

hovercraft ride on the Isle of I would. It is a 4.4 mile journey

across the water. If it makds it, it will be the first successful

unmanned drone flight across the water. So, it is set to be ` first

for us in aviation history. The team behind this, South hatch ton

university, I think the anthcipation has been killing them all d`y. So,

we are up and running. Halo is en route. How are you feeling? Um, a

bit nervous. Just a bit nervous And excited at the same time. Still

shaking. Of course. We have an eye in the sky seeing the travel across

the Solent as it goes. It h`s been a labour of love for you, hasn't it?

It has been a love/hate relationship, more love. Three years

since we have been developing it. I hope it makes it across. It has been

a weather`dependent project. We had a late change of route yestdrday. We

were originally going to flx from the mainland UK to Isle of Wight but

the wind seemed to be more hn our favour to fly from the Isle of Wight

back to Portsmouth It feels the winds have dropped, how are you

feeling? I'm glad. This morning it was touch and go, high wind gusts

which can be problematic. It seems to have died down, hopefullx and

thankfully it'll make it across I don't want it ask, but I have to.

What happens if it goes wrong? We have a safety boat chasing ht, as we

speak. Halo has disappeared into the distance. The safety pilot, if he

feels it is losing control `t any point, he will take over and either

try and land it safely in the boat or into the sea, just to prdvent

anything happening that is bad. Fingers crossed we don't nedd to

resort to that. The journey time estimated to be about 12 minutes but

there is a tail wind so we could be on Southsea in the mainland in a bit

less than, that in ten minutes' time, or so, where Tom help worth is

waiting for the arrival of Halo Tom, can you see it, yet? S`yeria, I

can confirm I see no drone! I have to say, the visibility is pretty

good here. It is very, very windy here in Southsea. This body of

water, the Solent has been crossed by hovercraft boats, aeropl`nes

windsurfers and even a boat in a who will he yoeed out pumpkin h`s gone

across here `` a hollowed ott. But to date no unman drone has.

That's where we think Halo will change things and earn itself a

place in the history books. It is a big challenge for a little drone.

Fingers crossed. Halo isn't the only drone the university has bedn

developing. They have also been developing Two Seas. I went to wilt

shire earlier to put it through its places. `` Wiltshire.

The team from the Universitx of Southampton is here to test an

experimental unmanned aerial vehicle called Two Seas but first they have

to put together. It sounds like a strimmer, two petrol engines provide

the power but the wind is strong today and the drone will be pushed

to its limits. This is more than a student project. They hope to make

it a commercial success and team leader, Dr Steven Prior wants to

know how the drone will perform in bad weather? We obviously nded to

actually inform the customer where the limits are. This is probably

just over that limit. So we are pushing it to the extreme hdre. We

need to do that to prove thd air worthiness of the frame and to make

sure it can fly in conditions as bad as this. Two Seas is a maritime

surveillance aircraft. It's cheaper than a helicopter. More portable and

can stay in the air for fivd hours at a time. Looking at trawldrs,

identifying trawlers, recording their position, recording their time

that they were out and the GPS location and obviously lookhng for

you know, smugglers, people trafficking, pollution of the seas,

accidents, investigations and everything in between. The team s

recently submitted an application for European Union funding to

develop a system for transporting cargo between ro moat islands. If

you can imagine `` remote islands. If you can imagine someone living on

a remote island that requirds food, service, goods up to 10 or 20kg at a

time. Why would you fly a phloted system or wait for a boat to arrive

when you can despatch an unlanned transportation mule. The high wind

has put Two Seas to the test, normally it would have no trouble

keeping up with a smuggler speedboat but in this test, into the wind it

was able to hover in the air N conditions like this, it wotld be

too dangerous to fly the sm`ller drone, called Halo Halo is lainly

used for reconnaissance. If it is something you want to have ` look at

in further distance or dangdrous system, you can send in an tnmanned

system to have a look in a safer manner. Although it couldn't fly

here, this is the drone that's on its way. It has a good succdss

record. It won a competition for an unmanned flight in America but the

crossing of the Solent has never been attempted before. If this

ditches in the sea, how much of a disaindependent or work down the

drain? Well, considering if it is the only one of its kind it would be

upsetting because we would have to make a new one. It won't be the end

of the world. Are you sure ht is up to the job of flying across the

Solent. Absolutely. We have proven it in America. I think we whll make

it across safely. That's Mehmet finishing up the report. We will

rejoin Tom in Southsea in a few moments' time. Let's move on to

sport now. Tony Husband is with me. We will talk to the Sholing team in

a moment. Yes. We, but it is hard to believe it is 12 months since the

day of Andrew Simpson. It's a year to the day since Andrew Simpson or

"Bart" to his friends, died when his catamaran capsized. To mark the

anniversary, a training centre has opened in the Dorset`born s`ilor's

name at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy. Fdllow

Olympic Gold Medallists Sir Ben Ainslie and Iain Percy cut the

ribbon, Katy Austin was there too. Friends, family and colleagtes of

Andrew Bart Simpson gathered to see a new sailing centre launchdd in his

name. His death in training for the America's Cup last year shocked the

sporting world. He was a larger than life character. Everybody loved him.

He was very, very special pdrson and I think that's reflected in the

support that we have had to open the sailing centre here and really get

the next generation through to help local kids get out on the w`ter

Fellow Olympic sailor Ian Pdrcy grew up with Simpson. He was there when

he died but is looking positively to the future. He was all about helping

people. He helped me into the Sydney Olympics. I remember standing on

this spot here after the Olxmpic trials and he said to me wh`t are we

going to do to win you a gold medal? That's what he was about. No man

gave more to his friends and family. The centre is a way of carrxing that

on, giving to many more children. The new centre will be the hub of

the activities run by the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, giving

Portland not just an Olympic legacy but a personal legacy from one of

Britain's great sailing characters. Bart would be delighted at this

news: Giles Scott claimed the Finn European title in La Rochelle today.

Brighton and Hove Albion will have to overcome a first leg defhcit if

they are to reach the Champhonship play`off final. They lost the first

leg of their semi`final clash with Derby at the Amex last night despite

taking the lead through on`loan striker Jesse Lingard. Derbx soon

levelled through. Chris Martin's penalty after Craig Forsyth was

brought down. The visitors then took the lead through Martin's shot which

hit the bar and went in off the Albion keeper Thomas Kuscak's back.

The return leg is in Derby on Sunday night. Southampton boss Mauricio

Pochettino could be in charge for the last time when Southampton face

Manchester United on Sunday. The manager's pre`match press conference

did little to allay fans' fdars that he could leave this summer, along

with some of the team which has taken Saints to a record le`gue

points total. Mauricio Pochdttino has used a translator since day one

so his message it fans will be crystal clear. Today the answers

will be far from that as he refused to end speculation that he could

leave the club this summer. This Sunday when the game finishds

against Manchester United otr project of five years, that has been

happening for the last five years will come to an end. I think it is

up to the Board to discuss with me the new project that will bd in

place starting next season. It is not really up to me to decide when

those talks you happen but the club, overall, has to explain to le what

this new project is going to consist of and how it is going to start next

season. Saints will finish 8th this season with a record points total.

Pochettino's players are targets. So is T what of Adam Lallana and

today's headlines? Zorb So he he. I pretty much have the same

information as you have. Thd club has not spoken to me. Pochettino has

18 months left on his contr`ct but with Spurs reportedly keen on luring

him away, there is plenty for fans to fear. What is his messagd? You

can't live in the fear of what is going to happen in the future. What

is important now is to enjox this moment, to enjoy the present, to

relish the magnificent season we have had. It is the end of `

remarkable season at St Marx's on Sunday but it feels it could be the

end of an era, too. Fans hoping he will stay. Southampton have

announced a new title sponsor this afternoon, in the electronics firm

Veho. From one team in red and whhte to

another ` Sholing Football Club from Southampton will be at Wembley

tomorrow for the final of the FA Vase. They take on West Auckland in

the biggest game in their hhstory. Everybody needs a Cup Final song.

Brother Goose a Southampton`based band produced this Forestieri

Sholing agency trip to Wembley. `` for sholing's trip to Wembldy.

Tomorrow this will be their stage. I never thought I would have `n

opportunity to play at Wembley and how it would feel to score here

would be out of this world. I would say most of our players shotld be

playing at a high level to be honest. Getting on to this pitch and

surroundings they will thrive. There was good advice for them, too. Try

and treat it like any other game. Yes, it is a final but, acttally try

and play to your strengths. That's why you have got there. And, I

really would say ` go out and play your natural game and enjoy it.

3,000 fans will follow Sholhng. They start adds underdogs but having

already won their league thhs season, don't bet against them

completing a double. Good luck the Boatmen tomorrow. I'm

going to Wembley. I'm looking forward to it. Let's hope you come

back with trophies. Earlier in the programme we saw a drone take off

from the Isle of Wight, and head for the Hampshire coast. It's all part

of our week looking at unmanned aerial vehicles. The big qudstion

is, has it arrived safely across the Solent? Let's rejoin Tom Hepworth,

who can tell us. Tom. Well, Sally, it's not here xet! This

is, of course never been trhed before. We haven't been abld to see

T we have lost contact with it at the moment. We don't what the

situation is with it yet. It should be here any second to be fahr, but

it is windy T may has delaydd it. If it has fallen into the sea, it does

have flotation devices, so ht can float and may well be picked up

This device is waiting for ` signal. When and if it gets close enough,

this will pick up the signal. It has been silent so far, we have not

heard anything. With me is Dr Stephen Prior from the univdrsity.

Do we know any more about where Halo has gone? We don't know any more. We

are waiting for reports frol the other side. It is a long wax across.

4.4 miles is by far furtherdr than you can see. I'm not worried about

that unduly but we are waithng for reports. How much was this really

pushing the envelope here. How much of a test was this for Halo? A big

test. Very few people have dver attempted something like thhs

before, so there is no shamd if it fails. I like to keep pushing the

boundaries and this is what we are doing. This is the reason wd are

doing it so see what systems like this are capable of doing. What

could systems like Halo do hn the future practically? What jobs could

it be doing f it comes back? Small scale delivery. Almost Am zone

drones have been mentioned. Pharmaceutical deliveries for

patients in urban areas, as well as from island o island. So

transportation, small scale observation, forest fires,

agriculture, developments a whole scale of things it could be used

for. We hope that Halo does come back and that it does have ` future

here. In terms of what we know here, when we know more, we will let you

know, Sally. We do hope that Halo arrives safely T costs ?6,000 and

many students have put in a lot of work. But now, from a very, very

windy, Southsea over to the weather forecast with Sarah.

Well the eyes are on the skhes here trying to keep a spot out for that

drone but we have lovely cloudless skies almost. You can see from the

satellite picture a little darlier today. We started with a bit of

cloud and showers, too, but eventually seeing clearing skies and

a lovely sunny afternoon for many parts of the region. Now thd

hovercraft just taking off behind us. Into this evening and tonight it

stays dry to end the day and bright for most. It looks like, as we head

through the first part of the night, we get the cloud arriving and rain

from the west with temperattres down around #10e or 11 in many p`rts of

the region. To start the dax `` around to 10 or 11. To start the

day, a grey and damp one as well. Looking ahead, we can expect to see

wet weather first thing on Saturday morning. But, that band of rain

clearing through to the east and then we are left with a brighter

interval, some sunny skies. Before we start to see some showers getting

to work. Those showers could prove to be on the heavy side. Thd winds

really picking up as well. So temperatures hitting 14 or 05 but it

won't feel like that if you catch a shower and the winds getting going.

50 miles per hour gusts arotnd the coast are possible. We look around

the coast tomorrow night sthcking with the showers around the breeze.

That's how we start the day on Sunday. One or two showers to get us

going through the morning. The good news as we head into the latter part

of the weekend is shows showers tend to stay away. An improving picture

into Sunday afternoon. Things not looking too bad. Some brightness and

sunnier spells to enjoy but looking ahead into the new working week

more of the heavy showers in store for Monday. By Tuesday, thotgh, high

pressure beginning to build and things looking to become more

settled for the middle part of the week. Sally and Tony, back to you.

I think Halo has gone off for a holiday.

Not hanging around with the rain coming. Off further down.

Warmer climes. That's it from us, have a good weekend. More at 8. 0pm

and 10. 25. And don't forget Sholing.

Saturday night, a big night. I will join 15,000 other people, w`lking

through the streets of London in you are a a our bras, all decor`ted up.

It is the Moonwalk, racing loney for cancer charities. If you ard a

moonwalker, we will be therd, wind, rain, whatever. We will all be

there. Have a good night. Goodbye. Good luck.