11/08/2014 South Today

That is all from the BBC News at 6.00pm. So goodbye from me

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

Killed in fighting in Syria ` the former shop worker from Portsmouth

Nature leaves its mark on a vulnerable coastline `

locals fear not enough is bding done to protect their homes.

This business of adaptive management, I call, leave it until

the last minute and panic. The flagship mental health service

which is seeing funding I was so desperate, my only problem

was that I could stick with it. And honouring a Victoria Cross

hero ` the service to mark ` sailor who stayed at his post on a decoy

ship as fires raged around him. Members of the Bangladeshi community

in Portsmouth have spoken of their shock at reports that

a second man from the city has died It's understood Hamidur Rahlan was

killed during a gun battle `longside others fighting for the movdment now

known as the Islamic State. His friend Iftekhar Jaman w`s

killed in Syria last Decembdr. He was the young man from Portsmouth

who gave up his job in a clothing store and travelled to Syri` to

fight against President Ass`d's Government. Hamidur Rahman was known

`` was known to his friends as Ramsay. His family were told he was

shot dead in a gun battle a fortnight ago. Last, another young

Muslim from Portsmouth, Iftdkhar Jaman, was also killed. He was

interviewed by the BBC before his death. Today at a mosque, sdnior

members of the community were coming members of the community were coming

to terms with news of the l`test death. Everybody is upset. They

cannot do anything, but thex are deeply upset. Hammered your work

here at this clothing store in Portsmouth as a supervisor. ``

Hamidur. One man who grew up with him described him as a cool guy who

would always stop for a chat. Why did he decide to go to Syria? I

think somehow, he could havd been brainwashed, and he decided, I do

not think we can make any comment about that. Hamidur was amongst a

group of six young men from Portsmouth who travelled to Syria

rally in 2013. This CCTV footage was taken at Gatwick Airport, showing ``

shown at the trial of one of the men who returned to the UK and was

convicted of a terrorism related offence. It is believed to 400

British Muslims have travelled to Syria to join the Islamic State

organisation, the same group now fighting in Iraq. As communhty

members, we tried to prevent this happening. We are working whth the

local authority and with thd police. Today, the Foreign Office s`id it

was aware of the reports of the death of Hamidur and is looking into

them. Residents of Pagham in West Sussex

say beachfront homes are now at imminent risk of collapsd

into the sea following a storm The council is due to replenish

the shingle tomorrow and has more But local people say

the only long term solution is to put a hole in a long shingld spit

which encases the harbour. David. The tide may be out now, but

when the tail end of Hurric`ne Bertha hates sex at the weekend the

effects were felt he had to make. On Friday, the distance between the

edge of the beach and the homes was 12 metres, it is now just sdven

Around ?2 million has been spent on sea defences, but the danger to

these homes is greater than ever. On the edge, there is only so far these

boats can be moved away frol the encroaching waves. The shingle

defences have been drastically eroded. We are furious. If xou

cannot see it everyday, you probably cannot understand. The council says

it will be here tomorrow to replace the shingle. We have contractors

arriving first thing and we have been in contact with the Environment

Agency, they have promised some rock to bolster the defences. By people

who live on the seafront sax make do and mend solutions are doomdd to

failure. I call that rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Since

the Local Government Secret`ry Eric Pickles visited, ?70,000 has come

from the Environment Agency and ?100,000 from the District Council.

That is being spent on more rocks. But they are still in Norwax. The

long shingle spit has grown substantially in recent years and

now has protected status because it is home to eight colony of birds.

What it is also a cause of the problems here. Currently, the water

flowing into and out of the harbour runs in a channel parallel to the

beach, washing it away. The only sensible option is to cut through

the spit. If you do anything else it will prove ultimately to be a waste

of money. That has been dond three times in the past, we know ht works.

Cameron can go to Eastbournd and promised ?2 million within half an

hour, to rebuild parts of the pier, and yet, we are sitting herd with

our beach being destroyed wdek by week. We shall want answers as to

why did did not listen to us in the last ten years. We feel we `re going

mad, nobody is listening. So, a lot of anger. The council say they have

considered the hole in the spit option, but they are not convinced

this and they would not survey outflank it, but residents `re

willing to take on the management and commissioned their own studies.

Even though more rock is arriving tomorrow, there are fears about what

the next storm will bring. A man has died after taking part in

a mass cycle ride through Strrey, which was hit by yesterday's

torrential rain and strong winds. 36`year`old Kris Cook suffered

a sudden cardiac arrest and collapsed yesterday at

Newlands Corner near Guildford. He received medical treatment but

was pronounced dead at hosphtal Mr Cook, who came from Woking, was

one of thousands of cyclists taking One in four people experiences a

common mental health problel, such as stress, anxiety and

low mood. Each year thousands

of people living in the South One of its flagship services is the

Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme, which offers

talking therapies and counsdlling. Now a BBC investigation has

found that some health trusts have seen their

budgets increase nearly six times their original, with more staff

being taken on to cope with demand. It comes just days after thd

Deputy Prime Minister called for a major push to boost mdntal

health research. Three years ago, Mike McInnds

nearly died in a car crash. mentally, he desperately

needed help. Not bad enough for me to contemplate

suicide, but not enough for me to feel that unless something could be

done, I would be worthless to myself and everyone else. After I was

assessed and referred to a counsellor, everything started to

look up. The experience opened up

a bigger wound. I was one of those who suffdred

acute mental and emotional `buse in the first 20 years of my life. That

had been supposedly dealt whth by burying those problems.

Mike's treatment was part of the Improving Access to Psychological

He's not alone ` more than 30,000 people entdred

treatment in Berkshire, Hampshire and Dorset last ydar.

But the figures reveal a bigger picture

In Berkshire, there was a thirtyfold increase to its IAPT

In the last financial year, it was given just under ?6 million

The number of patients who entered tre`tment

offered by NHS Solent in Portsmouth and Hampshire went up by 2,000.

And in Dorset and Southampton, staffing levels were more than

double last year from its 2010 start.

Counsellors admit attitudes have changed.

More people sought help during the recession.

People who may have lost thdir businesses, it affects their family,

I would say we have seen more people we would not normally have seen I

think the stigma has decreased, and celebrities have come out and

experienced that sort of thhng, so it normalises mental distress.

For Mike, the future's looking bright

and he's happy getting on whth his life.

In all truth, I feel like I am about 15 years younger than I am. It has

been the most worthwhile thhng I ever did. So I feel terrific.

Rural crime cost Dorset farlers ?660,000 last year,

with ?5.5 million wiped off the South West economy.

This latest research by the National Farmers Union shows

the top most`reported rural crimes in Dorset are the theft of tools,

Still to come in this evening's South Tod`y:

Paying tribute to the sailor who stayed at his post

They thought the winter floods had washed away

With the heatwave that followed though, many of the South's arable

farmers are actually enjoying a bountiful harvest.

But, as Nikki Mitchell reports, with wheat prices plummeting,

This field was sown with winter wheat last year when it started

raining and it didn't stop. This field was under water for at least

three months. It would have been about this high. It never dried out

in time to replant with the summer crop. There is just weeks hdre and

rubbish. So we will get no return from this field this year. Ht was

the wettest winter on record, leaving farmers worried abott the

harvest. But while it has lost some gullible `` parable growers

thousands of pounds, many h`ve thousands of pounds, many h`ve

weathered the storms, and yhelds elsewhere on the farm are looking

good. Some nice grains of wheat which overlay will be for

bread`making. Some people h`ve had a bumper harvest where they are on

better ground or higher land. Others have been affected more by the

like this one. But it is a nice like this one. But it is a nice

healthy, hopefully reasonably high yielding crop. Shame about the wheat

prices then. Field wheat in particular has dropped by, the

third. The prizes are on thd floor for the arable crops at the moment.

That is not to say things mhght not improve later. But it is a puestion

then, do you have storage, do you have transport, a long can xou? Any

gain we make from the better yield would see it probably wiped out by

the lower prices. So we are still back at square one. The loss of one

farmer can be the gain of another. Those needing feed for their

livestock will see their costs cut. Consumers could also benefit, if the

price crop is passed on by the supermarkets. Alexis will bd here

with the forecast later. The River Allen in Dorset used to be

one of nature's safe havens for But now the future of

the species is at risk in the river after the discovery of a de`dly

disease, as Sarah Farmer reports. No stone left unturned, the

Environment Agency and Dorsdt wildlife trust ska of the Rhver for

the native workload crayfish. `` white`clawed crayfish. The species

has been under threat in part of the river after a crayfish plagte was

discovered. The search reve`led two dead crayfish. The fact we have

displayed here is a real blow. Such a precious Little River, full of

fantastic wildlife. To have our native crayfish year was thd icing

on the cake. It is very sad news. It is not known how the diseasd came to

be in the River Allen. It could have come across on a non`native species

of crayfish, or by another `nimal like a bird or an otter. Or it may

have come across on a piece of fishing kit or Wellington boots We

need to try and ensure that we are not spreading it quicker th`n it

normally spreads, so we need to follow the checks of the code, so it

is not showing up any wellids or equipment. Free from plant laterial

and thoroughly dried out. For users of the river, it is a reminder of

the Anglos's code. It is a reminder that the equipment, once yot have

finished fishing, hang it up and dry it and it has to be bone drx prior

to reuse. That way, the bacteria cannot survive for more than three

days. Though their future on this stretch of the river does not look

promising, the South West crayfish project aims to preserve thd

endangered species. Populathon of the invertebrates has been relocated

to an isolated stream away from the threat of any non`native cr`yfish.

Onto the sport now. Tony, for a change, is in the studio!

We have lots of football to tell you about.

We don't look at the tables after the first day of the season, but if

you did, you would see Bournemouth are top of the Championship. But it

is only one game. Huddersfield manager Mark Robins

his job. Just 24 seconds after kick off,

Mark Pugh was ghosting in Callum Wilson is one

of the big summer signings, Yann Kermorgant opened

his account for the season with It would be 4`0 when Wilson

finished from close range. The Cherries debutant could have had

a hat`trick, In many senses, we scored the goals

at key times, we look resoltte defensively. We were professional in

our approach and saw the gale very well by keeping the double `nd

looking like a good side. That was indeed the perfect away

performance. Reading have signed defender

Anton Ferdinand this afternoon. He's agreed a two`year contract

and is their third new addition Here's a round`up

of what else happened on Nigel Adkins has not had too much to

smile about, but the new Th`i investment means he is finally

setting about building a new team. It was the existing squad who did on

Saturday. Reading trailed at Wigan to Callum McManaman's goal. But

there was like,, Shaun Cummhngs first professional goal. Thd Royals

points. Sean Morrison headed home points. Sean Morrison headed home

soon after. But James McArthur levelled to deny Reading all three

points in stoppage time. It was not just about spirit, we domin`ted the

game will stop we put ourselves in a good position and we come away with

something, which is important. Brighton's new boss says his side on

the right path to fight `` despite defeat. Giles Coke scored the only

goal for Sheppey that by Shdffield Wednesday. Andrew Crofts was sent

off shortly after the break. When you get a red card and you `re

task, but I think the players task, but I think the players

overall did OK. Portsmouth boss Andy Awford felt his side was solid

enough and Exeter at the telple in the second half. Jed Wallacd's

decision to stay has been a major boost. His deflected effort and

Pompey a point. `` burned. Eastleigh Football Club started life

in the Football Conference with Jai Reason put them in front

on 19 minutes. Craig Stanley struck

a lovely right foot effort Then Ben Strevens got the third

after another goalmouth cle`rance. Aldershot also kicked off the

season with a win over Altrhncham. Great Britain's sailors won eight

medals across seven Olympic classes in the first Olympic Test event

in Rio ahead of the Games in 20 4. Giles Scott seems determined to

follow in Ben Ainslie's footsteps and he won the team's only gold

medal in the Finn class. There were silvers for Alison Young

in the Laser, and both the men's and women's

470 crews. Four further bronze medals

completed the haul. You may have seen

our rather wet outside broadcast Well, the predicted weekend storms

hit the start of the Round Britain and Ireland race,

which was due to start yestdrday. The fleet made it to the st`rt line

today as the crews prepared for a tough test, and for some, a warm`up

for even bigger challenges `head. As the legacy of Hurricane Bertha

blew in from the west, the boats stayed in, with the race delayed for

a day. I think it is with a relief for everyone because we knew we were

going into something really tough. Potentially, boat breaking. The race

is considered one of the top yacht races. The fleet travel east and it

is worthy enough for five of the boats competing in the Volvo Ocean

race to be taking part here. But the worst of the weather passed and the

boats made it to the start line earlier this morning. More than 200

competitors were on board, `round half of them British. It is a marker

as to where you have got with your training. Our training period has

finished now and we are starting to race, so we want to know th`t we are

on the pace. And that we ard going the right way. The quickest votes

could be back I Wednesday nhght The slowest of a two`week journdy

ahead. They will be hoping the unsettled weather does not return to

hold them. Hampshire's latest Royal London Cup

game, that's the 50 overs a side competition, has been delayed

by heavy rain today. They had another pitch inspdction

at 6.30. Justin Rose finished tied for eighth

at the US PGA Championship Meanwhile, Bournemouth's Georgia

Hall started her profession`l career with a third place finish at

the Ingaro Ladies Open in Sweden. The Parkstone player, seen here

in action at the recent British Open, who had delayed her move

into the pro game due to thd costs involved, earned 3,333 euros and

will compete this week in Norway. That's what it's all about. A good

start, and it is a long road, those early days are tough. You nded a lot

of support and sponsorship, and those little bits of prize loney

help it as well. We wish her luck.

The centenary of the start of the First World War has been

marked in Swanage, with a special dedication to

a local man awarded a Victoria Cross.

Ernest Pitcher survived the war and became a school teacher

and publican, before serving again in World War II.

Paying their respects, a century after the outbreak of war. The

solemn service remembered all those who died and one man who survived.

Chief Petty Officer Ernest Pitcher received numerous awards for

bravery, including the Victoria Cross. That was for his service on

these, the ships looked likd ordinary merchant vessels btt they

were designed to lure German submarines. They carried arls under

camouflage. But in August 1817, HMS Dunraven was torpedoed. Erndst and

his crew maintained their stations, not wanting to give the gamd away

until their boats `` the bo`t sank the need them. His great`nephew

himself serving in the forcds, paid his respects at the grave. H am

immensely proud, especially knowing he was awarded the Victoria Cross,

the highest award, to dress themselves up as a target and fight

is actually incredibly bravd. I have nothing but respect for him and

everyone who fought in that campaign. Royal Navy and Roxal

Marines veterans from across Dorset joined the service of remembrance in

a cemetery holding 28 war graves. It was they who wanted Ernest

Pitcher's story to be heard. When you think he won the Victorha Cross

for distinguished service and other metals, within a six`month period,

he had a rather hectic lifestyle! But one thing that fascinatdd us was

that in November 1920, he w`s part of the honour guard at West Mr happy

for the internment of the unknown Warrior,. `` the Unknown Soldier. ``

Westminster Abbey. We are a nation that has been involved in conflict

in Afghanistan and elsewherd, now in Iraq, so, it is not so very far from

home. We are aware that despite the contents of the past, lessons still

have to be learned about how we can live at peace as a global community.

Other relatives red roses at the grave, which today is maint`ined by

the Commonwealth War Graves commission. His story is ond

remembered in Swanage, but one that served to remind everyone hdre are

their family history and thd part so many played in the Great War.

Remembering her hero, Ernest Pitcher, who was awarded thd

Victoria Cross in the First World War.

We will move onto the weathdr now, but before we look at the phctures,

we will talk about something that happened night. The moon, which

apparently Tony missed apparently! Did you not noticed that fedling

like it was daylight? I think was watching the Gulf.

We have got some great picttres It was extraordinary. Have a look at

this. The Superman last night. ``

supermoon. Louise Weeks photographed

the supermoon from Andover. Geoff Linton took this shot at

Corfe Castle in Dorset. And Alex Kerslake captured the

moon from Lymington in Hampshire. Astronomers call it a perigde moon,

it is the closest to the Earth. Coupled with the full moon, that is

when we get the supermoon. Is it like a harvest Moon? Xes,

slightly, but this one is qtite close, the closest it can bd to the

earth. We do have another one in Sdptember.

We have had three this summdr already.

We do have some lovely weather pictures.

Ray Grace took this shot of a rainbow in Pagham in West Sussex.

Mark Steele captured horses in the sunshine at Okeford Hill

And Grahame Howard took this photo of Portland Lighthousd

Sunny spells today, but quite heavy showers in the broadcast, they will

stay with us through this evening, easing overnight. The risk of maybe

one or two along the South coast, or some drifting in through thd Bristol

Channel through Berkshire and Wiltshire, maybe up towards

Oxfordshire. They may be on the heavy side, but a lot lightdr today.

We have a low overnight of 02 to 14. A slightly fresher feeling night and

the winds will be fairly brhsk, but not as strong as they work today.

Tomorrow, one or two showers, less frequent than today but still on the

heavy side in a few places. With the wind being lighter, showers could be

more slow`moving, with the risk of thunder and hail, Heise tomorrow of

18, 19, maybe up to 20. A slightly warmer day tomorrow in the sunny

spells, because there will be more sunshine and showers. Tomorrow

night, the showers tending to fade away. Gradually, the sky will clear

and temperatures will fall to around 12 or 13. Very similar to tonight. A

brisk south`westerly wind. The change comes about on Wednesday with

the winds changing direction. It will be a slightly drier dax. We are

sheltered because of this north`westerly airflow. So the

showers are more likely to fall over Wales, less likely over the South

eastern corner. Here it will be dry and the winds will be slightly

lighter. A pleasant day on Wednesday, but are very slil chance

of a shower during the afternoon. A dry and bright start to the day with

lots of sunshine. A look at the outlook. One or two showers are

possible tomorrow, less frepuent than today. The risk of hail and

thunder. Wednesday is probably the driest day, as is Friday, drier

conditions and lighter winds, but blustery showers are possible on

Thursday. If you want to chdck out a ten day forecast, you can go to the

website. That's it from us for this dvening,

there is more at eight o'clock and then again at 10.25. We will be back

here tomorrow morning. Join us then if you can.

'Let's bring you...' '..The latest headlines...'

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