11/11/2011 Spotlight

Officially welcomed home, more than 1000 members of 3 Commando Brigade

march through Plymouth. Good evening.

It was one of the biggest parades in the city since the end of the

Second World War. The beach and run does those who

did not come home. -- region remembers those.

White across the South West, and across the generations, thousands

stand in silence to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Also, the search continues for a new home for helicopter flights to

the Isles of Scilly. And, the use of the whip, what

local trainers think of the latest controversy in horse racing.

More than 1100 troops have been marching through Plymouth city

centre in one of the biggest military parades seen for

generations. The parade combined the homecoming of 3 Commando

Brigade from Afghanistan and The message was, welcome home. 1100

military personnel based in Plymouth and North Devon were on

parade. The weather ensured a contrast with the heat of

Afghanistan, where seven Royal Marines from this Commando lost

their lives. Members of 30 Commando, based in the City, perceived their

Afghanistan campaign medals. Those who did not return well-remembered.

42 Commando, Royal Marines... parade was timed to coincide with

the commemorations to mark Armistice Day, including the two-

Some say this was the biggest military parade through Plymouth

since the Second World War. The crowds turned out in their

thousands. In mixture of the general public, friends and family.

We saw him when he came back from his last tour, this is his second,

it is just as good. Just to cheer them all on, they have done a good

job. I have lost a friend, so I am here to support. This afternoon,

members of 42 Commando received their campaign medals. It feels

pretty ecstatic. Emotions going through the town today. It is a

pretty good experience. It has been lovely. He went away as a boy and

he has come back a man. I am very proud of him. It is nice to see him

home. We suffered seven men killed in action and a number of others

injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends

of them. But we will look after them and on a van and continually

not forget their sacrifice. This will be the final time the brigade

deploys to Afghanistan as a halt. The units are still likely to have

an active role to play for years to What do events like today mean to

you? It is Armistice Day, the day that we remember the 19 people who

did not return from Helmand province with asked over the last

six months. It is an opportunity for us to think about some of those

people who were badly injured, with life-changing injuries, in some

cases. And those who lost their lives in previous conflicts. But

also, to think about the people of Plymouth and their warm welcome for

us to our home city. It was a tremendous welcome in appalling

weather. Very different from the heat that we have been enjoying in

Helmand province. What did you achieve? We made the move from

grabbing territory back from the insurgents to transferring that

territory back to the Afghan national security forces. We can do

to 41,000 patrols, 90 Combined Operations, 60 company level

operations, 650 meetings with local people, and we recovered 7500 tons

of explosive, which could have made explosive devices. What that meant

for the people in Helmand province was that we could open 40 schools,

eight clinics, 10 bazaars and build 57 kilometres of roads. A very

successful time. You mentioned a loss of life and injury. Is it

worth it? The operation is a very important operation for British

national security. That is why we are in Helmand province, and why we

will remain on operations until 2014, when the Prime Minister has

directed it will cease. Our commitment will go beyond 2014, but

in a different way. People have been marking Armistice

Day with a two-minute silence. At the 11th hour on the 11th day of

the 11th month, people fell silence to remember and were fallen

servicemen and women. We have been out with the crowd two gathered to

Different generations united in prayer. These children from

Ladysmith school have been invited by the Royal Marines Association to

help them on are those who have lost their lives fighting for their

country. They fought for us to bring peace to everyone. It is a

nice thing to remember everyone. put Mike Ross on a German one who

got shot during the Blitz. Alongside the British, Polish

servicemen, German pilots, Australians and Canadians. The

Commonwealth War Graves section of the cemetery on us and respects all

war dead. This started as a service of reconciliation, to reconcile all

of those groups and countries, so that we do not go to war again.

Several hundred people gathered At Torquay Town Hall, in the room

was fired to mark the start and Yeovilton welcomed the Archbishop

of Canterbury as their guest, while the community of Mawnan Smith

welcomed Tony Hibbert. The more children were getting, the happier

I shall be. Generally speaking, all military are anti-war. In Weymouth,

this woman has been coming to the same service almost every year for

90 years. Across the region, acts of remembrance have been reminding

us might have been a reminder of those lost decades ago and days ago.

Later, we will talk to a former marine commander, injured in

Afghanistan, who has been inspiring youngsters at South Dartmoor

Community College. British International helicopters

has announced that it is withdrawing its plans to move its

heliport from Penzance to nearby St earth. The decision follows months

of campaigning by villagers, who say the heliport would ruin their

car at -- their quality of life. Yes, they wanted to spend �2

million building a new heliport for their helicopter link to the Isles

of Scilly. They said the move was vital so they could sell their old,

current site to raise money for new aircraft and future development,

but the people here did not wanted here, they mounted a huge campaign

of opposition, and tonight, they say they are celebrating with the

news that they have withdrawn their plans.

It is excellent news for the village. We said it was the wrong

idea, the wrong place, and the disruption would have been enormous.

People say, not in my backyard, but it would literally have been in

their backyard. The heliport where it is now, that was their first,

and the houses were built around it. What are the reasons for the plans

being withdrawn? We have had a statement, the company says they

have withdrawn their plans because of local opposition. Essentially,

they say they want to be good neighbours, but it has left them

with a dilemma as to what they do in the future. What is going to

happen? Will there be a heliport? They say they can still run their

helicopters from their old site until June 2012, but they say they

will be looking for a new location in west Cornwall. They have been

speaking to the operators of Newquay Airport, and they have told

them that, if there is a problem, and they still have nowhere to go,

they can run their flights from there. But they say they really

want a heliport down here in West Cornwall, they will be doing

everything they can to preserve what they described as a vital

helicopter link to the Isles of Scilly, which they say is vital for

the island's economy. Thanks to everyone who e-mailed

about a story yesterday, Derriford hospital's consultation on plans to

make disabled drivers pay for parking. We were inundated. One man

said, I agree, being disabled should not give you automatic

entitlement, but some disabled people feel that everything should

be free. Several people said that Blue badge holders already have to

pay at other hospitals in the region, including that the Royal

Cornwall. One person said, people should appreciate they do not have

to pay for their hospital treatment. One person said, insult to injury,

management are seeking to offset their ineptitude by penalising the

most vulnerable. One person said, if they did not pay so much for the

parking consultation, which always costs an arm and a leg, they could

use the money to subsidise the parking, instead of wasting it on

quangos. One person said, many disabled people already get a great

package of benefits, so why not make them pay? One person said, the

parking cut was pathetic and a tax on the sick. Did you think people

enjoy visiting hospital? Hand your heads in shame, Derriford

Still ahead, the vigil to remember those killed in the M5 crash a week

ago today. And, Prince Harry's he wrote

A vote's taking place right now to decide to district councils and the

south-west should continue to share chief executive. For the last two

years, Nicola Burbeck has run both Torridge and Teignbridge councils,

a move which has been saving both the authorities thousands of pounds.

Philip Collins, whose an independent member of Torridge

Council has called for a special motion to end the arrangement.

A concert is being held at Truro Cathedral tonight to mark one year

on from the major flood which struck parts of mid-Cornwall last

November. All proceeds will go to the Cornwall Flood Fund. The

concert is a partnership between the Cornwall Community Foundation,

Truro Cathedral and the Eden Project.

A South West Conservative MP today called for more grammar schools to

open where parents want them. The Government's policy currently

forbids the creation of new selective schools. Our political

editor is here to tell us more. This is a controversial issue,

isn't it? Extremely. For some people, these are beacons of

education, and for others they say they are socially divisive.

Government policy at its stance is lukewarm towards grammar schools.

There is no threat towards the remaining grammar schools, but it

is absolutely impossible for anyone to open new selective schools. It

is possible to have a ballot of parents to close a grammar school

down and that is something which the MP for Tiverton and Honiton

says is unfair. That is what they believe is wrong. You cannot have a

one way vote. Parents and governors should also be able to vote on

whether they would like to create a selective grammar school as well.

So a controversial issue generally, but a device of one in the

Conservative Party? Yes, I'm sure the Labour Party will be remembered

as having started this drive towards non-selective education,

but the Conservatives did not do much to hold that process. In 1997,

the Conservative poster a grammar school in every town and there are

very tetanic issue for people in the Conservative Party. David

Cameron scrapped that played when he became leader and made it clear

that a Conservative government would not make any more selective

schools. That rankled with the number of people and the party and

it clearly still does. And more on that on the Politics Show on Sunday.

A vigil is being held in Somerset tonight - exactly a week since one

of Britain's worst motorway crashes. Seven people died and 51 were

injured in the collision on the M5 near Taunton. Their relatives,

along with members of the emergency services, have been invited to join

together tonight to pay tribute. Here's our Somerset reporter.

On this day of remembrance, tonight will be about remembering the

victims of one of the worst motorway crashes in living memory.

But it will also give an opportunity for those directly

involved in the horror of last Friday to reflect. People who were

there, people who helped, like the emergency services. People like

this man, who says it was a night that no one will ever forget.

initial crews that were there, they thought and they fought and they

fought against impossible odds and we lost that night, seven members

of the Somerset community, no matter where they were from. A big

team came together, no matter what organisation, no matter what their

business was on the M5, members of the public, and they saved and we

saved 51 people. Our thoughts are with those who are not with us but

there are 51 people we saved that night. To night's vigil, any

business part right next to the and five, was going to be open to the

public -- right next to the M5, until it was decided to restricted

to invited guests. We listened to the media feed back and to social

networks and discovered it would go far beyond the capacity of the

retail park. One of the most poignant moments of tonight's vigil

will be a minute's silence at 8:55pm, precisely a week on.

Time for the Friday sport and Dave's been getting reaction to the

big horse racing controversy. The excessive use of the whip is

causing consternation in horse racing. Jockeys, trainers and

owners are worried that the controversy is damaging the

industry. As a result, the sport's governing body in this country has

reduced the ban on offenders. Many jockeys have been unhappy since the

new whip rules were introduced a month ago. A Grand National winner,

Ruby Walsh was given a five day ban last month and Britain's champion

jump jockey Tony McCoy was also suspended after he used his whip

once more than the allotted eight times. They argued that the

penalties were too severe and that each case should be judged on its

merits. Many well-known jockeys were competing at Taunton's first

National Hunt meeting of the season this week. It is a contentious

issue and it has been tough for us all but you want what is best for

the course and what is best for racing. Under the rules as they

stand at the moment, I do not think anyone is getting a fair deal. The

whip's main purpose is for safety. Last night, the British Horseracing

Authority announced they will commute the suspensions to two days

if jockeys go over the permitted eight in jump racing and seven on

the flat. No jockey, trainer, owner wants to see a horse hit more times

than is appropriate and if a young lad was to go close to that, then

the older jockeys in the weighing room will have a word with them.

They will put them in line. They will say, that is not appropriate.

Owners, trainers and jockeys claim the whip is used to get the best

out of the animal and remain competitive. Some see it as cruel

and unnecessary. If only horses could talk.

It is the first round of the FA Cup this weekend and Plymouth Argyle

hope to avoid a shock exit at the hands of Midlands part-timers

Stourbridge at Home Park. There have been signs of an improvement

since Carl Fletcher became player- manager of the Pilgrims, but a

warning. The bookies have put odds of 7-1 on Stourbridge to win.

Exeter City look to repeat their League win over Walsall when the

pair meet at St James Park. After three wins in a row, Torquay United

could surprise League One Chesterfield in Derbyshire, while

Yeovil Town will have to tread very carefully at League Two strugglers

Hereford. It is also Cup weekend for our top

rugby clubs. Exeter Chiefs have already started their European

Challenge Cup campaign at French club, Perpignan. It is just about

half-time in South West France and BBC Radio Devon's Nigel Walrond can

bring us the latest news. Yes, the half-time score here is burping on

It has been all about the Boots of the respective fly-halves. The

Exeter Chiefs's by half has been on great form. He has kept nudging

Exeter further ahead through the game. He kicked three penalties

within the first 18 minutes, and then James Hook got a couple back

for the home side. James Hook would be final kick of the first half,

Exeter were penalised and he put it over from halfway. Exeter have done

very well and they just need to There is second half commentary on

BBC Radio Devon 95.8FM. Also playing this evening are the

Cornish Pirates at Irish side, Munster, in the British and Irish

Cup. That kicks off at 7pm. Tomorrow, it is Plymouth Albion's

turn against Scottish Cup winners The Plymouth Raiders first

basketball league game at his next Wednesday at 7:15pm. There will be

a collection for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust and one of the

Marines will be at sailing from the ceiling of the play area before the

game. Well, as we've seen people across

the region have been taking a moment today to pay tribute to

those who serve in our Armed Forces. One former Royal Marine commando

marked Armistice Day by inspiring students at a Devon college.

Ben McBean, once described by Prince Harry as a real hero, lost

an arm and a leg in an explosion in Afghanistan. Today, he led the

assembly at South Dartmoor Community College. Spotlight's

Johnny Rutherford was there. In the two-minute silence at South

Dartmoor College, they were not just thinking about the fallen, but

the inspiring lecture that the former Royal Marine had just give

them. Ben McBean survived an explosion in Afghanistan 3 1/2

years ago. Run, run, run and then, boom! That was it. I opened my eyes

and I remember being upside down. I fell back down towards the ground

and I was, like, arm's broke, leg, missing. I was like, great! I

literally wanted to dive. I was 20 years old and I thought I will

never meet the gar -- I will never meet a girl and then I thought, I

am supposed to be a Royal Marines Commando. I will get up. The

message is, you do not have to go through what I went through to wake

up. Hopefully I can stand there and say it took this to happen to me

for me to wake up. I am saying, listen to me and wake up now.

some of the students, it seems to have stopped. It really brings it

home that this happens now. It is nice to see someone rising up from

the hard stuff and coming out of the end of the tunnel. It is

amazing for him to come away smiling still. Massive respect for

him. Ben always seems to have a smile on his face. It is broader

now, as he recently got engaged. Congratulations to him. Time for

the weather forecast. Will be rain carry on Borg? -- will be brain

My heart goes out to everyone in the parades today, because it has

been very wet. The weather is likely to improve, with the weekend

looking mainly dry. If you are out this evening, there is an awful lot

of water around. This great wave of cloud stretching from Scotland to

France is an area of rain which has been rather slow-moving and giving

some heavy rain. It will move overnight tonight. It links back to

a low pressure off of France and Portugal and it will return across

us at the end of the day tomorrow. A weaker affair, but the

possibility of light showers into the evening. Drier conditions on

Sunday, with brisk south-east winds. We should see some sunshine, which

is good news for remembrance on Sunday. You can see the map is

colourful in places. That is the heavier rain which has been coming

and going over the last few hours. It will take its time, so you have

another couple of hours of wet weather before it eventually Ms out

of the way. All of us Cup becoming eventually drive. Fog patches, so

tricky on the roads. Drizzle at dawn as well. Overnight, down as

low as 10 degrees. Relatively mild for the time of year. Tomorrow, we

will have a few morning showers, quite a misty and great to start

with, but the sunshine will soon break through that and for a good

part of the day, fine weather, before more cloud drifts up to end

the day. Most of us getting away with a fine day tomorrow. Wince

again from the south-east or the East and temperatures getting up to

15, possibly 16 degrees. For the Isles of Scilly, I think a mainly

fine day, but later in the day we Good news for our suppers on

The breeze will stay with us throughout tomorrow. Mainly good

conditions at sea with good visibility.

Sunday, good visibility, Patti spells, and quite windy despite the

high temperatures, so wrap up warm. Nice changes next week, as we have