06/12/2011 Spotlight

New horizons for Goonhilly satellite station as it prepares to

explore new frontiers in space. Good evening.

This is really pioneering records for the next 50 years, missions to

Mars and things like this. Fantastic.

The multi million pound boost will also bring new jobs, details in a

moment Also on Spotlight tonight, fears

over toxic fumes - as fire surrounds chemical drums, people

are evacuated to safety. And heading for pastures new. Peter

Ridsdale leaves Argyle after a turbulent year.

He will always be a figure that divides football fans, but there is

no doubt in his having played a key role in having saved Plymouth

A multi million pound investment has been confirmed for Goonhilly

near Helston in Cornwall. �12 vmillion of Government money has

been awarded to two companies to create a science and space park and

a visitor centre at the site. -- �12 million.

The companies behind the scheme say it will create more than five

hundred jobs. The huge dishes on the Lizard, which have remained

unused for the last five years, will be brought back to life as

radio telescopes and deep space antennae. Some money will also be

used for satellite broadband. David George has more details.

If space is the final frontier, this place has been an oak post for

over 100 years. At the start of the last century, Marconi sent the

first wireless signals across the Atlantic from near here. Undersea

cable -- undersea cables are connected here, and in 1962

Goonhilly picked up the first ever transatlantic satellite picture.

Now �6.8 million from the Regional Growth Fund will upgrade the iconic

station for radio astronomy and Deep Space Communications. The new

owners say they will open the visitors' centre and encourage

high-tech businesses on to the site, and also create a training centre.

It is great for Cornwall. It is more jobs, a technology boost for

the area and we hope that the space separate, a booming economy at the

moment, will help our Cornish economy.

The clique -- BT closed down the at -- and tenor in 2008. Since then a

group of Goonhilly engineers have been trying to save the site.

A a resurgence. We thought the site would die and are supported us on

for the next 50 years. It is fantastic a. New uses for those

dishes, new opportunities and new people coming in. Fantastic for the

whole peninsula, of course. By and there is more good news for

the area. A communications company who already operate here providing

satellite broadband have successfully bid for �5 million.

The company says the money will allow it to increase the workforce

from nine to 40 as it further improves the satellite but --

satellite facilities. It is distributing feature films from

here to cinemas across the country. It looks like Goonhilly station

will retain its place at the forefront of communications

technology. The money for Goonhilly is from the

Regional Growth fund. We can join our political editor Martyn Oates

for more. Can you explain more about this

Regional Growth Fund, Martin? basically replaces the funding

which used to be handed out by the regional development agencies under

Labour. It is particularly targeted at

areas with a heavy dependency on the public sector to make the

transition to the private sector. That is areas exactly like the

South West. A few weeks ago in the autumn we had enough and geothermal

energy in west Cornwall, and today's news brings to a happy

conclusion weeks of uncertainty of what would happen to this other big

West Cornish project at Goonhilly. How much money is Act will be

available? A few days ago in his Autumn

Statement, the Chancellor increased the pot of money from �1.4 billion

to �2.4 billion. The Government says that means there will be at

least two further bids, the next in February, and overall the scheme

will create 500,000 new jobs. The money has been welcomed by

local Lib Dem MP, Andrew George, of what about the -- opposition?

The opposition have been critical about the overall command of money,

which is successful -- substantially less than other

projects have had. Labour is still saying there as an unacceptable

delay between the Government signing of the project and the

people involved getting their hands on the money.

Toxic fumes from a chemical fire in Cornwall forced 30 people from

their homes today. The fire at a boat yard in Penryn broke out in a

store of drums containing a pesticide. The fire brigade had to

take specialist advice before they could extinguish the blaze. Eleanor

Parkinson reports from the scene. A Somerset hospital is to spend �34

million replacing wards that date from World War II. The fire broke

out at 6am this morning. It began near drums containing chemicals

used to control pests. Because of the danger of toxic fumes the

bullies set up an exclusion zone. Some local businesses had to be

evacuated, and 30 people and three dogs who use the site had to be

evacuated. There was a tapping on the side of

the port and my John -- My neighbour, John, said get out,

quick, there is a fire in the yard. I did, I started heading up the

yard, and I got a whiff of it, and it was not healthy for me because I

have a chest problem, so I went round the back of the buildings.

There was an army of fire engines and firemen and policemen and

ambulanceman. I could see a big drum with smoke coming out of it.

At one stage, there were more than 40 firefighters at the scene. It

took them several others to pick up the flames. Eventually it was safe

enough for us to get close to film the drums. Here you can see the

chemicals are bubbling. Fire officers say, because of the nature

of the chemical, they had to get specialist advice.

More importantly it for us was the reaction with water. It was not the

normal method of a fire service extinguishing a fire which water.

We used a large number of carbon extinguishers, they clinched the

fire for a period, but because the chemicals were creating their own

heat it did reignite and we had to seek guidance about rather fire

fighting method. D to still not clear how the fire

began, but the fire brigade say there will be a full investigation.

The Old Building at Musgrove Park Taunton was meant to be a temporary

hospital for American soldiers. Now at last much of it is to be

They built this place at -- in 1942. Then it was called the 67th General

Hospital and was designed for American servicemen wounded in the

war. You do not have to look far to see this place is frankly well past

its sell-by date. In fact, one consultant told me the fact this

still exists shames the 21st century NHS.

Ba very excited... Small wonder at the Chief Executive

is excited much of the old building is to be knocked down. It is to be

replaced by a new three-storey centre with 112 single rooms, all

with one suite facilities. It will cost �34 million and about one-

third of that is coming from a Government loan.

We have saved a large proportion of money ourselves, by being more

efficient and providing care more efficiently, we have saved a large

tank. We have talked that up with a loan of �12 million from the NHS

bank. This is the Queen Mother visiting

Musgrove back in 1959, not long after it was taken over by the NHS.

Today, the beds and the staff may have changed, but you can see the

buildings have not. Five wards here are pretty much as they always were.

When we have had a heavy winter we have -- we do get water coming in

the ceiling at times. It has been repaired every year and I have been

here, for the last 10. Even now, not all buildings are

being demolished. Operating theatres and the intensive care

unit will still be here. At least the wartime wards will go. The

building starts in the spring and will be completed by autumn 2013.

South West poultry farmers say they are furious that almost half of EU

countries will not comply with a new ban on battery cages from

January. The UK is adhering to the new ruling which means many farmers

have already spent hundreds of thousands of pounds upgrading to

Colin Carter is an egg producer in Cornwall. These conventional

battery cages will become illegal on the 1st January. That is why

Colin has spent �500,000 upgrading to these bigger enriched cages. He

says many poultry farmers cannot afford to upgrade and will simply

give up. Some people have spoken to have

decided that on the 1st January they are not going to make the

investment, they have no family following them, so that is an

opportunity for them to sell up and retire.

You countries have had 12 years to get ready for the span, but 13 out

of 27 countries, almost half, say they will not comply. They are

Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France,

Greece, hungry, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal,

Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Spain.

The commission believe there is something like 50 million chickens

still in conventional battery cages. That is not acceptable, from a

welfare point of view. The eggs that come out of conventional

battery cages after the 1st January cannot be sold lawfully as grade A

eggs, the eggs you or I buy from a shop. They can, though, it is a

loophole in EU law, be sold for processing, to be used in producing

biscuits, or whatever. The farming agency say they have

been let down. They want a complete ban in the import of any illegally

produced eggs or products. The British Retail Consortium says

The British Retail Consortium says our members will only meet eggs

meeting the new, higher welfare standards as ingredients in their

own brand products. The Government admits it cannot guarantee illegal

There's plenty still to come tonight, including a visit by the

Princess Royal to commemorate the 50th anniversary of a regional

landmark. Plus One of our unsung sporting heroes whose determination

And speeding through the air with Santa - the young cancer patients

Plymouth Argyle's football chairman Peter Ridsdale has left the club.

He has been appointed the new chairman of Preston North End after

a turbulent year at Home Park. Brent Pilnick looks back on his

time with the club. De it will be a very challenging

few weeks start might it was almost one year ago that Peter Ridsdale

formally joined Plymouth Argyle as a consultant.

He was brought in to try and find a new investment for the financially

stricken club. He was a controversial figure after his time

at Leeds United, Cardiff City and Barnsley, but he dedicated himself

to try and find a solution to our Dale's problems, something he did

when he helped businessman James Brent takeover the club.

They reaction was very mixed when he came down here, but he has

proven, firstly, that his actions back in January saved the club, and

note his actions made on the pitch improvements, it will. He is a

figure that divides football fans, but there is no doubt he has played

a key role in helping save Argyle. Plymouth Argyle may be on sound

financial footing, but they are still at the bottom of the Football

League and in danger of relegation to the conference unless results on

the field can improve. Peter Ridsdale's departure comes at

a difficult time for the team, as they look to strengthen their squad

in the January transfer window. This morning, James Brent told me

Peter Ridsdale would still help the club as they looked to strengthen

the team, but his priority will no longer be Plymouth, but Preston.

It's that time of year again when we pay tribute to those special

people at local sports clubs and organisations who make it possible

for others to enjoy their sport. We had dozens of unsung heros

nominated and a panel met recently to decide on a top four. The first

of them is Dotty Allan, the head coach of the Bere Alston Trekkers

and Tavistock Athletics Club. Dotty spends hours each week

coaching people of all abilities, and has that rare talent of

bringing people on who would not normally dream of running.

Spotlight's John Ayres has has been You have to be motivated to do this

at weekends. Dotty Allan promotes community running. Some of these

people are athletes, but many are not, they do it for run -- for fun.

Dotty does not come from a running back rent. In her late 30s she

tried to get fit after having her son but had a shock.

I went for a short run and had to be recovered because I ran out of

energy and I was so unfit. I was disappointed with myself and

realised if I wanted to live along with my son I had to get fit and

healthy. So, she started running around the

town and other women jointer. She went on to get quota qualifications

and is now picking and 20 euros a week keeping a range of clubs and

groups going. No one will be left out ever with

Dotty. She is a great coach, and as she has come from and on running

background, I think it then brings on everybody else to think, all we

can do it. It is that electricity that stands

areca. It is for people that have all abilities, I am a bigger goal,

there are people who have been running for years and done

marathons, but there is no feeling that you are any less capable than

the rest of the people here. Everybody is supportive, that is

thanks to dotty. I am completely overwhelmed.

Overwhelmed by the fact that friends and the group's accord

should feel I am good enough to be nominated for something like this.

For me, it is the recognition of community running and there are

lovely, brilliant people who come out. If they did not come out to

run there would be nothing for me to do.

Dotty coaches lots of groups, and has helped building confidence in

some people so much they have taken part in the 10 chemo been

challenged, something many of them would have never considered. -- the

20 Marine Challenge. -- 10k.

And we will meet another of our unsung sporting heros tomorrow

evening in Spotlight. A Devon artist is on a mission to

paint three thousand stories from the Bible. The work of Brian J

Turner is being used at Exeter cathedral in a pilot teaching

scheme by the city's University. It is aimed at using abstract images

as a starting point to understand religion. Jane Chandler has been

finding how youngsters have been What do these pictures mean to you?

At what about this one? She has some ideas.

A BR looking out of that window and he is about to say, would you like

a piece of this Kate Bere Alston Trekkers the answer I am going to

give his, yes please, because it looks...

With the sky and the curtains blowing open it shows how it is

cold outside and wintry. It looks like they are in from the

Gold and the look like they are talking, friends coming together to

see each other at having cake. The aim of this workshop is to use

the works of Bryan G Turner to inspire children to think more

deeply about the Bible stories they portray.

When the work is done, I made it to the viewer to make their build-up.

The most interesting thing I found is that even people who do not read

the Bible have looked at the paintings and said, eyeing me go

back and read that. Back at the cathedral, the children

learn from Brian's example. His interpretation influences the

way he paints, just the same way that children will engage with

biblical stories with their life experiences, values, and they will

influence their interpretations, so they can reflect on how they

interpret. Go it tells me that Christmas is a

happy time and is the whole image of fun and we did up with family.

Just the real fun of Christmas. -- meeting up with family.

It has carried more than 500 million vehicles and today the

Princess Royal helped to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Her Royal

Highness was greeted at the Tamar Bridge by the Band of Her Majesty's

Royal Marines. She then travelled across the Devon and Cornwall

border to unveil a commemorative plaque in Saltash. Heidi Davey

reports. The rain held off just long enough

for her Royal Highness the Princess Royal to greet awaiting bigotries

on the Devon side of the team are bridge. -- awaiting dignitaries.

For many here, this brought back some special memories.

Fantastic. Since I was a young lad at the time, I was 20 years old and

I sat at the edge of the bridge, and all of the Scouts, the crate --

the Cubs, the Brownies, all saluted the Queen Mother when she opened

the bridge. It is special to come back 15 years will -- 15 years on

and wished the bridge a happy anniversary.

But his son was given a brief tour of the structure and recent

developments. She is a marvellous for the drug,

the Princess Royal, this is her third visit to the county this year,

and each one has been a huge success and appreciated by everyone

who has seen it. The royal party then left for the

Cornish side, where they stop off in Saltash before visiting a Victim

Support Centre in true role and and housing sustainability Office.

A group of young cancer patients from the Royal Devon and Exeter

hospital's children's ward were treated to an unusual flight today.

They were joined on board by a very special Christmas guest.

Spotlight's Chloe Axford went along for the ride. Check in at Exeter

airport. This is no ordinary flight. I am going on a half an hour flight

in an airplane and I am going to meet Santa.

Nearly all the children here are cancer patients on the Royal Devon

and Exeter hospital's ward. It is important they have treats to

look forward to, rather than always coming to hospital having treatment.

For one goal it is a special day. I am glad they invited me to come

because I have just finished my treatment today. I am doing OK and

it is nice they invited me to go on the plane.

Finally, it is time to board. The bar will get back to you as we get

in contact with Santa and let you know where we will meet up with

an... The plane has just taken off under

special passenger has just arrived. He is big and he has read, and he

Very exciting. I really enjoyed it.

I like Santa because I got a chocolate Santa.

As if Santa is not enough of a treat, we are suddenly joined by

two project, but does the of the RAF. The back on the ground it is

time to go on, clutching goodie bags and memories of a very special

flight. What an unforgettable day for all

concerned there. Now a musical treat before the

weather. Members of Devon's military wives

choir have been singing at Ten Downing Street. They were conducted

by Gareth Malone, who brought them together to perform Wherever You

Are. # Wherever you are my love will

keep you safe our hearts will beat as one # I

hold you in my dreams each night until your task is done # Light the

darkness, my wondrous star # Our hope and dreams my heart and yours

forever shining far # Light up the darkness my prince of peace # May

the the starshine all around you # May your courage never cease #

# May the the starshine all around We have some exciting news about

that choir, because they will be performing H eight in the run-up to

Christmas Eve on Spotlight. They are also on BBC Radio Devon on

Saturday morning at 9am. We have seen some very high

temperatures through November, the second mildest for over 100 years,

and let's look at the rainfall, first. The average is 86 mm, quite

a bit below that this year, 40.5 mm. We had a lot of cloud, the sunshine

did not come out that much, the relatively get BT -- usually get

the idea was, got 64.5 or has this year. Temperatures, the maximum is

usually 11 Celsius, 14.4 Celsius was the average maximum. South West

Water reservoir levels - these have been unusually low, but they have

come up in the last month. Solidify 0.9 % this time last year, 60.7 %

now. Let's look at what is happening with the cloud streaming

in from the Atlantic. It has started to produce light and patchy

rain, and that will continue tonight. A lot of cloud, slightly

warmer than it has been a we will see weather front breeze through.

By a lot of isobars, a windy night to come tonight. In the afternoon

tomorrow, becoming mainly dry with slightly warm our air. Warmer still

by Thursday, very windy again, but into slightly milder air, 13

Celsius the top temperatures. We can see where the show was might

have been in the last few others today. Earlier today our cameraman

was in Cornwall, where we got some sunshine. That looks almost like a

painting, looking out to sea. Falmouth has been quite well

sheltered today. There are some showers note -- now, they will

continue tonight. The seas are continuing to be rough because of

the strength of the winds. Showers this evening will continue, not

much of a break in the cloud tonight, but eventually they will

become more isolated by dawn. Overnight temperatures as low as

five or six Celsius. Tomorrow, showers in the morning then

brightening up. By the afternoon we should see some sunshine, the

second half of the day pleasant, still windy but winds will drop

during the day, temperatures up to 10 or 11 Celsius. For the Isles of

Scilly, showers Clearing, then mainly fine in the afternoon. The