23/12/2011 Spotlight

Final call - Plymouth City Airport is about to close for good.

Hello, welcome to Spotlight. Planes have still been taking off and

landing today. By 10.30pm tonight, all air traffic will stop. We will

be assessing if there is any hope for the future and looking back at

the runways early beginnings. Also tonight: Sending a message to

the drug dealers as an 18-month police operation ends in 10 more

jail terms. We have made it a hostile

environment for people supplying. Dozens of dogs seized from a North

Devon farm after the owner admits breaching her ASBO.

In the next few hours, more than 80 years of aviation history in

Plymouth will come to an end. The city's airport is closing because

of mounting losses and a lack of demand. Today, with hours to go,

campaigners refused to give up hope. We will examine their case in a

moment and we will hear what the future might hold, but first, John

Henderson looks back at how it all began.

Plymouth airport was officially opened by the Prince of Wales in

1931. This rare footage shows Prince airport - - Prince Edward.

Things were different then. Crowds gathered close to planes arriving

and taking off and they weren't all passenger flights. In time,

Plymouth airport developed. There was still grass on the runway in

1972. The terminal was still pretty basic. Despite the fog, Ryman

Airways forged on with the short runway. The Queen visited in 1988.

In 1990s it lost its direct link to Heathrow Airport, worrying local

businesses. Flights to Gatwick and London City Airport led to an

increase in passenger numbers, but in February Air south-west stop

flying to London. But less than 100 people using the airport on a daily

The closure of the airport means the remaining staff will lose their

jobs just days before Christmas. Today campaigners gathered in the

terminal building to support them and to call for investment to keep

Plymouth's air links alive. Here's Spotlight's business reporter,

Scott Bingham. Social network sides had been

buzzing, and 50 campaigners turned up on its final day of operation.

Among them former staff already paid off. Overwhelming to come up

here. It is great but older people have come up. It would have been

nice to see more staff, but I know that everybody is doing as much as

they can. It is such a sad day. started work you when I was 16. You

presume the airport will always be here. It was the final day for a

handful of others told they could not speak to us. They are being

made redundant just two days before Christmas. We have had grandparents,

mothers, parents, children, business people, councillors turn

up today. It was just to support the people who were losing their

jobs the day before Christmas Eve. The campaign comes too late to

prevent closure. Wiped off the map already. It's a disgrace.

Or so here today a group of local businessmen so convinced otherwise

that they have taken the name viable. They say that with �30

million the airport could become a major player within 10 years.

the airport closes operationally, but we will open up a new chapter

to date were we can look again and think about what we can do here. We

can look at how we can create an international, world class gateway.

Viable will present their vision to the council in January, but for now

the airport will be mothballed. The closest air traffic tonight. In the

coming weeks they airport will be painted with crosses, the official

symbol but it is out of service. So, is there a way Plymouth City

Airport could set up again in the future? I spoke to one independent

analyst. I began by asking if the demise in its current form was

inevitable. That is the case, I'm afraid. We have looked at every

dimension. Perhaps so we have forgotten is over the past 15 years

we have seen both Exeter and Newquay emerge as dynamic airports.

A lot of the Plymouth Executive Committee live outside the

community and a very happy to go to those airports, so we are left with

our core community, which is not that big. So, basic economics, too

much competition and not enough demand. What can we do from here?

What about if Heathrow moves to the Thames Estuary? Heathrow is very

important. It is the international gateway for the UK economy. We lost

that excess - - access and nine-96. If we moved to the Thames estuary

would have four runways instead of two and one of those would be

dedicated to regional airports. Every region in Britain would try

to get in there. So, suddenly we would start to need flying again.

What if rail services headed west? Reading has been reconfigured this

Christmas. There is a lot of a electrification work going on there

will mean that the Heathrow Express and CrossRail will be able to go

into Heathrow and come out again at Reading, which could give us ready

transfers across the platform. That could make the airport obsolete. We

could get to the terminals in under three hours, if not less. Do you

think Plymouth will regret today? don't think it can. We have bent

over backwards - - analysed the situation. We're only going in to

mothball, not be developing yet. We will see.

30 people are now in jail for a total of 122 years after one of the

biggest drug investigations ever seen in Devon and Cornwall.

Operation Greaves targeted gangsters, who police estimate were

bringing around four kilos of cocaine a fortnight into the region.

Today the final sentences were passed at Plymouth Crown Court.

Nine men and one woman were jailed for between two and eight years.

Spotlight's Ali Chitty has the story of the 18-month police

investigation. Today's sentencing marks the end of

an investigation would solver 30 arrests. This seizure of 14

kilograms of cocaine with a value of a million pounds. And the

seizure of a hundred �1,000 in cash. It was an almost by our standards.

It involved more phone work than we have ever done before. 18 months.

Re-arrested many people. Originally targeting a known drug dealer from

Manchester, the police's serious and organised crime Organisation

team set up by it project to try to break the links between the gangs

and the south-west. John Palmer or was stopped by police at �20,000 of

cash, but his father, Leslie, approached the police and said the

money was his. As he waited for his money to be returned, Detectives

took what turned out to be a fateful decision to video all the

notes. The next month two Koreas were arrested with �37,000 of drug

money. �5,000 was money bedewed by the police before being returns to

Lesley Palmer. Earlier this year he was convicted of money-laundering.

When his son John Palmer was re- arrested his girlfriend own was

seized and in it was a list of phone numbers he had used to

contact known drug dealers. Now the police had many months of phone

calls and contacts there could be traced. Although the following

months the police followed a trail of phone calls and cash destined

for Mancunian bank account. One man tried to distance himself from a

career full of drug money, but he had left after shopping receipt

which the police could trace. This led to the arrest of 38 suspect.

This CPS prosecutor on the case said that demand for drugs will

continue. Nature abhors a vacuum and there is undoubtedly in the

West Country, as the Ritz across the entire country, demand for

illicit drugs. That is what these defenders are doing, supplying that

need. Whether they created it in the first place, I don't know, but

it exists. If they don't supply the drugs, some of the criminal

enterprise will. The police officer leading the team says that the

operation will help make the south- west and an attractive proposition

for the drugs gangs. It has made us a hostile environment in relation

to people supplying. Would you want to supply to Devon and Cornwall if

you thought there was a greater chance of being put into prison

when you can supply some morels? The operation has now been

officially wound up although police say they are still following leads

from the original investigation. As for those convicted, many of them

face court action to get back the money they made from their illegal

activities. Bailiffs have evicted the Occupy

Plymouth campaigners from the city's former job centre. The

protesters moved into the building after packing up their tents from a

camp they had set up in Jigsaw Gardens 10 days ago.

There were eight to 10 people inside still asleep. But I

personally talked to one of the members, told him what was going on,

give him if there are lots full of clarity of why we were there. A lot

full of fiction has been carried out in their peaceful manner.

thought there would have left us alone to have a Christmas. They

wanted us out before, which is fair enough. We will go somewhere else.

There is some good news for people in Looe worried about the proposed

closure of a main road in the town. We heard on Spotlight last night

about plans to close St Martin's Road for six weeks to allow a new

sewer to be laid. Following local complaints, the developers have

identified a new route for the sewer. Negotiations with the

landowner continue, but the road closure planned for January has

been put on hold. You are watching Spotlight from the

BBC. Thanks for joining us. Still ahead in the programme this

evening: Little Lottie amazes doctors with her progress after her

liver transplant. The Military Wives join us with

Libraries across the South West are undergoing a quiet revolution in

order to survive in the digital age. There have been technological

advances, but also protests over cuts and closures. Across the UK,

the number of people using libraries has dropped by 6.7% since

2006. In Dorset, nine libraries are now under the threat of closure. In

Devon, Cornwall and Plymouth none are closing, but opening hours have

been cut. The future of libraries in Somerset is under review after a

High Court case and Torbay has to make savings of 10% and has yet to

decide what to cut. Our Community Affairs correspondent, Carys

Edwards, has been looking at how libraries are changing with the

times. The Devon and Exeter Institution, a

thriving library but were scholarly silence is the norm. It feels

almost like a time-warp here in this library, surrounded by books,

some centuries old. It is the traditional private library here

for members only, but for public libraries they are having to change

with the times in order to survive in the future.

This is the public library in Exeter. It has got far more than

just books on offer, it is a community hub. It is a vibrant

place with lots of big and aspects to its. People do have this vision

of librarians being dry and dusty and being terribly prohibitive. It

is not just about people borrowing books. They are introducing new

technology here and in future Exeter Central is to get a �4

million new library. There ought - - there are also revamped high-tech

libraries in the region, but some of the smaller libraries are

struggling. People in Somerset in this town fought hard to save their

library from closure. I cried when I heard that his library was going

to close. This is a small vibrant town and lots of people use the

library. I bought it was really important to try to help support

this library. They won the campaign but a further 11 like Reason

Somerset remain earmarked for closure. Last month convenors took

their case to the High Court and won. A judge ruled that closure

plans were unlawful as it have to comply with the quality duties to

vulnerable groups. It was fantastic. It showed that the community can

come together and make a difference and savoury sauce that is very

important. All councils are facing Budget cuts, so having to take

tough decisions. There are changes affecting libraries across the

region. In a statement, the leader of Somerset said they accepted the

judge's directions and said the decisions have been taken after

great deliberation and great reluctance. Our income is

drastically down and so the demand for services increasing. Our top

priority is to provide a safety net for vulnerable children and adults.

Babette Cole is passionate about the need for rural libraries.

child turns the pages, every picture tells a story.

libraries are adapting and changing. It is a far cry from the

traditional library, but all remain popular with the book rather than

technology at their heart. 34 dogs have been seized from a

woman in North Devon who, only last year, had more than 100 of the

animals taken away from her. Diana Curtis was told then she could keep

only 14 dogs, but in the last week police have discovered close to 50

on her farm in Peters Marland. Spotlight's Andrea Ormsby has the

story. More tears from a woman who

understands this time people may have less sympathy with her. They

are right, aren't they? I have bought it on myself. Why? Because

the dogs are my life. This was it over last year. The scheme to take

away around 100 dogs after complaints from some neighbours

about the sound of barking. They are destroying my life. Diana was

left with 14 dogs and ordered by the courts not to get any more, but

last week police discovered the number had grown to around 50. 34

were taken away and in January more will go, leaving Diana with just

six. I know I got an ASBO, but people do worse things, don't they?

I have got 16 acres, why can't they leave me alone? She has brought it

upon herself. She knew the court order was clear to her. Their

comeuppance is almost inevitable, it is entirely her own

responsibility. 14 horses were also removed and the RSPCA is now

considering whether or not any animal welfare offences have been

committed. The parents of the youngest person

ever to survive a liver transplant say they will never stop feeling

grateful to the donor family for saving their daughter's life.

Lottie Bryon Edmond from Torquay was at the centre of a nationwide

appeal for a liver in August. She is now amazing doctors with her

progress and no longer relies on an oxygen tube. Spotlight's Clare

Casson reports. Looking forward to her first

Christmas, and this year there is plenty to celebrate. It is

fantastic that we're here now. We have bother to put a Christmas tree

at because, not for us, but because we have lofty here this year. She

has the most wonderful personality. That strength of character is what

has kept her alive. It will be the best Christmas we have ever had. At

times we didn't think this was going to happen so sometimes I have

to pinch myself. So exciting. has been a gruelling time. In

August there were told to prepare for the worst as she was put at the

top of the National transplant list. With just days to live, a donor

liver became available. For months on and Lotte has amazed everyone by

starting to breathe on her own, but her parents say they never forget

the donor family he gave her the gift of life. I am always thinking

about that family and what they must be feeling this Christmas.

That is the sad part about it. You feel ever more determined to make

sure that she is OK, to look after that liver but was so generously

donated by that person. It is a feeling of mixed emotions. Dad,

Chris, is now writing a book about lofty. Not for one second to I

think about how a - - do I forget about how lucky we are. Even at 4

o'clock in the morning, she smiles at you and you know that we are

Time for a look at the Christmas weekend sport now with Dave Gibbins.

The Cornish pirates will be seeking at double over Plymouth Albion.

They narrowly won at brick fields in October. BBC Radio Cornwall has

full coverage of the South West derby which start at 2 o'clock. On

Boxing Day there is a showdown between Plymouth Argyll at Bristol

Rovers. The pilgrims will continue their bid to wriggle out of trouble

in League Two. The crowds will be big and it will be a good challenge

for us in a good atmosphere. Hopefully we can go there and get a

result. Exeter City will be at Wycombe Wanderers. Charlton

Athletic come to Huish Park as you full-time that to become only the

second time to beat them this season. Swindon Town are at the

Torquay United. It is 4th against third the day after, when the

Exeter chief's love to maintain their fine Premiership format

London Irish. The Plymouth Raiders's Christmas gathering has

to wait until next Thursday night. It is the mercy tigers to or on the

menu. A bumper crowd is expected for Taunton's biggest race day on

Friday. There is �38,000 prize money at their Christmas meeting.

Don't forget, there was full coverage on BBC local radio and BBC

sport online. All that remains for me to say is that your cells are

very merry Christmas and have been Time for the weather forecast.

didn't get the mail about looking very Christmas the - - you are

looking good. Christmas festivities will not be ruined by the weather

this weekend. It may be a little bit damper times and Jim Knight see

a bit of drizzle, but it will be mild. There will be little frost,

apart from tonight. Tonight it could turn quite cold with cabbages

getting close to freezing. Today tomorrow it will cloud over again

and people see some more drizzle. The Scot in the cloud out here is a

weak ridge of high pressure which is what bus just for the overnight

period tonight, then it gets pushed away down to the south. By the

after noon tomorrow we're back to south-west winds, a lot of cloud

and drizzle. That will continue into Christmas Day. Let's look at

that a more detailed. We have got this angry looking line have been

that we saw earlier today. That has now moved out of the way and so the

temperatures are stopping Busch - - and that temperatures are already

starting to drop. There will be a few showers this evening, but they

will die away. Winds from the north-west, which will drop

overnight, and temperatures could fall to zero in some places. A

bright start to the day tomorrow with sunshine, but it will cloud

over. By the afternoon sunlight rain or drizzle from the West.

Damages will get up to 10 degrees. Or it does start a bit frosty we

will find that temperatures struggling. On to the forecast for

the Isles of Scilly, briefly some sunshine, but there will be patchy

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 42 seconds

So, here is the Christmas Day forecast. For all of us it will be

a mild night on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day, a lot of cloud with

maybe a bit of drizzle first thing in the morning. Boxing Day is

similar, with a lot of cloud and mild. As soon moving to Tuesday of

next week, the possibility late in the day of some patchy rain. Have a

lovely Christmas. And that is it, our last full

Spotlight for this year. We will have bulletins throughout next week

and over New Year. We'll leave you now with the Military Wives Choir

and O Little Town of Bethlehem and, just to say, if you have enjoyed