31/01/2014 Spotlight

That's all from the BBC News at Six, so it's goodbye from me, and on

Taking a battering: the South West braces itself for heavy rain, high

winds, high tides. Severe flood warnings have been issued.

Good evening and welcome to Spotlight. As more bad weather hits,

we have reports from around the region tonight. Also a head on the

programme, the weeks of heavy rain take their toll on the coastal path.

A section at Talland Bay has been cordoned off over fears of a

possible land slip. And concern from residents that the scenes of the

Somerset Levels could soon be repeated in East Devon.

The South West is once again taking a battering from the weather.

South`east Cornwall has been on the receiving end of the some of the

worst of the bad weather since the winter. Seaton has been largely

affected, and there have been worries about land slips. Our

environment corresponded Adrian Campbell has been in Talland Bay,

where part of the footpath has been re`routed because of concerns about

safety. The team here are just about to try

to make this area fully safe, which means closing office but Pat once

and for all stop `` but Pat. Richard Hocking from Cornwall Council showed

us how weeks of heavy rainfall have taken their toll on the stretch of

the coastal Pat. I last inspected this on Wednesday last week, and it

has moved since then. The cracks are starting to dilate, and a lot of the

cracks here have vegetation that has been there for a long time, so they

aren't old. In the pass week or so, they have started opening up. The

coastline has been under attack the years. The council says it does not

have enough money to pay for coastal repairs, and now there is only one

option. I just think retreat. I just like to stress that the coastal path

is still open. There is still a detour, so people can still enjoy

the path, but please keep away from the edges, and report any stresses

you do see, or potential slips. There are fears that a large section

of the cliff could collapse here within days. Elsewhere, sandbags

every appeared once again. Basically, here we have sandbags

left over from last time that we will move over there later on this

afternoon will stop we have a series of sandbags that we will put in

place later. The river Seaton has provided a Challenger engineers in

recent weeks, as it changes course, moving closer to local properties.

This section of the river was badly damaged in the last storm. Workers

are trying to shore up the coastline here and protect it from the next

surge, coming tonight. Conditions have been difficult through the day

on much of the coastline. Tonight at this cafe, they are preparing for

the worst, but hoping this time, they will be spared by the elements.

The Environment Agency is warning of significant disruption as huge

waves, spring tides and strong winds combined over the weekend. There are

currently six severe flood warnings in place, low`lying communities in

North Devon are at risk such as Ilfracombe and Westward Ho!. The

whole of the carnage caused `` coastline is also affected.

Preparing for the worst. This restaurant lost its carpet to the

last blood only three weeks ago. Today, we are expecting nice high

tide, to six metres. It is known to blood at about 5.8 metres here, so

we're just going to get ready for it. Rain continued throughout the

day. Contractors from Cornwall Council were diligent in keeping

drains free from debris. The Met Office issued a yellow alert for

rain, but most of that is due to move through the region by the end

of today. Tomorrow, there is a yellow alert the wind, which could

cause a problem in coastal areas, with gusts of possibly up to 70 mph.

As high tide approached in Looe, the tight side was level with the road

in some places. But the weather did not stump some from going in the

sea. The lifeboat was launched at 5:30pm after reports of someone in

the water off Looe. They have had a 999 call from a member of the

public, someone who saw a swimmer jump in the water. He had a wet suit

on and were swimming towards the island. They lost sight of him, so

we are going to check he is OK. Early indications this evening are

that no properties have been flooded in Looe. But many people in the town

are now concerned about the high tide tomorrow morning. With a severe

flood warning in place along the south`west coastline on Saturday,

the Environment Agency is warning people not to take any risks.

John is live in Looe for as now. John.

It is just going up over on the quayside and the other side, and you

can see it here. It is very close to the bank. It would appear that,

because high tide has just gone, perhaps people here are going to

avoid any real problems this evening, but as you have heard, they

had been preparing all day. Shops and various houses around the town

have sandbags and floodgates to try to protect their properties, but it

is something they are very used to here in Looe. We were here just in

January reporting and flooding. We are also hearing about how emergency

services are always telling us not to take risks. You heard in that

report about someone going out to swim. The lifeboat had to be

launched there. The good news, it would appear, is that that person

would appear to have got back to shore safely. In the end, there was

not really a problem. Looking at the flooding, it appears they may have

got away with it a night. They are concerned about tomorrow in

particular. The Environment Agency say it might cost something like ?10

million to do so because that this flooding from thank you.

. . There are fears denied as a Somerset's rivers burst their banks

after heavy rain and tides. Environment Agency staff have been

monitoring the river since first light this morning. The water is

falling on the ground I cannot soak up any more.

This swollen river, Somerset's mean root out to sea. The Parrett is

almost overflowing, and sandbags are the first line of defence. Laid out

on an industrial scale, stretching as far as the eye can see. There is

a good chance it will go back up, especially if the banks breach. I

have a feeling it will. By 6am this morning, hundreds of tonnes of

sand, brought in by lorries, all the way from Essex, a donation from a

business owner who saw the situation in Somerset on the news and decided

he had to help. We have put a team of ten people together to actually

put this sand in place. We are ready to roll as soon as COBRA or the

Environment Agency give us a position to place the bags. Today,

the Environment Agency said despite its biggest ever pumping operation

here, the water will take weeks to clear. Many people you talk to hear

we'll tell you they are already fed up with waiting. This really shows

the whole problem here. You get just a couple of hours of rain, but

because it is falling on field that are already completely saturated,

instead of soaking in, it just runs straight up and down to the lowest

point it can find. Sand, it seems, is the simplest solution, the best

barrier to keep back these bulging river banks. But it is the

conditions forecast for this weekend that has those living here seriously

worried. Sunday is going to be an absolute monumental day for us out

here. They will put more houses at threat from flooding, and it will be

a real danger time for us. The rain might prove too much for this soaked

and sodden scenery. Farmers and landowners in Devon say

they fear it is only a matter of time before the scenes on the

Somerset levels are seen elsewhere in the region. People living in

place St Mary near Exeter say they have spent years providing Ellwood

train to convince the Environment Agency to dredge their river.

It is only time before this will happen here. That is according to

local landowners such as this man, whose family has farmed this land

for generations. We have to be Environment Agency for several years

they need to do something. If they don't do something very soon, we

will end up with Clyst St Mary underwater and all the people who

live there with their houses wrecked, this road, 10,000 people

per day, blocked, and it will be a disaster. We do not want to say we

told you so. Local residents claim the last time this section of the

river was dredged was back in the 1960s. They say it is now so blocked

up, it is putting properties in the village of Clyst St Mary under

threat. Robin is another farmer whose livelihood has been affected

by flooding. He was forced to sell his dairy herd because these fields

are too wet to raise his cattle. It is certainly getting significantly

wet. Normally, you expect a flood out to twice a year in the winter,

and that will be up for a day or two and then drain away. At the moment,

it seems to be hanging around for a month, or two months, or even more.

This land is expected to float around twice a year, but what

farmers are saying is that the water in these fields is higher than it is

in the river. This means that any water coming downstream as nowhere

else to go. The government has stepped in to deal with a situation

on the Somerset levels, but organisations such as the National

Farmers' Union say this is not the only area of the country needing

attention. Without the support of the Environment Agency and the

government, and environmental bodies like Natural England, we need to see

a more consistent approach that doesn't expose communities to such

risk. The Environment Agency says dredging is only part of the

solution to reducing flood risk, and is currently in touch with the local

community and landowners over the situation. It also says it is

investigating sources of funding to carry out the work.

Much of the South West Coast has now been put on a severe flood warning

ahead of high tides tomorrow morning. It includes Westward Ho!,

where sea defences were already damaged in storms earlier this

month. Spotlight's Andrea Ormsby is there live for us tonight. Andrea.

Yes, thank you very much. Not too bad tonight. No rain yet,

but the waves are getting bigger and closer, and already over the sea

wall on the other side. I have seen people running very fast away. He in

North Devon, the concern is not so much about a night but tomorrow

morning. The high tides around the word along the coast here are

between about 6am and 7am, and it is that combination of high tides and

huge winds that cause so much trouble here. People here are

bracing themselves for a repeat of last month. What happened then is

that the waves crashed over this role, bringing pebbles with them

with so much more that they smashed through all the windows of this ice

cream parlour. They are still boarded up, which I am sure the

owner is pleased about tonight, at the same could happen again. Further

down the coast, the sea defences were just flattened. They are

basically like a huge range of pebbles built up quite high. They

were flattened, have been built up again today, and coastguards at

Houston night with two warnings. One, if you have a boat, don't go

out in it a night with two warnings. One, if you have a boat, don't go

out in it tonight tomorrow if against the wall and watch. But

people are doing that already. Thank you. We will have a full forecast

later on in the programme. And BBC Radio Devon and Cornwall are

both on air with specials tonight about this. There is also much more

on our website. In other news, a man whose mother`in`law died after a

feeding tube was wrongly placed into her lung at Plymouth's Derriford

Hospital says he's dismayed to hear similar mistakes are still being

made. 78`year`old Muriel Elliot died in

September 2007 after a nasogastric tube was misplaced. Hospital bosses

said at the time they would take steps to minimise the risk of such

an event happening again. But an investigation is under way after two

separate nasogastric tubes were misplaced in the last three months.

Scott Bingham reports. Muriel Elliot, who were 78, died of

pneumonia at Derriford Hospital in September 2007. An inquest jury in

2010 found that a nasogastric feeding tube, which had been wrongly

inserted into her lungs, led to the infection that caused her death.

Hospital bosses at the time apologised, and said they had taken

a number of steps to minimise the chances of the same mistake being

made again. But it has now emerged that two nasogastric tubes have been

misplaced since last November. It makes me very concerned, because it

basically says that all the safety, the Czechs, the procedures which

they said they would bring in from 2007, clearly have not been brought

in. And then we end up with the possibility of other people being

hurt as a result of eight. The latest incident where a nasogastric

tube was misplaced happened earlier this month. Back in last November,

there was another incident where a nasogastric tube was misplaced and a

second mishap where a needle was left inside a patient. An

investigation is now underway, and that will decide by the end of next

month or not the incident should be classified as so`called never ever,

because they should never happen. In a statement today, the trust medical

director said, The trust said the patients and

their families had received direct apologies and pointed out there have

been no further confirmed never ever since March last year.

`` never events. You are watching Spotlight.

We will have the latest on the weather later. Also still ahead, the

pride of Southwest Rugby bash Exeter Chiefs' Jack Nowell picks up his

first England cap in this week's six Nations opener.

And find out what these colourful characters are doing at South Devon

school. Businesses in the region say they're

being held back by business rates that are set unrealistically high.

Business rates are a tax based on the value of the premises firms

occupy. The problem is, the last valuation was done near the top of

the last property boom. Our business correspondent Neil Gallacher reports

from one street that's now reeling from the result.

Richard Brewster's shop is full of batteries unlike bowls, mainly. His

highly specialised business in Plymouth's New George Street is

doing well, and as time goes by, he is thinking of moving to a larger

unit. There are suitable sites nearby, except for one thing. During

the recession, rents have come down but business rates have not. It is a

nationwide problem. We have now got to a situation where some of these

shots, the rent might be 30,000, but the payable rate could be 50 or

60,000. It is going to mean that these shops are probably not going

to be filled, purely and Sibley because of business rates. At the

Bartlett is one trader who did move to a bigger unit and no worries

about how she can pay the business rates. They are as much as her rent

bill, a situation that would have been an thinkable if you years ago.

It would be very nice, and it would be a dream come true, if they could

do something about this. A lot of us work seven days a week for business

rates. I open seven days a week. I just want one day free. If I am not

well, who will help me? The government has said delaying the

re`evaluation of business rates has a lease brought financial stability

to business. But some senior business figures in the south`west

think that would only apply to London. They are convinced a

revaluation here would only cut rates bills for companies. The

government, by any language, are using this as a stealth tax. They

need to get a new revaluation that accurately reflects market

conditions. This is penalising a lot of businesses, many of whom are

paying as much in rates of AI in rent. There are more than rates

bills keeping retailers await. Competition from online is a cut

huge challenge to which the High Street has no firm answer. But

campaigners say a rate re`evaluation is at least something within the

control of the government. Time for the sport now, and it's a

big weekend for young Cornishman Jack Nowell, isn't it, Dave?

It promises to be a memorable weekend for Exeter Chiefs wing Jack

Nowell. The 20`year`old is one of two new caps in the England rugby

team to face France in Paris on Saturday evening. It's been an

astounding rise for the young man, who's the son of a trawler skipper

from Newlyn. Newlyn harbour, the main and biggest

fishing port of Cornwall. But this peaceful corner of the county, which

boasts stunning views across mounts Bay, will be on the map for a

completely different reason this weekend. Jack Nowell, the son of a

Newlyn fisherman will be an international rugby player by the

end of Saturday. His breakthrough into Exeter Chiefs' first team has

brought in to the attention of England's head coach Stuart

Lancaster, who has given Jack his chance to perform in the six Nations

championship stage. I have been given this opportunity, and for me,

I really want to take it. It is a big step for me. And then,

obviously, the under 20s stuff was massive for me, and to be put in an

given this opportunity, I am very grateful for that. I am really

looking forward to it. The confidence his club give him, and

they have in the selections. How highly they regard him. The first

name on the team sheet, really, in the back line. His ability to beat

defenders, he beats more than any other player in the premiership.

Meanwhile, back in Newlyn, his family prepare for his debut in

France. The Miro tea`time. He started when he was five, but it

wasn't something I thought he would immediately take two. He spent the

first few months crying, holding onto my leg and saying he did not

want to play. Eventually, he watched enough people and thought he would

give it a go, and off he went, and he has never looked back. I think to

start with, he will get a few eyeballs, with them picking up the

youngster. He will get a few eyeballs, make a few breaks, and get

on with the game. He never gets nervous. I always get nervous for

him. Well, that is what he tells us. And as we were about to leave,

another member of the family burst in. Frankly, his younger brother,

had scored five goals in his school's football match. Another one

to Jack's club, Exeter Chiefs, have the chance to qualify for the

semi`finals of the Anglo`Welsh Cup this weekend.

That's if they gain a bonus point victory at Worcester and Sale Sharks

fail to do the same at Ospreys tonight. In the Championship, the

Cornish Pirates should be too good for bottom side Ealing Trailfinders

in Penzance on Sunday. At the Brickfields tomorrow, promotion

favourites London Welsh will give Plymouth Albion a hard time as

Albion look for their first league win since November.

The weekend's football sees Yeovil Town attempt to do the double over

Nottingham Forest. They beat them 3`1 at Huish Park last October and

hope for a repeat against fifth`placed Forest to move them off

the bottom of the Championship. Without a win since New Year's Day,

Plymouth Argyle try to rectify that against Mansfield Town at Home Park,

while Exeter City, with just two wins in the last 15 games, bid to

stop their slide down League Two with a good result at Burton Albion.

Winger Danny Stevens is back with Torquay United on a short`term

contract until the end of the season. He could feature at

Portsmouth. Finally, keep an eye on the weather

tonight and tomorrow as it could affect your game. Just check with

your BBC local radio station and BBC Sport online if it's on or off.

Thank you very much. Now, it is probably not the first time if you

told tales have been told in school, but the youngsters hearing the story

in Totnes today were actually being treated to the rehearsals for a

storytelling festival. The Would Sisters Winter Festival is one of

the biggest one`day events launching National storytelling, and Johnny

Rutherford has been along to hear a few stories.

Storytelling is one of the most ancient communicative arts. This is

a miming play, where 17th`century people in the community would

disguise themselves and act out stories to raise some cash. This is

a story where an extremely dubious looking midwife brings somebody back

to life from the dead, and as you saw, the children love it. Everybody

laughs. It is really a sneak preview of tomorrow's storytelling festival.

Local and international storytellers will join in a full day of tales,

including music, poetry, and dance, at the school. In the UK, there has

been a huge revival of the old tradition, in the idea that our

brains are wired to understand stories. That is what our ancestors

did for thousands of years before they could write. They told stories.

The spectators today certainly understood that good storytelling is

essential. Same ago I find it is really interesting, because you are

not in the time it happened, so you don't really know what happened. You

are just telling a version that you know. It could be ` no, it is

crucial in education of learning how to use your imagination and learning

in what ways to use it. This is the 14th year of national story we, and

17,000 people are expected to join in. That is quite a few tales.

Time for the weather now. It is looking pretty dreadful.

looking It is, yes, not only the strength of

wins, but high tides, as you just heard. First, a quick summary. It is

very windy, winds ease a little on Sunday, and it also turns a bit

colder with showers tomorrow morning. They could have a wintry

flavour. The main concern is the severe flood warnings that have been

issued throughout the afternoon. The Environment Agency's website has

them under flood warnings. Or you can telephone them. The number is on

the screen. The combination of the exceptionally high tides, strong

winds and very low pressure, and of course, all that water draining down

into the rivers and estuaries. A great big area of low pressure, well

in charge of most of the North Atlantic. This centre is going to

travel down towards us overnight and into tomorrow, so even stronger

winds tomorrow. There will be showers, perhaps not lengthy spells

of rain, but the showers are fairly potent. One or two of them could be

wintry. But it is the strength of wind that increases throughout the

day, and by Sunday it is a little bit quieter. Still a breezy day for

all. There is the rain we saw earlier. That is beginning to move

out of the way. Behind that, something more clear. Cold air will

flood in, so the showers will turning pleasingly wintry, and

perhaps overly high ground of the murderers, they will deposit snow

was leaked by the end of the night. It will be a cold one as well. ``

the moors. Plos one or plus two degrees. That is cold enough for the

risk of ice, so we have another warning about the risk of its early

tomorrow morning. Shannon Lee rain that will come and go throughout the

day will be to wrap a time in the world be some sunshine in between

the showers, but the focus must be on the strength of wind,

particularly across the North Cornwall coast and the North Devon

coast through the Bristol Channel, where there could be gusts of wind

of 60 to 70 mph. That is another Met Office morning for you but the

strength of wind tomorrow. Gale force if not severe gale force will

stop really big gusts. This is around 3pm to 6pm in the evening.

Those are our temperatures tomorrow. Six or seven degrees. It will feel

cold, so wrapped up warmly. For the Isles of Scilly, windy here as well

with blustery showers. The waves at the end of the day tomorrow. The

important high water times ` at Padstow, 6:15am. At Minehead 7:15am,

and the beach is likely to be pretty dangerous tomorrow. On the north

coast, between ten and 15 feet, and for surfers, it is not really worth

a try. Here are the coastal waters. Wessel south`westerly seven or gale

force eight, increasing nine, possibly gusts of wind to storm

force ten tomorrow afternoon. E showers with generally a mainly good

visibility. On Sunday, perhaps a chance to quieten down. The highest

tides are on Sunday morning. Monday, more wet weather arrives, and

another morning heavy rain, again becoming windy. Take care this

weekend. Thank you very much. Our top story is, of course, the

weather tonight. In the past few minutes, Cornwall Council has said

that residents living in properties known to be high risk of flooding in

Bude and Portugal should leave homes and seek temporary accommodation

around the times of high tide on Saturday. Council officers are

visiting or properties at risk in Bude, pure and elsewhere. You can

get the latest on your local BBC Radio three. That will have special

programmes the night until 10pm. From everyone here, goodbye.