17/04/2014 Spotlight

News !t qix. It is 'oodbye from me and on B@C

One of those relatives I spoke to today said the last 2.5 years have

been a roller`coaster, and they are pinning their hopes on this summit

in June, and they hope that something good and positive can come

from what really was, at every from what really was, at every

level, a devastating crash. This year's Easter break is being

declared a success by tourism bosses in the South West, despite fears

that the damaging storms might have put people off. Many hotels say they

have been very busy. They say this have been very busy. They s`y this

week's fine weather and the fact Easter fell later this year, has

helped boost visitor numbers. Eleanor Parkinson reports. The

Morrisey family from Hertfordshire have been enjoying the sunny weather

have been enjoying the sunnx weather this week. Today, they are in Saint

this week. Today, they are hn Saint Ives, having a day at the beach.

Ives, having a day at the bdach They say they would have come down

They say they would have cole down to Cornwall whatever the weather. We

to Cornwall whatever the we`ther. We love it here. I spent time down here

on holiday as a child, as did my on holiday as a child, as dhd my

wife, and now we bring our children here every year. I absolutely love

it, at least. You are not ptt off by it, at least. You are not ptt off by

the storms earlier this year? Absolutely not. We will comd, rain

or shine. This family deciddd to visit Cornwall because of the

storms, fascinated by what they had seen and heard on the news. We heard

about the storms in Cornwall, and we have come down to have a look, and

there is no storm damage, it is absolutely fine. Visitors in Dorset

enjoy the beach at Weymouth. I go away down to the coast if I am not

working. We're going to havd a holiday abroad this year, yes, but

holiday abroad this year, yds, but we have spent the week down here.

Many hotels also report healthy bookings. This tale ends in guides

can cater for more than 2000 guests and they say that they are `lmost

and they say that they are almost full, but many of the bookings were

last minute. People are coming on last minute. People are coming on

the day, the reception, askhng if the day, the reception, asking if

there was room is available. Two or three years ago, people would have

put their vans, worried about making put their vans, worried about making

a 200 mile journey and not having accommodation but they are lore

accommodation but they are more confident these days. The E`ster

period has been described as a success, but what about the crucial

high season months of July `nd August? Those promoting the region

say that this Easter break has been just the advert that they ndeded.

Given the publicity about the storms, what this week will mean as

tens of thousands of people going back and saying what a great time

they have had in Cornwall and in the greater region, saying that it is

still wonderful and beautiftl. People will go back, and that is the

People will go back, and th`t is the best sales force I could ask for,

happy customers who convincd the wider region that Cornwall is as

beautiful as ever. So it cotld be that this year were tourist season

will not be the wash`out predicted. Two people charged in connection

with an alleged gangland st`bbing in with an alleged gangland stabbing in

Plymouth have walked free from court. 23 old Matthew Bird survived

the attack in April last year. the attack in April last ye`r.

Police say it was carried ott by members of a biker gang. 33 oddly

suffering from Callington and 20 suffering from Callington and 20

rolled Andrew Jones from Plxmpton in rolled Andrew Jones from Plxmpton in

Plymouth were today found not guilty of conspiracy to commit grievous

bodily harm. The jury has ydt to bodily harm. The jury has yet to

reach a verdict on six other defendants. The case was adjourned

until next Tuesday. Too many people have to travel long distancds

until next Tuesday. Too manx people have to travel long distances for

admission to a psychiatric hospital, some have long waits for trdatment,

and people in crisis can't always get the help they need. Those are

among the findings of a report into mental health services in Devon.

mental health services in Ddvon However, inspectors also found staff

However, inspectors also fotnd staff at Devon Partnership Trust caring,

compassionate and committed and some services, outstanding. Here's our

Health Correspondent Sally Lountjoy. Health Correspondent Sally Mountjoy.

The Care Quality Commission sent 37 people over four days to carry out

the most rigorous inspection of conducted of Devon's mnental health

services including six hosphtals and services including six hospitals and

100 community services. The CQC identified more than a dozen

significant challenges for the Devon partnership trust, including patient

sent a long way from home for psychiatric intensive care or acute

hospital beds. Some patients were unable to get out of hours support

in a crisis and too many of them were taken to police stations or

accident and emergency. And long waits for psychological therapies.

We told them that they have got to improve key care, improve access,

and we have told them that they have got to reduce the numbers of people

who are going to police cells, when they should be with mental health

services. The CQC will come back at intervals to make sure that these

things happen. Devon Partnership Trust says that it is committed to

improving things for patients. Clearly, it is really important

people get services when thdy need them and as close to home as

possible, and particularly when you are in a state of distress. We're

working hard with partners to try and resolve this difficult problem.

In the meantime, people do have access to services and they need to

contact their teams, the te`m is contact their teams, the team is

working with them to make stre contact their teams, the te`m is

working with them to make sure that working with them to make stre that

they are aware of all the arrangements we currently have in

place to support them. The CQC also found things to praise. It said

staff were caring, compassionate and committed. The trust was opdn

staff were caring, compassionate and committed. The trust was open and

committed. The trust was opdn and honest and learn from experience.

The commission commended thd honest and learn from experhence.

The commission commended the eating The commission commended thd eating

disorders service and care for older people and people with learning

disabilities. It said priorhty must be given to providing hospital care

close to where people live. Mental health symptoms can be frightening

enough. If you then add into the mix being a long way from home, with

very little connection to friends and family, that are a big part of

someone's recovery, then yot're and family, that are a big part of

someone's recovery, then you're just someone's recovery, then yot're just

exacerbating the problem. It may be years before all the improvdments

are made but inspectors will be monitoring progress so that mental

health patients get treatment when and where they need it. Network Rail

is to pay up to ?16 million in compensation to rail and frdight

compensation to rail and freight companies for the disruption caused

by the closure of the line `t Dawlish. Trains were unable to run

for about two months after the line was severely damaged during the

storms in February. John Danks reports. When the rail line at

Dawlish reopened, we learned that it had cost ?35 million to rep`ir the

had cost ?35 million to repair the damage. Now, Network Rail h`s

damage. Now, Network Rail has revealed the compensation it stands

to pay rail companies could be as much as ?60 million. As we are

much as ?60 million. As we `re responsible for the track across the

country, every track is not there, as was the case in Dawlish, and

quite clearly, we're going to be some compensation to train

operators, the cause they will some compensation to train

operators, the cause they whll lose operators, the cause they will lose

money, because they are unable to run trains across that stretch of

track. First great Western said discussions were ongoing with

Network Rail and that no figure had been agreed. The train company laid

been agreed. The train comp`ny laid on 180 replacement buses a day while

the line was down, and offered refunds to affected customers. The

compensation system in the rail industry is designed to encourage

good performance. If the train operators cause delays, thex

good performance. If the tr`in operators cause delays, they must

operators cause delays, thex must pay network well, and in this

pay network well, and in thhs instance, Network Rail took the hit

because the light at Dawlish was their responsibility. In 2012,

flooding the Exeter cost Network Rail ?4.5 million in compensation.

The trains might be running again at Dawlish, but the bills for the

damage here, it seems, keep rolling in, too. Coming up later in the

programme. Fighting for survival. Find out why it will be a

make`or`break Easter weekend for two of the region's football sides. And

it's full steam ahead for a special weekend on this South Devon rail

line. The sign says it all. In 2007 all

the shops in Modbury stopped selling plastic carrier bags. It was done

over a matter of about four weeks. From beginning to end. We got the

date wrong, we stop using plastic bags. Then we had the Modbury bag,

that came out. Then, we have also that came out. Then, we have also

got our own bags, and peopld, I got our own bags, and peopld, I

think we educated people into using baskets and things like that. The

big problem with plastic bags is not just that they hang around `ges

making the place look messy, like this book in Modbury, they are

making the place look messy, like this book in Modbury, they `re good

at finding their way to deceive. this book in Modbury, they are good

at finding their way to deceive. And while water is a great life giver,

these things are anything btt. Once these things are anything btt. Once

in water, plastic bags pose a huge threat to wildlife, causing

countless deaths. So bearing this in mind, to the trailblazers in Modbury

think that the European Parliament decision is a good thing? I think

so, because then of liberty would follow suit and nobody would think

any different when they go into follow suit and nobody would think

any different when they go hnto one any different when they go into one

shot that this charging for banks, and then when the shop does not give

you any other bags at all. Xou have you any other bags at all. You have

just got to take a shopping bag shopping with you. The ban on bags

in Modbury was the result result of in Modbury was the result rdsult of

a voluntary agreement between a voluntary agreement betwedn

shopkeepers. Now the Europe`n Parliament has agreed to set a more

stringent target to reduce the use of plastic bags, but to allow member

states to impose compulsory ban on the most polluting type of bag where

they see fit. Where Modbury leech, it seems, Europe follows. People in

Newton are calling for government money promised for repairs to storm

damage to be made available. This evening, people have held a rally on

new and green. The sign says, give us back our beach, and in Newlyn,

people want the promenade b`ck, us back our beach, and in Ndwlyn,

people want the promenade back, as people want the promenade b`ck, as

well. People have called for urgent action to make the permanent repairs

needed. We have a beautiful place and it relies solely on tourism and

we cannot expect tourists come down and see this. Who wants to come and

see this and their money? The damaged happened over two wdeks in

damaged happened over two weeks in February, as huge seas undermined

the sea wall. Local businesses say that it has affected trading. For a

number of weeks, it seemed that to anyone walking along the promenade,

it seemed as if it was closd, you so it seemed as if it was close, you so

you had to turn around and walk back again. Some progress has been

you had to turn around and walk back again. Some progress has bedn made

again. Some progress has been made and the path is now open ag`in,

again. Some progress has bedn made and the path is now open again, but

and the path is now open ag`in, but it has taken two months to do that

and we are at the point now where it should have been within a few

and we are at the point now where it should have been within a fdw days

should have been within a few days of the storm. There is no rdason why

of the storm. There is no reason why it could not have been as open then

as it is right now. Around 30 locals are been helping clean up the area,

and a petition has been signed. There was lots of debris lyhng

There was lots of debris lying around. Now, through people power,

the influence of people, th`t allows the influence of people, that allows

me to go to the council, and we have been able to do a lot in thd

me to go to the council, and we have been able to do a lot in the last

been able to do a lot in thd last couple of days. Cornwall Council's

couple of days. Cornwall Cotncil's leaders said that apart from

emergency repairs, no for the work can be carried out, until money

promised by the Government is promised by the Government hs

received. It added that the council cannot spend money that it does not

have. The Easter period is ` busy one for sport and the south`west.

There could be one or two relegation issues settled for the region's

football clubs. With that and the rest of the key events over the

holiday weekend, here's Spotlight's Dave Gibbins. Time is slipphng away

Dave Gibbins. Time is slipping away from Yeovil Town's bid to stay in

the Championship. With quarterback games left, the Somerset side have

to make up five points if they are to reach safe ground, starting at

to reach safe ground, starthng at Blackburn Rovers tomorrow. Plymouth

Argyle's fading challenge for the League Two play`offs can be was

sedated at very tomorrow. The pilgrims are four port software they

want to be. `` four points off, where they want to be. I have done

it before. I have got to be strong. I have got to keep the team that I

think is going to win us thd game at think is going to win us thd game at

home. Exeter city are only two points away from the bottom two

relegation spots, one of which is relegation spots, one of whhch is

occupied by Torquay United. City must upset the odds at third placed

Chesterfield tomorrow. For ` long Chesterfield tomorrow. For a long

time, we have felt ourselves to be on the wrong side of a performance.

Torquay United are isolated at the bottom and drop into non`league all,

bottom and drop into non`le`gue all, especially if they lose to Dagenham

and Greg Ridge tomorrow, and at Exeter on Monday. The Exeter Chiefs

are trying to maintain their seventh position in the Premiership, by

overcoming Sale Sharks at S`ndy overcoming Sale Sharks at Sandy

Park. It would mean they take a closer step to a play`off, to the

revamped European cup for next revamped European cup for ndxt

season. The 17`year`old WinServer from Longwood in the wants `nd is 60

from Longwood in the wants and is 60 points ahead of her nearest rival,

Emma Wilson. Imagine as a l`st points ahead of her nearest rival,

Emma Wilson. Imagine as a last two Emma Wilson. Imagine as a last two

races on Good Friday, and whsh Emma Wilson. Imagine as a l`st two

races on Good Friday, and whsh to retain her advantage and retain the

national pride. `` Imogen has. Now national pride. `` Imogen h`s. Now

this sounds like something out of science fiction. It's a plant whose

shoots are growing at the rate of science fiction. It's a plant whose

shoots are growing at the r`te of a shoots are growing at the r`te of a

foot a day and will reach around 60 feet tall in a few months' time But

the giant is quite harmless and you've probably eaten it.

Spotlight's David George has been to a beautiful garden on the banks

Spotlight's David George has been to a beautiful garden on the b`nks of

the Helford river to find out a beautiful garden on the banks of

the Helford river to find ott more. the Helford river to find out more.

Some say this is the nearest you can get to the Himalayas without

travelling to Nepal. This ydar, the huge flowering trees and shrubs are

looking better than ever, but even this primordial looking gunnera is

not what we have come to sed. this primordial looking gunnera is

not what we have come to see. We are not what we have come to see. We are

looking at musso bamboo, and it is enormous. This monster is only a

baby. It has grown to this height which is just over two metrds,

baby. It has grown to this height which is just over two metres, seven

foot six, in 14 days. And its diameter has got to be a good six

inches, something like that. Its Latin name suggests it is edible,

but it is a bit tough, isn't it It would be if you had it at the sort

of size, but they harvest them fresh and young, so they harvest ht

of size, but they harvest them fresh and young, so they harvest it and

round about a metre high, and break them off with a stick, and where

it's Blitz on, that is what you would have in your stir`fry. It is a

tender, new shoots. It is yummy for animals. Here, they have to protect

the shoots from squirrels and pandas. It also makes useful

scaffolding and is used to lake tower blocks in the far east, and

you can make paper with it `s well. You can probably just pick out these

fine hairs on it. Later in the growing season this will pedl

fine hairs on it. Later in the growing season this will peel off

growing season this will pedl off and form paper which, in China, they

and form paper which, in Chhna, they actually use for writing one.

and form paper which, in China, they actually use for writing ond. They

coal this part of the garden the Bamboozle, and the musso bamboo here

Bamboozle, and the musso balboo here will be around 60 feet tall by July.

Which is a lot taller than him and his dad. That is incredible. It is a

beautiful spot. The theme is delivering the goods, and they will

be showing off the different types of trains and services that were so

popular in a bygone age. We took a ride from Buckfastleigh to Totnes,

to see why erupts team still fascinates so many. `` why the era

of steam. The steam train is, for many, a living creature, a

fascinating piece of machindry. People working here say that their

office is seven miles long, from Buckfastleigh, the top this. The

train is really lovely. It is so train is really lovely. It hs so

picturesque. As a kid, I was interested in it, and it stays with

interested in it, and it st`ys with you. It is lovely. When you look at

the history of it, when you realise we are in a royal carriage, it is

quite exciting. The South Ddvon quite exciting. The South Devon

Railway trust turns over ?3 million a year. There are 600 volunteers.

Colin is one of them. He st`rted Colin is one of them. He st`rted

working here in 1963. It is something different, unique. What

was an everyday occurrence, is now something special. Another

volunteer, John, is living his dream. As a little boy I watched

steam trains and all my life, I steam trains and all my life, I

wanted to work with them. And it took me 61 years. Before I could

actually work on a railway. My father said, there was no money in

it, so I had to go and be a plumber. And after 61 years I managed to get

to where I wanted to be, as a boy. This weekend there is a four`day

gala, celebrating the biggest users in bygone days, great. They would

carry all manner of good, c`ttle and carry all manner of good, c`ttle and

cold, you name it, it came by rail. We are using a heritage diesel fleet

from the 1960s and we will be running a number of different break

trains. Steam train enthusi`sts say trains. Steam train enthusi`sts say

that you could bottle the smell trains. Steam train enthusiasts say

that you could bottle the smell of steam, oral and smoke, you would be

a billionaire. `` oil and smoke. a billionaire. `` oil and sloke

Plenty going on in the south`west this weekend. But we all want to

know what the weather is gohng to be know what the weather is going to be

like. How was it looking? Not so bad, but probably not try all the

way through. The Easter weekend can be split into Friday and Saturday

with fine weather to enjoy, Sunday and Monday, cloudy skies and the

possibility of rain. It will be fined and some sunshine

tomorrow, then in the sunshhne we tomorrow, then in the sunshine we

will see temperatures up to 16 Celsius. More cloud has comd in

through the day`to`day. That is covering a good part of Britain. The

covering a good part of Britain The whole lot will sink South into

France overnight tonight. Then the skies will clear and later it

France overnight tonight. Then the skies will clear and later ht will

skies will clear and later it will become quite chilly. A few places

like the Somerset Levels could get like the Somerset Levels could get

down to three Celsius. That is the forecast for the middle of the day

tomorrow. High pressure is back in charge, still with us on Saturday,

but we haven't on the usual direction for an area of low

pressure, coming across from pressure, coming across frol

northern Italy, moving across Europe, drifting into the eastern

side of Britain, by the timd we get to the middle of Sunday, so a change

to cloudy, breezy conditions on Sunday. The first half of the day

might be dry, but the second half of the day could turn out to bd

might be dry, but the second half of the day could turn out to be quite

wet. Looking at the structure of that cloud, in a little mord detail,

that cloud, in a little more detail, we have some spots of rain coming

out of that band of cloud. Overnight tonight, keeping that blankdt of

cloud covering us for the first tonight, keeping that blanket of

cloud covering us for the fhrst half cloud covering us for the fhrst half

of the night. And then, towards of the night. And then, towards

born, we have clear sports coming into northern parts of Devon, but

the most of us, temperatures holding up quite well, at around six

Celsius. Tomorrow, cloudy start with the cloud quickly breaking to allow

the sunshine through. It will be nice with warm sunshine to dnjoy.

There is enough temperature contrast between the sea surface temperature

and the land and generate an onshore sea breeze, so a lot of the

coastline will struggle with temperatures, at around 11 Celsius,

and it is in land that we sde the and it is in land that we see the

highest temperatures of 16 Celsius. For the Isles of Scilly, another

fine, dry Davison sunshine, and a gentle north`easterly breezd.

fine, dry Davison sunshine, and a gentle north`easterly breeze. The

gentle north`easterly breezd. The times of high water...

See temperatures have risen over the last couple of weeks. That sunshine

has held, see temperatures `t has held, see temperatures `t

between 10`11 Celsius. And the coastal waters forecast...

This is the outlook. Saturday is a lovely day. Sunday, clouding over,

particularly Sunday evening, quite wet with outbreaks of rain settling

in. And the breeze will freshen up from Sunday into Easter Monday, and

Mundy itself is cloudy with outbreaks of rain. We will have to

make the most of the next couple of days. There will be lots of clear

skies, so gardeners beware, because there is every chance we cotld

skies, so gardeners beware, because there is every chance we could see

there is every chance we cotld see quite a widespread frost, unusual to

see at this point in April, but the frost is certainly possible. And

finally, thank you for the photographs you have sent in over

the last couple of days. This is of Newquay harbour, from Julie Teller.

Keep them coming in. Rain on a bank holiday? We have got it all.

Spotlight is back on Tuesdax. holiday? We have got it all.

Spotlight is back on Tuesday. Have a Spotlight is back on Tuesday. Have a

lovely Easter. Goodbye.