30/04/2014 Spotlight

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The stricken ship which almost sank off Cornwall. Now UK taxpayers

The stricken ship which almost sank off Cornwall. Now UK taxpaydrs have

off Cornwall. Now UK taxpayers have been left with a massive bill.

Good evening. The mooring costs are mounting as legal wrangles continue

over the future of the Seabreeze. Also tonight: Raising the stakes `

the new measures to help cotncils deal with the region's ?200 million

gambling habit. And, is this man's teenage punch`up

on a Devon beach linked to the First World War?

A ship which started sinking off the coast of Cornwall is costing UK

taxpayers thousands of pounds a week. The crew of the Seabrdeze was

week. The crew of the Seabreeze was rescued when she began taking in

water off the Lizard. But as legal wrangles continue over the future of

the ship, which is now in the River Fal, the salvage costs and the

mooring fees are mounting. Here's our Cornwall reporter, David George.

The MV Seabreeze safely moored in the River Fal and a cargo of

limestone still on board. The six`man crew were rescued when she

began to sink of the Lizard in March. She was towed to Saint

Austell Bay and then she was taken in to port. She moved to the River

Fal a few days ago. She is being looked after by the Department for

Transport, the MCA, and it hs a Transport, the MCA, and it is a

matter for the lawyers, the Maritime lawyers, to resolve any marhtime

claims. I suppose tax payers in Cornwall

will want to know who is paxing At the moment it is the Secretary of

State's representative. So taxpayers are paying? Yes. She is reghstered

in Barbados, she had a mainly Russian crew, the company is

registered in the Pacific. Chartered to eight Moscow`based company with

links to a Ukrainian companx to eight Moscow`based company with

links to a Ukrainian company which links to a Ukrainian company which

is quoted on the Polish stock market. We contacted the company at

market. We contacted the colpany at the end of that list which shows the

Seabreeze on its website but so far we have had no reply. The vessels

we have had no reply. The vdssels howl and machinery are not insured

howl and machinery are not hnsured `` insured. She was salvaged by a

company based in Cornwall. Salvage is often complex. There are several

interested parties and off and is often complex. There are several

interested parties and off `nd often on an international basis so getting

paid can be interesting, shall we paid can be interesting, sh`ll we

say. The Maritime and coastguard agency did not to want to t`ke

say. The Maritime and coastguard agency did not to want to take part

in an interview. They say negotiations are ongoing between the

MCA, the salvors, the Port of Truro, the operators and their

Truro, the operators and thdir insurers.

As campaigners estimate the South West's gambling habit is now more

than ?200 million, an addict from Cornwall has told Spotlight he

welcomes new measures to help control the spread of betting shops.

Bookmakers who want to open new premises will have to submit a

planning application to the local council. Tamsin Melville has more.

Living with a gambling addiction is a battle for this man. It is

something I think about every day. Some days I can deal with it better

than others. Some days I think Some days I can deal with it better

than others. Some days I thhnk about what I have lost, which is hard. For

him, it is the year of Internet betting but in the past it is

betting but in the past it hs roulette machines found in

bookmakers which he says are highly bookmakers which he says ard highly

addictive. The government is now proposing shop staff should have to

give permission for betting over ?50 on the machines and there are plans

to give councils more powers to tackle betting shops spreading

tackle betting shops spreadhng across high streets. It is a

terrible addition `` addicthon for across high streets. It is `

terrible addition `` addiction for a terrible addition `` addicthon for a

lot of people. You never sed bookmakers filing for bankruptcy, do

you? I think it is very important we give our communities and cotncils

give our communities and councils the opportunity to control what

happens on their own high streets. But with limited gambling

counselling available in Cornwall, those struggling with addiction say

it is more direct help that is needed. Every little helps but for

someone with a gambling addhction to someone with a gambling addiction to

the point they could possibly destroy their own lives, it is only

a small step. It really is getting to the root cause that needs to be

addressed. The industry says it is not true

that betting shops are incrdasing in that betting shops are increasing in

numbers. Earlier, I spoke to Peter Craske

from the Association of British Bookmakers and asked him wh`t

Bookmakers and asked him what difference this will make to the

Association's members? Well, if the government implement

what they're saying, then every time a company applies for a betting shop

they would need to go through the planning process which a lot do

already so it regulates that. But we are waiting to see the government's

consultation document to fully understand what they mean. But

presumably there is a probldm with gambling across the nation and these

gambling across the nation `nd these measures are needed to try and

gambling across the nation and these measures are needed to try `nd bring

measures are needed to try and bring in some level of control?

The control is already therd. in some level of control?

The control is already therd. Every betting shop needs a licence

The control is already there. Every betting shop needs a licencd from

betting shop needs a licence from the gambling commission and local

authorities. Our concern is this will add more cost to running a

business and we have alreadx will add more cost to running a

business and we have already seen business and we have alreadx seen

?350 million in tax imposed over the last year. With 3000 people employed

over the south`west in betting over the south`west in betthng

shops, we are concerned their jobs shops, we are concerned their jobs

may be at risk because we h`ve more may be at risk because we h`ve more

costs to pay so these issues need to be looked at properly once the

consultation document is published. Do you accept more measures are

necessary to try and prevent people being gambling addicts rathdr than

occasional betters? Absolutely. We want our customers to

bet safely and responsibly `nd Absolutely. We want our customers to

bet safely and responsibly and that bet safely and responsibly `nd that

is why, in March, we introduced a is why, in March, we introduced a

new code for responsible galbling new code for responsible galbling

that sets out a series of measures that sets out a series of mdasures

helping people not getting into helping people not getting hnto

difficulties in the first place. Obviously, once someone has got into

difficulties there are a range of charities and treatment programmes

available which the industrx funds available which the industry funds

voluntarily. If we didn't ftnd those voluntarily. If we didn't ftnd those

projects they wouldn't exist, but we don't want customers to get into

trouble with gambling. We want don't want customers to get into

trouble with gambling. We w`nt them trouble with gambling. We w`nt them

to bet safely and responsibly. We are happy to work with the

government and the regulator to make that better.

Thank you very much for joining us. Water bills in the South West will

fall by as much as 7% over the next five years. If the proposals from

Ofwat become reality, the average yearly bill would come down by 35

in today's money. Here's our business correspondence.

It has always been a hugely awkward combination. The highest bills in

the lowest wage region and that strain has been felt for years by

businesses as well as households. Today, they saw the latest hn a

series of interventions designed to series of interventions deshgned to

help the bill payers. It was a draft ruling by Ofwat and consumer

advocates have welcomed it. It is brilliant news for consumers in the

South West. The price and affordability measures are a

affordability measures are ` sensitive issue and your vidwers

know that and over the years, the company have heard that well and

have had to respond. Ofwat proposes that from 2015, the

Ofwat proposes that from 2005, the average water and sewerage bill

should fall by 7% before anx should fall by 7% before anx

adjustments for inflation. Today, the average annual household bill is

?495. Some pay more but some pay ?495. Some pay more but some pay

less. If the proposals becole reality, the average would come down

over five years to ?460 in today's money. The reason for this squeeze

is a growing realisation th`t water is a growing realisation that water

companies have had it relathvely companies have had it relathvely

easy whilst customer incomes have definitely lagged behind inflation.

South West Water had already been South West Water had alreadx been

proposing to reduce its bills over this period anyway, aware of this,

and it has plans to cut bills and keep up with is most important

keep up with is most import`nt investment plans.

David Cameron has paid tribute to Corporal James Walters from

Cornwall, who died along with four others in a helicopter crash in

Afghanistan. The 36`year`old, who grew up near Leedstown, worked as a

crewman on Lynx helicopters. The MoD described the crash near Kandahar

air base last Saturday as a "tragic accident". These tragic deaths

remind us of the continued sacrifice of our Armed Forces and I know I

deepest sympathies are with their families at this very difficult

time. An investigation's under way into

the death of a soldier on D`rtmoor. He was hit by a trailer which was

part of a convoy heading to a training exercise at Okehampton last

night. The 20`year`old from the East Midlands suffered severe he`d

night. The 20`year`old from the East Midlands suffered severe head and

Midlands suffered severe he`d and chest injuries and was pronounced

dead after being taken for treatment nearby. He was serving with seven

Theatre Logistic Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps. His family has been

informed. Meanwhile, in Plymouth, a m`n has

Meanwhile, in Plymouth, a man has died after he was crushed bdtween

died after he was crushed between two vehicles. The 25`year`old from

Hull was trapped between a stationary Land Rover and a

transporter van which he was loading on to a trailer at Glenholt Road

last night. He was taken to Derriford Hospital but later died.

The Health and Safety Executive has been informed.

A consultation is under way into job losses at the University of Exeter.

It says it's needed to ensure it thrives in future amid increased

competition following the introduction of tuition fees. Bosses

say the review is in its early stages.

A deal has been reached between unions and Cornwall council over the

future pay of staff. Proposals include introducing a living wage

and retaining current redundancy pay levels and national terms in

relation to sick pay. The authority says the proposals will savd

relation to sick pay. The atthority says the proposals will save it more

than ?5 million. Later: Find out what links `

Later: Find out what links a punch`up on a Devon beach to the

First World War. And computer`controlled cattle feeding.

We visit the first farm in the country to use the technology. On

the shop floor ` the youngsters finding out how food gets from farm

to fork. Young people in the region

struggling to buy or rent have Young people in the region

struggling to buy or rent h`ve taken their plight to the housing minister

calling for more land to be made available in places like the

calling for more land to be made available in places like thd South

available in places like the South hams so low`cost homes can be built.

As John Danks reports, they are also calling for more help with the cost

of accommodation. Will Holland says he owns a good

wage as a carpenter. He livds with wage as a carpenter. He lives with

his family in one of the few remaining housing association

properties in tradition. He feels price tag by second home owners. It

price tag by second home owners It seems that young people have almost

been forgotten about and left to get on with stuff without having much

help from the other generation. help from the other generathon.

Land Registry figures reveal the average price for a house in the

South hams was just over ?300,0 0 South hams was just over ?300,0 0

last year. How easy is it to build your own if they are too expensive

to buy? This development is proof it can be done. Six homes for six local

families. We are delighted. We have learned new skills and have

surprised ourselves that, during an extra 30 hours a week is possible ``

doing an extra 30 hours. Hopefully, the Minister will look into this

further. I hope he decides to treat every different area individually

and that no one scheme will meet the needs of everyone in the cotntry.

needs of everyone in the country. The government says there are a

number of schemes to help young people which aims to increase the

availability of properties for private rent.

A growing number of dairy f`rmers across the region are milking their

cows robotically, but now a Devon farmer has taken it a step further.

David Partridge is the first in the country to introduce an automated

system to feed his herd. In just three months, he's seen a

significant increase in the amount significant increase in the amount

of milk his farm is producing. Anna Varle has been to see the technology

Varle has been to see the tdchnology in action.

It's taken David Partridge ` in action.

It's taken David Partridge a gear to It's taken David Partridge a gear to

make this a reality and aftdr only make this a reality and aftdr only

three months it s a decision which he says has already revolutionised

he says has already revoluthonised his business. `` it has taken him a

his business. `` it has takdn him a year. I'm pleased we've done

his business. `` it has taken him a year. I'm pleased we've dond it

It's been very beneficial and I am sure it will be beneficial

long`term. It is certainly beneficial to the cows. They are

being fed 24 hours a day frdsh food. being fed 24 hours a day fresh food.

This herd used to be fed once a day. They are now being fed around the

clock. The key to this is little and often. These cows are being fed ten

times a day so they are getting a more consistent and balanced diet.

Experts say it is better for their stomach and digestion. So how

scientific is it? A computer system is used to work out the bal`nce

scientific is it? A computer system is used to work out the balance of

is used to work out the bal`nce of the ingredients and then the blend

the ingredients and then thd blend which includes silage, minerals and

molasses is fed into the hopper and dispensed by the feeder. Since it

has been in operation it has increased David milk yields by 4%

increased David milk yields by 14% and saved him two hours of labour a

day. Farmers from all over the UK have been visiting the site to see

how the technology works. Whth have been visiting the site to see

how the technology works. With units how the technology works. With units

being built and people who can do it ` where labour is a problem and they

want consistency of feed to the cows, then, yes, I think it will be

a growing thing for the next ten years. It is only the beginning for

David. He's also introduced robotic milking machines and he hopes

David. He's also introduced robotic milking machines and he hopds it

milking machines and he hopes it will increase production evdn

further in the coming months. Youngsters from across the

south`west are being treated to behind`the`scenes tours of their

local supermarket to help get behind`the`scenes tours of their

local supermarket to help gdt a behind`the`scenes tours of their

local supermarket to help get a new local supermarket to help gdt a new

generation eating a diet. A national chain and several charities have

teamed up to give children ` Farm To Fork talk.

Tesco in Plymouth is a giant classroom for the day for these

children. The tour shows children children. The tour shows children

how their food comes from the farm to the shop. Diabetes UK and the NFU

one Tesco to give primary schoolchildren nationwide the Farm

To Fork tall so they can choose healthier food. This quiz is

designed to get them a bit lore designed to get them a bit lore

friendly with the healthy stuff. designed to get them a bit more

friendly with the healthy stuff And friendly with the healthy stuff And

aubergine. A leak. Brussels sprouts. Marrow. They get to try new

food and find out how it's lade Nice? I found that it takes four

litres of milk to make two kilograms of cheese. Cheese brushes your

teeth. Let as test whether they have taken it all in. What is thd main

taken it all in. What is the main ingredient of bread? Flower. I've

started so I'll finish. How Curly is curly kale? Pass.

How would you have done? Not sure. Ely `` he looked relieved when it

was over. An event to inspire future sportsmen

and women was held at Plymotth's and women was held at Plymotth's

Life Centre today. 130 youngsters with special educational needs and

with special educational nedds and disabilities were encouraged to try

their hand at various activities, their hand at various activities,

including water polo. On hand, to put them through their paces, was

one of Team GB's Paralympians. Spotlight's Dave Gibbins has more.

Water polo was the highlight of the programme at the Life Centrd.

Water polo was the highlight of the programme at the Life Centre. They

programme at the Life Centrd. They wanted to develop this for today's

attendees and any young person lacking confidence when confronting

physical exercise. When we `sked them if they've had a good take, the

them if they've had a good take the answer is yes. They say to their

headteachers, we want to do this sport in our school. Encour`ging and

sport in our school. Encouraging and inspiring the children was Great

Britain Paralympic and from Exmouth. He switched from slam into the para

triathlon for 2016. Many kids have highlighted a wheel, if you like, to

continue some of the spores they've tried today. They can begin a

journey and who knows where that could lead. There were other sports

like simulated rowing, new age like simulated rowing, new age

curling to give the children and insight into what skills are needed

insight into what skills ard needed if they want to emulate somebody

like Damien Hill. I know or different activities and having

fun. I have fun all the timd different activities and having

fun. I have fun all the time but different activities and having

fun. I have fun all the timd but it is `` there are more different

is `` there are more differdnt activities to go on. Table tennis is

fun. I was chatting to this girl and she was talking about my family and

stuff. I almost got it over the other side and I almost won. He

reached the Paralympic final in Athens in 2004 at 15, the youngest

to do it and his message is, if he can do it, one of these children can

as well. That is the aim of today's project.

Now, one was the son of a Devon beach attendant, the other one of

the most powerful teenagers in Europe. They came to blows on a

beach in North Devon. But what links the punch`up to the First World War?

Well, one of the boys in qudstion Well, one of the boys in qudstion

was Kaiser Wilhelm II, and there's a suggestion that the blow struck by

local lad Alf Price could have suggestion that the blow struck by

local lad Alf Price could h`ve lead local lad Alf Price could have lead

to the Kaiser's life`long grudge against Britain. Spotlight's North

Devon reporter, Andrea Ormsby, is in Ilfracombe for us now to tell us

more. Yes, let me set the scene. 1878

more. Yes, let me set the scene. 0878 and

over there on the beach to young over there on the beach to young

lads come to blows. Could that fight have been the start of a hatred of

historic proportions? Could what had happened here 130 years ago be the

reason kaiser hated Britain? At Ilfracombe's Museum, they'vd

Ilfracombe's Museum, they've unearthed evidence that Alf Price

floored the Kaiser with a shngle floored the Kaiser with a single

punch. In August, the futurd floored the Kaiser with a shngle

punch. In August, the future Emperor of Germany came here for a short

holiday and when he was taking a holiday and when he was takhng a

regular dip on the beach, to amuse himself, he started throwing stones

at the bathing huts. The bathing huts were attended by Alf Price the

huts were attended by Alf Price, the son of the family who owned the

huts, so he told the Kaiser not to throw stones at the huts. The future

kaiser ignored him and carrhed on. They got into a fight and Alf

punched the Kaiser to a `` the ground with a good left hook. The

punch was the inspiration of a poem written in 1916 and called Why The

Kaiser Hates England. It describes how young Alf knocked the K`iser on

the nose before the Germans out revenge. The story really cheered

them up, as some of the letters I found proved. This man says many

thanks for that. I found it very amusing and some of my chums were

quite tickled. Another says, I get the local paper every week `nd I

knows his `` the notice of the verse. Could the punch have played a

part in the start of the First World War? I don't think it startdd the

war but if it happened, the Kaiser didn't have fond memories of

Ilfracombe being humiliated by a boy for years younger. Alf Price is

for years younger. Alf Pricd is buried at the holy Trinity Parish

Church. On his `` his deathbed, he told friends that his greatdst

told friends that his greatest achievement was inflicting ` bloody

achievement was inflicting a bloody nose on the Kaiser. In thosd

achievement was inflicting ` bloody nose on the Kaiser. In those lovely

nose on the Kaiser. In thosd lovely archive shots of the beach, you will

have seen boats and bathers. No bathers tonight but the story lives

on. Alf Price is said to have told the young prince, I don't ghve a

dash who you are! I don't think they will rewrite the

history books any time soon. A big day in Padstow tomorrow.

They say it heralds the start of summer.

Good evening. Perhaps there may improve in the afternoon but you and

I know that this time of year we get I know that this time of year we get

showers, some heavy and somd showers, some heavy and some

prolonged and slow moving. H think prolonged and slow moving. I think

that will be the case tomorrow. Things may improve towards the end

of the morning. Certainly tomorrow is a wet start. It will brighten up

but with the risk of showers turning up through the course of thd day.

Eventually, this area of low pressure leaves but not till the end

of the day on Friday. A lind of showers is going through at the

moment. There is some clearance moment. There is some clear`nce

behind but then more showers will gather for tomorrow. High pressure

will come back for the weekend. gather for tomorrow. High pressure

will come back for the weekdnd. Here will come back for the weekend. Here

is the line of showers we h`ve seen is the line of showers we have seen

today. There were sharp downpours in the last couple of hours.

Our cameraman managed to get some of these shots in focus! With the

sunshine at this time of year, it sunshine at this time of ye`r, it

does look splendid. We need the sunshine but we will have to wait

until the weekend. This cover of until the weekend. This covdr of

cloud will move through with showers dying away for the first part of the

night. Turning mystique. Towards dawn, the next line of rain will

come in and this one is potentially come in and this one is potdntially

quite heavy. The Met office has issued a warning with quite intense

showers in places. Tomorrow, cloudy and wet at first. Into the

afternoon, things improved from the West. North Cornwall and thd

afternoon, things improved from the West. North Cornwall and the North

Devon coast could see late sunshine. The wind will be from the wdst or

north west so not overly warm on the North Cornwall coast. The r`in will

North Cornwall coast. The rain will move through the Isles of Scilly

quite early in the day with brightness in the afternoon.

Thank you for all your weather pictures. Keep them coming.

The Outlook, it gets better and the sun comes back out. A littld

sun comes back out. A little bit sun comes back out. A little bit

chilly at night`time. I'm sure they won't let a drop of

rain dampen their is easy as in Padstow tomorrow. Thank you for your

company and do have a very good evening. Good night.

Some people don't think real change in Europe is possible.

Some people don't think real change is necessary.

Some people don't think it's worth fighting for.