21/08/2014 Spotlight

Spotlight can reveal the true extent tonight of the impact of TB

Latest figures show more than 16,000 herds are infected.

Although numbers are falling, the cost to farmers

and taxpayers from these cases alone is more than ?54 million.

But is a further cull of badgers the right answer?

Spotlight's environment correspondent Adrian Campbell

Save our badgers! Campaigners stood outside the High Court in London

this afternoon while inside the legal arguments put forward by the

Badger Trust were being considered. The trust says independent experts

should monitor any future culls of badgers, as they did recently in

West Somerset and Gloucestershire. They'll already beginning to say

they will put in an independent assessment but they do not want a

full panel. They are halfway to where we want them to be. Let's get

a full scrutiny report done. It is what MPs and the public want.

According to Defra, Devon had the most herds affected by bovine TB as

of May this year but at the South West counties have also been

severely affected. Overall, there has been a slight decline compared

with the same period last year, but a single outbreak costs the farm on

average around ?14,000, and the taxpayer ends up paying around

?20,000. Farming plays an important part in the South West's economy and

for the National Farmers' Union, today's events at the High Court in

London are an unnecessary distraction. They say the situation

here is serious and cannot be solved by controls on capital alone. We

have taken out 32,000 cattle in 2013, 4700 more businesses went

down. So we cannot go on like that. That is unsustainable. The debate

about the need for a badger cull have been well rehearsed over the

years but with the next pilot culls just weeks away, it seems important

that the Badger Trust have lost faith in the political process. When

you sue figures that came out last year and then were revised `` saw

figures, trust has gone right at the flipping window. But at this

agricultural show in Dorset, views about culling badgers are mixed. It

would be nice to have vaccination rather than shooting badgers. As

much as I love to see badgers in the countryside, I do support a

controlled cull and I think it is the only way forward. Defra told us

it would be inappropriate to comment on ongoing legal proceedings but it

says it has already acted on recommendations from the independent

panel of experts following last year's pilot culls. We would like to

know what you think about the badger cull. Please get in touch with

Thousands of pupils from across the South West have been

And a school in Devon has more more reasons to celebrate than most.

From being put in so`called special measures less

than a year ago, results at Westlands in Torquay are up.

I got an A* for additional science...

Abigail Lawless has notched up a string of As and A*s, which is

Elsewhere, students at Plymouth City College

were celebrating a 3% improvement in their overall pass rate.

I had this horrible doubt I would fail and I hadn't done as well, so

I got a C in English and a D in maths.

I was seven marks off a C, so I'm a bit gutted

but I've only got to retake one paper, so November here I come.

In some subjects here, like maths, geography and sociology,

Some notable achievements there ` and later in the programme,

we'll see how some of you have been celebrating your exam success.

But academic qualifications aren't everyone's choice,

and in the past year Cornwall College has seen a 20% increase in

And nearly all of them go on to get a permanent job.

Spotlight's Leigh Rundle has been finding out why on`the`job

Surprise Mac You get a qualification at the end of it, which is what

everyone wants. Becky left school at 16 and had a number of dead`end jobs

before she applied for an apprenticeship. She has now been

taken on full`time. Do not let your qualifications to hold you back. You

will find your way around to get the career you want. Up until December,

participating businesses received a ?1500 grant for each apprentice. You

would think it would be financial but at the end of the day, it is all

about getting the right people in your team. We were able to train her

the way that we like and to operate on the cars in the way that we

approve, if you like. And see that we have got a long`term employee. A

sentiment shared by James. That is my father, in the farmyard, and that

is his cousin... His firm was established in 1880. Back then,

everyone started off as an apprentice. Lots of people always

worked for the family and they have come into the trade and he would be

surprised how many people have got a bit of history in the meat trade

somewhere. For 19`year`old to two, this company has been a godsend. ``

for this 19`year`old. I quit college because I had had enough of it.

Where would you like to be in 20 years' time? Maybe have my own shop

and company. It would be nice. This year alone, 1700 young people have

been found on the job training by Cornwall College and there are still

200 places available. Around 99% of our apprentices are either employed,

employed with that business or they go on and get a job with another

business. And some of our learners have also go on to set up their own

businesses as well. So if you're GCSE results today were not all you

had hoped for, don't despair. Think outside the box.

500 lorry`loads of earth will be used to create an embankment to

protect more homes on the Somerset Levels which were left under several

Work has begun in the village of Thorney `

The first few bucketfuls of earth being scraped away

in a scheme that will eventually use 10,000 tonnes of soil.

Thorney's householders came to watch the start of the digging,

the first part of a plan that should stop their

If the river breaches its banks again, when the water

rushes down here it will be stopped and therefore protect the village

Just a mile up the road from Muchelney,

Almost every house had their ground floor under water.

Gradually over the day, the water crept up, went through

About six inches of water throughout.

For us personally, this is brilliant because it means

we can be 99% positive that it won't happen to us again this coming

The hill being built here, known as bund, will be around two

`` a bund. metres high and 300 metres long.

Even so, it will require 500 lorry`loads of soil.

It's very important and it's been a lot of hard work by a lot

It is very important that it's built and hopefully that will prevent some

The record rainfall in January and February this year gave planners

a top figure of just how high the waters came.

These defences and many more are being designed to

exceed that height and should be finished by October in time to be

New figures show that house prices in Cornwall are more expensive

relative to average earnings than in London.

The National Housing Federation says that over the last year, the average

price of a Cornish home has risen to more than ?223,000 ` 12.6 times

This man has been jailed for abusing two girls after he made a failed

suicide attempt and left a note in which he admitted his crime.

67`year`old Reginald Lawson, from Tiverton,

assaulted the girls when they were aged between seven and ten.

The court heard he was a pillar of the community.

The Chairman of Plymouth University's board

of governors has stepped aside from his role whilst an investigation

continues into allegations of sexual harrassment of staff.

Judge William Taylor denies the allegations.

The board said today it accepted his decision,

recognising that he has put the interests of the university first.

Plymouth Leander swimmer Ben Proud has missed out on the final

of the 100 metres freestyle at the European Championships in Berlin.

The 19`year`old University of St Mark and St John scholar

finished seventh in his semifinal, just two days after winning bronze

Proud has two more events this week in which to win another medal.

It was the stretch of water where in 2012 Sir Ben Ainslie made Olympic

history, clinching his fourth gold medal in successive games to become

Today international competitors were once again tackling

the conditions off Dorset although they are a little young to

Paul Brennan reports from the Weymouth and Portland National

Sailing Academy which is hosting the Cadet World Championships.

Pinning their hopes and colours to the mast, these youngsters have

spent the last week competing fully position in the Cadet World

Championships. 48 countries have been taking part. It is a really

nice regatta and there are a lot of other nationalities. Went you are

out there racing one simple steak and you are at the back of the

fleet. It is really good fun racing against this high level of

competition. We are doing quite well. You are doing very well! These

championships were first held in 1947. Barry Steele won back in 1957

with his brother, Rodney, and today was on hand to offer advice. I would

love to be out there doing it again. It is a wonderful sport. We have

done so well in Britain. We are an island nation and love it. Just to

be afloat and enjoy the fresh air and the inspiring others around the

world is just a unique thing. More people should give it. The courts

are certainly smiling on these young sailors, with clear visibility and a

force three went the positions are perfect for some serious

competition. `` the courts. The competition was the design of a

sailor who believes the world's youth should hold hands around the

world. With such a world class location, this area has already

hosted national events this year as it continues to build on the success

of the 2012 Olympics. It helps cement became's legacy. The Town

gained immense reputation both in appearance from the fantastic shots

on the wealth given to the sailors as well. People want to come back.

If we do our job right and give them a good time, they will keep coming

back. With one more day of competition to go, the race for the

trophy appears to be between Britain and Australia. There is a whole

calendar of major races of Dorset and big events are seen as

increasingly important to our tourism industry. They often sealed

the deal for holiday`makers thinking about booking. Out on the water

alone there are offence for powerboats and trawlers. This week,

tens of thousands of people are visiting Fowey for the Royal

Regatta. I believe the red arrows have been there? What would you

expect from a regatta? Spectacular racing, of course. Big crowds, yes.

The Red Arrows, well, they were incredible. But record`breaking

pasty eaters might be a surprise. Today, Cammack has enjoyed it all

and the spirit of competition was not just out on the water. `` Fowey

has enjoyed it all. How fast can you eat a pasty? For Andreas, it is a

matter of pride. He is keen to show off his skills but can he beat his

record from last year? Last year 49 seconds was the fastest time. If I

can do that or just below that I will be very happy. While he plans

his strategy, a host of races are out to thrill spectators. For more

than 100 years, the town has laid host to the regatta. Tens of

thousands of people come to the area. Biggar I come every year and

thoroughly enjoy it. We get here two hours before it starts. It is

beautiful. The children like the red and rose. It is nice and warm today.

It is usually raining so it is quite good! It must be very good for the

time, a huge amount of money spent in the local shops. A special treat

tonight are the Red Arrows, who never fail to thrill the crowd. It

gives you a birds flying the aircraft. Everybody applauding. They

love it. For the pasty eaters, tensions were high. For some,

disappointment. Two minutes 13, not amazingly happy. At least I finished

it. For others, a three`minute hard`fought battle. Could you eat

another one? No, I am done for today, thank you! And for Andreas,

after unbroken success for seven years, it was 45 seconds of pure

pasty eating glory. CHEERING

So what skills do you think you have? I have just got a big throat.

The others are going, into their second minute. So you will finish of

the leftovers? No! I hope that hasn't put you off your past is too

much, but back to the more serious competition, and phrasing has been

going on all day. I am joined by Commander Chris Morgan from the race

committee. How important is this event? Very important because it is

our premier event of the year. We raced normally from April through to

the end of September, October, but this obviously is a wonderful event

and we get quite a lot of entries down here and we have had some good

sailing. What have weather conditions been like for you? Sunday

and Monday, the yachts raced to Falmouth and back from Falmouth and

that was very good. Tuesday was very good, too. Wednesday we had lots of

sunshine but we didn't have much wind and sailing races do not really

go very well with no wind. But today we have had a very good day. And you

are hopeful for the rest of the week? It is looking pretty good. And

Malcolm paling from the event organisers, this event has been

going on for 100 years, how important is it to Fowey? Really

important, socially and economically. It is a time when

friends and family get`together. It is very important economically as

well. It is a tourism time. It brings a huge number of visitors,

very often the same ones year after year and all the businesses

contribute to the whole week of fun. And the Red Arrows have literally

just flown overhead and amazed us all. How spectacular are they and

how important are they to us? They are the big draw of the week. This

is clearly our busiest day. The Town is packed. We understand that the

Red Arrows think of Fowey is one of their favourite locations because

the backdrop of the scenery is come from entry to their display. What

can we expect for the rest of the weekend? More entertainment, with

music, a children's Sunday, they last night at the Proms racing, a

giant pasty in the next half an hour or so or so, so lots more for

everybody to enjoy. Thank you. With the bank holiday weekend ahead of

this, it looks like there will be plenty more fun for everyone here.

More on the bank holiday weather in a moment but first, many of you have

been in touch about our main story, the badger cull. The legal challenge

to it. Thank you. David Faber is what he calls a very controlled

cull. Michael says there is no need for a cull. He says let farmers get

rid of sick badgers on their land. Jackie says put a badge of vaccine

in food and put it outside badger sets. Thank you for your comments.

As we have been mentioning, there is a bank holiday looming, and as

nature would have it, that means the weather is going to change.

It will start well, but yes, towards the end of the bank holiday, things

going badly. This was just outside Exeter today.

Some fairly grey skies. Pretty dry ground despite showers through

today. But the most notable thing about this cloud is going to be how

much milder to write is. With all that cloud in`place temperatures

will not be dropping as they have done. `` how much milder tonight is.

Much milder tonight, and tomorrow will be much brighter. Plenty of

sunny spells coming through and it is going to be mostly dry. On the

satellite you can see the extent of that cloud that has been screaming

its way across us through the day. Grey skies to be had and it is

thanks to this low pressure. The whole weather front is moving its

way across us tonight. That will lead to heavy showers in the early

hours but behind it, brighter skies and tomorrow is better and Saturday

pretty decent. But this is the feature we're keeping our eyes on.

That is arriving towards the end of Sunday and influencing our weather

on bank holiday Monday. A lot of cloud around. Bright spells here and

there. Also if you showers. As we pushed through tonight, we will see

the showers tending to pep up. `` a few showers. Mostly quite cloudy,

quite a plus picture. Temperatures so different from the past couple of

nights. Down to around three or 4 degrees. In most places hovering in

double figures. If you early showers but they should clear away quite

nicely and we get some sunshine coming out behind. Still quite a

breezy wind admittedly and that will add to the cool feel of the day. But

find yourself a bit of shelter. Get out in the sunshine. Fairly

pleasant. But the Isles of Scilly, much

brighter tomorrow. Just one or two showers. Still the cool breeze

blowing. And if we take a look at the waves

for surfers... Biggest waves generally on the North coast

tomorrow. They will ease up a bit through the day. Generally messy

conditions on the North coast. With the wind coming in from the North

West, some of the spots on our South coast could pick up clean conditions

with the waves a little bit smaller. For the next few days, as you saw,

Saturday looks like a nice day. One or two showers, generally dry with

some sunshine. Sunday starts cold. We could see a touch of grass frost.

Cloud will thicken through the afternoon with rain pushing in

towards the end of Sunday and overnight. As I mentioned earlier,

it is going to be a showery and blustery picture for bank holiday

Monday. Would you like us to end the

programme with some happy news? I think so. Let's go back to GCSE

results. Some of you have been getting into touch with self ease.

Congratulations to Amy. The young farmer. She e`mailed us to say she

has made the grades to get onto her agricultural course. Alison says she

was proud of her grade C in English. Also Charlotte has achieved a C for

her level one science exam. Heather says art is her passion so she's

very happy to have received an A*. And Elspeth wanted to thank all head

teachers in South Malton. She is most proud of her A* in English.

Congratulations to each and every one of them. We would leave you now

with a scene at Fowey in Regatta week.