29/08/2014 Spotlight

sunny spells. A story with a happy ending.

And the fish are jumping ` find out why hundreds of thousands

The last time the tall ships came here, ?18 million was ploughed into

the economy. This is the fifth time they have come here. It seems they

never lose their appeal. 45 magnificent ships have docked in

Falmouth and it is expected to 1000 visitors will come either to look on

board or just marvel at the spectacle or to watch them leave. We

have been looking at what it means financially. Falmouth has a long

history of the docks adding to the wealth of the town. This is where

the traders and merchants met to enjoy themselves. What did the

traders and merchants after they get out of ships bringing in British

pounds? Those making the money are not just the hotels and campsites,

they get just less than half. 30p goes to bars and restaurants, the

remainder is spent in shops. Some of the pennies end up in the pockets of

businesses that are not immediately obvious. You think of ice cream

getting a lot of business, but you are a furniture shop. People come

from outside of the county. There are a lot of students and their

parents come to see them. They are happy to buy homes down here. It is

estimated that all ships will bring at least ?70 million into Cornwall.

When the event was staged in 1998, we spoke to one shop owner. No

traffic, people can walk about. We have been back to see her. That was

me. We have had two more festivals since. However been? We have been

building on the experience. 2008 was successful. Look who is here. These

big events are increasingly important. Why is that? People are

looking for more. 85% of our customers come back. They say an

average of six nights. People are very fond of Cornwall, but may want

another reason to come back, so an event like this triggers it. Like a

lot of things in life, you could be thinking, I will buy that someday,

but if another event is on, all of a sudden they come down. Why isn't as

good enough? Why do they need a big attraction? I think we want more

from life generally. It is not instead of the coast and their

heritage, it is in addition. Did the builders of tall ships or steam

trains ever imagined their heavy industry would be light

entertainment? So far it has been going

marvellously well. I'm joined by the event manager. How challenging has

this been? It has been fairly challenging. I have had a huge

amount of support from many partners and the emergency services, so it

has been a team effort. Everyone is talked about visitor numbers, it

looks like it has been teeming with people. How many have been?

Yesterday, 18,000 came through the gate. Today we topped 20,000, huge

numbers. And the weather is set to improve. I think tomorrow will be a

very busy day for us. Can you tell us about the ships? We have 45 here

and they are from all over. There from Holland, Germany, Poland. Not a

lot from the UK, as it is a bit of the regatta from here to Greenwich.

This is the fifth time the ships have been here. I remember some past

events. Why do they come back? I think it is partly to do with the

welcome and how we organise the event. The crews enjoy coming here

and putting on some great sports. Generally, they enjoy coming to the

port and we love having them. Figures bandied about, ?18 million

last time, how big a deal is it for the area? It is huge. Absolutely

enormous. It is the biggest event of this year in the south`west. We hope

to top the figures from 2008. Thank you for talking to us. That is all

from us for now. I will send you back, but we will see you later in

the programme. Blackouts could be on the way

in the South West within the next five to ten years

unless something is done to tackle That's the warning from an expert

at the University of Exeter. The comments come

as plans are considered for a gas`fired power plant

on a flood plain in Exeter which Our environment correspondent

Adrian Campbell reports. We rely on electricity for

so much in our daily lives. We have become used to

the idea that it is always available But for various reasons

our assumptions about Dr Peter Connor is an expert

in energy policy, based at There are a lot of stresses

on the National Grid and the local In West Devon, for example,

it is difficult to add capacity. There are other stresses

from demand. In the future, we will see more

intermittent sources like renewables put on the network

and that will add to the stresses. Over recent years,

there has been a big growth is solar There has also been an increase

in the number of large wind It is hoped in time this country

could eventually produce around half of its electricity needs

from renewable sources. What happens when the wind does not

blow and the sun does not shine? This area

in Plymouth can produce gas, but the In Exeter,

there are proposals for a gas`fired There would be a number

of gas generators which would be But

the local Green Party is not happy. This energy plant is being sited,

like the incinerator, in a flood We need to have investment in

renewables, energy efficiency and the Government needs to talk about

reducing demand for electricity, The Government says there had been

delays in decision`making by previous administrations,

but it says it is confident it can A number of smaller diesel`generated

plants are also been proposed The dispute at the top of Plymouth

University could cost the organisation funding and investment,

according to a city MP. Oliver Colvile is calling on the university

to quickly resolve the row which has seen the Chairman of Governors step

aside while an investigation into sexual harassment claims is carried

out. Judge William Taylor strongly denies the allegations. The Vice

Chancellor has been placed on leave pending investigations into a

separate matter. John Henderson has Over the last five years, ?143

million has been invested by the University. It is a signal of how

big the university has become, a business that supports 4000 jobs and

accounts for ?250 million across the south`west. But there is concern

that future investment plans could be affected by trouble at the top.

One MP says he will raise the issue with ministers. The University is a

key player in the city and it is something I welcome, it is very

important. We need to make sure that we have the right messages and that

Plymouth is a place that people invest in and they should be making

sure that we're not striving anybody away from doing that. At the moment,

there are two investigations going on in the upper echelons. The

chairman of governors has temporarily stepped aside while

allegations of sexual harassment are investigated. He strongly denies the

claims. Meanwhile, the Chief Executive is under investigation for

a different matter and has been placed on leave. In a statement, the

University's Deputy Vice Chancellor said he had reassured Mr, though as

well as the wider community that the parties are trying to resolve the

current situation as quickly as possible. It went on to say the

University is active in attracting millions of pounds in inward

investment into the region. Among exciting projects are some

significant developments in marine sectors.

The Devon and Cornwall Police Force says it's disappointed that the GMB,

Unison and Unite unions have voted to reject plans to re`grade civilian

jobs and salaries. Almost 400 staff at Devon and Cornwall Police face

wage cuts under the proposals. Some could lose thousands of pounds. All

public bodies have been required to go through job evaluation in an

attempt to ensure fair pay for staff. The force says the current

Now, over the past few weeks a fish`feeding frenzy has been

In some places, shoals of mackerel have chased

Scientists believe the reason it's happening so close to land could be

The sea appears to boil as thousands of tiny whitebait try

These pictures were filmed the Dorset coast.

Last night, in Plymouth, the tiny fish were once again being hunted.

The mackerel chasing them up the slipway.

The mackerel will be corralling the whitebait into the tightest area.

At the point of attack, there is no response, it is just panic.

It causes them to jump and creates the boiling effect and

they are just chancing the odds that they get away from the mackerel.

The mackerel have ended up being hunted themselves.

Anglers in Plymouth have been catching them by the bucket load.

This is the first time I have been, I have caught 30.

It is unusual, especially here, it is good sport.

Marine scientists say the whitebait don't usually swim

It is thought the winter storms and the churning of the seas may

have helped create the perfect conditions for the small fish.

It may have brought nutrients that may support greater numbers

The whitebait have a very short lifespan, very fast,

They can take advantage of the higher numbers.

Sea temperatures should remain a warm for further whitebait to

The mackerel meanwhile will be filling up for the winter

Onto the sports now. The cricket team has just returned to Devon with

a special trophy. This little beauty is

the Minor Counties Cricket Cup which Devon one 48 hours ago when they

beat Oxfordshire by seven runs. The captain is

a physiotherapist here. We will be talking to him

in a few moments. First, the weekend's football

and Yeovil Town targets their first home win of the new campaign

when Barnsley visit in League One. They have scored only three

times in the league and quickly In League Two, Plymouth Argyle tried

to get their second win at home, Phil Brown's Southend will provide

a stern test. Still without a win, Exeter City

want to win their match. Torquay United go

for their first away win Helen Glover harbours hopes

of retaining her World Championship title tomorrow lunchtime

in Amsterdam. Glover has been reunited with her

Olympic gold medal partner The duo easily won

their qualifying heat. It will be a major shock

if they don't win the final. This little handsome thing isn't

really mine, I don't mind holding it, but let us pass it to

the rightful man and that is the What does it mean to the players

and the club? It is something we have been

working towards all season. We have played good cricket through

the year. Quite a tough pill to take if we had

not won it, it was a close game. Scott Barlow, fantastic,

four wickets. It changed the balance

of the game. The winners' name hasn't been put

on the trophy, who does that? The trophy has had

a couple busy days. I'm sure that will

be sorted out soon. Well, well`deserved,

many congratulations. All the sports news can be heard

on local radio. That is all from me in the studio.

Now with more on the tall ships, it's back to Natalie.

Thank you. I am on`board the biggest ship here. It is from Poland and is

called... It means gift of youth. It has got the largest crew, which

should mean it will stand a good chance when all of the ships starts

to race to Greenwich. It will be marvellous. It will be difficult to

see them, though. I will give you more details later. The ships are

spectacular. But there is more going on than looking at ships. Although

the tall ships are the main attraction, there is plenty to do.

There are pirates and some or omission. You cannot have on our

monks pirates. `` honour amongst. He said he would give us half, he

hasn't. We have come to get it back. Then the battle begins. With a few

shots from the tall ship, and then the Spanish arrived. It was quite

impressive how they came from over the mountain. They just climbed

over. I like how they were shouting. Very pirates alike. On the beaches,

they are battling it out as crews from the ships display their muscle

power. This team from China, the first crew to take part in the

regatta. The whole experience, we've had a lot of fun. And the weather is

holding up. A good day. In between the battles, there is plenty to eat

and drink. Even the town's car parks have been turned into restaurants.

There is music on every street corner. See shanties, of course. I

used to play the recorder at school, but playing the bagpipes is a bit

more hard work. How am I doing? A few more years. All lifetimes,

perhaps. `` all. Medieval music probably best left to the

professionals. The entertainment continues into the weekend and

should keep all pirates happy. I have some lovely guest here with me

now. Tell me your part in all of this? I am the chief operating

officer. We run the event overall, both here and in Greenwich when the

ships arrive there. The boat were on is called Gift Of Youth and that is

apt, isn't it? 50% of the crews will be the aged between 15 and 25. On

the ship, there are nearly 200 people, but only 30 are actually

professional crew, the rest are trainees. How difficult is it to

organise this? We have been doing it for a long time. It has been going

on sometime. We have a proven model. It is great to be back. So why does

the event keep coming back? This is the fifth time, isn't it? I think

this is a port we have been most two in the UK. It has great people. The

Cornish people are always great to work with. And they help young

people to go on board and train. Which leaves us onto the two girls

we have here. You too will be sailing on Sunday, aren't you? How

do you feel? It is an amazing opportunity. Once`in`a`lifetime. I

am a bit nervous, it is our first time on a big boat, we only sale

little ones normally. We go sailing once a week during the summer. What

will you be racing to Greenwich on? We will be racing on a yacht, 17.5

metre one from Belgium. It not the one you were originally on. No,

originally we were to be on a massive tall ship. But

unfortunately, due to propeller problems, it is not taking part in

the festival. So you will be on a swanky yacht? Yes, it takes 15

people and it is great. Yes, we all get hands`on experience as there

will be less people. Where do you go when you leave Falmouth? First, we

go up to... Help her out. Isle Of Wight and then we are right crews

sort of thing up to Greenwich. That is where we dock in Canary Wharf.

Fantastic. We will get back into Greenwich on the next Saturday. Good

luck, girls. They will be all right, won't they? They will have a great

time. They are very accomplished already. It is such an experience

for the youngsters. Especially for people who love sailing already. On

the yacht, it is a lovely boat, a great captain, but they will get

real hands`on experience, maybe more than they would on their original

choice of vessel. Good luck, bon voyage. We want good weather. Dan,

will it be lovely on Sunday? It is an improving picture through

the weekend. We will see the winds for a bit lighter, mostly dry with

some sunshine. We will also start to feel warmer. Let's have a look at

the big picture. You can see the amount of cloud we have had. Channel

Islands is faring much better. Thanks to the area of low pressure,

we are still seeing weather fronts getting drawn in. Overnight, a cold

front comes in and brings further outbreaks of light rain. It is clear

by tomorrow, so mostly dry day. We should see winds falling. Into

Sunday, high pressure starts pushing in and keeps things settled. More in

the way of sunshine. You will notice that some pressure is coming in. It

is drawing in weather fronts on Sunday and for most of Monday. It

will turn things cloudy again. Taking a look at today, you can see

showers coming through, quite a lot of cloud around. Generally, a rather

grey day. As we get into tonight, it stays quite dull, some mist and fog

falling over the moors. Further showers overnight and you can see

different travelling through. It should clear most of us by first

thing tomorrow morning. A fairly cloudy night with a rain and

temperatures will hold up for most of us. They won't fall much below 30

Celsius. Into tomorrow, if you are off burly enough you may catch the

end of that front. `` 13 Celsius. Increasingly, there will be

brightness, some sunshine will break through, winds will ease back a

little as well. Temperatures should reach around 18 or 19 Celsius.

Further inland, it should feel warmer than it has, a bit of a

breeze around the coast, but it will be lighter. For the hours `` for the

Isles of Scilly, a dry and fine day for most. High water at 8:04am. If

you are heading down to foul mouth, high water there at 804 `` 8:40am.

Serve wise, less than we have seen today, but you will see, winds

coming from a westerly direction, turning a bit choppy or bit messy.

The coastal waters forecast next. Winds, force four to six. Generally,

good visibility, and mainly fairweather wants the showers have

gone overnight. Then our outlook. Tomorrow is an improving picture, as

I say, some cloud, winds falling later into Sunday and it is

generally a dry inbred day, some good sunny spells to be enjoyed. ``

a dry day. Cloudy for a time. Maybe cloudy at first. It should improve.

Into the middle of next week, temperatures will pick up into the

mid`20s. The output is not `` outlook is not too bad. Back to you,

Natalie. That doesn't sound too bad. If you want to know, the parade of

sale starts at 11, the race is at 4pm. That will be four miles out to

sea, so you will need binoculars, but we will be filming at all, so

keep in touch with our bulletins throughout the weekend and on

Monday. That is all from us here, I will now leave you with some sea

shanty singers who set the mood perfectly. From everyone here, good

night. Memories of an era.

# Remind us of the way of life from long, ago.

# There are clippers # From around the world # A splendid array # When