01/11/2016 Spotlight

Good evening. it. Now on BBC One we

Welcome to Spotlight - tonight, on the brink of delolition.

But could this historic hotdl really be restored to it's former glory?

This was Dartmouth burning six years ago -

but today the devastated Tudor buildings are slowly

Also coming up tonight, the stretch of road where there ve

The owner of this house says drivers are regularly smashing into it

I've had ten cars wrote off outside on my property.

We rummage into the plans to bring in fortnightly collections

And how do you fancy doing time inside Bodmin Jail?

You may think differently when we reveal

Exeter's popular Christmas market may be under threat

following the fire at the city's Royal Clarence hotel

Much of Cathedral Green, where it's held, is expected

to remain cordoned off for several weeks.

Shortly we'll hear from the Dean of the cathedral

on how popular events on thd Green will be managed over

But first heavy machinery today arrived on site to begin delolition

Our correspondent Simon Hall joins us now.

Justin has largely -- work has largely stopped here on sitd today.

Tonight it was really about getting ready for tomorrow. Being prepared

to start demolition work on the remains of the Royal Clarence Hotel.

It was a challenge itself to bring in the machinery that will take down

the Royal Clarence Hotel. That before demolition work even begins.

Meter by meter, the high re`ch excavator edged into Cathedral

greens with cushioning to protect the lane from it several tonne

weight. The community continues to do its best to carry on working

around the greens. This solhcitors is relocating to a temporarx home.

We've been allowed access to the office. We've collected clidnt files

when we need to work on thel urgently. Collected together

stationary, transcription khts, things that allow us to continue our

business. Next to the Royal Clarence is a line of businesses. Di`ne has

just opened a hairdressers here There is no indication when she can

reopen her salon. I was completely shocked. I was just stood at the end

of the road staring into thd distance thinking it could go on

fire at any moment. When I found out it was OK, I still couldn't believe

it was OK. I started to wonder whether I even actually had a salon.

Did I dream it? Absolutely devastated. Four days since the

fire, the scene has been handed to the City Council paving the way for

demolition on the Royal Clarence to begin. That's likely to get under

way tomorrow, contractors s`y. The Fire Service are expected to remain

here for the rest of the wedk damping down hotspots in thd ruined

hotel. Ordinarily, we would go in, turn over the rubble and dalp down

but we can't do that becausd of the building's structure. We have to

take a defensive approach and wait for manifesting of hotspots and then

extinguish them. There is concern about what will be happening to

Exeter's Christmas market. Held on Cathedral greens, a popular feature

of festive city life. It's due to begin in two weeks' time.

With me is the dean of Exetdr Cathedral Jonathan Draper. Hs the

market going to go ahead? Wd've had good conversations with the council

and the company that run thd Christmas market. We have prospects

for doing it but laid out slightly differently from in previous years

because there will be accorded around the Royal Clarence. We will

be able to do it in a Molindux away -- a more linear way than usual

Hopeful. We have sat down whth the City Council and it will go to

planning. There will be a ndw plan for how to lay out the markdt and

we're pretty hopeful it will happen. What about the mighty cathedral

itself? We're really pleased that it looks like we might be able to open

the Cathedral tomorrow mornhng for normal activity. People comhng to

visit and to worship. And a chunk of the greens will be open arotnd the

West End of the Cathedral. Bordering the fencing blocking of the

sanitised area. What will that mean to the Cathedral, yourselves, and

also the city? For us, it's really important. It's our bread and butter

to have the Cathedral open. More importantly, it's a symbol of what

is important for the city. @ place to gather and to be. As we get back

to normal, it helps everyond begin the process of getting back to

normal and that is what we want to do even though there is a great deal

of work to do to cope with the fire. Jonathan Draper, thank you very much

for joining us. It could be a very important day tomorrow. The

reopening of some of Cathedral greens and the start of demolition

work. Thank you. A hamlet in North Cornwall says

despite hundreds of road accidents they're not on the county council's

accident blackspot list. People living in Knightsmill

near St Teath fear nothing will be They believe that because there ve

been no fatal accidents so far, the problem's not

being taken seriously. My car is over this side

where these blocks are. And a car came down from Calelford,

knocked the pole down Straight through my granite pillars.

The gate, the wall. One of them, weighing

about half a tonne, Derek has lost count of the number

of accidents he's witnessed outside his property

in North Cornwall. I've lived there 43 years and we've

had at least 300, more like 500 accidents

over that period of time. I've had ten cars wrote off

outside on my property. At night, locals say drivers

can't see the bend opposite their This happened about

three to four weeks ago. The extent of the damage is,

as you can see, terrible. Just having the estimate

in at roughly ?10,000. They are just missing the bridge,

the cars, and if the traffic Accidents won't happen if wd can get

this road slowed down. Cornwall Council says it pl`ns

to renew road markings and signs but the location isn't on its list

of 200 accident blackspots. I would think we're number one

by the amount of accidents. There's been two people

with broken backs. Because Saint Teath isn't on the 200

accident blackspot list, there could be a lot more accidents

here before it's taken Christine Butler, BBC

Spotlight, Saint Teath. For a moment looking back at the

fire in Exeter. The fire in Exeter has echods

of another devastating blazd in the heart of Dartmouth

six years ago. That too resulted in damage

to historic buildings. One hotelier whose property

was affected then says his heart goes out to the owner

of the Royal Clarence saying the loss of the hotel

will feel like a death. 2010 when a fire in a fish `nd chip

shop rapidly spread through houses and businesses. Some of those

businesses belonged to Nigel. The recent images from Exeter h`ve

brought it all back to him. It is so sad. It is an iconic building.

Andrew Brown sword owns lots of hotels that are iconic buildings.

People are investing in Prelier Inns and things. Old-fashioned btildings

like that are few and far bdtween. A decision on what will replace the

Royal Clarence Hotel is a long way off. This firm of art attacks in

Exeter are used to working on conservation projects. They say a

new hotel is a long way awax and rule against building a carbon copy

of the old one. I think we `re past the stage of week can repair it --

we can. It becomes a Disneyland of what was there before. Never quite

matching up for holding the same level of emotion to the original

building. An engineer from historic England, the body which protects

historic places has visited the ruined hotel and its likely any new

structure will be governed by certain restrictions, as was the

case when damaged buildings in Dartmouth were restored. It had to

be done with bits of Greenotgh. People don't use greener oak to

build any more. The owners `re keen for a sympathetic replacement. It's

something many in the city would welcome.

Now a look at some of the other news in the South West tonight.

A man has died following a house fire in Newton Abbot.

Emergency services were called to the property on King Strdet

yesterday afternoon and found a man with serious injuries.

Devon and Cornwall Police say the fire is not being

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man and a woman

in their seventies were killed in a crash in Somerset yestdrday.

A van and car collided on the A 03 near Buckland St Mary around 1pm.

The road re-opened overnight following police investigathons

South West Water is facing a potential 1.7 million

pound fine over waste water pollution inciddnts

The water watchdog, Ofwat s`id that the company allowed sewage

to spill into the sea on seven occasions in the 12 months

South West Water says progrdss is already being made

A chip shop on the Dorset-Somerset border is now hoping

to come out top at the National Fish and Chip Awards having already

made it into the top ten in the country.

Something Else Fishy in Milborne Port

in the best fish and chip rdstaurant category.

How would you feel if gener`l waste was collected only once a fortnight?

There are fears that if these plans go ahead in Plymouth,

it will lead to more rubbish in the street and more flythpping.

The Conservative administration say those concerns are unfounded

as the service will be modernised with bins and cleansing teals

It's bin day in this part of Plymouth but these rounds probably

And some people think that plans to get rid of these weekly

It's going to be a bit tough because the bins

The only problem I can find is that it makes a mess in the

We have been sheds, but it would still smell.

Obviously, you would stack the bin bags are up,

It's just going to create more problems,

like, rats in the area. It's going to create bad smdlls

Councils will vote on the ndw scheme in the next week.

It will mean we cycle bulls being picked up one week

According to the woman in charge of bringing

the same, there were similar concerns when they introducdd it

For the first few months, people are unsure and that's

where we just need to make sure that we are working

We think this is the right step to take to get Plymouth

in the right place, to incrdase recycling and make

The project aims to save ?750,000 per year.

main goal is to make the city more green.

Currently, Plymouth's recycling rate is 33%, way below the

Here in Plymouth, people rely heavily

Areas such as this absolutely depend on it.

Cutting it will mean more w`ste out in the streets, more fly-tipping,

less hygiene, and that's something nobody wants.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives running the council

They're putting out leaflets against this,

Don't put out leaflets that are against it.

Come and work with others to see what you

want for your area, work for your local people and gdt better

Most English councils are further down

the road than Plymouth when it comes to fortnightly collections.

Threequarters already do it and some,

like East Devon, are rolling out three weekly collection.

We're going to jail in a molent - in fact you could go too with plans

a day at the races as Exeter hosts its biggest horse race of the year.

It's not often that Bodmin Loor is the warmest place

in the country, but that happened today.

All the details later in the programme.

The Environment Agency says many farmers are adding to flood risks

because they're not doing enough to care for the soil.

It says almost forty per cent of sites they have tested

across the region have problems with the earth

becoming too compressed, forcing rainwater onto

Our Environment Correspondent Adrian Campbell has been to

This is a familiar sight during a typical Southwest winter.

Water running off a muddy fheld straight onto a nearby road.

It's something the Environmdnt Agency says farmers

Richard Smith is one of the agencies soil experts.

It is a popular crop with f`rmers but one which involves the

use of heavy farming machindry, even when the soil is wet.

That can compact the soil, causing water to run off.

What we've got here is comp`ct soil and there's no air in

the soil. Very little air.

And, as a result, water hits the top and

It's difficult for it to soak into the soil.

and you will see how dense it is.

This kind of soil is hard for the roots of crops to pdnetrate,

meaning farmers often have to rely on more fertiliser to help dstablish

This is what they are growing in the field here.

This is what we're going to use to demonstrate the problem.

If I pour this, the water, see how quickly it flows over the

That could be going downstrdam, down the valley and

flooding someone's home, couldn't it?

It certainly could be running out the gateway

Ultimately, yes, it could go into people's houses.

We do the same here on this loose and bit, OK.

This crumbly, healthy soil is what farmers want.

The National farmers union says it's helping them to

We do know that from some of the sensitive

farming events that over 96$ of those that have attended have

looked to make changes as a result of what

they've learned, particularly with crops like maize.

The Environment Agency acknowledges the importance

of maize but says it must bd carefully managed to protect

Now fans of the series Poldark will know that,

when he's not breaking hearts, the hero Ross spends

a lot of time getting on the wrong side of the law.

Hence a large number of scenes, like this one,

take place inside Cornwall's most notorious prison -

I wish you justice, if there's any to be found.

Which there ain't. As we both know.

So luck it must be. For us both then.

Well, now, just like Ross, you could have the chance

of an extended stay at the real Bodmin Gaol.

The historic building has bden bought by a Russian businessman

Jane Chandler's been for a look around.

In opposing, ominous, an inviting. This was the county jail of Cornwall

for many years. It's thick `nd it was housed 200 prisoners. Now there

are plans to create 65 guest rooms in the prison cells. The lower two

floors will be transformed hnto a new museum attraction and the upper

three floors will be part of a 5 room hotel. I arrived on a wet day

and walked into this space. It just captivates you, really. It's a

cathedral like space but for prisoners so it has a strange, eerie

feel. It's an amazing space. A vision of how the jail could thrive

in the modern world came during a family visit by a Russian

businessman. It inspired hil to buy it. He wants to preserve history and

for guests to enjoy it. At last there is somebody around thhs with

the will and the gumption to preserve history. If all gods

according to plan, it could be open within five years. Better book now.

Jane Chandler reporting frol Bodmin jail.

Many of us will remember a teacher from school -

someone who influenced us, and sometimes we remember them,

But a head teacher from Devon has been hailed as one of

Jane English picked up a prdstigious Pearson teaching award

at a ceremony in London, after 34 years at Paignton Community

Scott Bingham went along to find out why she's dedicated her carder

The winner, from Paignton community and sports academy...

As soon is they said Paignton, I knew instantly

that I had won. I mean, I was so excited.

It was just such a privilege and a pleasure.

After last week's glittering ceremony, Jane English

where it all began as a PE teacher

She proudly showed me some of those achievements, including the

If you ask me about what do I think of most when I

think of the achievements we've made, it's the young people.

I can go walking in the supermarket,

or in the town of and somebody will tap

me on the shoulder and say,

"I just need to speak to you for a minute."

I just need to tell you and I feel wonderful stories of young people

Ad one of those young peopld is Hugh Maynard, now a

Jane English has taught three generations of some

local families and staff, p`rents and pupils are rightly proud of her

She's not like other headteachers who just sit in an

You can actually see her and she's walking

around and she's really friendly to people.

I haven't seen many teachers that have been at one school for so

long and how much determination and passion she is put into one school,

I can honestly say, I've enjoyed every single d`y.

Jane plans to retire next E`ster but won't quit education

She hopes to continue her work overseas with the British

What lovely tributes from the pupils. Obviously very proud of

their headteacher and rightly so. It's Exeter's biggest horse race

of the year and today the Haldon Gold Cup produced

a finish to match its status. A 10/1 outsider beat the favourite

by the narrowest of margins. That was good news for

the bookies but also for those We sent Hamish Marshall to sample

Gold Cup day at Exeter. All roads lead to the races.

And trying to beat the bookhe. This is the most prize monex

for any fixture all year. Obviously, as you can see, we get

plenty of people to come and enjoy it as well

so it's a great day for us. As the form's assessed,

there's a big question, It's a lovely day.

Always good racing up here. So, yes.

Looking forward to it. You've got your race card there

what do you think? I think Resolution Bay

will win this today. Backing him with a decent alount

of money? I may be.

We'll have to see. I better not say as

the wife might hear. And others were backing a previous

winner of the top This is the one they are

putting their faith in. Dodging Bullets was in great form

two seasons ago, not so much last season, will it be able

to repay the faith Just over a lap of a track

saw Dodging Bullets finished third, two others fought

out a titanic battle for first place Not a lot.

About 25 quid, or so. I thought it wouldn't be

out of the first three. And it was a first big win

for Sir Valentino's I wasn't too confident when I passed

the line but Richard said well done, I thought he'd h`ve more

experience than I but... Yeah.

It's tough. No matter how confident you are

It's always tough. I think Hamish was tipping Dodging

Bullets. I hope you didn't put any money on it. A lovely day today

Not often that Cornwall gets the highest temperature of anywhere in

the country but it did todax. Unusual to CDs temperatures on the

first day of November. Sadlx, it's the last time we're going to CDs

figures for some time. Colddr air is heading our way. By the timd we get

to Sunday, back down with a bump. Just nine degrees. We've got an area

of low pressure developing over the next 24 hours, or so. Tomorrow, a

cold start. A touch of Frost but mostly fine weather. The ch`nge is

being brought about by this weather front. It sinks steadily sotth

tonight. Moving steadily into northern France. All the whhle,

followed by colder air. Pretty good until the next weather systdm

arrives. It brings them patchy rain. By the time we get to Fridax, we've

got an area of low pressure across the British Isles and colder air

will follow for the weekend. Saturday and Sunday, colder air for

all abuzz and quite blusterx conditions. There's that laxer of

cloud in more detail continting its journey southwards. A lot of low

cloud and misty conditions for a time. The last three hours before

light in the morning we see the cloud clear and where we get that

clear sky, it means temperatures will quickly tumbled to between one

and three degrees, cold enotgh for some frost to form. Tomorrow,

certainly a day when we will need a jumper. Quite a drop in

temperatures. A top figure of just 11-12 Celsius. For the Isles of

Scilly, bright and dry but feeling colder. Not much for our surfers.

We are back to normal by thd end of the week and into the weekend.

Northerly winds and temperatures between ten and 12 Celsius. Have a

good week. Thanks for your d-mails on bin collections. Many of you

saying fortnightly collections aren't a problem. We will sde you

later this evening in the l`te bulletin. Until then, good

He's a scientist, brilliant apparently.

But you may be bringing people over here who did things during the war.

I will not work for you. I will not work for the British Government