29/07/2011 BBC Channel Islands News

A Jersey teenager is seriously injured after an attack by a polar

bear in the Arctic. We speak to Patrick Flinders' father. I said,

do not tell me he is dead. He said, he is injured. I said, that is good

enough for me. Olympic dreams, but find out what

this Channel Islander has to get over before she even gets to the

Olympics. And closer to home, Guernsey

football club prepare to launch their first campaign in the English

It Jersey teenager has been seriously injured trying to save a

friend from a polar bear attack. 16-year-old Patrick Flinders was

one of three Channel Islanders on a trip to the Arctic, organised by

the British Schools Exploring Society. A polar bear attacked one

group this morning as they camped, killing one 17-year-old boy and

injuring four other people including Patrick.

Training for the trip of a lifetime. Patrick Flinders pictured before he

set off to explore the Svalbard Islands, off the north coast of

Norway. Little did Patrick and his team know what lay in store. A

polar bear attack early this morning which killed one teenager

and seriously injured four others, including Patrick. At home in

Jersey, Patrick's dad Terry could only watch the news roll in just

hours after getting the phone call every parent dreads. I said, do not

tell me he is dead. He said, he is injured. I said, that is good

enough for me. The polar bear attacked Patrick and

his friends as they lay asleep in their tent. Patrick had famously

boasted that he was not scared of polar bears before he set off. True

to his word, he stood between the animal and a team mate, punching it

to save his friend, before of the creature turned on him.

He was trying to fend off the Polar Bear by hitting it on the nose. Why,

I do not know. But he did. And the polar bear attacked him. With his

right pop, across his face and his arm.

The polar bear that attacked the group was eventually shot. Patrick

is now in hospital in Norway where his condition is not to described

as life threatening. Terry is hoping to have him home within a

week. Patrick was not the only Channel

Islander on the expedition. Herm teenager Richard Bailey was also

there. He was not injured and has now been taken off the ice. The 17-

year-old Kyle Gouveira from Jersey was on the trip as well. He was

sent home early because he suffered severe frost nip in the extreme

Arctic conditions. I spoke to Kyle a little earlier and asked him how

much training the group was given against polar bears. We had a

training weekend a few months ago. We learnt about rifles, how to

clean them, how to fire them. We learnt about watching forebears.

And we did some practice bear what is it do the night just to get a

feel. -- bear watches through the night. It could have been used. How

do you feel about that? I am a little traumatised to think

that it could have been me. I was lucky to be sent home. I had frost

nip, but luckily I did not lose my fingers. The group that got

attacked will be very scared, I am not sure exactly. Probably mixed

emotions, and all of the other groups as well because there are a

lot of groups, and they will be worried if it will happen to them.

Do you have any there -- any regrets?

I have no regrets and I thoroughly enjoyed it and I knew what the

risks were. It is a freak accident. But I learnt so much.

In other news today, up to ten people face losing their jobs at

Jersey Pottery. The ceramics company, which employs 200 staff,

is selling its main site which has been in the Gorey village since

1946. The building will belong to Dandara Properties from spring next

year. Jersey Pottery will close down its pottery making factory on

site. Jonathan Jones, the director, says it is a shame but staff will

You are watching the BBC in the Channel Islands. Later in Spotlight

with Justin and Victoria, take a look at this unusual animal spotted

The London Olympics might be a year away but crunch time comes a lot

sooner for one Channel Islands hopefuls. Badminton player

Elisabeth Cann from Jersey has to breeze through the World

Championships first. The competition starts on Monday and

could gain Elizabeth a vital point for her Olympic qualifying campaign.

Our correspondent has been to watch her train in Milton Keynes.

Intensive training for England from just 13 years old. Elisabeth Cann

is working up to the London Olympics but to have a chance of

hitting a home victory there, she needs to smash some sets at the

World Championships. They are major championships and there there is a

lot of ranking towards Olympic qualifying so it is important.

that an indicator for 2012? Not so much an indicator but if you

do well, I'd caused in your favour. It helps with your world ranking. -

- it goes in your favour. England's number one singles

champion and just claiming the team and individual bronze medals at

last year's Commonwealth Games, the pressure is on for her. The titles

are testament to her drive from a young age which she did not feel

the Channel Islands could support. There are not the support structure

has in place in the island, and you need other people to play. With a

back injury now behind her, cutting a fighting form is still a mighty

task but one she is tackling head- How important are the Olympics?

That would be the absolute pinnacle of everything. Hitting the right

shots will certainly bring her Olympic dream a step closer to

reality. The most important development in

Guernsey sport in the last century. That is how Guernsey FC's entry

into the Combined Counties Football League Division One is being

described. The first match of the season kicks off tomorrow.

Training hard ahead of their first competitive match against Knaphill

FC. Win or lose, the result will go down in history as Guernsey FC

start a new chapter in local football. More than 1,000 fans are

expected to fill the stands to witness it. Along with the support

team that have helped them get there. There will be nerves. The

whole place will be in -- gripped with excitement. We are waiting to

say who gets there with the selection. But whoever gets a

starting shirt, I think the support will be there. We are very excited.

Based on the support we have had during the friendlies, I hope to

see all of those new friends again. It is not only the players that

have been putting in the effort ahead of the game. Work has also

been taking place to make sure the pitches up to scratch.

It is not just me doing it. We have had good comments were lately. We

will see if the comments could coming as the season progresses!

recent friendly matches are anything to go by, Guernsey should

have plenty of home support and as the players will only get one

chance to win the Scot's first ever competitive match, every chant will

be appreciated. The weekend is finally here. But in

Alderney, every day has felt like Friday this week. There have been

par rates and parties. Emma Thomas This weekend is definitely the

weekend to go to Alderney. There there are lots of free activities.

This team are waiting for the raft race to begin.

We are very serious about not coming first.

There was serious cheating, mostly by the police.

The lifeboat, pouring oil of her troubled waters. After a bit more

cheating, and a lot of scrambling, the pirates were first over the

line. We did a lot of work for this. We

all took 10, tying a rope, topping the water melon to throw at the

lifeboats. It was hard work but we got there.

What does it feel like to win? was great.

The population of old and a doubles during the festival. Here are the

I want to be in that raft race next year. Now let's get a look at the

We can expect some rain in the form of showers on Saturday and Sunday.

There may well be more persistent rain tomorrow afternoon, coming up

from the South. Looking at the big picture, there are areas of low

pressure surrounding, and no sign of things settle in. This high

pressure ridge will not stay and deliver -- these areas of low

pressure will generate showers. Perhaps even more persistent rain.

Through Sunday, after a fine start, you will see a scattering of

showers. Overnight, fairly quiet. One or two showers but mainly dry

with quite a lot of cloud. Temperatures down to 13 or 14

degrees. There will be some brightness tomorrow, and perhaps in

the middle of the afternoon the risk of more persistent rain before

the sunshine comes back out. 19 degrees will be the highest

temperature. Here is the coastal waters forecast. Times of high

water now. Messy conditions for surfers, up to around two are three

feet. Continuing risk of showers for Sunday. Increasingly breezy

with some had -- some heavy showers and the risk of some thunder in the