02/10/2013 BBC Channel Islands News

The headlines from the Channel Jersey's level of unemployment is at

its highest for over 40 years. This impacts on individuals and families

and the Jersey the numbers are high. A radical plan to overhaul two town

centres is published. And find out why these students per among goalie

are here in the Channel Islands why these students per among goalie

why it could be the start of things Jersey's level of unemployment is at

its highest for over 40 years. Figures out today reveal more than

3000 people were out of work in Figures out today reveal more than

— the highest level since records insists the jobless rate is still

significantly lower than the UK insists the jobless rate is still

Europe and money is being spent insists the jobless rate is still

tackle the problem. Tim Robinson Claudia on the hunt for a new job in

Jersey. She's hoping this job club, I am a full—time money at the moment

and having three children and being a single mum I have not had the

And Claudia isn't alone looking a single mum I have not had the

work. Government figures out today show 5.7% of the workforce were

unemployed in June — the highest It equates to 3200 islanders looking

for work, including both those Actively Seeking Work and people who

haven't officially registered. Over the last year, the biggest the

sector with the biggest employment drop was wholesale and retail. It

includes the fulfillment industry, which has faced turbulent times

Overrule the wholesale and retail sector saw a fall of about 250

Hotels, restaurants and bars took on more people than last year, as did

the government. Ministers insisted the jobless rate is significantly

low compared to countries around the world but told me they're spending

millions on a raft of measures to drive up employment across the

We have two continue to work hard, support businesses and look at the

sectors particularly impacted by retail. We have seen hundreds of

jobs go and that is why we have retail. We have seen hundreds of

up the retail development scheme. There are issues but we are doing

quite a bit of work to address attends is one of States' efforts to

get people back to work. Bosses attends is one of States' efforts to

They get work experience, we teach them the essentials they need, we

help them with their CV. We give them a well rounded package of

training that enables them to stand Claudia hopes the coaching she's

receiving will help her to be back States hope the other thousands

unemployed in Jersey won't be too A radical plan to overhaul the two

main town centres in Guernsey has been published today. Known as

main town centres in Guernsey has enhance life in the island deep

main town centres in Guernsey has the 21st century. But at this stage

it's still unclear how much it will cost and who is going to pay. Mike

Often referred to as the jewel in Guernsey's crown, the harbour town

of St Peter Port. But some feel Guernsey's crown, the harbour town

could be even better. As part of the Strategic Land Use plan a vision for

the town and St Sampson's has been published, mapping out a possible

future for each area over the next 20 years. There are grand plans

including a complete re—design of the waterfront to better connect the

harbour with the town. Other ideas include underground car parks at the

terminal and wrestling control of the streets from the car to enable

more pedestrianised areas. But how much could all this cost and who is

It is not a construction programme, it is a vision for a 20 year period.

People can make decisions in this framework and private investors

People can make decisions in this plug in to the concept. We have

People can make decisions in this ambitious plans to re—model and

including a Bridge here at the Bridge. But what do people make

including a Bridge here at the these plans? —— including building a

bridge. It will cost a lot of money but I think it is worth trying.

If they are taking away parking spaces, what about people with

Charlie is a butcher. He's not convinced any of this will ever

I have been here 15 years. From convinced any of this will ever

one I heard things about the bridge and it has never happened. You need

money to do it. I do not think we The Vision may sound like a nice

idea, but until there's more meat on the bones some members of the public

And you can hear more about the Vision for St Peter Port and St

Sampson's harbours at Breakfast Vision for St Peter Port and St

BBC Guernsey with Jim Cathcart from Jersey Rugby Club and its player Ben

Maidment are due to appear before a disciplinary panel. They're charged

with breaching a rule of good faith towards the game's governing body.

Maidment was sent off during a friendly match against Coventry

Maidment was sent off during a then banned for one match. Jersey

arranged a friendly in France, meaning the ban could be served

arranged a friendly in France, pre—season and he would be available

for the first Championship league game of the season. The RFU says the

match never took place and it was Sark's government has passed its

budget for 2014, which will see majority in Chief Pleas to increase

capital taxes, duty on alcohol and Parishioners in the Jersey parish of

Grouville are voting for a new constable today. There are two

candidates for the role, Charles Dix and John Le Maistre. It comes after

the death of the former constable The latest proposition for electoral

reform in Jersey would see the number of States members reduced to

47 instead of the current 51. It's been put forward by Deputy Andrew

Green and is the latest proposition parliament after members rejected

the outcome of a referendum in July. Well, BBC Radio Jersey's Political

Reporter Chris Rayner is with me. The role of Parish Constable split

opinion last time — does Deputy He's included them in his options

for change, which also include Senators and electing equal numbers

of Deputies from seven large voting districts. Deputy Green is among

several States members to suggest a way forward, mixing some of the

ideas from the Electoral Commission constables, we keep getting told by

one group constables are not wanted in the assembly, by the other group

that they are. Nobody has asked in the assembly, by the other group

question. I would like to ask it and get the answer. But let's not forget

what happened the last time they held a referendum. After months

what happened the last time they work by the Electoral Commission and

a referendum that chose Option B, the States ignored the public vote

and is now trying to decide what reforms are suitable. We ask the

public what they made of yet another referendum. —— we asked. It is sad

that they have not done what people asked for but at the end of the

that they have not done what people they have two do what they think is

the right thing. It is practically the biggest issue that could affect

the States so I think everybody the biggest issue that could affect

the duty to get involved. I think the people who are passionate will

go out and vote again so hopefully it will not make a difference.

This will be discussed by the States next month along with the other

ideas for reform. As to whether we're any closer now to resolving

the issue of electoral reform in Jersey, well, it's taken them years

to get here and some are promoting changes first suggested over a

A group of Mongolian students have made the long journey from Asia

A group of Mongolian students have Guernsey to get — quite literally —

a flavour of Island life. They're on a school exchange trip with the

College of Further Education. And, something which could happen a lot

A local delicacy — cooked up by something which could happen a lot

students looking to get a taste something which could happen a lot

Having travelled more than 5000 miles — from Inner Mongolia. They're

on an student exchange trip. Today it was all about food — and it

Or at least the experience was — even if they weren't all so sure

experiencing. It tastes different, I think. Do you like the taste? I

experiencing. It tastes different, I It has been a cultural experience

for them. They have enjoyed working with my students. A bubbly a couple

of little cuts but apart from that it has been good fun. —— probably a

couple. And a chance for the local ask them about how they study and

how hard it is but also about how As the starter was served up, with

The misty, damp weather continues but there risks are much brighter

sunshine will break through the but there risks are much brighter

cloud and it will get better but for the moment we have the risk of heavy

rain. That will arrive through the morning, some of it quite intense,

the risk of thunder and torrential through the afternoon but still

misty and with showers. Quite windy morning. The low pressure has been

stuck to the west of us for four or five days. It now begins to move

away to the North, dragging this line from the south. Very warm but

moist air through the morning. Eventually it will all move out

moist air through the morning. the way and as the low pressure

moves away from us it takes away the mist and an area of high pressure

follows. That will be around through the weekend as well. Overnight

tonight, largely dry, a small chance of a few showers but misty, mild,

degrees, but also quite windy. For tomorrow morning we have all of

degrees, but also quite windy. For cloud and rain returning. Some of

that will be quite heavy during cloud and rain returning. Some of

course of the morning, the middle of the day, only slowly teetering out

as we move towards the evening. the day, only slowly teetering out

the coastal waters the winds are south or southerly, Force five or

Drier and brighter as we move into the weekend. There might be a few

showers possible overnight, but improves. By the time we get to

A touch of Hollywood glamour has come to Jersey this evening. Lady

Sandals is in the harbour — no, come to Jersey this evening. Lady

not a woman that fell in but a come to Jersey this evening. Lady

million yacht, formerly owned by the paying a flying visit to Jersey

million yacht, formerly owned by the its way from the Mediterranean to

rolling one—day strikes taking place across England.

Coming up later in the programme, an appreciation of art. The youngsters

getting a master class thanks to this masterpiece. He started off

with drawing, and he got really better and better. And then he

started wooing painting. And we'll meet the mid air arrival

who surprised the crew of a Royal Navy helicopter.

Parents of children with disabilities say plans to expand the

work of a research unit in Devon will provide a lifeline for hundreds

of families. The Peninsula Cerebral Research Unit, which is based at the

University of Exeter Medical School, has secured funding for the next six

years. Heidi Davey has been to meet some of the families working with

the team. It is in the book, and it is on...

Harrison and Cooper are identical twins but leave different lives.

When the boys were born six years ago, life drastically changed for

the family as Harrison has cerebral palsy and is registered blind. For a

parent company have got a disabled child, the first years, your life is

about coming to terms with that disability, understanding this new

world that you live in, the special needs world. Unless you have a

relative with a disability, we knew nothing about this parallel world

that exists alongside the mainstream one. It was discovering the

Peninsula Cerebral Research Unit that change things for Julia and her

family. It is having the opportunity to use my name, be regarded as an

expert in my parent carer role, is hugely important when self—esteem.

It is here at the University of Exeter medical school that the

research team are based. Their work is highly praised due to its hands

on approach. It is not about laboratories, it is working directly

with families, and they are thrilled to have been awarded nearly

£800,000. It is fantastic or couple of reasons. We have built up what we

call our family faculty, a couple of hundred families of disabled

children, commonly in Devon but also in Cornwall. We interact with them

by e—mail and what is so fantastic about the funding it will enable us

to invest in continuing network, and not pulling away from them. It is

something Julia and families like hers will be extremely pleased to

hear. A school in Cornwall says it's

cutting pupil absences by helping parents book a cheaper family

holiday. While some South West schools say parents will be fined

£120 for unauthorised absences, others are taking a more sympathetic

approach. From St Austell, Eleanor Parkinson reports.

These children are working hard at a music lesson but when it comes to

holidays, they have a clear idea of what they like to do. I like to

barbecue and just go to different places that I've never been to

before and just learn more about the country. I go to different

countries, I've been to France, Spain, Africa, America, lots of

other countries around the border. At this time of year, many parents

are beginning to some through holiday brochures looking for a good

deal for the summer. Because many holiday companies put up the price

chewing school holiday time, some parents say they are being forced to

take children out drink ten time. Some local authorities have

threatened to fine parents who take during our during term time. But at

this school they believe they have come up with an answer. They are

giving parents more flexibility by creating a two—week half term break

in the summer using teacher training days. The head of the school says it

has cut teacher and Mrs —— pupil absences. Education is the mother ——

most important thing, but we await that some of the seasonal workers

are on low wages and are unable to take a holiday at the other times.

The longer half term has gone down well with parents. People need to

look at opportunities to save money, they have not got disposable income

so they need to look at other options if they want a family

holiday. They have been particularly understanding of families down

here, lots of parents work seasonal work and also acknowledging the

current economic climate. So when it is school is out at this school, it

is hoped the change will keep everyone happy and in class at the

right time. Now, have you ever been to an art

gallery and wondered what a famous painting would look like hanging on

your wall? Children near Plymouth got the chance to find out today

when a priceless portrait by one of Devon's most renowned artists was

brought to their school. It was part of Your Paintings, a nationwide

project to bring art into the classroom, and Chloe Axford went to

have a look. Children at this primary School in

Plympton come face—to—face with an old master. This is a self—portrait

ID painter Sir Joshua Reynolds who was born and brought up just around

the corner. It means an awful lot because he is a Plympton chap, born

and bred in Plympton, and we have been telling the children at anyone,

no matter where you are from, can achieve wonderful things. It is the

first time ever this priceless work of art has been taking out of the

Plymouth's Museum and Art Gallery and hung in a school. The curator

says Reynolds is a great role model. He raised portraiture from something

which you got a job in painter to do to something that raised your status

as a sitter. He was the best known and most popular portraitist of the

18th century. The children have been dressing up to recreate some of his

most famous scenes and making models of modern celebrities, Mo Farah and

the Duchess and Cambridge, in case you were wondering! It is something

really special, because a really famous artist is coming from where

we were all born and you don't get that a lot. It was really good, just

to see one of Sir Joshua Reynolds partner thinking in our school was

really amazing. Sir Joshua Reynolds's paintings.

That looks like a day they will not forget. Another memo to pay for

another group of people. The crew of a Royal Navy helicopter

dramatically increased from seven to eight thanks to a surprise arrival

on board. The Sea King had been taking a woman who was in labour

from the Isles of Scilly to hospital in Truro, but it seems her new

little boy couldn't wait that long. Spotlight's David George has been to

meet them. Here he is, this is five lbs. Three

oz. Mark a MacLachlan. Not even yet one—day—old and seemingly unworried

about his early arrival in the back of a Sea King in thick fog above

Cornish countryside, his mum is resting and fine so his dad showed

off the arrival. I did not have time to panic or think about it. It was

so quick. The culture is guys were so professional. He shot out, I

think you just really wanted to be born on a helicopter. The family

lived on the art in St Martin city Sea King was the only way to get

hospital. —— the island. It was the first airborne birth for the

aircraft commander and the midwife, and for first time mum, L. She

managed to really well under very difficult circumstances and was very

brave, we are very proud of her. Five minutes out from the landing

site, I could hear some commotion at the back of the aircraft. Suddenly,

that's a baby crying! OK! I guess it's happened, then. Yes, it was not

the quiet and peaceful birth mum might have hoped for. There was a

lot of shouting, and I know the pilots even over the noise of the

helicopter could hear mother a couple of points during the flight.

There was a lot of shouting, a lot of noise, hopefully it hasn't put

the baby off forever. I hope not, he has got to get home! Poor visibility

meant the helicopter was out low—level to a landing site at

playing Fields Metro. I told the coastguard that they had seven

people on board but then had the unique opportunity that we now had

eight people on board. The suggestion from the crew here as to

the place of birth for the registrar is three miles south—east of Truro,

150 feet above the river, on board Royal Navy rescue helicopter XC 705.

I am not sure if that will fit on the form! Meanwhile, back in

maternity, young Marcus is blissfully and where the excitement

his arrival has caused. —— blissfully unaware.

What a lovely story, a beautiful baby, congratulations to all

concerned! Now, some rain on the way?

The good news first, this weekend, dry weather to look forward to. So

bear with me. There is dry weather at the end of the forecast but we

have wet weather to get rid off first. It will be pretty wet, rain

coming up from the south could be quite heavy. The risk of thunder and

torrential downpours of rain, and also windy. It eventually becomes

drier towards the end of the afternoon and into the evening. We

have warning before that for the rain tonight and tomorrow. We are

looking at 30 to 50 millimetres of rain in no more than five or six

hours. 50 millimetres is two inches, that is enough to cause some surface

problems. A lot of leaves coming off the trees and strains being blocked,

possibility of flooding. The area of low pressure has been out in the

Atlantic all week and it is beginning to get closer. By the time

we get into tomorrow, an area of rain which is off the coast of Spain

and Portugal, warm air laden with rain, is heading towards us. That

band of rain comes in tomorrow morning, quite intense rainfall.

Once we get rid of that, here is the good news, things move out of the

way, the rain gets away, the visibility improves and this is a

developing area of high pressure which will be our friend into the

weekend. Something to look forward to. For the moment, a lot of cloud

around producing some outbreaks of rain. Overnight tonight, most of

that more persistent rain will peter out for time but then it will come

back again. We flee, some dry weather, but by the weather ——

ruefully, some dry weather but by the morning, the rain will just

getting heavier. Unusually mild again tonight. Pretty rare

temperatures for night—time in October. Here comes the rain.

Brighter colours means intense rainfall. Nowhere is escaping. The

improvement comes in from the west, so the Isles of Scilly and West

Cornwall in the afternoon. The rain loses intensity as it moves away

through the evening. Quite a warm, muggy day despite the rain. Breezy

as well with the wind becoming southerly.

For our surface, behind the rain, the surf is 50 good. —— the first is

pretty good. And here is the good news, much

brighter weather for Friday. Better visibility, the weekend is dry with

light winds holding onto some warmth but a bit cooler at night.

That is all from us tonight, I will be back for the late news editor and

25 PM. —— at 10:25pm. Have a good evening.