20/11/2013 BBC Channel Islands News

Good evening, and welcome to BBC BBC

Good evening, and welcome to BBC Channel Islands.

Coming up on tonight's programme: investing in intensive care ` Jersey

spends ?3 million on new beds and infection control for critically ill

patients. A man who lost his livelihood over a

public event wins ?50,000 compensation from the States. I want

to be able to pick myself up and dust myself down.

And getting the message ` new measures to get drivers off their

mobile phones. It looks really hard, especially if you have a

phone. It has taken two years and cost tax

payers ?3 million ` now the revamp of Jersey Hospital's Intensive Care

Unit is almost complete. There'll be more beds and better infection

control in the new facility. Today our reporter Amy Harris was granted

unique access. State of the art facilities to treat

critically ill islanders. This is one of the rooms in the new`look

Intensive Care and High Dependency Units at Jersey's General Hospital.

With more than 700 patients admitted here every year, bosses say the

revamp was needed. The old ICU had done 23 years of

service, and saw around 13,000 patients go through its doors. At

that time it had met modern standards, but in the 21st century

it didn't meet modern standards and we had to improve our intensive care

facility. The new units now boast more new

beds, increased space around beds, and improved air handling units to

support infection control. The three`phase project has taken two

years to complete and cost just under ?3 million. And with patients

continuing to use the units throughout, it's required detailed

and careful planning at every stage. Those working here, like Dr Andrew

Woodward, say the revamp will benefit both patients and staff.

It's been a challenging time over the previous two years and as we've

seen this project come to fruition the morale has improved and the

working environment is much improved and it makes it a better place to

work. The unit will be officially opened

tomorrow by the Chief Minister, a significant landmark in the

provision of high quality intensive care to islanders who need it most.

Meanwhile, States members have agreed to pay around ?50,000 in

compensation to a man who lost his livelihood when a public event was

cancelled. Terry McDonald wanted to break a world record with his

fireworks display planned for the 2007 Battle of Flowers parade.

Edward Sault explains. For the whole thing to end up in this sort of

mess, I find it so sad. He'd wanted to break his own world

record by letting off thousands of fireworks at once at the end of the

Battle of Flowers Parade. But despite receiving permission from

the Bailiff's panel, two environmental reports suggested he'd

be prosecuted if any pollution occurred. This evening, States

members voted by 29 votes to 14 to compensate him. This has never been

about compensation. Money is not what it is about. I want to be

exonerated. I want closure. I want to be able to pick myself up and

dust myself down and get on with life.

But some States members disagreed, saying it was Mr McDonald himself

who pulled his rocket attempt and should have been aware of the

environmental concerns. Others though said the way he'd been

treated by the States was appalling. He was not doing this for personal

gain. He was doing it on behalf of Islanders. He had support from all

of the state departments. The unused fireworks have now been

disposed off. Tonight Mr McDonald says today's decision now means he

can rebuild his life. Politicians in Jersey will get a pay rise. They

chose not to debate proposals from Constable Phil Rondel to turn down

next year's rise of ?600. Unless any member refuses, they'll now get

?42,600 a year. And they'll be able to claim ?4000 in expenses.

Kerbside recycling will be launched in Guernsey in March. The current

rubbish collectors in each parish will pick up mixed recycling in

special bags. The new scheme's expected to cost almost ?2.5 million

over the next two years. It'll be funded from waste charges at the

island's landfill site. However people won't be forced to sort out

their recycling under the proposed voluntary scheme. The voluntary

element is going to be there. The new kerb`side scheme will mean that

we are again Askin people to comply by choice.

A campaign's been launched this week in Jersey aimed at stopping people

using their mobile phones while driving. Figures suggest the number

of drivers caught breaking the law isn't changing. During Road Safety

Week a driving simulator's been set up in one of the island's shopping

centres to make people more of aware of the consequences of using a phone

behind the wheel. While this might be a fun break from

the classroom, the lesson is serious ` driving while on the phone is

dangerous. It could be dangerous and you could kill someone.

So they seem to be getting the message but their parents are the

ones behind the wheel. And figures suggest motorists in Jersey are

still breaking the law. The number of offences of driving while using

mobiles went up in 2012. So far this year, there have been 413 offences.

Most of them by men and the average age of drivers caught on the phone

is 37. I do not think that the message is getting through at all. A

lot of cars now have a mobile connection and you can speak hands

free. And the organiser behind this

campaign knows more than most how bad the consequences can be. Paul's

sister, Ellen, was killed by a driver who was on his mobile phone.

She was walking home from a shopping trip and a car left the road and

knocked her into a field. This killed her. It destroyed the family.

Part of you dies when something like that happens.

And while this is just pretend, it's hoped that real lessons will be

learned and this simulator will save lives.

Guernsey FC captain Sam Cochrane returns to the squad after injury

for their trip to fourth`placed Leatherhead tonight. But the Green

Lions will be without goalkeeper Chris Tardif and a number of other

experienced players. There's coverage of tonight's game on BBC

Guernsey from 7pm. Alderney is moving a step nearer to

getting an indoor heated community swimming pool. The island has almost

raised the ?500,000 required to build it. Now members of the public

are being asked to chip in and leave a lasting legacy on the project.

When it comes to public swimming pools, this is as good as it gets in

Alderney. An outdoor facility covered in leaves that is out of

action during the winter months. But all that is set to change ` this is

what Alderney's proposed new indoor pool could look like. A 25`metre

3`lane indoor swimming pool with a small gym. The island is trying to

raise ?500,000 to build it and so far they've got ?460,000. It is very

important for the island. Our children really do not have any

proper place to learn to swim. Now one man is hoping to raise the

rest. Tiles will be placed on the inner

wall of the building and people can have their own tile engraved with

their name for ?10 each. So far, Rod has sold 830. He made this machine

himself and says it takes quite a while to make each tile. I was down

here at seven o'clock in the morning in my pyjamas and it goes on until

seven o'clock at night. It takes half an hour to make each tile.

Guernsey and Jersey both excelled in the swimming pool at the Island

Games in Bermuda this year and those behind this scheme hope Alderney

could emulate that in the future. Rod and his machine have already

raised almost ?10,000. If all goes to plan then he's hoping the

swimming pool will be ready for use in the summer.

Hello. We are seeing some sharp showers and strong winds. We will

see rain and hail showers. You can see this area of cloud working its

way towards the continent. Behind it, we have this strong northerly

winds bringing some cold air and some showers. As we head through

Thursday, high pressure will build. We're still getting some strong

winds. This high pressure continues trying to build into Friday and the

weekend. But we will still see some breezy conditions and the risk of

showers. A mixture of rain for this evening. It could be strong, deal

force even. We could still see some rumbles of

thunder through the day. It is going to feel pretty chilly. This sea date

is rough. Choppy conditions for surfers. We

have high pressure continuing to build into the weekend.

That's all from us here in the Channel Islands.

those circumstances. We have been told the new contract for training

was signed before problems in other areas emerged. Serco itself points

out that it was recently named as one of the top 100 apprentice

providers in the UK. The family of a GP who was stabbed

to death at his home have said they are devastated by the tragic loss.

60`year`old Geraint Hughes, known as Gary, was found at his home near

Feock in Cornwall, last Friday. A 58`year`old woman, believed to be

his wife Marion, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and

remains in police custody. The jury in the trial of the man

accused of causing one of the worst motorway accidents in Britain, has

visited the crash site today. Seven people died in the incident on the

M5 near Taunton in November 2011. Geoffrey Counsell, who organised a

nearby fireworks display, is charged with failing to ensure the safety of

others. He has pleaded not guilty. Controversial plans to reduce the

number of children's centres in Somerset have been put on hold. The

County Council says it'll draw up more detailed proposals, following

widespread opposition. The meeting was meant to be about

making more savings, but today, County Council is instead heard

about a cut that is being postponed. I have heard what families,

residents, community and councillors have said in relation to the

proposal. This is Chilcompton community Centre, one of 18 the

council want to pull the plug on. The plan was to produce spending on

buildings, while investing more on front line staff. It caused a storm

of protest. The County Council have failed children centres and children

in our community. It is deeply fair and ironic that people who were not

even born at the start of the financial crisis are the ones who

will suffer. The Conservative run authority were clearly perturbed.

Whenever you are talking about children's services, of course it is

an emotive subject. Hopefully members of the public will be happy

that we have paused the decision`making process, and we will

continue to listen to make sure we come up with the right result. It is

officially a pause while more detailed proposals are drawn up for

the threatened centres. But it has been widely welcomed. The county

can't continue to say they are making difficult decisions and use

that as an excuse to make bad decisions. Now they have listened,

reflected, they have paused, and hopefully we can move forward to a

good solution for all of Somerset. Meanwhile, councillors have voted

through another ?4 million of cuts with the leader warning there will

be more to come. This is the tip of the iceberg. This council has been

cutting for four years. The easy savings have been made. Today is

about a view million pounds. In the next few months they have got to

find out how to save tens of millions more.

Coming up: The effects of addiction to video games.

Plus, could this be the shape of things to come for Axminster

Carpets? And, the big wheel which has had its

final spin. A South West expert in addictions

says the number of people affected by excessive computer and video

gaming is rising. There's concern it can damage physical health,

relationships and schooling. A psychotherapist who counsels people

from across the region, says his call for the gaming industry to fund

a helpline has been turned down. Increasingly, our lives are

dominated by technology. Phones, computers, televisions. But millions

play online and video games for fun and relaxation with no adverse

effects, but 4.6% of adolescents regularly use the Internet and do so

to excess, and may be harmed as a result. Earlier this year,

18`year`old Alex found gaming was taking over his life. I would be on

the computer playing games until 2am. Then on the weekends I would

wake up, play on the computer all day. School and family relationships

suffered. Mike Graves gradually slipped down and down `` my grades.

Then they kicked me out in January. There is growing concern that

excessive gaming causes physical harm from a lack of exercise, sleep

and proper meal times, and affects relationships and specs. It is the

damage to the individual, the damage to the family, and this potential

loss of this real important group of young people as they move through,

if they are not given the opportunity to develop their full

potential. A psychotherapist at a North Somerset addictions clinic has

held talks with the gaming industry, but his request that it fund a

helpline for those with problems is refused. The Association for UK

interactive entertainment said there was no proven link between video

games and addiction. While play the macro some play excessively, often

there are other issues. It said the games industry at safety measures in

place, including recommending breaks every 45`60 minutes, and the use of

age ratings, password locks, and control systems to limit the time

spent playing. After nine months of counselling, Alex has a grip on his

life. He has taken up his studies at a new school. I look back on the

spending hours and hours behind a screen and I think I'm a stupid kid.

I still get enjoyment from it, but it is more of a hobby than a

problem. The numbers affected by excessive gaming are forecast to

grow. Unlike Alex, many may not get the help they need to get back on

track. You may remember that last night we

reported on the upturn in fortunes of Axminster carpets, and the roll

that one businessman has played in the company's remarkable recovery.

Stephen Boyd was already chairman of two big South West firms, and has a

reputation for turning businesses around.

A time for fresh thinking and new ideas. This is the first time

Axminster Carpets has ever made rugs, and they are just about to go

on sale. All the drugs will be woven, Axminster Carpets. Today, a

design meeting with the MD and new executive chairman, Stephen Boyd. He

is determined to modernise and expand. A significant growing part

of our business is in transportation. It consists of

carpets, both for railways, for example Wilton, but also for

aircraft, and this may be a very familiar one as Easyjet. We also

have others for other airlines, such as Loganair, who like a red colour.

This one is for the Siemens Railway Co. In just six months, turnover has

doubled. A new apprenticeship scheme is about to start. It is a

traditional industry, making is very traditional, but always dominated by

men. We are the first carpets company to ever appoint a female

executive director, and we are very proud to say that we have now

appointed a second female director, who in that case is our finance

director as well. There is a buzz about the place, which appears to

extend beyond the factory walls. I think it is wonderful. It has shown

that there are people within the company who can make it grow and

make a success of it. It is very good news for the town. From what I

can see, this is just the ) for the job. He is focused, I think we will

see Axminster really gaining its place as the world leader of

top`quality carpets. Many people lost their jobs and there is still

some bitterness in the town. But more people are being taken on. Now

159 staff are full`time, many who were made redundant in March. In May

I was offered a job to run the underlay Department again. Now I am

the charge hand, which is quite nice. I am just hoping there is a

good future hair. So, what of the future? At 29, Josh is managing

director here, following in the footsteps of his great grandfather,

father and grandfather. So, will there be a job for any future

offspring? I will let the customers decide that. The fact that 95% of

customers returned to us is a huge vote of confidence in the business.

The future is very bright for Axminster Carpets. We are on track.

Success story is always a little bit too optimistic at an early stage

such as this, but as far as I'm concerned, it is a project with a

very long`term future, and I am intending to be here long`term as

well. That last comment is probably what will give the staff, the

board, the customers and the market most confidence.

It's provided thousands of visitors with a bird's eye view, but the big

wheel which has dominated the skyline of Plymouth for the last

couple of years has turned for the final time. The huge structure on

the Hoe is being dismantled because it hasn't attracted enough customers

in the winter months to make it financially viable.

It has dominated the Plymouth skyline for two years. But this

wheel has made its last circuit. The operators say it is too expensive to

run through another winter. Fuel for this wheel costs ?1600 a week. We

have decided financially we cannot afford to stay for the winter. We

pay business rates and rent, storage costs, staff costs, insurance. It is

better for us to take it down. This operation is not cheap either.

Taking it down will cost a further ?70,000. The wheel will turn again.

It is expected to be erected in another city somewhere in the UK in

February. In this exposed location, DC air has taken its toll, so the

spokes and Axel are being taken to be re`sprayed in Holland, while the

rest is stored for the winter. The wheel itself has also seen a feud

celebrations. This wheel has seen 20 engagements and over 50 anniversary

parties, but now it is time here in Plymouth is at an end. If you are a

big wheel fan, there is some hope. The owners are in talks to open one

in Torquay. Time for the weather now.

The owners are in talks to open one in Plenty of showers, one of two

could be noisier than others with some hail mixed in. Tomorrow will be

a windy day, but those will be easing. If you showers, and equally

some sunshine to enjoy. The big picture is where the area of high

pressure is at the moment, and it is right out here across the northern

half of the North Atlantic. That clear sky is heading our way. At the

moment we have a vigorous area of low pressure, generating a

particularly lively wind across North Devon. All the showery rain

will move into France, but there will be showers following on the

hind. The air is coming from the north, so it will feel fairly raw.

Not quite so windy for tomorrow, and into the weekend, this area of high

pressure will move them, and that'll be the dominant weather feature for

the weekend and for all of next week. A lot of dry weather around,

and some pretty cold weather to, although daytime temp reaches should

be around eight or nine degrees. `` daytime temperatures. Glimpses of

the stars every now and then trained those showers, and more clear sky

developing through the night. But that wind will stay with us, so we

won't seem too much in the way of frost.

Tomorrow, two streams of showers, one across Cornwall, and some across

Dorset and Somerset, drifting into South Devon. In between there should

be some sunshine. The winds change direction tomorrow and eventually

become north`easterly, and continue to drop. Temperatures are not far

off the average for this time of year. A widespread frost developing

tomorrow night and into Friday morning. The winds will eat

tomorrow, but still quite a windy start to the day for the Isles of

Scilly. `` those winds will ease. Becoming mainly fair with visibility

out at sea. So, a lot of sunshine around as we move through Friday

into the weekend. The sunshine baby until the end of the morning for

most of us as we will have some mist and fog around. And a fair amount of

frost overnight. Have a good evening.

That's all for tonight. Our late news is that 10:25pm. Good night.

I'm Nigel Slater, a cook. And I'm Adam Henson, a farmer.

all back in touch with where our food really comes from.

You asked me to grow some durum wheat to produce your pasta.

Our own eggs, our own flour - couldn't ask for more, really.