20/12/2013 BBC Channel Islands News

The Channel Islands Air Search has announced it will have to buy a new

aeroplane to replace the Lion's Pride, which crashed in Jersey in

November. The rescue charity had hoped to be able to repair the

aircraft but says the potential price of those works makes it more

cost effective to buy a brand new rescue aircraft in 2015. Tim

Robinson reports. This was the scene when the Lion's

Pride crash`landed on a dark and stormy night, just yards from a

clifftop. The plane had been inadvertanly flying on the wrong

fuel tanks. They ran out and its engines cut out over the sea at low

altitude. At first people were relieved its five crew and

passengers walked away with their lives. But almost immediately

thoughts turned to the damage done to this vital tool in the Channel

Islands' search and rescue armoury. Engineers painstakingly dismantled

and removed the plane and specialists began assessing whether

it could be repaired. Six weeks of investigation showed the potential

repair bill is so expensive the charity decided it's actually better

off buying a brand`new aircraft. That will happen in three stages.

From about a month's time cover will be provided by a temporary Islander,

like the one which crashed, but without the specialist search

equipment. Four months later they'll borrow a used Islander with that

search equipment to tide them over. But that aircraft can't be the

long`term solution because it has more flying hours ` like miles on

the clock for a car ` than the plane that crashed. So the charity will

raise money to buy a brand new Islander in 2015, which it hopes to

use for the next 30 years. All that will be extremely expensive and will

require a big contribution from islanders if this rescue plan is to

get off the ground. Earlier I spoke to the founder of

Channel Islands Air Search, Roger Dadd, in our Guernsey Studio. I

began by asking him how much a new aircraft will cost and if the

charity could afford it. We are very confident we can raise the sum

because the response on behalf of the public of all of the Channel

Islands has been fantastic. The basic aircraft is ?1.25 million but

that is only the beginning of the story because we had to put special

equipment on board, and that has yet to be settled. How much have you

raised so far? I can't tell you that. We are in the process of

looking at it and we will have answers towards middle of January.

It is a month since the incident in Jersey. How are the crew coping now?

Everybody has settled back down again, we are just focusing on the

new decision, which is not to proceed with the old aeroplane and

be very expensive repairs but getting a new aircraft and the

interim measures to get `` to keep this going. Are islanders vulnerable

until those aeroplanes come into service? No, there is a temporary

measure whereby the Brecon helicopter will operate and use some

of our crew's observers, so there is a degree of cover. It is not as

extensive as we would be providing in the long`term but at least there

is something there. Average household bills for rubbish

in Guernsey will double in the next three years under plans announced

today. Charges for collection and processing of waste could go up to

around ?4 a week ` that's around ?200 a year. The parishes will stay

involved but people will have to buy special bags. The States will meet

in January to decide on the proposals to focus on re`cycling

rather than landfill. What we are moving to is a waste

management system where we do our bit by the planet, we reuse and

recycle, but we also we divert as much waste from the end solution, so

the extra cost is to make sure we can do the job properly.

The French government has announced Jersey is no longer on its tax black

list. In August, the island was placed on a French list of

jurisdictions considered as "non`cooperative" when it comes to

exchanging tax information. Jersey's Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst,

says the change has come after efforts by the States to meet

criteria set by France. Jersey is the first place in the

British Isles to ban a psychoactive drug. Ethylphenidate, which goes

under the street name "magic crystals", has been made illegal in

the island. There'll be a one week amnesty for people to hand the Class

B drug to police. Youngsters have been warned of the harmful affects

of so`called legal highs since the death of 16`year`old Max Blandin,

who's believed to have been using them. The health service say they're

becoming more available and this particular one is one of the most

toxic ever seen in Jersey. The drug is chemically similar to

amphetamines but several times more potent so it's come down affect our

very severe, leaving users paranoid and irrational. In some cases they

might actually suffer from full`blown psychosis.

An ?8 million revamp of one of Jersey's oldest hotels has begun.

The Southampton Hotel and nearby bar are being turned into offices and a

restaurant. Built in the 19th century, developers say it will be

returned to its former glory, as most of the original facade will be

saved. It should take a year and a half to complete.

One of Jersey's top football players is calling for the island to follow

rivals Guernsey FC and enter an English league. Former captain Luke

Watson says the sport is in danger of becoming stale in Jersey and

playing more fixtures on the mainland could be the answer. So

could we soon see a Jersey FC and will that draw the crowds to

Springfield? Pam Caulfield reports. Making history in San Marino.

Representing England, Jersey made its mark on an international stage

in 2012. At the time officials wanted that legacy to continue.

I believe the Jersey FA should be getting behind these guys. If you

have young players in the island, they should aspire to this.

It was suggested then that Jersey should join an English league. But

it's not happened, and the player who captained the side through the

tournament believes now is the time. Jersey team playing in the UK league

week in, week out, would be what I would want to see. I feel personally

that foot will over here has become a bit stale. `` foot Pole. There has

been no real progression and I think it is time to step up and match what

Guernsey is doing across the water. And by following Guernsey's lead

they hope that Springfield could become more like Footes Lane, with

more matches, bigger crowds and a better atmosphere.

The benefits, obviously you are testing yourself out every single

week against players you don't know so it is a higher level and an

unknown quantity. Before you knew a player's weaknesses and strengths,

now you are stepping out into the unknown every week.

That success has come after years of hard work and dedication and funding

but those behind a future Jersey FC feel it is worth the effort to

improve sport within the island and rich in the rivalry with teams

outside it. With Christmas soon upon us, this

week we're featuring festive songs and carols performed by choirs from

around the Channel Islands. Tonight's comes from Les Beaucamps

School in Guernsey. # Candlelight burning bright,

flickering and shimmering # Set the world aglow upon this dark and

wintry night # Friends are here, gathered near # On this candlelight

Silent night. #

Congratulations to the school and all of the quires that have taken

part this week. `` choirs. More unsettled weather across the

weekend. We have some rain with us tomorrow, some strong winds

overnight, particularly first thing. Rain will be quite heavy at times

and we have already seen quite a bit of rain through the week. There is

possible disruption with the strong winds and heavy rain. Keep up with

your ABC radio stations for the latest. `` TBC. `` BBC. The rain

does eventually clear. On Sunday it is still looking quite windy. We

will have some showers through the day as well. Tonight it is dry at

first but this rain arrives after midnight, some heavier downpours

into the early hours, which is when the south`westerly winds start to

peak. A mild night, with temperatures no lower than eight

degrees. We will have some stronger gusts of wind. The winds easing for

a bit in the afternoon but still some fresh winds and we see the rain

clearing towards tomorrow evening. Temperatures still fairly mild, up

to 11 or 12 agrees. Some unsettled weather continuing

for the weekend. On Sunday we will see some sunshine along with showers

but Monday and Tuesday we expect more heavy rain and further strong

winds. Salcombe. A dog died after eating a

similar substance on a beach in Cornwall.

Coming up later a Christmas carol from a Cornish Choir. Also still

ahead on Spotlight tonight. A dazzling display ` the festive

lights with a very special purpose. We will be meeting this young lady,

who for the past three years has broken world, European and British

powerlifting records. Volunteers are being called into the

Royal Cornwall Hospital to help support patients and staff in the

hospital's busy emergency department. They spend time on

non`clinical duties, freeing up nursing staff to concentrate on

medical care and emergencies. As Eleanor Parkinson reports, it's

being hailed a big success. This man was brought in to the department

after his pacemaker gave him programme `` problems. A volunteer

gets him a cup of tea and stays for a chat. I thought that was

excellent. I have been in for a long time this morning. There are lots of

areas of inaction and short bursts of people dealing with you. Suddenly

you are left on your own again. This was a nice diversion. They really

like it. Not all the staff have enough time to sit with patients. It

can be daunting coming into and emergency department on your own and

they really appreciate it. Nurses the volunteers do some of the caring

work they do because they are busy with emergencies. Little things like

a cup of tea and a chart, things which are very important to the

patient. We do not get the time to do them. It really does make their

experience so much better. I think it helps with the atmosphere in any

department but especially the emergence and departments. They know

these are people who have the time and the interest, they choose to be

there, they are not paid to be there so they really want to help. There

are more than 500 volunteers in the trust. The trust says if anyone

thinks they have skills to offer, they get in touch. `` they should

get and Hutch. Time for the sport now and Dave has

a powerful story coming up, haven't you? Absolutely. But I will keep you

waiting. Exeter Chiefs seek their first win

in six games when rugby's Premiership resumes this weekend.

After a tough run of late, including two ordeals against the European Cup

holders Toulon, the Chiefs are looking forward to getting back into

the groove against lowly Newcastle Falcons at Sandy Park tomorrow.

Gareth Steenson returns from injury, bring in Ceri Sweeney or will they

stick with the promising Henry Slade? It is great to make that

competition. There are no questions that all three of them could run a

game in the premiership. Yeovil Town begin their festive programme aiming

for a fifth game without defeat in the Championship. After gaining a

valuable point at Barnsley, the Glovers try to crawl out of the

bottom three by beating Blackburn Rovers at Huish Park. The League Two

ball starts rolling tonight at St James' Park where Exeter City look

to follow up their win at Accrington with another against Chesterfield.

After two straight defeats, Plymouth Argyle hope to find the knack of

scoring against Bury at Home Park, while bottom`of`the`table Torquay

United, buoyed by their win over Southend last week, attempt the same

at Dagenham and Redbridge. She's been described as the

strongest school girl in Britain. 17`year`old Shahar Head from Newton

Abbot is the world drug`free powerlifting champion, coming first

in her age category and second overall. I visited her at her gym.

Hello there. You are supposed to be the strongest schoolgirl in Britain

but with visual powerlifting gear. I've just come from college where

I'm studying. I have to change. Alex Deeterlee has powered her way

Finally, Plymouth Raiders have the chance to avenge their BBL Cup

semifinal defeat by Leicester Riders when they face

not bad for a girl who was bullied at school. I used to get bullied at

school so I decided to change. Someone told me to try lifting

weights. I loved it ever since. I never knew about it before. It took

me by surprise. Powerlifting is different from weightlifting. There

are no disciplines like the clean and jerk and snatch. Instead they

have the deadlifts in which she lifted 170 kilos to get the world

title. There is the squat lift where she lifted 23 stones. And the bench

press four which she registered 18 kilos. I never expected to get far

as I have in such a short space of time. The training is intense and

very hard. It is a long journey with injuries. I am completely surprised

by how well I have done. Some federations have tried to get into

the Olympics but claimed there are too many power spots in the

Olympics, but hopefully one day. That is your lot, I need a break. So

did I, after matching her pound for pound full top `` pound. Plymouth

Raiders have the chance to avenge their semi`couple `` semifinal

defeat at the pavillion this Sunday afternoon. Enjoy your Christmas

shopping. Thank you very much.

Now, every year some people go all out to have the best display of

Christmas lights in the neighbourhood ` and you either love

them or hate them! Well, this year, one young man from Braunton in North

Devon, has pulled out all the stops and is raising money for charity at

the same time. Spotlight's North Devon reporter, Andrea Ormsby, has

the story. It has been weeks in the planning

and now it is dazzling the neighbours and they love it. I

planned it all out first, it took me three weeks altogether. Endless

night, and most evenings. It took me a while. I have had a few comments

like it is brilliant and well done. I have had if few donations. It is

the creation of Josh will Lidl to raise money for a new chemotherapy

units. `` Josh Liddall. Both his grandparents died off cancer. I

think it is a great idea. It is the best thing he could have done. We

really are proud of him. It is brilliant. You know where you are

coming, round the corner. You must be proud of him? Oh yes, very proud

and I think his grandfather would have been very crowded as well. ``

very proud. We have a river of lights here. We have bested penguins

seem. `` festive penguin seen. Next year he plans to go bigger and

better and in the future watch out King of Christmas lights, you have

competition. Spectacular. Didn't he do well.

Please do share your Christmas lights pictures with us. Dean from

St Dennis in Cornwall sent this one in earlier. Thank you. You can share

yours on our facebook page, that's facebook.com/bbcspotlight. We look

forward to seeing them. This is my last programme before Christmas so I

want to thank everyone who sent in Christmas cards and gifts, very kind

and generous and much appreciated. Now for the weather. If you have

outdoor decorations, make sure they are securely fastened because we

have strong winds. We have more unsettled weather across the

weekend, so it will be windy and there will be rain and showers. We

start off with a weather warning from the Met Office for the rain

tonight. Strong gas when as well. It is especially their heavy rainfall

to watch out for the top `` strong gusts of wind. Flood alerts are out

for rivers around the region. Keep an eye on the Environment Agency

website. This is the satellite picture from earlier on. You can see

this huge patch of cloud moving end during the day which is associated

with an area of low pressure. We will have heavy rainfall, peaking

around midnight. The rain will eventually clear. We have a line of

intention is heading our way tomorrow afternoon. Windy tomorrow

as well. More showers on Sunday from top cooler year by the end of the

weekend. Cloud and showers throughout the day. This rain will

arrive from the West stop `` from the West. It remains very mild

overnight. First thing tomorrow, the rain clears from the South. We will

have some sunshine for our time on Saturday but for tomorrow afternoon

and early evening, this line of showers will do then and we will

have torrential downpours locally. There is the risk of hail and

thunder with these downpours. It remains mild with the south`westerly

winds stop temperatures are around 12 degrees. Some sunshine for the

Isles of Scilly is but strong winds. Times of high water... Big waves,

choppy conditions and eyes to see we have the south`westerly wind,

increasing to gale force at times. On Monday, you can see this next

batch of low`pressure sweeps them bringing more heavy rain which will

continue into Christmas Eve. If your travel plans for next week, take

note of possible disruption. We have an early warning out for Monday

already for wet and windy conditions. Keep an eye on that.

That's it from us on this last Friday before Christmas and having

heard carols sung by singers from our four counties, tonight we hear

once again from the Cornish Choir. Recorded in the Mary Harris Chapel

at the University of Exeter, we leave you this evening with the

Angel Carol sung by the Sterts Singers.

Goodnight. # MUSIC: Angel Carol sung by the

Sterts Singers.