29/10/2013 BBC Oxford News

Welcomed to the programme. It is bitterly dividing opinion but the

government tries to convince us that HS2 will bring the country together.

Also claims that a rare work of art by Mani maybe have `` may be found

in Buckinghamshire. And the musical telling the story of a Dorset ghost

town evacuated 70 years ago. Good evening. With a price tag in

the billions and critics claiming it will carve up our countryside, the

planned high`speed to railway has caused controversy. The government

has come out fighting for the scheme. `` the planned HS2 railway

has caused controversy. You can't say one day you back the

infrastructure only the next day to threaten to stop it being built. You

can't go on claiming to be a one nation if you won't back the things

that will bring it together. You can't play politics with prosperity.

In a moment we'll be seeing HS2 has affected people living in `` how

High Speed Rail Bill has affected people living in France.

The Transport Secretary arrived here at Manchester Piccadilly Station

railway station earlier today to go to that conference. While the

government would never call it a relaunch, effectively that is what

it was. The government is frustrated that what they consider to be a good

news story, fast amounts of spending on a big infrastructure projects to

boost the economy, has attracted so much hostility. Frankly I think the

anti`campaign has been better organised and has had strong

arguments. The government is getting frustrated with that. Today they

have come up with their argument and that is that High Speed Rail Bill is

good for speed, good for capacity, good for jobs and moving freight up

and down the country. `` high speed rail.

There is still so much opposition down here. Presumably what the

government is saying is going to provide little comfort for people.

That is certainly true. This isn't a North /South split. There are people

from Staffordshire here who are questioning it. Partly, this is

about cost because it is a huge amount of money. There are going to

be benefits but how much benefits? What this comes down to is that

question of value for money. The government's position is this is

good value for money and when it comes to that question of can they

deliver? Their argument is clearly that they can deliver. They believe

they are on target and will deliver it on budget. There is lots of local

pass `` politicians in the North West who believe it is crucial for

their economies. How much would a just to benefit

businesses here in Britain as a whole? France was one of the first

countries to invest in a high speed network and get a link to the

capital. We have been to take a look at the French experience. This is

the French city where they used to cram their kings. Reims lies 80

miles east of Paris. It used to take two hours to reach the capital by

train thanks `` and thanks to high speed rail, it is now 45 minutes. It

boosted business and created jobs. Same`macro one in 40 new companies

have set up new businesses in Reims. Many new jobs are created. He admits

it is not all down to high speed rail but investment in business.

1000 people commute to the capital every day. It is better now. You can

look not only in Reims but Paris. You get a bigger chance to get a

job. There is one difference between France and England and that is the

cost. The high speed track cost ?9 million per mile. HS2 could cost

?129 per mile. The bottom line for the UK remains. That the benefits

outweigh the costs. The BBC has learned for new housing

developments in the Banbury area can't be legally stopped despite

strong opposition from the local authority. 75 homes will be built

here at Bloxham and 400 houses will be built between Hook Norton and

Banbury. The council have refused planning permission but have

appealed to Eric Pickles and the decision was overturned. The primary

school is already overcapacity, so is the senior school. The doctors

surgery and the dentist is stretched. The road is beyond belief

so the effect on the transport will be significant. There are already

fairly long queues at the mini roundabout down the road that can

only get worse. What is to become Oxfordshire's largest solar farm has

been told it must be returned to agricultural land after 25 years.

The Vale of White Horse Council has granted planning permission for a

solo part in East Hanney. The authorities impose conditions

limiting its life span and the government is due to review the

tariffs it pays for solar energy early next year.

We have been following the progress of Alex Malkovich `` Alex Novakovich

from Aylesbury. He raised a quarter of ?1 million and was sent to

America for life`saving cancer treatment. And his father claims he

may be able to pay back the community and believes he has come

across a rare painting worth up to ?100 million by Manet. This is the

painting bought for ?110 at auction. The question is, is it a Manet? This

is the house in Aylesbury where the painting was discovered. It has been

moved to a secret location in London because if it is a real Manet, it is

not safe to keep it here. Alex Novakovich has had the painting for

four years and has evidence he believes proves who painted it. The

first question was do you think it has been faked? I said it needed to

be investigated. We need to take it further. It will not be easy. When

you look closely, you can see what appears to be Manet putts`macro

signature. Some experts are still cynical. The first diagnosis is not

promising. It is not like a Manet from any period of his work. I know

it was meant to be in the last year office life. The whole style of the

page is completely wrong. Forensic experts believe it is possible. If

it true, it could be a `` an amazing twists of events for a family that

have been through so much. If I get back some money for it, I would like

to pay back the community. Once the painting has been examined it will

be valued. If it is paid by Manet, could be worth millions.

Oxford has some of the unhappiest people in the UK according to a new

survey. Figures from the office of the National statistics show out of

400 places in Britain, Oxford was 14th from bottom. `` Office of

National Statistics. Whether it is listening to your

favourite song or tucking into a sweet treat, or the thought of

buying new clothes, happiness can come in all shapes and sizes. Here

in Oxford, many of us aren't turning that upside down. 165,000 people

were questioned in the 12 months to March this year and were asked for

questions including one about how happy they were. Judging by the

results, not very. Oxford came in the bottom 10%. Some say that could

be done `` down to the high number of people studying in the city. What

is interesting is people had higher levels of education and had higher

levels of anxiety than people with lower levels of education. It could

be that once you have higher levels of education, you have a

responsibility which comes with more anxiety. Not everybody is gloomy. A

great place to be and it is very historical. I am from Sheffield so I

am really happy. What is not to like? You have the concert hall, the

universities and colleges to walk around. People in Bath, Somerset

and, were the most happy in the UK. There is always next year for

Oxford. 12 months ago he was found close to

death and abandoned on the side of the road in Buckinghamshire. One

animal charities says the plight of Teddy the horse is another example

of what they are calling a horse crisis in the UK. His story has a

happy ending. What a difference a year makes.

Teddy is now a picture of health but it has taken months of treatment and

specialist care. This was Teddy in October last year. He was the

youngest pony ever to be brought here and was so ill no one was sure

whether he would survive. Staff remember what he was like when he

got here. Teddy was tiny when he arrived. He was eight weeks old and

far too young to be away from his mother. He weighed 52 kilograms and

weighs five times that now. He was riddled with worms and lice and

other parasites. Why would someone abandon a pony like Teddy? At the

time, his commercial value would have been as little as ?5 and the

commercially minded might feel that the easiest way to get rid of him

was to dumping by the roadside. Why is he likely to end up? Most end up

at loan homes. Teddy is a superstar so he might stay here as our mascot

for the rest of his days. He is a little bit too popular to go

anywhere else. He even has his own Facebook page so you can see how he

is doing on there. Animal welfare charities are worried because the

problem of horse abandonment is getting worse.

That is if rummy. Here is Sally Taylor.

important Southampton is to the national and local economy.

Still to come in this evening's South Today... Can Poole Town reach

the FA Cup first round? Tony Husband is there...

Yes, that is the question, can Poole Town live up to the billing? The

first time in 30 years, join me for the sport later. One of their ideas

was to set up a toy shop. But when Richard Block and David Quayle

opened their first store in Southampton in 1969, they decided to

target the burgeoning do`it`yourself market. Today the company they

founded has 360 stores around the world, with more than 20,000 staff

serving three million customers a week. Tonight David Allard takes a

trip back in time to discover the story behind B

Welcome to the 1940s. A time when DIY was the hobby of the few. Well,

it was such a fuss. If you wanted wood you'd go to the timber yard. If

you wanted bricks you'd go to the builders merchant. And if you wanted

nuts and bolts, you'd come to the ironmonger, where the man behind the

counter would go into the back and fetch your order. Four candles! By

the early 1970s, things were changing. People were more

colourful, more experimental, more willing to ?do it themselves?. And

two men in Southampton had seen an opportunity. In 1969 brothers in law

Richard Block and David Quayle were preparing to open their first DIY

store. They were looking for staff and Sylvie Hawkes saw the advert.

I had an interview, very brief. I was offered the job there and then.

It was a cashier work. I am OK with the keyboard so I thought I would be

okayed doing the till. Sylvie delegates her DIY to husband

Steve. Workmen were pleased to have a good

look. It was a pleasant place to be. I wish I had bought shares in the

beginning. The idea was to pile it high and

sell it cheap. And the public loved it ` especially when the store

stayed open over the Easter weekend, flouting Sunday trading laws. David

had worked out that the profits would outweigh the fines.

DIY products at supermarket prices and we were swamped.

We were opening up the products available so the customers could see

what they could use and we had queues right the way down to the

back of the shop trying to get out. Block and Quayle was soon shortened

to B and more stores were opened. For David Quayle's children it was

an exciting time. It seemed huge at that age. It

seemed a huge expanse to run around, there were Polyfilla sachets

and one burst open and it went over a customer who wasn't pleased. I

sunk down behind the counter and let my mum deal with the aftermath!

The Bournemouth store was opening, I took a friend along, the two bodies

were opening the new shop. My dad agreed to it. My friend and I were

strapped in the front seat and the two bodies have the back seat.

Within a decade there were 26 stores. But for Block and Quayle it

was time to move on. The company was sold to Woolworth in the early 80s.

David Quayle died a few years ago, after enjoying another success with

the Ritz video rental chain. While Richard Block changed direction

altogether, and became a massage therapist.

It was exciting, ringing the tales and the money going in the Mignoni a

good percentage would end up in my pocket.

Today the original Portswood store has been demolished ` B has

relocated over the road. Things have certainly changed since 1969. This

place is massive. But what would Sylvie make of it all? We've brought

her back for one final day at her old job.

What do I do with this? Scan and that's it.

Thank you, ?55. Fantastic. Back in the day, no debit cards. It was cash

or a cheque please Sir! Being in this situation, yes, I feel quite

moved. I really do. This is Sylvie, checking out for B and Q. She is

loving it. A great film. I was enjoying his taste in shirts. He is

back again tomorrow. Onto sport, and all football players dream of an FA

Cup run. And for those at Poole Town, that dream could become a

reality. They play a crucial match tonight which, if they win, will see

them through to the first proper round of the competition for the

first time in 30 years. Tony Husband is there for us tonight. Quite an

atmosphere there tonight Tony? A super night. We do the sport from

Fratton Park and Saint Mary is, this is the heart and soul of football,

one of the three turnstiles at Poole Town. Tonight, a massive night for

these people because they are bidding for a place in the first

round of the FA Cup for the first time in 30 years. How are you

feeling? We are going to win 2`0. 100%. Who will win? Carl Preston.

2`0. I don't care as long as we win. It could be a long night. They have

been here 13 years, Poole Town. This is a nice quaint local non`league

ground but it is the kind of place dreams are made of. The money that

clubs can make in the FA Cup run like this sets the future in motion.

One day, they want to move to a new stage. We will talk to the manager

shortly. Some rugby news. A big signing for London Irish. Australian

international James O'Connor signed for London Irish today. He's agreed

a deal for the rest of the season at the club, who play at the Madejski

stadium in reading. The 23`year`old is a big talent in the rugby union

world but he's also had some disciplinary problems off the field.

Jenna Hawkey was at Irish's headquarters today. James O'Connor

was released from his contract earlier this month after a string of

incidents earlier, now, he wants a fresh start. It is an awesome

opportunity to be involved with London Irish. The style of play I

have seen, their culture and they are a family `based club. It is the

next step in my life. Oh, already has 44 international caps, they

believe he can become the most capped Wallaby. We would like to

play a part in his rugby future. The deal is he will put his head down

and help us win some matches. Irish are floundering at 10th in the

table. They will be hoping out, can turn things around when they host

Northampton on Sunday. We will keep an eye on him! The

players are starting to make their way out. A big night for the

manager, for nearly a decade Tom Killick, I asked how he was feeling.

Looking forward to it. A bit disappointed we didn't finish the

job on Saturday, we felt we had chances to do that but we have home

advantage tonight. I hope the crowd get behind us and we can finish it

off. Did you see evidence it can beat

them? Yes, but they complain a bit better than they did on Saturday. I

know they were disappointed with how they played. It is in the balance,

we have home advantage. They are the higher placed team in terms of the

league. What is it mean for the club?

Bearing in mind where we have come from, the hurdles we have overcome,

on and off the field, it would be a fairy tale for everyone concerned on

and off the field. The incentive is there, a league

club in the first club `` ground. Yes, we wanted to play a league

club. If we can get through tonight, what to play a league club, it

sounds strange but it is nice to play away as the players at this

level do not get to play here very often. It is a one`off for them and

also the spectators, a great day out for them. People might say you

should prefer home advantage but in some ways if it is a league club,

you like to be away. It could be Brentford in the first

round. It is all about Poole Town. Can they get the result? Kick`off is

7:45pm. It costs ?10 to get her. All of the goals tomorrow. Let's hope

they can do it. What a difference a day makes. I was filming in Dorset.

Blue skies. A few showers drifting in into Berkshire but it should be a

predominantly dry data row. What a difference a day makes. Grahame

Howard captured two paddle boarders in the calm conditions in Weymouth

Bay. Michael Hunt took this photo of a grey heron coming into land

pictured at Dinton Pastures Country Park in Berkshire.

And old man's beard in a hedge row in the Meon Valley captured by

Alberto Ferrone. A quiet nights to come under clear

skies, temperatures falling away rapidly, maybe a grass frost in a

few places. We haven't had frost for quite some time. Chilly

temperatures, a grass frost in Berkshire, Oxford and King shot.

Elsewhere, one to shout was creeping in but chilly temperatures, these

other towns and cities but in the countryside, it could be one or two

degrees. The risk of a touch of frost. A crisp start tomorrow, lots

of sunshine, if you stray showers on an increasing south`westerly

breeze. Temperatures around average, more cloud for western areas with a

weather front urging in. `` edging in. We will see the weather front

marching slowly eastwards on the breeze. Clearing skies, clearing

most part by Dawn to dry. Temperatures stay mild tomorrow

night. Lows of eight or 10 Celsius. A mild start on Thursday, we are in

between weather systems, one of two showers but staying predominantly

dry after a damp start. We are keeping a close eye on this

low`pressure swinging in on Friday. It will not be as windy as it was

yesterday. We are looking at an unsettled week, showers at times,

tomorrow should be predominantly dry with an increasing wind. Thursday

sees a damp start, and improving picture. The wind is brisk. A wet

and windy day on Friday, the wind increasing into the weekend. Longer

spells of rain through the weekend and gale force winds on the coast.

If you want to know about the frosty conditions, go to the website. Chris

Fawkes has an explainer. Tomorrow sees the opening night of a new

musical, it's called Tyneham and it tells the story of the Purbeck

village that was evacuated in the World War II. But this musical

wasn't written by Sondheim or Lloyd Webber, it was composed by Weymouth

teenager Jordan Clarke. Sam Fraser went to meet him.

Featuring a cast of over 30, this musical has tender love songs...

And full cast numbers featuring the music of a student, Jordan Clarke.

My inspiration is from myself. Stephen Sondheim, more well`known

writers, Andrew Lloyd Webber and the writer of lameness. It tells the

story of a village abandoned in the Second World War so American troops

could practice for D`day. Here we have eve and his son. They are the

main characters in my show. They are the head of the pecking order so

being that important to the people, we concentrate on the love story.

It still has restricted access. One of the first lyrics was whispers

in the walls, I have tried to do that with folk styles and it is one

of the choral numbers so you can feel the whispers and the echoes in

the show. Can you feel the whispers in the

walls? Can you hear the ancient village call? To be studying at

A`levels and being able to write all these pieces is really brilliant and

impressive. It is a unique style, it is not like copying anyone else. I

have chosen plays not written by other writers. The show opens

tomorrow and is on until Saturday. Break a leg for tomorrow night. I

hope it goes well. Just before we go, here is a quick mention about a

special Children in Need event that's on at the Mayflower in

Southampton. This Sunday, the pop legend Jason Donovan, Nigel Harman

from Eastenders and Downton Abbey and myself will be a charity gala

raising money for Children In Need. I am quite excited. It is a charity

gala raising money. The fun starts at 6pm. Tickets are ?20 and are

still available. Get yourself a ticket. It will be a fabulous night.

Be there if you can. Good night.