18/11/2013 BBC Oxford News

Hello and welcome to South Today from Oxford. In tonight's programme:

A new generation for Mini, as the Mk3 model is launched in Oxford and

secures thousands of jobs. Taking a risk behind the wheel ` why

some drivers in the South are still ignoring laws about using mobile

phones. And later on, we'll look ahead to a

big game for Brackley Town in their first round FA Cup replay. Plus, an

unforgettable moment for Oxford United's James Constable who scored

his 100th goal at the weekend. It's been launched today, with much

fanfare, to motoring journalists who'd gathered from around the

world. But here in Oxford, the brand new Mini represents far more than

simply a new take on an iconic car. BMW has invested ?500 million in its

production line at Cowley. That, in turn, secures close to 4,000

manufacturing and other related jobs in Oxfordshire. On top of that,

today's launch is an unmistakeable sign of confidence in the Mini brand

` effectively securing the future of the factory for years to come.

Jessica Cooper reports. The car of the swinging 60s. Mini went on to

become an iconic British brand. Today, its new look was revealed to

the world. The new version is slighter longer and more fuel

efficient. When you design a new car it is about getting the balance

right. There is an emotional involvement with customers. One of

the features that we have been working on is the design of the

interior. The plant at Oxford has been home to car production for more

than 100 years. During that time, the processes have changed ` 1,000

robots will help to weld together the new Mini in this multi`million

pound body shop. Today's announcement is very exciting. Our

investment is great news. It is a very clear statement about our hopes

for the future. And the new car is a great product. With car production

on the rise in the UK, and more people buying new cars, the

government is backing manufacturing in Oxford. I think it is incredibly

good news for Oxford. I think it is incredibly good news for the

workforce. It sends a message to young people about how engineering

has a good future in the country. They could have invested anywhere,

but they have chosen the United Kingdom. It shows that this plant

has a great future. Production will start later this week, to mark what

would've been the 107th birthday of Sir Alec Issigonis ` the man behind

the original design. When the new Minis hit the road next year, the

people behind this car believe it'll secure work in Oxford for years to

come. A short time ago I spoke to motor industry expert Professor

Kevin Morley ` the former MD of Rover Cars ` and asked how

significant today's announcement really is. It is very significant.

It is the launch of a new Mini. Hundreds of journalists come up from

over the world. It was an international launch. It is built

entirely. It is a classic rant. How much of a impact does it have

worldwide. `` brand. It is a success because it is sold all over the

world. It is very popular. Cars have been built at this plant for over

100 years. Other places have come and gone but why has this place

managed to keep going? I was at the centenary celebrations. It has kept

up`to`date with technology. There are over 1000 brand`new robots. As

it has kept up to date with technology, it has improved. The car

industry has its ups and downs. Is this a good time to be thinking

about buying a car? They are doing fine in the UK. The rest of Europe

is doing Pooley. `` poorly. It is always a good time to buy a car in

my view. But in terms of the Mini, dealers will have plenty of stock.

They may be available at a discount. A court's heard how a former

Oxfordshire teacher abused his pupils ` under the pretence of

giving them photography lessons. Jonathan O'Brien ` seen here

arriving at Chichester Crown Court ` allegedly abused children at the

Oratory School near Goring during the 1980s. He denies 23 counts of

indecent assault and five of gross indecency. The court heard how Mr

O'Brien would give boys beer, spirits and cigarettes ` then

blackmail them to remain silent. The trial continues.

It's illegal ` and dangerous ` yet far too many of us seem to ignore

the laws against using a mobile phone while behind the wheel. New

research gathered by road safety campaign group Brake has shown

thousands of people in the South have been issued with penalty

points. As well as mobile phones, drivers have been stopped and

charged for eating, putting on make`up and a host of other

distractions while driving. Brake is highlighting the new figures to try

to persuade motorists to consider what could happen, before running

the risk. It was supposed to be just another bike ride, but in May last

year it turned out to be Joe Wilkins's last. He was killed when a

driver hit him whilst eating a sandwich at the wheel. It doesn't

matter how many friends you have. It is not the same as having that

person with you. Whether it be eating, drinking or using a phone,

failing to concentrate whilst driving doesn't appear to be

uncommon. In fact, new research by the charity Brake shows there are

almost 55,000 people in our region who've got points on their licence

for allowing themselves to be distracted whilst driving. When you

are driving you are in control of a big chunk of metal. Even if you lose

a second of attention, it can have devastating consequences. It's

almost a decade since using your mobile phone whilst driving without

a hands free kit became illegal. But studies show motorists who drive

whilst doing something else at the wheel are up to three times as

likely to crash. I had an accident when I was 23. I have been careful

since. Would you drive and use your hands free? Yes. But whether you're

male or female ` making or taking a call ` the message from the

authorities is clear. Oxford's cycle hire scheme ` a

version of London's Boris' Bikes initiative ` has been suspended

after the company running it went into liquidation. It's just five

months since the scheme was launched. It had been hoped that

Oxonbike would be rolled out to other parts of the city if the pilot

scheme was a success. Angela Walker has been at one of the main docking

stations in Headington. Thornhill Park and Ride is one of the main

docking stations for the Oxonbikes. The idea was to cut congestion in

the area by enabling people to cycle from here to various hospital and

university sites. It launched with a real fanfare in June. It's been a

success. Around 500 people are registered users. But now the

service has been suspended after the company Grand Scheme went into

liquidation on Friday. Oxfordshire County Council say they're trying to

find a replacement and that no council money has been lost because

it was funded by a government grant. The Department for Transport told me

that the responsibility for managing these contracts sits with the local

authority. The County Council say it's too early to say when the

scheme will be up and running again. Meanwhile, those who rely on it will

have to find another way to get to work.

A Greenpeace activist from Chipping Norton could remain in a Russian

jail until at least February. Phil Ball was among a group of 30

campaigners and journalists ` six of them British ` arrested following a

demonstration against oil drilling in the Arctic two months ago. A

court in St Petersburg today approved extending their detention

while investigations continue. Greenpeace has called the legal case

a "circus", and says it will leave "no stone unturned" in its attempts

to have the detainees freed. Stay with us for the sport in a few

minutes. We'll be reflecting a landmark for one Oxford player, and

look ahead to an exciting FA cup replay for Brackley Town. With more

of today's stories, here's Sally Taylor.

classical composition and was twice nominated for the Mercury Music

Prize. Still to come in this evening's

South Today... The invasion of Portsmouth ` did

anyone call a doctor to repel the aliens?

It's approaching the most dangerous time for survivors of Typhoon

Haiyan, according to the World Health Organisation. The peak danger

period is between ten days to a month after a natural disaster.

Without access to safe drinking water, the threat of disease

escalates. One company in Farnham may be able to help reduce these

risks, with the invention of a water purification system. We can join

Georgina Windsor where the production line is busier than ever,

after the WHO approached the company for help.

It is all too easy to take a glass of drinking water for granted but in

the Philippines now is the most critical time. In Farnham, Pure

Hydration have developed a new technology that can help to improve

and make water safe. This is the first aid station and here is its

developer, Jon Grant. It looks like a simple bag of tricks but what does

it do? Basically you have a pre`filter that will take out a

larger part of sticks and stones and suchlike. The water passes down the

tube into the purification module, which is a technology that is very

modern and will remove bacteria, viruses and other waterborne

diseases. Let's have a look to see exactly how it works. The technology

happens right here. Murky water is going in. These are the water

quality problems they will have in the Philippines right now. It goes

into the first aid station. You pour the contaminated water in and very

simply just turn on the Euro fire at the bottom and outcomes crystal

clear safe drinking water. `` the purification knob at the bottom. It

is tested by the London School of tropical medicine and hygiene and

other schools. Thousands of these are going out this week alone but

the rescuers will benefit, not just the people in the Philippines. If we

take this black water out of here, show us what it does. International

rescue services use this product. You can take water like this and

simply by popping on the cap and squeezing the water through what

comes out is fresh, clean, clear drinking water. Sadly, this

technology is going out to the Philippines this week and let's hope

many lives are saved. Thank you very much, Georgina.

Absolutely fascinating. A council leader has said she'll

write again to the Prime Minister asking for a national debate on

fracking, following a meeting with protestors who've camped outside her

offices. Louise Goldsmith has asked

campaigners to leave West Sussex County Council's headquarters but

the group Frack Free Sussex says it will stay until tomorrow at the

earliest. It wants councils to reject applications by energy

companies pursuing fracking. Dennis Wilson took part in what many

still believe is the greatest invasion of all time, the D`day

landings in June of 1944. He put pen to paper and wrote poetry. Now, all

of these years later, his work has been published and he is due to go

to Buckingham Palace tomorrow, invited their as a contemporary

poet. What has wore down to the youth of

the world? `` what has wore down. Many soldiers return from the war

and never think about `` talk about what they have seen. But Dennis

Wilson would sometimes exchange his rifle for a pen. He wrote poetry

about the tragedies of war. It surprises me that I was able to read

it without a lump in my throat, really. Ie used to write in a lull

in the battle. `` are used to. He was 16 when he wrote his first poem

and 22 when he was sent to Normandy. When I completed one page I posted

it home to my mother in case I didn't get back. It was actually...

It was one of the happiest moments of my life because I took one look

at my right arm and I thought I was probably going to lose it but I was

very happy because I knew I was out of it. When he got home his poem was

waiting for him but it was almost 70 years before they were published.

Now his work has been recognised with an invite from the palace. It

is very gratifying to find that the reception is for contemporary poets

and it is nice to know that is how I am regarded. What Dennis saw on the

front line moved him to write. He has lived not only to tell the tale

but to see it in black and white as well.

Denny Wilson, finally published and off to Buckingham Palace tomorrow.

He has recovered from the till June in need macro, back to the day job.

We are talking about the international football.

Yes, not great, the game against Chile yesterday.

Lallana will start tomorrow night but Jay Rodriguez will be among the

substitutes. Both players featured from the start in Friday night's 2`0

defeat by Chile, with Lallana generally given good reviews on a

tough night for Roy Hodgson's men. Rickie Lambert was back in training

today and could feature at Wembley tomorrow night. He is recovering

from a muscle strain. ? The Premier League and Championship had the

weekend off, so here's the best of the rest across the Southern

counties this weekend, starting with another bad day for Portsmouth.

We might learn a bit about Portsmouth's character now.

Therefore`0 defeat at Wimbledon came as they were slumping in the league.

Andy Bartram went close to an equaliser but then it all went

wrong. Three Wimbledon goals in the final 16 minutes. It was victory and

a moment of history for Oxford United at Mansfield. And by the ``

action packed first half saw an opening goal followed by a red card.

The Stags remained in the hunt. Least Evenson fired into put the

home side on level terms. James Constable, on as a substitute and he

did what he does best. His 100th goal for the club. After the break

Aussie winger Ryan Williams added a third, but the day belonged to the

Centurion who now is only seven short of Oxford all`time scorers

record. Swindon Town's promotion hopes also received a boost this

weekend as they eased to victory in Essex. Goals either side of

half`time from Nicky Ajose and Danny N'Guessan put Town in control

against Colchester. The home side scored a late consolation, but it

wasn't enough to stop Swindon moving back into the League One playoff

places. Brackley town face their FA Cup

replay tonight against Gillingham. They were just seconds away from an

upset nine days ago in Kent, only to be denied by an equaliser deep into

stoppage time. A crowd ten times its normal size is expected for the

replay at St James's Park and Brackley say the revenue

`` the revenue will set them up for the next three to four macro years.

After seven events over three continents it came down to the final

series in Brazil. Leigh McMillan and his wave Musket team were defending

champions but their path to the top of the podium could hardly have been

tighter. They led the season going into the final act but they were

pipped to the top spot. The two teams finished level on points for

the season but the Wave had won more races over the full year, giving

them victory. It was such a fight and we had to be squeaky`clean today

to pull it off. They were gunning for us whenever they had a chance.

It was a follow`on day. This has been the seventh season of extreme

sailing. The aim was to bring the sport close to the shore and

spectator numbers hit 325,000. We'll McMillan and his team be back for

more next year? They were thrilled with the result and they love the

racing and the competition and hopefully we will all be back next

year and defending for the third time. Very well done, some

spectacular pictures. He is consistently one of our top

performers in sailing. Great recognition for him.

Did you ever hide behind the city when you heard this?

DOCTOR WHO THEME PLAYS. Down the years the South has seen

its share of filming action. The Sea Devils came ashore at

Portsmouth Naval base. We met two men closely involved with

making that episode. For Jon Pertwee, being in Portsmouth

was like coming home. He had been based here in the Second World War.

The story being filmed was the Sea Devils. There aim was to take over

the world, starting in Portsmouth. They filmed the Sea Devils coming

out of the sea so they were sort of emerging slowly out of the water

onto the beach. On the sure they borrowed a whole load of sailors for

this, we put up a fight and effectively got beaten. The Sea

Devils is one of the most memorable stories in the 50 year history of

Doctor Who. These pictures filmed in 1971 have never been broadcast. It

sees them in battle with Pompey troops. The special effects

department have laid on various little explosions. There is a brief

clip in one of the episodes of me and the sailors walking with our

hands up, surrendering to them. From the sailors' point of view it was

great fun, took them out of their day`to`day routine. When the cameras

stopped rolling, the sailors took the opportunity to mingle with the

TV star. The filming took them from the stony beaches of Portsmouth to

the sandy beaches of the Isle of Wight and straight into battle with

the creatures from the deep. Inside one of the scary suits is a stuntman

who laid many monsters over the years, but none as challenging as

the Sea Devils. We were filming with water so we came out of the water

with these loose costumes, the feet hanging off, our heads full of

water, waves knocking us over, out of breath, a lot of coughing and

spluttering. It was great fun. And hard work too. With his background

in gymnastics, Stewart developed a special way to die, a big athletic

backflip, but his fellow stuntmen were not completely convinced. I

thought they could cut to me halfway through the backflip so all I am

doing is being shot and landing. If ever you watch the episode, they

only use half of the backflip. Ultimately, of course, the Sea

Devils' ambitions to take over the world did not get any further than

Portsmouth. Save to come out? Oh, good.

The most scary part was that it ended with the monster's head and

then you popped up. All this week we have the people and

places in Doctor Who history on radio Solent. Pictures on the

website. A change in the weather. We had a

mild day today, the temperatures tomorrow will be half what they are

today. It may have been a day in Swanage but that did not stop this

photograph. We are expecting a band of rain to

push through. The colder air will sink southwards through the course

of the night and through tomorrow morning. Feeling bitterly cold

during the day tomorrow. Through the course of the night tonight we have

a band of rain, which will eventually clear the southeastern

corner of the country. Frost more likely the further north and west

you are. A few showers drifting about to the South West but

otherwise a dry night with temperatures in some areas down to

freezing or just below. A frosty, chilly start tomorrow but the good

news is lots of sunshine despite the freezing temperatures. We expect

highs between four to seven Celsius tomorrow afternoon. That is half

what they were today. Maybe some rain, sleet or even the odd snow

flurry. They will be few and far between. Through the course of

tomorrow the winds will pick up so the northerly wind will be a key

feature, taking the edge of the temperatures even more. A hard frost

through the night into Wednesday, temperatures dropping to minus three

Celsius. Increasing cloud from the north and west is working its way in

and that will mean Wednesday will be slightly milder. A bit of a soggy

day with increasing winds. You can see them coming in from the North

West. This weather front drifting further southwards. A wet and pretty

windy day all in all. This is the outlook for the rest of the week, a

lovely day tomorrow but very chilly, and a strong north`westerly wind.

Some rain by Wednesday, with gusty winds. Slightly milder but turning

cooler Thursday or Friday. Thursday and Friday mainly dry.

We want to say a huge thank you to all of you for your fundraising

efforts for Children in Need. It stands at a record`breaking...

That is all we have time for. More at 8pm and 1025. We are back

'We wanna do a science fiction series.'

CS Lewis meets HG Wells meets Father Christmas, that's the Doctor.

Can't we have Doctor Who without Doctor Who?

Travel back to the birth of a phenomenon.