20/01/2014 BBC Oxford News

the windscreen first thing in the morning. That is all from

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

He said flooding was God's response to government policy on same`sex

marriage. Tonight a councillor is at the centre of a storm out of his

political party, labelled out of order by the Church and the subject

of outrage in the town he serves. We are ashamed that someone in our

community holds those ideals. Also: As temperatures fall below

freezing, an admission that Oxford is not meeting a pledge that no`one

would sleep on the streets for two nights in a row.

Later on: Wroe for Oxford as the U's sink the Blues. We round up all the

weekend's sporting action. Good evening. He's been disowned by

the leadership of UKIP, the political party he represents on

Henley Town Council. Today the pastor at his church has also

distanced himself from controversial comments made by David Silvester.

The councillor has been at the centre of a media storm since

suggesting that the recent flooding in Oxfordshire and further afield is

God's response to the government's policies on same`sex marriage. In a

moment, we'll hear from a church group working to change attitudes

towards gay and lesbian people. But first, Angie Walker's spent the day

gauging reaction in Henley. Flooding and misery. Not a product

of nature but the wrath of God says this man, David Sylvester, a UKIP

councillor in Henley. He says he wrote to the Prime Minister warning

that disasters would accompany the the passage of the same`sex bill. In

a letter published in this newspaper, David Sylvester said the

country was recently beset by storms and flooding as a direct result of

government legislation on same`sex marriage. He says he's unrepentant

about those comments and it's his duty as a Christianto speak out.

Meanwhile, here in Henley, he's created quite a storm himself. We

are ashamed that someone in our community holds those ideals. Most

people are laughing at him. It's such a crazy thing for someone to

come out with. I have just come past the church and might ask God what he

thinks. I have never met him, I have never heard from him. He is one

member who recently joined the party. Henley Baptist church was

also keen to distance itself from his comments, but stopped short of

condemning them. I don't think there has been any preaching to associate

the flood with gay marriage. David's view is a view he has put

together himself and I don't think that reflects us. Henley town

Council confirmed it has received several complaints and these will be

dealt with under the code of conduct of South Oxfordshire district

Council. A short time ago, I spoke with the

Reverend Colin Coward, the director of a group called Changing

Attitudes, which works towards the inclusion of gay, lesbian and

bisexual people within the Anglican Church. I asked what he makes of

Councillor Silvester's comments. I think it reveals both a terrible

prejudice against the place of lesbian and gay people in society

and the church and also an extraordinarily naive attitude

towards the Bible and the nature of Christian teaching and theology.

Your group is working towards changing attitudes to same`sex

relationships. It was his views commonly held amongst churchgoers?

No. It is held by remarkably few people. 80% of those who go

regularly to church know perfectly well that gay and lesbian people are

equal members in society, are created and valued by Grant, and

they would find David as extraordinary and offensive as I

would. I think it will not make any difference to the church whatsoever,

to be honest. It hasn't put your work back? No. Changing attitudes

works very proactively. I was a conference all day on Thursday in

London with key groups that opposed the inclusion of LGB T people, but

their stance is not similar to David's. I was welcomed at the

conference and even allowed to put forward my views, so I think David

is in a very unusual minority. Well, meanwhile, a group of 100

Christian volunteers have been hard at work in Oxfordshire since

yesterday, helping locals to clear up after the recent floods. Members

of the congregation from the World Mission Society Church of God

travelled from the Manchester area to some of the worst hit parts of

the county, helping clear debris and retrieve sandbags. The church say

its efforts were intended to give hope and courage to those who've

suffered. Next tonight, a formal conduct

hearing has begun, looking into the way a Wiltshire police officer

mishandled a high profile murder investigation. The police watchdog

found Detective Superintendent Steve Fulcher had breached guidelines in

his dealings with murder suspect Christopher Halliwell. Halliwell

admitted murdering Sian O'Callaghan but instead of being read his rights

at a police station, he then led the investigating officer to the site

where another woman, Becky Godden, had been buried. It meant no one's

been prosecuted over her murder. More people in Oxford are sleeping

rough, according to new figures, and there's concern the situation's only

going to get worse. That's because even though the city council has

pledged that nobody should have to spend two nights in a row out on the

streets, the organisations which exist to help rough sleepers are

facing funding cuts. Adina Campbell's been to meet one man who

says the support he received turned his life around.

Two years ago, Kevin ended up homeless in Bicester and spent three

weeks on the streets here. This was one of the places he found shelter.

I used to clean the seat and climb into a sleeping bag to try and get

warm. How does it make you feel, seeing this toilet again? But with

help from a hostel, he has had a bedroom for the last 18 months,

providing him with bathroom facilities and a place to have hot

meals. Kevin also overcame his alcohol and mental health problems.

I became very low. Didn't know whether I wanted to carry on and

thought nobody cared. People used to look down on you. The numbers are

small but latest figures show there has been a rise across Oxford. 12

people were sleeping rough in 2012, but during the same month last

year, that number went up to 19. Since the City Council introduced

its programme in 2012, more than 250 people have accessed a bed as part

of this campaign. But services like this are facing cuts of nearly 30%,

which would mean fewer staff to provide support. The council says as

well as that, there is a shortage of housing. We have the highest rate

outside London for very inadequate accommodation and the amount of

accommodation available for the type of person we're looking at is very

small, so there is a real need for more building of housing. The car

park here is another place where Kevin used to find shelter when he

didn't have anywhere else to live. Even though latest figures show

homelessness has gone up across the city, the hostel staff we have

spoken to says this doesn't reveal the whole picture and claimed dozens

more are either sleeping on the streets or drifting from one

friend's sofa the next. The man who was once in charge of

tackling fraud on behalf of Oxfam will go on trial in March, accused

of defrauding the charity out of more than ?62,000. Edward

McKenzie`Green from Chipping Norton has already pleaded not guilty to

theft and also "fraud by abuse of position". Details of the case and

future hearing were discussed today at The Old Bailey. It's claimed he

made payments from Oxfam accounts to nonexistent businesses. His father,

Edward Green, from Glasgow, is also charged with moving the money

between bank accounts. One of the busiest road bridges

across the River Thames has re`opened today following the recent

flooding. But drivers using Sonning Bridge to travel between Oxfordshire

and Berkshire will continue to face disruption for some time yet. That's

because the road surface has been badly damaged. As Ben Moore reports,

businesses in the area fear the disruption they've suffered will

continue. The river was the only thing flowing

through Sonning this morning. The bridge closure has affected most

commuters in Redding, even those trying to get to school on the bus.

We have had an hour's wait for the last two weeks. So many students get

the bus into school. There have been quite a few late students in. The

flooding may have gone but the road here has been underwater since the

New Year and that has taken its toll. It was inspected this morning

but damage means it's down to one lane. Businesses fear that will mean

going from no traffic to too much. It's not going to be good. We will

have two lots of traffic meeting head`on and nowhere for them to go.

Redding has been gridlocked because of the closure and it has proved

more than just an inconvenience. The lateness of people getting to work,

that is happening an enormous number of times, the general congestion is

a deterrent to businesses coming to the country. Redding's commuters are

happy that Sonning Bridge has reopened but the last two weeks have

shown just how fragile the road system can be. The issue is

certainly not water under the bridge. We have our own TV bridge.

Wiltshire is known for its historical landmarks but people are

hoping that there will be those who want to spend eternity on this

ancient burial ground. Still to come: Reunited at last ` we

hear from the owner whose dog was stolen a year ago.

Last year the number of passengers commuting into London went up by

just under 5%. But the income received by the train operators went

up by almost 18%. So where did this money come from? The Government

capped fare increases to just above inflation. The figures don't appear

to add up, because the railway's income is clearly rising a lot

faster than that. Our transport correspondent Paul Clifton has some

answers. This is an extraordinary rate of

increase in railway income. 5% more people in this region took the train

last year. Yet the income from those passengers went up by 18% ` almost a

fifth ` Even though the Government capped commuter fare rises to 4%,

just above inflation. So how did it happen? The Government does not cap

off`peak fares. Train companies can put those up as much as they like.

They can do the same with station car parking charges. They can

massage the fare boundaries too, moving the time when peak fares

become off`peak. They can put up the rent for shops on station platforms.

And they can trim their operating costs. The statistics call into

question the fairness of allowing specific tickets to be increased by

up to 6% above inflation last year, provided there are reductions

elsewhere in the fares basket. That happened in the past at Reading, by

far the region's busiest station. What's clear is that commuters in

London and the south`east have been taken for a ride, paying huge

amounts of money ` more to the Treasury every year. Rail fares are

going up faster than inflation and then we've got a huge hidden costs

are like the cost of station parking. In Southampton, Chargers

have gone up by about 40 present in three years. Everywhere you turn,

commuters are being hit. The cost of commuting into London has risen by a

quarter in the last five years. I'd say that's an important thing and I

wouldn't mind paying more but it should be more in line with

inflation. They have developed a lot in the last three years. A better

railway would be good but the cost is far too high and doesn't really

compare with a car if you have more than one passenger. This extra money

isn't going into the pockets of rail managers. The Government is now

making a net profit from rail franchises ` it is more than meeting

the cost of providing services. It still gave ?5 billion to Network

Rail last year for improvements such as the Reading upgrade ` that's

about stimulating the economy. It is also buying a railway that carries

twice as many passengers as it did 15 years ago. And passengers are

clearly paying a great deal more for it, too.

We often hear about the demise of UK manufacturing. Well, today, the

Eastleigh`based cable making company Prysmian is celebrating its

centenary. The industry may now only employ a fraction of the numbers of

its heyday but every month Prysmian makes enough energy cables to reach

all the way around the world. The company began as Pirelli ` and our

business correspondent Alastair Fee has had exclusive access to its

plant. This is what keeps the country going

without power cables, our businesses would grind to a halt. Davies in his

41st year. Both his parents worked here before him and last year his

son followed the family tradition. I've never seen this amount of work

coming through so quickly than in the last couple of years. It's

tremendous. It's good the younger people coming in here, like myself.

I started at 20 and here we are, 40 odd years on, still going and

getting stronger. Orders are healthy here on the outskirts of Eastleigh

but UK manufacturing has fallen sharply. In 1995, there were 65

companies making cables. That's dropped to just four and company

macros the only big player left. So `` Prysmian is the only big player.

We've had to move as technology has moved. Whether it is within power or

the telecommunications sector, it is something we've had to always

continually be on top of. The manufacture of fibre`optic cables

that deliver superfast broadband is now big business and sustained a

dedicated factory. They produce enough every year to go to the moon

and back. In terms of our UK telecom business, it makes up the vast

majority of it. The future is firmly in the optical area and that's where

we are now with significant investments. But change has seen a

decline in the number of workers. The industry used to employ tens of

thousands of people. Technology has changed its hugely. I imagine that

it is the leap from my grandfather to my father, which was a lot

smaller than the leap that has happened in my time here. This high

voltage testing lab was opened last year. Exports make up 20 present of

what is made here and the work is good because the business is kept

moving. `` 20%. Tony is back with us after being ill

last week but he has managed to share his illness around with

everybody! Thanks ever so much! Loving you dearly(!).

Reading are continuing to talk to US investors over a proposed takeover.

The club want to conclude a deal this month, amid reported interest

from another group based in Oman. On the field the club stormed to their

best result of the season, 7`1 over Bolton. Striker Adam Le Fondre

bagged a hat trick in the first half as the visitors were blown away by

Nigel Adkins' men. The Royals have won their last two and, after a

tricky spell around Christmas, have rediscovered their form to go sixth

in the table. Pavel Pogrebnyak, Nick Blackman, Hope Akpan, and Kaspars

Gorks were the other goal scorers. You can feel it to rally around the

whole football club. Players have been working extremely hard on the

training ground. We're looking forward to where we want to get to

and great credit to the players because everyone is together,

everyone is working hard and it was a good victory today. We'll keep a

close eye on what's going on at Southampton, because owner Katharina

Liebherr addressed the club's staff today after the high`profile exit of

Executive Chairman Nicola Cortese. Her first priority is to appoint a

new Chief Executive. And the BBC understands former Blackburn Rovers

Chief John Williams, seen here on the right, is the lead candidate.

Saints led 2`0 at Sunderland on Saturday through early goals from

Jay Rodriguez and a superbly controlled volley by Dejan Lovren,

one of two players to be stretchered off by the end of the game.

Sunderland got one back before half time and went onto claim a point.

Saints captain Adam Lallana played down the events of the past week,

saying nothing has really changed. The home side was reduced to ten

men. Despite that disadvantage, they kept that you's bay until three

minutes from time. Oxford's support was sent home happy. In league one,

MK dons had to settle for a point. Well executed finishes put the

visitors in control, but after the break, the striker was on hand to

spoil the party. Swindon also continued to foot in their push for

the play`offs. It leaves a deal for a new training ground.

Pompey got another point. Guildford Flames suffered a 5`1

defeat against Swindon in ice hockey's Premier League. While they

slip to third, Basingstoke are second after a come`from`behind win

over Peterborough on Saturday night. The Bison were two down within a

minute as the Panthers caught them napping. By early in the second

period it was 4`3 to the Bison before Thomas Karpov finally netted

the winner. England's men beat Australia in

controversial circumstances to win the bronze medal match at the

inaugural Hockey World League Final in India. Goals from Reading's Tom

Carson and Barry Middleton either side of a Glenn Turner equaliser had

given the Bisham Abbey based squad a 2`1 lead. Australia then thought

they had forced extra time, after finally breaching England's

determined defence from a penalty corner in the closing seconds.

However, Turner's strike was ruled out for obstruction by the video

umpire. I like those video umpires because they are very quick and get

the decision made. Last January, South Today reported

on a string of thefts of working dogs across Hampshire and Sussex.

It's not just the wrench for the owners of losing what is considered

a family member ` the dogs are also high value breeds. Sammy Thatcher

was one of those victims, losing two spaniels. She's just been reunited

with Tia a year after she was taken ` but Maisy is still missing. A

short time ago, I asked Sammy about the night she lost both dogs. It was

absolutely horrible, bearing in mind it was 2am. So from then until a

good few days later, I haven't slept. It was constantly just trying

to keep easy and not try and think about where they could be. It was

just horrible. When you were reunited with Tia, what was the

moment like? Absolutely brilliant. I didn't know if she would remember me

but she could. She couldn't stop wagging her tail. I know Maisie is

still missing and that must be very distressing for you but you've got

Tia back. Do you think they were stolen to order because they're

working dogs? Possibly, more than likely. When I went to the vets,

they told me that she would definitely have a litter. `` she had

definitely had a litter. In the time she's been away? Yes, so we think

that may be why. The crucial part of this is that they both have

microchips and that is how you were traced as the owner after the raid

on the farm. Absolutely. If it wasn't for that, I wouldn't have got

her home. Do you think you will get the other dog back? Definitely now.

We will not be giving up until she comes home as well. Let me turn to

Jon, who is the presenter of Inside Out. You've done many programmes on

this over the years. It's very distressing. Indeed and it won't go

away. There are still hundreds out there missing for everyone we get

back. What can we expect a night on Inside Out? It's an energy special.

We find out about the power cuts over Christmas. We're after the

energy thieves ` people who take it for free. And how would you like a

fuel bill of ?3 per month. Thank you for coming in. I'm glad you're

reunited with at least Tia. That's lovely. Thank you. Jon will be back

on Inside Out tonight at 7:30pm. On to the weather, Alexis. You've

done well today and yesterday. A bit of rain to come. I'll tell you

about the forecast in a minute but the big issue tonight is fog. Ken

Rayner captured the sun burning through the fog over the swing

bridge on Kennet and Avon Canal in Hungerford. Martin Perry took this

photo of the blue skies over Christchurch Quay in Dorset.

And Alan Smith took this photo of a male Gadwall in the sunshine at

Langford Lakes Nature Reserve in Wiltshire.

Lots of sunshine today but the big issue tonight will be quite

widespread, dense fog patches. Staging to your BBC local radio

stations for the latest on the travel because it will reduce this

ability on the roads. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning, in

force for the next 12 hours or so. Through the course of tonight, we

see the fog form and there may be some frost and Mr patches.

Temperatures will take a plunge down to freezing, even in our towns and

cities. Lows of minus one or minus two in the countryside so it may be

freezing fog patches. The fog will slowly clear tomorrow morning,

lingering throughout the mourning period, but we hope that the winds

will increase. The best of any brightness the further east you are,

east of the Isle of Wight. Temperatures will reach a high of

seven to nine. The rain is waiting in the wings, which is going to head

towards us tomorrow night after dark. Winds will increase in

strength tomorrow afternoon. The fog patches will disperse through the

morning. You can see the dark blues and greens and that is further Wayne

fall, which is unwelcome. Temperatures around four to seven. A

wet start to the day on Wednesday and the band of rain isn't going

anywhere quickly. It lingers over the southeastern part of the

country, so parts of Sussex and Surrey may have an unpleasant day.

The winds will be fairly light on Wednesday, hence the weather front

will be slow to clear eastwards. We are looking at some rain this week

but the main issue is the fog patches, which will be very dense,

reducing visibility on the roads. Rain on Wednesday with the best of

any dryness and bright conditions the further west you are.

You might want to sit at the end of the couch because we've got germs! I

thought it was because of the dog that was there earlier!

There is more later on. Good night.