27/01/2014 BBC Oxford News

colder. It could be short lived. That is all from the BBC's

Hello and welcome to South Today from Oxford.

In tonight's programme: Oxford United's Wilder days are over.

One of the longest serving manager's in football has left with the club,

we assess the impact he has made in his five`year reign and ask what

next for United. It was a big decision. I Iain Percy

enjoyed myself, the support was first class.

Also, it's charged with smoothing out the economy so why is private

sector employment is falling? And faster than anywhere else in the UK

in one city in our region? Further frustration for businesses

and travellers. As work on a bridge over the Thames is delayed.

And later, on the buses, we're with the artist who has a ticket to ride

for the sake of art. He was one of the longest serving

managers in football but after five years at the helm with Oxford United

Chris Wilder has gone. His rink included in messy circumstances with

a claim and counterclaim for a settlement was reached. While he had

already taken over at Northampton Town, United have been left

searching for a replacement. The end of an era. By the time

Saturday 's victory over Torquay was over Chris Wilder knew his time at

Oxford United was as well. Within 48 hours he would be unveiled as the

manager of the football the's bottom club, the security of the three and

a half year contract going on the way to explain why he would leave

United for a job at Northampton Town.

I have got my own reasons, personal and professional. Maybe it is the

right time. I have been there for five years. Maybe the car was

driving itself is on its own, maybe I needed that new challenge. Oxford

were pretty tough in their negotiation but we got there.

Delighted it is finally done. Chris has done a fantastic job for

the football club, no doubt. I see him now as a close friend. I wish

him well. The ups and downs of the last 48

hours or fitting giving his emotional time in charge of Oxford,

beyond doubt the highlight Wembley win in 2010 that restored football

league status. Long celebrated victories over local

rivals Swindon also brought joy but in other ways progress was too slow

for some fans, and his relationship with the owner group VAT is. Now

Lenaghan faces his biggest football decision, appointing his successor.

Joining me is the chairman of Oxford United's supporters group, was his

leaving inevitable? I think it probably was, he wanted more

stability, Oxford United wanted to see how the season was going before

activating next year in his contract.

We saw some memorable moments with him at the helm, how significant is

his departure? It is a massive decision. I know a

lot of firms working to see him go, a lot looking to see him stay. The

key thing now is getting the next replacement right, not forgetting

the great memories we had. He goes to the bottom club, Oxford

United find themselves in the play`off places. Do you think Oxford

United will be rocked by his departure?

That depends on how quickly and who comes in. You got to look to the

owner to get the decision right, it is a key decision. A great chance of

promotion. The players we have got our good professionals. All we need

is to get a guy that isn't a polarising character, can push is

on. The betting for MK Dons manager,

Martin Allen, the former Swindon manager, Paolo Di Canio. As a

consensus about who should be the replacement? `` is there a

consensus. I think you can write Di Canio off for a start. . Every fan

has an opinion but the opinion that matters is the board. All eyes are

upon making the decision and hopefully we can push on.

We have heard much about how the economic recovery will be driven by

the private sector creating new jobs which is why use of a dramatic fall

in the number of those jobs in Oxford may come as a concern. It has

seen the fastest drop of any major UK city down by 2000 between 2011

and 2012, at the same time Swindon 11 is seeing that much`needed

private sector investment. Why the difference?

The construction industry has been hit hard by the recession but you

would not know it here. In the last five years this Swindon firm has

taken on an extra 50 staff. Even during the recession that has been a

significant amount of building work going on. Over the last four or five

years we have increased in size by about 50%. Last year our turnover

was 77 million. According to a report out today for every five jobs

in Swindon in 2012 four of them were in the private sector. But the same

cannot be said for its neighbour Oxford. Here there has been a 4%

fall in the number of private sector jobs. That is more than 2000 posts

lost, and that is the worst for any UK city or major town. Would you put

your head office in Oxford where you know your staff will take good,

extra half hour to get into work? Where your customers cannot get in

to see you, you will tend to locate somewhere with good transport links.

When complete the Regent Circus Development in Swindon will be held

to a cinema, restaurants and supermarkets creating in the

process, it is claimed, to 1000 new jobs. Why is Swindon succeeding

where Oxford isn't? The connectivity to London and other places, but also

the availability of the skilled and adaptable workforce. The two main

things we hear from the businesses we talk to as to why they are here.

This report is by no means all bad news for Oxford, it showed its

people are the second most highly qualified in the UK, and levels of

inequality in the city are relatively low. But if business is

going to boom, there is still plenty of work to be done.

Next to night, nearly 25,000 people have signed an online petition

demanding the resignation of the Henley councillor who claimed God

sent the recent floods because of the government's stance on gay

marriage. David Silvester has said he will not stand down from the town

council even though he has been suspended by his party. Sarah

Butcher, who started the petition, says in her view he isn't fit to

represent the people of Henley. We are appealing to him to stand

down, we have got nearly 25,000 votes, that should give him a good

idea his views are not part of how we feel today. His views makes

people feel uncomfortable. We don't want somebody like that are

presenting us in Henley. The Templars Square shopping Centre

in Cowley in two and had to be closed for a short time after part

of its glass ceiling collapsed during heavy rain and strong wind.

Nobody was injured in Saturday afternoon's incident and the centre

was reopened a few minutes later. Temporary repairs have been carried

out on the shops open as normal. 93 man has died following a house

fire in Abingdon. Part of Preston Road had to be closed while five

entered into the house at 6pm last night. The elderly occupant's death

is currently being treated as not explained but it is not suspicious.

Work to renovate the Whitchurch toll bridge over the River Thames will

now take three months longer to complete than first thought. Drivers

have been forced to make if retreating detour since it was

closed `` frustrating detour. The work has been disrupted by bad

weather and high and fast flowing river doubles.

`` levels. Work ground to a halt before

Christmas. The project is three months behind schedule. It is the

three disappointing, because it is a ten mile trip by car extra if we

want to go to Pangbourne. Going through Caversham is a nightmare.

Going three touring is not too bad, but we are spending a lot more money

on fuel. `` going through Goring. It will have an impact, local

businesses are suffering. Another three months will not be what they

want to hear. My customers have been really annoyed, it is hit trade

quite hard, especially the food outlets. Frustrated, disappointed,

but the weather being what it is, record flood levels, the flow is

still very high, the contractor cannot go on the river while the

River is red bordered by the Environment Agency. The project was

aimed to be done in the summer months but the investment agency

said no because it would have been too disruptive operators. The

contractors say they are confident they are going to get the vertical

columns installed in the riverbed by the end of March so this section of

the river can be open to voters as planned before Easter. Drivers will

have to wait until July. Friends and relatives of the

murdered Didcot teenager Jayden Parkinson gathered at the weekend to

remember her and give thanks for her life. A special service took place

at the church where her body was found last month, hidden in the

graveyard. It still isn't clear how she died, or when a funeral service

could be held. There is talk of creating a lasting memorial for her

in her hometown. They came to remember her, a special

service to help the community here say goodbye to Jayden Parkinson. Her

family were very aware people in Didcot would have a chance to

remember Jayden and give thanks for her life. So they wanted to give

them a opportunity to come together to celebrate her and put aside the

terrible circumstances surrounding her death. It was the same

churchyard where she was found in a disturbed grave. After she went

missing more than 100 police officers were involved in the search

to find her. Forensic experts combed sites in Didcot and the nearby

village of opting until eventually she was found here at All Saints

Church. Now those here want the images of the crime scene to be

forgotten, and for the church to bring peace again.

There is a kind of reclaiming of a space. What is wonderful about these

old churches is they have known everything in their history, and

they are still here, and they still places of prayer, supremely of hope.

Her family have asked the media not to film inside during the service

but of the next hour they will listen to some of her favourite

songs. School friends are here to pay tribute and at the end her

mother is go to thank the community to pay `` for their support. Herrick

's boyfriend has been charged with her murder. A 17`year`old boy from

Didcot has been charged with perverting the course of justice. A

post`modern hasn't explained how she died but more tests are due to take

place. You have seen the Oxford United

action on and off the field, the rest of the sports including news of

a victory for Swindon in a few minutes.

cheaper to make that settlement. And you can see the full story on

tonight's Inside Out starting in about 45 minutes here on BBC One.

Still to come in this evening's South Today: battered by a tornado.

That is what residents believe they witnessed.

The Government calls small businesses the lifeblood of the

economy. At a major conference today the Prime Minister was keen to show

off what he's doing to help them grow. While the political focus has

been about reducing red tape ` it's a more familiar problem that still

seems to be holding back firms here in the South ` access to finance.

Alastair Fee reports. Five Digital has been around for about two years.

Their livelihood readily growing. The battle for businesses like them

is underway. We focus quite strongly on new businesses, and

entrepreneurs. Over the last 12 months, that has definitely changed

and has been improving. In London today, the Prime Minister took

centre stage at the National conference of the Federation of

Small Businesses. The message, nicking things easier by cutting red

tape. `` making things easier. Legislation is unbelievably own

arrest. You almost would not employ people, you would use contractors.

Very difficult for businesses of below ten people to engage. 18

months ago, we caught up with Colin, an ex`banker who now advises new

firms. The big issue was access to finance. As I improved? Lott will

not go to the banks. They will try to get it from friends, family and

other people. They feel they will get rejected do things are not

comfortable with doing. The last budget contained a number of

measures aimed at small firms. There was a ?300 million investment scheme

to boost lending small businesses. They were given ?2000 cut in

employers national contributions, and by Kevin as, benefited from the

cancellation of the fuel duty rise in 2013. Removing the so`called

barriers to growth is exactly what our Bournemouth `based production

company needs. The announcement are welcome. I don't think it goes far

enough, it is on the periphery. Small companies like is really need

funding and proper funding. They employ three, and plan to take on

more staff if the climate continues to improve. The message still hasn't

changed. Free up money. On to sport an hour. Transfer

window, end of the week? Yes. I think we will have a lot of

gossip. Primarily about Southampton. Keep an eye on Redding and

Bournemouth as well. As it gets closer to the wire, it is more

exciting. Mauricio Pochetinno says he's not

expecting Luke Shaw to go anywhere in the final days of the transfer

window Pochettino reiterated Saints desire to keep their star players at

the club during today's press conference ahead of their Premier

League clash against Arsenal tomorrow night. He also refused to

be drawn on Dani Osvaldo's future with the striker currently suspended

following a training ground fight last week. But has he had an offer

for Shaw? I focus on the match. When it happens, if it happens, I will be

informed. Meanwhile Saints beat Yeovil at St Mary's to book their

place in round five of the FA Cup. A first half penalty was converted by

Guly do Prado, his first goal for more than two years. Yeovil refused

to lie down, and Saints had to wait until the 69th minute to seal

victory thanks to a first senior goal from Sam Gallagher.

Confirmation then Southampton will play at Sunderland` their third

visit to the stadium of light this season on the weekend of the 15th

and 16th February. They've already lost there in the league cup and

drawn in the league. Brighton are at home to Hull. Brendan Rodgers paid

tribute to Eddie Howe and his Bournemouth side after Liverpool's

victory at Dean Court. A sell`out crowd saw the likes of Luis Suarez

in action. There was a rare glimpse too of Cherries owner Max Demin the

man whose investment has helped turn the club around. Liverpool scored a

goal in each half, Victor Moses's effort which beating Lee Camp at the

near post. Then Daniel Sturridge finishing well in the second half to

end any hope of an upset. While are very good and I would give credit to

them. It is not easy when you are a manager, sticking your head out, but

he certainly does that. They were excellent. There was Football League

action this weekend too, Kris Temple's round`up starts after this

town crier at Portman Road has finished. This fan will have gone

home happy. It took into the second half for Ipswich to go in front.

Redding had penalty appeals on the day and saw efforts go high and

wide. They are still sixth in the table. Swindon lead against

Shrewsbury. The goal of the game came from the visitors. Two late

goals gave Swindon all three points. Portsmouth were left to rue a

goalkeeping clanger. The scores were level, but then a second was

grabbed. Trevor Carson let this effort slip through his fingers.

Basingstoke Bison are still in the race for ice hockey's Premier League

title they beat Sheffield Steeldogs 6`5 on Saturday night. The Bison

stormed into a four goal lead, Thomas Karpov and Ciaron Long among

the goals. The visitors threatened a comeback and got to within one goal

of the bison before, Joe Rand made it 6`3. A late fightback didn't

prevent a Bison win, they're second in the table, Guildford lost to

Telford and are third. Reading Rockets basketball team are

celebrating after national success this weekend. The Rockets beat

Newnham Neptunes by 93 points to 72 in Worcester yesterday.

If you've travelled anywhere by bus, you've probably found yourself

gazing blankly out of the window. As the landscape passes by, you might

not concentrate on that changing view. Not so for an artist in

Bournemouth, who's been commissioned to record her journeys with pencil

drawings. But this is conceptual art, which not everyone may

immediately warm to. James Ingham has been to meet the artist at work.

Boarding a bus not for anywhere in particular, but simply to enjoy the

journey. Denise Poote is recording her view of a dozen routes around

Bournemouth in a rather unusual way. Armed with just a pencil and paper,

she's turning the trip into art. I draw whatever catches my eye as I go

past. Part of the trees become part of the buildings and vice versa. It

is a physical response of my hand on the paper.

For someone who gets travel sick, this seems an unusual choice of

studio, but it's that unpleasant feeling that first inspired her. You

are looking out of the window into the distance when I am a passenger

made me observe things I thought I could begin to capture without

looking at the paper. I will end up with a record of those things, and I

wanted to do locally. Bournemouth's Yellow Buses

commissioned this work ` so do their regular passengers like it? Very

interesting. Yes. Does it make any sense to you? I am trying to figure

it out. No, not really. Sorry. What do you like it? It draws attention.

It makes you want to find out what it could be. At a different things

to all sorts of people. That is the beauty of this. There are all sorts

of different styles out there. So, just looking now, what you make of

it? There is a bit of Christchurch Priory somewhere in there. There is

no way you could have predicted how it would come out before. That is

right. It belongs to the journey, really. I am just making marks of a

particular set of circumstances. Love it or hate it, this is a view

from a bus you've probably never seen before. Fascinating.

More bad weather over the weekend, and on Saturday there were reports

of a mini tornado over parts of Hampshire and West Sussex. Alexis

will be here in a moment to give us her take on that. Roofs were ripped

off garden sheds and trees felled across roads and train tracks.

Although there were no reports of any serious injuries, some had a

lucky escape, as Chris Robinson reports. Nestled in this tree is

part of the roof of Christina's garden shed. On Saturday afternoon,

she watched a strong winds ripped it apart. Homes were battered across

part of the South. Her prize vintage car survived with barely a scratch

on it. There is debris everywhere. Luckily, none of the horses were

hurt. I am from Michu can. The midwest is quite tornado prone. I

really do think this was a mini tornado. Nothing drastic like we get

in the state. It looks quite familiar. This was the scene outside

and over the leisure centre. A mother and her children had been

sheltering under this tree when it came down on top of them. They

escaped with just minor injuries. South West Trains reported some

trains blocking part of a network. The driver was treated for shock

when his car was trapped between branches. A massive branch was

ripped off a tree here, crushing a roof. Chris Robinson.

Was at a tornado? The Met Office cannot confirm because they do not

have the evidence. They've is an organisation looking into it. They

always send someone to have a look. A tornado gives a clearly defined

damaged track. There was quite a track for that.

You never know. Moody skies but a splash of colour

in Mudeford in Dorset captured by Alan Smith. George Andrews took this

photo of Portsmouth from East Wittering this morning. And Stephen

Michelle captured a Great Egret which is in temporary residence at

Blashford Lakes near Ringwood. We did see some sunshine today but

tonight, the risk of further heavy rain. The Met Office have a yellow

warning in place. This week, we are looking at blustery showers. It will

turn slightly colder, and maybe introduce Frost and ice on untreated

surfaces. Through tonight, we will see the rain showers, they will

merge into longer spells of rain at times. Quite heavy in a few places.

Perhaps some hair and thunder. Potentially, we could see up to an

inch of rain. Lows tonight of four, five Celsius. Frost free and ice

free, but the winds are blustery. Ltd brightness. If you catch

sunshine, you will be very lucky. Temperatures up to around eight

Celsius. Showers will continue tomorrow. They will not be as heavy.

More unwelcome rain. Temperatures similar to tonight. It will be a wet

start to the day we are looking at a slowly dying out scenario. There is

the risk we could have some snow showers through Thursday. The Met

Office do have a warning for rain for tonight and tomorrow.

Thank you. That is it from us.