03/03/2014 BBC Oxford News

Hello and welcome to South Today from Oxford.

In tonight's programme: Four suicides in one jail in one year. An

inquest hears Kevin Scarlet could have been saved if his cell had been

unlocked on time. Also: How to beat bed blocking ` a

helping hand to get patients out of hospital and safe at home.

Oxfordshire at the Oscars ` we'll reveal the region's big winner.

And later on, rough justice? The moans and groans from a weekend of

football action. Good evening. A prison inmate who

hanged himself inside his cell might have been saved if his door had been

unlocked at the regular time, instead of ten minutes later. An

inquest jury heard how Kevin Scarlet hadn't been properly assessed by

staff, even though they were aware he suffered from a personality

disorder, and had a history of self`harm. He was on remand at the

high security Woodhill Prison in Milton Keynes. Kevin Scarlet's death

was one of four suicides at Woodhill last year. In every case, the

prisoner died from hanging. Jessica Cooper reports. In May last year,

Kevin Scarlet was found hanging in his cell. The 31`year`old, described

as unpredictable, was on remand for burglary. Today the jury decided his

risk of self harm or suicide was not properly assessed and he should not

have been alone in a double sale. We believe Kevin 's death was

avoidable. If a for sale have been used, we believe his death could

have been avoided. `` if a safer cell had been used. On the 26th of

May, David Hunter took his life in the same way, on the 10th of

December, Sean Brock hung himself, as did Stephen Farrar in December.

Kevin Scarlet's family believe he was not taken seriously. In the end

it was, Kevin is playing up again, Kevin is this, Kevin is that. They

didn't address his mental issues. The coroner has raised concerns the

prisoners did not have a suicide risk assessment. Kevin 's family say

they hope any changes will prevent future deaths.

A meeting is just getting under way in Banbury to decide whether

Cherwell District Council should apply to be formally represented

when the Government considers the impact of the controversial High

Speed Two rail link. The council has already signalled its opposition to

the route, which is planned to pass through the Chilterns. Becoming a

"petitioner" is a technicality which would then enable the council to

raise matters of concern, and to request changes which could help

reduce the local impact of the multi`billion pound project.

A man has admitted secretly filming female staff inside changing rooms

at Abingdon police station. Oxford Magistrates' Court heard how

Christopher Richardson`Blake from Peterborough had been hired to carry

out electrical work inside the building on Colwell Drive. His

hidden camera was discovered in September. He's been warned he faces

a prison term when he returns to court for sentencing next month.

He's also been made to sign the sex offenders register.

It's a record and a reputation that the county is keen to shed.

Oxfordshire is among the worst in England for bed`blocking, where

people are left stuck in hospital unnecessarily because, for one

reason or another, they can't be sent home. Now, in an effort to

tackle the problem, the charity Age UK has set up its own taskforce to

offer the practical support that's often lacking. Stuart Tinworth has

been to meet one man who has already seen the benefit. I didn't fall down

the whole lot of the stairs, fortunately. I must have stumbled

hereabouts. It was a nasty fall that left 66`year`old writer Cyril with a

broken pelvis and damage to his kidneys. In hospital for around a

month, he's now been able to get back home. With some little changes

to his house, to make it safer. They sent a handyman round very quickly,

who put in these support bars which have been a godsend. I can now walk

around without a stick. The strength is gradually The work is being

carried out by an approved handyman. Coming back. Just one service

offered by charity Four Rivers. Others include cooking, cleaning and

even walking your dog. People feel and do get better more quickly in

their home environment, as long as the environment is warm, clean and

safe. We can do everything that can support a person at home including

their cleaning, laundry, shopping, walking the dog, feeding the cat.

For the past two and a half years Oxfordshire has been the worst or

one of the worst places in the country for bed blocking. At the

latest count there are 151 people stuck in Oxfordshire hospitals when

they should be going home. Age UK Oxfordshire believes around 8,000

people need some sort of care in the county but receive none at all. We

know that our care system is in crisis, to be honest, and we are

sleepwalking into even greater disaster unless we can settle them

properly into their home after they have been discharged from hospital.

For Cyril, his home is safer ` and how does he feel recovering back in

his own surroundings? Everybody has said, you look a lot better since

you have come out! BBC Radio Oxford is looking at different aspects of

the care system throughout the week, and the independent regulator the

Care Quality Commission will be answering questions put forward by

listeners on Friday. The effects of the recent flooding

will continue to be felt for many months to come and communities

across Oxfordshire are anxious that lessons are learned. More than 150

elected members from parish, borough and county councils gathered in

Oxford at the weekend to pool their knowledge and contribute ideas for

future flood management. Charlotte Stacey reports. It has been the

wettest winter on record. Flooding has affected huge parts of the

region and some areas are still under water. This weekend over 100

councillors met to talk about what has happened. Everybody had

different ideas about what was important. If we look at the

economic damage caused in one incident in January, that was more

than ?30 million. When the Abingdon Road are closed, everyone in the

county suffers. If there is a damage to the banks, if that could be

alleviated... Discussions range from the way people can help themselves

to the conveyance channel that will divert water around the city. It

would be interesting to know what the future holds for them. What will

the future schemes be likely to be going forward? That gives an

opportunity to share knowledge and experience, and to help them help

themselves. The ideas raised will be put forward to the flood Summit in

three weeks, when MPs, councils and other bodies responsible for

managing flooding will work out best where to spend the money to combat

flooding in the future. Well, while the recent heavy rain

and flooding has caused severe disruption to other major

engineering projects, plans to replace the historic canal gates at

Grafton Lock remain on course to be completed ahead of the busy Easter

Bank Holiday. The Environment Agency has been working on repairs since

last November. As Jeremy Stern reports, the latest phase has

involved specialist divers. Grafton Lock, built in Victorian times and

the gates need replacing every few decades. A temporary aria is now in

place as the Environment Agency prepares for new gates to be moved

in. This steel dam is holding back the main body of the water, enabling

us to use pumps so we have dried chamber. Then we are able to bring

in a crane along the Lochside and lift in the gates. Before that can

happen, divers need to inspect the structure of Grafton Lock. Whatever

time the job takes on the surface, it takes about three times longer in

the water. You have to feel your way around the sea bed and what you are

inspecting is a lot more difficult. Time is slipping away before the

busy Easter break. The Environment Agency is sure the work will be done

despite the flooding holding things up. Meanwhile carpenters have been

working on the new gates since last summer. The gates have to be very

strong because they are in constant use, being opened and closed dozens

of times. Once this has been completed, plans will move on to

update another lock on one of Oxford's historic waterways.

A studio sound expert from Wheatley in Oxfordshire has spoken of his

pride at winning an Oscar. Niv Adiri is part of the team who won the

Academy Award last night for best sound mixing on the British`made

sci`fi movie Gravity. The film, starring Sandra Bullock, won seven

Oscars in all, including best director. The sound team spent

months layering recordings of the actors' dialogue and breathing in

space`suits, which, combined with the special effects, was judged to

have added significantly to the film's dramatic tension.

Most of the time, if we do our job right, nobody notices and it is nice

to have a chance to show off a little bit that we contributed to

the film and contributed to the drama of the film. That's all from

me for the moment. I'll have the headlines at eight and a full

bulletin at 10.25. Now more of today's stories with Sally Taylor.

custodial sentence. His defence said this would only such shorten his

life further. Five stars for the cherries with a

record`breaking win. With flood waters finally beginning

to subside across the south, pupils at a Winchester school began

returning to classrooms today. Hampshire County Council partly

closed St Bede's last month when the drains filled with floodwater, and

the playgrounds were unsafe for children to use. Elsewhere in the

county many areas are still feeling the effects of last months storms.

Ed Sherry reports. The ground was saturated. It's a

story book that has been a little too real for these pupils in

Winchester recently. This was the scene in early February as the River

Itchen flooded into the playground. What worried me was if there had

been a rush of water, the flood defences would not be able to cope.

It was quite scary. But defences held. The elder pupils were able to

stay in the school, and places found nearby for all but the two youngest

years. We do not want to disrupt the education. I think the local

authority will be proactive. It should not happen again.

Contingencies had been made. Hampshire county council ordered

these temporary classrooms at the nearby Henry Beaufort School. They'd

have been ready to house the pupils from next week and will now stay as

an emergency facility. We will be going to the government fought of

the costs. Elsewhere flood waters are falling. Gravel bags dropped

into the stream. The concern is ground water levels. There are some

people who are still suffering the effects of ground water flooding.

Problems remain however, the nearby Hinton Amper house is closed because

of flooding on surrounding roads. There has been so much lying water.

It is difficult to understand the impact of the water coming through.

The waters here in Bramdean a sign that a happy ending is still some

way off for many of the region's communities.

Teenagers are to benefit from a new drugs and education programme rolled

out in Bournemouth's schools. The project is being funded by the

lottery and run by the Winehouse Foundation. We are going to each

school, we are going to the parents first. The teachers are trained, and

volunteers come in and work with peer groups and with the entire

school to discuss issues such as peer pressure, self`esteem and

behaviour. We talk about our experiences, and white those

un`dealt with well`being issues leaders open to substance abuse in

later life. We are trying to tackle the root issues. How difficult is

that with these children quest Mac we have found it very easy, to be

honest. Boulevard volunteers are being through a row rehabilitation

programme. They know the issues. Going into a school and sharing that

kind of information with the young people, as opposed to going in there

and saying don't do this, don't do that, by going in and showing our

feelings, we are finding that people are open to that. We have done this

in mainstream schools. The response has been the same. It has been very

healthy and very positive. We are very pleased with that. We think an

empathetic approach is the right approach. The money is coming

through the foundation. The name, the Shin Gangar. Gives it profile,

but with Amy and the life that she has left, has it been a help or a

hindrance quest Mac we have found it helpful. Many schools do not want to

invite a foundation in like this. In fact, I think people are aware of

it. We have not had problems with any school. We think it is a

positive thing. A public meeting's about to get

underway at Ludgershall in Wiltshire to discuss plans by the MOD to house

over 4,000 extra troops in the Salisbury Plain area. It's all part

of plans to move troops ` and their families ` out of Germany and

consolidate key bases in the UK. Ali Vowles reports from the meeting

venue at the Wellington Academy near the garrison town of Tidworth.

I am in the Wellington and Academy. There will be people in here keen to

know the arms plans. I have been into Tidworth to row see what people

think. Thou could be many people coming in. There would need to be

more things for people to do. Definitely more shop. It is good for

civilians like myself. It is a good move. More houses, more shops, more

schools. Things for children. They need more things for children

because there is nothing to do. The consultation goes on until the end

of the month. Everything will be put into the melting pot. This is

row... We've heard of police stations

moving into council offices and suchlike, but today Midhurst took

the concept of shared facilities to a new level. How about having a

coffee, playing badminton, borrowing a book, attending an art class and

registering a birth without having to leave the building? The town's

new multi`purpose leisure and community centre opened today ` and

Sean Killick went along to take a look.

In Midhurst, it is outwith the old, outdated leisure Centre, and in with

the ?8 million new one. Years ago, these people helped set it up.

Today, they played the opening game at the new centre. The old building

was built on a shoestring. We could not do things to the extent of this.

There is a new gym, sports hall and dance studio as well macro. You can

register a birth and a death. Over here, this is not just a reception

desk for the less centre, it is also the local district council help

desk. You can talk about refuse collection and housing. It is also a

tourist information office. You can come to one building and get a

multitude of services. Having the other services involved means we

could have a fantastic building. The changes have been welcomed by most

but not all. The old building had a characteristic. It is a lovely

building, and the tourist office again, they tried to do too much,

putting everything together. Lots of people can't get up to Guildford, so

to have something local is great. The building will be fully open by

the end of the month. You can do just about everything row!

It is a big week for the Saints players. The training sessions could

be crucial. There are four players in the squad looking for World Cup

places. It is not the best news that Southampton captain Adam Lallana was

one of five England players to miss training today through injury.

Lallana played the full 90 minutes on Saturday, but was not deemed fit

enough to train with his England team`mates this afternoon. Luke Shaw

however did take part in his first England training session. The

18`year`old could make his international debut against Denmark

at Wembley on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino says

Southampton need to be more clinical in front of goal, after his team

lost to Liverpool at the weekend. A Luis Suarez strike was the only

difference in an even first half. Adam Lallana hit a post for Saints

before Raheem Sterling made it 2`0 with his first touch. That man

Suarez was involved again, Jose Fonte judged to have fouled the

Uruguayan. Steven Gerrard making no mistake from the spot. Saints stay

in ninth. stay in the school, and places found

nearby for ^ Bournemouth halted a run of four

games without a win. Harry Potter's second goal capped a fine win. ``

after. This is the first of your overall's

three dismissals. The penalty was saved,

Reading looked for a winner. There are plenty of teams aiming for a top

six finish. Portsmouth kick off at Chesterfield

tonight. Chesterfield have lost just once in the last eight games.

Tune in for the return of BBC Late Kick Off tonight for the first

chance to see all the goals and action from that game. Join me on

BBC One from 11:20. In cricket, Hampshire have named James Vince as

their Vice`Captain for the upcoming season. The 22`year`old all`rounder,

who won the clubs Players' Player of the Year Award last season, will

work alongside captain Jimmy Adams. Vince agreed a three`year contract

extension last summer. An ice hockey, Basingstoke bison

beat Slough Jets. It is the win that keeps them in perfect preparation

for their first cup final on Wednesday.

Southampton cyclist Jon Dibben was involved in a dramatic crash on the

final day of the Track Cycling World Championships in Columbia. Just as

Dibben's team mate Owain Doull handed over the baton, his back

wheel was clipped. Causing a pile up in the men's Maddison. The pair

continued in the 200 lap event but went on to finish last.

But they are OK. It that like dominoes! The weather was dreadful

yesterday. Dyer. Hale early today. Prolonged hailstorms. Pictures for

you. Wendy Wakelin took this photo of hail in Liss in Hampshire this

afternoon. Heather Brooks snapped the rain drops on a Camellia in East

Wittering. And Roger Wallsgrove took this photo in one of the brief dry

spells today in Petersfield. We will have some showers,

spells today in Petersfield. We will have some but they will fade

out. The skies were clear. The risk of Frost, mist and fog and ice on

untreated surfaces. Under the clearing skies, still the risk of

one or two chalice for western areas. We will see the showers

moving away rapidly. Yes, there is a risk of ice on untreated services. A

cold, frosty start tomorrow, and still the risk of ice on untreated

services, and cabbages will rise very nicely. It will be a pleasant

spring day. You will be unlucky if you catch a shower. It will be at

high temperature of nine or 10 Celsius. That is a degree or so up

on today. The winds will be fairly light. The showers will be few and

far between. Tempters once again will rocket down towards freezing.

`1 in the countryside, so mist and fog. Miss and fog in the morning,

and also the risk of ice. A chilly start on Wednesday, but

high`pressure staying in charge. More cloud for western areas. It

should stay once again, mainly dry. A quiet spell for the working week.

As we head towards the row rest of the week, more cloud later in the

day on Thursday, slightly more cloud on Friday, and outbreaks of light

rain and drizzle. All week, we are looking at mist and fog patches. The

winds are fairly light. They will pick up towards the end of the

working week, and a slim chance of a shower. Mainly dry on Wednesday and

also Thursday. The chance of drizzle on Friday. If you are out and about

and he wants the weather at your fingertips, you can download out

whether app. That is a full five`day weather forecast. That app also

should have sunshine on it row estimation mark that is it from us.

I am back later with late kick`off.