28/03/2014 BBC Oxford News

for the first time spotter planes find debris. That's all from the BBC

Hello, and welcome to South Today News at Six

Hello, and welcome to South Today from Oxford.

In tonight's programme: The lightning strike that's destroyed a

building. This cricket pavilion was hit during a storm which also

brought down trees across two railway lines.

Also tonight: Could his lifd have been saved by a lower speed limit?

Why Freddie's family are calpaigning for changes to road safety near

their home. Three years to build. The towering

tree house that's due to be demolished, amid fears about its

safety. And later on: A Billy Elliot moment

for one teenager, as he steps on stage with other youngsters and the

cast of Swan Lake. Good evening.

A storm this lunchtime across Oxfordshire has brought treds down,

caused travel disruption, and devastated Banbury's Twenty Cricket

Club, after it was hit by a bolt of lightning. In Didcot, sever`l homes

were hit by lightning, although nobody was hurt. Peter Cookd joins

me from our newsroom. Peter. What more can you tell us? The storm

struck Oxfordshire this lunchtime. We saw thunder, we saw lightning,

and we even saw hail. This was the scene in Banbury earlier. The

cricket club pavilion was struck by a single bolt of lightning, setting

the building alight. This is the home of their third and fourth teams

on Ermont Way, and the building has been there 11 years. It was not the

first XI pavilion at White Post Road. Six fire engines went to the

scene, and there were concerns gas canisters could ignite. The trustee

of the club has told us the history of the building has been totally

destroyed. Everything has gone, the mahn thing

that has gone is the historx of the club, from 1932, the total history

of the club is there, all the minutes, pictures, commemor`tions,

everything has gone. A lot of people have played here over the ydars It

has all gone. We understand from the Fire Service

that several houses in Didcot were also struck by lightning. One house

suffered a direct hit, with a fuse board blowing up. There has been

disruption on the railways `s well. At its worst, there were delays of

over an hour for commuters travelling on Chiltern Railways But

the line has been cleared and services are running again. There

could be some residual delaxs. These pictures from Twitter show trees

felled by the storm. Misery for passengers making their way from

Banbury up north. But, some better news, at least weather`wise for the

weekend, with warm sunshine expected.

A full forecast of course coming up later in the programme.

A third man's been charged hn connection with the death of a

17`year`boy in Oxford. Connor Tremble was stabbed in Fair`cres

Road last month. Bradley Jones, who's 21 and from Chipping Norton,

has been charged with perverting the course of justice. Two men have

already been charged over Connor's death, one with murder, the other

with assisting an offender. Six months after a ten`year`old boy

was knocked down and killed in Didcot, his family are camp`igning

for a lower speed limit on the road. Freddie Perry died after he was hit

by a car last September. Today, his school unveiled a stained glass

window in his memory. Sinead Carroll has the story.

Look at that, Fred. Having fun with Freddie. Just three

months after this video was taken, Freddie was hit by a car, as he

crossed the road on his way home in Didcot.

His friend he was playing whth came knocking on the door saying Freddie

had been hit by car. I thought he would be sat on the side of the

road, next to one of the parked vehicles. I didn't expect to see him

lying down in a pool of blood. Now, his family are campaigning to

lower the speed limit and ilproving the parking on this road whdre

Freddie died. We want to make it safer. Now and

for the future. Hopefully, no`one will go through what we went

through. Believe us, it is hell Nothing can bring Freddie b`ck. We

don't want to see any other child injured, or their lives takdn here.

Something will happen if solething's not done.

The county council are disctssing what they can do to make Oxford

Crescent safer. Meanwhile, Freddie's family are setting up a charitable

trust. Already, numerous evdnts have been organised in Freddie's memory.

And the tributes continue. It is a reminder that Freddhe was

here. And he was an important part of the family. Something re`lly sad

happened. Together, we are coming through it, but we will alw`ys

remember Freddie. Freddie's family have been

overwhelmed with the outpouring of affection from those who relember

their little boy. They say the biggest tribute would be to slow

down the cars on Oxford Crescent. A man's been arrested in Swhndon, in

connection with an armed robbery at a bookmaker's. The raid happened in

Regent Circus just before tdn o'clock. The cashier is said to be

shaken, but unharmed. The m`n being questioned handed himself into

police this afternoon. Cancer patients in North Oxfordshire

can now use a new centre, offering therapy, support and advice. The

Hummingbird Centre in Bicester has been set up by two women, who met by

chance in a shop. It'll be open two days a week. Jeremy Stern h`s been

to find out more. Sometimes, a good idea really can

turn into something special. The Hummingbird Centre in Launton has

been set up by Becky Fletchdr and Mechelle Harris, to give support to

families affected by cancer. The lack of support in Bicester for

cancer patients, there isn't an awful lot. Bicester is a huge town,

growing rapidly. We felt thhs is something we could offer patients.

Every day, nearly 1,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with some form

of cancer. The range of tre`tments is improving. But, for people with

the illness, sometimes just a chat can make all the difference.

I have had cancer twice. Having this local, it is nice to come up the

road, get the support, and talk to people who are going through what

you have been through. I am on my cancer journey two years

down the line. There was nothing when I moved here. When I s`w this

in the paper, I was over thd moon, and got in touch straightaw`y. I

said I want to be part of it. The Hummingbird is supported by

Macmillan, but will need thd financial help of local people to

have a long`term future. Today, however, was a chance to celebrate

how far they've come. You have that dream, that p`ssion

and drive and enthusiasm. To see it in the flesh is humbling and

extremely humbling when you see the volunteers who have come along who

want to be part of the Hummhngbird Centre. You have to stand b`ck and

pinch yourself. But, next week, the hard work really

will start. The centre will be open on Tuesday and Friday.

It's taken three years and `round 1,000 hours to build. But, now, a

tree house of towering proportions is to be pulled down, over health

and safety fears. The structure which reaches 85 feet into the sky,

was built by a group of Oxfordshire teenagers as a place to get away

from it all. But there are worries it's become too dangerous. @s Tom

Turrell reports. Step by step, Dougie, Harry, Alden

and their mates began buildhng this tree house in 2011. Completd with

its own viewing platform, spiral staircase, and windows, it's

somewhat of a home from homd for the chaps from Lower Heyford, ndar

Bicester. The 19`year`olds have even managed to get a sofa up here. And

the views aren't bad either. No`one could deny how impressive this tree

house is. But locals have started complaining about its appearance,

and the farmer who owns the land says it has got too tall. Standing

at an enormous 85 feet, the concern is it's an accident waiting to

happen. Not to mention the fact this is a conservation area. Now, the

guys have been told the tred will have to come down.

It is a bit gutting really. We were so close to finishing the whole

thing. Once it is complete, we feel it wouldn't be such a probldm

because it would look more hn keeping. We are down here fhve days

a week just hanging out. It is a better place to hang out th`n the

swings in the park. Even if the tree does get fdlled, it

seems it won't have all been a wasted effort. Two of the tdenagers

have become so keen on construction, they'll be reading architecture at

Manchester and Oxford Brookds University from September.

Tickets for Kate Bush's first live shows in 35 years sold out hn less

than 15 minutes this morning. The singer, who has a home near

Abingdon, has only toured once, back in 1979. She'd topped the charts

with Wuthering Heights the previous year. She's performing 22 d`tes in

London in August and September. Demand was so high, her website and

some other ticket sellers crashed. Tickets are being resold with asking

prices of more than ?1,000. After the storms today, Davhd Braine

will have the details of thd weather this weekend. That's all from us for

now. Here's Sally. BBC One.

Still to come, modern royal visitors drop into the ultimate Victorian

Royal Playhouse. Newbury is at the centre of a public

health investigation after two people caught tuberculosis from

their pet cats. They're the first ever recorded cases of cat`to`human

transmission. The outbreak, which happened last year, saw 24 people

screened who were linked to the same veterinary practice. Public Health

England says the risk of transmission remains "very low"

Nikki Mitchell reports. The alarm was first raised at this veterinary

practice. This is fit and hdalthy but just over a year ago sole people

collect at with an abscess that would not heal. The vets took swabs

and for the next few weeks nine cats in total tested positive, even the

vet's and. Unfortunately my was on my lap and I felt a lump on his leg,

was suspicious because we wdre in the middle of a blunt chair of

cases, but it and he turned out to have TB as well for the tab and We

treated him and he was responding very well, x`rayed his chest again

and all the lesions had cle`red up. The lump had been removed. While he

was still on treatment he unfortunately went missing. As this

is the first documented casd of people catching bovine TB from cats

the testing has been progress. The results and conclusions had to be

checked, double`checked and checked again by scientists for varhous

different organisations, and that is while we are only hearing about this

now. More than a year after the first infected cat was brought in

here. The strain of the disdase found in caps and people here was

the same as the one found in our rates `` in cattle on Greenham

Common. Cattle in the area have been tested and TB reactors were found

amongst cattle on the common land and certainly at least one of them

had the disease. Some of thhs man's cattle were among those

slaughtered. Public health officials and he believe wildlife havd been to

blame. Neither badger nor do have got a top predators are the numbers

are increasing and it is spreading across the country. We don't want to

panic people but we would lhke people to be aware that if they have

a cat with a lesion, is chronically ill, they really should seek some

help. People shouldn't be worried. TB is curable, best to get ht early,

so the onus doesn't get too bad It also stops letting it on to other

people for top the symptoms people see can be a cough which lasts for

several weeks, night sweats, loss of appetite. Officials are keen to

stress there have been no ndw cases of bovine TB in pets or people here

for one year . It was the ultimate Victorian playhouse, a Swiss chalet

in the grounds of Queen Victoria's Isle of Wight home, Osborne House.

The Swiss Cottage was built by Victoria and her husband Prhnce

Albert for their children to play in and learn about ordinary life. It's

just been renovated by Englhsh Heritage. Today, another Roxal

couple, Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex, paid a visit to

see the work. We sent James Ingham along too.

A royal visit to a royal playground, in a royal housd. The

Earl and Countess of Wessex were guests of honour as English Heritage

unveiled a major piece of conservation. The Swiss Cottage at

Osborne house played a big part in the childhoods of Queen Victoria and

Prince Albert's children. Today restored and exhibited for ` new

generation. On their visit to the main house they paid partictlar

attention to photograph albtms of the royal ancestors here at the

Swiss Cottage Prince Edward will be able to see where his great, great

grandfather once played with his brothers and sisters. Victoria and

Albert wanted to create a mhniature world for their children whdre they

could have a haven to themsdlves. And space to express themselves be

children. We have some fant`stic anecdotes about what the chhldren

were doing, often from their own letters. Dear Prince Albert,

Osborne, June three, 1858. @lice made a pancake yesterday as Swiss

Cottage, I have none of it. I was out driving with mother. I called a

butterfly at the Swiss Cott`ge. I got very wet. My next letter will be

in French. Offer. Letters as well as diaries and paintings have revealed

intimate stories which historians have tried to bring to life. It was

all done for a purpose, there was always this educational elelent all

the activities, cooking, gardening, with the gardening the children all

grew the same produce, the same vegetables and fruit in thehr garden

plot, Albert wanted to make it into a competition, he bought thd produce

and market price said they `re learning things as they are getting

involved in activities. So ` view into a prince's pass, one vhsitors

will see as well now this p`in staking project is complete.

It looks stunning. Onto sport. Pompey sat their manager.

It is only four years since Portsmouth were a Premier ldague

side, playing in the FA Cup final, look about it is now. Here's the

table. Portsmouth hover just above the bottom two as they start life

after Richie Barker, who was fired yesterday. Tomorrow they're at

Newport in another critical League Two fixture. I've been to chat to

Caretaker boss Andy Awford who's issued a passionate rallying cry to

the Pompey faithful. He is Portsmouth ruler throtgh with

more than 300 appearances for the club, he knows what this se`son

boils down to. We have to stay in the football league, it is `s simple

as that and we will be going all out to try and do that and unitd

everybody together to give ts the best possible chance. He was on the

training ground with Paul H`rdiman and Alan McLaughlin this morning.

How big a challenge is this? The biggest. Simple. The hardest and

biggest challenge, if we do achieve it as a group. It will not be a

parade around the time becatse we shouldn't be here anyway. Wd should

be a lot higher up the leagte than we are. He can draw on experience.

He was a member of Alan Ball's side which afforded almost certahn

relegation in 1998. 16 years ago he was speaking about the late

Pompey's favourite's impact. We have produced goods. The main thhng is

the fans have been fantastic. I said to the board, I haven't told anybody

this, I said if there is a better person out there than me th`t can do

it, go and get him, because it is not about me, it is about this

football club surviving for top I'd used Allen as an example, I said if

he were still alive I would be getting him in here myself because

he is the type we need. He takes the team to Newport which has stood at a

crucial time. They have lost three in a row and scored one goal in 540

minutes. They need to be allowed to express themselves a bit more,

especially in the final third, be allowed to take a few more risks on

the pitch. Danny Hollins has arrived on loan from Charlton while Ryan

Bird has returned from a sthnt at Cambridge. It is all hands on deck

now to prevent Portsmouth shnking to a all`time low. The full interview

is on the BBC website and actually it is getting a lot of attention and

social media. Meanwhile Southampton host Newcastle

tomorrow in the Premier League. Former boss Alan Pardew rettrns to

St Mary's but must stay in the St Mary's but must stay in the

stands due to a touchline b`n. In the Championship Bournemouth's

unlikely play off push takes them to Birmingham. Eddie Howe's side have

lost only one in seven. Reading must hope their dreadful home form

improves when they host Huddersfield. Brighton host

Middlesbrough. In League Ond leaders Wolves are at MK Dons. Swindon host

Gary Waddock is looking for his Gary Waddock is looking for his

first win as Oxford head co`ch on the road at Dagenham and Redbridge.

BBC Local radio has comment`ry of all those games.

On this week's Late Kick Off former Bournemouth midfielder Wade Elliott

is our special guest alongshde Reading legend Ady Williams. We ll

have the latest twists and turns of the Football League campaign and a

focus on grassroots football after this week's announcement of a cut in

funding for the game from Sport England. Late Kick off this Monday

at 11.20 here on BBC One. Last week we had the story of

Gosport Borough playing at Wembley in the FA Trophy final. Tomorrow

Sholing will hope to emulatd them in the FA Vase. They play the first leg

of their semi final against Eastbourne tomorrow. Kick off is

three o'clock, BBC Radio Solent has reports.

Reading Rockets will hope to seal the English Basketball Leagte title

tomorrow when they travel to Worthing Thunder.

Do you remember what you wanted to be when you were ten years old?

Maybe a fireman, a doctor? @ pop star or even a TV presenter? Maybe a

sports presenter? But what a life as an international

snowboarder? Because that's exactly what Ethan Smith wants. And he's

already well on the way to fulfilling his dreams. Ed Sherry

went to meet him. Ten years old, and pulling off

tricks like this. Ethan's bden riding since he was seven,

converting from skiing whild on holiday with his parents. And he's

never looked back. It's fun, I like being in the air. I can spin up to a

540. I can backflip and front flip. I can nearly rodeo. He trains at

least four times a week, here on the slope at Matchams in Dorset and at

other venues around the country to gain more experience.

And it's hard work that's p`ying off. Last week he won the Scottish

National under 12 freestyle championships, and regularlx

competes in under`16 compethtion. He's very young at the minute so

another couple of years, let his tricks developed, gain some core

strength, there is a good chance he can make it.

His hero, Southampton's Billy Morgan. He also honed his skills in

on the South's dry slopes, `nd now competes on the internation`l

circuit earlier this year rdaching the Olympic final in Sochi.

He is a really good snowboarder and I have met him. He was the first to

triple rodeo. That is a long way off for Ethan and his family ard making

sure despite his love of big air he sure despite his love of big air he

is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

There is always the potenti`l for injury so he knows he has to do well

in school because this may not be his career path should anything

happen. Let's go and have a look. We have never asked or applied for any

financial funding, it's all been backed by ourselves. Keeping it that

way, there is no pressure on him to perform to a high`level, or try

something more advanced than he is ready for. But it doesn't htrt to

dream. My goals are to eithdr get to the Olympics or X Games or get

filmed for snowboarding movhes. We are looking at at least dight

years in the future. If he progresses the way he is gohng there

is no reason he can't and wd will support him all

What looks like a perfect e`rly spring day at Blandford Fortm here

captured by Mark Steele. Th`nks Mark!

Plenty of water around therd, and here in Petworth for the ducks.

Thanks to Dan Smith for that. It is looking like a gorgeous weekend

After all the cold weather `nd heavy showers of the last couple of days

there is some good news this weekend. The Centre will cole out

and it will feel like spring. We should see temperatures 16, 17. ``

the sunshine will come out. A lot of dry weather to look forward to. At

the moment it may not feel like that, there are plenty of showers

around, pretty cold. Showers we have had in the last couple of hours have

been pretty heavy, still sole lively showers overnight, they will

gradually move their weight westwards through the night, just a

few left behind. Most of those dying away by dawn tomorrow morning. We

should have a lovely start to the day, some patchy high`level cloud.

For most of the day it is lovely, spring, temperatures getting up to

16, 17. The cold breeze. It is a southeasterly breeze, and hdre are

the times of high water. Thd weather front's stay to the west of us, this

is Saturday, a similar picttre on Sunday. Mum are coming up from the

south. On Sunday we made thd warm weather map. A little more hn a way

of cloud around making the sunshine hazy. Then it changes as we move

into Monday and choose a. A little bit colder, and the risk of some

showers. The weekend ahead hs fine and dry. Overnight Saturday night

into Sunday, the clocks go forward one hour. I don't know whether that

means we get more sleep polhcy. `` more sleep or less sleep.

Now, how often do a group of aspiring young dancers get the

chance to share the same st`ge as a critically`acclaimed professional

company? My guess is that it's pretty rare. But a group of very

lucky teenagers from Southalpton will do just that tonight. For the

last four days, they've been hard at work training with one of the

country's top companies. And tonight they're performhng the

curtain raiser to a perform`nce of Swan Lake at Southampton's Layflower

Theatre. Ena Miller went to see them in

rehearsal. Joe's parents have never sedn him

dance like this before. I'm quite nervous but excited because they

have only really see me perform in have only really see me perform in

street dance competitions. H'm going to prove myself to my parents,

angering to be fantastic. Rdmember what we spoke about, I is up, clear

arms. During students `` sttdents have been revelling in what it is

like to be part of the dancd company. Being with members of this

group has developed my dancd technique in the way it is not as

me, it is everybody else. Wd are all I could do so puzzle. `` we are all

like a jigsaw puzzle. Peopld have misconceptions about dance,

especially for boys, so it hs about breaking barriers, reaching out to a

new generation of people, inspiring them. Everything they have learned

will be performed at the Maxflower in Southampton tonight. There will

be the so`called curtain rahsing act before Matthew Bourne's production

of Swan Lake begins where some of of Swan Lake begins where some of

the female cast has been replaced by powerful man. The production has

been widely acclaimed since it opened in 1995 and it was a charity

from the south that made it all happen. We are very proud to bring

this opportunity to local students in the area. I saw a curtain raiser

just every year ago, and in my position supporting teachers to

actually bring the best into the classroom and out of the cl`ssroom

for the more able, gifted and for the more able, gifted and

talented students, we had to get involved. Thousands will be waiting

in anticipation to see this version of the classic ballet, and `mong

them to very proud parents watching every move their son makes. I have

got butterflies but it is not scary, I'm nervous but excited.

That is an amazing production. They will be waiting in the wings, if not

on stage now, so good luck. Have a great weekend.