22/05/2014 BBC Oxford News

start to the weekend, some sunshine filtering through. By Monday feeling

warm for pressure? How nearly one in ten

newly qualified teachers in Oxfordshire resigns in their first

year in the job. Also tonight, a man on a mission to bring back

wildlife to a river. Doug to stop a repeat of pollution spill

in which sewage flooded into the water. A shortage of homes and

being outbid by overseas investors. barriers to first`time buyers

getting onto the housing ladder in Later, the Marines raising money for

charity by kayaking across the Channel.

Figures we've obtained show nearly one in ten newly

qualified teachers in Oxfordshire will quit during their first year in

the job. The National Union of Teachers says too many people new to

the profession are under too much pressure. It's calling for better

training and more support. Sinead Carroll has been looking at the

What kind of numbers are we talking about? These numbers have been

released and they reverse the city to local authority schools and not

academies. 383 newly qualified teachers were recruited in

Oxfordshire in September 2012 but by the following summer, and nine of

them had left. For every NQTs, people who have done years of

training are ready, one leaps within the first year of teaching and

before gaining that qualified teacher status. It is an issue that

has frustrated teachers. Last March, many protested over working

conditions but Ofsted, the body which inspects schools, says despite

all the time and money would be teachers spend on training, some

cannot handle the pressure of the classroom. The training providers

and also the schools are honest with people. If they are going to do the

job well, that is fantastic and they should do a good job for our young

people but if not it is best to do any order. One in for a teachers

leave the profession within the first few years. A teacher at an

Oxford primary school but I visited early `` and here, doesn't think the

number of NQTs leaving is due to their ability. He believes many are

driven from the job. An average teacher is working 59 hours a week

and a lot of that is filling out paperwork, paperwork which is not

statutory from overload. A young teacher comes in and they want to

work with children and the development. They want to be there

doing the job thought teaching was. Here they are at midnight filling in

another form. Something has to give. Frequently they feel it is

their fault and it is not, it is bad management. From September this

year, Ofsted or making changes to the way NQTs are accessed. It is

hoped by asking for their feedback, they will feel better supported.

Polling stations are open for another three and a

the European and local elections. In Oxfordshire, local council seats are

being contested in the west of the county, Cherwell and

A campaign to save a river near Aylesbury from further pollution

has been launched with a call for authorities to support the cause.

Last year sewage leaked into the river Thame in the town.

Now one environmentalist says the area must be restored to once

again become a haven for wildlife and fish.

Not just a beauty spot but home for a range of wildlife. I found dead

fish on the river and then I noticed that all the dragonflies had

disappeared. The river was looking quite dark as well. Subsequently I

was told by the environment agency that there had been a major

pollution in southern. The source of that pollution is here, the process

waste from the surrounding area but before July last year, but waste

escaped into the River Tame. Almost a year on and it is not a case of

water under the bridge for Doug. He is organising a meeting to encourage

local people and the authorities to discuss the problem. We need to see

long`term imprisonment which means the community has to get involved.

They have to start taking an interest in the river and monitoring

it perhaps and taking an interest in what the company are doing. As for

Thames water, in a statement, they said:

For Doug, it seems further safeguards need to be put in place

to avoid a repeat of last year 's sewage leak and that may include

other locals joining him in keeping an eye on the River Thames.

Many councils in the South are struggling

to process drivers' claims for damage caused by potholes. Record

and flooding has worsened the condition of road surfaces. There

have been so many claims that councils such as Oxfordshire and

Hampshire are having trouble getting them through the system with

Overseas speculators in the housing market

are beginning to move out of London and into the Thames Valley, adding

to the difficulties of first`time buyers trying to get onto the

housing ladder. Up to now, foreign investment has largely been limited

to the London market. Now one block of apartments in Reading has already

been snapped up by an Middle East investor and it isn't even finished.

Months off completion and already this block of flats is something of

a landmark. What you've got is

184 flats currently under construction.

The boss of the firm tasked with selling them says they are the first

sold en masse to an overseas

investor, a sign that Reading is just nother London

suburb. We have seen it with what

has happened with the block behind, we are attracting

investors from wider afield. But in the last couple of years, most

investors have been local. An 18 storey tower, we have sold to a

Saudi`based investor so people people are

Reading and I still think a lot of that is around the station and

access to London. The losers in all

this are first`time buyers, now it is claimed finding it almost

impossible to get on the property ladder here.

We have made offers on approximately five or six houses at

the asking price. We are first`time buyers, not in a chain with ?100,000

deposit to down, so we just don't know where we were going wrong. We

just don't understand. Such is the

demand, this former office block will soon be turned into flats.

A state school in Oxford has been selected as one of the first in the

UK to offer pupils better access to watersports. Cheney school in

Haddington has now been given money to encourage young people from

non`private schools to take up watersports.

For most of these teenagers, it's the perfect end to a school day,

skimming along the River Thames in the sunshine. But this is the only

skimming along the River Thames in the sunshine. But this is the only

rowing club run by a state school in Oxfordshire. Cheney school has now

been recognised nationally for its

achievements as a watersports hub school, a programme developed by

British Rowing, British Canoeing and the Young Sport Trust. It is

widening the demographic for rowing. The school is a very comprehensive

school. Students have a massive

range of backgrounds and we are seeking to involve as many of those

children as possible. The school

club meet here once a week. In the water they are

being taught teamwork, safety and different rowing techniques.

Essentially, they are being taught how to

race. The special status means the school has been given extra

funding, more training for instructors and help with new

equipment. The idea is to make activities like rowing and kayaking

more accessible for children who don't go to private schools.

It is really important because it

bridges the gap. Nobody would

normally get the opportunity to do it so it is

important that everyone gets a chance.

It adds a bit of variety to sport.

With many state schools on tight budgets, they simply cannot

afford to invest in sports like this.

It is hoped that the tide will turn and more state schools will soon be

taking to the water. Catbird is one of nine words that

could go into Oxford 's dictionary. Finally, heavy rain and

storms struck Oxfordshire a little earlier. This photo was snapped by

David Davidson, of folk lightning hitting Chinnor. Heavy rain also

cause flash flooding in Whitney's high street

for a time this afternoon. Roger Finn goes in search

of a birdsong. Firefighters have rescued five

people trapped by fire in a flat The court heard how

the fire started due to It is believed that the extension

lead which had been placed at the back of the tent had been overloaded

by a number of appliances. It contained a TV,

a fridge and a water boiler. It was said most of these appliances

were left on continuously, And it was this that eventually

meant the lead started to spark and set fire to combustible

materials inside the tent. Private Rob Wood, normally based

at Marchwood near Southampton, died with his colleague Dean Hutchinson,

who was 23, on Valentine's Day 2011. The fire was believed to have

started just before six Both men died of smoke

inhalation and severe burns. The coroner ruled

a narrative conclusion saying there The camp was criticised for its fire

assessment in December 2010 where failures were missed, including that

the men slept on shift as well as lack of communication

on how fire equipment was checked. The coroner did say that extensive

changes have been made but that Both families are devastated

but the coroner read out a number of tributes about both men

saying they were both popular, A number of improvements have been

made to fire safety procedures but we will study the coroner's

recommendations. That is a statement which has just been made by the

MoD. The weather's been pretty awful

at times today ` in a few minutes we've got a full holiday weekend

forecast with Alexis. Not many of us would have wanted

to be crossing the English So spare a thought

for 24 men who today rowed But these aren't just

any ordinary men. They are Royal Marines `

so up for the challenge. And they're taking part

in a fundraising challenge travelling more than 4,000 miles

kayaking, sailing, skiing, A short time ago,

they came ashore at Southsea. I am sure they got a hero's welcome?

Of course. We are opposite the beach where over an hour ago there was a

dramatic landing. It was spectacular. 24 kayaks landed. They

were greeted by well`wishers and veterans. They had road 100 miles in

20 hours during the night, all ages and ranks. They pulled together in

this amazing but raising charity. Two other men join me now. `` two of

the men. How was it? It was a hard effort by all. What about the

endurance factor? We have not had a great deal of training for it. Due

to the pace we judge the pace, so we go with the slowest one. We build on

that afterwards. What was alike with the weather? The weather was

changeable. It was suitable for us to do the best we could. The weather

during the darkness made it quite a challenge at times. Gary, this is

only one element of the challenge. This is one phase. The challenge,

which began in Norway where the teams skeet, they then swapped skis

for sailing. It is a cause close to your heart? It is. We have had men

injured in Afghanistan and Iraq. We are hoping to raise money for our

charity. Why did you choose a location? We left from France, a

famous Normandy landing beach. The anniversary is coming up. This is a

350th anniversary of the Royal Marines. `` the. The final leg gets

under way on Monday. It is the running part of it, 1000 miles,

leaving at 9am on Monday morning. A fantastic achievement. We have some

football coming up. Former Sussex cricketers Lou Vincent

and Naveed Arif have this afternoon both been charged with match fixing

offences by the England and The charges relate to

the 40 over game between Sussex If they were to be found guilty,

it would be the first time the game's authorities had proved

the outcome of a county game in In golf, in the PGA CHampinoship,

Hampshire's Justin Rose had moved on to one under par at the half way

stage on a wet day at Wentworth. He's still a way off leader

Thomas Bjorn though who equalled Southampton's Richard Bland

reached the turn on four over par. Portsmouth have completed

the signing of midfielder Danny Hollands on a two`year deal,

after a successful loan spell. The 28`year`old was

a free agent after his contract He scored five goals in seven

games at Fratton Park last season. Hollands began his career at Chelsea

and has also played for Bournemouth. Now, it's a name We have some

football coming up. Harry Redknapp. Former player,

manager and all round club legend. But now to that list,

you can add academy Prospect. Harry Redknapp Junior `

Harry's Grandson ` It is a family tree with a bald

route at Ballmer. Harry managed and Jamie played `` Bournemouth. He has

bundle of pace. He plays wide on the right. He has potential. We will

leave it up to Bournemouth. Spotted playing for a local team, the son of

Mark will play the team next season. It is the first baby step on the

road to becoming a professional. We created a enjoyed `` enjoyable

environment. They have a feel for what the club is about. The grandson

of former manager Alan Ball is in the same team, but what does Harry

senior have to say about his latest talent? He is OK. He loves his

football. He is a good kid. As long as he grows up to be a nice person.

He has big shoes to fill Budgie has taken the first but steps to making

a name for himself in the game. It is great to see the tradition there.

A lot of pressure but there are emphasising `` they are emphasising

they need to enjoy themselves. In this week's Finn's Country,

Roger meets a multi`millionaire with Mark Constantine is the founder

of Lush Cosmetics. But, for a select group of bird

lovers, he is the Sultan of Song. There's not much

about birdsong he doesn't know. He's recorded it,

written books about it and collected One of his favourite spots

for indulging this passion is On the ferry to Brownsea,

I pass the Island's lagoon. The lagoon is enclosed by a wall

and pumps keep the water levels I'm here to meet Mark Constantine

but first I'm given a quick introduction to the island

by one of the wardens here. The whole island is owned

by the National Trust, but the Dorset wildlife trust manage

just under half the island. We do what we can to enhance

the vistors' enjoyment. We are here to look

after the wildlife. We've got five wades on the reserve

and three You will literally only be

a metre away. One of the regular visitors here

is local businessman Mark. He is passionate about this part

of the world and passionate It's got a grip over me

harder than it did on here. We've got birds coming in from

migration, breeding all around us. The seagulls here have

taken over the islands. We have had to keep them off

because during the breeding season Mark said the charity has installed

web cams beside the bouncy heights. Now anyone with

a computer can watch the feathered You're taking this a step further

and you're deep into bird song. When you are using the equipment

you can hear it better. I started to want to communicate

sounds and analyse them. Mark has written a couple

of books about birdsong and has a mission to excite many more people

about the neglected wonder of these This is a summer migrant

which has arrived from Africa. The analysis of birdsong led to

the production of sonograms, digital illustrations of the exact

sound of different tweets. Instead of me going have you noticed

it is flat, what does that mean. When you can see the sounds or trace

the communication, it improves. Much better than saying it is

a kind of a tweet. You are recording what is

apparently mundane stuff. Then suddenly a femaile goes by

and it changes. Mark Constantine there,

on Brownsea Island. Now, a few weeks ago Roger delved

into a collection of old tools at the Rural Life Centre in Farnham

and he's been challenging us to Last week quite a few of you guessed

correctly on our Facebook page. Here's Roger with the answer,

and this week's mystery item. This is a mill bill, a chisel for

making the grooves in millstone. This mystery object is tricky. A

lump of wood with spikes on the bottom to hold it in place and then

a blade here and a groove downside. What is that? Go to our Facebook

page to make a guess and everything will be revealed next week. Some

wild weather today. We have this amazing footage for you. This is a

time lapse. You can see the thunderstorms moving through. We had

some lightning today. It was shocking. Let's take a look at the

weather pictures. Andy took this fantastic picture. Kleiber captured

this taught us and the large hail `` Clive captured this tortoise.

Thunderstorms are possible and lightning will hail mixed in.

Through the course of the night we will see them move through the

South. Downpours at times which will reduce visibility on roads. We have

had some flash flooding today so night temperatures will drop to a

mild ten or 11 Celsius. Tomorrow morning there will be rain about

this thing but once that clears it is a better date from around

mid`morning onwards. We will see the showers disappear. The sun makes an

appearance and temperatures will reach 16 or 17 Celsius in the

afternoon. In much better day than today but do be do catch a shower

they may be slow`moving. Into the evening, further showers and the Met

office are keeping a close eye on the situation. There could be a

warning in place with this torrential rain on Saturday morning.

A rational showers moves English. Temperatures down to ten or 12

Celsius, so a never mild night. Once those thunderstorms clear on

Saturday it will be followed by showers, said the low pressure is

causing this. The next band of showers moved their way from France.

The low pressure stays with us but it is an improving picture as we

take a look at the bank holiday weekend. A showery start on Saturday

with thunderstorms around, gradually clearing by the evening. Some

sunshine to be had and warming up on Monday. Not a bad day all in all but

some thundery showers on Saturday. Thunderstorms are possible first

thing tomorrow morning, gradually turning drier and brighter. The

winds coming from the south, so the thunderstorms head up from France.

Sunday has torrential rain but sunshine in between. The odd stray

shower but most places will stay dry on Monday. That must be a first. Not

raining on bank holiday. That is all we have time for. We'll have the

results from the local elections in our breakfast bulletins tomorrow

morning and across the day tomorrow. That is all from us. Have a lovely

evening. When the first travellers crossed

America, they were faced with this - from snow-capped mountains

to arid plains and thick forests. The very nature of the American

personality was defined. Ray Mears explores

the land behind the Hollywood legend and discovers the wild that

made the west.