12/06/2014 BBC Oxford News

cooler through the weekend, but the weather is looking pretty good for

A mother calls for the legalisation of recreational drugs after her

daughter died from taking an almost pure form of ecstasy.

She wanted to get high. She did not want to die.

Also, fire fighters walk out the 24 hours. One crew member tells us how

proposed changes would affect his life. How technology will shape the

transport of the future. Vince Cable hears about driverless

vehicles. With the kick off hours away, stand

by for a cocktail of football and Brazilian culture.

A verdict of accidental death has been recorded by a coroner

in Oxford, after a 15`year`old girl died having taken ecstasy.

Martha Fernback died after taking half a gram of MDMA

powder in Hinksey Park in the city, in July last year.

Three months ago, a 17`year`old from Botley was given

a community sentence for supplying the drugs that killed her.

A grieving mother's surprising message about young people

Prohibition is not working, that is a certainty. This is a modern

society they need to look at. Anne`Marie Coeburn lost her only

child, Martha, to ecstasy last July. The 15`year`old suffered

a heart attack, after taking But she didn't know it was 91%,

five times normal levels. Her mum now wants some substances

decriminalised, with people given access to free testing facilities

which could sample the ingredients, helping people make informed

decisions about taking them. I don't think anyone wants to think

of their children dabbling with drugs. It is very scary. But if they

are going to do it anyway, it is reassuring that from a source which

can be trusted, licensed, while they are going through that phase.

I am saying no parent wants your child dead.

Something echoed by one of Martha's closest friends Olivia.

She says drugs are now more readily available to youngsters

If kids could see the danger in the drugs they have just bought, it

might prevent them from taking that. And if they knew the dosages,

with paracetamol, you wouldn't give a kid a packet of paracetamol and

say take as many as you think necessary. Because it would be

dangerous. That sort of thing should be looked at.

But the Government's message today was

clear, saying they want to prevent drug use in communities, ensuring

The coroner said the death would act as a stark warning to other

youngsters about the dangers of taking drugs, and there was no way

of knowing what they were made up or, more importantly, their purity.

Earlier, I spoke to Danny Kushlick from the

I asked him if the legalisation of recreational drugs was ever

Prohibition is so costly in health and financial and social terms.

It will probably end within ten years because

It is obvious it is better drugs are dealt by pharmacists and doctors,

and controlled by governments, to reduce the harm caused

by gangsters and unregulated dealers.

Will legalising drugs stop teenagers, like Martha, dying?

Presumably, there would be a minimum age to buy drugs, say, 18.

But she would still be vulnerable to gangs selling

The current situation in the illegal market is the only ID you need is

But young people would still get hold of them.

With that in mind, we know that, once they are legal,

they will be quality controlled, a purity guide, a blister pack,

That enables young people to be much safer when they are using in the

full knowledge the reality is young people will continue to use drugs.

Some might say that is encouraging people to take drugs.

While they are illegal, they are discouraged.

It is a fantasy to think we can really stop people using.

We know millions of people use drugs in the UK and around the world.

Knowing that, what we have to do is control production, the supply,

and keep the people who continue to use them safe.

The bottom line is dead people don't get to make choices.

We have to keep people alive and healthy, the only way is

Fire fighters across the region have joined the national strike

They're angry about a new deal which would mean working

until they're 60 which, they say, is too physically demanding.

The new deal also means that, if they can't pass a fitness test

in their late fifties, they could lose part of their pension.

Chris has been a fire fighter for 20 years.

Today, he joined his colleagues on the picket line for a 12th time,

as the row with the Government over pensions continues.

He is worried how the changes could affect him and his family.

I now find myself in a battle of having to consider myself with

a pension that doesn't afford me to live in Oxfordshire,

Or even not support my children in a way I thought would be viable.

The new scheme raises the pensionable age to 60.

Fire fighters say, if they don't pass annual fitness

tests, they face the sack and could lose out on some of their pension.

There is no redeployment within the Fire Service.

All the backroom jobs have already gone, this was

Once you lose your fitness as a fire fighter, you have no job.

A pensions expert has said similar large`scale schemes are facing

Life is different to when they were set up.

People are now living longer and investments aren't giving

Fire officers are keen to reassure the public they will respond to any

emergencies, and have contingency plans in place if something happens.

If there is a serious incident that requires a lot of Fire Service

resources, then we have an agreement locally with the Fire Brigades Union

that their members along with non`striking staff will respond.

The Government says the deal is fair, and the fire fighters have one

of the most generous pensions in the public sector.

With no resolution in sight, fire fighters are preparing to walk

The Business Secretary Vince Cable has opened an innovation centre

for smart transport technology in Milton Keynes.

It aims to develop 10,000 skilled technology jobs in the UK,

and could generate up to ?90 billion in annual revenue for the UK

The centre will focus on developments including

driverless vehicles which are due to arrive in Milton Keynes next year.

From driverless cars to electric buses, Milton Keynes is often at the

The perfect place to launch the industry's first innovation centre.

Officially opened by Business Secretary Vince Cable this

morning, it aims to bring together businesses,

A collaboration Vince Cable believes would put Britain in front.

There was enormous interest in British companies that can help

with the urbanisation, rapid growth of cities and transport systems.

We have some very good companies in the UK, and if we can capitalise

on this potential for high`level employment.

30 projects are already using the new facility.

Live sentiment mapping has been developed, so transport

see what people really think about their services.

It gathers post from social media in real`time.

Other products are helping predict future transport demands.

This simulation shows the current aircraft movements of Europe.

This demonstrates potential commuter bottlenecks.

It's no accident Milton Keynes was selected as the place to

We want to capture that enthusiasm, the capability of Milton Keynes,

the Open University, we have Red Bull in terms of motorsport here.

All great UK capability, and we want to help to harness it

and develop new products that the UK can benefit from globally.

The first 20 driverless pods are expected on the streets of

One example of how our region is already leading the way in an

industry that could be worth up to ?90 billion in less than a decade.

A man has been rescued from a burning building in Bicester and

Neighbours called 999 after they spotted smoke emerging

The owner was unconscious, and was only found with specialist

Fire fighters have reiterated the importance of having a working smoke

More young people are being urged to give blood over

The region's Blood and Transplant Service says, every year,

more than 200,000 new donors need to be found, to replace those who

Experts are worried that with the World Cup and summer holidays,

the number of people giving blood will be lower than normal.

We require blood transfusions for a number of reasons, cancer,

So one blood donation will save three lives.

withdrawn all services from Gatwick. The airline carried a record number

of passengers last year and see set as a key part of its future. ``

Southampton Airport. Still to come

in this evening's South Today: Efforts for a new theatre

in Reading. What's

the best way to discourage the 600 Talk about lung cancer

and other fatal diseases? Well, new research carried out by

a Hampshire`based charity suggests I'm joined by Tony Rucinski

from the Macular Society. Well, based on the findings that 90%

of kids did not realise there is a direct link between smoking and

psych class, and also that these kids had empathy with people who

suffered macular degeneration. We fight we would do research around

the fact that we need to raise awareness saw kids realise there is

a direct link between smoking cigarettes and politeness that could

result later. A lot of if they hear more about it. The

interesting thing is kids strongly linked to blindness. How do

you make the policy work? Talking to you is one of the good ways to get

the message out there. Letting people know and raising the profile

of the fact that even though you will not necessarily find this

information on the NHS websites and information on the NHS websites and

other places, it makes the ball well that smoking increases your risk of

blindness in later life and nobody wants that. `` it makes you aware

that. Would you go to see a West End

musical in a former prison? Well, that's one

of the options being put forward Those behind the proposal say

the town has been culturally underserved for far too long

and it needs more investment to But what will the increased

competition mean for amateur groups They've rehearsed insurances and

performing churches. Reading Between the Lines is a professional company

without a theatre. No surprise that its director has put together

proposals to build a brand`new arts Festival. It will bring cultural

identity and put an end to the massive frustration that is here. We

need somewhere that is outstanding in its capacity to nurture

Reading's own talent. So that amateurs can feel at home as well.

While outlining the vision for this, this man admitted funding is a

huge obstacle. Potential investors are desperately needed and whoever

develops reading jail will be amongst those lobbied for

conjugations. Evening if the building is built elsewhere. Kate

Winslet and Kristian Beale Wolf trod the boards here before hitting the

big time. `` christian bale both trod the boards. Few West End

tooling companies however can perform here. We want to create a

space that can house touring productions and add to the cultural

offering here in the town. We wanted to be a place that will have art

exhibition opportunities as well as theatre. We wanted to have a bar and

cafe but we also wanted to inspire. Some smaller self`funded theatres

run by volunteers have concerns, though, and not just about increased

competition for audiences. We welcome anything that promotes the

arts in Reading and surrounding areas. We are concerned that

anything with such a sizeable interest and investment would end up

compromising community interests in favour of companies that can pay and

attract paying audiences. But those behind the plan insist the community

will take centre stage when or if the money is found to build one.

People living on a new housing development in Bracknell say

contractors still haven't built the shop they promised,

Well over 1,000 new homes have been built at Jennett's Park so far.

But despite calls for action, a family pet has now been injured

and parents are worried their children could get hurt.

A new play area surrounded by parkland. This family have been

shocked by the injury is Jesse here ended up with after lying on the

weeds in these hidden shards of glass. Quite a lot of builder's baby

down near. This is of glass. Because the fence has been taken down from

the playground, nothing has been cleared up. `` builder's debris. It

highlights the bigger issue is that it could have been a child. The mess

around it, it could have looked neater. It is a waiting game, isn't

it? We have been waiting for ages. We got the footpath opened because

it was blocking a public right of way. It would be a good idea if they

cleared up the surrounding area because it really needs to be made

safe for children. It is not just the recreation area people are fed

up about. This pile of rubble should have been transformed into a shop

long ago. I have lived here for seven years and I am very frustrated

that the shops of not been built but also because I cannot drive, it is

difficult for me to get to the shops. They have made a lot of money

out of selling houses here and have not kept their part of the bargain.

This will be a wonderful development. It is almost there. But

people need a shop. They need the shop finished and open. They need

this area to be safe and clean and accessible to all their little ones.

The council has given the consortium another three weeks to comply with

the planning agreement. By the time we left today, some workers had

began clearing pallets and the consortium told as plans are in

place to further tend to the as a of urgency. They gauche nations about

the shopping area meanwhile at an advanced stage. `` negotiations

about. Hampshire golfer Justin Rose carded

a two over par on his first round He started well, birdying three

of the first five holes, but then bogeyed four of the last

five to leave the reigning champion His second round is due to tee`off

around 1.30pm our time tomorrow. The new manager of Brighton

Hove Albion has spoken for the first time about

his hopes for the club's future and the prospect of the Seagulls

reaching the Premier League. Sami Hyypia has spent the morning

meeting club staff at the new I like people who have ambitions.

Ambitions to go forward. And hopefully I can bring the club

forward in the next three years. A new manager writing, we're waiting

for a new manager at Southampton. `` at Brighton.

Just a few hours to go now before the World Cup kicks off

in what could be argued to be the beautiful game's spiritual home.

Brazil is promising a party but they are not the only fans with

There's no prize for guessing which team the residents of this

Tonight's opening game features the home team, so Ena Miller has

been sampling a little bit of Brazilian life in Southampton.

It looks pretty likely already. It is really lively. I am at a

Brazilian restaurant in Southampton and they have been preparing for

this for quite some time. The flags out, football is on the screen, and

they started making the drinks and I have sampled couple of them. I have

got the manager, Paolo, with me. It has been busy, isn't it? It was

great. We have made some noise and the World Cup started. Brazil is

under pressure, isn't it? We are used to pressure and we will win the

World Cup. Let's call, Brazil, let's go! There will be about 200 people

watching here tonight and male is one of them. How will Brazil do?

They will win because they have the best team and the other home side.

How about England? I hope they get out of the qualifying stages but if

they go further, I am not sure about that. Enjoy the game. Kick`off is

tonight at 9pm between Brazil and creature. I think I would like to

stay here, Tony. `` and Croatia. I think I will be joining you. Looks

very nice. What kind of cocktail is that? It is a famous Brazilian one

that I have kept one aside for you. Excellent. Maybe I will have one

later. England kick`off tomorrow night

in Manaus against Italy. What are the prospects

for the tournament and for Legendary Southampton boss

Lawrie McMenemy was assistant manager with England as well

as leading Northern Ireland and was I met up with him for

a chat earlier and started by asking Video shots, Pele, the sun shining

and that sort of thing. `` the yellow shirt. It is the biggest

thing in football. Because it is in South America, there is a lot of

unknowns about it. We do not normally play teams from they are.

So it is different. What England's chances with this squad? For the

first time, Tony, the English supporters will not expect to win

it. That is because they know that there is only about 23% of English

players in the Premiership. There are many foreign players. That

helps, I think and takes pressure off. I think we will get through the

opening group. If we can get to the last eight, we will have achieved

something. The main thing of course is about the players and the players

respect that. That is what you need. This year cautious manager with this

squad of Wales, who are quite exciting, will he be more bald? ``

squad of players. Everyone says do not lose a fast game. I was

surprised. Spain won it four years ago and I found out they lost the

first game. That is not a bad thing to remember. He is bald and so far

he has put youngsters in. `` he is very bald. Adam Shaw and Lallana,

Rickie Lambert is delighted to be there. Ophelia Teal `` it is Ophelia

Teal ending. Adam Lallana will expect to be in the 11 and he's good

enough to be there. It will only matter which system right decides to

play. Although I never met the man, I think he did a good job,

particularly with Lallana. He did relieve him from defensive

situations and allowed him to go for what, left side, right side, and

danger to the opposition. That is what he proved to be. Who will win

the World Cup? I cannot go past Brazil. Despite being the hosts and

would often not, they have the advantage, they are one of best

teams in the world. Our view that good? We do not know. When did we

last see them? `` RV that good? There will be a fantastic social

support from Brazil and we cannot go far past them. Lots more from Lawrie

McMenemy on BBC Radio Sheffield in the morning. Wright, weather,

Brazilian almost at the moment? Yes, in Brazil on Saturday to study

degrees. Not far off year. `` far off year.

There are a number of events on this weekend, and

Bursledon Brickworks are holding a country fair on Sunday the 15th of

Lots of sunshine in the Vale of Aylesbury today.

This picture was taken by Dan Marshall.

Helen Walker captured Arthur the pug having a paddle at

And Sally Walmsley took this photo of the roses in her garden in

It is up to 24 Celsius across the region. 23 widely but slightly

cooler on the South coast with the sea breeze.

It is up to 24 Celsius across the region. 23 widely but slightly Just

a reminder for those sufferers. The pollen levels are high if not very

high. Although tonight, clear skies. The possibility of mist and fog

patches with light winds. Temperatures will fall to around 14

Celsius, and it will be an uncomfortable night for sleeping. A

close night and Monday, with the cable south`westerly winds. We will

see blue skies from the word go tomorrow. " Bubble from the north

however and we have a winner feature moving southwards from Scotland

through the day. Temperatures are doing very nicely at 23 and possibly

24, even 25 Celsius. It might well be the warmest year the year so far

tomorrow. Tomorrow evening, more cloud. That is when the change comes

about and we have a weather front moving southwards. Most places will

stay dry with temperatures once again staying very mild. Lows of

14`15 Celsius. A cloudy start to the weekend. Light rain and drizzle

first thing. High pressure not far away. We expect outbreaks of rain in

the morning. During the afternoon, and improving picture, so dry and

brighter weather heading our way. Lots of events taking place this

weekend. Bursledon Brickworks are holding a

country fair on Sunday the 15th of June, between eleven and four, which

includes a guided nature walk. And the Wimborne Minster Folk

Festival is in full swing More information can be found

on the website. So, through our outlook, we can

expect settled conditions over the weekend. More cloud expected on

Saturday. Maybe the odd spot of drizzle first thing. Temperatures on

Sunday, 21`22dC. Summer is finally here. Lovely stuff. Direct from the

cocktail bar, dear we are, ready to celebrate the World Cup. Mine looks

nice. We will see you tomorrow. Good night. Cheers.