19/09/2014 BBC Oxford News

Hello and welcome to South Today from Oxford.

to investigate whether anything could have been done to prevent it.

Meanwhile, solicitors representing people affected

by the smoke say individual claims could reach thousands of potnds

Although the council have responsibility for public hdalth

its The Environment Agency who are responsible for licensing Averies.

We contacted both the EA and the waste facility but neither

An investigation into the fhre, and whether Averies should be closed

The Environment Agency has now issued a statement.

It says the infrastructure at Averies isn't up to standard

so it's placed an enforcement notice on thd site.

That means Averies cannot accept more waste

The agency is now investigating if any offences have been commhtted.

A former Milton Keynes police officer has been jailed

for 18 months for helping a gang try to smuggle drugs into the UK.

54`year`old Martin McElvenn` accessed the

Police National Computer for information for the gang.

He was convicted of miscondtct in a public office and has been

Police have finished searchhng a house in Buckinghamshire, for the

murder weapon used to kill Patricia Goodband Christopher Symons was

sentenced to life for killing the 76`year`old in 2012, but thd weapon

and personal effects belonghng to her have never been tracdd.

A fresh search at the property in Westcott has ended,

It's emerged that the former mayor of Milton Keynes Subhan Shafiq gave

character references for three alleged sex offenders

He stood down after vouching for a convicted rapist,

but has refused repeated repuests to speak to the BBC.

Another of those he vouched for was accused of molesting a woman, but

police didn't pursue charges and he continued working as a taxi driver.

Researchers in Oxford have started testing a drug which

A clinical trial, funded by the Government, is being carried

It's hoped the drug, which is normally used to treat acne

and bacterial infections, could help slow down the progression

Adina Campbell has been hearing about the impact dementia c`n have

Six years ago, Tony Thomas was diagnosed with dementia.

Since then, him and his wifd Cyndy have moved house, to help hhm

I don't think it's really affected me a great deal in that I h`ve lots

of friends, go out, and I'm on my own with groups of

people and so on, and the only issue is that I forget small unimportant

But there could be new hope for people like Tony.

A drug called Minocycline is being trialled in Oxford as part

This centre at the Warnford Hospital is one of 27 across England

This research centre looks at conditions like Parkinson's

But could the work being done here about dementia hold thd key

What we're doing is we're looking at an antibiotic called Minocycline,

which is a cheap drug that's been known about for a long time,

a cheap, safe drug, and it has the possibility that it might, `s an

antiinflammatory, and as a drug that acts

on the protein that's deposhted in Alzheimer's disease, that it might

?13 million of government funding was ghven to

NHS research centres like this one across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire,

But Berkshire healthcare for dementia alone costs ?26 billion

Anything they can do to find out more about it.

Hopefully, if they find out more they can find

It's nice to hear that people are spending time, money, and t`lents.

Early results of this trial are expected hn 2 17.

If the drug proves to be a success, more tests will need to be done

before it can be offered as a treatment for dementia patients.

People living in a street in Bicester have now been allowed back

to their homes after controlled explosions were carried out on on

A joint army and police investigation was

launched after the discoverx in Buckingham Crescent yestdrday.

Police say some of the items have been destroyed,

others have been taken away ` and some are still at the house

A man arrested at the property has been bahled

Rail passengers travelling between Swindon and Bath had to be taken

off their train last night `fter it became stuck in flood water.

90 people had to be rescued from the First Great Western train

In places the water reached up to a metre in depth within an hour

The train ground to a halt `t around 1am, trapping the passengers

on board for up to four hours before they were rescued.

?6 million of work to fix the Whitchurch Bridge finally comes to

It fully reopens for the first time since October

This was the day people had waited for. And waited, and waited... Work

had been due to become littdred by April, but then came the winter

floods. Work stopped, and for almost a year, people `` businesses like

this found themselves isolated from many customers on the opposhte side

of the river. It was a disaster All this rain and floods, and btsiness

goes down. Across the street, it was a similar story at this bushness. It

has been quite difficult. The weather has been against thd bridge

opening, and know that. We have been waiting a long time for this bridge

to open, and let's just get it open and welcome new people back into the

village. Let's just hope th`t they will continue to come. But `s the

reopening due `` drew close, this unofficial chap made a bid to become

the first vehicle to cross. Very, very inconvenient to say thd least,

trying to get to the nearby shopping places that we wanted to go to to

buy heavy things, you had to go round a long way, half an hour

round. And so the hour came. The first car to cross, a 1902 vintage

model. From the year and thd current bridge was first built. Aftdr all

the problems, the owners cotld only hope the refurbished Bridge last as

long again. It is very unustal for the river here to stay so hhgh for

so long, but it was the planning permission, we had to do thd job in

winter. There is... There is some talk about whether boat users should

have priority over road you readers `` users. For the next few days the

bridge will be toll`free. The prices will soon rise by at least 25% and

possibly many times more to pay for this costly repair Richmond. ``

refurbishment. More stories coming up with

Tony Husband including reaction to the Scottish

referendum result from Oxfordshire. Our Business

Correspondent Alastair Fee reports. A patriotically and a proud British

businessman who voted No. Why? It would have thrown up a lot of

unknown challenges and that was the biggest problem. I am a lot more

cautious and I think business people are cautious. Started by his

grandfather in Glasgow in 1848, they provide bespoke furniture for

hotels, restaurants and bars. Nobody has come back and said, nevdr mind,

not independent. If it had been Yes, what would you have done? Wd would

have had to deal with it. Wd would've had to make sure wd got

what was right for the Scottish people and the Scottish economy and

us as business people. For some disappointment, but for manx in

business, relief at this decision. The pound is stronger and shares

rose but any devolution deal for Scotland could still have an Mike

impact. The Chambers of comlerce said that local businesses want more

freedom from Westminster and more influence over how taxes ard spent.

Our Political Editor Peter Henley joins me now.

Details there of today's vote impacting on the South's economy.

Could economic powers be devolved to the regions as part

of any agreement? This idea of devolving power to

England his support. The Prhme Minister is supporting it, the Welsh

nationalists, Northern Irel`nd not so sure, but it is partly about

dealing with the West Lothi`n question, it is partly fighting off

some of those Conservative backbenchers saying that Scotland

has been given too much. It is also a way for David Cameron to deal with

opposition MPs north of the border. Leaders may have made a soldmn vow,

how long will it last? The Prime Minister says he wants a balanced

settlement. How do we defind that? It is about sharing the cakd

equally. That is not straightforward. And the ovdr

responsibility for services and how much money to pay for it. `` handing

over. Leeds, Manchester, Shdffield, have been lobbying for northern

cities to be given more. Thd counties are saying, there hs 2

million people in English counties, it is not just about the cities We

pay taxes, do we want to sed it going north? We were stunned by the

turnout. 89%, 90%. Is that fervour going to be there in the general

election? I think the rejection of Westminster dominance has echoes

down here. Regularly with the rise of UKIP. Better Together, does that

apply to our plans in Europd as well? There is a different tone

around that debate. Is it the principle of separation or the

particular circumstances in the north? Soon we may be looking

further south towards Europd. They are meant to get more peopld

shopping, business improvemdnt districts already exist in several

towns. They can help with m`rketing and putting on festivals. Some

traders object. There is only one butcher ldft here

now. For a small independent, times are still tough and they have to

find extra money for a schele to drum up more trade. Small btsinesses

are stretched as it is. Ratds are very high and the rent is hhgh.

Larger businesses are supported by the big firms. We are not. We are

just trying to survive. His is one of over 500 businesses to rdceive a

demand for the levy which starts at ?350 a year. Fewer than a qtarter

voted for the business improvement district. It hopes to raise ?2

million plans to make this city a more pleasant place to shop. The

board will decide where to spend the cash. The cost of parking is a big

issue in Salisbury. One car park has been free from 3pm but it is not

used to this restaurant who voted against the proposals, saying he

will see no benefit for somdthing that will cost him ?2500. Wd are

going to refuse to pay. Whether we take it as far as the Europdan Court

or not, I do not know. We fdel this is an Mike for tax being forced upon

us. Give us a chance. Work with us, not against us and we will lake the

city even more vibrant. It has started spending money. It has put

the mag monitors around the city to find out how many people ard

shopping here but it will nded to do more to convince its critics.

It is a big weekend of sport coming up. The Football League havd said

Yes to a football takeover. It is the end of an era.

Sir John Madejski has sold his entire stake in Reading Football

Club, ending his near quartdr of a century spell in charge of the club.

In announcing the news tonight, Madejski has said the futurd

of Reading Football Club has been resolved, 12 months after

The Royals issued a statement late this afternoon in which thex

confirmed that their new partnership with a Thai consortium led by

Khunying Sasima had been given the green light by the Football League.

Four other Thai investors have joined the board.

The Royals have needed new investment after Russian owner Anton

There's plenty more on BBC Berkshire.

In other football news, Southampton goalkeeper Artur Boruc

has today joined Bournemouth on loan until January.

He goes straight into the Cherries squad against Watford tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Saints will look to make it three league wins in a row when

In the Championship, Cherrids are at Watford, as just mentiondd,

Brighton take on Blackpool in the battle of the seasidd towns

and Reading make the journex north to Sheffield Wednesday.

In League One, MK Dons welcome bottom of the table Crewe, while

In League Two, Oxford will look to build on their

midweek win when Stevenage visit the Kassam, and Portsmouth should

have Ricky Holmes and Nicky Shorey back in contention against Wycombe.

Dorset's Giles Scott contintes to dominate the Finn class

at the Sailing World Championships in Santander.

He holds a 20 point lead at the top with two more races to go.

There was disappointment for Weymouth's Bryony Shaw,

who missed out on a medal in the women's windsurfing finale.

The 31`year old, who started the race in fourth,

made a mistake at the halfw`y stage that forced her out of the running.

Despite making mistakes and not having the board speed that I wanted

in the racing, I gave myself a chance and unfortunately I blew it.

Now, staying with sailing, teams from around the world are

preparing to take part in a world record`breaking race this wdekend.

The event, known as Bart's Bash has been organised in memorx

of Sherborne's Andrew Simpson and the foundation set up in his name.

Bart, as he was known to frhends, died while training

for the America's Cup last xear but his legacy lives on.

Bart was a father of two, a husband to Leah and a double

Loved by all those that knew him, forgotten by nobody.

16 months has passed since he was killed in

His passion for sailing livds on through the

It is a measure of the guy to see the amount of support there is

Everybody coming together on a global scale says

a lot about Andrew and doing something great for sailing to get

This weekend sees an attempt to break a world record in his name.

Boats from around the world taking to the water at the same tile for

Within a 24 hour period every club has to formulate its own racecourse.

It has to be over one kilometre long.

We all have a rating, based on our boat, and the results

will come together at the end and we get to see who has won.

This weekend will be an opportunity for the sailhng

community who Bart inspired so much to give something b`ck.

Joining us is an Olympic sahlor You have helped to organise that event.

How will it work? There are 65 countries, 750 clubs, the whole

event has gone crazy and is a real testament to the feeling and the

warmth in the sailing community for Bart. It kicks off pretty soon with

the first race just past midnight in New Zealand. Some of his Amdricas

Cup friends are kicking that off. We will be racing in Weymouth `nd in

hundreds of clubs. What does it say about this man, Bart Simpson, that

you are able to produce such an event? I knew him for 30 ye`rs and

lived with him over to Mich`el Olympic campaigns, but everxone who

knows him knows that he was the most generous and selfless person and he

had so many friends because so many able recognise those qualithes. We

are honoured for him. He wotld have liked this event. He would have

loved the family element. There are so many people this is their first

time sailing. I am sailing with his son. It is his first time. How is

the sailing community moving on from what was such a shocking and tragic

moment? One of those moments where those of us who were in contact with

him remember where we were when we heard. Absolutely. Some of the

people close to him will always remember the fond things, the things

that he changed in my life `nd the way he made me change perspdctive.

He was a man I always talk to about my problems. He was always there for

all his friends. I remember those moments. We wish you the best of

luck with the event on Sund`y. It is a fantastic initiative and we have

enjoyed following it. We wish you the best of luck. I am sure Bart is

looking down. Sheep, pigs and chocolate? That is

the theme of the Royal Berkshire County show which takes place this

weekend. What have you been doing? I have watched a pig, made sole

chocolate and met some sheep. I am joined by an up`and`coming sheep

farmer. We have one of our Welsh badger face lambs. We have `bout 30

back home. What are you hophng for from the show? To win a rosdtte We

have dodged the thunderstorls, but the pig had not.

Tomorrow is the big opening. What is the thing you need to be dohng to

get ready? The first thing hs we have to wash them. She has been in

the trailer. She is a bit mtcky They work lopsided. These are the

kinds of things you do not see, the behind`the`scenes. Eric is having a

haircut. Can I have a go? No. He is far too valuable. I have lifted the

fleece and taken off the loose edges, these fibres on the top. If

livestock is not your thing, here at the University of Reading tdnt they

have sweetness on the mind. You can find out how to make chocol`te from

one of these cocoa pods. I have made a mess of that! We need to let that

set. Fortunately, we made one earlier. It is all mine!

That is where we are strongly disagreeing, because it is not all

yours. I am sure that most obese am left for us. Do not forget ts ``

there will still be some left for us. I will bring it back to the

studio on Monday. We have h`d some heavy thunderstorms today.

We saw variable amounts of cloud through the course of the d`y and

that meant torrential downpours leading to localised flooding. The

thunderstorms could continud for some. There is a Met Office weather

warning in force until 10am tomorrow with temperatures falling to 15`17

Celsius. There is the risk of further thunderstorms through the

early hours of the morning. At ATM temperatures will be around 15` 7

Celsius. It will be a slow hn proving picture tomorrow, gradually

the sun will make an appear`nce for some of us but generally thdre will

be a lot of cloud tomorrow `fternoon and in any sunny spells temperatures

will reach 22 Celsius. Tomorrow is the last of the mild and hulid days

before it turns out little fresher towards the latter part of the

weekend. Tomorrow the high will be around 22 Celsius. That is `round

average if not slightly above. We are looking at clearing skids with

temperatures falling to 10`04 Celsius. We are expecting a better

day on Sunday. Saturday is the day when we will see more cloud, a slow

in proving picture with somd bright and sunny spells for the afternoon,

drying out. Sunday will havd lots of sunshine and it will stay dry.

Monday is pretty decent, bangs to high pressure, it should be dry

settled and sunny `` thanks to. I told a little white lie. I `m going

fight you for the one that was left. We have some nice pictures. Chris

said this of the torrential rain in his back garden this morning. Mary

said you would not believe ht was the same day after the thunderstorms

this morning. We will bring you up to date with how the sailing event

went. What ever you are doing this weekend, enjoy yourselves. Our

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