:00:16. > :00:22.Hello and welcome to BBC Points West. It is by final night in the
:00:22. > :00:24.chair after 28 years. -- my final night. In the headlines tonight:
:00:24. > :00:27.Recognition for their special service in Afghanistan. Yeovilton's
:00:27. > :00:29.naval aircrews are honoured with campaign medals by Prince Charles.
:00:29. > :00:33.Also tonight - the broadcaster Peter Rowell is remanded in custody
:00:33. > :00:37.on a string of sex charges. For the first time in this country
:00:38. > :00:40.for 150 years, a new glove factory opens in the west.
:00:40. > :00:50.And one of the great champions of National Hunt racing, Denman, is
:00:50. > :00:52.
:00:52. > :00:55.forced to call it a day after a Hello and welcome to a very special
:00:55. > :00:58.programme. First tonight, servicemen and women from Somerset
:00:58. > :01:02.travelled to London today to march past Buckingham Palace and receive
:01:02. > :01:04.Afghan war medals from the Prince of Wales.
:01:04. > :01:06.Members of the Yeovilton-based Commando Helicopter Force have
:01:06. > :01:11.recently returned from a demanding and dangerous operation in
:01:11. > :01:18.Afghanistan. Today, proud families were with them to celebrate this
:01:18. > :01:21.special occasion. John Maguire was there.
:01:21. > :01:26.From the heat and dust of Afghanistan to a cold, clear London
:01:26. > :01:32.morning. The men and women from the Commando Helicopter Force arrived
:01:32. > :01:35.for a Royal appointment. Doing the honours at Clarence House, the
:01:35. > :01:43.Prince of Wales, who flew with one of these squadrons back in the
:01:43. > :01:50.1970s. And here to show their pride and as always, their support, the
:01:50. > :01:55.sailors' and Marines' families. Very proud of him indeed, it is
:01:55. > :02:00.lovely to see recognition for what they do. You can't ask for any more.
:02:00. > :02:06.I met the Queen as well, but when I was Aleena hand, some years ago, at
:02:06. > :02:11.that picture will go next to the other picture. Very, very proud of
:02:11. > :02:13.course and it is wonderful to be here. I was just are there to be
:02:13. > :02:19.the presence of so many brave men and women, it was nothing short of
:02:19. > :02:22.an honour. It was a really nice way to finish off a tour in Afghanistan.
:02:22. > :02:31.Deployments to Afghanistan are always tough and often dangerous.
:02:31. > :02:38.And today, the chance for a first- hand account. He after me if I had
:02:38. > :02:44.been shot that -- he asked me. did you say? I said yes. Tell us a
:02:44. > :02:51.bit about that. It was a couple of occasions. I was working on the
:02:51. > :02:56.Grand with 42 Commando lemur company, and during operations,
:02:56. > :03:01.there was a certain amount of fire coming in in operations. Not a very
:03:01. > :03:04.pleasant experience but it is one that does guy's face every day. --
:03:04. > :03:07.those guys. In the grand surroundings of St James's Palace,
:03:07. > :03:12.along with the well-earned praise for these servicemen and women,
:03:12. > :03:17.thoughts turned to those still on active duty overseas. Preserve us
:03:17. > :03:20.from the dangers of the sea and that the air. And the knowledge
:03:20. > :03:23.that for many here, when they're back in the tents and hangars of
:03:23. > :03:32.Afghanistan, these Royal State Rooms will seem a very long way
:03:32. > :03:36.A driver's been sentenced to more than four and a half years in
:03:36. > :03:39.prison after killing a Bristol man in a hit-and-run accident in Wales.
:03:39. > :03:47.27-year-old Ian Hamilton died in the collision near Caerphilly in
:03:48. > :03:50.July. 23-year-old Jamie Gray had been travelling at almost seventy
:03:50. > :03:53.miles per hour in a thirty mile an hour zone.
:03:53. > :03:58.The former ITV and BBC broadcaster Peter Rowell is in prison this
:03:58. > :04:02.evening. He was remanded in custody after a hearing at Bristol Crown
:04:02. > :04:05.Court. He's charged with various sex offences including rape. Here's
:04:05. > :04:08.our home affairs correspondent Steve Brodie.
:04:08. > :04:13.Peter Rowell has been a well-known broadcaster for both ITV and the
:04:13. > :04:17.BBC over the last 20 years. He appeared on various television and
:04:17. > :04:21.radio programmes and celebrity events throughout the west. He also
:04:21. > :04:24.worked as a DJ for the commercial radio statio GWR. Earlier this
:04:24. > :04:27.summer, the 53-year-old from Wickwar, near Bristol, pleaded not
:04:27. > :04:30.guilty to allegations of rape of a girl under the age of 16, 16
:04:30. > :04:37.allegations of indecent assault and the making of indecent images of
:04:37. > :04:41.children. The charges followed complaints from five women in the
:04:41. > :04:45.Bristol and South Gloucestershire areas. Up until now, he hasn't been
:04:45. > :04:49.in custody on condition that he lived at home with his wife. But
:04:49. > :04:53.this morning, that changed and the judge said he must remain in prison
:04:53. > :04:57.until his next hearing in January. At that time, we'll know if Peter
:04:57. > :05:01.Rowell will plead guilty - in which case, he would be sentenced - or
:05:01. > :05:07.not guilty, which would lead to a trail. Peter Rowell sat in the dock
:05:07. > :05:10.dressed in a dark blue suit. He spoke only to confirm his name. And
:05:10. > :05:19.when the judge remanded him in custody until January 13th, he
:05:19. > :05:24.stood up and left for the cells without comment.
:05:24. > :05:29.You are watching BBC Points West and the last one Cresswell ever-
:05:29. > :05:35.present before he retires tonight. -- Chris well. Stay with us as we
:05:35. > :05:39.remember some of his many faces from the last 28 years.
:05:39. > :05:42.All of that is to come. A man who posed as a qualified vet
:05:42. > :05:45.in Wiltshire has been sent to prison for almost two years. 43-
:05:45. > :05:50.year-old Patrick Keniry pleaded guilty to several counts of fraud
:05:50. > :05:54.at Swindon Crown Court. He was given a 20-month sentence.
:05:54. > :05:59.The Dean of Bristol says he may have to resort to legal action to
:05:59. > :06:02.remove protesters camping on College Green. The group, which is
:06:02. > :06:07.demonstrating against economic inequality, has been there for two
:06:07. > :06:12.months. The protestors say they're expecting to stay until at least
:06:12. > :06:17.spring. There are around 30 protestors living at the camp in
:06:17. > :06:20.the shadow of the council chambers and cathedral.
:06:20. > :06:25.Her Royal Highness Princess Anne has officially opened a new glove
:06:25. > :06:28.factory today, the first in the country for 150 years. It belongs
:06:28. > :06:32.to Dents, which had to build the new facility at Warminster in
:06:32. > :06:35.Wiltshire to cope with an increase in demand. Its traditional hand-
:06:35. > :06:40.made gloves are exported around the world, but sales have also been
:06:40. > :06:42.helped by our recent cold winters. Will Glennon reports.
:06:42. > :06:47.It's been an exciting day here at one of Wiltshire's oldest
:06:47. > :06:57.businesses. They've been making gloves at Dents here for more than
:06:57. > :07:01.
:07:01. > :07:05.230 years. They have been in this new �4 million facility since May,
:07:05. > :07:08.but it was officially opened today by Princess Anne.
:07:08. > :07:17.A simple task but one marking a new era for a longstanding company.
:07:17. > :07:20.This is what Princess Anne came to see. Skilled workers, handmaking
:07:20. > :07:30.the finest leather gloves. For some, today was the highlight of many
:07:30. > :07:34.She was a really nice woman. A very nice to us. We have had a lot of
:07:35. > :07:39.fun. She showed a lot of interest, I showed her the lead that where it
:07:39. > :07:42.came from and what we made out of it. Europe may be on a downturn,
:07:42. > :07:48.but Dents is on the up. They're selling gloves faster than they can
:07:48. > :07:52.make them. We have increased turnover by 48% on the back of two
:07:52. > :07:57.cold winters, but it did surprise us how much of an increase we did.
:07:57. > :08:00.A lot of it has gone to the Far East, Belgium, but also the UK
:08:00. > :08:08.market has been very vibrant. some of those foreign partners told
:08:08. > :08:14.me it's the traditional British quality that's so attractive.
:08:14. > :08:20.very much like the UK styling and the long history. And we liked the
:08:21. > :08:23.leather. Do they sell well in Japan? Of course, 40% up last year.
:08:23. > :08:26.The company has expanded into handbags and other leather
:08:26. > :08:36.accessories. As for Princess Anne, her thank-you gift was, you've
:08:36. > :08:39.
:08:39. > :08:42.guessed it, a nice pair of gloves. Looks so smart.
:08:42. > :08:45.A teenager from Wiltshire has become the youngest person to ski
:08:45. > :08:47.to the South Pole. 16-year-old Amelia Hempleman-Adams spent more
:08:47. > :08:49.than two weeks trekking across Antarctica.
:08:49. > :08:53.She's been with her father, David Hempleman-Adams, the well known
:08:53. > :08:58.west adventurer. They've endured sub-zero temperatures of minus 55
:08:58. > :09:08.Celsius along the way. Amelia reached the Pole at half-past one
:09:08. > :09:12.
:09:12. > :09:16.this morning, after skiing 97 miles in all. Yesterday was our last day,
:09:16. > :09:20.about 40 nautical miles, it was a really long day, I can't believe I
:09:20. > :09:25.made it. I am really relieved in a way that I actually made it and I
:09:25. > :09:30.am really proud to have actually completed it. I am really happy to
:09:30. > :09:34.have had this experience and it is something I would never forget.
:09:34. > :09:37.I am sure. What a great experience. Now for some sport - and a football
:09:37. > :09:41.derby which promises plenty of edge and the retirement of a legend.
:09:41. > :09:46.Not this one - that's to come - but Denman, the legend of National Hunt
:09:46. > :09:49.Racing. Here's David Passmore. Yes, the former Gold Cup winner,
:09:49. > :09:57.trained by Paul Nicholls in Somerset, is forced to call it a
:09:57. > :09:59.day. That is to come. But first to the the passion and high-octane
:09:59. > :10:02.excitement of a football derby at the Memorial Stadium tomorrow.
:10:02. > :10:04.Swindon Town will put their 13- match unbeaten run on the line
:10:05. > :10:14.against Bristol Rovers. Geoff Twentyman - veteran of such
:10:14. > :10:18.encounters - looks ahead to what's sure to be a great occasion.
:10:18. > :10:22.Both sides have had a real boost to the last seven days. Swindon made
:10:22. > :10:28.it through to the area final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and our
:10:28. > :10:32.two games away from a Wembley final. Rovers beat at AFC Totton that will
:10:32. > :10:36.host Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup. Both parties know
:10:36. > :10:41.tomorrow will be no ordinary Saturday. It will be a feisty game,
:10:41. > :10:46.I suppose, and baby food ball will go out of the window. It is a derby
:10:46. > :10:52.game, so everyone will be buzzing. It will be a tight prospect but we
:10:52. > :10:58.know we can get some points from their game. They know they will be
:10:58. > :11:02.think-in they can win the game, but that is not so bad for us. If they
:11:02. > :11:08.come forward, it will make for a really good game. Swindon are
:11:08. > :11:12.unbeaten in eight league games. Defending very frugally and we have
:11:12. > :11:18.the best goals against in the league, so that is going to be a
:11:18. > :11:22.problem for Rovers tomorrow, but if they can get the first goal, then
:11:22. > :11:25.that will make Swindon could out and attack them. The players will
:11:25. > :11:30.emerge from this tunnel at 2:55pm tomorrow for a proper game of
:11:30. > :11:34.football. Swindon are unbeaten in 13 games and whereas Rovers are yet
:11:34. > :11:41.to win back-to-back matches. Matt Richie is missing for Swindon, he
:11:41. > :11:44.is suspended. I will go for at close game, maybe one apiece.
:11:44. > :11:47.-- a close game. And congratulations to Cheltenham
:11:47. > :11:51.manager Mark Yates, who's been named the League Two Manager of the
:11:51. > :11:54.Month for November. The biggest tournament in club
:11:54. > :11:58.rugby throws up a mouth-watering tie this weekend, with Bath facing
:11:58. > :12:04.the defending European Champions Leinster. The Irish province are in
:12:04. > :12:07.good form in their league, while Bath are struggling. Bath need a
:12:07. > :12:09.win to stay in the hunt for a quarter-final spot, and despite
:12:09. > :12:18.being the underdogs, the game has certainly captured the imagination
:12:18. > :12:23.of the city. It's the hottest ticket in Bath
:12:23. > :12:28.this weekend. We are sold out. Yes, they have
:12:28. > :12:33.been very popular. The Rec will be full for the visit of the European
:12:33. > :12:37.Champions. A game Bath can't afford to lose. Massive, especially the
:12:37. > :12:41.way Bath are playing at the moment, not playing very well. So it is
:12:41. > :12:45.going to be the hardest game of the season, which they need to win.
:12:45. > :12:49.When Europe against it, team spirit comes forward and you might seek a
:12:49. > :12:54.surprise -- when you are up against it. It will be fantastic to see
:12:54. > :13:01.them go back and pile into them, hopefully. Leinster have won two of
:13:01. > :13:05.the last three Heineken Cups. And like any Irish side, winning in
:13:05. > :13:09.England is a massive motivation. Whenever we see the Premiership
:13:09. > :13:13.side coming over, because it is so well televised, you think the big
:13:13. > :13:16.boys are coming over and it is a chance to take them down a peg or
:13:16. > :13:21.two. It is going to be big for the Irish players but it is a massive
:13:21. > :13:26.game for us as well. Bath's form is a worry, but injuries haven't
:13:26. > :13:32.helped. Lewis Moody joined a long line of casaulties this week.
:13:32. > :13:36.can't get into get treated, that is powerful it is in there. There is a
:13:36. > :13:43.big waiting list, it is what it is -- that is how fault it is.
:13:43. > :13:51.Whichever team we put out, we want to do justice. Have you know it is
:13:51. > :13:55.bad before? Never. -- this bad. They could be forgiven for lacking
:13:55. > :14:02.festive cheer at the moment. But a win against one of the best sides
:14:02. > :14:06.in the world would surely change that.
:14:06. > :14:09.Judd Trump, the young snooker player from Bristol. He's aiming
:14:09. > :14:12.for a place in the final of the UK Championships in York. At the
:14:12. > :14:15.halfway stage in his semi-final today, he's tied at four frames all
:14:15. > :14:19.with Neil Robertson. The match continues at 7pm on BBC Two.
:14:19. > :14:22.At the age of 11 and at the end of a career littered with Grade One
:14:22. > :14:25.wins and the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup, Denman has been forced to
:14:25. > :14:28.retire. Known as "The Tank" for his strength and staying power, the
:14:28. > :14:32.horse injured a tendon in training yesterday and this morning trainer
:14:32. > :14:35.Paul Nicholls made the announcement. But Denman is set for a fine
:14:35. > :14:44.retirement and will continue to live next door to his friend and
:14:44. > :14:49.rival, Kauto Star. This was the moment bad crowd
:14:49. > :14:54.Denman's long than successful career, the 2080 Cheltenham Gold
:14:54. > :14:59.Cup -- that crowned. But yesterday, he injured a tendon, and in the end
:14:59. > :15:02.it was a simple decision for the owner and trainer to call it a day.
:15:02. > :15:07.Paul Nicholls doubted he will ever have the privilege of trading such
:15:07. > :15:11.a horse again. I don't feel deflated at all, because he has
:15:11. > :15:18.retired in one piece effectively. If he was a young horse, he would
:15:18. > :15:21.be back but I knew immediately and decided to retire him, which is the
:15:22. > :15:25.right thing to do. He has many years left that will get the best
:15:25. > :15:35.of whatever he does next. It is sad in some ways but I am pleased he is
:15:35. > :15:40.one piece. For the rest of the season, Denman will continue to be
:15:40. > :15:46.a neighbour to Kauto Star. Their rivalry has dominated National Hunt
:15:46. > :15:49.for years. As a gelding, Denman can't go to stud. But Paul Nicholls
:15:49. > :15:55.has said they will summer together out to the field bought -- before
:15:55. > :15:58.deciding for a suitable arrangement for their retirement.
:15:58. > :16:07.Back row was a true champion and not the only thoroughbred retiring
:16:07. > :16:12.today -- Denman. Added the peak of fitness... No, OK.
:16:12. > :16:15.The compared to an 11-year-old. -- compared to.
:16:15. > :16:18.As it is your final programme, would you like to throw to the
:16:18. > :16:25.weather? Yes, certainly looking cold over
:16:25. > :16:31.there, and there are other Two Tone beat... Richard, but -- over to
:16:31. > :16:35.Tony... Richard, Ian. As far as the weekend is concern,
:16:35. > :16:38.it is going to be a game of two halves, we could call it.
:16:38. > :16:42.Saturday, bar a few showers in parts of Somerset it is effectively
:16:42. > :16:45.dry and should be some sunshine after a chilly start, whereas on
:16:45. > :16:50.Sunday it will be windy with some rain and some of that will be heavy.
:16:50. > :16:52.Next week very unsettled which could see some of the first snow
:16:52. > :16:56.could see some of the first snow over the West Country high ground.
:16:56. > :17:02.The pattern shows we are into a quiet spell for tonight. This guy
:17:02. > :17:07.is clearing and we are under reform that -- under a full moon. As we
:17:07. > :17:10.get into Sunday, you will see the isobars squeezing up and it will
:17:10. > :17:15.turn windier with an area of raid which will move in from the West
:17:15. > :17:19.that some of that will turn heavy as it does that -- rain. Tonight,
:17:19. > :17:22.one or two showers dying away through Somerset and it is worth
:17:22. > :17:27.mentioning that way you have had showers today, parts of Gloucester
:17:27. > :17:32.and Somerset, there is a risk of icy stretches on untreated roads,
:17:32. > :17:38.because it will turn into a chilly night, down to minus three in some
:17:38. > :17:42.parts. A very chilly start tomorrow but having said that, a good deal
:17:42. > :17:46.of sunshine for most of us. More cloud around the Bristol Channel
:17:46. > :17:50.and here, you will have the focus for a few showers, but elsewhere
:17:50. > :17:56.dry, with the cloud increasing from the West and the breeze picking up.
:17:56. > :17:59.Temperatures will struggle after the cold start, may be added 5C,
:17:59. > :18:04.six or seven if we come further south. In two Sunday, the breeze
:18:04. > :18:09.has picked up and it would be as cold when it starts, but it will be
:18:09. > :18:11.windy with some cloud around. Such showers are the morning and then a
:18:11. > :18:15.band of rain, since all the elements giving some heavy rain
:18:16. > :18:20.which will clear-out through the course of the afternoon.
:18:20. > :18:25.Temperatures around 8C will be fairly typical. Beyond that, the
:18:25. > :18:30.pressure pattern as we go through bad day remains benign, but look at
:18:30. > :18:34.the developments. This could be a still be part of the weather into
:18:34. > :18:38.next week for our neck of the words. It could start to bring some snow
:18:38. > :18:42.over export, they be the Cotswolds and the Mendips, or similar into
:18:42. > :18:46.Wednesday and by the end of the week as well. Chris, it has been a
:18:46. > :18:51.pleasure serving with it. One good thing about you going is I have
:18:51. > :18:55.much more revere the dressing rooms. You certainly needed as well. --
:18:55. > :19:01.much more room. All the best to you, they the sun
:19:01. > :19:04.shine on you in your future. Now, tonight is the end of an era
:19:04. > :19:06.on BBC Points West. Chris is retiring after 28 years presenting
:19:06. > :19:08.retiring after 28 years presenting the programme. Did you you know,
:19:08. > :19:15.Chris, you are currently the longest-serving BBC regional news
:19:15. > :19:19.presenter in the country? So as you bow out of the spotlight, let's
:19:19. > :19:28.take a look at some of your very many highlights from the past three
:19:28. > :19:32.decades. Good evening to a new look Points
:19:32. > :19:38.West at 6:30pm. Their new look programmes back row starts next
:19:38. > :19:42.week. -- Points West starts next week.
:19:42. > :19:46.There have been many "new looks" in 28 years - but one has stayed the
:19:46. > :19:51.same. Take Esmeralda. She has become
:19:51. > :19:55.literally attached, not only to be... All of us here at BBC Points
:19:55. > :20:01.West have become very attached to Chris. A man we all respect, admire
:20:01. > :20:06.and love very much. 28 years of footage here. This
:20:06. > :20:11.isn't a job for one reporter. A No, it definitely takes two. But
:20:11. > :20:16.where do you start? It may be an exercise kebab but the
:20:16. > :20:19.missiles are real and I am glad I am behind this plastic -- it may be
:20:19. > :20:22.an exercise, but the missiles of rule.
:20:23. > :20:26.Chris has always been an exemplary journalist, full of integrity and
:20:26. > :20:30.courage. He covered the first Gulf conflict.
:20:30. > :20:34.Parachuted with troops who had fought at Arnham.
:20:34. > :20:39.I was very honoured to jump with you. Lovely to see you save on the
:20:39. > :20:45.ground. -- safe. And as an interviewer, he's
:20:45. > :20:49.challenged not just one Prime Minister, but two.
:20:49. > :20:52.That is what matters to people, not just income tax, but the overall
:20:52. > :20:56.tax burden... Chris's continued success is
:20:56. > :21:06.because he's just so very quick - as viewers found out when in the
:21:06. > :21:06.
:21:06. > :21:16.studio was a �300,000 diamond. He has lasted! It has happened, I
:21:16. > :21:18.
:21:18. > :21:28.don't believe it. -- he has lost it at. Can you see it? Looking for and
:21:28. > :21:29.
:21:29. > :21:32.an urgent search... If you make the switch all right?
:21:32. > :21:35.We've loved every minute of working with Chris and we know you love him
:21:35. > :21:39.too. It is very sad, we will be seeing him on the television.
:21:39. > :21:46.has given us great service above would like to wish him well. It is
:21:46. > :21:49.very sad, we are going to miss him. I wish him all the best. It is
:21:49. > :21:56.perhaps his good humour, his peelers charm that has made Chris
:21:56. > :22:00.so popular over the years. -- Pls. Not least with his dedicated
:22:00. > :22:04.follower of female fans. I am not sure I am getting this
:22:05. > :22:11.quite right. Take your time over this one. Chris, will you marry me?
:22:11. > :22:16.Cut. This is a really sad day, I can't believe Chris is going. You
:22:16. > :22:19.have been so wonderful that you have looked after us. I think you
:22:19. > :22:24.joined Points West just about the time we moved to the country and
:22:24. > :22:29.there was a wonderful gentleness and sweetness about you, but also a
:22:29. > :22:34.kind best under glamour, and very sexy bad, very attractive. Always
:22:34. > :22:39.cheered us up. -- a very sexy man. A Cotswold treasure and good luck
:22:39. > :22:43.with everything you do. Trust me, you don't hold down a
:22:43. > :22:48.high-profile job like Chris's idea she was good at Chris is very good
:22:48. > :22:53.at what he does -- unless you are good. U-turn on the news that there
:22:53. > :22:58.he is, calm, pleasant and professional, even if everything is
:22:58. > :23:05.crazy behind the scenes. He is a Rock, off screen and on, and he is
:23:05. > :23:10.one of my dearest friends as well. So after so many years, it falls to
:23:10. > :23:16.us to save for one last time,... Chris, it is back to you in the
:23:16. > :23:19.studio. How lovely was that? You sexy man!
:23:19. > :23:25.I know! She knows I feel the same way about how.
:23:25. > :23:34.Now, we have a very special present from everyone at BBC Points West.
:23:35. > :23:42.As a former Navy man, this is rather appropriate. RULE BRITANNIA
:23:42. > :23:47.PLAYS. We decided to get the old sailor a
:23:47. > :23:51.ship's Bell with Points West engraved on it. Chris used to be a
:23:51. > :23:56.sailor and is now the proud owner of a small boat moored off the
:23:56. > :24:01.South Coast, and his planning to spend High Barnet, so we must warm
:24:01. > :24:06.by the shipping. -- and is planning to spend a lot of time on it so we
:24:06. > :24:11.must warn other shippers. Please accept this after helming the SS
:24:11. > :24:17.Points West for so many years. Blanket cover it means so much. It
:24:17. > :24:21.will be fantastic pottering down the south coast, maybe I will even
:24:21. > :24:24.try the tricky tides of the Bristol Channel and Taback see you. I have
:24:24. > :24:30.a lovely little bath tub and she will go very nicely.
:24:30. > :24:34.We reckon you have done at least 4,000 prime-time programmes, Mods
:24:34. > :24:38.of broadcasting. You must have a few special message -- but so
:24:38. > :24:44.broadcasting for you must have a few special memories.
:24:44. > :24:48.Flying at the back of the Hercules, flying with the crews when we went
:24:48. > :24:53.into the thick black smoke of the oil fires that Saddam Hussein had
:24:54. > :25:00.lit when he left Kuwait. Just as exciting back -- back home, you
:25:00. > :25:03.know what it is like, it is the privilege of the job, driving in
:25:03. > :25:08.the morning, I like going to be interviewing the Prime Minister,
:25:08. > :25:14.going hot air ballooning -- a light going to be. Or standing up to buy
:25:14. > :25:17.these in floodwater question our or in my case, getting the coffee.
:25:17. > :25:22.-- or in my case forced up you have been the face of Points West for so
:25:22. > :25:24.long, how it has that been questioned our people are
:25:24. > :25:30.recognising you more than they are made.
:25:30. > :25:33.-- how has that been? People recognise you more than they do me.
:25:33. > :25:38.I remember going to a local supermarket at just after I had
:25:38. > :25:43.started that the lady said, don't I know you? I was thinking it would
:25:43. > :25:47.be my first autograph, BBC Television... And she said, oh, I
:25:47. > :25:51.thought you were my dentist. It is absolutely true.
:25:51. > :25:57.It's those gorgeous teeth. After the programme, the fund will
:25:57. > :26:01.continue, because we have got some surprises. Some of your colleagues
:26:01. > :26:05.as you have truly never see them before getting really -- ready to
:26:05. > :26:08.give you a real send-off, he raised them rehearsing earlier.
:26:08. > :26:13.I didn't bow that was going to happen.
:26:13. > :26:18.Prepare yourself for that. -- I didn't know.
:26:18. > :26:23.As you retire Taback chapter in the history of BBC Points West closes.
:26:23. > :26:24.-- a chapter. It is absolutely fitting that we leave the last
:26:24. > :26:29.words to Chris on this special night.
:26:29. > :26:33.We normally say that is it for now. Let me wish you instead a very
:26:33. > :26:36.happy weekend, join us again next week if you can, from a sore, good
:26:36. > :26:39.night. That is it, joined me and Gerald
:26:39. > :26:44.next week. Had a good weekend.
:26:44. > :26:49.From Points West, good night. From the news team, good night, I
:26:49. > :26:51.hope you dodge by hailstones. Had a very good evening.
:26:51. > :26:56.From May and the Bristol baby, good evening.
:26:56. > :27:01.Have a great weekend. I had a little present for you. Let me give
:27:01. > :27:06.you a kiss. That is all for now.
:27:06. > :27:10.A I deserved it. Finally, this really is my last sign-off. After
:27:10. > :27:15.such a long time with Points West that gave them all with the BBC, I
:27:15. > :27:19.can say I have had a wonderful time. I have worked with some of the
:27:19. > :27:22.nicest and most talented people in television and had done some of the
:27:22. > :27:28.most interesting thing she could imagine. Most of all, I have so
:27:28. > :27:32.enjoyed meeting so many of you and doing it for you, getting your