11/01/2012 BBC Points West

Good evening and welcome to BBC Points West.

Our headlines tonight: An amazing escape. A helicopter pilot tells of

his life saving decisions as the engine died. My choices were a red

fur or a tree it so I picked the fluffier still looking tree.

At the scene of the crime, but now a union warns cuts could affect the

gathering of evidence. ASBOs and a ban on buying bread for

the pensioners who refuse to stop feeding the birds.

And meet Big Ben, the giant of a player making a name for himself

The pilot of a helicopter, which crashed in Wiltshire yesterday

injuring three men, has been talking about his ordeal. Andrew

Ridings from Bath was at the controls when the aircraft hit

trees on an industrial estate in Salisbury.

The helicopter crash to the ground and smashed into pieces, but

amazingly nobody died. He's stiff, sore, has 70 staples in

his head, but he's alive. Fighting is something to be in still been t

EU, but there was no time to become frightened and well on it. It was

just something went wrong and I had to do something about it. Little

more than 24 hours since his helicopter crashed and Andy Ridings

was back at work at his waste management business near Bath

reflecting on what might have been. Yesterday morning he was taking off

after a meeting in Salisbury, almost immediately he realised the

engine had failed and there was very little time to react - he

feared the worst. I certainly thought that all the way, but the

human body is built to it, you know, fight or flight, the adrenalin

kicks in and you do your best. I would say, really, it is 10% scale

and 90% good fortune. Somebody was smiling on us that day.

Andy opted to land the aircraft in a tree to soften their landing. His

two passengers, Ian Sutton and Mike Rosser, also escaped serious injury.

It's not yet known what caused the problem and Andy will submit a

report to the Air Accident Investigation Branch. So, has this

put him off flying. No, I have been flying since I was 16. This is the

first time I have written an aircraft of, but we all walked away

and anyone you walk away from is a good one.

There will though be scars and memories of this crash - and the

day that all three cheated death and survived to tell the tale.

Planned cuts to the numbers of Crime Scene Investigators will

leave Avon & Somerset police unable to carry out more than one big

investigation at the same time. That's the claim this evening by

unions representing police civilian staff who are facing the axe. They

say that if the police were faced with a murder investigation on the

scale of the Jo Yeates case as well as a motorway pile, up they

couldn't cope alone. This exclusive report by our Home Affairs

Correspondent, Steve Brodie. The familiar white suited crime

scene investigators play a vital part in gathering evidence and

solving crimes. But now, CSI men and women who have worked on high

profile investigations, like the hunt for Melanie Hall and the

recent shooting down of Rico Gordon in Easton, are set to lose their

jobs. Senior officers have been told to

cut civilian police staff by 20% in line with �40m budget cuts handed

down by the police authority. The force told the BBC that its ability

to deal with several major incidents at the same time won't be

affected - a claim strongly rejected by Unison. I think that is

a naive position for any police force to take. If you are going to

cut the number of police staff roles, then in some way or another,

that will have a fundamental effect on frontline police officers that

are out on the streets. Forces come into criticism all the time because

police officers are not divisible. Unison says the loss of CSI posts

will also have a direct affect on levels of crime. The force will

tell you that crime has fallen, but that is because these posts are

already there and the part that they play in making sure that crime

is detected and we find out who the criminals are, that is why crime

has fallen. Unlike their civilian colleagues,

police officers cannot be made redundant. The force is recruiting

up to 24 new officers every year, but with older officers retiring,

overall police numbers are falling. In the next four years numbers will

drop from 3,100 to 2,700. If you take 400 police officers out of the

constabulary, it will have an effect somewhere. If people are

saying it will not have an effect, the tax payers are going to want to

know where their money has been going.

This evening Avon & Somerset police laid the blame squarely with the

Government in a statement it said, "These are difficult times for all

public services. Avon and Somerset Police are not exempt. We must find

more than �40m of savings over four years on top of the anticipated

�20m we expect to lose each year as a result of the way the government

funds police forces." An offender who went missing from a

secure unit in Taunton has been found. 75-year-old David Marker,

was detained indefinitely 47 years ago, after an indecent assault on a

seven-year-old girl. He was found in Cornwall this morning. The

police have thanked the public for their help.

You're watching BBC Points West. David and Alex with you this

evening. Coming up on tonight's programme: It is a question that

every producer wants to know the answer to, how do you guarantee a

hit? Now they could be a mathematical formula to help you

predict one. And join me later for some fabulous

food prepared by chefs that might surprise you.

That looks tasty. Two Wiltshire pensioners have been

given anti social behaviour orders after attracting hundreds of

pigeons by feeding them excessive amount of food every day. The women,

from Trowbridge, had ignored previous orders by Wiltshire

Council to stop feeding the birds. As Sarah-Jane Bungay has been

finding out, council bosses say the pigeons have caused damage to some

of the town's most historic buildings.

This lady had become a familiar sight on the streets often spotted

with carrier bags of pigeon food. To her, it was innocent, but the

excessive amount she was putting out had a detrimental effect.

The number of pigeons here has increased dramatically. Each pigeon

can produce two eggs every 18 days and with growing numbers, at the

council says that is creating a daily hazard. The pavement was

becoming covered in pigeon theses. When mixed with the rain, that was

an absurd and people were falling over, potentially into the red. I

witnessed two children get off the pavement and go into the red rather

then use the pavement because it was so covered. There are a

nuisance in the total number of them now. They cause problems, it

is a mess. The actual toxic waste they produce. She has now been

banned from feeding any birds. Margaret Reynolds who also fed

pigeons was given the same band. Have you been feeding the birds

today? Very minute stuff, yes. Nothing much out there at all. I am

not supposed to, no. Noah. I just love my birds and that is all I can

say. Like them or loathe them, pigeons are here to stay, but in

this town, they will not be getting a warm welcome.

The mayor of Stroud is facing fines or even imprisonment after failing

to fill in his census form. He says he's making the protest because the

firm organising the census also sells arms. Here's our political

editor Paul Barltrop. He's in trouble with the law. John

Marjoram's normally a pillar of society. He's Stroud's mayor, for

the tenth time. He's the area's longest serving councillor. But he

refused to take part in last year's census survey. I could not face

myself if I actually felt that for me in. It would be with me that I

actually helped a military target. The census was paid for and

promoted by the government, to help it assess the needs of Britain's

changing population. But the �150m pound contract to gather in the

information went to Lockheed Martin, an American firm better known for

supplying arms here and around the world. This brought protests from

pacifists, like John Marjoram. will cost me �1,000, no doubt there

will BP probe prepared to give me extra money. I am not a rich man,

but I will stay with it. Nearly 95% of forms did come back,

and the data's being processed. That still means more than two

million didn't, leading to several hundred prosecutions.

He has been summonsed to appear here on 8th February, but trials

have already begun. Another peace activist was due in court today,

but he refused to come. John Marjoram will argue his case

in court. He'll pay if he has to, to ensure

he's not locked away from his work serving his community.

At the start of the year, the Prime Minister urged us all to go for it

in 2012 with the global drama of the Olympics and the glory of the

Diamond Jubilee. It may be the right spirit, but a

few towns and villages say they cannot afford to put up official

bunting to mark the arrival of the Olympic torch in May.

It is tradition, last spring at much of the West was covered in

flags and bunting to celebrate the Royal Wedding and soon it will be

up again for the Olympic torch relay. Yeovil is one of the Ritz

chosen, but how on officials have said no to official decorations

because they feel the cost is too much for the tax payers.

decorate Yeovil nicely will cost a huge sum. Tens of thousands I would

anticipate. In the light of things in the current climate, I don't

think it would be wise to spend money that way. The official

Olympic bunting cost around �92 for 20 metres. In Somerton, decorating

the route would cost �15,000 and it comes with restrictions. I can't

tell you the writ, but it is fairly obvious it will come through the

town centre. Every building is a commercial building so we would not

be able to put flags on those buildings. The only one we would be

able to his Lloyds-TSB behind you. If they want flags and bunting,

shouldn't they pay for it themselves? What benefit to

Somerset and summer term is it? course we do not we want it, why

would we buy into anybody's anything? The organisers of London

2012 say towns are not under any obligation to use official Bunting,

but with the Queen's Jubilee on the horizon and more decorating to come,

many towns are looking to keep He was born in Bristol and played

in Gloucestershire but now he has been picked for England. Ben Morgan

has been playing for the Scarlets in the past two seasons and could

have chosen to play for Wales on residency grounds. But last week,

he committed himself to England. Emma Morgan. 22 years old. 6 ft and

three inches. Over 18 stone. -- Ben Morgan. Gloucestershire raised but

now playing at the highest level in Wales for the Scarlets. But he has

been forced to make a choice. Fleur De Lys of Wales or the Red Rose of

England. For me, playing for England was the right thing to do.

It was in my heart and I have always grown up supporting England

and watching England and dreaming of playing for them. The decision

has paid off quickly. I did not expect this to happen. I put my

name out there and hopes for the best. That was it. His inclusion

has been well received at Dursley Rugby Club, where he played as a

junior. He is one of the nicest lads from this club. He has worked

hard and he is dedicated. We are very pleased for him and I am

delighted personally. From an early age, there were signs that he was

good with a ball in his hands. But he has not always been a forward.

When he was 10 he was one of the winners. Because he was very quick,

he was able to out run many opposition players and the tactic

was to get the ball through as fast as we could to him. Benn kept on

growing and if at times it was a bit too much. I was more than 132

telegrams. I have lost a bit since then. -- kilograms. It has been a

lot of hard work. I have been running around the stadium, burning

calories. The hard work is paying off. I have got to go in there and

knuckle down and work hard and show what I can do and show my worth. I

have got to share that commitment. Without that, I did not think you

will be a top-class player. He will Also in the elite Performance squad

is another former Dursley player, Charlie Sharples from Gloucester.

David Wilson and Lee Mears are included as well, from Bath. It was

not the start he was looking for but the new Yeovil manager Gary

Johnson is optimistic for the future. Just a couple of days into

the job, his team were beaten 4-0 at Sheffield United. Here is our

Picking up where he left off six years ago, in charge of a yokel

Town dressing room will stock everybody gets changed --.

Everybody gets changed. The man he has replaced as manager is now his

trusted assistant. Terry has done a fantastic job and I must have told

him that 500 time since I had been here. We hope we can create that

little spark together. His return has been a popular move with

supporters. They remember the promotions he got first time.

he can do his motorbike and get the best out of the players. His record

is undisputed. -- motivate. A game against a Sheffield United is

hardly the ideal start but Yeovil did have early chances. But they

were made to pay for not taking them. Sheffield scored once. And

then again before half-time. 45 minutes later, much to ponder for

the new management team. What they did not need was to concede an

early second half goal. After that the third, a 4th. The manager will

have learned plenty from the team in defeat and the size of the task

ahead. It is a big job but I think he can turn us around. Give him

time and get some players. We will get the improvement, I promise. The

great thing about this place is people trust me and we can get it

going. We need supporters first. Then I will try and get the players

to catch up. Saturday's game will be a proper homecoming for Johnson.

Bristol Rovers won in the league for the at times in two months.

Shawm 0 it took charge of the 2-1 victory at Hereford. -- shawm north.

The winner was 20 minutes from the end. Everybody was desperate for

the point because we were at the foot of the table. When we

controlled and past, we controlled the game. Swindon Town are

favourites for Wembley after drawing the first leg of the

Johnstone's Paint Trophy final at Barnet. Aden fled puts them in

front. Barnet equalised. -- fled to put them in front. A restaurant in

Gloucestershire is trying to win awards for quality feed. The chefs

and the front of how staff have all got disabilities. -- front of house

staff. They aim to get the customers the sort of experience

they would get in any top restaurant. Here is our

What can I get you for lunch? Can I have that, please? The first

ordered his crew, with technological help. This is a real

restaurant with an award-winning chef and understanding barriers to

disabled people. This man had a brain tumour and his preparing

bistro quality food and is hoping to change a few attitudes. Some

people in this world do not think about people and do not think that

they are any good. Some people are like that and I want to prove that

I can do it right. All my colleagues want to do the same as.

Students here have got a range of disabilities. Be adapted kitchen

means that they can work safely and worried -- running it safely is an

inspiring experience. It is awesome. It is a great experience because

the chef keeps me busy and I like getting things ready for other

people. It is the brainchild of Cotswold chef, Rob Rees. He wanted

to make sure people did not feel patronised by the project and that

is why the food is deliberately challenging to prepare. This is a

beautiful local lamb shank. It is wonderful and that is what these

people are doing. They are pushing the boundaries. You are making a

difference to the lips of a lot of people and having a great

experience. -- the lids. It cannot operate at a loss and the way they

perform for the public is vital. is about how we work with the

community and the skills. We must show what we can do and not what we

cannot. They are determined to make this work and they are aspiring to

create award-winning food and I think it is well within their

Passionate, enthusiastic. A good recipe for the start of a business

and it looked delicious as well. Good luck. Every pop star dreams of

having a Top five hit. I know I do! We all dream of the guarantees but

even expected judges have trouble predicting what will be successful

and what will not. My dad always new. But researchers at Bristol

University think they have got the secret of pop success. It all boils

down to mathematical formulas. have got three great big years and

a wonderful team. This was essential viewing back in the 1980s.

The guests were predicting next week's successful singles. There is

something about forecasting a head. This one did all right. The

producers loved it and the fans loved it and the University of

Bristol have got a mathematical formula to try and predict if it

will sell. They look at factors like the tempo. Can they danced in

it? Has it got simplicity? They give them a score and that

mathematical formula should predict chart success. A kit for cars is

anything that reached the top five. -- a successful song for us. The

formula is able to distinguish successful songs from unsuccessful

songs. If you guess at random, you would get about 50 %. It is about

getting computers to understand the music. It is a pretty good place to

start, here. But they did not get everything exactly right. It is

Britain's brand new No. 1. Kylie Minogue singing one of the best

songs of all time and Band Aid was always going to be successful. But

it should not have been according to the formula. This Christmas,

these are my whites. You will have heard the song and the formula has

said it was not a kit for this Christmas number one. -- hit.

social aspect and the popularity of the artist and the marketing budget,

that is not taken into account. there is Maltese selling records

Dannatt writing a saleable song. -- more to selling records than

writing. We might never know beetroot for certain. -- betrays. -

- what is certain. I can never tell the weather but somebody can. Now

the weather but somebody can. Now the weather. We can have a

reasonable guess in the next few days but it might be -- but it

might get a bit complicated. This is above average but it will get

colder by the end of the day. Rain but generally dry. The temperature

will change. These are the maximum temperatures early to Morris.

Temperatures them are dropping and this is what we can expect on

Friday. 5 and 6 degrees down. Quite a change. This is the dominant part

of the pattern. This is moving across East. This is coming south.

The air is getting colder and as we look at the sequence above the

region, this is what it is looking like until 6 o'clock on Friday

morning. This is moving south and by 6 o'clock on Friday morning, we

will be looking at a bit of freezing fog. It could be a

difficult rush hour. Many of us will be without frost. BSkyB is

starting to clear. The lowest temperatures are somewhere between

here and Somerset. Sky's starting - - sky is starting to clear. We can

see on the chart that we have got the lowest urban temperatures here.

This is somewhere around Yeovil. We could get a bit of frost. Less

likely further north. Tomorrow, more wind than today. Patchy Bryan

but generally dry. -- patchy rain. As we get through to tonight and

tomorrow, the wind is getting towards the north of the region. We

have got an advance in chance of frost and that will continue

tomorrow night and Friday. We will get a bit of fog and a bit of frost

across much of southern England. Temperatures between 10 and 12

degrees. But that will drop as the weather system changes by tomorrow.

High pressure remains on Friday and through the weekend and it retains

in the centre of the British Isles. Frost and sea toad -- fog likely to

be with us. What happens then is be with us. What happens then is