13/03/2014 BBC Points West

Welcome to BBC Points West with News at Six. It's goodbye from me.

Welcome to BBC Points West with Sabet Choudhury and Alex Lovell Our

main story tonight: Behind the white door. The family who live in the

house which became a symbol of the floods return home for the first

time. They can't use them again It doesn't matter. And the comlunity

which rallied around to help. Now MPs ask them to write a report into

the rescue effort. Also in the programme: Tears for a

champion. Somerset's Big Bucks bows out after failing to win at

Cheltenham. Plus, the pub tills are ringing We

assess the how the festival is boosting Cheltenham's local economy.

And we meet The Voice contestant singing live in Bristol tonhght

along side X Factor winner @lexandra Burke.

Her plight made headlines around the country as floodwater engulfed her

home and the waters crept hhgher up her white front door. Carol John's

house in East Lyng in Somerset has been under water since Christmas.

The rising water forced her and her family to move to a hotel in

Taunton. Today she's been b`ck for the first time. Fiona Lamdin was

with her. Much of this house has been sitting

underwater since Christmas. I was with the family back in February as

they were forced to leave. Five weeks on and the last of thd water

has finally drained away, in its place oozing mud, dead rats and a

filthy stench. This is the first time I've seen your door not

underwater. And it's the first time Carol has been home, her first time

back inside. This is awful. It's disgusting. And in the kitchen, the

force of the water has empthed all the cupboards. It's just motldy and

wet. I don't know where to look At its peak, the water was lapping just

below the work surface. It's silly little things like the hot water

bottles. They can't use thel again. Stupid things. The fridge h`s

floated six foot across the kitchen. If we look inside, this weekly shop

a month ago will have to go. It s all gone off. This is the lounge.

It's covered in water. And now covered in fungus. It's the same

room just a week ago. And this is the other side of the front door.

There's a tide mark going across the door. For many, this door w`s the

image of the floods but behhnd it lives a family who are starting from

scratch again and are finding that incredibly hard.

A volunteer group based in Burrowbridge has been asked to

report to the Government on how effective the help for flood victims

has been. The Flooding on the Levels Action Group, or FLAG, will compile

a report for MPs about how helpful or not the response has been from

The Environment Agency, fird services and the Army. But `s Andrew

Plant reports, their feedback is unlikely to be entirely poshtive.

The day before Christmas Evd, on 23 December, the very first taste of a

two`month ordeal. By six January, many sandbagged homes had already

lost their fight with the flooding, the road to Muchelney cut off. On

the 24th, as whole villages succumbed, the local council

declared a major incident. Ht meant, people were told, the possibility of

Army intervention. And it's that kind of planning and the response

that FLAG members like Alfrdd Van Pelt will be reporting back on. We

have agreed we will put togdther a list of specific incidents that show

the failure of the services and in Cobra terms, I wonder what their

reaction will be. Environment Secretary Owen Paterson recdived a

hostile reception on the 27th. Army boots were finally on the ground at

the end of the month. Then on five February, the helicopter hovering

over Fordgate and Moorland. That meant many simply abandoned their

homes and didn't return for weeks. Many now feel that with earlier

intervention and more energdtic help from agencies like the Army, some of

the flooded homes could havd been saved. All the agencies and county

council taking over the relhef efforts and the police trying to

look forward, they are five weeks behind. That effort is conthnuing

today and for many weeks to come as victims clear their homes and

gardens. FLAG's report will say much of the Government help was luch too

little, far too late. The image of a stranded car on the

flooded road to Muchelney bdcame symbolic of the extent of the winter

floods. It featured on medi` reports from across the country. Well, we've

tracked down the owner. He's now reclaimed the car and you c`n see

what damage has been done in our ten o'clock news bulletin tonight. If

you can't wait that long, it's also on our Facebook page.

In other news, officers investigating the murder of a

Bristol teenager say they'rd looking into a number of new leads `fter

yesterday's appeal. 19`year`old Nick Robinson was stabbed to death on his

own doorstep in Stokes Croft last Wednesday. Yesterday his falily made

an appeal for information. The police say a number of people have

come forward. MPs today backed a motion c`lling on

the Government to abandon b`dger culls in favour of vaccinathon.

Anti`cull protestors, including wildlife campaigner Bill Oddie, were

outside Parliament during the debate. A leaked report into the

pilot culls in Gloucestershhre and Somerset found the number of badgers

shot was short of the target needed and many were killed inhumanely

It's been a day of resounding West Country success at the Cheltenham

Festival today but it's also the end of an era. Big Bucks, one of

racing's greatest horses of recent times, was retired after he failed

to regain the World Hurdle title. Alistair Durden is in Cheltdnham for

us. Big Bucks's career ends. There is an auction of racehorses taking

place beneath me at the momdnt. As far as today's race was concerned,

it was billed as a big matchup between Big Bucks and the rhsing

star from Ireland. As one ndwspaper put it today, Lady and the champ.

The end a much loved legend. One last tour of his spiritual home He

put the world hurdle on the map but lost your's injury made this a

challenge too far. It was ndver going as well as it used to. Younger

legs of beating him now. He is 1 years old. It is a fine old age but

he is probably the best hurdler the world has ever seen. He will be

retiring and he will be enjoying his retirement in having a bit of fun.

When I go down to the stablds, I was spoiled rotten. It was an elotional

end for the team to care for him. I didn't think I would be affdcted as

much as I was, but I have looked after him for so long now and it's

always a worry when they run. He feel everyone is watching you. It

was very emotional. I did cry. Or the prerace chatter was of ` two

horse contest so no one saw more of that coming. Victory for thd

Gloucestershire trainer. Evdrything fell into place. He got into a

lovely rhythm and travelled well through the race all the wax. He got

up the hill well. It was a day dominated by West Country trainer is

winning the first five races. And it was a good day for Somerset's David

with two winds. But the headlines today will belong to Big Bucks. A

fabulous day for the West Country trainer 's. Has to be said, not a

grey day for the Irish. It didn t stop them being here in thehr

numbers, adding plenty of lhfe and colour to proceedings and spending

lots of money as well. Just remind you, nearly 250,000 people visiting

the festival week. Welcome to Cheltenham. For one week

only, the party capital of the West. And the bar tills are ringing

loudly. If I equate this to a Friday, I will take almost ` week's

take, just on Friday. For those putting the party on, it's not

difficult to keep the crowds happy. You can see the winners. Thdy just

want to dance and party. Thdy are having a drink and they want to

dance and party. So how do xou prepare for the big week? Wdll, for

the town's newest hotel, it's very careful planning and offering a more

laid`back night. Menus, staffing levels. It is the biggest wdek of

the year for us. We are in consultation with residents and

local bars. Just making surd everyone has a good time. There is,

of course, something for evdryone. Most night clubs offer lap dancing

during race week and it's bhg business, with 500 dancers coming to

work in the town. A girl can earn up to at least ?2000 a week during race

week, so a lot of girls want to register on our website. We have

over 2000 girls registered `nd they all want to work. Everyone lakes the

most of it. For the chauffers and taxi drivers, it can almost be

nonstop. Every night is likd a very good Saturday night. People flag you

down and ask you for London's unmanned justice. And for the

punters out partying, all the efforts seem to be worth it.

Brilliant. Fantastic. Vibrant, enjoyable. If you can get into the

pubs. It has just gone 9pm `nd these guys have a very long night ahead of

them. This week, the winners aren't just at the racecourse. Quite a day

at Cheltenham. We still havd a highlight of the festival to come.

We will be telling you who to watch and who to back late in the

programme. Thanks, Ali. And a bit more from

Cheltenham later in the programme. Plus, Jules is in Bristol for us

this evening. I am at an all`star celebrity party

in aid of The Prince's Trust but I'm not sure I have really been invited.

The dream of Bristol Rovers' supporters to have a new

multi`million pound stadium rest with a High Court judge tonhght

He's heard legal arguments `ll day about whether the Memorial ground

should or shouldn't have bedn sold to Sainsbury's for developmdnt. It's

a move which generates millhons for the club but infuriates somd

residents and traders in ne`rby shops. Scott Ellis reports.

Still on the drawing board. Bristol Rovers' ?40 milion 21,000`sdater

stadium at the University of the West of England, paid for bx selling

the Memorial Ground to Sainsburys'. The supermarket plan's been approved

but was back in court today, much to the annoyance of Rovers' ch`irman.

It has cost us and all `` an inordinate amount of money. We are

very confident. Our legal tdam have looked all the aspects of it.

Residents and traders opposdd to the supermarket development brotght

today's case. Arguing counchllors were misled by the city council s

planning report. The city council told the court its advice to

councillors was fair and lawful That's backed by one of those who

voted in favour of the supermarket. Democratically elected people made

this decision and a minoritx of people tried to go to the l`w and

get a judge to overturn what elected politicians put forward. Protestors

raised ?24,000 to launch thhs judicial review. They think the

supermarket's too big for a residential area. We would love

there to be a new stadium as well. Personally, I would like to see more

houses built there. There are other financial options that could be

explored, I hope. Not according to Rovers' chairman, who told le today

there is no plan B, no supermarket, no new stadium. And Rovers

supporters may have to wait weeks for the decision of the High Court

judge. A secure hospital near Bristol has

tightened how it deals with patients who abscond after a death l`st year.

Michael Harris had been at Fromeside for seven years before he ldft

without permission. His bodx was found 24 hours later and an inquest

jury today returned an open verdict. Michael Harris was a paranohd

schizophrenic who killed his friend seven years ago in a quiet street in

Swindon. A damning report sdven years later found this death was

avoidable. Michael Harris h`d been badly let down by the mental health

professionals supposed to bd looking after him. The report listed a

catalogue of failings, incltding failure to make sure he took his

medication and failure to sdction him. After the killing, he was

detained here. But he absconded and his body was found near the

railway. He had fallen more than 30 feet. Staff told the inquest there

was no indication that Mich`el Harris would abscond and th`t he

wasn't suicidal. They descrhbed him as a fragmented and impulsive man

but said they acted approprhately throughout. Michael's familx told me

he died for them on the day he killed his friend. In a statement

they never got a readout, they said he was full of remorse. Thex don't

blame free inside for what happened but the unit has tightened tp how it

deals with patients who abscond Nine months after two men tried to

set fire to a mosque in Glotcester, a new Imam has promised to hmprove

links with the local communhty. Imam Hassan has moved to the citx from

Hull to work at Masjid E Noor Mosque. He says he was sadddned by

the fire there and promises to promote a better understandhng of

other people's beliefs. We need to understand there are people out

there who have negative views and perceptions of Islam and th`t's

where I come into place. My aim is to make the wider community, not

only the Muslims within the community, but also the widdr

community, make them understand what Islam really is and what it preaches

and how tolerant religion actually is.

And there's a longer intervhew with Imam Hassan on our Facebook page.

Now we return to Cheltenham where tomorrow, some of the best horses in

the country will battle it out for the sport's top prize, the Gold Cup.

Let's go back to Prestbury Park to rejoin our sports editor, Alistair

Durden. Certainly, the bookies have it as a

shoot`out between Bob's Worth, the reigning champion, trained by Nicky

Henderson, and Paul Nicholls' Silviniaco Conti, based, of course,

in Somerset. Joining me now is a man you may not immediately recognise

but if we hear this, it might give you a clue!

John Hunt, the BBC's racing commentator in action during the

World Hurdle this afternoon. I have got to ask you about Big Bucks. His

defeat here in January sign`lled the end of the road and he was valiant

today but it was too much for him. Aged 11, what a great career,

though. He owes nobody anything at all. Four wins in the world hurdle.

One of the greatest days of our time. When they announced hhs

retirement, the whole crowd rose up. Sad that he had to go out on a

defeat but what a racecoursd `` racehorse! Let's look at thd two

main contenders. Bob's Worth is the current champion and trained by

Nicky Henderson. He's a nind year old and could have the edge at a

course at which he thrives to take a 3`2 lead in their clashes overall.

Silviniaco Conti won the King George on Boxing Day and beat Bob's Worth

into the bargain. He was also leading Bob's Worth in last year's

race when he fell three fences from home. How would you call between

these two? Bob's work is a tremendous horse. Five races, five

wins. He showed his well`behng in Ireland at Christmas. The other

horse will give him plenty to think about. Last year, he was in front

and going really well. If hd can stay on his feet, and he will give

him plenty to think about. H haven't had a winner either this wedk. We

will bring you all the news tomorrow.

One of the hopefuls on the BBC talent programme The Voice hs in

Bristol this evening, performing with singing star Alexandra Burke

and comedian Omid Djallili. Celestine Walcott`Gordon from St

Paul's made it on to Team Tom two weeks ago. Tonight she's at a

charity dinner in aid of Thd Prince's Trust, which helps

disadvantaged young people. Cheers to you. This is in ahd of The

Prince's Trust, people like Eleanor, who has had money to do

fashion design. One of the number of people in the West to receive funds

from The Prince's Trust to set up a business. Tonight, one of the people

performing is a contender for the voice. Her career started a long

time ago on an altogether dhfferent programme. I performed on staff for

a night and won the overall grand final. That was incredible. I

couldn't believe it. When I heard my name, I looked to my mum in the

audience because I wasn't stre whether I had heard my name or not.

I made eye contact with her and she was like, yeah, it's you. And then I

reacted. My goal was to be signed by the time I was 18. I was 16.5. I did

get signed when I was 18. Unfortunately, it didn't work out,

but the experiences I got from the whole time was definitely

beneficial. The winner of this battle is...

Celestina. The blind audition was one of the most horrific instances

in my life. It's dark, it's silent and it's just you. As I am going up

the steps, the main pool in my head was, please, don't fall over! If you

do fall over, you have to fhnd a way to roly`poly out of it. That was one

of the thoughts that went through my mind. Thank you so much for turning.

It is fantastic being on te`m Tom. It's really flattering, acttally.

Flattering to have sunk and him to not see what I look like, jtst base

my voice, turn. It might be a lot to be on team Tom, but it has `lso

meant a lot to have support from The Prince's Trust. They helped me to

give me confidence and monex to pursue my job as an independent

musician and, with that mondy and confidence, I was able to create my

own EP and album and I am continuing to make music as we speak. Xou are

performing tonight. We will have a quick chat to the MC. Hello, sir.

Will you be dancing tonight? No I don't want to. Why are you such a

big supporter of The Prince's Trust? They get lots of young people who

have fallen on hard times and get them back on their feet. With Prince

Harry, what they have done hs remarkable. I have to support this

work. 800 people in the Bristol area are being helped by The Prince's

Trust. It's a very underesthmated charity. He will be like th`t all

night, I am told. Tell him lany people in Bristol have alre`dy seen

him dancing before and he is a very good dancer! He didn't belidve me.

He has been all shy and quite tonight!

It is a question of this colpetition between sunshine and fog once again

tomorrow. A similar story to today. Some of you will lose the fog and

see sunshine. There were other districts which did not unthl later

in the day. It will merit a Met Office yellow warning. 50 mdtres or

less. One wrong turn of a steering wheel and you are often the scenery.

There will be disruption to commercial flights, too. Whx? High

pressure sits like a balloon over the top of us. At this time of year,

we have enough situations to develop the fog overnight and insufficient

breeze or suchlike to clear it. Broadly speaking, at least, a dry

picture will continue. Tonight, where you have lost the fog, it will

start to re`form and the sale suspect areas affected this morning

will be affected again tomorrow Particularly the Somerset Ldvels,

there will be a number of you who will make up `` wake up to ` murky

start tomorrow. Frost and places. The hours will tick by with no

change in other areas. Wherd exactly will be a question of doubt. But

when the sunshine breaks through, temperatures should get up hnto

10`12dC. Different story under the fog once again. The weekend is

looking decent.