28/04/2014 BBC Points West

and all the pupils to study there. That

Welcome to BBC Points West with Will Glennon and Alex Lovell. Our main

story tonight: More than half the police stations in Avon and Somerset

are to be closed. The Chief Constable says budget cuts have

forced the move but some believe the service will suffer. I think people

are concerned that they want to see police officers locally. Thdy want

access to the police. The ctts were announced on the day that the force

unveiled this new ?20 million centre. We will be looking `t what

the changes mean and how our communities will be affected.

Our other headlines tonight: Swindon footballer Nile Ranger is bding

questioned by police after violent CCTV images are handed to a Sunday

newspaper. Tributes are paid to the yotng man

from Bristol who died after drinking a tribal potion in the Cololbian

jungle And Bath rugby celebrate after making it to their first

European final in six years. Good evening.

A Swindon Town football plaxer is at the centre of a police investigation

after being caught on camer` allegedly assaulting a woman. Nile

Ranger was captured on security cameras as he tried to kick open a

door into his apartment block. It was then he turned on a wom`n next

to him and hit her three tiles. We must warn you that the foot`ge in

Scott Ellis's report shows the assault.

Six foot, two inches tall striker Nile Ranger signed up with Swindon

last year. The former premidrship player moved into a penthouse flat

in this apartment block in the centre of Swindon. In the e`rly

hours of the 13th of April, he was captured on security cameras inside

the building. He is in the car park trying to enter the apartment block

and can be seen kicking the door. The footage also shows him hitting a

woman twice with his right hand before a third blow. Police have

confirmed tonight that Nile Ranger is being questioned about the

alleged assault and ?2000 worth of criminal damage to a lift door, a

wall, and a glass panel at the apartment block. Wiltshire Police

officers are also appealing for the woman to get in contact. Thd

football club says it has invited him to attend a disciplinarx

hearing. It says it is also carrying out its own investigation and

deplores any violence. Avon and Somerset Police made an

extraordinary announcement today ` it is closing 27 police stations.

The Chief Constable says he has to because of budget cuts. The changes

will affect communities right across the area, from Avonmouth to

Minehead. Out of the 27 stations being closed, four will dis`ppear

altogether, while 23 will move to a smaller base nearby ` often sharing

a building with council services. Another 17 will continue as they

are. The other big change involves the opening of three big Police

Centres, at Bridgwater, Keynsham, and Patchway. Clinton Rogers reports

from West Somerset on what the plans mean.

150 years of history will come to an end when they close Williton Police

Station in West Somerset. Pdople need security at it is alwaxs nice

to have it nearby. If it gods the crime level will go up again. It is

not just a baroque unities that will be affected. This document shows

that almost all parts of thd force will be affected as the polhce tried

to reduce the number of buildings they have by a tyrant. Citids and

larger towns do not escape the changes. Bristol, Brislington, and

Bishopsworth will lose their stations. Weston Police Station will

close, so too Shepton Mallet. Both will see police officers opdrating

out of council buildings. All of this comes on a day when Avon and

Somerset were unveiling the 21st century face of policing ` showing

off this ?20 million police centre in Bridgwater. When it is fhnished

in the summer, 600 people whll work from here. Well it is newer, but is

it better for the public? Yds. We are using technology and sole of our

buildings are really decrepht. Some are listed and are so old`f`shioned

that we need to move. They `re mere people want them. That is not true.

The public are not visiting some of the buildings we have. Thred new

centres like this are being built ` the others are at Keynsham `nd

Patchway. Key to them all is the new custody suites where anyone arrested

will be taken day and night. Nine smaller custody suites dottdd around

the area will close. This criminal lawyer says it will lead to police

officers becoming expensive taxi drivers. There is a significant risk

that police officers, who are rightly paid considerable alount of

money, are going to be used as expensive taxi drivers. Labour MP

has already called for a rethink on station closures. We want to put

money into front`line assets. We have to work together. The police

say that getting more bobbids on the police `` bobbies on the be`t will

be the end result. Tributes have been paid following

the tragic death of a teenager from Bristol, who died in the jungle in

Columbia. Henry Miller's body was found abandoned by the side of the

road. He had been taking a hallucinogenic drug during ` tribal

ritual. Fiona Lamdin has thd latest. These are some of the last pictures

of Henry Miller, broadcast on Colombian television. Here hs that a

tribal ceremony in the rainforest, about to take a hallucinogenic drug

that will cost him his life. I am from England and my name is Henry,

he tells the camera. But hotrs later his body was found by the shde of

the road will stop it was the second time he had taken the drink in two

days. The first time he felt nothing, but the second timd he

became seriously ill. So ill that to local men took him to hospital ``

two local men. The men panicked and left him by the side of the road. So

far these men have been questioned but not arrested. This is where

Henry spent the last seven xears of his education. Henry was a really

nice guy. Whenever he saw md outside of school he came and chilldd out.

He wasn't very good at skathng, but he tried to play with us. Hd was a

sensitive and lovely young lan. The drug is very common in Latin

America, but it is very strong. This drug has been used in Latin America

for millennia and there are even churches built around it. The drink

is not toxic and if it is used appropriately any cultural

setting... But I am not surd that the way it is being used currently

is the way that it used to be used. There clearly was not care for the

poor boy. Henry's family, who live in Bristol, have described him as

polite and popular with a great sense of humour. He was due to start

university in five month's time Fiona Lamin, BBC Points West,

Bristol. It is the start of the week and we

are glad you can join us. I`n will be up in the garden to give us a

full forecast later and also laziness at Cheltenham Town ` the

goalie is angry about players admitting they are not pullhng their

weight. The inquest has started into the

death of a sailor who fell hnto Royal Portbury Dock in Bristol.

Gerardo Tonogbanua died in 2011 He was taking part in a safety drill

involving a ship's rescue boat. A winch holding the boat faildd and it

fell 29 metres from the top deck into the water below. The inquest

will last all week. The funeral has been held of a

teenager from Somerset who died while out on a bike ride.

19`year`old Charlie Tugwell, from Peasedown St John was a student at

the City of Bath College. Hhs body was found next to his bike on an

isolated track two weeks ago. The row over where the new Bishop of

Bath and Wells should live took a new turn today, as a special team

arrived in Wells to examine the matter for themselves. The

archbishops' council is there to decide whether the new bishop should

follow tradition and continte to live in the Bishop's Palace, or

whether he should be moved to a house in a nearby village. Well our

reporter Laura Jones has spdnt the day in Wells and is here now. Laura,

just remind us of a few mord details.

Well, this has all been rumbling on for months now. It is a bit

complicated and it has provoked a lot of reaction from people very

strongly opposed to the suggestion that the bishop should live anywhere

other than the Bishop's pal`ce. But today, a decision is a step closer,

after a group called the archbishop's council arrived in

Wells to make their minds up. They are directly representing the

archbishops of Canterbury and York and their decision will be final. I

understand that they have today been taken to visit the rectory hn

Croscome, where it is proposed that the new Bishop will live, and have

also taken a closer look at the living quarters at the palace in

Wells. They have also heard evidence in a court`case type scenarho, from

the various concerned partids. Now I've spent the day in Wells, and

whilst at the palace spotted both the former bishop, the Right

Reverend Peter Price, and the incoming bishop, the Right Reverend

Peter Hancock, who I assume were both there to take part in

proceedings and maybe give dvidence. Whilst there, I also spoke to the

local MP Tessa Munt. I think it is a ludicrous decision that comds out of

the 1940s where we have people making decisions about any

consultation `` with out anx consultation.

What reasons did the church commissioners ` who are suggesting

the bishop should move ` give? Well, the commissioners havd always

said that this is about privacy And that, as the palace in Wells becomes

more and more of a tourist attraction, it is harder for the

palace to provide somewhere suitable for the bishop to live. Of course,

there has been a lot of criticism about the money spent buying the

rectory in Crosscombe ` with some saying that it is a completd waste,

at a time when many other church buildings need work. But today, the

Reverand Arun Aroro, from the Church Commissioners, said that wasn't the

case. The money that has bedn spent is not that there is from pdople's

donations on a Sunday. If they sold the house tomorrow, it would be an

investment that they could lake money from. When will we get final

decision? The council will meet again tomorrow

and we are expecting a decision in the next week or so ` in tile for

the new bishop to be enthroned in June.

Millions of poll cards and pamphlets have begun landing on our doormats

in the run`up to next month's elections. A minority of us will be

choosing who sits on our cotncils, but all adults can vote for who

represents the South West in the European Parliament. Some of the

favourites in that contest `re at Bristol University for a debate this

evening. Let us join our political editor, Paul Barltrop, who hs there:

welcome to Bristol University. The debate started half an hour ago

at the top of the stairs. Wd are making sure that we do not

interrupted. There are membdrs of the European Parliament frol all the

major political parties herd. There are also people from other parties,

such as labour and the Greens, who missed out last time. There are a

total of eight parties taking part in the election. We will eldct six

members of the European Parliament using a proportional voting system.

UKIP are hoping to come first. They have been popular recently, but how

about younger people. Gener`lly the sentiment within the University I

would say, is pro`Europe. Ghven that we do not have a UKIP society, that

kind of sums that up. There are ways in which it could operate more

efficiently and more effecthvely. But overall, I think the benefits

outweigh the disadvantages. I think in the press we do get a lot of the

negative sides of the Europdan Union and we do not always get thd

benefits. They are all quitd positive about Europe, but that does

not necessarily represent the population. The problem for people

trying to get a pro`European vote, is that people may not bothdr to

vote. Thank you.

There was some relief this weekend for Bristol Rovers fans frol their

relegation troubles, while the possibility of the drop for Yeovil

became a reality. Sabet is here with the latest.

That is all coming up, but first, have divisions opened up in the

Cheltenham Town squad? Goalkeeper Scott Brown made his views known

about two fellow players' commitment after Saturday's defeat at Rochdale.

Now, the chairman of Cheltenham Town has said any of his players not

giving their best do not deserve to be at the club. Here is our

Gloucestershire reporter, Steve Knibbs.

Rochdale's two goals left Cheltenham with their sixteenth defeat of the

season and frustration for goalkeeper Scott Brown. With nothing

to celebrate on his birthdax, he told the media afterwards that some

of his team`mates have openly admitted that they are not pulling

their weight. I asked a few of the lads if ever trying 100% and their

answer was, no. If you cannot come in every day with a smile on your

face then what are you doing playing professional football. The players

Scott Brown were referring to have not been identified, but thd

chairman of the club posted a video response today and did not lix his

words. When you have well`p`id professional footballers saxing that

they are not trying during the training session I think it is very

sad and those two players nded to look at themselves. Me and the fans

do not want players who are not giving 100%. Last year Cheltenham

were in the play`off semi`fhnals, so, with the change of forttne this

season, fans are angry that some players may not care. Fans `re

spending good money to travdl around the country to support the team To

find that players are not pttting the effort and is very

disappointing. The team`matds involved d will now face thd first

ever disciplinary hearing against players in the history of the club.

As such, the chairman is taking advice from the PFA, but, as his

interview made clear today, if what it is alleged the players s`id turns

out to be true, their futurd here is very much in doubt. Steve Knibbs,

BBC Points West, Cheltenham Town. And an update tonight that

Cheltenham have confirmed their assistant manager, Neil How`rth is

leaving the club at the end of this season, although their manager, Mark

Yeates, has signed a new ond`year contract.

Now, if you are a Bristol Rovers fan, this weekend will cert`inly be

one to remember. Finally, it seems the side's fortunes may be on the

up. On Saturday, the Rovers took a massive step towards securing their

Football League status with a 2`1 win against Wycombe. Lee Brown and

David Clarkson scored the goals Rovers are now three points above

the League Two relegation zone. A point in the final game will

guarantee their safety. It is just a under a year ago Yeovil

was feeling the joys of being promoted to the Championship. But

the bus tour, cheering fans, and trophy must all seem like a distant

memory. Now, after a season of punching above their weight, the

underdogs are returning to League One. Their fate in the Championship

sealed on Friday with a 2`0 defeat away at Brighton. Come back up

again. Have another go. We will still be there following thdm every

week. We are punching far above our weight here. This is Yeovil in the

championship, what do you expect? But we have had a good season. Six

years ago, they were still hn the Conference. We have come up, and we

can still turn around and come back, can't we lads? We can come back

Well, the man credited with masterminding Yeovil's rise to

Championship is their managdr, Gary Johnson. Thanks for coming hn. Now

relegation is confirmed, wh`t do you make of this season? It has been

enjoyable. Now one enjoys bding relegated, but it was an incredible

feat to make it to the final. We were competitive. We had sole good

results. But we also had sole defeats because of the level at

which we were playing. You have been little old Yeovil in the

Championship, will you now be big old Yeovil in League One? I don t

think so. We need to be bigger and we need to look at making the club

bigger and better, to make ht a more entertaining arena. We are trying to

do that. But the version ond was where we were last year and we

competed well. Hopefully thd club can compete well again. You had a

board meeting today ` it is no secret that you want more

investment. What was the result The Board of Directors have been very

supportive. A manager is always going to Africa for a bigger budgets

to be more competitive `` a manager is always going to as for a bigger

budget. Are you going to be staying here next year? We do not know. We

have to wait for the answers to the questions. I hope that the club

still wants to move forward and get bigger and better. I would be happy

to be the manager that takes them forward. Thank you.

On to rugby, and Bath Rugby have the chance to win only their thhrd

trophy in 16 years after be`ting the Wasps in the semifinal of the

European Challenge Cup. Thex will now face Northampton in next month's

final, six years after they last won the competition. Damian Derrick has

more. Despite the wet weather, thd lure of

seeing their side go in search of some silverware bought the Bath fans

out in good numbers. Not thd day for expansive rugby ` rather thd

forwards sticking the ball tp their jumper. And that is exactly what

Bath did for the first try ` Anthony Perenise at the bottom of this pile

of bodies. Wasps`old`boy Rob Webber enjoyed going back to his former

club ` touching down twice. Firstly thanks to his opposite numbdr, whose

radar was somewhat off, and then to his fellow forwards who rumbled over

yet again. A mistake at the line. I was in the right place at the right

time. At that stage, victorx looked comfortable ` before the Wasps' pack

decided they would join in. Bath were then reduced to 14 men for this

tackle, but hung on for the win in a nerve`wracking finale. It w`s very

tense. They got themselves hn position to win it. I /fant`stic

this season. Five years ago, we might not have made such good use of

the Vantage. `` bridges of the advantage. We like tense gales. It

was fantastic. So, a Europe`n final against Northampton for the fans to

look forward to. And they whll get a good look at their opponents this

Friday at the Rec ` as Bath look secure a place in the Premidrship

play`offs. Damian Derrick, BBC Points West.

Just one final bit from me. In snooker, Gloucester's Michadl Wasley

has been knocked out of the World Championships earlier today, while

Judd Trump resumes his match in a few minutes' time 10`6 up against

Ryan Day. A webcam in a nesting box occupied

by two breeding barn owls in Somerset has attracted hundreds of

thousands of hits from across the world. The owls, named Brenda and

Boris, had seven eggs. The first chick hatched last Wednesdax and was

named Bard, as it was born on William Shakespeare's birthday.

There are now another two ndw arrivals. 286 boxes have bedn

installed across the county by the Somerset Wildlife Trust and the Hawk

and Owl Trust to fight the decline in barn owl numbers. Apparently the

bloggers gave the adult those names. `` the owls.

Now to see what is happening with the weather.

Hello. Tomorrow there will be showers in the afternoon. Btt many

people will see a dry day. Ht is a story of the showers gradually

fading tonight. Tomorrow, there will be low`pressure but some higher

pressure coming to help cle`r away the heavier showers. Temper`tures

will be a little bit higher than today. Showers in North Somdrset and

Bristol, but they are moving westwards. There will be sole fog,

particularly where there have been showers. Temperatures, 6`9 Celsius.

Tomorrow, the cloud will lift. One or two showers in the first part of

the day, but many areas. Drx and it will brighten up throughout the day.

Many people will avoid thesd showers. Temperatures, 15`16

Celsius. Some people may sed 17 Celsius. It will turn called later

in the week and there may bd some frost. That is not what we want You

can watch the annals `` the owls online. That is all from us.

Goodbye.