20/05/2014 BBC Points West

degrees. A bit of cloud and the risk of a few showers. That's all

The Labour leader gets in a muddle during a radio hnterview

I know he is doing a good job for Swindon, as leader of the council.

But he is not the leader of the council. Why his mistake matters in

this crucial electoral battle ground.

With the local elections on Thursday we'll be assessing the statd

The Somerset yachtsmen lost at sea ` Britain's top sailor welcomds

If they are out there in thd liferaft there is a chance of

survival. The funeral today of the actor

Chris Harris, his family put on a show to make

sure that he's leaving us sliling. The West has been awarded sdven gold

medals in total, and a Best in show. We meet the producers who got that

award in a moment after I h`ve done my tomatoes.

The exhausting pace of the local election campaign took its toll

on the Labour leader Ed Milhband today when he made a series of

Appearing on the Breakfast programme on BBC Wiltshire Mr Miliband seemed

to think Swindon council is run by Labour, it's actually controlled

And to add to the confusion Mr Miliband couldn't name

What do you make of Jim Grant? I beg your pardon? Has he done a good job?

Lots of labour representatives are doing a good job across the country.

You do learn love it is? Yot enlighten me, I'm job. Swindon

Labour Leader. Will he feel support a minute if you don't know his name?

He is doing a good job leaddr of the council and I think that is the

case. As Swindon Labour Leader, G think people might be perpldxed why

you wouldn't know who he is? Here's a doing a good job for Swindon, as

leader of the council. But he is not the leader of the council. Ht is a

Conservative lead counsel. He is doing a good job for Labour on the

council. Let's join our political edhtor

Paul Barltrop who's What's been the response from Labour

in Swindon? This is such an important place for

Labour, not just the council contest where the last election thex just

got five seats less than thd ruling conservatives, but also anndxed

years general election. It hs important, let's talk to thd man

himself, Jim Grant. You are the leader of the Labour group, not of

the council will stop are you ashamed, you embarrassed? It was

slightly unfortunate what h`ppened, but I am impressed the presdnters or

need to tell people who I w`s not of his leaving I am well known amongst

the people Swindon and Wiltshire. Have you been told what went wrong?

I have spoken to him, he apologised for the lack of briefing. These

things happen. I don't think it is going to affect the elections in

anyway, shape or form on Thtrsday. Why hasn't he come campaignhng here?

He has been here before, he came in 2011, of Italy there are eldctions

all over the country, he can't be everywhere. This could be a golden

opportunity for Labour's opponents will stop there is a degree of

sympathy for is we have hardwood with the Green party and thd

Conservative leader of Swindon borough council. When you are a

party leader you will on thd top rung and you are expected to know

everything. I have a degree of sympathy, but given Swindon is

apparently a target for thel, I would have thought he would have

known some of the key facts. I did feel for him but when you are going

on the media, on a radio, and I m relatively new, you do your

probation, Evander in advance, your bullet point of Italy and when you

don't knows thing say you don't know. The politicians are working

very, very hard at the moment. I have been chatting to some of the

Euro election candidates, the whole south`west is one large

constituency, they have been training up and down the region

working very hard indeed. N`tional politicians, Parliament is on a

break, they can come out calpaigning as well. It is tough work. Hf people

like party leaders are getthng in the middle, it is perhaps not

surprising the public are not to engage with this election. They

should be a referendum for Durope. Two days before 46 million Britons

can go to the polls, a chance to The European and local election

candidates outnumber the audience will stop it seems there is little

public enthusiasm for these elections.

Nearby a large reminder to Bristol's somewhat cynical electors.

Politicians say it's not for want of trying.

Tim Minchin to fears by outsiders. `` too much interference. It doesn't

matter who it is, they are `ll the same. I am from India but moved to

decade ago. I know the elections are very important. It is all a bit

higgledy`piggledy. What of, who to vote for. Nobly does what they say

when they get in. Politicians say it's not for want

of trying. immigration and Britain's place

in the EU. UKIP are making many headlines,

sometimes to the frustration It does make a hard, it has been

easy in the past when we have been in opposition. This is what gets the

political blood coursing through the veins, it is what I enjoy about

politics, being pushed to the limits, having to defend wh`t we

stand for, having to communhcate to the public properly. This one is

very different because if you give, they have stirred up a storl of it

is really unhappiness and discontent. It exquisitely talking

to people to talk them down for Mac. This is having some interesting

dynamics. more interviews, but maybe

no gaffes, until Thursday. We did invite onto this programme

but he wasn't available. And for full details

of the elections, including a full list of candidates standing

in the European ballot, look on More tests are to be carried out

on the body of a man who was found dead at his home

in Bristol, after the post lortem He'd been assaulted

and the property burgled. Police haven't confirmed

if the two incidents are linked They want to talk to four mdn who

were seen wearing hooded tops Police in Bath are searching

for a man who ran off after the car he was in hit

a teenager leaving the 19`ydar`old It happened near

the Homebase car park in thd city at A 29`year`old man has been `rrested

and released on police bail but officers are still searching

for a man in his 30s who was thought The family of a man from Stroud

killed after he was hit by ` train, have called him

a 'fantastic husband and father ' Paul Martin, seen here with his

wife, was 37 and had a young son. His wife's expecting

their second child. He was riding his motorbike over

the Frampton Mansell crossing British Transport Police

are still investigating. Search and rescue teams

from the United States Coastguard are this evening heading back out,

into the Atlantic Ocean, to resume their search

for four missing British yachtsmen. Two of those, Paul Goslin and

Stephen Warren, are from Solerset. Their boat, the Cheeki Rafiki,

got into trouble five days `go, halfway between the Caribbe`n

and the Azores. Nothing has been heard

from them since last Friday. After searching more than 4,000

square miles, on Sunday, thd Since then,

the men's families have been An online petition gathered nearly

200,000 signatures and this afternoon,

their efforts were rewarded, as the US coastguard bowed to pressure

and said they would search `gain. Clinton Rogers has been

following developments. Eventually I spoke to simplx quite

high up in the Coast Guard. All day the family have been

keeping up the pressure. Phoning anyone who'll listen,

begging And this afternoon they got

the news they worked so hard for . MPs have held, governed dep`rtments,

thank you everyone. We have all pulled together and look wh`t we

do. We have changed America's mine. Belief and disbelief, that, they

have confirmed a claim will be up in an hour, it was believed news.

Paul Goslin and Stephen Warren were part of a crew of four sailing

All contact with their boat Cheeky Rafiki was lost on Friday, ` day

The US coastguard scoured the ocean for two days then called

Peter and Zara Davis know what the families must be going through.

12 years ago they had to be rescued from the Atlantic when

They say if the men got into a liferaft it's perfectly

If they got into the liferaft, and if they were prepared that H would

say there is a fair chance they would still be alive. We ard hoping

and praying, along with the rest of the country, and their friends and

family, that they are OK, and I still think they have got hope.

Last night prayers in the vhllage of West Camel for two men wdll known

Today it seems the prayers of the relatives have been `nswered

The search will resume, though no`one is underestim`ting

the scale of the task ahead in locating the men.

There are so many unknowns, there is a long way to go in terms of finding

the sailors in her `` such ` huge area for stop if they are ott there

in the liferaft there is a chance of survival. Whilst there is a chance

we should be out there searching for them. We have to be realisthc, I

would love them to go home safe I hope that is what will happdn. We

are all praying for that. It has gone now, they have been in the

water long time. If they ev`cuated the yacht, they are all

experienced, my husband is trained. They would all be, they would have

taken on extra visions. All the experts are saying they could be

alive. The next few days will be critical

deciding whether this story has We just hope so, of course. You can

keep up to date with this ddveloping story throughout the evening. In our

late bulletin we will be talking to life to Steve Warren's sistdr. The

country really is collectivdly just praying,, as we heard in thd report.

We will stay across it. Coming up a bit later

in the programme: The incredible letters

and diaries found by a son, And West Country champions `t

Chelsea, as once again our growers A funeral service has been held

for a Gloucestershire teenager who Tributes were paid to Kaylehgh`Ann

Palmer, who was 16 years old. She was attacked when she w`s five

months pregnant and her boyfriend A plan to build homes

in a Gloucestershire valley made famous by writer and poet L`urie Lee

is being scrutinised. Last year,

developer Gladman had a bid thrown out to develop part of the Slad

Valley near Stroud which was loved An inspector is expected to take

eight days to rule on the plans for 112 houses on two fields

off Summer Street. One of the West's best`loved actors,

writers and directors was remembered in true

pantomime style today in Bath. Chris Harris,

who died recently at the agd of 71, starred in and co`wrote the

Christmas productions at Brhstol's And it was here that friends

and family took to Ali Vowles was

in the audience to watch thd magic. This was a funeral wake

like no other, look at this. On stage actor Clive Mantle

and Chris Harris' two sons Sam and Matt performing a classic h`rris

sketch, it brought the housd down. They called this very speci`l

tribute a jollification, Here's vicar and family fridnd, Nev

the Rev, on Chris finding hhmself in Being Chris, being professional he

sung happy birthday, Betty Windsor. Actor Clive Mantle learnt the tricks

of the panto trade when he played Come, show your knick`knacks with

me. I would share them with anybody. Set of my life is like the juiciest

Wimbledon half volley for md to drop volley back.

Chris's career spanned decades, from serious actor,

But it was his in`depth knowledge of pantomime that made him

an expert and one of Britains best loved dames.

His sidekick and prodigy for many of the 15 pantos performed hn Bath

was Jon Monie. Every panto trick in the book was used today

An extra event. A great sendoff for a great man.

Every panto trick in the book was used today

in such style, here are his young grandsons up on stage to

He would have loved it, he should have been here. Wonderfully fitting

for an extra ordinary man who just gave so much to theatre. He brought

so much joy to people every year. We brought children, grandchildren We

would be so proud of him. One last standing of a. I think everxbody who

has been here today will agree it has been the most special

celebration for a very funnx man who meant so much to so many people

I still use a Chris Harris lied when I say bye to my children. Knighted

IT, pyjama pyjama. 50 years after his father dhed,

a Cheltenham man has uncovered the diaries he'd written during his time

fighting in the first world war The fragile papers are part

of an archive left by William Roberts who fought with

the Durham Light Infantry. fought to the last in the l`st and

well embankments. Sergeant Farley was wounded. Just a few words in his

diary read over a century l`ter by his son in Cheltenham. The written

after the heat for would have been an intense battle. He had gone into

it knowing he might have to fight to the last. And so having dond so but

survived, he reportedly lost. That is the mind of a man clearlx

prepared to die for his country And this is the little book that is so

delicate. In brackets he has written taken prisoner, 27th of May, 19 8.

In tiny, neat handwriting hd used whatever paper he had to recall his

experiences. At frog and sn`il soup. . At least they were given

food, and they patched up. Xou might think he was treated badly. Other

entries are stark and painftl, like the loss of a friend. Might average

of 38.2 in the evening, Thorpe very much worse and died in the ward

during the night. He being next to me, I did not get much sleep, until

he fell into a peaceful sledp, and died of doctoral. It is livhng proof

here is a man who actually did see active service in the Great War and

a dance me it is my father H am talking about. He came out just

before Christmas, 1918, he has got gunshot wound in the left knee,

never disability, defective eyesight, he doesn't mention the

fact he was severely handic`pped by mustard gas poisoning for stop later

in life he developed emphysdma, a shot his lungs. It is prettx

poignant. It is. I think thdre but for the sake of a couple of inches

of bullets, I might not be having this interview with you herd now.

It only scratches the surface of the diary. He has written across it

killed in action, September 191 . Which is where my father was

wounded. For his son, there are tangible and emotive account of how

his father to five Quetta m`ny others felt. `` survived whdn so

many others fell. There'll be more stories from

our World War One At Home sdries In the meantime you can explore

the BBC's World War One website It's a landmark for the

Great Crane Project at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in Slimbridge

in Gloucestershire. The chick is being hand reared

and will hopefully be released onto time it was such a momentous

occasion Stephen Fry was twdeting about it.

The West's gardeners are celebrating after taking a clutch of medals

Today was the first chance for the public to take

Our reporter Andy Howard has been to meet some of the winners.

There aren't many vegetable patches in the world as good as this. South

West in Bloom celebrated 50 golden years with gold, and Best in show as

well. In the centre of London and Ireland dedicated to the West

Country. The success of the beetroot and tomatoes success `` shocked

Terry. We really can talk to each other for a few minutes, we just sat

back and looked quietly. If you don't aim high, you will not get

time. We didn't expect to achieve it. There's been a lot of h`rd work,

a good team that has done it. After 25 years of trying, these

climbers from Clevedon finally brought gold. It is just as well,

really. If we hadn't half ott gold this year award to have dislantled

the stand at dismantled `` chucked them and Chelsea Bridge. Five more

gold medals followed from botanic miseries Imogen, to Somerset's bulbs

and conifers plans. And who knew we were expert bonsai. Swindon and

Shepton Mallet, the best prtned of the bunch. The crowds have swelled

to date to see these wonders from the West, 160,000 people will be

here this week. They were qteueing for the champagne and Pimms bar at

nine o'clock this morning. Outside, and the show gardens are a different

world. Only seven designers have the chance this year. So step b`ck and

relax in this Renaissance g`rden. Designed in Gloucestershire. It took

18 days to build. Since Chelsea last year I have made gardens and

everybody wants to be at Chdlsea. The first of the build, I'm almost

disbelieved it can happen and, that is huge.

Once again our local growers have proved they are up there with the

very West. This is suggesting it was modelled on him? That is my sort of

garden. Not sure about back. All day you have been kind enough to send us

your photos. They are on our Facebook page. Last night wd had

storms. People sending in dramatic

photographs. About quarter to nine last night we got this picttre. Look

at the circulation base of this clown. I tweeted his picturd and it

went worldwide, people describing it as a Spielberg spite which hs an

adequate description. If yot ever have interesting photos to send them

in. I will do my best to re`tweet them. There will be a good deal of

blue sky tomorrow, a dry dax for the majority, at least, until wd get

later on into the afternoon, evening. Once again, it will be

returning to some comparatively won conditions will stop that is

courtesy of a week, temporary ridge of high pressure that will kill off

the showers. You will noticd out towards the south`east, if H run the

sequence through to was the overnight period, the next `rea of

concern comes out of the ne`r continent so that by around daybreak

on Thursday morning, we could be left with this scenario, a lot of

heavy, thundering rain stretching from Cornwall up to the north`east

of England which means we whll be slap bang in the middle of ht. The

Met office has put a warning out for that. They will be refined tomorrow,

don't take the little posithon. It will clear away on Thursday. No

concerns for this evening, ` good deal of fair weather about, we

continue with a quiet story overnight. That of Mr Rand, a few

spots. Neville concerns for top ten bridges will be a fair bit down on

some recent nights. Tomorrow we start on a fair note. Gener`lly a

good deal of sunshine. As wd run three to was the afternoon, there

will be a steady increase in high and medium cloud. Many area still

drive. As we get later into the evening some of the showers could be

a bit more widespread. Likely to come that the further west. That is

opening the door to developlents on Thursday. This is having through the

rest of the week for. I am not sure I would feel about Spielberg sky

above my house. We will stax across to rescue operation looking for the

lots and `` yachtsmen. The Kos garbage be reaching the surgery

within the hour. Where there is life, there hs hope.

The act. Some people don't think real change

in Europe is possible. Some people don't think real change

is necessary. Some people don't think

it's worth fighting for. But we want to make Europe work

for Britain, and give you the final say

with an in-out referendum in 201 . have made Britain's economy

stronger and more competitive. a record number of people in work.

And we're predicted to be the fastest-growing economy

in the G7 this year.