18/09/2012 BBC Wales Today

Welcome to Wales Today. Our top story -

Police name the mother, her daughter and her baby killed in a

house fire in Cwmbran. A man is held on suspicicon of murder.

Our other headlines tonight - The re-mark results in English

papers are out - upgrades for thousands of GCSE students.

Our other headlines tonight - The re-marked results in English

papers are out - upgrades for thousands of GCSE students.

Three-year-old Meg Burgess died when a wall collapsed on her - the

builder denies manslaughter. The MP for Newport West, Paul Flynn,

is suspended from the House of Commons.. There are brave soldier

lions being led by ministerial donkey's. I must order the members

to withdraw immediately from the Have you had any problems with

decimalisation so far? Slightly. What in particular? I don't like

the idea at all. Decimalisation, a drought and

devolution - its the 1970s! 50 Good evening. Three generations of

one family - a baby, her mother and her grandmother - have died in a

fire at a house at Cwmbran. Kim Buckley, her daughter, Kayleigh,

and six-month-old Kimberley were all found dead at the two-storey

property in the early hours of this morning. A 27-year-old man from the

Manchester area has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Our

reporter, Jordan Davies, is in Cwmbran tonight. Jordan.

Jamie, there is still a heavy police presence here as officers

tried to unfold how this tragedy happened, one that has shaken this

very tight-knit community. A grandmother, mother and her young

baby, killed in a fierce blaze that took 30 firemen to put out. Kim

Buckley, 46, her daughter, Kayleigh, 17, and Kimberley, just six months.

She had only been allowed home from hospital yesterday after being born

prematurely. Her twin sister died soon after birth. Two neighbours

tried to enter through a window in an attempt to rescue the family but

were beaten back by the intensity of the flames, and the house was

well alight when crews arrived this morning. During the blaze, the

bodies were found. Approximately 30 firefighters attended the scene,

arriving very quickly to a developed fire. The firefighters

worked extremely hard to extinguish the fire and locate the person

strapped inside. Police have arrested a 27-year-old

man from the Manchester area on suspicion of murder. He is

currently being held in custody while forensics officers and fire

investigators examine the scene for clues. So I know from personal

experience that the residents in the Syria are very close-knit and

support each other, and that was never more echoed just prior to the

fire service coming to the scene when we were aware that local

neighbourhood -- neighbours tried Valiant and bravely to enter the

house to save the lives of the Berkeley family. Neighbours have

been gathering at the police cordon all day, leaving flowers and

tributes. Everybody is shocked, everybody's talking it, I am

bumping into people on the way down, and everybody seems to... It has

spread so fast about what has happened in the area. It is never a

good thing when anybody loses their life but it is poignant when it is

a young baby. Kelly Buckley had been a pupil at nearby fair water

comprehensive. She is on the remembered. It was a tragedy today,

not just for pupils and staff but the community, even people who

don't know how well have been traumatised by it and offered

counselling. The police will continue their investigations now

into this tragic incident. It will take this close-knit community a

long time to come to terms with the loss of three generations of the

same family. Jordan, you have spent the day in

the community, and another development tonight.

Yes. Gwent Police have voluntarily referred this case to the

Independent Police Complaints Commission, because the force says

it is aware that officers have been to this address on previous

occasions. This doesn't mean the IPCC are investigating this, it has

only been referred to the IPCC postop police are still questioning

the 27-year-old man on suspicion of murder. No doubt the flowers and

tributes will continue into this evening, but it will take this

community a long time to come to terms with the scale of this

tragedy. Some of the pupils who sat the

English language GCSE exam should know tonight whether their grades

have improved. The vast majority of the 34,000 pupils won't find out

until tomorrow. The paper was re- graded after the Welsh Education

Minister Leighton Andrews said grade boundaries had been set in a

way that was unfair to candidates. So let's take a look at the new

results. Just over 2,000 pupils have had their grades increased.

1,200 have improved their mark from a D to C, and almost 600 have gone

from a C grade to B. This is when the controversy

started so. On GCSE results day in August, heads and peoples across

the country were disappointed that candidates expected to get C grades

received D. The Education Minister, Leighton Andrews, decided use

ministerial powers to force the WJEC to reach grade, saying the

results were unjustifiable and almost certainly unfair due to a

change in the marking a third between January and June. The

results in the top grades were down nearly four per cent from 61.3 per

cent in 2011-57.4 per cent this year. 34,000 Welsh pupils took the

joke -- WJEC's English language exam but any a small proportion

will C grades improve, and none will go down.

Those children who will be regraded will only receive the grade they

would have got last year if they sat the exams in similar

circumstances. There has been too much pressure to tighten things up,

and all that rhetoric, which has been misplaced. What we will see

his youngsters rewarded far hard work and given a fair grade.

that Flint High School, the regrading would affect their

students, who sat the AQA board's exam, which has not been ordered to

be regraded. Teachers say that is unfair on students. Lots of

disappointment. Students have been coming back to school asking if

they can resit, what can be Dylan - - done about it, and a lot can't go

on to the next course either because they need a secret. We

don't feel as if we can trust them. We don't know what they see is any

more, but we are moving to WJEC exams. Tonight could be another

sleepless night forced -- Mac for pupils.

Let's get more on this from our political editor, Betsan Powys.

Thank you, Jamie. A happy ending at least for some 2000 Welsh pupils,

but what of those who hits -- sit exams in Wales in future? Education

Minister, Leighton Andrews, is with me. Happy news for some 2000 Welsh

pupils now, but in future, is it bad news for Welsh peoples whose

grades will be regarded as not quite up to English standards?

I don't think that. There are calls in England for regrading as well.

When we published a report we said we thought they should be regrading

in England, and there we see Conservative councils in England,

like Kent and Suffolk, calling for regrading there. That's what should

happen, they should be fairness for students in England. We have

delivered fairness in Wales. Haven't you just created another

unfairness? The same paper in England and Wales, the same answers,

different grades. What we have done is provided the

grades that young people should have got on the basis of prior

attainment and comparison with previous cohorts. We said they

should be regrading in England, but that of course is a matter for

Ofqual and Michael Gove. We cannot change that but we know people are

lining up to consider court action to try to ensure regrading in

England. The opposition parties here have united to point out that

by improving these grades today, you are simply proving the

regulation was not good enough in the summer, and you are the

regulator. I don't think they understand either have the

regulatory process works or the greys and -- grading process.

you could have stopped it. I don't think so. These exams are graded on

a three country basis with a consensus on the way they operate.

If you look at the detail of the report, it is clear why we could

not actually have. The reality is, our regulatory system has worked

and has delivered their grades for students, and that is because we

have a system allowing the Minister to intervene in extreme

circumstances, and these were very exceptional circumstances. Briefly,

Michael Gove talked yesterday in England about a new qualification,

the English Baccalaureate. You tweeted this morning that this is

like the back of a fag packet. Does that prove you have already decided

it won't work in Wales? We already have a Welsh Baccalaureate. We have

a proper qualifications review underway, taking evidence from

across Wales and beyond our borders, talking to university admissions

chiefs as well. We will do the right thing for Wales on the basis

of evidence. Thank you. The story ends today, but is it over? I doubt

The mother of Aamir Siddiqi, the 17-year-old from Cardiff who was

stabbed to death at home wept as she paid tribute to her "beautiful

son. In a taped interview played to Swansea Crown Court, Parveen Ahmad

described him as "an extraordinary person," and said that after having

three girls, he was a "gift." Jason Richards, on the left, and Ben Hope,

deny murder and attempted murder, and the trial continues.

Hundreds of people have gathered in Flint this evening to protest about

the proposed closure of the town's community hospital. The Betsi

Cadwaladr University Health Board is holding public consultations

about the changes to health services in North Wales.

The mother of a three-year-old girl killed when a garden wall collapsed

on her has been describing the moment it fell. Meg Burgess from

Meliden near Prestatyn died in July 2008. The builder who designed the

wall denies manslaughter by gross negligence. Matthew Richards

reports. Lindsay Burgess, arriving at court

with her husband, Peter, had taken her daughter, Meg, and baby boy,

Wilson, to the shops on a July morning in 2008. On their return,

they passed Nightingale Cottage, where extensive construction work

was being done. A 23-metre-long, 1.5-metre-high concrete wall

collapsed just as Meg passed beneath it. Linsey Burgess

described returning from the shops would make walking behind her. She

said she turned around to look at her daughter, and she looked up at

her and then the wall came down in one go and engulfed her. Despite

her frantic attempts, Megs suffered fatal injuries.

The builder whose company, Parcol Develpments, carried out the work

and designed the wall was George Collier, wearing the purple tie.

The jury heard that he had 30 years of experience in the construction

industry as a groundworker and plant operator. But in desgining

the wall, he hadn't consulted a structural engineer. He also

operated an excavator, moving tonnes of earth close to the wall.

The prosecution say he gambled with the safety of passers-by, and the

retaining wall he designed was not properly secured two foundations by

metal rods. Those foundations went deep enough and the more to use was

not deep enough to support the wall. George collier denies manslaughter

through gross negligence, and the trial continues. You're watching

Wales Today from the BBC. Much more to come before 7:00pm -

Hundreds of new jobs could be at risk in Llandeilo and Cross Hands

in a row over supermarket development.

And why the Ospreys are taking thousands of primary school pupils

under their wing. The Labour MP for Newport West,

Paul Flynn, has been ordered out of the House of Commons after accusing

government ministers of lying over the war in Afghanistan. Our

parliamentary correspondent, David Cornock, is at Westminster. David,

what happened? Jamie, Paul Flynn has been an

outspoken opponent of the war in Afghanistan since the very

beginning, and that opposition to it has hardened in recent weeks,

months and days as more and more British servicemen have died in

that conflict. Today, the Defence Secretary, Philip Hammond, came to

the Commons to update MPs on the situation. Paul Flynn left the

minister in no doubt about his views.

Isn't this very similar to the end of the First World War, when it was

said that politicians lied and soldiers died, and the reality was,

as it is now, that our brave soldier Lions are being led by

ministerial donkey's? Order, can I just... Noted what he said, but can

I ask the Member for Newport West to make it clear that he is not

suggesting a minister it is lying to the House of Commons. It would

be helpful to make that clear. is precisely what I am saying. I

believe we have had lies from the minister and our soldiers are being

let down. Any regrets from Paul Flynn, what

happens next? Jamie, I spoke to Paul Flynn after

he was kicked out of the chamber. He says, no regrets whatsoever. It

wasn't planned or carefully contrived as a publicity stunt to

get his point across. His anger just boiled over in there. He will

have to pay a price, and that is not only been ordered head of the

Commons today but been suspended for five sitting days, five days

without pay, when MPs return from the break there are about to embark

on for party conferences. Thank you.

The Welsh Government is delaying and jeopardising the creation of

more than 600 jobs - that's what the leader of Carmarthenshire

Council claims tonight. Two supermarket proposals have both

been called in for review by inspectors despite being

overwhelmingly supported by councillors. Here's our business

correspondent, Nick Servini. At a time when jobs are at a

premium, new developments are under the spotlight more than ever. In

Carmarthenshire, two proposals, won here for a Sainsbury's, and one for

another Sainsbury's, as well as housing, a new medical centre and a

care home on this land in nearby Cross Hands, are at the centre of a

row. Carmarthenshire Council says they are worth around �60 million

and will create around 600 jobs, with temporary construction work on

top. But the Welsh Government has decided to review the approval

given to the schemes by the council. The final decision isn't expected

for around a year. I want to see these kind of jobs

cumin pretty quickly. Not 18 months, two years down the line. We need

the Investment now, the construction industry is crying out

for jobs, so we can get is going and I am committed as

administration to doing so. Welsh Government says it is unable

to comment on planning matters. Officials will now look at the

impact of existing retailers. Some businesses here have been against

the proposed new supermarket on the edge of the town, including one

local brewer, Simon Buckley. We are not talking about hundreds of jobs,

let's be realistic. Sainsbury's are saying, we will bring a number of

jobs to be areas. As has been proven from developments elsewhere,

they bring a certain number of jobs and within a short period of time,

those jobs are whittled back down to mostly part-time or casual

labour. Sainsbury's says it wants to bring

investment into the towns and its consultations with the local people

have been overwhelmingly positive. Reform of the planning process is

higher up the political agenda at the moment. Here, you get a very

good example of the kinds of pressures on the ground to push

through anything involved with job- creation quickly. Before the

recession, any delays were accepted as part of the planning process.

Now it is a sign of the times that they are considered unacceptable by

many people. Primary school pupils in Bridgend,

Swansea and Neath Port Talbot will have a new subject on the timetable

this year. Local rugby region, the Ospreys, have designed an

educational programme which aims to help children to improve their

maths and language skills, while also make them fans for life. Our

sports reporter, Ashleigh Crowter, went along for a lesson.

It's a place more used to rousing team talks and primary school

lessons, but this year, the Ospreys dressing room will become a

classroom for 3000 pupils from 60 local schools. What happens on

match day is the subject of the final lesson of the Ospreys schools

programme, developed by the region in partnership with two local

companies and three local authorities. Pupils from this

primary school in Neath were the first to try it out, with famous

classroom assistants on hand to help. I thought the lesson was

really good for teaching kids, not to waste energy and things. Some of

the goals were think it is good, but is not my kind of thing. The

boys like it and enjoy it. I am a sporty person and enjoy playing

rugby and love the Ospreys, and seeing their shirts and everything.

It makes it interesting and adds value to the school experience,

which is what children want and require, really. It can only be

great for us as a club and a region. At this age, girls tend to

outperform boys. Learning through rugby can help raise boys'

achievement. Here, for example, grasping the Rugby scoring system

will help with maths. For them to come into school and talk of it,

and say yes, I have to do this and to the skills and read the

programmes, and to the training plans... I think it is vitally

important for boys if they want to create another Welsh hero in the

future. Schools are right at the heart of Welsh rugby's efforts to

engage with local communities. Today 1000 pupils from the rumba

watch the Cardiff Blues Train. -- from the Rhondda. This will help

grow support, but it could also be a legacy in the impression it gives

to our children. Some cycling news. 18-year-old

Elinor Barker, from Cardiff, has won the gold medal in the junior

time trial at the World Road Championships in Holland. She's the

first British rider to win gold in the event since former Olympic

champion, Nicole Cooke, in 2001. Wales Today is 50 years old, and

all this week we're bringing you a series of special reports looking

back on five decades of news broadcasting in Wales. Tonight it's

the 1970s, when we got to grips with decimalisation, enjoyed one of

the hottest summers on record and delighted in the glory years of

Welsh rugby. But as Carwyn Jones now reports, the decade got off to

a fiery start. One of our most historic landmarks,

burning beyond repair. 1970 was the year the Britannia Bridge went up

in flames. The fire was started by five teenage boys, and effectively

set -- severed Anglesey's only rail link with the mainland. A bridge

standing 420 years was virtually destroyed in one night. 1970 also

proved a memorable year for these pupils at a primary school in

Cardiff. They saved up biscuit money to buy an ambulance, and to

their charitable work attracted a special visitor. Today, Mother

Teresa thanked them. This is the first group I have met where

children are as small as they are with such a big heart and such a

deep love. These children had saved their money in 1971 -- if they had,

they would have to do mental arithmetic. It was the year of

decimalisation. Have you had any problems with decimalisation so

far? Slightly, yes. What in particular? Well, I just don't like

the idea at all. By the 1970s, most homes had a television set, but the

techniques of broadcasting daily news in Wales was still proving a

challenge. We were using film, complex sound systems, and

initially were in black and white, and when I was in North Wales we

have to flip a coin to decide whether to filmed in black and

white and bring it back to bangle for transmission from there, or if

it was a huge, in Fort -- important event, raced down to Cardiff with

it, because we could process colour in North Wales. But colour was

becoming the norm when it came to filming sporting events, and what

better to a gate and the Seventies to enjoy our Welsh rugby squad at

the height of its powers? -- decade than the Seventies. It was

undoubtedly the golden period. We have a good side now, but that

Bunche was unbelievable, a bunch of legends. That's what they became.

As a rugby team basked in sunshine, so did the rest of us, at least we

did in 1976. It became known as the long, hot summer, and so changed

the life of one young Wales Today the world. I was eight years old at

a time, growing up in Paris. We had soaring temperatures, lots of

sunshine, a big drought of course, water was turned off up to 17 hours

a day, and I became fascinated by the weather as a young boy, and

knew then that I wanted to be weather man when I left school.

1976 was also the birth of punk. And in Wales, the arrival of the

sex Pistols in Caerphilly promote protests from Church goers. -- Sex

Pistols. But the economy was also in flux. Steelworks were closed,

and by the end of the decade, plants in defied -- Deeside will

also close gates, leaving men without work. I remember watching

thousands of people coming out of the gates of Shotton at the end of

the last shift, and it suddenly occurred to me, my goodness, this

is not just a handful of people out of work, but thousands in one fell

swoop. It was dramatic. As the decade due to a close, Wales went

to the polls. In a referendum on St David's Day, 1979, voters rejected

devolution by an overwhelming majority of four: 1. Plans for an

elected Welsh Assembly would have to wait. That same year, a new

Prime Minister entered Downing Street, heralding a new era of

politics and a decade of sweeping change. In tomorrow night

Tomorrow night, it's the 1980s, when we took to the streets to

celebrate the wedding of Charles and Diana, and watched as Britain

went to war with Argentina. It was also the decade of the miners'

strike, while in Merthyr Tyfil, a new mode of transport came off the

production line. Those stories and more tomorrow night at 6:30pm.

Back to tonight - no chance The summer of '76 was the hottest

for over 300 years. And it was followed by a very wet autumn. So

far, this September has been drier than average, but there is rain on

the way. Some lovely sunshine today but showers as well. Heavy in the

north this afternoon, with hail in Llandudno. Tonight a few more

showers, mainly in parts of Powys and the north. Otherwise a dry,

clear night. The wind easing and chilly. Temperatures on the north

and west coast not falling too low with a breeze off the sea, but

colder inland. Locally down to three Celsius in some rural spots,

with a ground frost. Tomorrow's chart shows high pressure near

Cornwall. This low will bring rain to Ireland, while this low near the

Azores is Tropical Storm Nadine. Here in Wales, not a bad start

tomorrow. One or two showers in the north, otherwise much of the

country dry. Some places bright and sunny. Feeling cool, but the wind

lighter than today. So plenty of dry weather tomorrow. Some sunshine,

but not dry everywhere. Cloud will increase during the afternoon with

a few showers. Top temperatures 13- 15 Celsius with a west to north-

westerly breeze. In the Vale of Clwyd tomorrow, I wouldn't rule out

a shower, but most of the day dry. Some sunshine - temperatures in

Ruthin rising to 14 Celsius. Tomorrow night, a few showers and

some rain in the north. Dry in Monmouthshire. On Thursday, the

north and parts of Mid Wales can expect rain. Further south, mostly

dry. On Friday, the rain will spread south, followed by dry and

brighter weather. Some sunshine to end the day in the north. As for

the weekend, it should start dry and bright, but the signs are that

it won't last. Low pressure heading our way, bringing a spell of wet

and windy weather. Mind you, things are not set in stone, so it would

be worth keeping an eye on the forecast over the next few days.

Now, we've had more dry than wet weather so far this September, but

next week looks much more unsettled, with showers or longer spells of

Tonight's headlines from the BBC: two police officers have been

killed in Greater Manchester after responding what turned out to be a

bonus 9 -- bogus 999 call. They were attacked with a gun and

grenade shortly after Dale Cregan, already a wanted man, handed

himself in to police. Three generations of one family, a

baby, her mother and grandmother, have died in a fire at as in

Cwmbran. Kim Buckley, her teenage daughter, Katie, and six but Matt -

- month-old Kimberley were banned this morning. The 27-year-old man