07/04/2017 Channel Islands News

skies across the islands tonight. The good news is it set to continue

through the weekend and even turn a little bit warmer. Stay tuned for

the details. All 25 members of Jersey's St Helier

lifeboat crew have resigned in a dispute with the RNLI over

the sacking of the coxswain. Andy Hibbs, who's volunteered

with the charity for more than two decades, says there's

a culture of bullying. The BBC has been contacted

by another RNLI station that claims its volunteers

were also bullied. They're the emergency

services of the sea - volunteers with the RNLI regularly

risk their lives in all kinds But if there's an emergency today,

this lifeboat won't be going out Yesterday coxswain Andy Hibbs

was sacked, and his crew has He says he's being punished for

standing up for himself and them. There's all sorts of issues

obviously that I can't go into because we've got

five days to appeal. But an allegation was made

against me, it was investigated, I was found not guilty

and on the back of that investigation, quite clearly shows

that the person who made So there's serious implications all

the way through, but the thing is, at the end of the day,

myself and my crew have been put under immense pressure,

and bullied by a senior member of the RNLI through

no fault of our own. Commenting on the allegations

of bullying, the RNLI said... But having no St Helier

lifeboat crew during the hot, sunny Easter holidays poses

a health and safety concern, although lifeboats from

Guernsey and Alderney will be Jersey's harbour master says he's

confident they'll be able to respond There's a range

of options we've got. We just have to respond

appropriately, depending But I can reassure everybody that

as long as they're well prepared and properly equipped,

there's no reason at all why they shouldn't go out

to sea this weekend. A protest is planned on Sunday

to support Andy Hibbs and his crew. He has five days from Monday

to appeal against his sacking. In the meantime, this

station will remain empty. "Significant failings" contributed

to the death of an elderly woman after she fell at the

Princess Elizabeth Hospital. That's according to her family

who spoke at her inquest. There was also a second inquest held

this week after another patient died The first inquest was related to an

88-year-old admitted here in May with a fractured hip. She died after

a fall in July. An investigation couldn't establish a cause,

something her family have described as disappointing and disingenuous. A

verdict of accidental death was recorded by the coroner. But her

family feel that her confused mental state, which only developed after

being admitted here, was an indirect cause of her death. There are now

calling on health and social care to take steps to ensure the serious

deficiencies in care are addressed. The second inquest recorded a case

of accidental death for another 88 202 died following a fall in July. I

spoke to his widow today he was understandably too upset to speak on

camera. The inquest has heard how he hadn't been properly assessed. If he

had, then he would never have been left unattended. The committee for

health and social care says a new system of monitoring falls were set

up last year. Early indications are positive, they have seen a reduction

in the number. They also say that no external investigations were

required and no members of staff are subject to regulatory

investigations. More than 40 people are now

working on a murder investigation, following the death

of a woman in Jersey. Ana Maria Rebelo's body

was discovered at a Tributes are describing her

as a "bubbly" person Three days on, it's hard to believe

this is the house where 51-year-old Ana Rebelo was found

strangled to death. This sole bunch of daffodils

on the doorstep isn't A different scene on Tuesday,

when police were called to the Victoria Street property,

and later arrested a 58-year-old man, who's since been

released on bail. Today, officers say they're working

with Ana's extended family Ana was a member of the congregation

here at St Thomas's Church, where people are shocked

at her death. We were all bruised by a thing like

this, especially the Portuguese community. It is in our

neighbourhood here. This is the third such tragedy we have had in

this district in recent years. We are still shaking with that. She

always said hello, she was a smiley person. Very bubbly and energetic. A

view shared by others who met her. Pipa told us Ana was a family

friend, who always had time Rory, who works at a phone shop

where Ana was a customer, Claudia says, the last time

they met, Ana talked about how happy Investigators are continuing

forensic work in the area today, looking at CCTV footage,

social media and phone records, focusing on Ana's last known

movements, to find out what was behind the brutal act

that ended a woman's life. Sark residents calling for changes

to the island's election and voting system met with the MP in charge

of the Channel Islands' link On his first official visit

to the bailiwick, Sir Oliver Heald, who is the UK's Minister of State

for Courts and Justice, visited Sark The group Sark First say

a solution needs to be found to the political disenfranchisement

felt following uncontested Sir Oliver believes

there is democracy. They are moving rapidly in terms of

reform of their governance. I think it is obviously a good thing that

they now have a democracy and that they've made those steps forward.

Clearly it is for Sark to decide how to refine that. I would have said

that they have made some strides. This year we won't be

seeing or hearing this. The Royal air force

aerobatic team, more commonly known as the Red Arrows, will not

be in any of the Channel Islands' A clash in their event calender

mean spectators will not view their iconic colourful

performance which has been part of the event

for over half a century. They are the highlight

of the annual air display, roaring overhead to the enjoyment

of thousands of spectators. But this September, the Red Arrows

will not fly over the Channel Islands for the first

time in over 50 years - apart from the events that have been

disrupted by weather. I know from experience that

everybody stays until the end of the display to see the Red Arrows. I

hope that our replacement, whatever it may be, and I'm still working on

that, will be equally exciting and therefore people will stay until the

end as well. We will have a brilliant air display anyway, but it

is just a disappointment because of the long association with the Red

Arrows in Jersey. The team has announced its going

on a tour to Pakistan a week before the display on the 14th September

and won't be available. Visit Jersey are remaining

optimistic that their absence People come for lots of different

reasons. We have great events, the boat show, Battle of flowers, lots

of things. We have a fantastic exhibition in our museum at the

moment, Bergerac's Island. There are lots of people that come because

this is a stunning island with walking heritage, history, cycling.

We have so much to offer. At this time, the air display

is still going ahead. But without the Red Arrows,

many locals and visitors may be disappointed by the absence

of the air display finale I think they will be missed this

year. Clear skies in the islands today,

perfect for the air display. Dan, my producer Emma wants to know

is it bikni weather this weekend? Hello, Charlie. I would be turning

my bikini out, but Emma might be in luck because we could see

temperatures of maybe 21 Celsius for Jersey this weekend. Lovely blue

skies across the islands this weekend. Thank you for all of your

Weather Watcher pictures. This one taken in Sark first thing this

morning. Over the weekend disdain fine and sunny, feeling warmer than

it has even today for tomorrow and Sunday. -- over the weekend it is

staying fine and sunny. The high pressure is keeping things settled

through the week. It slips away slightly during the course of the

weekend towards the east by Sunday. We see this weather front pushing

down. It stays fine for Sunday, but by Monday that front is on and

likely to turn it cooler and cloudier. I don't think we will see

much rain on that front, generally staying dry into the next few days.

This has been the picture from the satellite radar. No rain around or

cloud either, particularly for the islands and the whole south of the

UK. Overnight tonight it stays basically with patchy cloud. A clear

night. Temperatures tonight, they made it into single figures as we

see clear skies, mist and fog patches forming towards dawn.

Fairweather first thing. Fine and bright with good sunny spells right

through the day. Temperatures reaching maybe 21 Celsius in a

Jersey. He your times of high water. Not a great deal of surf, the best

you could hope for is 2-3 feet clean waves. A richer coastal waters

forecast. The outlook is looking fine for the weekend, turning cooler

and cloudier as we head into the start of next week. Have a good

weekend, Charlie. Thanks, Dan. It looks good. They warn people of

Grouville, I will have my legs out! You're up to date with the news

from the Channel Islands. Now for the rest of the news

in the South West. Football, rugby, horse racing and

swimming in the sport. And join me later on in the programme when I'm

here at Swamp Circus, trying my hand at circus skills. I'm not doing

that! And join me and Majic as we try

and raise funds to save his sight. It's time for the sport now

and Andy's here ahead It's Grand National weekend

and this year could be a special Lizzie Kelly has already

done her bit, flying the flag with her win yesterday,

and on Saturday, it may well The trainer who's based

on the Devon-Somerset border has four horses in the race and one

of them, Vieux Lion Rouge, or old red lion, is one

of the favourites. No one knows Vieux Lion Rouge

better than Julie Bellamy. She rides him every day

at the yard near Wellington. He won both his races this season,

including one at Aintree, enhancing his credentials

for tomorrow's Grand National. It would mean so much to me

and everybody, you know. It's such a big race

and, you know, I've had runners so it would be a dream

come true, really. Jockey Tom Scudamore

will be on board tomorrow. He's never finished

better than eighth in the National, but he is from

a famous racing family. His grandfather Michael rode

the winner, Oxo, back in 1959. The horse that put

beef into his backers. I think probably between

dad, myself and my brother, you know, we've probably had 40 goes

between us, and we've only got one on the board so far, so, look,

it would be wonderful to do. You know, he's a young

horse that has improved a lot Trainer David Pipe is looking

for his second Grand National win after taking

the prize nine years ago. It's Comply Or Die

who takes the Grand National. Definitely helps me personally going

into it a little bit more relaxed. You know, my father won

it with Miinnehoma. I was very lucky to win it

in my second season as a trainer with Comply Or Die so it's

what every owner, trainer, jockey The team will leave

for Aintree at five o'clock But on Sunday, the village

hopes to be celebrating We're counting down the games now,

just six left in League Two and Plymouth Argyle could celebrate

promotion on Easter Monday, That's, of course, if they can

win their next three games. First up for them is Crawley

while Exeter City look to keep their own promotion hopes

on track against Newport The other matches see Yeovil take

on Portsmouth and Torquay travel As always, your local BBC radio

station will have all the action. There may be six football matches

left but only four games Second-placed Exeter

want to nail down that home Tomorrow, a win should be

straightforward enough against Bristol who

are propping up the table. The Chiefs ran in five tries

when the sides met earlier in the season and on Saturday

the visitors return to Sandy Park for the first time since losing

the Championship play-off in 2010. That's maybe a wee bit

down the line now. Both clubs are in two completely

different positions and, you know, obviously, Bristol

are going to be fighting They're won't be coming down

here and there are going We've got to scrap every

point as well because we want to try and finish as high up

the table as possible to give us Elsewhere, you feel it's a must win

game for the Cornish Pirates up at Doncaster if they want to keep

their hopes of reaching Closer to home and Plymouth Albion

are at the Brickfields Now it's all change

at Plymouth Leander and on Sunday the swimmers will get the chance

to impress their new head coach when they compete

in the League Cup Final in Cardiff. It's the first time Robin Armayan

has led the team on the big stage since taking over the top job

from Jon Rudd earlier this year. All good things must come to an end

and in November, after 27 years coaching swimming in

Plymouth, John Rudd announced he was leaving

the city. The highlight of his tenure

has to be the partnership with Ruta Meilutyte,

which saw the Lithuanian The club are sticking

with what they know by installing Rudd's former assistant

as the new head coach. It may sound like a bit

of a funny question, but are you quite pleased

that John has gone? No, I think, you know,

having John around was great. But at the same time,

you know, I would be lying if I didn't say it was a great

opportunity for me. His turn and his way

of doing things. These things don't happen

overnight, you know. To actually have a positive

impact, a long-term impact on this club,

it will take me a few years. And having the backing of his star

performers can only help. Like, it's been a great transition,

I think, between having John leave and have Robin

step into his position. Being in an environment

that is produced and Olympic gold medallist sort of

brings out the best out of everyone If the programme can produce

that, then other people can produce that

within the programme. With a number of swimmers heading

to the British championships in a fortnight, Robin

will still have a better idea of how likely any future Olympic

medals might be. That's all the sport and it's now

time to join Justin and Victoria who've made their way outside

to enjoy the sunshine. Thank you very much. Yes, the

sunshine, very still, lovely evening.

It's freezing! We've come outside with a very

special reason. That noise you just heard is Majic the eagle owl, and we

will find out more about Majic in a moment because he has a bit of an

eyesight problem. However, there is lots of stuff

going on around the region in the run-up to Easter. We would send BBC

radio Cornwall's David White to be circus to burn a few extra skills.

David. Yes. Now, honestly, you didn't think this was going to be me

up here, did you? Thank you, Rachel. That is Rachel who was part of Swamp

Circus down here. Lots of circus skills going on. I can roll a hip,

look at that. There is magic going on here. There is the nap on this

thankfully not so high wire. How are you doing? You stay on there! We've

got some little BB trampolines here and this is all happening under the

artistic direction of Brett Jackson who is here from Swamp Circus. What

is going on? Welcome indeed do swap circus. Easter in the cultural

centre here in Cornwall, busy partnership between the circus and

the environmental Centre and the circus runs circus will throughout

Cornwall so we have seven different clubs that happen every week

throughout Cornwall. We have a circus school where people can get a

GCSE equivalent in circus skills which is pretty amazing. And lots of

stuff going on this weekend? Lots of workshop for the book and words. It

took me forever to do that! We have trapeze, real juggling, some

tumbling going on some tumblers. Trampolines. And we teach balancing

and the big thing at the moment is physical literacy, so we have a new

Morrissey and literacy and what we are teaching is young people today

needing to learn about physical literacy. That is sort of PE, I

suppose, in all times. That is how to use your body because everyone's

on a screen a lot of the time, so we need to train them up. Chuck if you

balls around. Yes, it's really good. Brett Jackson, the director here at

Swamp Circus. There is lots of stuff happening here and around the region

as well. There are events to tell you about in Cornwall. First of all,

the arts and craft Spring fair. The Easter fair at the Saint Austell is

happening at the Merlin MS Centre tomorrow. Then in Devon, the April

dogs there is happening at all can beach. This features races and an

agility fair. Then on Saturday, is sponsored abseil at the Torbay

Hospital maternity unit in aid of the breast care unit. 1pm on

Saturday, please tell me somebody is going to be dressed as Spiderman!

That would be absently wonderful. That's about it from here at the

Swamp Circus. I am off to grab a leotard and I would have a go at

this, maybe. Magic going on there in Cornwall, Majic going on here in the

garden. With us is his handler, mind for the night, Julie. Tel is a bit

about Majic. Majic is a Western Siberian eagle owl. He is just

coming up two years old. Sadly, he has congenital cataracts, so he is

losing sight. How common is that in birds are owls? Very rare, actually.

You do not see it often at also we are very lucky that he has them.

Particularly given how young he is, so it really is a shame. What is

going to happen now? You are trying to raise money for an operation for

him. We are. We are trying to raise funds to give him a sight saving

operation. Cataracts can be removed, but obviously it is very specialised

with him being a bird of prey and anaesthetic is very challenging and

NEI operation on an animal is quite specialised to, so we are trying to

raise funds to give him the sight saving operation. Tell us about him,

he is a magnificent bird. What does he eat? In the wild he would eat

anything up to the size of a fox or a roadie. He's very capable and

would be a very capable hunter. With us, he has anything from the old

chips to mice, rats, quail, rabbit. He has a very tired. Elsewhere he

has his eye on you, by the look of it. What is his day to day routine

then? Use part of our collection at the Bird of prey Centre. We use of

flying displays, horses and experience with him. He is a very

friendly bird. He loves me be centre of attention. Given how beautiful he

is, he is quite a draw. People love to see him in the air. Given that

his eyesight is failing, it is just a lot more challenging for him and

he could live to well over 40,. So it will be worth it if you get the

money? Very much so. He is only to Mac now, so he has plenty of time.

We wish you and him well. Thank you very much for bringing him in.

Absolutely stunning, isn't he? Very beautiful. Thank you for having us.

As we said, it is a beautiful evening here so Dan is on the roof

with the weather forecast. Good thing I put on the factor 30.

You need it with a built-in solar panel like me! Let's take a look at

what has been happening today. Blue skies in Plymouth, a bit hazy but

blue sky right across the South West today. If we take a look at some

pictures from earlier today, I think we can start off in Staverton on the

South Devon where way. One of my other passions, steam trains, blue

skies here and I think it will be quite warm on the footplate over the

weekend. Off Cornwall next. He also blue skies through the day. Still

needing a wet suit, I think, if you plan to go into the sea. The sea

temperature only around 10 Celsius. Finally on our trip, let's head down

to Torquay, children here taking advantage of the centre over the

Easter break. So, also looking at some of your pictures if we animate

back, I think we can see some of your weather watcher pictures.

Starting in the east of our region, this is Dorchester in Dorset. Blue

skies here. Popping to the west to Newquay, hardly a cloud in the sky

here as well over the Channel Islands to, it is a blue skies,

hardly any clout here. For the weekend, looking very similar. Fine

and dry. For the sunshine, and it will feel warmer. A few degrees

warmer than it has over the past couple of days to as we have warm

air drying up from the south. On the satellite, you can see hardly a

cloud and the clout that we can see in an arc shape over the top of the

UK is around an area of high pressure. That is still with us into

the weekend. Slowly ebbing away to the east during the course of the

weekend, but I think it should hold things stable into Sunday. Another

fine day. We start to see a cold front pushing in from the north and

that is with us on Monday, turning things rather cloudy and cooler

again. Temperatures near to where they should be for this time of

year. One or two showers, but for most it should stay dry. Here is

what is going on through the weekend. Warm air coming up from the

south, keeping things much drier and settled. And as we look at the

satellite picture, hardly any clout in the sky as we go into this

evening, so overnight, it will turn rather chilly. Fairly light winds

too. We will see missed and fog forming tonight, particularly

further east and our temperatures falling to those of perhaps two or

three Celsius in rural parts saw the chance of Apache ground frost here.

Another chilly start of the day tomorrow. Miss and fog around but it

should burn away fairly quickly and then a fine break today. Sunshine

around and feeling a bit warmer than it has during today. I think we can

see temperatures hitting 18 or maybe 19 Celsius in some sunnier spots

away from the breeze. The Isles of Scilly also seeing a fine day.

Bright and try with sunny spells. It is cooler here due to the sea

breezes. High now coming in during the night and then again tomorrow

afternoon between 4pm and six o'clock. Not a great deal in terms

of service rendered. Perhaps two or three feet if are lucky and clean

waves. Coastal waters, occasionally forced five. Fine, good visibility.

The chance it may turn a bit poorer in any fog patches and injury, the

going is good. Dry and bright. The outlook, as I say, fine weather into

Sunday but turning cloudier and collate from Monday onwards. Back to

you on the ground. A wonderful weekend on score. Have a

lovely weekend, good night.