16/05/2014 East Midlands Today

And now the news for the East Midlands, I'm Maurice Flynn.

First there's been a huge rhse in the number of children being adopted

by gay couples. One in nine children placed for adoption in

Nottinghamshire last year found homes in same`sex households `

nearly twice the national average. Navtej Johal reports.

Being parents can be a bumpx ride for any couple, but for Mandie and

Louise, who adopted Max and Alice, they could not be happier. They are

the highlight of our day. They are so much fun and laughter. If

somebody came to me and wanted to take them back, no way. The couple

are among an increasing number in Nottinghamshire who have brought

kids into a same`sex household. Latest figures show that one in

kids into a same`sex household. Latest figures show that ond in nine

Latest figures show that one in nine children placed for adoption last

year in the county were adopted by gay or lesbian parents. That is an

increase of 130% from the year increase of 130% from the ydar

before. Nationally the figure is only one in 15 children.

The County Council has had ` The County Council has had a

campaign to bust the myth that includes lesbian and gay couples

cannot adopt. We want enquiries from adoptive parents whether ``

regardless of their sexual orientation.

Despite how well Mandie and Louise are coping, there is still a

Despite how well Mandie and Louise are coping, there is still ` belief

are coping, there is still a belief in some quarters that it is better

for children to find homes with heterosexual couples. Go and see

some children with a same`sex couple, and you will see th`t there

is the love and warmth there, and is the love and warmth therd, and

the children are just as happy with it as we are.

A huge logistical operation is being planned to count the hundreds of

thousands of votes that'll decide who will represent us at thd

who will represent us at the European Parliament.

One of the biggest headaches is the sheer size of the East Midl`nds

constituency. Our Political Editor John Hess has more.

I am setting off to find out how big the East Midlands Euro constituency

is, and whether that is a factor for the low voter interest.

This is Glossop, and over the hill is Manchester city centre. Xet

This is Glossop, and over the hill is Manchester city centre. Yet the

people here despite the proximity to greater Manchester will be voting

for their five East Midlands MEPs, the cars we are on the north`western

edge of Derbyshire. The East Midlands Euro constituency

includes 3.2 million voters and covers five counties.

I am heading east to the fence. It has taken me two and a half

I am heading east to the fence. It has taken me two and a h`lf hours

drive to get to Lincolnshire, It has taken me two and a half hours

drive to get to Lincolnshird, making drive to get to Lincolnshire, making

me realise how difficult it is for the parties to get around stch

me realise how difficult it is for the parties to get around such a

the parties to get around stch a vast constituency.

I have already clocked up 250 miles. I have already clocked up 250 miles.

This is where our journey across the euro constituency of the East

Midlands N 's. 3,000 polling stations, bringing all

that together, coordinating it and coming to some sensible resort is

quite an operation. We next Sunday evening, after the

We next Sunday evening, aftdr the rest of Europe has voted, we'll

We next Sunday evening, after the rest of Europe has voted, wd'll find

rest of Europe has voted, we'll find out the five MEPs who will represent

us in the European Parliament. `` and next Sunday evening.

You can see a special report on the local and European elections on the

Sunday Politics. That's with Marie Ashby at 11 o'clock.

Two teachers from Nottingham received national awards today for

their inspirational work. Primary school teacher James Willis and head

teacher Michael McKeever were presented their surprise awards

teacher Michael McKeever were presented their surprise aw`rds this

presented their surprise awards this morning, as Tom Brown reports.

It looks like an ordinary morning Assembly, but as the childrdn

arrived at Netherfield Primary arrived at Netherfield Primary

School they had no idea this was a special day for one of their

teachers. James Willis has no idea he has won

this award, so we have said we have come to cover the Year 6 SAT exams.

James Willis sat unaware watching the pupil `` pupils' rock b`nd. Then

the pupil `` pupils' rock band. Then his headteacher called him forward.

Mr Willis, could you come to the front. And he found out he was one

of the best primary school teachers in the country.

I feel very honoured to work in this school, and I genuinely lovd getting

up for work every day. And love teaching these children. He

used to get his guitar out dvery used to get his guitar out every

morning and sing as the reghster. He morning and sing as the reghster. He

is like a best friend but a teacher at the same time. They were similar

scenes across the city at the Trinity Catholic School.

Headteacher Michael McKeever has worked here since that, and was

recognised with a silver te`ching recognised with a silver teaching

award for lifetime achievemdnt. I love coming to school, and it is

love coming to school, and ht is really, really knows that they have

taken the time to make statements taken the time to make statdments

and say nice things about me. taken the time to make statements

and say nice things about md. It and say nice things about me. It

means an awful lot to myself and my family. Trinity's been part of our

lives and it is a lovely pl`ce to lives and it is a lovely place to

be. For both teachers, a proud day. They

are just 55 winners across the country, we talk down from 20,000.

`` whittled down. To sport, and Leicester Tigdrs

`` whittled down. To sport, and Leicester Tigers have

To sport, and Leicester Tigdrs have missed out on the Premiership final

missed out on the Premiershhp final after losing to Northampton.

Leicester lost the lead in the last three minutes of play. Colin

Hazelden was there. Sometimes things don't go according

to plan, Anthony at was one of those occasions for the Tigers. They had

scored in the first half, btt Saints scored in the first half, btt Saints

pushed back `` Matt `` tempter `` Saints proved relentless. They found

the winning score with seconds left on the clock.

There will be no Tigers at Twickenham.

And the new T20 season got under way this evening. At Grace Road,

Leicestershire beat Derbyshhre by 27 runs. While Nottinghamshire beat

Lancashire by 33 runs at Trent Bridge.

That's your news and sport. I'll leave you with Sara and your

weather. leave

It was a lovely day today despite It was a lovely day today despite

the fact it turned a little bit cloudy through parts of

Nottinghamshire with the temperatures increasing. This

temperatures increasing. Thhs evening we will see clear skies

arriving across the northern part of the East Midlands, a little bit more

across the South still, and temperatures dropping to a minimum

temperatures dropping to a linimum of 12 Celsius. A good start to the

day tomorrow, some early morning sunshine present. One or two showers

quite close by, something to bear in mind. Hopefully though we will

mind. Hopefully though we whll escape with another warm day.

A decent day in store for Stnday, but there is a change on the way.

This weather front will work its way in, but I think at the moment we

will stay fine and dry. chance for showers next week but how

far do you have to go to get proper rain? Thomas has the answer.

For days now, we have been advertising some warm weather for

the weekend and the forecast remains unchanged. In fact, hot sunshine on

the way for many of us and talking about that, I would like to warn you

how strong the Sunnis this time of year. In spring, we tend to flock to

the sun and burn very easily. It is just as wrong as it is in July. Onto

the forecast and for tonight, quiet weather across most parts of the

country. Just the few spots of rain in the far north of the UK. A strong