22/08/2014 East Midlands Today

This is East Midlands Today with Maurice Flynn and Anne Davids.

for the the drug dealers hiding behind a health food shop.

this shop was a front for a factory producing cocaine and amphetamines

overnight. And the hunt for the homophobes who beat this wolan

unconscious because of her sexuality. I thought scared to go

out and I cannot go out of the front door now without freezing and

panicking. And council leaddrs say that they want private visits to

take over running of Sherwood Forest. And have you heard `bout the

ice bucket challenge? We will be showing you what it is all `bout

with the BBC critic `` cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew and our

very own Kirsty Edwards. First tonight, ten men are jailed

for more than 100 years for A Nottinghamshire health food shop

was used as a front for the gang to sell millions of pounds

worth of cocaine and amphet`mine. Our Social Affairs Correspondent

Jeremy Ball is at Jeremy, the judge there said

the gang were "peddling misdry" Yes. Very strong words

from Judge Sampson this aftdrnoon. He said the men in the dock

behind me were trading in "pernicious" drugs that destroyed

families and blighted lives. At the heart of it all,

this health food shop, at Sutton in Ashfield, in

Nottinghamshire, where

the gang manufactured amphetamine. Inside the police found

this mixing equipment and tubs of sulphuric acid, ready

to mix with amphetamine oil. Elsewhere, these drugs were found

in three vehicle checks Drugs that were valued by the police

at well over ?2 million. And it was one on those finds that

prompted detectives, On entering the shop we discovered

individual quantities of controlled drugs which were destroyed by

pouring them down the drain. The amount of drugs there and rdcovered

advised us that the were major players within the drugs ring.

Most them come from Derbyshhre and Nottinghamshire.

We heard the gang's leader was the man who owned the shop in Sttton.

And he's been jailed for 12 years for supplying amphetamines.

Donnelly's one of ten men who are beginning prison sentences for

Five of them were selling high`grade cocaine.

He served in Iraq with the British military.

But now he's been jailed for more than 18 years.

The judge said these drugs were being distributed nationwidd.

And it's latest in a series of regional drugs investigations

by detectives from across the East Midlands.

Just last week, a legal clerk from Nottingham was jailed

for supplying drugs to a gang in Grantham.

And three brothers from Derby were jailed for selling heroin

that was being supplied by relatives in West Yorkshhre.

The Care Quality Commission has taken legal action

to stop a care home owner from being able to run

The CQC said it had to act puickly after being contacted by

Nottinghamshire County Council who had expressed concerns

about the welfare of the hole's six residents.

The local authority have worked with the people living at the very

closely and with their relatives. They moved some people yestdrday. I

have been made aware by my colleagues in the local authority

that all of those people have been moved to suitable alternative

provision that will make sure that their needs are appropriately met.

A young woman from Oakham s`ys she fears for her life after behng

taunted about her sexuality and then beaten unconscious.

Kerry Byrnes, who's gay, was walking home after

Kerry says it's had a devastating impact on her life.

She's been speaking to our reporter Helen Astle.

I headed towards home. That is when I saw two guys walking behind me. I

did not think anything of it. Just two more people walking homd. As we

got nearer, I had one of thdm say, that is the lesbian. Then I remember

a fist in my face and I just hit the ground. And everything after that is

just one big blur. These ard dark times for Kerry Byrnes. She was

attacked around 1:30am last Sunday. Photographs show her injurids just

hours after the assault. Thhs week has been held, it really has. I have

not left the house since it happened. All the doors are locked,

constantly. It is just fear, at the moment. That they will come back.

The police are treating it `s a hate crime. They are urging anyone who

saw the attack to come forw`rd. It feels like it was a homophobic

attack with the comments th`t were made. They did not steal anxthing. I

had my phone and money on md and they did not take anything. If it

was a robbery are mugging they would have had everything that I had on

me. They did not take anythhng. It was just a comment, and that was

when I do four. It has had ` massive impact on my life. I have ndver had

anything happened to me likd this before. You just do not expdct

homophobic crime in the 21st century. All that I had running

through my head at the time was why is this happening to me? Wh`t have I

done wrong? You're watching East Midlands Today,

lots more to come this Frid`y night. Which isn't just any Friday night,

but the start of The pressure is on to delivdr decent

weather for the last summer bank holiday. Some mash Max Saturday and

Sunday not too bad but the different story on Monday, which will be wet

and windy. And if you are escaping that with flights from East Midlands

airport, I will have all thd latest on the great bank holiday gdtaway.

There are big changes planndd for two of the region's most popular

Sherwood Forest Visitors' Cdntre looks set to be run

by a private company, under proposals from the county council.

And nearby Rufford Abbey park could be run by an independent trtst.

The moves are part of measures to ease pressure on council budgets.

Our Political Editor John Hdss reports.

Tourists visiting Sherwood Forest today. Last year almost 345,000

visitors came here. It is rdally lovely. I like it a lot.

Nottinghamshire County Council which runs the attractions at that cannot

afford the ?300,000 annual cost of keeping it going much longer. It is

about improving facilities whilst trying to reduce the cost to the

County Council. The council leader wants a private company to do the

job instead. It gives us an opportunity to reduce costs whilst

at the same time providing the public Nottinghamshire and visitors

to the county with a more positive visitor attraction and a good day

out. Nearby Rufford Abbey l`st year attracted almost half a million

visitors. It is run by the County Council and could end up behng taken

over by an independent trust, to take the pressure off counchl

budgets. Rufford Abbey is a special place. We need to maintain that

Alan Rhodes access these proposals might be controversial. He now has

his party and the public to win over. It possibly could be better

but we do not want to make ht into a theme park. There are plentx of

those. It is better to be n`tural. I think that it needs something. It

needs more money putting into it, definitely. The budgets of local

councils are not as robust `s the roots of Major Oak, but it hs an

indication that the services provided by local authoritids are

having to be seriously reconsider. Bradgate Park in Leicestershire has

been run as a charitable trtst, and this year, Nottinghamshire County

Council handed over the running of a watersports centre to a trust. We're

not talking about a sell`off. This is not what it is all about.

Sherwood Forest last year gdnerated almost ?3 million, but that is no

longer enough to balance thd books at County Hall.

The first tram tests have bden carried out

on the new bridge over Notthngham Station and into The Meadows.

The contractor Taylor Woodrow Alstom says more extensive night thme

trials will take place over the coming weeks.

After that, passengers can start using the new route.

A memorial stone laid for Rhchard the third at Leicester Cathddral

It was put in place 32 years ago, but has been taken out

as work continues for the Khng's re`internment

Today is 529 years since thd Battle of Bosworth.

A ?20 million home insulation scheme

which was controversially c`ncelled in Nottingham has been rest`rted.

More than a thousand homes in Clifton have been insulated

already, with another 1,000 expected to follow by next xear

But not everyone has been ilpressed by the work,

A building side also rise. Homes in Clifton will finally be getting

solid wall installation aftdr new government funding was secured

through the efforts of local MP Lillian Greenwood. It has bden a

real struggle. We had to persuade the government it had a hugd impact

on my constituents. I am gl`d that they have come forward with some of

the money. We still had to get British Gas to commend them decent

deals that was affordable for private residence. The ambitious

project was supposed to see council run and private homes in Clhfton

received subsidised solid w`ll insulation. It stalled when British

Gas withdrew funding due to a change in government policy. The issue was

even debated in Parliament. Now the work has resumed. Not everyone is

happy with the work from thd contractor. One of the issuds we

have is things like this. G`ry Phillips was told the insul`tion

would be complete in four wdeks but there is still work to do four

months on. The work they ard doing to improve the insulation is

fantastic. We are already sdeing the benefits. But the people dohng the

work did not seem to supervhse their employees. They are wrecked

scaffolding and are not put up ladders. Nobody had any way of

getting onto the scaffolding. They were using a barbecue. They had no

way of disposing of rubbish which was just left in a big pile on the

garden. They were using that pile of rubbish as a toilet. The colpany

says it is looking into these concerns. The work around Clifton is

expected to be completed by March next year.

Waiting for an operation can be a scary prospect, especiallx

if you don't know what to expect once it's been done.

At Nottingham Children's Hospital,

the staff have introduced a new way of making their young patients

They're handmade rag dolls and are being used to prepare

These rag dolls have been m`de with felt stoma bags on them to help

parents and children understand the physical aspects of the condition.

They are aware of what the procedure is. It gives them something to

relate to. She can do exactly what I did, to the doll, and she c`n then

put it all on the doll. Havhng the doll, we can show them stom` care,

and we can show it to their parents, and it is called play therapy, to

help them prepare. Some children, in having had an emergency and reuse it

post operatively to help thdm understand what has happened, as

well. bag since he was born, so using

the rag dolls has really helped He can show that all his frhends and

take it into school and explained what it is. How it works. And how it

affects him. by using these dolls, it will help

children understand their condition and make the stoma operation

a little less frightening. From that idea,

to another simple idea that's become Yes,

it's reached the East Midlands ` and if you still don't know what it is,

you soon will. I'm sure you don't need

reminding that it is the Bank Holiday weekend ` and I'm stre many

of you are busy doing some last A survey by the AA suggests we here

in the East Midlands are the most likely to hit the roads

in search of a few days off. Meanwhile, East Midlands Airport

says it's expecting 83,000 From the motorway to the departure

lounge, this is one of the busiest weekends of the year. At East

Midlands airport they are expecting tens of thousands of passengers

Whereas you going? We're gohng to Menorca. Looking forward to it? Yes.

They have come from far and wide. From South Wales Police Midlands. It

is easy and quick to get in and out of and the staff are great. `` to

the East Midlands. It is slhghtly cheaper than flying from Manchester

which was the nearest airport. The airport says that each year it is

seeing more passengers but hn a customer satisfaction survex yet

came number 17 out of 35. F`lling in the middle of a survey on ctstomer

service is not where we want to be, we want to be better than that, so

we are spending ?12 million improving facilities with ndw

security lanes, better shops and restaurants, and that means that

when all that is ready, the experience will be so much better.

What about the experience of getting to the airport? The AA says that 40

million drivers will take the roads this weekend. But with smaller

airport proving more popular, East Midlands is still set to do rather

well. It will be heavy traffic because it is bank holiday. It.

`start all the way, but it hs worth it, saving a couple of

pounds on flying from a mord local airport. If you are joining the bank

holiday getaway, prepare for traffic, and hope that the holiday

will all be worth it. And c`lling us some breaking sports news. `` Colin

has. Adam Peterson in the 50 metre breaststroke final is at thd

European Championship. Lets have a look at the race when something very

special happens, when he totches the ball. Here he touches in, and watch

the moment when he turns around and realise that he has just broken the

world record. Adam Peaty, from Derbyshire, goes absolutely nuts

after that performance. Molly Renshaw, another Derbyshire swimmer,

won a silver medal. It's another huge

weekend for Leicester City. They're getting ready

for their first away game It's a nice easy one to start with `

a trip to Jose Mourinho's Chelsea. The team who finished third last

season and who are so far Leicester City enjoyed a ch`mpagne

lifestyle last season. Now, the big boys of the Championship ard getting

used to mixing it with the big boys of the Premier League. This is a

game that fans will look forward to, but it is a serious business, too.

You enjoy sport when you have got the chance of winning. I have never

been a big believer in it bding taking part that counts, it is

winning that counts, and anxbody who says it isn't is probably not in the

right game. He knows that hhs side face a huge task. Chelsea h`ve

splashed the cash this summdr. 82 million they have spent so far, on

just three players. Leicestdr have paid for just one, ?8 million for

the striker, Leonardo Ulloa. We have got some talented footballers, some

threats. And they are going to have to be on top of their game. They are

champions. They come with that winning mentality from the previous

season. They come with high expectations. They managed to give a

good game to Everton. It is these kind of games that the playdrs work

has so far `` so hard for, last season. They know that they will

have to work even harder thhs season. It is important to do well

in every game. We have to bd efficient, as a team, this season. I

am convinced that we can do well. In the Championship, Derby have a

home match with Fulham ` struggling While Forest have good news

going into their City Ground Lansbury's future at Forest had been

in doubt ` with interest from around the country ` including Preliership

Burnley. But now he's staying a Red. And ` as the season settles in ` his

manager's delighted. He is a good player. I know him from

the U21 stage. He gives us goals, with his ability, and he is a

popular member of this football club.

Fulham coming to play. The Londoners have had a shocker so far, but, then

We have a beginner on Saturday, we need a reaction. It start of a big

week with three home games. `` we have a big game on Saturday. We have

to start that at Fulham, and start well.

Defender Cyrus Christie knows the mark of the challenge is thd ?1

million Fulham have spent of striker Ross McCormack. Christie's job to

If we are on top of our gamd, we should come out on top.

Derby keeping up confidence. Forest flying high so far. The football

Your stations are well you will find the best coverage on the radio. And

you will find a cry thing article about their work on the BBC blog. ``

cracking article. Next Tuesday, nonfiction `` Notts outlaws and am

sure Falklands go to head`to`head in the one`day cup final at Trdnt

Bridge. The one`day cup fin`l at Trent Bridge. Gloucestershire last

night, setting the visitors 272 to win, with Buster shar not even

getting close. Leicestershire lost and it was enough and sets tp a

match to savour. Notts have signed match to savour. Notts have

England bowler Harry Gurney to a new England bowler Harry Gurney to a new

three`year deal. And the word for Nottingham Panthers. The European

Champions League adventure begins at home tonight to opposition from

Finland. It is a little bit of history being made. If you're on

social media you might have noticed a new phenomenon that is swdeping

the country. In fact, the world Everyone from the most famots people

to the likes of us are pourhng ice filled buckets of water over their

heads. Why? To raise money `nd awareness of motor neurone disease.

Today the challenge came to the BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew

`` Jonathan Agnew, and our very own Kirsty Edwards. Everyone kedps doing

it. The ice bucket challengd is sweeping social media. Cricketer

Chris and sister, Gemma, rising to Chris and sister, Gemma, rising to

the challenge. The family r`n the appeal to raise awareness of the

condition and then came there no many nations. Kirsty Edwards BBC

East Midlands, and Jonathan Agnew. Over to you. You have to access the

nomination like that. Here we are. You are keen, aren't you? Wd have

been stitched up. We have bden family friends for a long thme. But

it is a very special appeal. I think this, although horrible, has gone to

be trivial for Kirsty. How `re you feeling? I do not think I h`ve been

more scared in my life. This is posh, but it is shallow. Kirsty you

have got this plastic bucket. That is about my level, isn't it? If you

go and ready, guys. Are you ready? It is horrible. I will count you

down, one, two, three, go. H dare not ask. How was that? It w`s

horrible. It was freezing! Scott Mills and you end a bingo, ht never

gets wet. Giles Clarke, the chairman of the board, and since you enjoyed

it, Sarah, you. Kirsty, who will you nominate? I will nominate Colin

Hazelden of East Midlands today And I am sorry, and a church, I love you

but I am going to nominate xou. And I was going to nominate you, so that

is a double nomination. Well done, good sports. It looks like we are

all up for it next, Colin and Anna. Very suspicious of that one. How do

you feel about that? Not too bad, actually. I was saying that Robin

Chipperfield the sports presenter did not make enough effort. So I

have been hoist on my own pdtard, there. I can help you out, ht'll be

fine. You have got to make sure that it is nice weather. If you would

like to see Jonathan Agnew `nd Kirsty Edwards getting soakdd again

and again, it is on our Facdbook page. Now the weather.

The bank holiday weekend is just around the corner. It is not looking

too bad for Saturday and Sunday Sunday looks like the best day out

of the three. It will be drx and bright. But there is the potential

for some wet and windy condhtions on bank holiday Monday. We havd a

scattering of showers around this afternoon. They are starting to

clear away as we head through this evening. It looks like a drx night

with clear spells for most of us. Some showers moving into parts of

Derbyshire through the night. It will be a cold might with nhne

Celsius in the towns and cities and a few degrees lower than th`t in

rural areas. It will be a chilly, dry start tomorrow, with a few

showers into Derbyshire. He`ding through the day, plenty of sunshine

around, then those showers increasing into the afternoon. Still

showers. Not feeling too bad at showers. Not feeling too bad at

around 17 Celsius. Still quhte disappointing for this time of the

year. Saturday night is set to be the coldest night for some time But

it is the last of the cold nights. It will be a chilly start the Sunday

but after that, and increashng cloud turning that sunshine hazy, and you

will notice as `` you will notice this area of rain out of thd West.

This is associated with an `rea of low pressure. It will arrivd on

Monday. That will give a wet and windy start to the bank holhday

Monday. But I am hopeful for a dry interval before further rain

arrives, later in the day. Xou can get the bags of that ice from

supermarkets. We were just talking about where to get it from. Goodbye.