0:00:00 > 0:00:00Thank you.
0:00:00 > 0:00:24That's all from the BBC News at Six, so it's goodbye from me -
0:00:24 > 0:00:27Good evening and welcome to the programme with me Louisa Preston.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29The family of a grandmother who was killed by her former
0:00:57 > 0:01:01Good evening and welcome to the programme with me Louisa Preston.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04The family of a grandmother who was killed by her former
0:01:04 > 0:01:06boyfriend has described him as an 'evil and calculating' killer.
0:01:06 > 0:01:07As we've been hearing.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09Theodore Johnson murdered Angela Best at his Islington
0:01:09 > 0:01:11home after she started seeing another man.
0:01:11 > 0:01:17He had been convicted for two previous killings and met his latest
0:01:17 > 0:01:19victim whilst on day release from a secure unit.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21Today he was jailed for a minimum of 26 years.
0:01:21 > 0:01:27Frankie McCamley reports.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29An inspiration to her family, Angela Best
0:01:29 > 0:01:30was someone who would help
0:01:30 > 0:01:34anyone who needed it.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36But it was this kind of nature that led to her
0:01:36 > 0:01:37murder.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41As she made her way to this flat in Tufnell Park to help her
0:01:41 > 0:01:43former partner, she was brutally killed with a claw hammer, before
0:01:43 > 0:01:47being strangled with a belt from a dressing gown.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51Today, Theodore Johnson was sentenced to at least 26
0:01:51 > 0:01:53years behind bars after changing his plea at the last-minute from guilty
0:01:53 > 0:01:57of manslaughter to admitting to her murder.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59This convicted murder, tried to play the system as he had
0:02:00 > 0:02:01successfully done so twice before.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03He used diminished responsibility as the cause for his murderous actions.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06He knew exactly what he was doing when he
0:02:06 > 0:02:07planned and executed the
0:02:07 > 0:02:17horrific murder of our beautiful, beloved, Angela.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31The 64-year-old already had previous convictions for killing two other
0:02:31 > 0:02:33women.
0:02:33 > 0:02:41In November 1981, the garage worker was convicted of killing his
0:02:41 > 0:02:44wife, evon Johnson by pushing her over the balcony
0:02:44 > 0:02:45of their 9th floor flalt.
0:02:45 > 0:02:54In March 1993, he was guilty of killing
0:02:54 > 0:02:55his partner, Yvonne Bennett, by diminished responsibility.
0:02:55 > 0:02:5723 years later, Johnson killed his most
0:02:57 > 0:02:59recent partner, Angela Best, after the relationship broke down.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02I have spoken to one of Theodore Johnson's
0:03:02 > 0:03:08former colleagues, where he worked in Tottenham as a mechanic.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10He said he was shocked, couldn't believe what had happened
0:03:10 > 0:03:12but he was also angry, questioning how Johnson
0:03:12 > 0:03:14was able to kill for a
0:03:14 > 0:03:15third time.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17He will have been probably subject to multiple interventions from
0:03:17 > 0:03:19police, probation, health and mental health services, possible substance
0:03:19 > 0:03:24misuse services, there are a number of different agencies who have to
0:03:24 > 0:03:26examine what action they took and whether they can defend the
0:03:26 > 0:03:30decisions they made.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33Sat in a wheelchair
0:03:33 > 0:03:40In court after trying to take his own life by jumping on to railway
0:03:40 > 0:03:47tracks, Miss Best's family heard how Johnson met his wife while at
0:03:47 > 0:03:52hospital. But they say this is now the start of their life sentence of
0:03:52 > 0:03:59grief and pain. Lots more to come this evening,
0:03:59 > 0:04:05including... Panto, helping those with dementia out of the house and
0:04:05 > 0:04:12into the theatre.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14The Head of the London Hospital with the busiest A&E
0:04:14 > 0:04:17in the capital has urged patients to not attend the department
0:04:17 > 0:04:18unless absolutely necessary.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20North Middlesex in Enfield was at full capacity over
0:04:20 > 0:04:22the Christmas period.
0:04:22 > 0:04:27It's new Chief Executive,
0:04:27 > 0:04:28has been speaking
0:04:28 > 0:04:29to Victoria Hollins about
0:04:29 > 0:04:32the pressure her staff is under.
0:04:32 > 0:04:39Staff at this A&E know what it means to be busy. They see on average 500
0:04:39 > 0:04:44patients a day over the Christmas period, yesterday the number peaked
0:04:44 > 0:04:47at 599, a challenging time of year for the new chief executive.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51We are under pressure. There is always pressure each winter but we
0:04:51 > 0:04:57anticipate the pressure and start to plan for it in October. So we
0:04:57 > 0:05:01overbook four extra staff, we put on a range of shifts, we open up extra
0:05:01 > 0:05:05capacity across the hospital to take more people.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09This is not exceptional but with a growing, ageing population with
0:05:09 > 0:05:15complex needs, each winter it gets busier. Yesterday, there were 126
0:05:15 > 0:05:20emergency admission, on a normal day there would be about 77.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Some nonemergency routine operations are having to be cancelled, so what
0:05:23 > 0:05:28would help to ease the pressure?We are urging people to try to use
0:05:28 > 0:05:31alternative services unless they really are needing absolutely
0:05:31 > 0:05:36emergency care. Please use GPs, please use 111, or some alternative
0:05:36 > 0:05:42to make sure that our staff, our very precious and wonderful staff
0:05:42 > 0:05:48are able to focus on people who need the extra level of emergency care.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52This is a busy hospital, over the Christmas period, almost every bed
0:05:52 > 0:05:56has been full. With the weather getting colder, the pressure will
0:05:56 > 0:06:00increase. So the question every day is how to go about freeing up bed
0:06:00 > 0:06:05spaces. The solution can come from unexpected places.
0:06:05 > 0:06:12Are you on the mend, Frank?I'm getting there...Frank could not be
0:06:12 > 0:06:15discharged from north Middlesex hospital as he had no shoes, they
0:06:15 > 0:06:19were lost after he was brought in by the ambulance. The finances director
0:06:19 > 0:06:24heard about his plight during the daily bed meeting so offered up his
0:06:24 > 0:06:30own. Did you manage to get them on. I'm
0:06:30 > 0:06:40only a size 8?!It helped to get frank to leave the hospital and free
0:06:40 > 0:06:48up a bed. I'm humble #d. It enabled me to get home with dignity.
0:06:48 > 0:06:53I am overwhelmed by this small and spontaneous action has had. I would
0:06:53 > 0:06:57like to emphasise that the staff, who number over 3,000, will do
0:06:57 > 0:07:02something like this every day and it will go unnoticed.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05More imaginative ways to free up beds could be needed. Winter
0:07:05 > 0:07:07pressure is unlikely to ease soon.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09Winter pressure is unlikely to ease soon.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has joined victims' groups and MPs
0:07:12 > 0:07:14in calling on the parole board to reconsider its decision
0:07:14 > 0:07:15to release a serial sex attacker.
0:07:15 > 0:07:20John Worboys was convicted of twenty offences in 2009 -
0:07:20 > 0:07:23but is thought to have targeted more than 100 women.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27Charlotte Franks is at Scotland yard with more on this.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31Charlotte is at Scotland Yard for us. What more can you tell us about
0:07:31 > 0:07:38this? Well, the Metropolitan Police were criticised at the time of the
0:07:38 > 0:07:43original investigation for failing to follow up on leads at the time.
0:07:43 > 0:07:48Today, the Mayor, Sadiq Khan, joined calls for the Parole Board to
0:07:48 > 0:07:50reconsider the decision to release John Worboys. The Mayor demanded
0:07:50 > 0:07:55that the women who had not had their cases heard at the time, now have
0:07:55 > 0:08:01the opportunity for those to be reopened. Now Sadiq Khan issued a
0:08:01 > 0:08:05statement, in it he said that public confidence in our Criminal Justice
0:08:05 > 0:08:09System is crucial and victims and the public need answers from the
0:08:09 > 0:08:12police and the Crown Prosecution Service about the flawed
0:08:12 > 0:08:18investigation and prosecution. Today, the former met police
0:08:18 > 0:08:22detective, Clive Sutton said that it is time for the Crown Prosecution
0:08:22 > 0:08:25Service to explain how and why it came to that decision to release
0:08:25 > 0:08:31John Worboys. Was it one that was purely based on
0:08:31 > 0:08:34practicalities and finances and resources? Or based on the strength
0:08:34 > 0:08:39of the evidence? You know, there is no point in taking cases to court if
0:08:39 > 0:08:45you cannot prove that the person is guilty. But the thing is when you
0:08:45 > 0:08:49get somebody with a distinctive method as John Worboys had, by using
0:08:49 > 0:08:54drugged champagne in the back of a taxi, you can put other offences on
0:08:54 > 0:09:00to that indictment with the strong cases and you can end up with
0:09:00 > 0:09:03convictions where the evidence is not so strong as it presents a whole
0:09:03 > 0:09:07picture to the jury. Charlotte, what has been the
0:09:07 > 0:09:11response from the Crown Prosecution Service?Well, the chairman of the
0:09:11 > 0:09:15Parole Board, Professor Nick Hardwick is to go before a group of
0:09:15 > 0:09:22MPs to explain his decision. He has apologised to victims who were not
0:09:22 > 0:09:26alerted to Worboys' release, many found out via the media. He says he
0:09:26 > 0:09:31is very sorry but he does not want to blame anybody. The Met say that
0:09:31 > 0:09:36no investigations will be opened. Charlotte, thank you very much.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40Charlotte Franks there.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42Former Ukip and Conservative MP Bob Spink has avoided
0:09:42 > 0:09:44going to prison after tricking elderly people into
0:09:44 > 0:09:46signing electoral forms backing local candidates.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48The 69-year-old from Essex was given a suspended sentence and 150
0:09:48 > 0:09:50hours of unpaid work for the electoral fraud.
0:09:50 > 0:09:59Andrew Sinclair reports.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04Mr Spink, do you regret your actions? It was, said the judge, a
0:10:04 > 0:10:11sad end to a career in politics. Bob Spink spent most of his life in
0:10:11 > 0:10:16public service, now at 69, he has a conviction for electoral fraud. It
0:10:16 > 0:10:23was here in his seat of Castle Point that the former MP, got frail and
0:10:23 > 0:10:27elderly people to sign for the local elections but they thought that they
0:10:27 > 0:10:36were signing a pepation, not giving support to candidates from Ukip. The
0:10:36 > 0:10:41barrister for Mr Spinks said that he accepted that people high pressure
0:10:41 > 0:10:46misled but no cold hearted villainry, and no money changed
0:10:46 > 0:10:52hands but the judge disagreed. He said that this may be trite but this
0:10:52 > 0:10:56sort of offending undermines the working of direction structures in
0:10:56 > 0:11:03the country. For most of his career, Bob Spink
0:11:03 > 0:11:08was a loyal conservative with strong views of immigration, in favour of
0:11:08 > 0:11:12capital punishment and opposed to abortion.
0:11:12 > 0:11:19I have as of today resigned the Conservative Party whip...Ten years
0:11:19 > 0:11:24ago he fell out with the party and spent his last years Ann
0:11:24 > 0:11:31independent. He later rejoined and stood unsuccessfully for the Police
0:11:31 > 0:11:37and Crime Commissioner. Also today, given sentence, a colleague, who had
0:11:37 > 0:11:45been in awe of Mr Spink. Tonight, Ukip distanced themselves from the
0:11:45 > 0:11:51former MP, who has well as doing 50 hours of unpaid work, will have to
0:11:51 > 0:11:53pay costs of £5,000.
0:11:53 > 0:11:54pay costs of £5,000.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57A four-year-old boy is still in hospital with serious injuries
0:11:57 > 0:12:00after he and and his mother were hit by bricks which fell from the top
0:12:00 > 0:12:01of a three-storey building.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03Ambulance crews were called to the scene in Epsom
0:12:03 > 0:12:04yesterday afternoon.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08Police say masonry fell from the top of a building on Church Street -
0:12:08 > 0:12:10and so far it's been too windy to make it safe.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12A former executive at an international entertainment
0:12:12 > 0:12:15company who used a hidden pen camera to film up women's skirts
0:12:15 > 0:12:16has been spared jail.
0:12:16 > 0:12:26It was suspended in the air as part of a light festival
0:12:28 > 0:12:35He was caught when an off duty police officer noticed the camera
0:12:35 > 0:12:39protruding from his bag at Clapham station.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42A giant ball has been removed from the centre of Oxford Circus
0:12:42 > 0:12:44after a passerby was injured yesterday.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47It was suspended in the air as part of a light festival
0:12:47 > 0:12:49which starts later this month, but came loose in strong winds.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51It will be reinstated in the next few weeks.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Islington Council is demanding that at least half of the homes built
0:12:54 > 0:12:57on the site of Holloway Prison will have to be affordable.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00It says it won't give the green light for any plans to go ahead
0:13:00 > 0:13:03unless there are guarantees that local people will get homes.
0:13:03 > 0:13:08Our Political Correspondent Karl Mercer reports.
0:13:08 > 0:13:14The lights are on but no-one is home. In fact, no-one's been here at
0:13:14 > 0:13:18Holloway prison since it shut 18 months ago. A prime site near
0:13:18 > 0:13:24Central London, looking less than its best. The Ministry of Justice
0:13:24 > 0:13:29owns the plot and is looking for developers to buy it. Now the local
0:13:29 > 0:13:32council is Islington has laid down the law on what it wants here. It
0:13:32 > 0:13:37will not back a plan unless it has 50% of genuine affordable housing on
0:13:37 > 0:13:41it. It is clear you can get 50%
0:13:41 > 0:13:46affordable housing on to the site. There is a housing crisis, we have
0:13:46 > 0:13:5018,000 people on the housing register, the #r5e89 reality is that
0:13:50 > 0:13:55working people who work in the borrow cannot afford to rent or buy
0:13:55 > 0:14:03in the borrow at market rates. Holloway was London's only all-women
0:14:03 > 0:14:08prison from 1903 until it closed. It had housed the suffragettes when
0:14:08 > 0:14:15they were jailed. Today, the local campaigners want that history
0:14:15 > 0:14:17reflected when deciding what happens to the site.
0:14:17 > 0:14:23Things that could be on the site are council housing, support for women.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26A women's building. Community interventions that support families
0:14:26 > 0:14:30in the local area. Look behind you, that is modern
0:14:30 > 0:14:35housing?Nobody in this area can afford to move into the modern
0:14:35 > 0:14:39housing developments. You talk to the young in the street. They cannot
0:14:39 > 0:14:44afford to live here, to rent or buy, they are desperate for change.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48The Ministry of Justice had closed, they hope to announce the new owner
0:14:48 > 0:14:56of the site in the spring. They said that the amount of affordable
0:14:56 > 0:14:59housing would be worked out with the new owner and the council.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01housing would be worked out with the new owner and the council.
0:15:01 > 0:15:02Still to come:
0:15:02 > 0:15:05The search for more bell ringers after a drop
0:15:05 > 0:15:06in the number of volunteers.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08After a day of sunshine and showers, the weather is looking brighter and
0:15:08 > 0:15:12colder through the weekend. I'll have a full forecast later on in the
0:15:12 > 0:15:16programme.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18programme.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20This week nearly 1.5 million of us watched
0:15:20 > 0:15:23a relative unknown Rob Cross sweep to victory in the world
0:15:23 > 0:15:24darts championships.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27His prize money?
0:15:27 > 0:15:29£400,000.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32This weekend will see some of the world's best amateurs compete
0:15:32 > 0:15:34in the BDO championships at the Lakeside, where the men
0:15:34 > 0:15:36can take home £100,000.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39However the world's best women can only win a top prize of £12,000.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41World Championship qualifier Tricia Wright from Mitcham,
0:15:41 > 0:15:43has been speaking to Sara Orchard about her hopes for
0:15:43 > 0:15:49the Women's game.
0:15:49 > 0:15:56The British Darts Organisation has held their World Championships
0:15:56 > 0:15:58at the Lakeside Country Club in Surrey since 1986.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02And they've had a women's tournament since 2001.
0:16:02 > 0:16:07After 17 years of trying, Tricia Wright has qualified to compete.
0:16:07 > 0:16:15I've been close so many times, and I turned round and said,
0:16:15 > 0:16:17I'm going to do it before I'm 60.
0:16:17 > 0:16:18I'm 60 this year!
0:16:18 > 0:16:21I've just squeezed in!
0:16:21 > 0:16:24Walking into her lounge isn't quite the same as a darts walk on,
0:16:24 > 0:16:28but known as Tricia the Right-Stuff Wright,
0:16:28 > 0:16:31her walk on music had to be New Kids On The Block,
0:16:31 > 0:16:32you've got it, The Right Stuff...
0:16:32 > 0:16:33Do you like the song?
0:16:33 > 0:16:38Yeah, it's OK!
0:16:38 > 0:16:40The Lakeside prize-money for the women is eight
0:16:40 > 0:16:43times less than the men, although the hours of graft
0:16:43 > 0:16:45by the game's top female stars rarely differs from
0:16:45 > 0:16:48their male counterparts.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51We've been arguing this for years, you know.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55And I cannot see where it's going to change.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00And when it comes to Michael van Gerwen, who competed in the PDC
0:17:00 > 0:17:04recently, he said he never thinks that women will be as good as men at
0:17:04 > 0:17:05darts, do you see that ever changing?
0:17:05 > 0:17:06Possibly.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09You know, if the women didn't have to go to work!
0:17:09 > 0:17:10And everything else.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12For the professional men, they've got more
0:17:12 > 0:17:15time, if they are a full professional, to just stand at that
0:17:15 > 0:17:17board and hammer it all day long.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20Tricia has competed against men.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Once pushing three-time world champion semifinalist Darryl
0:17:23 > 0:17:26"The Dazzler" Fitton to near defeat, and words were whispered at the
0:17:26 > 0:17:27oche...
0:17:27 > 0:17:32I'm not allowed to repeat it!
0:17:32 > 0:17:34He did say a few words, but all in good fun.
0:17:34 > 0:17:35All in good fun.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37What Tricia can do is give me a quick
0:17:37 > 0:17:38masterclass in her front room...
0:17:38 > 0:17:40I'm aiming for a triple 20...
0:17:40 > 0:17:44Yes.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46Well, you got a treble.
0:17:46 > 0:17:47Is that...
0:17:47 > 0:17:49Is that triple 18 or triple four?
0:17:49 > 0:17:50That's a triple four.
0:17:50 > 0:17:51Yes!
0:17:51 > 0:17:52And after just five minutes...
0:17:52 > 0:17:53No jerky.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55I'll take that!
0:17:55 > 0:17:57The BDO World Championships starring Tricia Wright, not me,
0:17:57 > 0:17:58starts tomorrow.
0:17:58 > 0:18:07Sara Orchard, BBC London News.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Quite impressive from Sara!
0:18:10 > 0:18:13For those with dementia getting out and enjoying a social life can
0:18:13 > 0:18:16sometimes be very difficult, not just for those with the
0:18:16 > 0:18:17condition but also for their carers.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20Now a theatre in Havering is trying to break down social barriers -
0:18:20 > 0:18:22putting on a range of special productions including
0:18:22 > 0:18:23dementia friendly panto.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26Helen Mulroy reports.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30A day out at the theatre, a rare treat for husband and wife of 52
0:18:30 > 0:18:36years Margaret and Ken.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38Since Ken's dementia diagnosis two years ago,
0:18:38 > 0:18:41getting out and about has become much more challenging.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44We did a lot of things, but we did a lot of
0:18:44 > 0:18:51things on our own which now we don't do.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53Now, our lives are very much more together,
0:18:53 > 0:18:54because he needs the
0:18:54 > 0:18:55back-up.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57That's what I'm there for.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59But it's possible because here at the Queens Theatre in Havering,
0:18:59 > 0:19:02they've put on a range of accessible performances for audiences with a
0:19:02 > 0:19:03number of different needs.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05Today's is their dementia friendly pantomime
0:19:05 > 0:19:06Beauty And The Beast.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08As you can see, our house lights are on and
0:19:08 > 0:19:11they will remain on during the course of the performance so that
0:19:11 > 0:19:19people are free to move around if they require.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21You'll see that our band are on stage for the duration and
0:19:21 > 0:19:24sound levels will be reduced to avoid any shock or higher levels
0:19:24 > 0:19:25that might be uncomfortable.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Scenic elements such as pyrotechnics,
0:19:27 > 0:19:34smoke, they are removed from the production
0:19:34 > 0:19:36to avoid any confusion or
0:19:36 > 0:19:37distress.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39More than just changes to the performance on stage, the
0:19:39 > 0:19:42theatre actually put up extra signage.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45They also have more highly visible and trained staff on hand to
0:19:45 > 0:19:46help patrons.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48Further to that, the Havering Dementia Action Alliance
0:19:48 > 0:19:50set up an information table for those looking
0:19:50 > 0:19:51for further support.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54For those running a local dementia community group, events like this
0:19:54 > 0:19:55are invaluable.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59You get a lot of isolation because initially, you
0:19:59 > 0:20:03don't know where you can go, and they haven't
0:20:03 > 0:20:05got a label on their
0:20:05 > 0:20:06forehead saying, "I've got dementia".
0:20:06 > 0:20:07got a label on their
0:20:07 > 0:20:08forehead saying, "I've got dementia".
0:20:08 > 0:20:10It's very important that people socialise, if you've got
0:20:10 > 0:20:14dementia and also for the carers to be able to take someone to places
0:20:14 > 0:20:16where they don't feel embarrassed if they do something silly, or
0:20:16 > 0:20:22something embarrassing.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24Bringing a group of people to something setup
0:20:24 > 0:20:25for dementia, that's great.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28And it isn't just the audience that recognise the benefits.
0:20:28 > 0:20:33It is one of the reasons why we go into this sort
0:20:33 > 0:20:35of business, because the theatre should be for everybody.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38It's about bringing stories and music, and it's
0:20:38 > 0:20:40not about bringing it to one type of audience.
0:20:40 > 0:20:41Margaret and Ken, how's it going?
0:20:41 > 0:20:43It was good fun, yes.
0:20:43 > 0:20:44And it's nice to have some audience participation.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46The Queens Theatre are planning more accessible shows
0:20:46 > 0:20:47this year.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50They hope to inspire other theatres to follow suit.
0:20:50 > 0:20:51Helen Mulroy, BBC London News.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54The sound of bells ringing is deeply rooted in our culture but it seems
0:20:54 > 0:20:57that the tradition could be under threat in the capital.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59London is suffering from a shortage of bell ringers with many churches
0:20:59 > 0:21:02struggling to get enough people to operate the bells.
0:21:02 > 0:21:07Ayshea Buksh has more.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10It's a traditional sound in many parts of Britain, but there's a fear
0:21:10 > 0:21:14some of London's most famous bells could fall silent.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18Simon Meyer organises bell-ringers for this city church
0:21:18 > 0:21:25which is home to the famous Bow Bells.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28They are often rung for state occasions such as a royal
0:21:28 > 0:21:30wedding, as well as religious festivals and regular Sundays.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32It is always challenging when you get big
0:21:32 > 0:21:35events that need ringers at lots of venues at the same time, because
0:21:35 > 0:21:37there aren't enough ringers in London to
0:21:37 > 0:21:38man all the ropes at the
0:21:38 > 0:21:39same time.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43You get some big occasions and you're having to ring
0:21:43 > 0:21:45at a lot of different venues.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47You actually have to cast the net quite
0:21:47 > 0:21:48wide.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51It's not uncommon for me to contact 40 or 50 people to try and
0:21:51 > 0:21:53get a band for ringing here.
0:21:53 > 0:21:54And to commemorate this year's centenary of
0:21:54 > 0:21:57the end of the First World War, the government wants church bells
0:21:57 > 0:21:59across the country to ring out in unison on
0:21:59 > 0:22:04the 11th of November.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06There is a national drive to recruit more
0:22:06 > 0:22:09bell-ringers in order to remember the many that died during the war.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13We shouldn't be worried, but we need to be
0:22:13 > 0:22:14practical and pragmatic, we
0:22:14 > 0:22:15need more.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18We need to build the pipeline for the future so that's
0:22:18 > 0:22:20what were trying to do, for this remembrance
0:22:20 > 0:22:22of the 1400 ringers of
0:22:22 > 0:22:25World War I who lost their lives, and would like 1400 more this year
0:22:25 > 0:22:33so that they can ring on Armistice Day in November 2018.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35This church in the West End already has a
0:22:35 > 0:22:38healthy bell ringing team but many regularly travel in from outside
0:22:38 > 0:22:39London.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42I have a great friend who's into his 80s now and he comes in
0:22:42 > 0:22:45every Sunday morning and will ring out two or three towers.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47But those sort of people are a dying breed,
0:22:47 > 0:22:48sadly.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51And some of the towers are really struggling on a Sunday
0:22:51 > 0:22:53because people do not live up in London
0:22:53 > 0:22:56and they aren't around on a
0:22:56 > 0:22:59Sunday morning but there is a committed group of people who do
0:22:59 > 0:23:01come in and maintain the ringing on Sundays.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03We even found one bell-ringer who was on holiday from
0:23:03 > 0:23:05Australia.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07Since I've been here, every tower I've been to there's
0:23:07 > 0:23:10been lots of people around, and lots of enthusiasm and lots of young
0:23:10 > 0:23:12people, or people of all ages.
0:23:12 > 0:23:13It's been really good since I've been
0:23:13 > 0:23:14here.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17With many big occasions coming up this year, it is hoped more
0:23:17 > 0:23:20people can be found to pull the ropes of London's famous bells.
0:23:20 > 0:23:28Ayshea Buksh, BBC London News.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31Let's get a check on the weekend weather with Sarah Keith-Lucas.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33Let's get a check on the weekend weather with Sarah Keith-Lucas.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37It is looking lovely, isn't it? Yes, we saw some sunshine out there
0:23:37 > 0:23:41today. A wet and windy start of 2018 but
0:23:41 > 0:23:45the weather is now planning down. It will improve as we had through the
0:23:45 > 0:23:51weekend. This was the scene earlier today, taken by one of our Weather
0:23:51 > 0:23:54Watchers in Twickenham. There could be a few more showers, you can see
0:23:54 > 0:23:58here that there is low pressure in charge at the moment with weather
0:23:58 > 0:24:01fronts approaching from the West and the North. There is a bit more rain
0:24:01 > 0:24:06to get out the way, before we see the return to sunshine later in the
0:24:06 > 0:24:09weekend. Through the rest of tonight, there is a cloud increase,
0:24:09 > 0:24:13some spots of light rain. Colder and the North. There is a bit more rain
0:24:13 > 0:24:16to get out the way, before we see the return to sunshine later in the
0:24:16 > 0:24:19weekend. Through the rest of tonight, there is a cloud increase,
0:24:19 > 0:24:21some spots of light rain. Colder on more recent nights. Some mist and
0:24:21 > 0:24:24hill fog in north London, a touch of frost on the roads first thing in
0:24:24 > 0:24:26the morning. Some frost Brown. A chilly start on Saturday morning.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29The day will not be improving in a hurry, cloudy through the day,
0:24:29 > 0:24:32drizzly rain, that will creep to the south through the course of the
0:24:32 > 0:24:40afternoon. There will be brighter glimpses with temperatures colder
0:24:40 > 0:24:45than recently. Cloud with patches of light rain, sinking to be self,
0:24:45 > 0:24:50three Saturday night and into the early hours of Sunday, as the cloud
0:24:50 > 0:24:54sync southwards, taking away showers, clear and dry conditions on
0:24:54 > 0:24:58Sunday morning. A chilly start of the day, widespread frost, Sunday
0:24:58 > 0:25:01morning could have the odd icy stretch and in the countryside,
0:25:01 > 0:25:06temperatures could fall below freezing. After a cold start, a lot
0:25:06 > 0:25:09of glorious sunshine. Early morning mist clears away, and Sunday is set
0:25:09 > 0:25:16to be a sparkling day. Temperatures still of only 5-7d. Chilly despite
0:25:16 > 0:25:22the sunshine around but it will stay dry. High pressure stays in charge
0:25:22 > 0:25:26of the weather through Sunday and injured Monday. Keeping the weather
0:25:26 > 0:25:31front at bay in the Atlantic. It looks like a dry and settled spell
0:25:31 > 0:25:34of weather continuing into Monday too. Monday is fairly cloudy. And
0:25:34 > 0:25:41fairly cool. Glimpses of brightness, but turning less windy and dry too.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43fairly cool. Glimpses of brightness, but turning less windy and dry too.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46A nice and bright weekend. Thank you.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48Now the main headlines...
0:25:48 > 0:25:51The chair of the Parole Board has apologised to victims of the serial
0:25:51 > 0:25:54sex attacker John Worboys after some of them were not told
0:25:54 > 0:25:56of his imminent release from prison.The black cab driver
0:25:56 > 0:25:58was jailed in 2009, for offences against 12 women.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01One of the killers of the toddler James Bulger has been charged over
0:26:01 > 0:26:02indecent images of children.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04The Crown Prosecution Service says Jon Venables -
0:26:04 > 0:26:07who now goes under a different name - will appear at an unnamed
0:26:07 > 0:26:12court, in private.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15The author of a book about the Trump presidency has said
0:26:15 > 0:26:16staff at the White House described their boss
0:26:16 > 0:26:19as being like a child, in need of instant gratification.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21Michael Wolff told NBC News that Mr Trump neither reads
0:26:21 > 0:26:22nor listens to advice.
0:26:22 > 0:26:28The White House has described the allegations as "phoney".
0:26:28 > 0:26:31A man from Islington who killed two of his former partners has been
0:26:31 > 0:26:35sentenced to a minimum of 26 years in prison for the murder of a third.
0:26:35 > 0:26:36Theodore Johnson admitted beating and strangling
0:26:36 > 0:26:38Angela Best in December 2016, after she had ended
0:26:38 > 0:26:45their relationship.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47The Head of London's Busiest Accident and Emergency Department
0:26:47 > 0:26:50tells the public not to visit unless it's vital.
0:26:50 > 0:26:51The Chief Executive of North Middlesex Hospital
0:26:51 > 0:26:57in Enfield says its under pressure.
0:26:57 > 0:26:58That's it.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01I'll be back later during the ten o'clock news, but for now
0:27:01 > 0:27:03from everyone on the team have a lovely evening.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07Goodbye.