0:00:00 > 0:00:06That's all from the BBC News at Six, so it's goodbye from me
0:00:06 > 0:00:11On the programme tonight...
0:00:11 > 0:00:13The 90-year-old stabbed in the neck by her carer.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15It's now claimed the company which employed her were told
0:00:15 > 0:00:16of her previous assault conviction.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18All through this, I've been calmly upset, but
0:00:18 > 0:00:20now I'm extremely angry and I want something done.
0:00:20 > 0:00:30I want something done.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35One charity tell us the "home care" sector is in crisis.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37Also ahead...
0:00:37 > 0:00:39Giving parents extra time off while their premature
0:00:39 > 0:00:40babies are in hospital.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42The London borough hoping other employers will follow suit.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44From the capital to Canvey Island - why members
0:00:44 > 0:00:47of London Orthodox Jewish community are relocating to the Essex coast.
0:00:47 > 0:00:52And celebrating the circus
0:00:52 > 0:01:01as 2018 marks 250 years of the popular art form in Britain.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10A very good evening, welcome to BBC London News.
0:01:10 > 0:01:16First tonight: 90-year-old Pamela Batten was almost killed
0:01:16 > 0:01:19when she was stabbed in the neck in her home by her carer,
0:01:19 > 0:01:21who's been jailed for 21 years for attempted murder.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24But it's now claimed that the healthcare company that
0:01:24 > 0:01:26employed her knew that she had a previous conviction for assault.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28One charity has told this programme Pamela's case
0:01:28 > 0:01:29warrants a major inquiry.
0:01:29 > 0:01:39Yvonne Hall has this report.
0:01:40 > 0:01:4519-year-old Pamela Batten left disabled and very frightened by a
0:01:45 > 0:01:49so-called character to kill her -- 90-year-old. Her son Sammy has
0:01:49 > 0:01:53filled his mother for us. This is what the so-called carer did to
0:01:53 > 0:01:58Pamela. She hit her over the head with a hammer and stabbed her in the
0:01:58 > 0:02:03neck for cash. She's been jailed for 21 years for attempted murder. She
0:02:03 > 0:02:06had convictions for assault and burglary and should never have been
0:02:06 > 0:02:12given a job looking after vulnerable people.I'm really angry. It may not
0:02:12 > 0:02:16look it from the outside, but I'm very, very angry.The company who
0:02:16 > 0:02:23employed the carer has always insisted that despite robust safety
0:02:23 > 0:02:26checks, it was not told by the government's criminal records
0:02:26 > 0:02:32checking system, the DPS, that the carer had previous convictions for
0:02:32 > 0:02:35assault and burglary. It says it would not have employed her if it
0:02:35 > 0:02:43had been told. But today, the Avant said it had warned Avant about the
0:02:43 > 0:02:48applicant's violent past and added, this certificate listed Beavis
0:02:48 > 0:02:53convictions, serious offences such as ABH would not be filtered and
0:02:53 > 0:02:58would be disclosed. This was Pamela Batten's reaction today.I am
0:02:58 > 0:03:07surprised, because they always said they didn't know anything about it.
0:03:07 > 0:03:12So I am surprised.Her son Sammy is furious and is now considering legal
0:03:12 > 0:03:17action.I'm really upset. All through this, I've been calmly
0:03:17 > 0:03:23upset, but now I'm extremely angry and I want something done. And I
0:03:23 > 0:03:28want to see it done, I don't just want to hear words. I want to see
0:03:28 > 0:03:32positive actions and I want something done about this.A charity
0:03:32 > 0:03:36campaigning for more protection for elderly people says it's concerned
0:03:36 > 0:03:43that others also be at risk.The reality is that the care sector has
0:03:43 > 0:03:48been in crisis for a long time. People are making decisions that are
0:03:48 > 0:03:53expedient, that are there for the moment, and they are starting to
0:03:53 > 0:03:56disregard the protection of vulnerable people.We have been
0:03:56 > 0:04:01trying all afternoon to get some response from Avant health care
0:04:01 > 0:04:04services to the DBS statement saying the company was warned about the
0:04:04 > 0:04:09applicant's violent background, but so far, nobody from turkey has been
0:04:09 > 0:04:12available. As well as action to stop anyone else going through what she
0:04:12 > 0:04:17has, Pamela would also like an apology.I'm disappointed. I mean, I
0:04:17 > 0:04:25haven't heard anything from them apologising or anything.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27Coming up later in the programme...
0:04:27 > 0:04:31We meet the woman who suffered stomach pains for years -
0:04:31 > 0:04:33only for doctors discover pieces of a Heinz sauce sachet
0:04:34 > 0:04:39in her intestine.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Now, having a baby can of course be a daunting
0:04:42 > 0:04:47experience for any new parent.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50But for those give birth prematurely, it can be even more
0:04:50 > 0:04:52overwhelming and stressful, often requiring a long
0:04:52 > 0:04:53spell in hospital.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57Around one in every 13 babies is born prematurely.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59And that's about 60,000 babies a year.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Now one London borough is believed to be the first employer
0:05:02 > 0:05:04in the country to give staff extended maternity leave to care
0:05:04 > 0:05:06for their premature newborns.
0:05:06 > 0:05:13Here's Tolu Adeoye.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15Imagine spending the start of your new baby's life in hospital,
0:05:15 > 0:05:18worried about their health instead of at home, enjoying watching them
0:05:18 > 0:05:19grow and develop.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22Granny had to wait more than six weeks to hold you.
0:05:22 > 0:05:23What?
0:05:23 > 0:05:27That's what happened to Katrina. Her son Samuel was born at 30 weeks.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30She says she then had to go back to work before
0:05:30 > 0:05:34she or Samuel were ready.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38We were in hospital for eight weeks before bringing him home,
0:05:38 > 0:05:42and then when we came home, he was very tiny and it was
0:05:42 > 0:05:44difficult to bond with a baby that had been taken away
0:05:44 > 0:05:47from you at birth and you had to leave him
0:05:47 > 0:05:49in the hospital for so long.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53And within months, it was time to go back to work and for me,
0:05:53 > 0:05:58that was too soon, but I had no option but to return to work.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01But once I was back at work, it wasn't easy.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03I struggled with my own mental health, but also Samuel's health.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06In the UK, maternity and paternity leave start the day
0:06:06 > 0:06:10after a baby is born.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14Katrina has been campaigning for extra leave for parents
0:06:14 > 0:06:18of premature babies, and her charity has its first real victory.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21Waltham Forest Council is thought to be the first to decide
0:06:21 > 0:06:23to change its policy on leave, even though there is
0:06:23 > 0:06:24no legal requirement.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27For every week before the due date, the parent will be entitled
0:06:27 > 0:06:29to full pay and leave for maternity and paternity.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32It's the right thing to do for the right reasons to make
0:06:32 > 0:06:34a difference to our staff, to be a good employer
0:06:34 > 0:06:44and to hopefully be a beacon to others to follow suit.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46This employment lawyer knows all too well how challenging it can be
0:06:46 > 0:06:51to have premature babies. Her twins arrived at 33 weeks.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54She says even if employers can't go as far as Waltham Forest Council,
0:06:54 > 0:07:01there's lots they can consider to help support staff.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03They might want to think about additional annual leave.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05They can think about unpaid or paid special leave
0:07:05 > 0:07:08and be a bit more flexible and exercise some discretion.
0:07:08 > 0:07:13For example, once a baby is home, there are likely
0:07:13 > 0:07:19to be further hospital appointments and follow-up.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21Often, sadly, there are also often medical conditions that follow
0:07:21 > 0:07:23from a premature birth, so keeping that understanding
0:07:23 > 0:07:26going beyond the return to work and looking forward is also
0:07:26 > 0:07:30something employers should be looking at.
0:07:30 > 0:07:35The idea to extend leave has been discussed by MPs, and there
0:07:35 > 0:07:36are guidelines advising employers.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Waltham Forest Council is a start, but Katrina says she will keep
0:07:39 > 0:07:42fighting until more parents of premature babies get the leave
0:07:42 > 0:07:47she believes they need and deserve.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49A council leader criticised for saying "aggressive begging"
0:07:49 > 0:07:52should be tackled in Windsor ahead of the Royal Wedding has
0:07:52 > 0:07:53defended his comments.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Simon Dudley, of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead,
0:07:56 > 0:07:57said he was referring to "anti-social behaviour",
0:07:57 > 0:07:59not homelessness.
0:07:59 > 0:08:08The Prime Minister was among those who disagreed with his views.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15This the new Justice Secretary has announced a review of procedures.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19The decision to free the serial sex attacker nine years after he was
0:08:19 > 0:08:22sent to prison has prompted anger from his victims. Some of the women
0:08:22 > 0:08:25he had attacked found out from the media.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28Jo Johnson, the MP for Orpington and younger brother of former
0:08:28 > 0:08:30London Mayor Boris Johnson, has become Minister for London.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33He has been moved in the government reshuffle to become
0:08:33 > 0:08:35a Transport Minister, moving from Education, where he had
0:08:35 > 0:08:37responsibility for universities.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39He will also take on responsibility for the capital, replacing
0:08:39 > 0:08:43Trade Minister Greg Hands.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46Firefighters are still on the scene of a huge fire
0:08:46 > 0:08:47in Staples Corner in north London.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50The blaze which started last night destroyed a paint factory
0:08:50 > 0:08:52and surrounding businesses have been forced to close.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Firefighters removed gallons of flammable liquid
0:08:54 > 0:08:56tp stop it spreading across an industrial estate.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58But there are concerns about the environmental impact.
0:08:58 > 0:09:08Victoria Cook has more.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15It took more than 100 firefighters to get this fire at a paint factory
0:09:15 > 0:09:21under control. Witnesses described seeing fireballs shooting into the
0:09:21 > 0:09:22air.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24The smoke was visible for miles across London.
0:09:24 > 0:09:30No one was injured, but the building has been completely destroyed.
0:09:30 > 0:09:36The problem with a lot of these buildings is that once
0:09:36 > 0:09:38they become involved with fire, they start
0:09:38 > 0:09:39collapsing in on themselves.
0:09:39 > 0:09:45That creates pockets which we can't access
0:09:45 > 0:09:47without getting into the building, and there
0:09:47 > 0:09:48are obviously risks associated
0:09:48 > 0:09:50with entering a building which has undergone partial collapse
0:09:50 > 0:09:51in this way.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53Surrounding businesses were also forced to close,
0:09:53 > 0:09:54the damage clear to see.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57The local council says it will help any businesses affected to try
0:09:57 > 0:09:58and help them continue trading.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00Not only are the Fire Service dealing with the damage
0:10:00 > 0:10:03to the building from the fire, but paints and chemicals
0:10:03 > 0:10:06from inside the factory have now mixed with the water from the fire
0:10:06 > 0:10:08from the fire pumps, and it's now streaming down
0:10:08 > 0:10:09some of the local roads.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11The Environment Agency are now here on site.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14They've erected some of these yellow barriers and they are aiming
0:10:14 > 0:10:21to try and stop this from entering the local water reservoirs.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24We are working to prevent more material than would cause
0:10:24 > 0:10:26a significant pollution incident to the watercourse, so we are trying
0:10:26 > 0:10:33to prevent any fish or aquatic organisms from being affected
0:10:33 > 0:10:37and trying to prevent anything from affecting
0:10:37 > 0:10:41the drinking water supplies.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43In today's instance, drinking water should not be
0:10:43 > 0:10:45affected as it doesn't come from the reservoir, so we are
0:10:45 > 0:10:47focusing on the aquatic environment.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49The cause of the fire is not yet known but
0:10:49 > 0:10:50an investigation has begun.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53The cordon will remain in place here until at least tomorrow.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55Fire crews will continue to work on the building
0:10:55 > 0:10:56throughout this evening.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58The Football Association is to introduce a new process
0:10:58 > 0:10:59for whistleblowers.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02Today came the admission that it didn't have the right
0:11:02 > 0:11:03climate for players to feel comfortable airing concerns.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06It comes after the high profile case of discrimination suffered
0:11:06 > 0:11:08by Chelsea Ladies player Eni Aluko.
0:11:08 > 0:11:15Our Sports Reporter Chris Slegg joins me with more on this.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19Some would say finally, an acknowledgement here?Yes, it took
0:11:19 > 0:11:22three internal reviews and an appearance before a parliamentary
0:11:22 > 0:11:25select committee to prompt the reforms we are hearing about today.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29The FA was accused of a cover-up, something it denied, before it was
0:11:29 > 0:11:33finally established that the England women's manager Mark Sampson had
0:11:33 > 0:11:37used discriminatory language against Eni Aluko and her Chelsea team-mate
0:11:37 > 0:11:42Drew Spence in the form of what was termed to be ill judged jokes. By
0:11:42 > 0:11:46that point, Mark Sampson had lost his job anyway for a separate
0:11:46 > 0:11:49matter. He was found to have had a relationship with a player when he
0:11:49 > 0:11:56was a manager at Bristol academy, before he even got the England job.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59So badly did the FA and the Aluko case that there was stinging
0:11:59 > 0:12:03criticism against the chairman, Greg Clark, and the chief executive,
0:12:03 > 0:12:07Martin Glenn. There were numerous calls for them to resign. They have
0:12:07 > 0:12:11clung onto their jobs, but have admitted that the FA is too white,
0:12:11 > 0:12:16too old and too male. They have now brought in this new whistle-blowing
0:12:16 > 0:12:19process, which they say should give confidence to players from any
0:12:19 > 0:12:23background to come forward with concerns they have about bullying,
0:12:23 > 0:12:27harassment or any inappropriate behaviour or language.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29The lessons we had to learn from the Eniola affair
0:12:30 > 0:12:31was really one of...
0:12:31 > 0:12:33We didn't quite have the right procedures in place for elite
0:12:33 > 0:12:35people to raise concerns.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38But I think more subtly, we probably didn't have the right
0:12:38 > 0:12:41climate in place for people to feel they could raise those
0:12:41 > 0:12:43concerns easily.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45We want to make sure that anybody who puts
0:12:45 > 0:12:47on an England shirt, male or female, has the opportunity
0:12:47 > 0:12:55to air concerns or grievances in a speedy and prompt manner.
0:12:55 > 0:13:00Some would say we have heard these assurances from previous FA
0:13:00 > 0:13:02figureheads, but even Eni Aluko herself has said on Twitter today
0:13:02 > 0:13:06that she is pleased to hear about these reforms. She appears to have
0:13:06 > 0:13:11some confidence that change will now happen.And the FA announced another
0:13:11 > 0:13:15key reform today.Yes, the Rooney rule. It was first brought into
0:13:15 > 0:13:19American football in 2003, named after the head of diversity there,
0:13:19 > 0:13:24Dan Rooney. It means that whenever a managerial or coaching vacancy comes
0:13:24 > 0:13:28up at the FA, then at least one qualified candidate from a black,
0:13:28 > 0:13:30Asian or minority ethnic background will at least be interviewed. This
0:13:30 > 0:13:37is to try and get rid of the perception that candidates from such
0:13:37 > 0:13:41backgrounds are not given a fair hearing, that there is some sort of
0:13:41 > 0:13:45conscious or subconscious bias against them. The English football
0:13:45 > 0:13:48league, the professional game below the Premier League, has already
0:13:48 > 0:13:53brought us in on a voluntary basis. The Premier League has yet to do so,
0:13:53 > 0:13:57but the FA is bringing it in for all of its national age-group teams, the
0:13:57 > 0:14:02England men's and women's team, 28 teams that the FA overseas, and will
0:14:02 > 0:14:05bring in the Rooney rule for any managerial vacancy in any of those
0:14:05 > 0:14:08teams.Many thanks.
0:14:08 > 0:14:16Stay with us because still to come...
0:14:17 > 0:14:20We are at the Natural History Museum, where there are circus acts
0:14:20 > 0:14:24among the artefacts for a very special anniversary.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27And after another day of grey, the promise of something a bit
0:14:27 > 0:14:28brighter, if not sunnier tomorrow.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30Join me for the full details in the forecast
0:14:30 > 0:14:36later in the programme.
0:14:36 > 0:14:37Before that, we've been to meet a woman from Slough who thought
0:14:41 > 0:14:43They've long had ties to Stamford Hill in north-east
0:14:43 > 0:14:45London, but now some of the capital's ultra-orthodox
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Jewish community are on the move.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49They're heading to Canvey Island in Essex, in what's believed
0:14:49 > 0:14:51to be the biggest exodus since the Second World War.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54Part of the reason for the move is the soaring cost
0:14:54 > 0:14:55of housing in the capital.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59Tonight, a BBC documentary looks at the challenges they face
0:14:59 > 0:15:02as they attempt to integrate in an area once voted the most
0:15:02 > 0:15:03English place in Britain.
0:15:03 > 0:15:11Gareth George reports.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14We're more or less keeping the building structurally as it is.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17Joel Freidman shows me plans to build a Jewish Community Centre
0:15:17 > 0:15:19on Canvey Island and he explained why 35 Orthodox Jewish families have
0:15:20 > 0:15:21relocated to Canvey.
0:15:21 > 0:15:31The decision was taken simply because the house prices in London
0:15:35 > 0:15:43are through the roof, almost unaffordable,
0:15:43 > 0:15:48and Canvey Island is the promised land.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50This is where they're from, Stamford Hill in Hackney,
0:15:50 > 0:15:52but big families are squeezed into tiny flats.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54In Stamford Hill a four or five bedroom property
0:15:54 > 0:15:55costs £1 million or more.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57On Canvey, a similar size house is half that price.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59I'm on my way to Canvey with Natalie.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02The story of the community's move from London to Canvey is told
0:16:02 > 0:16:06tonight in a BBC One documentary called Canvey - The Promised Island.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10One family is amazed at how much more space they'd have.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12What about the garden?
0:16:12 > 0:16:13The garden's a good size, again.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15It's huge.
0:16:15 > 0:16:22Wow, man.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26This is exactly 12 times the size of my entire house, the garden.
0:16:26 > 0:16:27I'm not talking about the house.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31Canvey is in a constituency which voted overwhelmingly
0:16:31 > 0:16:36for Brexit and there were concerns about the reception the Jewish
0:16:36 > 0:16:41families would get, but in a cafe on the seafront, deputy mayor
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Barry Campagna said Canvey welcomes newcomers.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47This is the idea of the documentary, to let Canvey people know about them
0:16:47 > 0:16:51and let them know about us.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54When they first come down here, they didn't really say much,
0:16:54 > 0:16:57but Canvey people won't let you walk past without saying hello.
0:16:57 > 0:16:58So that's a bit of an icebreaker.
0:16:58 > 0:16:59So far, so good.
0:16:59 > 0:17:05It's very nice.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07The documentary shows the two communities having a meal together.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09Whatever our religion, whatever our tradition,
0:17:09 > 0:17:12what we have in common is our humanity.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16They have many things in common.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19For decades, Canvey Island has provided a home for those
0:17:19 > 0:17:21leaving the capital hoping for a better life.
0:17:21 > 0:17:22Gareth Goerge, BBC London News.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25You can see the programme, Canvey - The Promised Island,
0:17:25 > 0:17:40tonight at 10.45pm, here on BBC One.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43Before that, we've been to meet a woman from Slough who thought
0:17:43 > 0:17:45she had a debilitating stomach condition for six years,
0:17:45 > 0:17:48only for doctors to find pieces of a Heinz sauce sachet
0:17:48 > 0:17:58in her intestine.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05a leading Medical Journal where people have developed bizarre
0:18:05 > 0:18:06symptoms or illnesses from every food, drink
0:18:06 > 0:18:07and domestic items.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09Frankie McCamley has the story.
0:18:09 > 0:18:16This doctor was handed her case.The place that it occurs is in the last
0:18:16 > 0:18:21bit of the small bowel. Jo had a lump exactly in that area. In fact
0:18:21 > 0:18:28when I examined her, she had a tender lump. I will no doubt in my
0:18:28 > 0:18:35mind that this was Chron's lung.He realised it had nothing to do with
0:18:35 > 0:18:40it when he operated.Suddenly a piece of blastic popped out from the
0:18:40 > 0:18:51middle of a small abscess. That had clear letters "Heinz" on It was a
0:18:51 > 0:19:01it.Big mystery?I had no recollection of eating these pieces
0:19:01 > 0:19:04of plastic. To this day, I don't know when it could have happened.
0:19:04 > 0:19:11They could have been in there years... For six years, it could
0:19:11 > 0:19:15have been there for how many years. The team sent her case to the
0:19:15 > 0:19:19British Medical Journal. This month it's been highlighted as one of the
0:19:19 > 0:19:22most bizarre symptoms or illnesses developed from every day domestic
0:19:22 > 0:19:27items.Despite the investigations that we had, the package would not
0:19:27 > 0:19:31show up and it very, very accurately, to a degree, mimicked
0:19:31 > 0:19:37what you can sometimes see in Cron's.Jo has made a full recovery,
0:19:37 > 0:19:41five years on, and is looking forward to what the future has to
0:19:41 > 0:19:50offer. Unbelievable.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52A trip to the circus these days can be a spectacular
0:19:52 > 0:19:54sight with acrobats, cutting edge visual effects
0:19:54 > 0:19:55and even the odd clown.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58But the attraction has a long history here in the Capital -
0:19:58 > 0:19:59250 years in fact.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02Wendy Hurrell is at the Natural Museum History where a special
0:20:02 > 0:20:04performance is taking place to mark this year's anniversary.
0:20:04 > 0:20:09I see you found a few friends, Wendy?Oh, yes. Welcome to the
0:20:09 > 0:20:14Natural History Museum, as you've never seen it before. Underneath the
0:20:14 > 0:20:23blue Whale we have in#kredible performers. Circus acts. --
0:20:23 > 0:20:27incredible. The reason for the circus theme this year is because
0:20:27 > 0:20:39today is a very special anniversary.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42Horses in headdresses, clowning cricket, the Ringmaster,
0:20:42 > 0:20:43all under the big top tent.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45Circus has been an enduring family entertainment.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47But its history goes much, much further back than this
0:20:47 > 0:20:55mid century archive.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59It was on this day, 250 years ago, than an ex-cavalry man, called
0:20:59 > 0:21:01Phillip Astley, roped off an area here in Waterloo and performed
0:21:01 > 0:21:04tricks on horse back.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06Later he filled his shows with astonishing acts - jugglers,
0:21:06 > 0:21:07acrobats and tumblers.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09It was the world's first circus.
0:21:09 > 0:21:18He even married an expert horse woman and she did an act
0:21:18 > 0:21:22where she dipped her hands in honey and bees were attracted to her hand,
0:21:22 > 0:21:25and theb she would canter around the ring with a muff of bees
0:21:25 > 0:21:26around her hands.
0:21:26 > 0:21:27Extraordinary.
0:21:27 > 0:21:36What must Londoners have made of this spectacle?
0:21:36 > 0:21:38Well, I think they thought it was absolutely wonderful and
0:21:38 > 0:21:46it attracted them to the South Bank of the river,
0:21:46 > 0:21:49it attracted them to the South Bank of the river, which was
0:21:49 > 0:21:50the theatre for entertainment.
0:21:50 > 0:21:55Because by this time you'd got the established theatres
0:21:55 > 0:21:58over on the north side, but on the south side you began
0:21:58 > 0:22:00to get all this rather exciting sort of entertainment.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03Back north of the river, today's circus isn't about equines
0:22:03 > 0:22:12rather a theatrical show of superhuman strength and skill.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15As demonstrated by Cirque du Soleil, which has rolled up
0:22:15 > 0:22:16at the Royal Albert Hall this week.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19The traditional circus still exists and it's really important
0:22:19 > 0:22:20to maintain that history and that culture.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23What Cirque du Soleil did, in 1984, was take away the animal aspect
0:22:23 > 0:22:28and just focus on the strength and the amazing aspects
0:22:28 > 0:22:31of what people can do, and we've been able to take those
0:22:31 > 0:22:33crafts and grow with them and modernise them and bring them
0:22:33 > 0:22:39to a whole new level.
0:22:41 > 0:22:46There will be a lot of circus throughout this year to celebrate
0:22:46 > 0:22:54that anniversary. To tell us more is a representative from.This is a
0:22:54 > 0:23:00huge celebration of the UK's creative industries that are our
0:23:00 > 0:23:04fastest growing sector. It's dynamic, cool and fun. We have
0:23:04 > 0:23:09circus celebrating 250 years. We are at the Natural History Museum you
0:23:09 > 0:23:14see the whale here, a huge refurb. That is what makes London amazing.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17It's what makes the UK great. It's really our calling card around the
0:23:17 > 0:23:22world and we're here to celebrate it. 600 guests tonight.It will be a
0:23:22 > 0:23:27great event. Circus is so popular across London?It is. It's hugely
0:23:27 > 0:23:32upon o popular. Look at all our arts, culture and creative
0:23:32 > 0:23:38industries, amazing museums and galleries, our theatre, people
0:23:38 > 0:23:41playing video games, TV, architecture, fashion, music we are
0:23:41 > 0:23:46all there. They are all our members. It's a growing movement. The really
0:23:46 > 0:23:52important part is we have all the top politicians from all the parties
0:23:52 > 0:23:54celebrating the absolutely crucial economic and social benefit that
0:23:54 > 0:23:59this incredible sector brings. This isn't just entertainment this is
0:23:59 > 0:24:03hard benefit for this country.£92 billion I think it creates in
0:24:03 > 0:24:07revenue. Thank you very much for joining us. That is a celebration
0:24:07 > 0:24:11not just of circus, as John said, of all the creative industries across
0:24:11 > 0:24:15London of which there are many, aren't there?Absolutely.
0:24:15 > 0:24:21I love the attendive lion there. Wendy, thank you very much.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23Time for a look at the weather and Matt is here.
0:24:23 > 0:24:24What have you got for us?
0:24:24 > 0:24:28What have you got for us?
0:24:31 > 0:24:35This weather watchers shot across the Thames. It has been a grey, damp
0:24:35 > 0:24:40and chilly day across the capital and the south-east. We will inject
0:24:40 > 0:24:44more colour back into things tomorrow. Bringing that change is
0:24:44 > 0:24:47what is happening to the west of the UK. This is a weather front which
0:24:47 > 0:24:51will slowly push northwards and eastwards behind which we have
0:24:51 > 0:24:56clearer skies, a little bit of sunshine for tomorrow. It's across
0:24:56 > 0:25:00Cornwall and Devon at the moment. This evening will be dry, misty and
0:25:00 > 0:25:05murky. There will be patchy rain or drizzle spreading northwards and
0:25:05 > 0:25:09eastwards. Light winds but temperatures should hold between
0:25:09 > 0:25:13three and seven degrees into tomorrow morning. A grey start, a
0:25:13 > 0:25:18damp start, patchy rain or drizzle mainly across to the east by the
0:25:18 > 0:25:26time we hit 8.00am. It may take a while to bright up. It will be a day
0:25:26 > 0:25:31of sunny spells rather than clear blue skies. A big improvement. With
0:25:31 > 0:25:34that sunshine and light wind it will feel warmer. Temperatures to around
0:25:34 > 0:25:3910 Celsius for one or two as we finish the afternoon. Wednesday
0:25:39 > 0:25:41night, the temperatures will drop. We have clear skies to begin with,
0:25:41 > 0:25:46light winds. You will notice the misty hue appearing on the map.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48Dense fog patches will form into Thursday morning and temperatures
0:25:48 > 0:25:53close to freezing. We have that problem for the morning commuters on
0:25:53 > 0:25:57Thursday of frost and also dense fog. . That fog, where it does form,
0:25:57 > 0:26:04could linger for good parts of the morning, if not into the afternoon
0:26:04 > 0:26:10for one or two. It will still feel rather chilly. Temperatures will
0:26:10 > 0:26:14drop comparative to Wednesday, down around six or seven degrees. The
0:26:14 > 0:26:19pressure chart, not many lines on it as we go through are Thursday night
0:26:19 > 0:26:23into Friday. Light winds and a risk of mist and fog to take us into
0:26:23 > 0:26:26Friday. It should be dry, but not particularly warm. To go with the
0:26:26 > 0:26:31frost some of the fog will linger as well. We may go back to the grey
0:26:31 > 0:26:36skies after that welcome sunshine tomorrow. A cheeky smile there.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38Matt, thank you.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40A reminder of the main headlines.
0:26:40 > 0:26:45A court's heard that the former football coach Barry Bennell
0:26:45 > 0:26:48was a "predatory and determined paedophile alleged to have
0:26:48 > 0:26:51subjected a number of boys to abuse on more than 100 occasions.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53He denies multiple historical sex offence charges.
0:26:53 > 0:26:58North and South Korea have held their first talks
0:26:58 > 0:27:00than two years and have agreed further discussions
0:27:00 > 0:27:04to ease military tensions in the region.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder
0:27:07 > 0:27:09after a shop worker in Mill Hill was attacked and died
0:27:09 > 0:27:13in hospital yesterday.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15Officers say when staff refused to serve them because of their age,
0:27:15 > 0:27:22they became aggressive.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have visited a youth radio station
0:27:26 > 0:27:28in Brixton on their first royal engagement of the year.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31Reprezent FM trains hundreds of young people every year in media
0:27:31 > 0:27:32and employment skills.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35You can see more on that on the BBC London Facebook page.
0:27:35 > 0:27:39That is all from us for now.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43I'll be back with our late news at 10,30pm.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45From me and the team here, thanks for watching
0:27:45 > 0:27:47and have a lovely evening.