13/12/2013 Look East - East

Hello and welcome to Look East. In the programme tonight.

Victory for campaigners as Tesco gives up on building a supermarket

in Hadleigh after 14 years. A World War II fly`past in honour of

a pilot who nearly had a pauper's funeral.

After a week of grim news about many schools in the region, we've spent

the day at one of the best. And after the storm last week, the

show at Cromer have to be cancelled, but against the odds it

is back on. First tonight, celebrations in a

Suffolk market town after Tesco announces that won't build a

supermarket there. It's been a high profile battle

which started 14 years ago. On one side, our biggest supermarket chain.

They say many local people want a Tesco in the town. On the other, a

well organised campaign group, which even hired top lawyers to fight

their corner. Tesco says it respects the democratic planning process and

has decided not to appeal. This from our Chief Reporter Kim Riley. It is

a historic market town with a handsome high Street, and it prides

itself on its wealth of independent shops, rather than traditional

chains. There is a Co`op supermarket in the centre and a new Morrisons on

the side vacated by Tesco in the late 1980s. This close shop is one

of their new businesses are set up on the high Street. I don't think it

is needed here. I think they thought it was the purpose of the area. We

have a good local butchers, good grocery stores. Women of a

supermarket come in the area, it will have a detrimental affect on

what is a very lively high Street, and will start improving end. We are

under a lot of threats from different areas. It would have been

a disaster. This is what the proposed Tesco store could have

looked like. This was one who spoke against it, which was narrowly

rejected in September against the advice of planning officers. I am

delighted. It has been a very long fight, 14 years. Hadleigh and local

council spent so long on looking over a supermarket which should have

never been put on the planning table at all. Tesco get a lot of practice

dealing with local organisations. We have been fairly fortunate in having

four different battles with them. This time we realise we have to

bring each other arguments, each of the groups who are fighting

together, so our arguments were, lamented, and finally sit properly

this time. Do you think Tesco would be good for the time? I do. Tesco is

not an image I find attractive. We have enough but is no thank you the

Tesco. Tesco and I don't get on anyway. Tesco says that in deciding

not to appeal it is respecting the demographic planning process. It

says a new store would have brought new jobs, and investment to the

area, and is now examine alternative uses for the site.

Michael Hewson is a retail analyst for CMC Markets in the City of

London. When I spoke to him late this afternoon I asked him what this

decision says about Tesco today. I think quite simply the climate has

changed, and I'm not talking about weather, I thought of the economic

climate. When you look at the result of Tesco's over the past couple

years, they had been underwhelming. Sales are down, margins are being

compressed, and I think the megastores of the old days are a

thing of the past. Tesco said a point out building a big superstore

in Hadleigh. Believing they will come back? I think they could come

back, but I think plans will be on a much smaller scale. They are really

struggling in the supermarket sector at the moment. If you look at their

share race performance, they are down 16% over the past two years. It

is similar for Morrisons as well. They don't have a good online

offering. Sainsbury's are doing very well. I think it is very instructive

when you look at what Sainsbury's is doing right, Tesco is not doing at

all. What do you mean? Ross Ainslie is doing as they are open a lot more

convenience stores. They are promoting their finest range. ``

what Sainsbury's are doing. Tesco, I don't know what they stand for. We

have seen in recent years where Tesco has been prepared to wait and

wait, and to fight local opposition and eventually win it away. Have we

seen an end to that kind of thing? I would say so, certainly in the

concept of the big megastore. I think supermarkets are going to have

to engage an awful lot more with the local communities. I've noted on the

high Street that an awful lot of the old shops, the old blockbusters and

pubs, popping up with the convenience stores I was talking

about, the Tesco metros and Sainsbury locals. I think council

planners will be much more open to that sort of personal high`street

rather than the betting shops, which today are a bit reluctant to grant

planning permission to. Thank you very much.

An MP today added his wait to a campaign to slow traffic at an

accident blackspot in Suffolk. A car crashed through a historic wall at

Easton last month. More accidents have followed and local people say

it's only a matter of time before someone is killed. This man shows as

local MP the damage to the wall which is at his property. It was the

most dramatic of a string of accidents at this type went in the

road and clear evidence, says MP, that another is enough. It is about

the county and the police bullet proofing the safety protection

available and also making sure they listen to local parish is when they

raise concerns, because we have 15 or more pressure taken place it is

time for action. The warning signs are obvious but surveys show more

than half the drivers who pass through here speeding. All

all`around proof of the dangers. He has kept a log for the crash site in

the past years. Because don't the road. You will hear the wheel

screech round the bend. After last month, you don't know if it will end

up in your ward. The biggest worry is parents and children who will

decide the roads to get to the pre`skill in the village. It is very

scary. `` school. There is a budget constraint, but until you have a

plan in place as to what you will do, you don't know what it'll cost.

I think the highways need to be proactive. Three the suggestion is

that chevron is up. If that'll help, I don't know. We will wait and see

what other ideas they come up with. The immediate plan is organising the

meeting so locals can voice their worries and intensify their calls

for action. The leader of the Green Party has

been to Norfolk today to see the impact of the tidal surge last week.

Some people lost nearly everything when their homes collapsed into the

sea. Natalie Bennett said what happened should be seen as a wake`up

call. This, from our political correspondent Andrew Sinclair.

Natalie Bennett is only three dates of the region, keen to show that the

Green party is relevant message. As she viewed the damage at Hemsby this

afternoon, she said nowhere more was that message relevant than here. We

have to think about a sensible long`term policy, in light of the

fact we are facing climate challenge. Nearby there were

rebuilding. Ms Bennett says much more is needed. The government needs

to rethink its policies. It is not just about using more green energy,

she argues, but building fewer roads and investing in transport. If the

gunmen had the knack, that would not have prevented what happened here?

`` we have to think about the future and act to cut back our. ``

government. The Green party has a role in the government. It has

struggled to make its voice heard. The party's new leader is keen to

show that when it comes to the environment, the Green party still

have the best policies. The economy dominating political debate of the

past two years, environmental issues have fallen off the agenda. The

Green party hopes that what happens here will make people think again.

Last week David Whiteley was filming one couple in Hemsby for The One

Show when the word came through that their house was falling off the

cliff. So what's happened since? David's been back to Hemsby to find

out. A week ago it was the plight of

Jackie and Steve Connolly that made the headlines when their house was

destroyed. Don't go too close. That will be very unstable. What are we

going to do now? Before the house went over the edge, the villagers

formed a human chain and rallied to save what they could. Another house

went straight over edge that night and was washed away. In all, five

homes in Hemsby were lost in the storm. Pictures of these houses have

been seen by people all around the world. What most people probably

don't know is that the sand dune actually came to hear. There was 30

feet of sand, and what's worrying is more is predicted to go. Many of the

houses are now at real risk of suffering the same fate. Some

residents are worried about their future. What is it like living here?

It is scary. It is really frightening. You go to work in the

mornings, and don't would come home at night. This is not how many more.

It is frightening to come home. Every night I get my torch out to

make sure the dunes are still there. After losing their home, Jackie and

Steve have been put up in this Holiday Park. It was shut for the

winter but the owner has reopened it especially for them. You never would

have thought you would have ended up here. What is it like being here?

It's OK, but it is not home. What do you think this says about the people

of Hemsby as a community? They all come together, especially that night

when it happened. They all came together and formed a chain.

Everybody has been amazing. Jackie Connolly ending that film by David

Whiteley. And you can see the full report on The One Show at 7pm

tonight. That's immediately after this programme.

A member of medical staff at the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston,

who was arrested after the death of a patient, will face no further

police action. An investigation was set up in September after it was

claimed that a 76`year`old man was deliberately given a drugs overdose.

RAF Marham in Norfolk will lose one of its three squadrons of Tornado

jets in 2015. Number two squadon will swap its Tornadoes for the

Eurofighter Typhoon and move to RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland.

Nearly 70 years ago,towards the end of the second world war, Stan Franks

became the youngest pilot to complete 30 missions while he was

still a teenager. He was part of bomber command and this week the

Prime Minister described his story as 'remarkable' In October Mr Franks

was found dead at his home at Fobbing in Essex. He had been due to

have a pauper's funeral ` until local people raised thousands of

pounds to send him off in style. Rare colour pictures of World War II

bombing raids. Amongst the young men risking their lives, was Stan

Franks. The BBC filmed Stan in 2010 when he was reunited with Lancaster.

I would love to fly yet. It would be wonderful. Stan was a regular at

this pub in Basildon, and when the locals realised there was no money

to pay for a funeral, they decided they could not let a war hero go out

as a pauper. Women found that the circumstances, we felt we could not

allow one of ours to disappear. The committee had been fantastic.

Everybody rallied round. We have had cheques from people of ?5. One lady

sent ?150. Every amount of money you can expect. Today, Stan was given a

hero 's funeral. A Spitfire flew past. Nearly 300 pack the service. A

member of Parliament pay tribute. Stan's story has touched many

people, and the generosity of spirit has touched many, and my colleagues

in the House of Commons have been immensely touched, I think we can

all be proud that the real respect you are showing one of our heroes

today. Back at the pub a chance to drink to a hero. He deserved it. All

bomber boys deserve the same. What they went through was absolutely

horrendous. He flew 31 missions for his country. That is why everyone

for today's farewell was the least Stan Franks deserved.

The quality of our schools has been in the headlines this week with the

top man at Ofsted calling for a "battle against mediocrity". For

some of our councils the new league tables did not make pretty reading.

Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk all came in for

criticism. We've reported in detail on those problems. But we thought

we'd end this week with a school at the other end of the tables. John

Hellins Primary School at Potterspury is celebrating after

being told it's one of the best in Northamptonshire and in the top 30

in the country. This is their story, in their own words.

We are a primary school children with a pupils, and we are very proud

of our school. We have achieved amazing results this year. My name

is Shelley Bramble. I am the head teacher. I'm quite overwhelmed,

because 24 out of 16,000 schools is quite hard to envisage. Explain it

to the children and seen the delight in their faces. This staff deserve

the praise they get. I'm a classroom teacher. I feel very proud to be

working here. It is a fantastic school. I've been here two years

now, and every year gets better and better. We have a fantastic career

put them `` curriculum which letters do great activities. Children love

coming to the school. It makes a creative curriculum. It is a lovely

school. There is no bullying in the school. In my maths test last week I

got 15 out of 20, and some people got 19 and 18, even 20. I love it,

because there is lots of fun and learning, and rulings of the new

every day. Our ethos is that children should be the best they can

be. We achieve that in many ways, which I believe in passionately.

There is good news is everywhere in education, and I am delighted to

have the opportunity to say that. So many skills do so many things well,

and it is about recognising those. And congratulations to Saxlingham

Nethergate Primary in Norfolk and Farthinghoe Primary in

Northamptonshire who were also in that top 30. And if you want to know

how your school got on, go to the BBC news website and search for

school league tables. Put in your postcode and you will be able to see

the schools that are close to you. Time for a look at this weekend's

sport now. Here's Tom Williams. The Norwich manager has revealed

he'll have money to spend in January if the right players are available.

Chris Hughton's side will go above Swansea who are tenth in the Premier

League if they win on Sunday. The club spent close to ?25 million in

the summer during the last transfer window.

If you want to be challenging, if you want to put yourself in the best

possible position to win football matches, you have to try to keep

investing. We will evaluate where we are this month, and whether we need

to strengthening. Ipswich have hit form at the right

time with four games in the space of ten days coming up over Christmas.

Before that, victory at Nottingham Forest could see Town climb into the

Championship play`off places. And the players it seems are just as

keen to spread a little cheer off the pitch.

Professional footballers maybe, but it doesn't mean they are off the

hook when it comes Christmas shopping. It is for the kids. For

the captain and goalkeeper, huge responsibility. Their team`mates

have given money to buy gifts and goodies for children in local

hospitals. It is up to them to spend it wisely. Just take the lot. We're

not doing it for the club, we are doing it for them. We are helping

people out. We are quite fortunate to be with our family and friends

over the Christmas period, but while there are kids and all the people

stuck in hospital it is nicet to deliver presents for them and give

them a smile. Turkey. I'm looking for the biggest. The Co`op in

Leiston, Suffolk are playing their part, donating presents and

Christmas lunch. We can't forget that. You seem to get a kick out of

buying things for the kids? I think I was choosing more things for

myself than actually for the kids. It is all fun. When we do turn up,

when we go to visit them, we do have a bit of fun with them. By buying

the stuff then we get there it is extra special. A bit like Santa, the

players are on a tight schedule. A match tomorrow and this week they've

found time to bring good tidings to six different children's wards and

hospices. On the pitch, they also have the festive spirit. A year ago,

relegation candidates, now they are play`off contenders. We are playing

to get promoted. If it is possible, I don't know. We've just won three

on the bounce, and people tend to think it is. We're going to

Nottingham Forest on Saturday. That'll be a tough test. The focus

has been spreading joy. For nine`year`old Emily and all of her

friends, a snapshot of happier times when away from their families this

Christmas. Meanwhile there are growing concerns

about the state of Ipswich's finances. With the club ?80 million

in debt, it's emerged several businesses are owed money. In a

statement, the club says "We endeavour to meet the payment terms

of the companies and individuals we work with but at times, just like

any business, there are delays in cash flow". It goes on to say "the

club is on very sound financial footing and the owner remains fully

committed to Ipswich". There's a full programme in the Football

League this weekend including MK Dons' eye`catching trip to

promotion`chasers Wolves in League One. Previews of all the games on

the website. And coverage on your local BBC Radio Station.

In rugby, Northampton have vowed to learn from their mistakes when they

play Leinster again tomorrow in the Heineken Cup. It's a re`match of

last week when Saints were humiliated on home turf. The

33`point margin equalled Northampton's previous heaviest

defeat in Europe. We talk about what goes wrong every week after every

game. I think it shows we were off our game in a lot of aspects, and

they were on theirs, and they took advantage of the mistakes which we

made, and you can't do that against teams with the quality of Leinster.

That has all the sport for now. Last week's tidal surge along the

East Coast has left a trail of damage in its wake. In the front

line: the pier at Cromer. It took a battering. The box office and the

cafe are still closed. But what about the Christmas show at the end

of the pier? After a lot of hard work, the organisers say the show is

back on. This report from Mike Liggins.

A last`minute rehearsal of the opening number of this year's Cromer

Christmas show. A week ago, this seemed like an impossibility. The

storm surge of Cromer was filled by a Look East viewer. The pier took a

fearful battering. The box office and gift shop were badly damaged,

while the waves had taken the boardwalk apart. The show's compere,

Olly Day, thought the show would have to be cancelled for good. We

came down here to see the devastation on Friday morning, and

it was just heartbreaking. I know it is only a theatre, but these are

magical places, they really are fantastic places. The palaces of

dreams. Today's crisis is computers? Yes. One of our biggest crisis all

week has been getting our box office system up and running. Rebecca Wass

is the pier's general manager. With telephone and computer connections

down, running a box office has been tough, but the local council who own

the pier made some swift repairs to get the show back on. As soon as the

North Norfolk District Council said they could get us open, we would

just work as many hours, all through the night if we have too to get us

up and running in time. We managed to do it within a week, so we're

very pleased and proud of my team. The show must go on? Yes,

definitely. I am not taking any chances. There are life boats under

every seat. No, we're as safe as houses for goodness sake. Just 11

performances were lost in total, but the cast know it could be much

worst. The Christmas show is a firm favourite with young and old, and

today's matinee audience were surprised, but delighted to be here.

They have done marvellous to get it on. Absolutely brilliant. When you

see the damage, you can't believe it. The cost of repairs to the pier

may ventually total ?100,000. That is for the future. For now, the

Christmas show against all the odds is back on and will run until

December 29. Well done them. Let's get the

weather. December 29.

Well done them. Let's get Despite the rain, you must have noticed it

is milder. We have had a couple of weather fronts. The first brought

some rain this morning. That is cleared out of the North Sea, there

is another on its way. Some of us it is rather wet and it will stay

cloudy for the next few hours. There'll be further outbreaks of

Shari Wayne, but as clears away, it will turn chilly. `` Shari rain.

Over the next two to three hours, this rainmaking its way into the

North Sea, and the cloud will clear the way. We will have some long

clear spells after midnight. It is then that the temperatures will drop

sharply. Expect loads of 23 Celsius, which brings at risk of frost.

Tomorrow will be a chilly start. Any rain and this weather fronts will

not be arriving until a bit later, and you will see this squeezing

isobars indicate windy conditions. A bright and breezy morning. It will

still feel a bit chilly with highs of eight or nine Celsius. This

winter will continue to freshen through the afternoon, and by

evening time eventually there will be some outbreaks of rain. It will

be patchy. They could be some heavy adverts. Expect for tomorrow night

that it will be wet. The weather front clears quite quickly. In time

on Sunday which is convenient. On Sunday, the weather is not as

strong, and will be largely drive`through daylight hours. That

is the main thing for our weekends. Yes, there will be some wet weather,

but it will arrive after nightfall. Bright Saturday, more cloud around

generally on Sunday. Eventually there will be some outbreaks of

rain, but generally daylight hours should stay dry. It is still quite

mild on Sunday with highs of 11 Celsius. By the time you get to the

start of next week, we have some more overnight rain on Sunday night

stop the next area of low pressure swinging in. It will bring us a wet

start the week, and said it will bring us a wet start the week, and

certainly quite changeable, but by Tuesday will be cooler. That is it

for this evening. Really back next week. Have a good weekend.