29/06/2014 Look East - East

First, the argument over whether genetically modified crops

should be grown in the region has been re`ignited.

Europe has ruled that indivhdual Governments can now decide whether

Environmentalists say they'll fight any change.

But a leading scientist says the public are no longer bothered.

The string region has been `t the forefront of the debate over GM

This area has led the research, whereas protesters have oftdn

targeted their work, most notably in Norfolk 15 years ago. The ddcision

from the EU has been welcomdd and those who feel it is time the

British government allowed the widespread use of GM.

We have led agriculture since the very early days, and certainly since

it has been practised on an industrial scale, and we ard unable

to use some of the tools th`t the rest of the world has.

And today a scientist says he thought the public mood had

changed. There is a tiny minority who are

very exercised about the issue, that is true, but I can attdst

the view that the majority of the Scientists, farmers and MPs have

been prominent in trying to persuade the government to allow the growing

of GM crops, but environmental groups are worried.

The consumer has repeatedly said in this country they do not want GM

crops. They want the choice of what they buy, and that choice whll be

much more limited if this goes through.

The government says it recognises the importance of GM but it has to

be used safely and responsibly. Those in favour of that this

decision from Europe will pdrsuade ministers to take the next step but

those against it say they whll fight it all the way.

A drop`in centre used by the homeless in Norwich is closing

tomorrow after 35 years bec`use it can no longer pay the rent.

The centre is in a redundant church which is leased from

The Bishop of Norwich has offered to take the building over,

All Saints Church, a centre of Christian worship for hundrdds of

years and a centre of hospitality for the last 35. It offers help and

support for the homeless. The demand for its work is going up, btt so are

its costs, while its income has gone down.

The rent has gone up from fhve and a half thousand to 14,000, and the

five`year lease runs out early next year, so we will have to negotiate a

new lease which will be verx difficult.

This woman is homeless. She keeps her possessions in a superm`rket

trolley, sleeps rough at night, and uses the centre by day.

When I sell the big issue I find it really helpful to be able to have a

hot lunch and a hot drink. There is no where else we can go for that at

the moment, and it is a gre`t blessing for me, especially since I

had pneumonia earlier this xear so it is very important for me to be

warm. The Bishop of Norwich try to step in

suggesting his group could take over the lease, but the trust did not

agree. To put it bluntly, we attach more to

our interests than we did the interests of somebody else, which is

inevitable. We also have to look at our own position and we havd to

maximise the income we get from our churches so we can look aftdr all of

them and keep them in a reasonable state of repair.

The historic churches trust is confident it can find a new tenant.

The drop`in centre is not so confident it can find a new home.

Householders have been mopphng up after torrential rain brought more

This road at Wymondham in Norfolk was flooded again today 24 hours

after firefighters had pumpdd the water from it.

And cloudbursts left East Street in Sudbury under a foot of water.

So let's see if it's going to get any better

Here's Sara Thornton with the weather forecast.

For tomorrow there is still a risk of showers, but it will be warmer.

Plenty of sunshine around hdre and there as we go through the day.

A lot of places will stay dry, tempered 1920 Celsius. Will warm up

over the coming days and st`y dry and sunny.

That's it from Look East ` I'll be back with more at

Good evening. For some of us, there has been some sunshine but we have

had showers around. Heavier ones during the morning. Starting to lose

their intensity as they moved south. Mainly affecting parts of eastern

England. As we keep a shower in the forecast, most places should be dry.

Some sunshine around. Feeling warmer. Through the night, it will

become fairly chilly with broken cloud giving clearer skies. Towns

and cities, temperatures up by dawn. Still in double figures. But in the

countryside, it will be cooler than that. A chilly start to tomorrow

morning but bright, with sunshine around. We will pick up some areas

where there is slightly more cloud. Throughout the afternoon, it