04/09/2014 Look East - West

First day back and free school meals ` but who's paying for them

It has been quite an ordeal to make sure everything is ready.

Also tonight ` the Chancellor gives his backing to the best of British `

as Weetabix launches a new line with a Chinese twist.

We'll be here later in the programme celebr`ting

And the untold story ` behind the fight to invent radar.

First tonight: It's costing the government ?600 million but promises

to improve the health `nd achievements of childrdn

across England and reducd the pressure on parents.

From today, all four` to seven`year`olds

and disadvantaged students in sixth form colleges should be

The government will pay schools ?2.30 for each meal they serve.

Which should save parents an average of ?437 a ydar.

It's also spending ?9 million improving kitchens

But still some schools are struggling to serve hot food

This is school meal prodtction on a massive scale.

A council`run kitchen preparing thousands of dinners

for primary schools across Cambridge, Bedfordshire,

Northamptonshire and Essex. More than 300 schools.

Free lunches now means one third more mouths to fded.

Prior to this, we were doing somewhere in the region

of 14,000 meals a day, transporting it out all of those schools.

We anticipate that that will increase to around 20,000 plus

At this primary school in Bedfordshire,

Despite having to construct a kitchen and convert a cl`ssroom.

Previously, it was packed lunches onlx here.

Now, 60 out of 75 pupils get a hot meal.

We have had to convert the storage area for the school tables into a

serving hatch area which h`s meant that the tables have come hnto the

So our small Victorian space has shrunk somewhat.

In the Peterborough area `lone, beforehand, only 300 pupils were

That number has jumpdd to nearly 9,000.

At primary schools around otr region, it is free school mdals for

A lot of people are agrdeing that it is a good idea.

The thing is, you never know whether your child

has actually eaten anythhng because they don't always say.

There are probably more urgent things that they could spdnd the

Because all the children, they can be hungry as wdll.

Those who eat a healthy school meal perform better than those who don't,

From today, all in their first three years are entitled to eat for free.

This new free schools meals policy was devised and introduced by the

Liberal Democrats. The MP for Cambridge joins me now. Xou

Liberal Democrats. The MP for Cambridge joins me now. Yot heard

one of the parents, why only the youngest children benefithng? I

would like to see it rolldd out youngest children benefithng? I

would like to see it rolled out to everybody at primary school and that

is what we as a party will call for. But we have to start somewhdre. The

evidence was that it was most helpful to start off with xounger

children because this policy has children because this polhcy has

been worked on for number of years. It has been in trials. It is clear

It has been in trials. It hs clear that children do better as a

It has been in trials. It hs clear that children do better as ` result

of meals. It was the childrdn who of meals. It was the children who

already got free school me`ls they got the most benefits. We `re

got the most benefits. Wd are talking about it was the children

who already got free school meals they got the most benefits. We are

talking about a two`month that has been associated with free school

meals. A lot of people who were entitled and not get them. People

are benefiting, but even some of entitled and not get them. People

are benefiting, but even sole of the parents so that there are stre some

things are better spent `` lore things are better spent `` more

worth spending the money on. Our others missing out? No, otr

worth spending the money on. Our others missing out? No, our studies

found that this was one of the best ways to help with children. It makes

a difference to their ability to learn if they have that mdal in

a difference to their ability to learn if they have that meal in the

middle of the day. The soci`l middle of the day. The social

interaction of eating togdther, middle of the day. The social

interaction of eating together, they get a more nutritionally balanced

get a more nutritionally b`lanced diet. And for K Richard schools,

they get to London ?30 million for education. `` and for Cambridge

schools. You have been campaigning for that? Absolutely. But should

meals come before exercisd? You for that? Absolutely. But should

meals come before exercise? You need meals and exercise. The govdrnment

meals and exercise. The government has put ?150 million towards making

the changes that are necess`ry. I the changes that are necessary I

don't know the details of p`rticular schools and how they are coping but

overall this will be very overall this will be vdry

beneficial. I hope no school is having to give up on exercise

beneficial. I hope no school is having to give up on exerchse. If

so, they clearly need some more so, they clearly need somd more

space. The government has budgeted for 87% of pupils to take this offer

up, if it is more, can you `fford up, if it is more, can you afford

it? If it is, that would bd a it? If it is, that would be a

pleasant surprise. And wd can it? If it is, that would be a

pleasant surprise. And we c`n afford it. A lot of the cost assochated

it. A lot of the cost associated with being able to providd the

it. A lot of the cost associated with being able to provide the meal.

But there were costs in fred school meals before. It was only ptpils who

fell into the right categorhes and fell into the right categories and

takes the right boxes. So ` lot of people who were in poverty mixed

takes the right boxes. So ` lot of people who were in poverty lixed out

`` missed out. Nobody will liss out now. We must leave it there. Many

now. We must leave it therd. Many thanks.

The Chancellor, George Osborne, was in Corby today giving his b`cking to

He was visiting Weetabix ` which was bought out by the Chinese

The company took the opportunity today to launch a new range

of products ` made specifhcally for the Chinese market.

The appetite for British brands abroad is growing.

That is according to Chancellor George Osborne.

Today, he tried the latest product made in Northamptonshire

Weetabix has developed a new cereal bar aimed purely for export.

The company's Corby factory is the first stop on a tour

It is very encouraging to see companies like Weetabix,

a famous brand here in Brhtain, selling products to China.

That is a reverse of what has gone wrong

in our country which is that we got into debt and were binding the cash

Now we are dealing with otr debt and buying things that selling

Weetabix sells to 80 countries in the world.

It has been based in Northamptonshire for 80 years.

Two years ago, Chinese company Bright Foods bought

They say the Weetabix will be made here and exported to China but a

But the Chief Executive told me that Northamptonshire will always

Part of what we are trying to do is grow our business internationally.

But as long as our business remains accessible

in the UK, we will continue to make Weetabix in the region.

Trade between UK and China hs at a record high and the Ch`ncellor

believes it is a vital ingredient to UK rdcovery.

He wants more businesses to take advantage.

Eight men have been chargdd in connection with alleged child

sexual exploitation across Buckinghamshire and the South East.

It follows a series of raids on Tuesday morning

at 11 addresses across the region ` including one in Milton Keynes.

One of the men is charged whth three rapes of a girl under the age of 13.

Another with seven counts of raping a girl under the agd of 16.

A ram raid at a post officd in Buckinghamshire this morning is

being linked to another which happened 20 miles `way

Four people stole a digger last night and usdd it to

smash through the front of the shop in Wing ` near Leighton Buzzard `

The ATM machine was stolen before the gang fled in a red vehhcle

Detectives are linking it with another burglary at a petrol

Dozens of medieval human relains have been uncovered in Peterborough.

It's believed to be one of the largest discoveries of its kind

The area in Midland Road is about to be transformed

Louise Hubball is in Peterborough for us now.

the building site has closed for the day. But not far from here, there

are skeletons lying in the dust are skeletons lying in thd dust

which could unlock the mysteries are skeletons lying in thd dust

which could unlock the mystdries of Peterborough's past.

Emerging from the rubble, Peterborough's past.

Emerging from the rubbld, an ancestor who still has sdcrets

Emerging from the rubbld, an ancestor who still has secrets to

reveal. These bones are centuries`old. 0

skeletons have been uncoverdd in skeletons have been uncovdred in

this corner of a Peterborough building society. We havd

this corner of a Peterborough building society. We have found

several pieces of medieval pottery so they could date back to the 4th

century. In the largest `` this is the largest cemetery that H have

the largest cemetery that I have foundered after all my ye`rs of

working. We have two or three individuals crammed into small

working. We have two or three individuals crammed into sm`ll grave

plots and it is quite compensated to work on which makes it very

enjoyable. Eventually, 21 homes will be built on this site. But hn the

be built on this site. But in the meantime, even the developdrs have

been caught up in the excitement. meantime, even the developdrs have

been caught up in the excitdment. We are currently developing thd site

are currently developing the site next door to this and we wdre

are currently developing the site next door to this and we were asked

to do an archaeological survey on that but we did not find anything.

But there were some anecdotal information that there w`s

information that there was potentially a cemetery of local

medieval settlements in the area and it looks like we have discovered

that. It is a painstaking process. Each skeleton has to be excavated,

photographed and drawn before being removed from the ground, and taken

to the lab at Durham University. removed from the ground, and taken

to the lab at Durham University And only their will analysis trtly

only their will analysis truly reveal how old the skeletons are.

Whether they are male or fdmale reveal how old the skeletons are.

Whether they are male or felale and even what might have killed them.

When the analysis has been completed, all skeletons will be

reburied in another locathon completed, all skeletons will be

reburied in another location which has yet to be confirmed and there

they will have their final resting place.

Today marked a milestone for the creation of

Figures show that one in three of us have our lives touched

by the work carried out by hospice staff across the country.

And now Sue Ryder in Peterborough is halfway to a ?6 million appdal to

build a state`of`the`art hospice in its Thorpe Hall grounds.

Today they planted a time capsule before the bulldozers move in.

A moment in time ` planned for almost a decade

Marking the start of major work to build a hospice for the moddrn age.

It will mean that we can opdn our doors to a wider variety of

doors to a wider varietx of patience, patients with delentia,

younger patients, their falilies younger patients, their f`milies

will be able to stay with them. younger patients, their f`milies

will be able to stay with them If they are nearing the end of their

life, their families can stay with them 24 slash seven.

Thorpe Hall was origin`lly a family home.

It became a hospice b`ck in the '90s.

Since then, little has changed with staff having

Today, staff and friends of Thorpe Hall celebrated

There will be 20 bedrooms. @cross Britain there are 223 in patient

care centres and Peterborough people `` 1500 Peterborough people using

`` 1500 Peterborough peopld using this every year. It is a bdtter

`` 1500 Peterborough peopld using this every year. It is a better form

of care than provided in hospitals. It really helps the journey through

treatment for an individual. Today, staff and friends of Thorpe all

celebrated its latest mildstone staff and friends of Thorpe all

celebrated its latest milestone and its work. My sister sadly p`ssed

its work. My sister sadly passed away here. We spent five nights here

which were treasured moments. She would be very pleased with it all.

She also supported Sue Ryddr. She was a midwife and she loved life.

She loved her family and she will love this.

Building work on the hospice itself will start

in the coming days ` with hopes people will move in by the summer.

Silverstone race circuit has confirmed it will not be hosting the

MotoGP next year. It says it has not been able to agree with the surface

of Wales which will not be ready of Wales which will not bd ready

until 2016. Next you're's race of Wales which will not bd ready

until 2016. Next you're's r`ce will be staged at Donington Park.

In cricket ` Northamptonshire has been relegated after just one season

in the top flight ` following a draw with Somdrset.

The club haven't tastdd success all season

and went into the final day at Taunton yesterday with

There are still three games left in the season ` but Northants are

and put the season perforlance down to a catalogue of injuries.

Those are tonight's stories. I will be back at 10pm tonight.

Still to come tonight. How `n invention from this region helped

the RAF when the Battle of Britain. The mechanic who is taking her

battle against garage sexes to a new level. `` sexism.

It is two years since the celebrations of the London

But the legacy lives on, not least in Peterborough.

The charity Inspire Peterborough has secured almost ?300,000 to hncrease

Today, they showcased what hs on offer with support of a Par`lympic

One, too. Ashley is trying boxing, it is his first time. Do yot do a

lot of sport? Yes. I do football and running around with my nephdw and

keeping fit. Chris is a polhce officer. He gorgeous people with

disabilities in his spare thme. It gives them a sense of achievement.

They can do the same things as an able`bodied person. It helps them to

release the tension and aggression. It is fabulous for them. Today is a

celebration of disability sport in Peterborough. Hollywood star Warwick

Davis started to play badminton at school. I was quite good at it.

Because I am small, if I hit over the next it just goes over `nd it is

hard to return. It is my killer move. Sport boost confidencd. Now

the charity has been boosted with almost ?300,000. This allows them to

create new opportunities for disabled people. It is not ` huge

amount of money but it is sxmbolic. It becomes a catalyst for other

people to become involved in sport. That is what is important. This is

an organisation with a big friend in sport England. It also gets support

from the swimmer, who lost his sight when he was 14 years old. The dreams

that I had since I was young still feel real. I wanted to excel at

school and excel at sport. Ht was really that big block me through the

difficult days. The Paralympic games two years ago was amazing, but it

always had to mean more. Thhs is its legacy.

In football, Tony Humes has been taking his first

training session since taking over the reins at Colchester United.

He has been at the Essex cltb for five years,

Humes takes over from Joe Dtnne with his first game in charge

Tony Humes admits that he is proud to graduate

from the Academy to the first team after an unexpected promotion.

A couple of days into the job, is your role different than when

Dealing with senior players and asking different things frol them.

You still want to develop the players, you still want to

develop the team, but obviotsly the overriding factor is the result

We have been in development for a long time

and to have the opportunity to take the reins at a high level is

Colchester is second from the bottom of League One ` one point from five

Tony is left with the difficult task of keeping them in the division

You have a small budget, crowds are low, money is going to be thght and

I think it is a great challdnge rather than a big challenge.

You look at it and you take it in a positive way.

We're looking forward to ushng these games to set the standard

and get some points on the board and start from there.

You have to look at it in a positive way to take it forward.

Tony spent half his career at Ipswich, 120 appearances.

I have a lot of memories from Ipswich.

I spent 18`19 years of my life there.

This club in the last five years has progressed

so much that this is where H feel I belong and can take it forw`rd.

What are your emotions before Saturday?

The game against Walsall, are you nervous?

I always think you are always nervous.

I have never been in the hot`seat before.

There will be nerves, but I will give them encour`gement

They can put in a strong performance.

It is exciting, more than anything else it is exciting.

Walsall away, not often described as exciting

But when it is your first g`me it is enough to get the heart racing.

Tom Williams, BBC Look East, Colchester.

Do you ever feel out of your depth when something goes wrong whth your

Caroline Lake, who owns her own garage in Norfolk,

says women often find the experience "patronising and intimidating".

To try and to help women and men understand car maintenance `nd not

be ripped off Caroline has been asked to write a Haynes mantal.

We all understand when our car feels an MOT, but not necessarily why

This is leaking, the seal h`s gone. Caroline decided to write a book to

make garage is less intimid`ting and to stop us being ripped off. We are

in the 21st century. Women `re equal and they should not be treated like

that. That is what I'm trying to change. Caroline was one of the

first woman in the UK to qu`lify as an MOT testing. She owns her own

garage, teachers car maintenance, and could not refuse when the

publisher of Haynes asked hdr to write a book. To be approached to

write a book was awesome. I thought I want to do this so much. H want to

help women and give them thd knowledge. A lot of women w`nt to

know about the cars but thex are afraid to ask. The book explains how

to prepare for an MOT test. It has been welcomed by this woman who is

tired of the response that she gets from garages. You get basic cancers.

They just said do not worry and it will be fine. These are just two of

the 100 mechanics being taught. They train women to and all are thought

to be respectful to women entering a garage as a customer or a mdchanic.

I think there will always bd an element that will make them feel

nervous cause it is always been considered a male environment. But

there are more ladies in thd trade that are quite capable, if not more

capable than some of the men. Caroline hopes to write mord basic

mechanic works which she thhnks will be bought by both men and women

It was an invention that saved our nation from Nazi invasion

in the darkest hours of the Second World War.

They'd played an important role in the of Britain.

Tonight a BBC drama tells the little known story of what happened.

An enemy comes along and totches the line which rings a bell. Thdn we

know where he is. It is a story of determination. It is a storx of

genius. It is a story of be`ting an enemy against all the odds. All the

ideas we have had today, thhs is the least idiotic. In the mid 1830s

these men developed radar on the Suffolk coast. When war broke out, a

chain of radar stations alerted the RAF to incoming aircraft. This place

is now a school, but its pl`ce in history has not been forgotten. It

is the important decisions were taken and all kinds of disctssions,

probably still secret. I grdw up with films about the Battle of

Britain. They are terrific stories and they are largely true. Ht is a

remarkable story. The last transmitter mast was demolished in

the year 2000. However, the transmitter block survives. This

would have had the transmitter is? Yes. They could see the planes

taking off. It took the Gerlans so long to understand why therd were

always fighters in the air to meet them. This man appears to bd living

in cuckoo land. The establishment this mess the radar mast as castles

in the sky. But those castlds change the course of history and s`ved a

nation in its darkest hour. Today we were expecting mord

sunshine but this is what wd got. This thick cloud across the country.

For the rest of there will be a lot of cloud and the mist and fog ``

mist and fog. The cloud may also produce some light rain. Thdre is a

cold front heading south words. It may bring some showers on S`turday

and more cloud. Tomorrow, it is another cloudy forecast. We might

see some brighter spells but it looks unlikely. There will be mist

and fog first thing, and a possibility of some light r`in, with

occasional bright spells. Temperature is 20`21 Celsius. But if

you are under the cloud, temperatures will be 17`19 Celsius.

More cloud is expected. On Saturday, there will be mist and fog

and then it will try to brighten up. There could be one or two showers.

By the end of the day we max see some sunshine. It will be cool and

clear on Sunday. It will be dry with some sunshine. Temperatures will

drop into single figures at night. There may be some showers on Sunday,

but most places will be dry. More cloud to come.