20/10/2011 Look North (East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire)

The headlines tonight - having to choose between heating and eating.

Fuel poverty takes its toll on elderly residents. Not just the

amount that the Bill is, but it means that we've got to cut back on

our food bills. A late night shopping is dubbed a failure by

traders who say it's putting them out of pocket. After nearly 120

years, the first weekly edition of the Lincolnshire Echo goes on sale.

And the game that has been entertaining crowds for decades

celebrate its birthday. And milder conditions on the way in the next

A Lincolnshire couple have told Look North that the rising cost of

fuel means that they are having to choose between eating or heating

their home. It comes as a new report suggests that almost 3000

people will die this winter because -- as a direct result of fuel

poverty. A household is said to be in fuel poverty when they have to

spend more than 10 % of their income on keeping warm. It is

estimated that 18 % of households across the country are in this

situation. But in parts of Lincolnshire, it is almost double

that at 35 %. Rising fuel bills mean that 4 million households in

England now face fuel poverty. The highest number since 1996. 68-year-

old Isabelle Vint, from Ruskington, has a tough choice to make. Heating

or eating. We are having to cut back on everything. Not just the

amount that the fuel bill Innes, but it means we've got to cut back

on our food bills. Now we've counted the pennies. More than half

of all households in fuel poverty contain someone over the age of 60.

Rising prices mean more are experiencing problems. The latest

figures show gas and electricity bills rose by 18.3 % over the last

year. Whilst food prices rose by 6% and transport costs by 12.8 %.

is an absolutely vital issue. week, the government held a summit

with the big energy providers to talk about what can be done. Their

message - switch suppliers and save money. He at Age UK's Activity

Centre in Lincoln, they are learning the computer skills they

need to shop around for the best energy deal. There were several

comparison sites you can go on on the internet to find out what

prices you can get. But few here believe there's much cash to be

saved. They put a price up once you've changed, it's a waste of

time. And next year they will put the prices up. You end up paying

the same any weight. Barry Earnshaw, from Age UK in Lincoln, says the

government needs to do more. What the government should do is

actually reinstate the winter fuel allowance, which they have reduced.

Secondly, which is more radical, is to start to target the winter fuel

allowance, increase it and targeted on those pensioners who are the

poorest in society. Last winter, East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

experienced particularly harsh conditions. This winter, estimates

suggest that 2700 people across England and Wales will die as a

A group which advises the government on fuel poverty has

tonight said that ministers aren't doing enough to address the problem.

I asked Derek Lickorish, from the Fuel Poverty Advisory Group, to

give his reaction to the recent report which says that thousands of

people will die this year if action isn't taken. I think it's a very

thorough and intellectually rigorous report which should set

alarm bells ringing loudly. Alarm bells ringing loudly for the

government? For the government, for suppliers, for the regulator and

for society as a whole. This report suggests that around 2700 people

will die this winter because of fuel poverty. What is the

government doing, because those figures are terrible? I think the

government should be doing a lot more. The first thing I want the

government to do is press the suppliers to pay the warm home

discount to the broader group. That will be customers who are in

receipt of winter payments. So the government aren't doing enough at

the moment? Not at the moment. Whilst in 2013 we will have the

green deal, it is getting to where we are today to 2013. That is the

challenge. That needs more government effort. In Lincolnshire,

one in every three households is living in fuel poverty. What do you

make of that? It shows the Brett and depth of the problem across the

country are. In Lincoln, it is one of the most severely affected

places in the UK. But this is not really acceptable in this day and

age. People dying. These sorts of projected figures for this winter.

A It is not acceptable, and that's why I would like to see quite a bit

done. I would like to see the regulator be revisiting the

possibility of a regulated tariff for customers who don't access the

market. For many customers, they are over 50 % of them pensioners.

They are not going to get on the internet and get the best deal.

They don't necessarily like direct debits. We have to find a way to

make sure those customers get the best deal, because many of the fuel

poor will not be on the best deal. The target of eradicating poverty

for fuel poverty is set at 2016. Is that possible? It's a very faint

hope. We should identify those we are going to deal with by then and

get on with it as a matter of urgency. A very emotive issue at

the moment. I'd like to know what you think of this one. What should

the government be doing to help tackle fuel poverty, or should the

energy companies be taking more responsibility? Also, what changes

would you be making this winter? What do you think about those

figures, the projected lives being In a moment... She wrote about

Butlins 25 years ago, now this woman is using her memories to

A man from Grimsby who was allegedly filmed mistreating his

dog has appeared before magistrates. 36-year-old Jonathan Bloomfield is

accused of not taking reasonable care of a Staffordshire bull

terrier, and causing unnecessary suffering to the animal. The case

was adjourned until the November 10th and Mr Bloomfield was released

on bail. A teenager has been given a life sentence for the murder of a

67-year-old Lincolnshire man. 18- year-old Aiden Jackson will serve a

minimum of 12 years in jail after killing David Cowley near Sleaford

last year. Police say the case has affected both families. It's been

very difficult for the victim's family. They have lost a loved one.

In Malaysia to the offender, a lot of his very close family members,

his mother, sisters, have had to come to court and give evidence

knowing that the evidence could well bring about conviction for

murder. High-street traders in Lincoln had hoped that it would

attract thousands more shoppers to the city. But four months after

being launched, many say that Thursdays late-night shopping has

flopped. More than a third of the city's businesses have now pulled

out, with many blaming a lack of shoppers. Closing the door on

Lincolns late night shopping. 15 weeks since it was launched, many

say Thursday night shopping has brought little financial gain, with

extra wage bills even leaving some shops out of pocket. We didn't get

a very good football. Not many people were interested after 6pm.

We do get people coming in ban on a 5:30pm, we serve them, but after

6pm we had nobody. The city's late night shopping was launched in July

by Lincoln's business improvement group, with 101 stores agreeing to

open on Thursday night until 8pm. Already, almost 40 of those are

closing early. Unimpressed, it seems, with an average football on

a Thursday night of around 1000 shoppers. I thought I'd come and

have a quick look around the shops but there isn't much to open a toll.

I'm not impressed. It's a bit rubbish. I've heard a few of the

shops have pulled out. There's nothing interesting open. In other

cities late night opening has been more successful. In Leeds, the

White Rose Centre says 22 % of its Thursday shoppers now arrive after

6pm. A significant amount, which business leaders in Lincoln believe

can also be achieved. Yes, it is something that takes time. Sunday

trading took a long time to get established but now it's a very

busy day in the city centre. It takes time for people to get used

to it, to get the confidence and to do something different in terms of

their normal pattern. More stores, it's thought, will open later

during the build-up to Christmas. Many will still need convincing

Plans for a biomass power plant near Brigg have been given the go-

ahead. The straw-burning station at Scawby Brook will power up to

65,000 homes. Many residents were against the plant and North

Lincolnshire councillors initially rejected it. But the Government's

now backed the application after changes were made to a proposed

access route. Plans to scrap CCTV in Lincoln city centre have been

abandoned. The Council says it's still reviewing the service but has

ruled out the option of closing it down completely. The cameras cost

nearly �500,000 a year to operate. A council bailout of a Spalding

shopping centre has been approved. South Holland District Council will

spend nearly �46,000 on the town's Red Lion quarter. The cash will be

used to pay off suppliers who are owed money. In the last hour,

parents of children at a Hull primary school have met their local

MP to discuss concerns that teachers made negative comments

about the pupils on the internet. The board of governors at Westcott

Primary is investigating the claims. Anne Marie Tasker has been in the

meeting, and joins us from there now. Anne-Marie, what was the mood

There was a definite sense of anger. Both that there hasn't been a clear

confirmation of the details of these allegations, and also that

they feel that the head teacher at the school has an taking more

responsibility for the actions of her staff. One of the parents said,

we feel disappointed and let down. That was a sentiment echoed around

the room. It's been almost two weeks since this incident. Many

feel that by now there should be answers to their questions.

parents of West good primary, it was the main topic of conversation

last Wednesday. Allegations that one of the school's teachers had

made derogatory remarks about people from East hole. Some parents

said they'd seen a conversation on Facebook, where they'd described

people from the area as thick and inbred. Hull City Council says it's

still investigating the allegations but added that all schools have

been issued with guidance about the appropriate and responsible use of

social networking sites, such as Facebook. The school apologised for

any offence caused. But for parents and their local MP, that is not the

end of the debate. They want action taken against the teacher allegedly

involved. Many of the parents also say this has been very awkward for

their children. One man in the meetings had her son had come home

and asked what inbred meant. It left some very awkward

conversations. They also say they are worried that the children

haven't been told his school what is going on. They are hoping that

the meeting tonight will help shed light on the subject. No teachers

have said anything to the parents, nothing. This is what people are

probably getting Badat, that nothing has been confirmed. --

getting mad act. If it has one or two bad apples that have performed

less than professionally, they need to be weeded out quickly and the

school needs to get back on track. The teachers in question don't care

enough about the school and about the children that go to the school.

We need people who care. Obviously some angry parents there. I gather

there was a lot of support for some other teachers at the school.

Absolutely. One teacher turned up to the meeting he was applauded for

attending. She said, I don't want everyone to think we are all the

same at the school. Many backed that, saying the majority of staff

they do do an exemplary job. Still ahead... The first weekly edition

of the Lincolnshire Echo goes on sale. And celebrating the game that

Tonight photograph is of one of my favourite places. Another picture

tomorrow night. What a lovely day it's been. On Twitter, excellent

it's been. On Twitter, excellent blog By Paul Hutchison. Did you

enjoy that a sage, Peter? I don't think we want to go there at all.

It's been and gone. If you want to The headline for the next 24 hours

is not a bad one. Skies will brighten with sunny spells. You can

see the weather front there which will try to get across as on Sunday.

Saturday looks nice and fingers crossed we might get away with

Sunday as well. Tomorrow looks OK as well. Start of the half-term

holidays so perhaps not too bad. On the satellite picture, a lot of

clear weather today with a lot of sunshine. Last night that connects

baby got down to-one Celsius. -- Conigsby. The sun will rise in the

morning as you can see. It may well start a bit on the cloudy side but

in general, a lot more clout than today. It should be at Friday and

as the wind freshens from the south-west, it will reveal sunny

spells in places. Temperatures to Celsius higher than today so around

normal for up this time of year. Saturday looks like a lovely day,

when they but bright. A question mark over Sunday with the risk of

some showers but eastern areas should be dry. Monday should be dry

should be dry. Monday should be dry as well. I saw Paul's brick and a

bargain bin on Sunday. There's a bit of publicity for you! -- book.

It's been a daily paper since 1893, but today, the very first weekly

edition of the Lincolnshire Echo has gone on sale. The paper's seen

a steady decline in sales over the last few years, and says the move

to a weekly is needed to secure its long term future. It comes after

the Scunthorpe Telegraph went weekly earlier this year. Here's

Vanessa Clarke. With 192 pages, the Lincolnshire

Echo is four times bigger than it was. But it will now be published

just once a week, and today the new edition hit the shelves for the

first time. I had mixed reactions this morning. Some people are

saying it is old news and they will not bother buying it but other

people are buying it because it is the first edition. It's a new

chapter for the company who decided to make the change because of

falling revenue. It is happening to papers all over the country and we

looked at what we had here and said that so that we could have a strong

product going forward, we are going weekly. It has made a difference as

I am reporting football games that happened on Tuesday and it is

coming out on Thursday. We also have the website as well.

Lincolnshire Echo has been a daily paper since 1893 when it was on

sale for just a ha'penny. And throughout the years, the paper has

kept the people of Lincolnshire up to date, even during the World Wars.

Today in Lincoln, readers had their first look. I think it is better.

They used to have a weekly paper where I used to live. I will miss

the Daily one, I must admit. Now that I am retired I read it every

morning but everything is in there. By the time you get the news once a

week, a lot of it is old hat. paper is following the lead of

others like the Scunthorpe Telegraph which went weekly in

August. It says its readership has increased since the change. The

team at the Lincolnshire Echo will be hoping their new paper will do

just as well. And this might be another story you

want to have your say on. What do you think of the Lincolnshire Echo

going weekly? Maybe you have seen the edition today and had agreed.

There's the email and text details for you now.

And thank you for getting in touch after we told you about figures

showing that people living in Lincolnshire are facing some of the

longest hospital waiting times in the country. It comes as one woman,

left waiting for more than ten months, says it's like having your

life on hold. More than 700 people in the county have been on a list

for over a year. Paul Fields says I have been waiting for an operation

at Lincoln County Hospital for 14 months already and have been told

it could be another year before I get the procedure done. I am in

Thank you for all of those. Children in Hull are getting a

chance to get hands-on experience which could help them to get jobs

in the future. A new Skills Academy is designed to give them an insight

into the building and engineering industries. Several local companies

are offering expert advice and guidance to a wide range of young

people. You get to learn a lot of stuff. Getting experience of it.

is better than being sat in a classroom. You get two more hands-

on and paint and things. I would like to be an electrician, that's

the main one for me. It is here for the use of the whole community to

use the idea is, I used it as they wish, but with the aim of raising

the skills base and the capacity we have. Memories written of a holiday

in Skegness 25 years ago have been re-discovered and are now being

used in a Boston secondary school! Kimberley Alvelda was just 12 years

old when she wrote about her trip to Butlins back in the 80s. Now a

teacher, she'd long forgotten about the diaries, until the BBCs

Domesday Project uncovered them. Simon Spark can explain.

We live in a fast-moving society, where even the world is at our

fingertips. The BBC Domesday project is about taking a snapshot

of how we live now so that it can be recorded and future generations

can learn from it for ever. It is to be a survey of modern Britain...

It was launched 25 years ago with 1 million volunteers taking part.

will use one of these. A video disc. One of the people who put her story

on one of those video discs was Camberley. Before 1930, but once

had a fair where the County Hotel is now.

I chose to do but wins because my grandmother was Billy Butlin's

cousin. I spoke to her about her memories of Butlins when it was in

Skegness. Now in 2011, she has seen her work for the first time since

then on the internet. I was watching the BBC and saw that they

had uploaded it. I went on line to see if my story was there and it

was and I was very excited. It took me back to my 12-year-old self.

Because she is a teacher, C is asking her pupils to do what she

did. These are wireless and when you move around, it is connected to

the computer. We have her own phones and black berries and I

phones. You can still get involved as well. The doomsday clock is

ticking. You have only tell 31st October until it is locked away

again. -- Domesday clock. And as Simon says there, you've got until

the end of the month if you want to get involved. The web address is on

the screen. For one week only, at bingo halls

across East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, it's been out with

legs eleven and two fat ladies and in with number seven Harper

Beckham! Mecca Bingo is celebrating its 50th birthday, and has created

some new bingo calls to celebrate. But what is it about the game

that's seen it last over the decades? Linsey Smith has been to a

hall in Hull to find out. It has entertained crowds for

decades. The this week, one of the country's oldest bingo chain

celebrates its anniversary. years ago, we opened our first club

and we have to celebrate. We have a special game today for the

customers and that is going back to what we did when we first opened

the doors. We have bingo lingo updated for the modern reader.

Recently, it is winners of the National Lottery which have

snatched a big cash wins. This couple from East Yorkshire won over

�2 million. That is 1000 times more than most Bingo jackpot. What keeps

the punters coming? It is not so much the winning, which we all like

to do, but it is the social aspect. We come several days a week and we

have different friends with is a very day. I bet we have lost more

than we won but it is a day out. gives me something to do. Some

people in here take the game very seriously. One person has won

�50,000 today and �2,000 last week but they would not talk to his

first here people might see and they would have to share their

winnings. From bouncing bowls to a high-tech

operation, bingo has moved with the times. This man was the runner-up

in the bingo caller of the Year competition. He says it is a very

competitive affair. You're trying to pick up on things and listen to

things but it is about all round entertaining. The job of bingo

calling us for some, a pastime for later in life, after retirement.

You will have to bear with me on this because this is a first for me.

Don't give up the day-job! He did all right. I am getting the hang of

it. He has a long way to go. Top of the shop, 90. He did good. He's

fired, you had it, Gary. Good job for my retirement. Don't say next

week, please! Let's get a recap of the national and regional headlines.

Celebrations erupt in Libya after Colonel Gaddafi is shot dead.

Having to choose between heating and eating - fuel poverty takes its

toll on elderly residents. Tomorrow's weather. A cloudy damp

start, becoming dry with sunny intervals. Top temperature 14

Celsius. Responses coming in on the subject of fuel and this winter.

Judy says it is not just the elderly who are finding the cost of

heating bad. They get help but I don't and I suffer from rheumatoid

arthritis and if I am not war may suffer. Another says the Government

should make companies pay back profits to low pay bill payers an

increase benefits to the second disabled. Adams says it is cold but

have people not heard of jumpers? Hilary says the key word is target.

Many people with generous pensions get this payment. I gave 90 charity

last year. Finally, it is not just pensioners who need help. Energy