03/01/2017 Look North (East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire)

Good evening and welcome to BBC Look North.

Business booms and Hull sparkles as it become the UK City of Culture.

We a had group of four people in this morning that have come from

Swansea for the full three days just because it was City of Culture.

There is criticism as the last surviving Dambuster is snubbed

The former soldier sent a ?4,000 bill for care by hospital bosses

It is disgusting that they still think I am an overseas visitor and

A sweet start to the New Year - the centuries old tradition

still taking place in East Yorkshire.

And a cold, sunny day to come tomorrow, but it will be windy for

some. I will be back later in the all of the details.

This weekend saw a remarkable start to Hull's year as City of Culture,

as tens of thousands of people flooded into the city

The banks of the Humber were packed as a spectacular fireworks display

marked the start of the celebrations on New Year s Day.

Hotels were full and businesses say they were inundated with people.

In a moment we'll hear from the man responsible, but first,

our Culture Correspondent Anne-Marie Tasker has this report.

Day three of City of Culture and the crowds keep coming.

Tonight, Queen Victoria Square was once again packed with people

watching the light and sound spectacular, part of the week-long

And that's benefitting businesses across the city.

Many cafes and hotels say they have seen a huge increase in custom.

We had a lot of people in last night from the made in Hull. They have

done the wok. People are coming back with relatives at the weekend just

to come and see it. It is just fantastic. We have seen an increase

in football in this area, people have been visiting the dock, the

fruit market regeneration. We had a group of four people in this morning

who had come from Swansea for the full three days just because it is

After fighting among revellers on New Year's Eve in Hull,

not all the press coverage has been positive.

But elsewhere, City of Culture has put the city in the headlines

for all the right reasons, telling the whole country

We didn't really need the City of Culture to tell us we have culture

in Hull, it is just telling the world we have already known. This

secret is out. They can come Nyhan cherub with us. It is no longer just

hours, we are sharing it with the world.

In fact, it's even made it into the news

Part of the opening event shows people from Hull posing

in their favourite film roles, in a project called Hullywood Icons.

It's even got Jim Wardlaw on national TV!

Very surreal. I have had university friends and family and staff ringing

up and saying, just opening the paper and seeing me there, not

realising it was going to be there. Yeah, it has been great. It is great

that we are taking holiday Hollywood, it couldn't be better.

The press has gone crazy, Facebook has gone crazy. Everybody seems to

be joining in and having fun with them, which is great, what it is all

about. Add that to the New Year's Day

fireworks, with an audience of 25,000 people, with tens

of thousands more watching along Organisers say 60,000 people came

into Hull city centre They predict a million extra

visitors will come during 2017 and with crowds still as big

as this, even three days in, Martin Green is the

head of Hull 2017. This afternoon, he was at

the opening of another event, Earlier, I asked him

whether the opening had been When you are making work it's only

50% of a story and it doesn't make We have all been just blown away

by the emotion and the reaction from the crowds that have come

to see Made In Hull. I don't suppose you can put a value

in money terms of the coverage that Hull has had of over the last few

days, can you? We've got people working

behind-the-scenes and at the University of Hull

who in the months to come will put those figures on, but, you know,

people can work out for themselves the voice, the coverage,

the noise that has been around Hull, It's looking really good

for the rest of the year. The thing that has fascinated me

I think more than most is how emotive shining lights

on a building can be. I mean, I have seen people in tears

and I've been reading Well, this, I think,

was the important decision. We all like lights on buildings,

but often that's all it is - It was not until I met

Sean McAllister, the amazing documentary film-maker,

I thought what would happen if you gave it

to him, this mechanism. Then by working with the other

artists, both from Hull and further afield, that is exactly

what they have done - they have used it to tell

these emotive stories, some of which we know,

some of which are new, in vastly different ways as you go

around the city. And you are right, to see people

genuinely moved by what's being played back to them has been

amazingly fulfilling Let me just change the mood

and ask you about The Sun It has upset and hacked-off

a lot of people. People get drunk and moon in every

city on New Year's Eve. Are you cross with the paper,

with this headline of 'Scrapital of Culture' and your logo over

a woman's bottom? Because it is completely unexpected

and completely to form, so the best thing to do

is roll your eyes and ignore it. We know the truth, we know

this city is great. We know that in some ways we are no

different to everybody else and we know that we are also very

special so, do you know what? I have got to ask you,

you hinted earlier today you have Would you like to

tell me what it is? No, because it's one

of the surprise things We are here tonight launching yet

another part of the programme with the University of Hull

and the Brynmor Jones Gallery, with It's going to be a great night

for the University and another huge and important addition

to the cultural story this year. OK, well, I think that's a, "No,

I'm not going to tell you, Peter!" Good to talk to you, Martin,

thank you very much indeed. What do you think of the start

of City of Culture? Did you watch the fireworks or have

you been to Made in Hull? What do you think of

the newspaper coverage - The Sun focusing on New Year s Eve

drunken fights ahead Here's Kofi Smiles with what's

happening this week. 2017 is finally here

and here's what we've got Now, remember, you have got

until Saturday, 7th January to visit 'Made in Hull',

the opening event It's on every afternoon in the city

centre until 7th January. Plus, for a fiver,

you can take 'Pot Luck'. Now, this could be music,

film, spoken word - Just rock up to Fruit on Humber

Street and see what's cooking. Didn't get that 110-tonne bowhead

whale you wanted for Christmas? Well, the Hull School of Art

and Design and Hull University students have teamed up for this

amazing audiovisual display Get up close and personal with one

of the world's largest and longest-living animals,

which allowed Hull to become one of the UK's biggest whaling ports

during the 18th and 19th centuries. On 8th January, Bridlington Spa

have a knees-up in the classiest of fashions as the Manchester Cammarata

are joined by young dancers from East Yorkshire

in the Viennese gala. Every week this year there will be

a new creative challenge. This week, we have been asked

to do a self-portrait There are about ten culture

points-worth on there, yeah? And if you need even more City

of Culture, go to the website A man who says he was abused

by a wealthy Lincolnshire landowner says he hopes his case will help

others affected by Police have reopened

an investigation into Gordon Dawson. The farmer, from Dalby near Spilsby,

was found dead with gunshot wounds in 2007, just hours

after being confronted by police 30 areas of England,

including towns in Lincolnshire, are to get money to build new homes

on old industrial land. The Government says work

will start on thousands They will be sold to young first

time buyers for cheaper The first of the homes are expected

to go on sale next year. Campaigners say they are stunned

and angry that the last surviving dambuster has been ignored

in the New Year's Honours list. There have been calls

for Johnny Johnson to be knighted for his role in the raids,

which flew out of RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire,

and for his charity work. One campaigner says he's written

to the Prime Minister Tennis player Andy Murray

and comedian Ken Dodd - both knighted in the New Year's

honours. But there's disappointment

that Johnny Johnson, the last surviving British veteran

of the famous Dambusters If you are measuring against

contribution to the country or the community, then he should have been

The Dambusters raid was one of the most daring

of the Second World War, with crews in Lancasters dropping

specially-designed bouncing bombs on German dams.

Here, at the International Bomber Command Centre near Lincoln,

the Dambusters are being remembered, but it's director has

told me she believes, at times, the Bomber Boys,

including Johnny Johnson, have been forgotten about.

There has been the general lack of recognition anyway about all of what

bomber commanded, and certainly after the war that was intense. It

It took 70 years for them to get any recognition at all.

In the past, there has been a petition to get Johnny an honour.

I shall feel honoured if I do get the, but it will be for me at all,

it will be for the squadron hampered those who gave their lives.

Those who receive an honour have been officially

In Horncastle today, near to where Johnny was born,

people were shocked he's still not been recognised.

He should have been put in the Honours List. There are a lot of

people in there who I don't believe should be there. We all wouldn't be

here today are people like him hadn't gone forward and thought for

our country. I think that is the kind of person we do need to

But, for now, Johnny will have to continue waiting and see if he's

included when the next honours are announced.

Paul Walmsley has campaigned for Johnny Johnson to be knighted

and written to the Queen and the Prime Minister

Earlier, I asked him why he thought Mr Johnson

Because he is a war hero, he has done a significant amount

of work for charity, particularly in Bristol -

The British Legion and the RAF Benevolent Fund.

He is an outstanding member of his community.

And when you find out on Saturday that he had been overlooked again,

Well, I was totally shocked and amazed at the omission.

There must be a reason why he has not been awarded before now.

I was told earlier last year that recognition of an honour after five

years is only put forward in special cases where the guy has

done incredible things, and if Johnny Johnson hasn't done

incredible things for this country...

How does it make you feel when Mr Johnson misses

out to a civil servant, say, that earns ?165,000 a year,

Well, it's just annoying and it's ridiculous, really.

He has done far more for this country, charity,

and his community than any of those that have received honours.

Now, you have written again, you have written

What did you say to her and what is your message

I think she should look at this case particularly and recognise that

something has gone wrong and she should use her authority

and power to put him forward now for a knighthood.

Do you think she will overturn this one?

I did receive a letter from Buckingham Palace in November

and clearly the Queen is very fond of our Armed Services and she has

met Mr Johnson at the opening of the memorial to Bomber Command

Well, let's hope you get a response from Theresa May.

Should Johnny Johnson be given an award?

Do the likes of Andy Murray or Victoria Beckham deserve honours?

What about entertainers like Ken Dodd, who was given

There is the e-mail address and the text number.

Still ahead tonight: The army veteran who says he is disgusted

after being sent a ?4,000 bill by the NHS.

The New Year tradition still taking place centuries

It is very nice to be back with you, and happy New Year. Tonight's

photograph is a real winner. Tonight's photograph

is a real winner. The Deep and the flood barrier

like we've never seen them before, Bob, thank you very much indeed for

that. More moving pictures of fireworks future in the programme.

Paul was filming just around the corner from my flat this morning. He

didn't even bother to tell me or get in touch or give me a call.

He probably has a good measure of your culinary skills, that is why.

I'm sure you could might go a couple -- a cup of tea for you.

The weather, it is been quite boring today really. Tomorrow will really

quite cold, especially along the coast where there is a strong and

gusty breeze from the north. High pressure continues to dominate into

the estate. Thursday we will start off on a much colder note, many

places below freezing. It will be a cold day but another fine one with

plenty of sunshine. Quite a lot of cloud at the at the moment. This

cloud is moving down from the north, bringing with it more mild air. It

will stay dry tonight overnight. It will become windy and along the

coastline, but it won't be as cold as it was last night, temperatures

down to four or 5 degrees. So, tomorrow we might start with a

bit of cloud early doors, but quickly crisp winter sunshine will

develop. A strong and gusty breeze blowing in along the, potentially

broad blowing in someone to re-showers. It will feel raw along

the coastline, in line and it will get up to about 6 degrees, about

average for the time of year. Really cold on Thursday. We start the day

with the widespread frost. Plenty of sunshine, though. Miles report

Friday, with some rain around, then mild at the weekend as well. I

thought I had gone through with the fine tooth comb. You are letting the

side down with your Christmas eve traffic. Even you should be able to

get the forecast right if it is from Christmas Eve! You have one job, all

you have got is one job! And I can't even manage that! Go away and sort

it. An army veteran from Scunthorpe

says he is disgusted at being accused of cheating the NHS

after he was sent a ?4,000 bill Bosses at Doncaster Hospital say

Malcolm Roberts failed to prove he is eligible for free care,

despite being treated They say patients suspected

of living abroad must now send in ID to stop what's

called "health tourism". The NHS is facing a budget short

fall and now the pressure is on hospitals to claw back

millions of pounds from overseas But when army veteran Malcom Roberts

received a letter wanting him to prove he was eligible for free

healthcare, he thought A few months later he got a bill

for more than ?4,000 for the treatment he'd received

at Doncaster Hospital I was flabbergasted. I didn't think

that being a UK resident, an Army veteran, paid all my taxes and

everything else, that I would get a bill from the NHS for treatments

which I am entitled to free. Anyone with permenant UK residency

is eligible for free NHS treatment, but hospitals will ask for proof

of that eligibility if they suspect a patient lives abroad,

in order to crack down Malcolm thinks the fact

he has worked abroad could have raised questions,

but he says the way his case has It is disgusting the way they have

treated me. It is disgusting that in spite of the information that I have

given to them, that they still think I am an overseas visitor and has to

In a statement, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals Trust said:

Obviously, in this case he is not a foreign citizen and you would hope

that at least an apology should be forthcoming because I do believe he

has had rather harsh treatment, as he sees it, which is why, one of the

reasons, why it has come into the public domain.

Today, the Patients' Association said the trust should apologise.

Malcom says he get plenty of support from his local army veterans

But he's concerned that for some people, an unexected bill

Malcolm got in touch with us with his story. If you think you have

something that needs a wider audience, please get in touch with

us and we might be able to put it on the telly, as always.

An exotic pet refuge in Lincolnshire is looking after a scorpion

which caused a London to Edinburgh train to be halted after it crawled

The Guatemalan scorpion made its surprise appearance

It was in the bag of a passenger who had just returned

It has since given birth at the centre in Deeping St James.

This one being pregnant had stowed away in the Lady's five to try to

find some dark and secure to have its babies. I suspect that it could

be pregnant so, this morning, it was a little bit of a surprise.

Dozens of school children in East Yorkshire have taken

part in the centuries old tradition of scrambling.

Shop keepers throw sweets and coins into the street which local children

A shoulder of mutton, a crown to spend.

A traditional rhyme that shopkeepers reward with sweet and coins.

It's a ritual repeated up-and-down Driffield High Street.

They throw money and sweets and we just grab it.

I've got loads of sweets and it's been really fun.

A shoulder of mutton, and a crown to spend.

It is thought to have started in the 1800s,

It's all about the community, it's all about shopkeepers giving

back to the community for local spend.

I think it's absolutely wonderful, we should keep it going,

It's special to Driffield and Driffield is a special town.

We have been here for 25 years and over the 25 years they have

The sweets on offer may have changed a bit over the years

but the enthusiasm for the annual scramble is as great as ever.

Katy Austin, BBC Look North, in Driffield.

Let's get a recap of the national and regional headlines.

Just weeks before official Brexit talks begin and Britain's top EU

A boost for business as Hull's city of culture year bursts into life.

Tomorrow's weather, plenty of sunshine but feeling cold,

especially along the coast with the wind will be strong and gusty Andy

Goode be a few showers. Top temperatures of six Celsius, 43

Fahrenheit. Not a response on the City of

Culture. Christine says watching the highlights on the TDI felt I would

burst with pride. Fantastic. Can't wait to see what the rest of 2017

holds for the City of Culture. Chris says I watch them from the warmth of

my loft window. Marco says all Hull needs now is a replica we'll like

the London eye, that would be a fantastic idea. Lucy said, awesome,

so proud. Gary was not so impressed, a few fireworks and some jam

projectors. Shame you can't get any to see it due to the ridiculous

traffic scheme we have. It's all a big joke. This is not culture. That

is happy Gary with that message. Carol says Queen Victoria Square was

incredible and the fireworks were brilliant. Paul Aiton says the

people opposed to do the same as Liverpool did to disarm after

Hillsborough and stop buying it. Another one here, sadly, it is

typical of the sun to be the opportunists and create negativity

while the rest of the country is excited about how's year. Thank you

very much indeed for all of those. It has been an amazing few days for

Hull has it became the UK's City of Culture. That is it from me at the

moment. I will be back with the ladies at 10:25 p.m., but let's

finish with some of the highlights from an unforgettable weekend.

Goodbye for now. Magical new drama...

The Worst Witch. Something like this

could change my life. We're looking for someone

who can sing, someone who can move.