10/11/2011 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Hello and welcome to Thursday's Look North. Tonight:

Anger and disbelief as Newcastle United announce they're re-naming

St James's Park. Absolutely disgusting. It will always be St

James' Park. The are changing the name? You are joking. We're live

outside the ground with full reaction to the club's decision.

Plus, we ask will it bring in the millions of pounds the owner is

hoping for? Also tonight a murderer cleared of

a prison assault could now face a private prosecution.

Hundreds turn out to pay their respects in the final farewell to

Sir Jimmy Savile. And we are live at the MetroCentre

for the bigger Christmas light switch on. But who either mystery

It's been called St James's Park for more than 100 years - but not

any more. There's been widespread anger among Newcastle United fans

across the world, after Mike Ashley, the club's billionaire owner,

announced he's renamed the famous old football ground "The Sports

Direct Arena" after his own company. But it could change again. He's

hoping to sell the naming rights as soon as possible, claiming it's a

"lucrative way" to attract additional income. Dawn Thewlis

joins us now from outside the ground. Dawn, can we still call it

St James's Park? Well, I reckon you can, especially

while the sign's still up. But don't be surprised if this

disappears overnight. Because, as you said, the ground is now

officially at least called the "Sports Direct Arena". The reason

the renaming is so contentious is because this is an old stadium with

130 years of history behind it, not a new-build, and it strikes at the

very heart of Newcastle fans. But the club will tell you that the

naming rights and a shirt sponsorship deal are worth between

�8-10 million. Well, people have been queuing up to have their say

It's two years since Mike Ashley launched a contentious but

unsuccessful bid to sell naming rights to the stadium incorporating

the words "St James's Park," home to Newcastle United since 1892. But

while Ashley's had to settle for plugging his other main business

interest, the fans have been basking in the warm glow of a team

riding high in the Premier League. Until this morning, that is. And

the battle lines have been drawn between a "nice little earner" in a

money-driven sport and decades of tradition. I am an old time there.

My son is modern, he says you have to go with The Times. But to bring

their history back, St James' Park has all the history. It is a

massive change for me. I am not saying it is wrong but I feel sad

about it. Absolutely disgusting, it will always be St James' Park.

are changing the name? You are joking. It is tradition, it will

always remain St James' Park. It does not matter about the name

change. A massive kick in the teeth for fans and anyone connected to

the city. News has even reached celebrity

News has even reached celebrity News has even reached celebrity

fans in the Australian jungle. They were quick to say there is no

They were quick to say there is no name -- plan to rename the local

metro station. But what do Ashley's predecessors

But what do Ashley's predecessors think?

The fallout will be felt beyond football as the stadium hosts,

among other things, weddings. for a lot of plans the fall-out

goes well be all and it all. dream has been to marry her fiance

there. I was a bit gutted, but I thought about it and it will not

spoil my plans. I have waited eight years, so will my invitations will

say St James' Park, not "The Sports Direct Arena". I am just worried

about the branding everywhere. Newcastle's next home game is not

until 3rd December. Will the row Well, just two years ago when

Managing Director Derek Llambias was asked if St James Park would

always stay in the name, he said, "Absolutely. In our reign.

Absolutely!" So considering all the upset it's

causing among the fans, just why is the club renaming the stadium? Is

it really worth it? They say it's to generate essential finance to

allow the club to move forward. Keith Akehurst looks at the

Inside Newcastle United's home, it's already difficult to spot the

name St James's Park. The owner's firm is emblazoned everywhere.

Maybe the manager realises the time's up. Even his seat has the

boss's logo on. The first attempt to cash in on the

naming rights was two years ago. The club admit they tried to get a

global sponsor, but no-one was interested. So, Mike Ashley named

it after his own firm. They've been told that St James's Park name is

just too local. We took advice from several experts. Basically, to give

ourselves a chance, they said we have to look for a different market.

The word Arena opens doors to a different type of sponsor.

managing director says the club have to maximise cash flows and

revenues. I would hope to generate between 8 and �10 million every

year. We need to be self-sufficient and this will help us. The fans

want us to find more players. We need a striker for January and we

need to give ourselves as much money as possible.

Financial experts are sympathetic to the dilemma United find

themselves in. It is understandable what they are trying to do football

clubs are under a lot of pressure. Clubs have got to get their act

together, and that means utilising every stream of revenue that they

can find. We want to go down a road of sustainability, where clubs are

not in huge amounts of debt. That means there will need to be some

sacrifices. And losing a name that has been synonymous with the ground

for over 100 years is going to be one of those opportunity costs that

football is is sadly going to have to bear.

For a number of years, Newcastle United was kept afloat with support

from the city council. This is an insult to thousands of football

fans in Newcastle and the wider region. St James's Park has been

the home of football in Newcastle for more than 130 years. To change

the name of an icon like this is beyond the pale.

So, it seems it's time to wave bye- bye to the old name.

Well, with me now is the editor of "Toon Talk" fanzine Steve Wraith.

Steve, "The Sports Direct Arena" - how does that sound to you? It does

not sound good at all. It does not have the same ring to it as St

James' Park, and it is years of history and tradition and heritage

just torn away by that man again. I have heard his argument and the

statement, and it does not really wash. It is just a bit of an excuse.

There is no money coming in, this is just another example of non-

communication with supporters and in just doing what he wants. Very

disappointing, and a lot of upset between people ranging from 19 or

2285. What do you make of what you make of the timing? It just seems

to be that time for bad news. Again, another international break, a bit

of a dip in news items, and it is a good chance to create some PR for

his global brand. It is disappointing, very disappointing.

The club and its football team are doing very well, we are in the top

four. And it is not really what you need in those circumstances.

We have her words like tradition, history and heritage mentioned a

lot. But does that count for very much in football these days?

Probably not is the answer. Well, talking to

Well the "Sports Direct Arena" name may never be adopted by the fans,

but it could be a lot worse. The men are running Newcastle

United say this is all about being up there with the Arsenals and the

Chelseas. Chelsea has come out and said they are going to rename their

present stadium. They have a lot of history as well but they have an

owner at has more money. We do not have that money. And we want to

compete with the big boys, so we have to bring in more revenue.

There is a difference, though. Chelsea says any new sponsor will

have to include the words Stamford Bridge in any new name. As for

Arsenal, they did not replace the name of their stadium. They built a

brand new one on an old industrial estate. It is not even on the site

of their old ground. What do people on Tyneside think it is all about?

Money, definitely money. Money. Money, it is just about money.

Money. Her money. And they have a point. In the world of corporate

sponsorship and footballing finance, The sports director Rina name may

never be adopted by the fans, but it could be a lot worse. These are

some of the names of other stadiums TThere's Hunky Dory's Park at

Drogheda in Ireland, Witton Albions ground used to be called the

Bargain Booze Stadium. And how about Dick's Sporting Goods Park in

Colorado? Perhaps Newcastle Fans should think themselves lucky - for

now at least! And who knows, whoever buys the naming rights

might even bring the St James's As a soldier, he survived tours of

Northen Ireland and Iraq. But he was attacked and stabbed, doing his

job, just two miles from his home. As we told you on yesterday's Look

North, Craig Wylde was one of three officers at Frankland Prison in

Durham who was stabbed by a triple murderer. His attacker - 24 year-

old Kevan Thakrar - was cleared of all charges, after claiming he

lashed out in self-defence. But this evening, the Prison Officers

Association says it's considering funding a private prosecution

against Thakrar. Stuart Whincup reports.

Craig Wylde and his wife Kat remember every detail of the

horrific attack. They were both working on the same prison wing

when it happened. He stabbed me as quickly as that. At first I thought

he had just punched me, until I heard the splash of blood. I saw

him cracker -- staggering towards the clinic door. There was just so

much blood coming out of his arm, it sounded like there was a tap

running it was so loud. I just thought, this is it. His perfect

man that I have met, who I want to spend the rest of my life with. I

thought I was going to lose him, in their or all places. Kevan Thakrar

admitted stabbing Craig and his two colleagues. But he said he was

suffering from post traumatic stress and lashed out because he

feared he was going to be attacked. Twenty months on, Craig suffers

constant pain from his injuries. That day has changed thier lives.

Creed is humiliated if we go out for a meal because I have to chop

up his food, he cannot use a knife and fork. I get defensive when I

see people looking as well. People just do not realise. It has such a

massive impact. A if we go shopping and he goes to the toilet, I have

to go and help him with his hands. I think people think, though, it is

just a stab in the arm. I do not think people understand the

severity of the case. After he admitted to the attack, the couple

can't believe Thakrar was cleared of all charges. After this

judgement, they fear for every prison officer. Staff in the prison

service, I do not see how they can do their job without thinking, is

the prisoner at that I'm going to unlock going to come out and attack

me? It has opened the floodgates. Any attack on staff now, people can

say they have post-traumatic stress A report's been published into an

emergency landing by a plane whose wheel fell off. The Flybe Exeter to

Newcastle flight last March returned to Devon after the wheel

fell from the aircraft, as the landing gear retracted. The Air

Accident Investigations Branch says a bearing had seized up, and

'consequential damage' allowed the wheel to detach. The report said

that 'despite the Captain inspecting the main landing gear

before takeoff, it's unlikely the abnormalities would have been

visible.' The Sunderland footballer, Titus

Bramble, has denied sexually assaulting two women. Bramble is

also charged with urinating in a public place. The charges relate to

a night out in Yarm in September. Bramble appeared before Teesside

Magistrates today, and is due back in court in January.

The return of steel-making to Teesside has been delayed. SSI has

announced the target date to restart the blast furnace is now

the 6th of January next year. It's because additional remedial work is

needed. The firm's chief executive admitted it's "disappointing" but

said it won't affect the recruitment programme.

Hundreds of people turned out to say a final farewell to Sir Jimmy

Savile, who was laid to rest today in Scarborough, his favourite

seaside town. Cathy Killick has this report. A ripple of applause

for Scarborough's adopted son. The procession passing the Esplanade

here. Crowds lining the route, many knew him personally and those who

didn't felt they did. A message spelled out by his fans for him.

will be Mr everywhere. Very few people like him around these days.

We had prime position. To come and pay our respects. A great guy who

made people's dreams come true. cavalcade continued along the drive,

he often ran this route whilst training. Giving him a view of the

sea. At the woodland cemetery a suitable plot was prepared as more

family and friends gathered for the burial itself. Bless this grave and

watch over it as we buried here the body of how brother Jimmy Savile.

He wanted to lie at an angle of 45 degrees so he could look at the sea.

His wish was granted. For the family there are mixed feelings, it

is the end of a long farewell. in one way, it was a public funeral,

he meant a great deal to his family. Joy for in the are the fact that he

brought so much happiness to people's lives, people respected

him so much and it was just so nice that people turned round and said

"yes, we will pay an hour last respects to him." that is Yorkshire

people for you. Parts of him would undoubtedly have enjoyed the last

three days of hullabaloo, but what he asked for was this, some were

good to rest with a view he laughs. That is what we will have. He

worked out life's pleasures, have fun, do a good turn, and have a

view of the sea. The jury, in the trial of a care

worker accused of ill-treating patients at the Amathea Care Home

in Workington, has been sent home for the night. 24 year-old

Kimberley Walker is accused of ill- treating two dementia patients. She

denies both charges. The jury at Carlisle Crown Court was sent out

this morning. The Newcastle United footballer,

Nile Ranger, has been fined �3,300 after admitting drink-driving. The

20 year-old striker was arrested in September, after he was pulled over

by police in Newcastle. Tests showed he had 94 milligrammes of

alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, the limit is 80.

Mark Allison, the man behind the "Run Geordie, Run" challenge, which

saw him cross the United States in 100 days to raise money for charity,

has announced his latest target. The 40 year-old from Shotley Bridge

will run across Australia, covering 2,600 miles from Perth in Western

Australia to Bondi Beach in Sydney. The 70 day trip will start in

October 2013. The families of two Gateshead men,

who died after taking the heroin substitute, methadone, as a

recreational drug are calling for a change in the law. In all, four

young men from the Tyneside area have died in the last year after

taking the drug, having been unaware of its dangers. For

tonight's Look North report, BBC Newcastle's political reporter,

Fergus Hewison, has been speaking to some of the families involved in

the campaign. Went to bed, about 3am in the

morning, when the police knocked on the door. They told us that... To

tell us that he had died. He had died because somebody had given him

methadone. He had been with his mates, somehow he had got some

methadone. He slipped into a coma. He could not do anything.

grieving families, after the deaths from the heroin substitute

methadone. So did Stephen, 19. They are for people trying to kick

heroin addiction but neither of these men were addicts, they took

it as a recreational drug not knowing its dangers. I still feel

the pain now. People using it must normally take it in front of a

pharmacist, but at weekends if the pharmacy is closed, people can take

it home. Some users are then selling it on the black market with

deadly consequences. Methadone is not a recreational drug, it is

prescribed for people trying to give up heroin. If your body is not

used to opiates then it can be lethal. Regardless of your

circumstances, mixing methadone with alcohol can to press your

breathing and upset your heart rhythm. It can cause death. I would

say "please, please, don't you somebody else's methadone." for

stop now are calls for the law to be changed. You must asked -- ask,

if it cannot be trusted, why do you want to give it out just for the

weekend? It does not make sense, it is dangerous. It is killing the

young ones. Methadone from uses is getting into the market and being

bought by unsuspecting people who don't really know what it can do to

them. I would like to see tighter controls. The Department of Health

says it is under the strictest controls possible, and it points

out only those who have been carefully assessed can take doses

home. However, at present it has no They could've paid a fortune and

brought in a pop star or a contestant from X-Factor. But, any

minute now, the MetroCentre's Christmas lights will be turned on

by some real heroes instead. The Centre's decided to ignore the

celebrities and allow a very special group of children to do

this year's big switch-on. Peter Harris is live at the MetroCentre

now. We are at fever pitch. Yes! This is

special, no celebrities here, nobody from X factor or strictly

come Dancing, tonight it will be the children from the heart unit.

Let us speak to some of them, going on to this stage. We have Lucy and

Noah. Hello Lucy, can you turn round so our camera can see you.

am very excited. You were doing cartwheels earlier. You were poorly

weren't you? You have done very well. You have been brave. What do

you think it will be like when you press the button? I don't know.

have had a heart transplant haven't you? It was really scary. What will

it be like when you switch the lights on? I don't know. You get

yourselves ready kids. We will speak to Lucy's mother. Just tell

us, Gill, a great opportunity to do this. Like you said earlier, no

celebrities here, but the children are heroes and celebrities in their

own right. The fact that we can give money to the trust is just

great. Normally it takes 2005 udder pounds to give the man a to charity,

-- 2500. It is being given to charity. 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,...

The lights are on! Absolutely Take a look at this drizzly shot

from Northumberland today, part see bare brightening the scene. If you

would like to get your hands on one of these then go to the BBC Look

North website. It was a fairly grey day for many of us today, but going

towards the weekend things will brighten up nicely. A blanket of

cloud a amongst many parts, it is a similar story as we head into the

night. Lots of cloud around, thick enough to produce patchy and light

rain and drizzle. In eastern areas in particular, are the cloud breaks

in Cumbria. A range of temperatures, most places down to eight or 10

Celsius, around 50 Fahrenheit. One or two parts of Cumbria could

plummet more significantly into single figures under the clear

skies. Tomorrow not a great deal of change, lots of cloud in the east

and drizzly rain. Best of any brightness in the West, the clouds

thickening up again through the afternoon. At tea time we are

looking at more widespread rain. As far as temperatures go, similar

figures, 12 or 13 Celsius, mid- Fifties Fahrenheit. You will notice

more widespread rain in the West and you will see the south-easterly

winds picking up. That is the picture for tomorrow, in behind

that we get into some clearer weather. Still a mild wind as we

head into the weekend, but a much better chance of bright spells on

Saturday and Sunday. I would not rule out the chance of a shower

completely, but temperatures through the weekend through to the

mid- teens, but cooler into the For the first time a senior

European Union official has admitted we could be heading for a