17/04/2014 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Also coming up in tonight's Look North:

Why not everyone is raising a glass to the pub selling beer at ?1.50 a

pint. They're off. Nearly 50,000 people fly out of the

north for the Easter weekend. It's a record!

More than a million hot cross buns roll off this Cumbrian production

line for the first time. And, in sport: Agony for Sunderland,

as they come within minutes of a famous victory over Manchester City.

Good evening, and welcome to Thursday's Look North. We're live

tonight from Bents Park in South Shields where final rehearsals have

been taking place for the Great North Passion. It's an extraordinary

spectacle which will be broadcast live on BBC One tomorrow lunchtime.

Extraordinary because it involves a dozen artists and 50 shipping

containers. And one story, the story of the last moments of Christ's

life. Thousands of people are expected to experience this unique

re`telling of the story of the Passion, right here tomorrow. Well,

Sharuna and I will be back a little later in the programme, when we'll

be talking to some of those involved in this very special project. This

is definitely all about the arts. They are showing some videos. We

have poetry, sculptures are singing, dancing, photography, visual arts

performances. There will also be a world premiere.

But now, let's head back to the studio, for the rest of the day's

news, from Stephanie Cleasby. Thanks, Jeff.

Good evening. It's a controversial pub selling cheap beer which its

critics claim will ruin a town centre. The problem is its name,

Poundpub. But if those critics think it'll go away, they're about to be

disappointed. Because Look North has learned that, in its first week of

trading, business is booming. And the Poundpub model might now be

rolled out in other towns and cities. From Stockton`on`Tees, our

chief reporter Chris Stewart has the story.

This street is full of independent shops, new business start`ups. This

is what we want more of in Stockton. And this is what they want none of.

The PoundPub. A half of beer for a ?1. A pint for ?1.50. Right next to

a regeneration site which the local council hopes will help move the

town centre upmarket. What's being spent here is one thing. What's

being spent a few yards away is another. Stockton used to be

brilliant for nights out. Hopefully it will cause the pub to bring their

prices down and attract more people. I paid ?6 for two beers. You come

here, you pay half, three pounds. This is bucking the trend. A trend

which sees four pubs a day in the UK go out of business. But it doesn't

fit in with what the independent traders want, and those traders are

changing Stockton's image. Local people are putting in their

time, their money, investment into Stockton and opening up independent,

quirky pubs, and this pub doesn't fit in with it.

Are you being snooty? I'm not, if you go down the High

Street, there are lots of pubs, and not all of them are expensive.

The business people behind this venture aren't local. They're based

in Cheshire. They say, yes, the branding is a

little bold. But no different to what you would expect in another

high`street budget establishment. And it is certainly working. Their

takings in three days have been more than they'd expect to take in seven.

So, it looks as if it'll stay, and that there could well be more pubs

with the same branding. The Crown pub has now applied for permission

to open from 8am in the morning. In for a penny, in for another round of

controversy. A body's been found in the River

Ouse in York, by police looking for a missing soldier. 18`year`old Tyler

Pearson's family has been told. He vanished three weeks ago. It's

thought he went into the river, and tried to swim across it. This is the

third death in the city's rivers this year.

A man who claimed more than ?24,000 in disability benefits while playing

cricket has been ordered to pay back ?16,000. Stewart Lorains, from St

Cuthburt's Walk in Saltburn, claimed benefits for arthritis and diabetes,

but was caught playing cricket for Boosbeck cricket team. Teesside

Crown Court heard he scored 614 runs between 2009 and 2012, before

Department Of Work And Pensions investigators photographed him

turning out for the team. Armed police are looking for a man

after an armed robbery at the Cumberland Building Society at

Silloth. A member of staff was threatened with a knife, but no one

has been hurt. The police helicopter is also involved in the search, and

all roads out of Silloth have been blocked.

It's the start of the Great Easter Getaway, with thousands of people

taking to the North's roads, railways and airports. 46,000 people

are set to fly in and out of Newcastle Airport over the bank

holiday weekend alone. Katie Cole has been airside on one of the

airport's busiest mornings of the year.

6:30, the Easter getaway begins, with flights to Venice, Malaga, and

even New York, leaving Newcastle this morning. The Easter Bunny is

even here, to send them away with some chocolate. But, with a little

sunshine predicted in the North East and Cumbria this weekend, why do

people feel the need to jet off? Being in a bikini, walking around in

hot weather. You don't fancy doing that on Tynemouth beach or in

Berwick? No. We are off to Malaga, on the Costa

del Sol. What are you looking forward to

most? Going to the swimming pool when I

get there. For many passengers, it is their

first taste of the airport's new departure lounge. Phase one of a ?14

million redevelopment has recently opened.

The second phase is due to commence in September, with a brand`new

layout, a number of new stores, as well as improvements to existing

operations. We are seeing strong growth in retail and catering

demand, and it's important we build that in the coming years.

There's plenty more where they came from. 7,000 cups of tea and coffee

will be drunk in the departure lounge over Easter weekend, 1,300

sausage rolls eaten. 100 pairs of sunglasses will be bought.

Between now and Monday, there will be 400 flights coming in and out of

Newcastle Airport. That's a 5% increase on the same time last year.

Unfortunately, I won't be on one. However, 46,000 people will, making

Easter weekend of one of the busiest.

A Cumbrian baker says sales of hot cross buns have increased by 30%

this year. Bells of Lazonby, near Penrith, will have made more than a

million hot cross buns by Easter, a record number for the company. It

says continued success is vital to keep 240 local people in employment.

Mark McAlindon reports. Demand has been so great that work

at Bells of Lazonby is relentless. It seems the impact of a long

session has finally lifted. Business is OK, our sales over 18

months are up 30%. Hot cross buns are part of that.

By the end of this week, a record number of hot cross buns alone will

have left the bakery. The guys have had a bit of practice with one

million hot cross buns, but I want to know how difficult this can be.

I was expecting we'd have to give those away free to a coffee morning.

But maybe they can still sell them. There are 300 lines of different

products, the company constantly trying to meet changing market

trends. In a rural area without many big employers, that is important.

We employ 240 people in Lazonby. That puts us as the fifth biggest

non`governmental employer in Edin district. It is important we do

well. Easter demand may be dying now, but

it is not long before planning for Christmas begins.

Football now. And a late goalkeeping blunder prevented Sunderland from

avenging their League Cup final defeat last night. They drew 2`2 at

title contenders Manchester City, a result which wasn't much good for

either side, and leaves the Black Cats six points from safety. Here's

Mark Tulip. Gus Poyet had asked for a miracle to

keep his Sunderland team in the Premier League, and his players

nearly came up with one. The Black Cats may look doomed to relegation,

but moneybags Man City have now beaten them only twice in the last

nine meetings. It didn't look good for the bottom club as early as the

second minute, when Fernandinho gave City the lead. But, to their credit,

Sunderland's heads didn't drop and, with sharper finishing, they could

have gone in ahead at half`time comfortably, with first John O'Shea,

and then Fabio Borini going close. Was this going to be one of those

nights? Well, actually, it wasn't. Poyet's second`half substitutions

paid off. One of them, the under`achieving Emanuele

Giaccherini, provided the ammunition for Connor Wickham, the young

striker with the big price`tag, to slot home. And then, incredibly, the

same players combined again. A superb counterattack, slide`rule

pass, and excellent finish. It's come now, I've got my chance.

The manager has given me a chance to start, and hopefully today I've

shown him reason why I can be in that position.

The away fans were in dreamland, like they were at Wembley. But the

dream was shattered by the goalkeeper's usually safe pair of

hands. A horrible, late fumble which will give the luckless Vito Mannone

nightmares for weeks. Had City gone on to win it, it would have been a

travesty. So, just a glimmer of hope for Sunderland, ahead of the equally

tough trip to Chelsea. No such relegation worries for Alan

Pardew, despite Newcastle's wretched run of form which has seen them

gather just 13 points from a possible 48. Last week at Stoke, the

fans turned their anger on the manager for the first time, and

Pardew knows he can't afford another indifferent display at home to

Swansea on Saturday. We just want to get our fans back

onside, and we need to win games and score goals. I have been here three

years. Some really good days, some days. At this moment, it is tough. I

have got to be strong, I am strong in my mentality, to take this club

forward. It's a big Easter weekend of rugby.

Tomorrow afternoon, it's the West Cumbrian derby between Whitehaven

and Workington. And in the evening, Gateshead Thunder host York City

Knights. In Rugby Union's Premiership, second`bottom Newcastle

Falcons hope to upset the odds with leaders Saracens, the visitors to

Kingston Park on Sunday. Dean Richards' side are just seven points

above the relegation zone. That's our news and sport. Let's

head back to South Shields now, where final preparations are taking

place for tomorrow's Great North Passion event. Jeff is live there

for us now. Jeff. Welcome back to Bents Park where it

has just gone very quiet, fortunately for us. Final rehearsals

ahead of the Great North Passion tomorrow. A fantastic Easter event

which we will be watching live from 12 noon tomorrow on BBC One. Apart

from the actual event, it is part of an arts project called the Cultural

Spring which is all about bringing art to communities in Sunderland and

South Shields, to people who have never been touched by art before, to

inspire them to take part. Which might go some way to explaining what

these shipping containers are about. More will be revealed later. These

shipping containers are here to provide a contemporary setting, to

tell a traditional Easter story. It is the Passion.

What does a red shipping container and Jesus's final days on Earth have

in common? Well, quite a lot it, as it happens.

We are going to be using some games consoles, some hats, to make a piece

of sculpture, which will be in this container.

This one, along with 49 others, will be the centrepiece of the BBC's

ambitious retelling of The Passion, this Easter. Derived from the Latin

word meaning "to suffer", it's the story of Christ's last moments, from

his condemnation to his crucifixion. We are going to use this almighty

crane to lift the box. Specially commissioned installations

have been created by local communities from across the North

East, each inspired by 12 Stations Of The Cross, which represent each

stage of Christ's journey leading to his death.

# When a stranger comes. Knocking at your door.

The themes explored range from truth to kindness.

We were given the theme, welcoming a stranger. I was very excited because

I am from Africa and, in Africa, we love to welcome strangers.

# We will offer shelter, drink and food.

This Tees Valley choir will be performing live during the Great

North Passion, when all eyes will be on South Shields for a unique

spectacle of music, dance and even poetry.

I think I am kind of kind. But really I am somewhere in between

the saintly giving of Mother Teresa, and the bumbling awkwardness of Mr

Bean. The transformation of Bents Park is

complete. 12 art projects are ready, a cross to rival the size of St

Paul's is in place. And a pop`up cathedral is now open to Christians

and the curious alike. Hopefully it is all clear. Look who

is with me, the presenter of the Great North Passion, Fern Britton. I

can't believe you have made it here. I jogged from up there! What a

fantastic rehearsal. It is so emotional. When you watch it

tomorrow, you will cry. Why do think the story is so compelling? I really

believe it has relevance to us still. I'm going to cry again, there

is one scene where Mary, Jesus's mother, sees him on the cross, and

she knows her son is going to cry. She is tiering up `` tearing. It is

a story that speaks to everybody irrespective of their religion.

Humiliation, isolation, kindness. It has a story which is eternal and

universal and speaks to everybody. This is a huge cultural event, not

just for the BBC but for the north east.

There is a lot of pressure on you. The pressure is on me but on

everybody taking part, these are people who have created something

amazing. They are not professional performers mostly, they are giving

something of themselves must thank you.

They have been rehearsing all afternoon for tomorrow. Watching it

come together was Peter Harris. After all the work, the final dress

rehearsals. Next time, it will be live on national television.

A bit nerve wracking, but I have my family supporting us. We have been

rehearsing in school. Will you sleep tonight? Probably not.

As well as the logistical task of bringing in all these units ready

for the show itself, tomorrow is also a big television event, live on

BBC One. So, there are lots of camera crews, 11 cameras, to make

sure everything goes to plan. It it is such an unusual project, we

are still making some of it up, some things are coming together last

minute. We have polished some bits, it will all come together in the

dress rehearsal. It will be all right on the night. The Great North

Passion is a big deal for the BBC, and here to make if you final

checks, the Director General. I profoundly believe art is for

everybody, and taking part in the arts is a really good thing.

When the BBC acts as an enabler, a friend, to help people to do things

they want to do but are not too sure how they can, that is brilliant.

There are some kids of their reading poetry, a wonderful bunch. Tomorrow,

they will be going to the entire UK on BBC One. Great for them and great

for us. The work is done, cameras, lights, South Shields is ready.

And Alexandra, winner of the X Factor, what is your role tomorrow?

Tomorrow will be a spectacular morning.

It displays why we are here and what Easter is about, it's not about

Easter eggs, it's about Jesus. A beautiful way to celebrate that and

remember that. For those who may not have that knowledge, it is good to

remind people. It is an honour to be part of it. You have probably never

sung in a setting like this. Do you know what, no! I love it.

Raise Spencer, what is it about this part of the world that is so

talented `` Ray. We have a rich heritage and culture. We will see

that in this show. It is so moving and we will see such creativity.

Communities from all over the region will show what they are made of,

sharing their stories. It is going to be emotional. The Cultural Spring

is about introducing people to art and great music. What it means to

the people of the communities if they can stand on a national stage

with the stars, and what they believe has a value and they will

share that with the nation. That is the legacy. Some brilliant work will

be produced. I am very excited, it has been a great day rehearsing,

tomorrow will be even better. I am looking forward to taking part with

the community and sharing their talents.

We wish you all the best. Look at this, how impressive.

Shipping containers, this is part of a project, let us speak to the

people responsible. Sandy? We work with members of the community to

come together using the artforms of spray paint, dance and music.

Reverend Jim, I understand you are the only art chaplain in the

country. I help people to share their own personal stories through

the medium of the arts, to help them connect with the gospel. You have

been working with these lads. Hello, boys. I understand this is some of

your handiwork, how much have you enjoyed being part of this project?

It has been brilliant, starting off with the container and evolving it

into a wonderful piece of art. It has been really good, doing the

different colours, getting involved. Let is quickly go over and talk to a

booming presence, Graham, opera singer, acquire master

extraordinary. `` choir. Might have been working with Saint Andrew 's

Church, a fantastic experience working with students from the

University of Sunderland, one of the partners in this project. We have a

lovely composer, Will Todd, from Durham. A good element of the north

east is involved. You have got all these people together to form a

choir. Yes, getting them all together. With a newly composed

piece of music. A fantastic morning. I couldn't let you go without asking

you to belt out a number. Are you sure about that?

# I am searching for a love. # A love that was lost. # A love we have

known from the start. One of the great performers you can

catch tomorrow. Tomorrow morning, BBC Newcastle's

Alfie and Charlie will be live here, from 9am until 12, bringing you the

stories of the performers and communities involved in the staging

of the live event. And you can see the Great North Passion live from

Bents Park in South Shields on BBC One, between 12 and 1pm tomorrow.

There'll also be further information online at BBC local live.

Time now for the weather with Hannah.

Beautiful spring scenes here in Bents Park. And we have more to show

you from around the region, this is how you have been enjoying the

Easter sunshine. Thank you for sending in your photos. We will

bring you more photos later. This is the headline for tomorrow, Good

Friday, long spells of sunshine around the North East and Cumbria. A

great start to the long holiday weekend. Overnight, it is clear and

dry, starry skies, still a chance to spot the planet Mars over the waning

moon. Temperatures will dip to just above freezing. First thing on

Friday morning, it looks bright and fine. A beautiful start to the

weekend. Long spells of sunshine. And it stays dry across the region.

Nothing more than if you scraps of fair weather cloud. Notice the

temperatures at the end of the afternoon, just eight Celsius in

many spots along the coast, despite that Sun. In Cumbria, it will be a

touch milder, 13 Celsius is the high on Good Friday. Light and variable

winds everywhere. This is the pressure sequence. High pressure is

dominating the forecast tomorrow and Saturday. Through Sunday, a low

pressure system will work in from the south, bringing potentially

outbreaks of rain to the North East, although Cumbria should stay

dry. In the north`east, it could be a little cloudy on Easter Monday. In

detail, our outlook for the next couple of days is that in Cumbria,

we will see bright sunshine on Saturday and on Easter Sunday, but

increasing amounts of cloud at the end of the day. In the north east, a

bright day on Saturday but if you shower is that in Cumbria, we will

see bright sunshine on Saturday and on Easter Sunday, but increasing

amounts of cloud at the end of the day. In the north east, a bright day

on Saturday but a few this place will be full of 3000

people, it will be buzzing. It is a ticket event but they have all gone.

So you won't be able to turn up, but you can watch it live on BBC One

from 12 noon tomorrow. From Bents Park in South Shields and the Great

North Passion, have a great Easter weekend. Goodbye.