30/07/2014 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

a UN school and a crowded marketplace in Gaza. That is all

Still waiting, still hoping, still no nearer to coming home.

A North East man arrested in India remains there,

Profits at Greggs The Bakers jump by a whopping 48%.

Easy does it, ?20 million restoration of

York Minster's Great East Whndow moves a step nearer complethon.

Three of a kind, why these hdentical triplets have been described as

And we look forward to the launch of the 27th Stockton Intern`tional

In sport, the region hosts one of the most assiduous tournament in the

tennis calendar, and a test in international relations. Annie

medals just keep on coming. We look back for a another great night at

the Commonwealth Games in Gloucester. ``

But a former soldier from Northumberland, who was

arrested in India while protecting shipping from pirates, is still no

nearer to coming home, even though a decision had been expected today.

The charges against Nick Dunn and his colleagues were dropped

weeks ago, but the authorithes have still not returned their passports.

And there are now fears thex could be stuck there for months

Ex`paratrooper, Nick Dunn, and five other men, were jahled

for possession of allegedly illegal weapons, last October.

An Indian judge quashed the verdict earlier this month, and the men

should have had their passports returned, but they're still waiting.

slightly frustrated. I just want to come home. It has been thred weeks

since the case was quashed `nd I am still no further forward to when I

will come home. We are still waiting for a decision about when wd can

retrieve our passports and belongings. Your guess is as good as

mine about the decision. Thdy have nothing against us. They ard still

adamant they can keep us here. They can make our lives a misery.

Meanwhile, Nick's family ard still feeling the strain. He said, the

lawyer was in court and as soon as he heard something, he would let me

know. You have been here so many times before now. That is why it is

anybody's guess, it could go anyway. I spoke to Nick earlier, and he is

obviously a very strong guy. How are you coping? As long as he is

mentally strong, that helps me. That helps us carry on.

Damian, we heard there about today's court proceedings in India.

I spoke to Lisa Dunn, Nick's sister, and she said that the court case

today was a waste of time. No decisions have been made and the

passports have not been reldased. The passports are only part of the

problem. Even if they had them, they would not only be able to fly home

on that they would need a ldtter of anti`objection from the terrorist

pleased in India. This department has 90 days to provide this letter

to say, they have no objecthon, or to lodge an appeal. It looks like

they are in no hurry to do dither of these things. They could potentially

be there for a couple of months Thank you.

They said it had to work, and it seems it has!

A year ago, one of our region's biggest success stories, Grdggs

the North East based baker, decided on a plan to help it arrest

And today, the company reve`led that the changes to its products

Profits jumped by 48% to just under ?17 million, in

Andrew Hartley is live for ts now, outside the Greggs factory

Greggs is a 21st century British High Street phenomenon.

And it was born right here in Newcastle.

What happens to Greggs really matters,

not least because it employs 20 000 people and has 1,600 stores.

But a year ago, it sales were falling and profits were down.

So today's figures really are excellent news.

It's the food`on`the`go chahn that ate the High Street.

With more stores in the UK than McDonalds, Greggs,

famous for its pasties and sausage rolls, and a product of the North.

Today, it reported a near 50% increase in profits.

The chain said, sales rose 3% to more than ?370 million in

the first half of the year, helping pre`tax profits reach ?17million.

So how has Greggs turned things around?

Gregg said this year 's figtre six good, because last year 's figures

were bad. Last year it blamdd everything from cold weather to lack

of shoppers. There will be relief for staff. This year's figures are

not so tasty. So how has it turned things around?

It's revamped its stores to help it compete more

It's introduced a new coffed blend and a new range of low calorie,

I think you know what you are going to get. It is not excited, ``

exciting, but it is well prdpared. Better than it used to be. Ht's

convenient, tasty, it feels the empty stomach. I've noticed they are

trying to go a bit more continental with what they are providing, salmon

Jews have moved away from the state and tuna. `` sandwiches. Thdy are

crying to attract a bigger `udience. Greggs has simplified

its business plan, it now knows It's no longer a bakery,

it's a food`on`the`go retailer. So, a range of low fat sandwiches

at Greggs of all places, is this Well, it would make a good headline,

but I don't think so. Now, whilst it?s true Greggs is

already making a million potnds a week from its new range

of low`calorie sandwiches, such as cajun chicken in flatbread, no one

is claiming this as a revolttion. It?s still selling 2.5 millhon

sausage rolls a week, 40 firefighters tackled a blaze

at a disused pub in Gateshe`d, It happened at the former Mdtz pub

on Ravensworth Road, in Dunston A spokesman said crews

"faced difficult conditions" and had to work quickly,

to stop the fire spreading. It's believed the fire started

in the roof. Police and Tyne and Wear Fire

and Rescue Service are investigating Cumbria's been named as among the

worst counties in England for deaths The Institute of Advanced Motorists

has released figures that show 3 more people died,

or suffered serious injuries, Only figures for Lancashire and Kent

were worse. One Carlisle driving instructor

says, He says,

bad drivers are the problem. I am out on the road most d`ys and

what I see is the number of people using mobile phones, eating and

drinking at the wheel, not paying attention and exceeding the speed

limit. It is down to the bad system, that you pass the test, and then

have your license for ever, without having your driving looked `t again.

People need to take responshbility for driving standards and prevent

accidents occurring. Two police firearms officers are

being investigated, after they allegedly killed

an injured deer with a crowbar. The officers from

Durham Constabulary were sent to destroy the deer on a road hn

Tanfield Lea last month, but instead of using their guns, they are

believed to have struck the deer. The force says the pair havd been

moved to other duties, after the deer was "apparently not destroyed

in the approved, humane manner" People in Ashington,

in Northumberland, are being urged to have their say on plans to

invest more than ?70 million pounds The proposals would see part

of the town centre, There'll be a new leisure cdntre

and library, and Ashington will become the new home

for Northumberland County Council. Now, it's taken six years

and it's cost ?20 million. But today,

the delicate process of putting the Great East Window back into York

Minster, finally began, following It is a unique view of the

600`year`old masterpiece. Hhgh up above Yorks, the largest medieval

window in the world. York Mhnster is the pride of the city and for the

last six years, intricate work has been carried out to ensure the

building's beauty is maintahned for future centuries. ?20 million is

being spent restoring York Minster's great window, the stained

glass has been removed, cle`ned repaired and archived. Todax, they

began putting glass back into the window. First a protective glazing,

followed by the stained glass. It is painstaking work with no qudstion of

any being smashed. We are so familiar with working with stained

glass, we understand its importance. It's the last thing we would want to

do. We would hand in a resignation if it got damaged. I am ple`sed to

say it hasn't happened and ht is not an issue. These faces had not been

seen in such detail the 600 years. They belong high up in the Linster,

but the restoration work has allowed us to view the stained glass in all

its glory. Soon these images will be returning to the window. We are 18

feet are up and this is a vhew that not many people will get to see the

great East window up close will stop this protective glazing will resist

UV light and should protect the stained glass for 200 years. It will

take another two years to install all the glass. Visitors shotld be

getting their glimpse of thd first `` first glimpse of the restored

window next year. Plus, they say two's companx,

three's a crowd. We meet the identical tripldts,

dubbed the little miracles. And the fresher, more unsettled

weather continues we will h`ve more details shortly.

TV cameras were allowed into Scarborough's oldest intellhgence

base for the first time tod`y, as the Prince of Wales paid a visit.

The site, at Irton Moor, is an outstation of the main GCHQ

site in Cheltenham, and played a key role in tr`cking

the famous German battleship, the Bismarck, during World War Two.

During the Second World War, this place is vital in the battld of the

Atlantic, seeking the Bismarck, and for six years, it tracked and

neutralised the dangerous Gdrmany U`boat threat. You have to get an

intellectual thrill from solving puzzles.

They faced months of stress, worry and hospital appointmdnts

Jessica and Liam Posselwhitd, from Guisborough,

were told their identical triplets, born at odds of 4000 to 1,

They were in fact born earlx, at 28 weeks.

But after seven weeks in hospital, the girls are now home and

Their parents call them their three little miracles.

Three happy, healthy little girls, who've already taken over

It feels like they have conpuered so much. We did have faith, but there

were lots of difficulties. Now, we see that didn't matter and we have

delightful kids that are kedping us busy and giving us lots of love

After months of stress, scans and hospital appointments, Jesshca's

But after 28 weeks, when thd time finally came, she hadn't actually

We were quite happily coming home in the car from Skipton, having a

laugh. We just went in for `n appointment, thinking it won't go

long. I was never three days, I went straight to theatre! One minute I

was ever a cheque then I was in pink scrubs.

But with three children, evdrything just takes that little bit longer.

And leaving the house becomds a big job.

Then, when you do finally make it out, you?re stopped.

People have been so lovely, and so amazing and supportive and generous.

Some stop for a chat, some to comment

But Liam and Jessica say, quite a few stop them just

because they're desperate to have a go at pushing the super`pram.

Lovely! I can't understand how they look so fresh.

The annual Stockton International Riverside

The event, which runs until Sunday, is now in its 27th year,

and has grown into a major festival in the cultural calendar.

It also provides something of an economic windfall for Stockton.

Our business correspondent, Ian Reeve, reports.

The opening act from this year's Stockton

Called Safe House, tomorrow's show, will be a large scale aerial

performance on Trinity Green, that promises to explore

For the theatre group behind it it knows a warm welcome awahts

When served comes to town, to Stockton, the whole city coles to

life. We have always been wdlcomed here. We have done many pieces, lots

of installations so people light know us. This is our largest piece

Alongside this performance, will be 100 others over

27 years on, it's an event that s now embraced by the whole town, with

Little wonder perhaps, as they see a marked increase in

In economic terms, it brings in visitors from outside the areas and

helps us to promote the town. Some people have a negative and outdated

impression of the town. It brings around 800,000 to ?1 million of

Some of that cash will be spent here

Tracy's been in business for three years.

But at Festival time, sales boom at her sweet shop.

For my business, it is amazhng. It is tenfold. I am open from 8am to

11:30pm. When I shut the door, there are still people banging on the door

to serve them. There has got to be a time when you shut the door

Performances that can amuse, bemuse, challenge, or baffle.

But always, for more than a quarter of a century, entdrtain.

It was another great night for the region in the Commonwealth Games in

Glasgow, despite what Usain Bolt may or may not have said about it!

We'll get to Alnwick's Laura Weightman and her

stunning silver in the 1500l shortly, but first Nisha Joshi

Rising star Nick Miller bec`me a Commonwealth medal winner for the

first time last night. He got silver, throwing the hammer nearly

70 metres. This is the biggdst milestone of the 21's career so far.

I am very happy with it. I `m not a person who get nervous. I w`lked in

the rain, and it eggs you one. `` in the ring. Jess Taylor, from York,

will hopefully still be smiling tonight, when her fate will be

decided in the final two rotnds She had a string of personal bests in

the competition so far, including in the hundred metre hurdles l`st

night. Also going for glory, is Chris Tomlinson from Middlesbrough,

up against Greg Rutherford hn the final. Earlier today, Jack produced

a diving masterclass in qualifying. He made it through to the one metre

springboard final in first place, well ahead of his rivals. Hd is one

of the favourite to pick up a medal. Boxing, survivor Marshall is still

on court `` savanna Marshall is still on course. She is still on

course. She's Sunderland put Makro Warren could not hide his

disappointment after losing an points this afternoon. The

Canadian's late surge sealed a split decision victory.

Well in the 1500m Laura Weightman from Alnwick had us all

on the edge of our seats as she ran a superb tactical race to

Near the back of the field darly on she pushed forward to briefly take

the lead at the bell and with Kenyan Faith Kibiegon holding on for gold

Laura stormed through to hold off stiff competition from Canada's Kate

van Buskirk to cross the line in second place.

I spoke to her a little earlier and asked if her incredible

I don't really think it has sunk in. I still can't believe waking up as

they saw the Commonwealth mddallist. It is your dream. Tonight, when I

get the medal putter around my neck, I will believe I have set out

what I'd wanted to achieve `` put around my neck. I felt I had a

little bit left in that timd, it was pure determination to fight to the

line and get that medal, it got me there. It was hardly your mtm to

hide her emotions. You went over to her. I heard shouting and s`w her

waving. Justice he has stood there, she was in tears and it was very

emotional. `` just to see hdr. It was very emotional. I haven't had

much time to celebrate, it was a bath and a couple of slices of

pizza. I have two say the celebrations because they h`ve

another champion ship coming up in two weeks time. So is it sthll full

steam ahead? Yes, a bit of rest and recovery, enjoy getting my ledal,

and then relaxing and settlhng my emotions. It is such a whirlwind,

when you win, especially as it is my first one. Well, Congo Child she is.

You made it an exciting night for us all year. `` welcome graduations ``

con graduations. Now, while top class athlethcs is

continuing in Glasgow, we've got some top class tennis

in the North East. For the first time,

the Northumberland Club in the Newcastle suburb of Jesmond,

is hosting the prestigious Helvetie Cup, the European qualifying

competition for the Junior Fed Cup. And while the focus is

on the tennis, with Israel, Ukraine and the Netherlands

among the eight nations takhng For the 15 and 16`year`old girls

playing here, it's a chance to experience some of the

pomp and ceremony that goes along The flags of the eight compdting

nations paraded on court, the spectators politely standing

for each of the national anthems. It's a huge honour

for the Northumberland club to be hosting the event and important

for the girls? developement. There are different people `round

the country who bid to host this. They decided to send it to

Northumberland. We have a bdautiful facility here. It is almost

impossible to develop yoursdlf with out our students. It is verx

important for them to compete against each other, in circtmstances

that they are not comfortable with, and find their way to meet their

best attentional. In an ideal world,

sport and politics would never mix. In reality,

they're inextricably linked. The hostilities in the Middle East,

meant a constant but discredt, security presence

around the Israeli team. And although squads from Brhtain,

Ukraine and the Netherlands stood side by side on the same cotrt,

the impact of the Malaysia @irlines Every minute of the news is about

Israel and the flight. It is also strange for me and for the girls.

They are 15 and 16, but thex are involved. It was a very emotional

last two weeks in the Netherlands. I am happy for the countries that they

can forget and play tennis `nd enjoy it. It is tough. We are talking

about two countries out of dight, involved in a war. It does put

pressure on them, but we trx to make it as friendly as possible. It was

good to see, last night, thd girls were mixing and talk to each other.

There was no animosity betwden any nations.

The winners and runners up go on to Budapest next week,

for the European finals, thd success of day one means the club h`s

already been asked if they'd host the competition next year.

Now, I am sure there would have been a few crosswinds. It was a bit

breezy. Yes, there is a fresher feel to

things. Some evening sun sign shops. Thank you for these pictures.

They're worse than gaps in the clouds and if you bright spdlls ``

there were a few gaps. Therd will be one or two showers around for a

time. The showers do not cldar away completely, and there is an odd one

through the night. Temperattres stay in double figures, lows of 02

degrees. Tomorrow, it will be a shower rebate, and a fair alount of

cloud. `` shall read day. There will be some brighter colours. There

could even be able of thunddr. Having said that, there will be gaps

and some sunny intervals stop temperatures still 20 Celsits, 0

Fahrenheit. The winds are lhght this southwestern is could become

gusty at times. Heading to the next two days, low pressure dominates ad

it is unsettled. There will be a lot of cloud and banks of rain. Into the

weekend, it moves northwards and things pick`up. If you are out and

about, some outbreaks of rahn, but bright spells, too. More widespread

rain on Friday, but temperatures still in the 20s. Into the weekend,

heavy showers are likely, whth a few bright intervals in between. Showers

become less widespread, and we see some longer sunny spells ag`in. Keep

those July weather pictures coming. Hurrah, longer sunny spells. We need

them for the summer holidays. Join us at 10:25pm. Good night.