19/09/2011 Look North (Yorkshire)

Good evening and welcome to Monday's Look North.

On the programme tonight - the battle for equal pay. 900 dinner

ladies and carers with Sheffield Council have fought for years to

get the same pay as male staff. Today, the council finally agreed a

payout. We'll investigate what this could mean for thousands of other

women across the country. Also tonight - he was a devoted

father who just "snapped". So says the lawyer defending music teacher

Andrew Lindo who's accused of murdering his fiancee Marie Stewart

in Holmfirth. And the monks auctioning all their

worldly goods in the ecclesiastical After that sunny start, it clouded

over fairly quick. There will be Welcome to the programme. First

tonight- a long fight for equal pay by 900 women who work for Sheffield

Council is finally over. The women have claimed for years

that council workers like street cleaners and gardeners - who are

usually men - were given bonuses worth up to �10,000 a year. Staff

in traditionally female roles, like carers and dinner ladies, were not.

The case was seen as a test case for 40,000 women nationwide and

could have cost the council millions of pounds. But this

afternoon, the issue was resolved. Let's join Tom Ingall in Sheffield.

Good evening. Great news for 900 women who work at Sheffield Town

Hall. Tomorrow, they will be getting a letter telling them they

have got a significant financial payout. This is a long-running case,

going back six years, it centres on a bonus scheme will stop men were

getting some extra cash, women on similarly graded jobs, were not.

The union and the council have been fighting it out since, and today,

they settled out of court. One woman who is going to be getting a

present tomorrow is Diane. You work as Sequera? I do. Presumably your

art glad this is over? I am relieved. It has been a long time

coming, a lot of carers will be ready pleased out there. Women

working in those low-paid jobs will be getting these rewards? Yes, well

deserved. It seems extraordinary in 2011 we are talking about this, are

you surprised it has taken so long? Very surprised. Compared to other

authorities, where they settled earlier, it has been really

frustrating for or carers. Also joining as is Peter from the GMB

union, which has been at the forefront of this fight. Why has it

taken Sheffield City Council six years to sort it out? I wish it

hadn't, quite frankly. If we look at other local authorities

throughout Yorkshire, we have been able to negotiate a settlement. The

vast majority of local authorities have been able to negotiate a

settlements, only in Sheffield we have had to have teams of lawyers

in and out of the courts, trying to get a settlement. We were about to

go to the Supreme Court, which would have been extremely expensive,

and would have made these summed substantially higher had that gone

against the council. I am glad to say that the current administration

got around that table, and common sense has prevailed. Thank you. We

invited Sheffield City Council to give us an interview, they said

they would give us a statement and they were pleased the matter had

been amicably resolved. For neither should women in there next few days,

they will be getting a significant pay out -- for 900 women. So what

are the wider implications of today's announcement? Let's talk to

Chris Allen, who's managing partner of Black's Solicitors in Leeds. Why

do you think Sheffield council has started to settle this case?

this point, stakes are high. The council came unstuck at the Court

of Appeal to a certain degree, and I suspect the stakes are so high,

that they are thinking, if we lose, there is millions to pay out, the

local public will not be over the moon to discover that their money

is being used to pay lawyers. this a victory for women? Is there

an onus now on employers to make sure they are transparent when it

comes to equal pay? This legislation has been around since

1970, and here we are, 2011, this case has got to the Supreme Court.

What used to be acceptable 25 years ago isn't now, so you all right,

employers have to look at the terms they are offering. I don't think

there was an intense all those years ago... It was never

acceptable 25 years ago! What kind of jobs... It must be difficult to

say, that job deserves this, in it is usually a job done by men, and

easy to say, but you're only a set and such, that is a job usually

done by women. Roles are changing, but you're right, it is supposedly

comparing like work. What is like, and what is not like? You have to

look at the circumstances. The days of men being the breadwinner, they

are over. The problem is, Sheffield City Council, �220 million over the

next four years, this comes at a time when they have to shell out

more money. Imagine if they thought that case and lost. They have

already lost at the Court of Appeal. The hearing would undoubtedly have

gone on for weeks on end. The gentleman just mentioned that there

were millions of pounds in legal fees. Is it a fair decision?

think it is a sensible decision, for the individuals who feel hard

done by, they got something. For the council, why gamble and blues?

Are it is great news for everybody, really. Apart from the lawyer's!

Thank you. Also tonight - music teacher Andrew

Lindo, who admits killing his fiancee Marie Stewart at their home

in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, has been described as a devoted, loving

father of the couple's two children. But his defence barrister said just

because he'd admitted killing Marie, it didn't mean he murdered her. Mr

Lindo, who's 30, denies murder. It's his case that he lost control

as he and Marie rowed during their worsening relationship. Our Crime

Correspondent reports from Bradford Crown Court.

Andrew elected not to give evidence in the witness box for his defence

against a charge of murder. But his barrister told the trial jury to

put aside any emotion or prejudice. Last December, at the home he

shared with his fiancee, Marie Stewart, and their two children, he

admits killing Marie, strangling, battering and stabbing her at least

12 times. He put her body in a suitcase, and concealed it for

weeks in his garage. But he says it was manslaughter under provocation,

not murder. His barrister told the jury he was making no attempt to

excuse what he called the dreadful, brutal killing of Marie, or attempt

to get him off Scot free. He had been accused of being a liar and a

philanderer, and his life had been in a mess, but the killing of Marie

had not been pre-planned. Defending barrister said he had not meant to

kill Marie Stewart. He described him as a non-violent, calm man, who

snapped through emotional stress in their unhappy relationship. Marie,

say the defence, had depression, problems with health and tiredness

after the birth of their second child. The attack happened as their

relationship came to a head. The terrible event, as the defence

budget, had been a sudden loss of control. There were compelling

reasons, it is claimed, why Andrew was not guilty of murder. The trial

continues. Later, an interesting story, this.

The campaign to keep their heavy horses of Bradford's Industrial

Museum. In other news, the policeman and

former Mr Gay UK who was charged with male rape, assault and drugs

possession has had the final drugs charge against him dropped. Mark

Carter had already been found not guilty on four counts, and had

another dropped. Today the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to

pursue the charge of possessing an anabolic steroid - saying his use

of stanozol was legal and for medicinal purposes. It has been an

absolute living nightmare. Sleepless nights, it has been

something which I have needed the support of my friends and family,

which I have obviously had, and I'm very grateful for that. It has been

a very hard time, but her time I have finally managed to get through,

with the right result. North Yorkshire police are

appealing for witnesses after a 15 year old boy was critically injured

in an attack in York. The teenager was found with serious head

injuries at the entrance of the travelling fair on Knavesmire Road.

A 15-year-old boy from York is being questioned by police, while

an 18-year-old man, who was arrested, has been released on

police bail. It's ten years since the voters of

Doncaster decided they wanted an elected Mayor, but today a public

consultation began over whether they should look at scrapping the

controversial role- currently carried out by Peter Davies. Formal

consultation has started and there could be a referendum by next May.

The move comes less than a year before voters in Leeds, Sheffield,

Bradford and Wakefield have their own referendum on whether to

introduce elected Mayors. A campaign has been launched to

save a unique Yorkshire tourist attraction that tells the story of

Britain's working horses. Bradford Council says it wants to close the

Horses at Work section of Bradford's Industrial Museum

because it costs too much to run. But campaigners say they're making

a huge mistake getting rid of the eye-catching heavy horses. Here's

Spencer Stokes. They were once an everyday sight on

every street in the country, helping move goods and people. They

were there were courses at city centres a century ago. Bradford's

Museum honours that role, but it is threatened with closure, and now

the two remaining horses are looking for a new home. It seems

that also at work has fallen gilt - - victim to the spending cuts.

Bradford council say it will save money. The horses will go to a new

home, where they will not necessarily be on public display.

That new home has not been found yet. While the council look for a

location, campaign has been launched to keep the horse is where

they are. These are exceptional animals. Inner-city children, who

have no concept of what a working animal is like, can come here and

see them, see them working. It is a free thing that Bradford has

provided for it didn't, now it is going to disappear. The horses

already have a less prominent role in Bradford. They no longer collect

litter or carry water bus-stop when European MP thinks they have been

deliberately sidelined and once the council to reconsider. They should

look at it again. This is a major issue, to do with our industrial

past, and it is something I think it's important for future

generations to understand and be able to see in a working

environment. What is at work has provide -- survive to breed his

threat, but this is the most serious.

They are just beautiful. Lovely, lovely animals.

Of course, we would like to hear what you think about that or any

other story. Many a television show proves that

someone's rubbish is someone else's treasure.

So in an Anglican community where they needed to collect cash, they

thought it was time to have a sort out. The result, an auction on 22nd

It was built 100 years ago for the Anglican brothers. But freezing

cold and dangerous, and �1 million has to be raised to restore the

church at the heart of their community. It was time for a clear-

out in the ecclesiastical attic. Gift and donations have been coming

in since the Yorkshire ones announced. -- the auction. It is

fantastic. Every day is Christmas. I get a new parcel each day. The

experience of handling such wonderful gift that have people

stories and memories. It has been an adventure. It is easy to

accumulate things. That is no less true for monks as anybody else.

start of the show of two original 1930s tables made by Thompson. They

worth thousands. This is my favourite, a travelling communion

Sat. It survived the Battle of the Somme as did the Anglican brother

who carried it. It is true they feel sad at parting with these

worldly goods. But for them, a new church for their community is more

important. It is detachment. Not to hold on to things. I have been here

33 years. It is the place where I have found peace and joy. And a new

challenge? And a new challenge in later life. It has been great to be

young again for a while! I want people to support that community. I

have known them many years. I had a fabulous day. I will be going to be

auctioned. Before 7pm. Banking on Olympic glory. We meet the para-

table tennis player funding his 2012 dreams from his own pocket.

And potty about pots. We're in York to see the world's biggest

collection of studio ceramics. Moving to sport. I was at a wedding

on Friday. I got messages from you about the cricket. Jonny Bairstow

was fantastic. He did not show any nerves. Alastair Cook could not

help himself after the game. Fresh from the plaudits he got for

his match-winning performance for England on Friday, Jonny Bairstow

has picked up a prestigious award. He has been named the Cricket

Writers' Club Young Cricketer of the Year for 2011. He received

nearly double the votes of the runner-up. Next up for him, the T20

matches against the West Indies. Leeds Rhinos will face Huddersfield

in the Super League play-off eliminator after sweeping aside

Hull FC. They were ahead from early in the match when Jamie Jones-

Buchanan crossed the line, their first of seven tries. The final

score was a crushing 42-10 victory. It is the Rhinos' 11th successive

victory over Hull. We heard on Friday from Doncaster

manager Sean O'Driscoll about their poor start to the season. Well, it

didn't get any better for them at the weekend. They are still without

a win, but maybe they can take inspiration from Chesterfield, who

made it three wins on the bounce after their tricky beginning in

League One. -- Sheffield made it three wins. These are tough times

for Sean O'Driscoll. His side has one point so far. They made too

many mistakes against Reading, he says. They are four points adrift

at the bottom. Leeds United's 2-1 win had a bit of everything against

Bristol. And nice opening goal. And a goal from a player who said he'd

never wanted to leave Leeds. Ross McCormack with his sixth league

goal of the season sealed the points. Barnsley were hard done by

to earn a draw against Watford. They came from behind but were a

better team on the day. Chesterfield might have taken time

to get used to live in League One, but there for-win -- 4-1 win.

Sheffield Wednesday won at Yeovil. Their first goal was controversial.

He did not realise this was being returned to the keeper. The score

was 3-2. Sheffield United bounced back after their defeat midweek to

a win at Colchester. Their complaint was they probably could

have scored more. Against MK Dons they extended their unbeaten run.

If you wanted goals, Torquay was the place to be. The home side

would have been happier. Rotherham United were 3-1 up. Defending

practice for Bradford City who were 1-0 up, but lost 3-1 at Crawley.

Huddersfield's John Whitaker was part of the Great Britain team that

won bronze at the European Show Jumping Championships.

The world's best para-table tennis players have been gathered at the

EIS in Sheffield for one of the most important events in the run-up

to London 2012. Disabled players from 44 countries took part in the

British Open. The tournament was important to one player in

particular. My name is Farrell Anthony. This is the British Open.

I call it the Sheffield Open. I am from Sheffield and it makes it more

personal for me. It gives me drive to do well. For him, it is not just

about local. He wants to get to the London Olympics. He has to pay his

own way. He has to practise in whatever time he can find. I have

to train as much as those who are funded to stay within the Great

Britain set-up. The standard is so high, if I do not put the working,

I cannot stay at the standard I am at. He has cerebral palsy, meaning

the right side of his body is weak. It did not stop him becoming

national champion three times or representing Great Britain at the

Sydney Games. At almost 50 years old, he is making a bold comeback.

He is no longer part of a funded programme. His opponent gets advice

and encouragement from his coach, Farrell is on his own. No funding,

it means no coach. He threatened to make a comeback in the third set,

but it was too late. My leg was tight. Because of my cerebral palsy,

sometimes it takes time to ease. We all have disabilities here. I am

not making excuses, but he played better than me. It is over in this

competition, but not for his future plans. Whatever will be, will be. I

am happy to be in the mix. It is my dream to compete at 2012 and I am

giving it all I have. He has a couple of big events coming up

where he needs to get points to get into it. It shows how key it is for

these people to get to London. If I go back to show jumping. There was

a French competitor. He was 63. John Whitaker is 56. It is likely

he will be in the Olympics. Incredible. You would think if you

would pick one of the Whitakers to be in the team, it would not

necessarily be John. I have heard from Michael and John as a duo in

the Olympics. And Allen. We will take three of them!

An avid collector has given more than 800 works of art to York Art

Gallery on long-term loan. The collection consists mainly of

pottery amassed over the last 40 years. The gallery will have to

expand to house it. But, plans are already afoot to put it on display

by 2015. We are in a secret location in

North Yorkshire where your cot Gallery keeps its treasures. Thanks

to this man, it has 800 more works of art -- York Art Gallery. He has

given a large collection of ceramics on long-term loan. He

bought the pieces over 40 years. I'm wrapping them is like meeting

old friends. I have never seen them out like this. I have never had the

space. It is another excitement about them coming here because they

will have the space. Do you know how much you have spent? I do not.

I dread to think. It has never been about money. There are priceless to

the gallery, increasing its collection to one of international

importance. We have a lot of studio ceramics. 3500 pieces. With this

collection, we are over 4000. It means we have the largest

collection of British studio ceramics in the UK, which means we

have the largest collection in the world. There is work of every size

and shape. These are perhaps the smallest. They are ceramic buttons

made by a potter from the 1940s. Just after the war, people did not

want artistic pots, but they did want buttons. Anthony Hope's his

collection will inspire us to become collectors. With that in

mind, the works will be displayed as if they are in some body's home.

He said art should be an everyday pleasure. One that he wants to pass

on to everyone. Two clear-outs in one show! We can

Two clear-outs in one show! We can look at the Queen Mary. A lot of

people saw this on the coast. The sunshine was out. This is the new

one. Queen Mary 2. The biggest ocean liner in the world. I did not

know that. Going back to Friday know that. Going back to Friday

when we had the cloud burst. You have a double rainbow and lightning

in one picture. And also we have a picture of a steam fair.

That is very moody. Keep your pictures coming in. You

Keep your pictures coming in. You can send them by the website or by

Twitter. In the next 24 hours, the weather will be changing. The rain

will clear and West Yorkshire looks as if it will brighten up nicely

tomorrow. South Yorkshire might be cloudy at times, although it should

become mostly dry. There is a warm front that brought cloud and

drizzle this afternoon. There were a few spots, nothing more than that.

Overnight, things will go downhill. Cloud will thicken. There will be

some rain, especially across the Pennines. It will start to clear

from North Yorkshire at the end of the night. Sun rising at 648

tomorrow. There will be rain around first thing, especially in the west

and south. North and west Yorkshire should become mostly dry. Some hazy

sunshine. South Yorkshire and the North Midlands will have a lot of

cloud. Rain is never far away from the far south. There is a risk of

patchy rain later. We can look at the temperatures. Scarborough will

have a nice day. The Yorkshire Dales will have a beautiful day

tomorrow. Normal to showers from tomorrow. Normal to showers from