24/09/2013 Look North (Yorkshire)

6—iron Good evening and welcome to Tuesday's Look North. On the

programme tonight: Godfrey Bloom, the Yorkshire MEP who called a group

of women "sluts", tells us why he's leaving the UK Independence Party.

Everybody knows me. A bit like the old Marmite joke, they either like

me or hate me but I've always told it like it is. I'm a little bit long

in the tooth now to do political correctness. We'll hear more from

Godfrey Bloom in a moment, and also meet the woman tipped to replace

him. Also tonight: A court hears how the

tenacity of a new police recruit led to the discovery of a four—year—old

boy who'd starved to death. And recognition at last for the

part—time artists creating iconic mosaics in their spare time.

And don't forget to join me for your detailed five—day weather forecast

in 20 minutes. Good evening and welcome to Look

North. The Yorkshire MEP Godfrey Bloom, who

was condemned last week for calling a group of women "sluts", is leaving

the UK Independence Party. He'll continue as an independent MEP — not

linked to any party — until elections next year. UKIP's leader

Nigel Farage criticised Mr Bloom after his comments, but said today

he was sorry it had come to this. Our political correspondent Tim

Iredale has been speaking to Mr Bloom today.

It's goodbye, Godfrey. After being suspended by UKIP following his

controversial comments, the outspoken MEP says he no longer

wants to represent the party in the European Parliament. Everybody knows

me. A bit like the old Marmite joke, they either like me or hate me but

I've always told it like it is. I'm afraid I'm a little bit too long in

the tooth now to do political correctness and I understand that

UKIP has moved on and they're doing jolly well and I wish them well.

You've nicked out the colour of peoples faces. Disgraceful! This

altercation with a reporter came on the day Mr Bloom had described a

group of UK activists —— UKIP activists as "sluts". It was

we are joke and I've had hundreds of e—mails from people saying, can't

you make a joke any more? UKIP party leadership say his use of that word

was the final straw after previous controversies including claims that

women should clean behind the fridge and that aid should not dissent to

Bongo Bongo land. —— the centre. Mr Bloomer says he will remain a member

of the UK Independence Party —— will not remain a member of the UK

Independence Party. We asked voters in Rotherham weather Godfrey Bloom

was right to step down as a UKIP MEP. I think it's time he went. It's

all a bit of a model. He should go off into the wilderness. Get rid. I

think get rid because people like that shouldn't even be allowed. He's

always overstepped the mark for his own personal image for a pat on the

back about how outspoken he is and I think you'll fall on his sword.

Godfrey Bloom says his political career is probably over, though he

hasn't completely ruled out standing as an independent. In his words,

never say never in politics. I'm joined now by fellow UKIP member

Jane Collins, whom Mr Bloom has tipped to be his successor. You're a

long—term friend and colleague of Mr Bloom — did you laugh at his

so—called joke? very well. Did you ask me how I

reacted to his so—called joke? Yes. We were all there in the room at the

fringe meeting. I was speaking at the time. It was said in jest. The

whole room did laugh. I didn't really react to it personally at

all, because of the way it was said and the way it was meant to be

taken. He's always been politically incorrect but he stepped a long way

over the line here. Something that journalist over the head with a

magazine, for instance. I think UKIP as a party has moved on. We've

professionalised and our discipline standards have changed. Godfrey is

an old—fashioned politician. If you push a camera in his face and your

rude to him, he'll be rude back to you. He's an old—fashioned gentleman

and he doesn't believe in journalists that are rude and

aggressive and instigate certain situations just for the media. He

says you now have his wholehearted support. Are you preparing for a job

as the next UKIP MEP? Well, the listings on the placings for

next... Well, for the coming elections, is not yet publicised.

That will happen next Tuesday. So I am an MEP candidate but my position

on the list has not been announced yet. Thank you very much.

A jury has heard how the persistence of a newly recruited police

community support officer eventually gained access to the house in

Bradford where the mummified body of a four year old boy was discovered.

The remains of Hamzah Khan's body were found in his cot in the family

home in September 2011. He had lain dead for nearly two years. His

mother Amanda Hutton denies the manslaughter of her son by gross

negligence at the trial at Bradford Crown Court. Our crime correspondent

John Cundy reports. PC Jodie Dunsmore is now a fully

fledged police officer in the West Yorkshire force that she'd been a

community support officer for only a few days when she became uneasy

about what was happening in Amanda Hutton's family home, back in

September 2011. PC Dunsmore had been alerted by a complaint from a

neighbour about rubbish being thrown over his garden wall. Eight times PC

Dunsmore called without reply, before finally bluffing her way into

Amanda Hutton's home. PC Dunsmore said that when Amanda Hutton

eventually opened her door, there was a look of fear on her face. The

officer reported a vile smell coming from the house. Colleagues were

alerted and eventually, the mummified body of Hamzah Khan was

found in his cot in an upstairs bedroom. He'd died almost two years

previously, aged four and a half. The evidence of the conditions in

Amanda Hutton's home were told the jury by PC Jane Lax, who reported an

horrendous foul smell of rotting waste and the house infested with

fruit flies. She said she'd been so overcome she had to leave. The jury

heard that in the house of squalor, rubbish was piled high in every

room, decaying food and filth everywhere. The PC lacks noted that

in the middle of all that stood a new flatscreen TV. —— at PC Jane

Lax. As she was led away, Mr was shaking and admitted she was an

alcoholic, according to PC Jane Lax. She confirmed her son had died

nearly two years earlier, on December 15, 2009. Amanda Hutton

remains on bail during her trial, which is expected to last up to

three weeks. Later on Look North: Meet

Camem—Bear. He's the teddy designed by a Wetherby woman to help young

children learn to speak French. In other news, the sports minister

Hugh Robertson says no more government money will be made

available for Yorkshire's Grand Depart. The Tour de France. In

Yorkshire in July but during a visit to Leeds today, Mr Robertson was

adamant about £10 million already pledged by the government would not

be increased. If you look at the amount of money being given to com

bubble events, the rugby the World Cup is about no 5p. If you look at

some of the world and European Championships in 2015, there are

tiny sums, so 10 generous grant.

North Yorkshire Police have announced plans to build new

multi—million pound headquarters in Thirsk. They say the current site,

in a grade two listed building in Newby Wiske near Northallerton, is

too expensive and difficult to maintain. The power supply dips and

parts of the site are empty because of redundancies.

Lights at a level crossing where a four—year—old girl was killed were

not as bright as they should have been, according to a rail accident

report. Emma Lifsey, from North Lincolnshire, died when the car she

was in drove through a closed half—level crossing barrier near

Finningley and was hit by a train last December. The report said her

grandmother, who'd been driving, only noticed the lights when she was

very close. Firefighters are staging a four—hour

strike tomorrow in a dispute over pensions. In South Yorkshire, senior

managers will be joined by specially trained volunteers in order to

provide emergency cover. In Sheffield tonight is our reporter

Tom Ingall. This is the fire station on the

outskirts of Sheffield and tomorrow at 12pm, just like other fire

stations across Yorkshire, people will stop what they are doing and

walk out. Those who belong to the Fire Brigades Union will, anyway.

This is a national strike about pensions and the retirement age so

local Chief Fire officers are powerless to stop going on but still

to provide a service. In South Yorkshire, they'll do that by using

a mixture of airport firefighters, trained volunteers and senior

managers and they hope to man up to eight pumps across South Yorkshire.

Earlier today is bowed to the Chief fire officer and asked if it was

safe. There no military personnel available any more. Green are thing

of the past and I'm reminded constantly by government that I have

a legal obligation to provide a service. —— Green goddesses. These

temporary firefighters are better than there being no cover whatsoever

in South Yorkshire during industrial action. I am joined by a

representative of the Fire Brigades Union. This action is going to cause

destruction, isn't it? There is a risk something might go wrong so why

Bush ahead? We've been forced into this. We've been trying to negotiate

a settlement for two years but the government shut the door.

Firefighters don't want to strike. Public safety is the number—1

concern but having firefighters attempt rescues in late 50s is

ridiculous. So your concern is the government want to make firefighters

retire later? That's part of it, also that they want us to work

later, pay more into pensions and take less out of it at the end.

That's not what our members signed up for. It's like being mis—sold a

pension. It's a four hour strike in the middle of the day. Can you see

at developing and carrying on? That depends on Brendan Lewis and the

rest of the government. We are always willing to talk and will be

happy to negotiate this and cease any further fire strike action.

From next year, language in primary schools will

become compulsory from the age of seven. And, with that in mind, an

ex—French teacher and mum from Wetherby has designed a

French—speaking teddy bear to introduce very young children to a

new language. It's already been taken up by over 30 schools, with

rave reviews from teachers and children. Heidi Tomlinson went to

see Camem—Bear in action. Five—year—olds at a primary school

near Boroughbridge absorbing French with ease. Where do we start?

Learning French with Camem—Bear is a new programme put together by a mum

and Exxon which teacher from Wetherby. Leanne Jefferson designed

and sourced to the friendly puppet, combined him with songs, rhymes and

books, and now over 30 schools use them. Learning French with

Camem—Bear is about giving your children a fun experience so that

they can go into key stage two having learnt French with a central

character whom they've identified with. He always helps us with French

because he's a friend to us, all of us. Everybody say it. Be appealing

Teddy can be brought to life by any teacher, giving primary schools are

cost effective in—house resource which may come in useful next year,

when learning a language comes compulsory from age seven.

children are very excited when Camem—Bear comes out of the magic

bag. Very keen to learn to use the French words. He helps us say

goodbye and hello in French. They do it within credible ease. I

absolutely love watching how children are absorbed it, how they

in repeat of the new words and phrases. I know how to say one two,

three, four in French. Camem—Bear is now counting down to the Tour de

France, taking to his bicycle where he'll feature on free packs for

schools about the history of the worlds greatest cycle race, which

begins in Leeds next summer. Before seven o'clock: We meet the

new Calendar Girls. They're a group of women happy to pose topless

despite the trauma of going through a double mastectomy.

From George Best to Johnny Depp, Madonna to Bob Marley — join us a

little later as we meet in the Yorkshire mosaic artists who spent

many a night on the tiles perfecting their craft for a debut exhibition

next month. Many of us might balk at the idea of

taking off all our clothes and appearing on camera — even if it is

for a very good cause. But imagine doing that if you had just had both

your breasts removed. Well, 25 women, who are all at high

risk of getting breast cancer because they carry the BRCA gene,

are appearing in a calendar. And they've all had double mastectomies.

Well, in a moment we'll speak to four of the women, but first let's

take a behind the scenes look at the calendar being filmed.

# I am beautiful, in every single way.

# Yes, words can't bring me down. # So don't you bring me down today.

Well, the idea behind the calendar was the brainchild of Wendy Watson

from Bakewell in Derbyshire. She also set up the National Hereditary

Breast Cancer Helpline. She joins us along with her daughter Becky

Measures, and with Dawn Anderson and Kelly Young — who all appear in the

calendar. Wendy, what made you want to do this? Well, it was Becky's

idea as much as anything, but what I really wanted to do was to take away

the stigma of having had preventive surgery because people are very

young when they have to think about these things. Still with a lot of

beautiful life left to live. It is a big fear for people so I wanted it

to be something that was empowering and inspiring, so that other people

won't so scared of it. How self—conscious did you feel? Not

really self conscious that all. I was so proud of the fat that it was

coming together and surrounded by all these women that had the same

aspiration as I did, and that is, yes we are BRCA carriers and have

all had surgery to prevent breast cancer but does it make us any less

of a woman? No, it doesn't. Everyone was in the same room with the same

kind of ideas and it was amazing to be able to do that. Your enthusiasm

is infectious. When I first had my operation, I was only 24 and I came

out thinking that I had a great pair of boobs. I need people to be aware

that a mastectomy is in the end. You are July, Dawn. The thing I like

about the photographs is that they are so tasteful. No body can be

offended, which I presume was very important. It was, and I was lucky

to be able to choose my pose because earlier in the year I did a marathon

to raise money for the helpline and they all commented on my legs, so it

was important they were in there. It was an amazing experience. I was

scared at the beginning but the day was fantastic and it's been for an

amazing course. People don't realise how passionate these two are. Wendy

started off the charity but for us who are involved, I don't think she

still realises what it means to us because we are a huge family, all

now connected just because of Wendy's helpline. Kelly, Angelina

Jolie hip the headlines when she had a double mastectomy. Tit you think

it is important —— do you think it is important that people go public?

I think it is important. It gives everybody concerned permission to

pursue their worries and the more high—profile people are, the more it

helps ladies in our position. Angelina Jolie is a beautiful, sexy

woman and she thinks it's OK to do it, then... And you are all

beautiful, sexy women as well. Can I ask you what this is all about

again? We're trying to raise money for the hereditary breast cancer

helpline, which is the only one I think in the world, but certainly in

the country, and it does struggle for funding. We are always promised

funding that never happens so we have to raise our own funds and one

of the spin offs is that hopefully we will raise enough money to give

the 24—hour service running, as I do run it 24 hours a day. It's been

lovely to talk to you. Well done to all of you. Hope you sell thousands

of them. Go to our website! They Zealand international who signed for

the end of Yorkshire's season, will be back with the club next year as

their overseas signing. He's part of the team in action in the final

County Championship match of 2013, down at the Oval, against Surrey.

Yorkshire batted first and reached 316 for six by close of play.

Now, the sun may have been shining today but for one Sheffield couple,

winter is very much on their minds. The season starts in just a couple

of weeks' time for Skeleton bob duo Shelley Rudman and Kristen Bromley.

And this year is, of course, an Olympic year. They've had a tough

summer in the gym, as Tanya's been finding out.

Skeleton bob is a sport that requires speed, agility and

strength. Shelley and Kristin has spent the last few months trying to

find that little bit extra for Olympic year. To get fitter and

faster, stronger and more powerful, just to push that's led a bit

faster. Every 10th that we gain here equals three tenths of a second at

the bottom. How is your weight? You usually have to put weight on. Yes,

the main goal this season was to put weight on and hold it because it

usually drops off quite quickly. So far I've put on a stone since

fabric, which is quite an improvement. I have to say, looking

at you you wonder where you have put on a stone. Brutes! Big thighs and

bottom at the moment. I can handle it. —— glutes.

the ice in the gym is not the same although we work our bodies in the

gym so that's good for the power. Phase. But to get on the ice is

really beneficial for us. There is little doubt these to spur each

other wrong. We're competitive in the gym, at home, everywhere. Every

session is about who can jump higher and who can live more. Obviously,

I'm stronger but she still tries to make out that she can match me and

she's not far off. Having become world champion last season, Shelley

is well set for this one. That was my final one to win the world

championship so I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders and

I can go into this next season quite happy. I love the sport and I love

competing in it and it would be amazing to represent my country at a

third Olympics. The first job for both is to qualify for the World Cup

squads. Success there will get them to the Olympics and hopefully to

glory. Now, you may recognise some of the

images behind us — they're famous faces from the worlds of music,

movies and sport. Each mosaic is made up of thousands of fragments of

typical kitchen and bathroom tiles! They've been created by a couple of

ceramic artists from West Yorkshire. One of them actually earns his

living tiling kitchens and bathrooms. The mosaics have never

been seen in public before and next month, they'll go on display at a

special exhibition in Liverpool. Phil Bodmer has managed to get an

exclusive preview. For the last 40 years, Allen has

worked in the building trade as a jobbing Tyler but after a day

grappling with grout, he heads for what you might call a night on the

tiles — in a tiny garage studio in his back garden. Alan has combined

the day job with a passion for art, creating stunning mosaics of his

idols from sport, music and film. What I do first is start on the eyes

and the nose, then the mouth, and just work out. You can see it coming

together magically. His friend and fellow artist Rita began working

with him five years ago. They've produced around 30 works together.

Each mosaic and take around 100 hours to complete. Everyone who sees

them are blown away. They can't believe the images are brought to

life with the mosaics will stop it gives them a 3—D effect and it's not

like looking at a standard painting or picture. It's so intricate will

stop you are drawn to pieces with in the picture and don't look at the

overall picture straight. The mosaics are going on display next

month in a Liverpool gallery. It's taken Alan for decades to get here

after his early artistic dreams were thwarted as a teenager. I showed the

tutor the artwork at the art college, who wrote to my mum and dad

saying, we think your son has some talent and is a talented artist. I

went home and had a word with my dad and he said, " you're getting a job

like anyone else. You'll go into the building trade and earn a living" .

Despite that early setback, Alan is living proof it's never too late to

follow your dreams stop now I realise the most important thing is

getting out of bed every morning, going to work and doing a job you

love and getting paid enough to pay your bills and help your family. The

mosaics go on display in Liverpool at the end of the month. Until then,

Alan will be back on the tiles in his day job.

A golf tournament in the next few days, isn't there? Yes, and it's

looking fantastic. I thought you'd have been asked to do take part in

the celebrity competition. Not inspiring weather conditions.

That's at Scarborough. It's been beautiful for a good few months but

the mist and low cloud rolled in. This picture was yesterday. It came

into late but I wanted to give it a plug because it's a fantastic

country show, and I believe it's the last of the season. Keep your

pictures coming in. The nondescript autumnal weather

continues over the next few days. A little ridge of high pressure and a

lot of cloud dropped only fit but I have to say, the clouds broke up

much more readily across South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire today.

Temperatures of 21 Celsius and a beautiful afternoon. But the cloud

has already filled in to a certain extent. There is low cloud and mist

and fog tonight. The cloud big enough for drizzle in places.

Temperatures mild for the time of year. 12 in Northallerton, 14 or 15

in Leeds and Sheffield city centre. The sun will rise in the morning at

6:57am, setting at 6:58pm. Another great start, especially along the

coast, with mist and a bit of drizzle. Elsewhere it may be that

the cloud is big enough for light rain. Essentially, a lot of fine

weather tomorrow. The cloud will break up to a certain extent. Later

a weak front could introduce some drizzle to parts of north and later

West Yorkshire. All in all, a lot of fine, quiet weather tomorrow and a

breeze in the north—east. Not a terribly good direction for the

coast. Inland, close to average temperatures. Not bad with all the

cloud around. 64 Fahrenheit in York. A little light rain on Wednesday

evening and Wednesday night but then things will clear up so Thursday

should be brighter. Mostly dry with some sunshine. We should hang on the

fine weather for Friday and for the first half of the weekend.

Have you got your order in for the BRCA babes calendar? Yes, of course.

That's all from us. We're back at 8pm and 10:25pm. Goodbye.