08/10/2013 Look North (Yorkshire)

Hello, welcome to Tuesday's edition of Look North. Tonight, bottom of

the class. A new report says Yorkshire's seven—year—olds have the

worst reading record in England, we look at what's being done to improve

it. Also tonight. Who'd drive a car like

this? It'll travel up to 1000 miles an hour and part of it has been made

in Sheffield. heart.

And we'll be hearing from Sheffield's latest musician to taste

chart success. Good evening. We start with the news

that Yorkshire's seven year olds have the worst reading record in

England. According to a new report from the charity Save The Children1

in seven are below Government standards. Almost one in four of

these come from poorer families who qualify for free school meals.

That's the equivalent of more than 3,000 children struggling to read.

As Spencer Stokes reports, it can affect them for the rest of their

lives. These grumblings in tricky words at

this primary School in Bradford. —— these children are on scrambling

words. They placed great emphasis on reading. But it is difficult and

only 5% of pupils have English as the first language. We teach them

how to look after books, how to turn the book the right way, for the

children who read the Koran, they think it is the opposite way. We

teach them all those things so they start to appreciate what books can

do for them. Whilst this school is working hard to improve reading,

Yorkshire at a whole is behind the rest of the country with a quarter

of seven—year—olds on free school meals not reaching the government's

reading target. Save the children said those children could like

behind. The chances of going on to get a good batch of GCSEs and then

go on and do well in the labour market is significantly affected by

how well you're doing at the age of seven. It is a critical foundation

for children. It is not just the chances of getting a job that is

affected. The charity warned that poor readers at seven are more

likely to end up in prison. So are reading standards slipping? This is

one of the tests that seven—year—olds are meant to do,

words like crocodiles, then more words to read inside. So not

particularly easy words especially if your first language is

Slovakian, Polish or Urdu. I do not think standards have fallen, they

have got higher. We have raised our expectations of what we expect from

children, the test so hard, the pad is a good thing because —— the tests

are harder but that is a good name because these children need to be

fully equipped to deal with their life once they leave school. The

government says extra funding through that pupil premium will help

children who find reading difficult. If they are right, reading standards

should improve and seven—year—olds With us now is David Beavis,

northern regional director for the charity Beanstalk, which trains

volunteers to work in schools and give struggling children one to one

support. Many parents watching this today children in Key stage one will

be saying, why is this happening, why are we so at reading? There can

be many reasons why children fall behind. Problems like social and

economic problems, lifestyle problems like we heard in those

report. People who have not been brought up with English as a first

language. The important thing is that we address this. How can we

address this, and what can be done? We already have 110 dedicated

reading helpers who do a fantastic job, giving one—to—one support to

children in primary schools and it does make a difference. We find that

some of the children we support who are making no progress with their

reading after getting dedicated support, they would have progressed

two reading levels. I suppose the issue is, if children are falling

behind at the age of seven, what happens when they get to secondary

school, can they make that up? The harsh reality is around the country

there are 70,000 children leaving primary school who

there are 70,000 children leaving primary school are not reaching the

required standard. They are lead to parents. Should parents do

more to encourage their Georgian, are there too many distractions at

home? There are lots of reasons, if parents can do more that is

fantastic. We are aiming to give additional support that this

children desperately need. What about theory that children are being

tested to early? We start our kids very young, some of the continental

counterparts start them later and they do not have to have any

issues. There is a literacy problem throughout Europe, it is not unique

to the United Kingdom or just Yorkshire in general. There is a

problem. There are various reasons why that problem exists but the

problem is we need to address it. The help of your volunteers going

into schools, it can make a difference? In some cases it can

transform lives and get children on the right path to a successful

future. Thank you for coming in and explaining that to us.

A man's appeared before magistrates in Rotherham, charged with the

murder of a man in Herringthorpe at the weekend. Michael Riches, who's

59, was found with serious injuries at his home in Swinburne Place on

Sunday, and died in hospital later. Anthony McCall, who's 55 and from

Kimberworth, has been remanded in custody and is due before Sheffield

Crown Court on Thursday. The Independent Police Complaints

Commission says seven retired South Yorkshire Police officers are

refusing to be interviewed about their statements on the Hillsborough

disaster. The IPCC has traced 237 officers whose accounts were later

changed. Retired police can't be forced to give fresh interviews, but

it's hoped that as many as possible will be interviewed before new

inquests begin next March. There's more criticism today of the

government's plans for a high speed rail network linking London with the

north, this time from the Treasury Select Committee. MPs say a more

convincing economic case is needed for High Speed two, and it shouldn't

go ahead until there's fresh analysis showing how it would

deliver jobs and regional economic growth. The government insists HS2

is vital and that it will be delivered within the agreed £42

billion budget. The inquest into the death of

four—year—old Bradford boy Hamzah Khan will be held a week on Friday.

His body was left lying in a cot in filthy conditions for nearly two

years before it was finally discovered. His mother Amanda Hutton

was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence last week and

sentenced to 15 years in jail. The company that used to own

Kellingley colliery in North Yorkshire has pleaded guilty to

failing to ensure the health and safety of its employees. It follows

the death of miner Gerry Gibson from Sherburn in Elmet when a roof

collapsed at the pit two years ago. The company, which was known as UK

Coal Mining Limited, has now gone into administration.

Investigations are continuing to try to locate the operator of a meat

cutting plant in Bradford which was closed down for being unhygienic.

West Yorkshire Lamb, Beef and Poultry Limited was raided last

month following concerns about the cleanliness of the premises. It's

thought the company was supplying two tonnes of poultry to the food

industry every day. Customers have been asked to destroy the produce.

The former mayor of Doncaster Peter Davies has won a legal battle over

library funding. Carol Buck from Scawby had claimed Mr Davies acted

unlawfully when he decided to close two libraries and off—load 12 more

to volunteers. Today, three appeal court judges rejected her claim.

Staff who test blood samples and monitor blood transfusions at

hospitals in Leeds and Bradford have started a ballot on more industrial

action. Members of the Unite union have already been on strike for

three days in July and August over changes to shift patterns which they

believe will put patient safety at risk. Managers say the proposals are

in line with the nationally agreed agenda for change.

Later on Look North. Fancy a pint? We'll be getting the inside story on

Britain's highest pub deep in the Yorkshire Dales.

Anyone who has ever visited the North York Moors and struggled for a

mobile phone signal won't be surprised to learn that the area has

some of the worst coverage in the country. But government subsidies

for 18 new mobile phone masts in the national park are set to bring the

Moors into the 21st century, which some people will no doubt think is

rather a shame. Phil Connell reports.

The views may be a delay, but using a mobile phone here can be

frustrating. The views may be idyllic. This is one of the worst

reception areas in the blackspot affecting increasing

numbers of people including many rural businesses. It means you have

got to go to the top of the village, hold your phone up and try to talk

into it so it is very frustrating. Friends who have always been used to

send texts, continue to send texts and wonder why they do not get an

answer, I do not get them. In the race to improve telecommunications,

rural areas like the North York Moors have been largely overlooked.

Now a government scheme could bring this isolated area into the 21st

century. Back to buy the local part —— backed by the local park

authority, plans for 18 new: phone masts are being considered, which

will be all over the moors. It will mean that people feel they are more

part of the mean that people feel they are more

part of world, they can talk to their friends and relatives, they

can do better at business and it is easier for emergencies. For some, Mo

signal is a blessing. The owner of this teashop say people come here

for peace and tranquillity. The other people, they are here for just

a restful time, peaceful time. I do not think they really want to sit in

a tea room and listen to somebody else's conversation on a mobile

phone. The park authority says the 18 masts

will have minimal impact on the landscape here, improving

communications, it is hoped, by this time next year.

I can imagine that that is really frustrating if you live there. As an

occasional visitor, it is one of the reasons I go, to be cut off. It is

very frustrating when you need to make a call, though.

The team building a supersonic car that it's hoped will travel at 1000

miles an hour have been in Yorkshire today to collect a very expensive

part. Bloodhound is powered by a rocket engine and engineers believe

it will make history. Part of the rear suspension has been made in

Sheffield using cutting edge technology. Emma Glasbey reports.

This is the ultimate aim. The supersonic car. Travelling at 1000

miles an hour across the desert. Breaking the world land speed

record. Bloodhound will be five times faster than a Formula one car.

And the people helping to make this happen are right here in Yorkshire.

And the advanced Manufacturing research Centre near Sheffield, they

have spent more than a year making this. Worth at least £1 million, it

is a very expensive car park. But it forms part of the rear suspension,

so it will help keep Bloodhound at the grounds as the

powers the car to supersonic speeds. The design is down to Bloodhound.

But to make that part, we have got one chance, we have to get it right

one. We have got 400 kilos of Ms —— aluminium and we are machining it

down to 40 kilos, we cannot afford to get it wrong otherwise we wreck

£6,000 worth of material. Two now we will take it back, there are a

number of different assemblies who are bolting to this, the assembly

team is waiting to get the car built. It is a very big deal for the

project to get this finished. Building a car parts that will

support the fastest wheels in history is no mean feat. The team

relies on cutting edge technology. In this virtual reality Cave, I can

control my view of the Bloodhound cart simply by walking around it. If

we bend down, a we can actually see underneath the car. Engineers are

using this animation to help them design parts and get a real feel for

the car. By building the ultimate racing car, engineers want to show

children that science can be exciting. Bloodhound will be taken

to a desert in South Africa in 2016 to hopefully make history.

That is very cutting edge! Desert in South Africa is the only place he

would have a long enough place. For most of us, a trip to the local

is a walk away. For some it's more of an expedition, particularly if

you're talking about the highest pub in the country, the legendary Tan

Hill Inn, deep in the Yorkshire Dales. And now one of its former

landlords has written a book about his time spent living there at more

than 1700 feet. Phil Chapman went to see him at his old watering hole.

It does tend to get a little wet and windy up here. The weather is a big

talking point at the Pace Micro but it is the characters that have

passed through over the years that have made for a good book, including

some with real barefaced cheque. —— cheek. The weather was entirely

typical for them appear, they were frozen to their marrow. Neal's

successor says the book is going down eight storm with regulars. We

have suffered, —— we have softened, we have got a fire and double

glazing. Now we have got 24 hour licences. The places still has tags

of character and attract Canadian visitors... Every time we come here

we come up here to Tan Hill Inn, it is one of our favourite places. Some

of the highest ins are in Transylvania, as 2000 metres. Maybe

higher. Back down here at 1732 feet, 30 years ago, Neil had the bright

idea to get a certain double glazing company in. The here is behind the

bar. I wrote them said, if you want some terrible weather, film here, so

they had had the same idea and they came up here and they had a

commercial. My favourite chapter has to be checked to one, even his click

would not —— Heathcliff would not come here. If you never experienced

going for a pint in horizontal rain, you can read all about it.

Trust Yorkshireman to find a way to get himself some three double

glazing! Before 7pm, making music. From X

Factor to chart success, Sheffield's latest musician performs for her

home fans. And the life—long Bronte fan with a

rather bizarre new exhibition, we show you the Parsonage as it's never

been seen before. England's rugby union teams have

today unveiled their new strip. The men's and women's kits were on show

at Burntcliffe school in Morley. The England men's head coach Stuart

Lancaster was himself a teacher in Leeds. He says he is looking forward

to the coming internationals. We want to be competitive in all of

them, we want to win all three. We know we have got a good side in the

making. We have won seven out of the last eight games, we have got

confidence, the players are doing well in the premiership. We have our

fingers crossed for no injuries and away we go.

She's the latest musician from Sheffield making waves in the

industry. Lucy Spraggan is in her hometown for an in—store performance

and CD signing for her fans. Today she releases her debut album Join

The Club, having already tasted chart success. But she rose to fame

after appearing on the X Factor last year, despite quitting the show.

Shamir Masri's been to meet her. I am here in Sheffield city centre

where Lucy Spraggan, who brings out her new album today will be

performing tracks and signing CDs. She takes a bit of time to join me

here. Thank you for coming down. A lot of people remember you from the

X Factor, but you are not the archetypal extractor artist, but

Isaac helped your career? Yes, it is the reason people are coming down.

It is a weird experience but it is amazing. There are a lot of people

gathering already. It has been a crazy 12 months for you, can you sum

it up? It has been which is something I really enjoy

doing, it is not like the job. It is like having fun everyday. I did my

first tour which sold out, that was incredible. We finished the album.

Released the second single. The album is out now and it is crazy, it

has been so much. # I found up and it broke my heart.

# The Father, son and the Holy Ghost. # We don't talk too much but

I follow the Northern Star. # As the birds fly south, I've been

listening in a small house. It seems like it is going to do pretty well

in the charts, it is called Join The Club, it is a mixture of styles.

Have you taken any local influences from Sheffield? A lot of the songs

are about being here, Lighthouse especially mentions the engineers,

it is about the places I have been and the experience of going on the X

Factor rather than being at home. You have spent a lot of time on

sofas, Howard that as a creative experience? That was good, I had a

lot of friends in the US, it is inspiring and that is where I got a

lot of songs from. There is one called in a state, I fell made late

—— I fell madly in love, in a state, in Florida, it is a long story. You

are still very young, you have achieved a huge amount of success.

How can you see this moving forward? I am just go to keep working and do

everything I can, trying to be that person that keeps going. I will keep

my fingers crossed, the support from everyone has been incredible since

many years ago. I am just really thankful for everyone at home

supporting me. I am sure that will continue, all the very best for the

new album. If you are not able to get down here, he will —— Lucy will

be touring around Sheffield. She is a real down to worse

Yorkshire lad, —— lash, we love her. The Bronte parsonage museum in

Haworth attracts thousands of visitors from around the world every

year. And for the next three months, it's home to a rather unusual

animal—themed exhibition. It's all the work of artist and life—long

Bronte fan Charlotte Cory. Kate Bradbrook has been for a look

around. Strange happenings are afoot here at

the Bronte Parsonage Museum. Something surreal, even unlearning.

And never seen her before. It is the brainchild of Charlotte Cory,

Famously combining Victorian calling cards with her own portrait stuffed

animals, she has come up with an alternative Bronte narrative. There

was this Victorian Facebook, and of session with photographs, it took

off in 1849. The same generation of people learned from Darwin that they

were not immortal, they were not made in the likeness of God, they

were animals. This is the famous dining room and this is where the

three sisters wrote their novels. They would walk round the table

discussing story ideas and over here is the sofa where Emily Bronte died.

The one thing you will not expect to see here are these two chairs. With

these surreal images of animals. This one representing sure the upper

—— Charlotte Bronte and this one, Mrs Gaskell. This is a theme which

is repeated throughout the Parsonage.

I thought it was quite fun. As someone who likes animals, I do.

Maybe in a different setting, here it feels more of a distraction. It

makes you think, but I don't know about animal heads on people's

bodies, that is a bit freaky. It here is to be simply amusing and

many of our visitors will be used by it, but it is absolutely rooted in

extensive research. So they've bring some interesting new insights. The

sisters were known to love animals. Who knows how they would feel that

they are being detected as animals? —— depicted?

Did you understand it? I am not sure if I am sophisticated enough. What

would you be? I think I would be ace lost, probably. I would be a baby

element. And you would be a fox! —— a baby elephant.

A couple of pictures to start today, the first of the Sheffield

Canal. We had some lovely sunshine today. This picture is from

yesterday at which the harbour. Keep your pictures coming in.

As you may well have heard, change is afoot. Over the next couple of

days it will turn much colder. We have held onto mild air for quite

some time. It is going to be a shock to the system when the cold air

sinks down from the north of the go through tomorrow. Introducing some

showers and strengthening northerly winds. I fixed the heaters will be

on. It will remain dry tonight, as we head overnight there will be one

or two showers. A bit colder than it has been of late. The breeze is

gentle from the West. We are expecting the cold air to

sink down from the north as we go through tomorrow. We start off on a

dry note but we are going to have the wind strengthening and I have

put on the arrows to emphasise that, they will be blowing through the

showers, they will be passing through quickly but the winds will

be picking up particularly on the North Yorkshire coast line. We are

expecting gales here. It will be windy here. With the cold air, it

will feel quite cold indeed. We are likely to hold onto some showers

along the coast as we head overnight into Thursday. Another chilly day on

the cards. Starting off quite cold, a few patches of grass frost.

Temperatures really struggling to get above ten or 11 degrees. It is

going to feel quite cold. Friday looks like it will brighten up, we

should see some good spells of sunshine, less in the way of

showers, but still holding onto the breeze. It will feel more unsettled

into the weekend, holding on the cloud and the cold temperatures.

There could be some rain around, but that is a long way off. Tomorrow,

the wind strengthening, and the cold air is coming in.

We are back at 10:25pm. Enjoy your evening.