11/10/2013 Look North (Yorkshire)

Welcome to Friday's Look North. Tonight:

A plea for peace. Religious faiths and police in Bradford unite ahead

of a planned English Defence League protest this weekend.

Also tonight: Pooling their resources. The workers with

disabilities sinking their Remploy redundancy money into a new company.

I have invested five grand in this business. It will not feel. It will

succeed! The ultimate pottery collection.

4,000 pots hoarded in a small terraced house now on public

display. And in sport, Sheffield United have

this evening sacked manager, David Weir. In his ten league games in

charge, his side managed just one win.

It has been a largely cloudy day. You can see the cloud in Sheffield.

There was a breeze. Will it improve for the weekend? I am back later

with the full forecast. Good evening and welcome to the

programme. David Weir later. Hundreds of police

officers will be on the streets of Bradford tomorrow as members of the

far right English Defence League descend on the city. Their protest

is going ahead as planned, despite the resignation earlier this week of

the leader Tommy Robinson. Today in a move to reassure worried members

of the Muslim community every mosque in the city had a visit from a

senior police officer and council official. Our reporter is in

Bradford city centre for us now. What do we know about tomorrow's

police operation? Well, it is a pleasant evening here

in Bradford. Tomorrow, there will be hundreds of police officers here. A

significant number will police this event. The EDL website say they plan

to go ahead with the protest and say it will be peaceful and they have

the right to be here. Bees weather seems the last time the

EDL came to Bradford. A major police operation kept things under control.

Two years on, the city is bracing itself for another protest. They

will gather in the city centre in the morning. A significant number of

police will be present. Many bussed in from other parts of the UK.

Earlier this week, Tony Robinson stood down giving this event and air

of unpredictability. The people of Bradford are equipped to deal with

their challenges. The EDL bring nothing but Tait and division.

Police visited mosques during Friday prayers. We had a protest here in

2010. The leader of the EDL did not sure up at that event. We are

looking at all different aspects of the dynamics. It could be different

to other events. We are prepared for all eventualities. Every mosque in

Bradford had a visit from a senior police officer and council official.

They made it clear the centre of Bradford would not become a no—go

zone for people going about their everyday business. It is helpful for

the police to come out to communities to reassure people. I

think people are feeling more comfortable. The police have assured

us the communities will be safe. I would ask Muslim people not to

react. The leader of Bradford Council has written to the

government, requesting more powers to stop protests like the one

tomorrow from happening. Bradford is open for business and people should

not be put off coming to the city, that is the message from the

council. Religious leaders from all sorts of faiths have been here this

evening, having prayers and wanting to put out the message that peace is

so important in the city which has had more than its fair share of

troubles in the past. They have been putting ribbons on trees and having

silent prayers. The message is, come to Bradford tomorrow. There will be

a heavy police presence and you should be safe.

A group of disabled workers from West Yorkshire who lost their jobs

have pooled their redundancy money and set up a new company. They all

used to work for Remploy, which offered employment for disabled

people. But the Government has been closing down the factories as they

were costing too much to run. Five years ago, there were 83 Remploy

factories employing 3,500 people across the country. By the end of

this year, all but 12 will have been closed. While the closure programme

has been running, the Government says it has helped 50,000 disabled

people find jobs since 2010. Our reporter has been along to the

launch of the new factory in Leeds. It was just last year that Stephen

feared being left on the scrapheap. The government said the factories

were true costly and head away disabled workers. His feelings are

simple. Sick and horrible. My world crashed on the. Goal was not an

option. They pooled their redundancy money and set up their own company.

This has given us a chance to possibly prove people wrong. I'm

excited to be here. If we didn't have this, we would be on the dole.

I have invested five grand in this. It will not feel. We will succeed.

As well as being the workers, they are now also the owners. They want

to make a profit, but with a purpose. Everything we make us back

into the business. It is about developing people with disabilities.

Because of the way this organisation has set up, interest is not just

been from businesses but from politicians. It is a genuine

cooperative that works. People with disabilities can make a massive

contribution and that can win contracts and beat the private

sector. While accepting it will be tough, that is exactly what they are

aiming to do. Rome was not built in a day. This company will not be

built in a day. It will take time. I am happy that I am doing this. Happy

to that the orders are already coming in. For a company they both

value and all. We wish them the very best of luck.

Later on Look North: we are live at Bramall Lane.

Plus plans to reduce overcrowding on one of Yorkshire's busiest railway

lines, but will the cash be available?

A Bradford woman has been jailed for 21 months for her part in

trafficking a 20—year—old Slovakian victim who was kidnapped from her

home country and sexually abused and imprisoned in Yorkshire and

Lancashire. Petra Zudzova, who is 25, was sentenced at Preston Crown

Court today. Earlier this week, three men involved in what was

called a case of modern day slavery were jailed for a total of 31 years.

South Yorkshire Police have named a man who died after he was found

injured in Sheffield city centre. 45—year—old Calvin Clarke, was found

by a member of the public near to Snig Hill Police Station at around

5pm on 27 September. He was taken to the Northern General

revealed that Mr Clarke died of a stab wound.

Part of Scarborough town centre was sealed off and shops evacuated today

after a security alert. Bomb disposal teams were called in after

an abandoned pram with wires coming out of it, was reported to police in

Westborough at around 9am this morning. A 100 metre cordon was put

in place and a controlled explosion was carried out. North Yorkshire

Police say the evacuation had been a precaution and they were confident

the item had not been an explosive device.

Around 20 firefighters have been tackling a fire at a row of shops on

Bank Street in Mexborough. South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service

say crews were called, after reports of a fire in a roof space above two

shops at around 2pm this afternoon. A nearby pub had to be evacuated,

but no—one was hurt. An investigation into how the fire

began is now underway. South Yorkshire Police say there has

been a 30% increase in valuables being stolen from cars in Barnsley.

Figures comparing April to August this year, with the same time last

year, show a rise of 4% across the whole of South Yorkshire. While that

type of crime has fallen in Doncaster, in Barnsley it is up by

almost a third. We have sporadic hotspots. We had a

number of incidents of car theft in ferns parole last night. Lock your

doors, lock your windows and hide your valuables. Officers say it is

important people lock things like sat—navs out of sight.

Firefighters across Yorkshire will go on strike again a week tomorrow.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union across England and Wales will walk

out for five hours during the evening. It is all part of a dispute

about planned changes to their pensions. A four hour walk—out was

held last month. A scheme has been launched today to

dramatically reduce overcrowding on one of Yorkshire's busiest railway

lines. North Yorkshire County Council and Metro have drawn up

plans to electrify the Leeds, Harrogate and York route, and to

double the number of services. But more than £90 million of Government

funds will be needed. Phenomenal growth during a

recession. 1 million extra passengers in five years. Is now one

of the most overcrowded in northern England. But there is a plan.

Electrify the root. That will mean faster, newer trains running more

frequently. The MP for Harrowgate is backing the proposals. Today, they

called for £93 million of government funds. We are looking for a 15

minute frequency. Longer trains with four carriages. Faster trains as

well. The whole thing will be more reliable and comfortable. The South

of England has seen billions spent on rail infrastructure in recent

years. But last night the Prime Minister suggested there might funds

available for additional projects in Yorkshire. We will spend three times

more on railway projects than on HS2. Electrification of the

trans—Pennine route is vital. I think this should be electrified. It

is overcrowded. It is always full. We were told, if you buy a ticket

you are not guaranteed a seat. If £93 million can be fun —— can be

found, then the proposals could go ahead. And by then there could be

another 1 million extra passengers. Before 7pm, cup glory. We see the

magnificent Rugby League World Cup back in Yorkshire more than 40 years

after being nicked in Bradford. And a hoarder extraordinaire. The

collector who filled his home with every pot imaginable.

He has had just 13 games in charge, but he has won only two of them.

David Weir's time in charge of Sheffield United has been short and

unsuccessful. At lunchtime, he attended the pre—match press

conference ahead of Sunday's game at Coventry. A few hours later, news

came through that he had been sacked.

The news tonight can only have come as a big shock to David Weir

himself. This was the scene at the training ground this morning. He

took the session as normal and spoke to reporters after words. For the

last time as the boss of the blades. Appointed in June, David Weir has

spent most of his short tenure being reminded of the pressure he was

under two correctly feel years. They are left in the relegation zone. He

had begun to look rather tired of constantly being asked to publicly

defend himself. I was disappointed. The players were deep —— the players

were disappointed. It is embarrassing to have had this run of

results. Have you had any feedback from the hierarchy tonight you Mac

no. Do you resign? No. The new owners to control last

month. By which time, David Weir had already begun to feel badly. The

Saudi prince has stated the aim of getting them back into the Premier

League as quickly as possible. Our reporter is outside Bramhall

Lane now. What has the club had to say?

Well, David Weir had been in charge of very short length of time. This

was his first job. Tonight he has had a bitter lesson about the ups

and downs of running a football club. A statement says they have

relieved David Weir and his assistant. Their former captain will

take interim charge for the game this weekend. The club say they want

to appoint a permanent replacement as quickly as possible. While ago, I

caught up with some fans and asked what they thought. You cannot always

blame the manager. The need to invest. Combine both Sheffield

teams. They have played good football at times. But results are

important. They were not playing as well, but now they have a new

manager they might play better than they used to. The club at that they

wish David all the best. None of us want to be in this position. We can

only speculate about the new decision.

This is the rather magnificent Rugby League World Cup. The 2013

tournament gets underway in just a couple of weeks time with England

kicking it off against Australia. Before that, the trophy is going on

display at the Midland Hotel in Bradford. Why is that newsworthy?

Well, back in 1970, it was stolen from there. To pick up the tale, I

am joined by the Rugby Football League's historian Tony Collins.

It was the day after Australia one the game in 1970. They had a

celebration. Then the trophy disappeared. By the time they were

on their way back, no one knew where it was. It is a great sporting

mystery. 20 years later, someone saw something shiny in a ditch.

It was reunited in 1999. Harry, you were there. Was it like?

It was bizarre. It was a wonderful moment. You can see how serious they

were. We were delighted to get it back.

It is not small. You wonder what someone did with it?

It is not an easy thing to get rid of because it is distinctive. I

guess they just threw it away. Are they going to look after it a

bit more carefully this time? It will definitely be returned to

its rightful owners. Who do you think will be picking

this up at the end of it? I hope it will be Kevin Tsing Field.

Williams will be playing at Headingley on 8th of November. It

will be fantastic, whether it is the big teams like Australia or USA or

Italy, it will be fantastic for anyone. You will have a great time

if you go to watch it. Hopefully the trophy will not disappear again!

Can you believe there are six security guards in the studio for

that? ! Are you a collector? And do you

secretly hope your collection will turn out to be worth a fortune? If

so, this next report will give you a warm glow. You may not have heard of

William Ismay, but his collection is the star of a new artwork at the

Hepworth Wakefield. Collected over a lifetime, this

pottery has been made by Britain's best ceramic artists of the last

century. Might look humble, but is worth thousands. The collector

had an unerring eye and a love of ceramics. He was a lowly paid

librarian. This very ordinary house housed him and his collection of

3500 pop is. Inside, every surface of every room was crammed with pots.

More of his collection was stored above the bath. There was hardly any

room to get into the house because it was a passageway or hallway and

it was piled high with boxes. I squeezed past two go into the

kitchen. I have never seen so many ports in one kitchen. There was

literally one dinner plate's worth of space at one end of the table

which was clear. That was where he ate. This is how the gallery have

chosen to display the collection. Wooden floorboards mark out his

house. A fifth of his collection is displayed. There were some elegant

stages. They added the white appliances. Then we thought it would

be bonkers with the pots. We were right! The finished artwork makes

you wonder why the pots would be valued more than the gadgets. Who is

to say which is the more artful? I had an embarrassing collection

when I was younger. I used to collect robbers, trawls and ceramic

pigs. I used to collect stamps. Now I

collect clothes and handbags! We have some wet weather for

Saturday and Sunday. This was taken yesterday near Keighley. It looks

like snow in Scarborough, but it is actually the form from crashing

waves. No snow just yet! Tomorrow, lot of cloud around. The cloud will

produce outbreaks of light rain and drizzle. Some uncertainty over the

timings of the forecast. At the moment, it looks like tomorrow

evening is when we will get their heaviest of the rain. It is courtesy

of this area of low pressure. It is quite breezy out there. That will

gradually relaxed through the course of the weekend. We have had some

bright or sunny spells. There has been a lot of cloud around. We will

see the weather spread in from the south. Very light and patchy. A

rather grey and damp night. The sun will rise in the morning at seven ——

at 7:30am. We will start the day on a breezy and cloudy note. Patchy

rain and drizzle on and off through the course of the day. Rather

disappointing. Becoming more persistent through the evening. A

Some uncertainty about Sunday. A north—east.

Some uncertainty about Sunday. A number of fronts will cross as. It

looks like one will spread in from the East on Sunday, bringing heavy

spells of rain through the morning. Later and patchy in the afternoon.

Monday looks unsettled. Showers or longer spells of rain. Tuesday looks

decent. Wet and windy weather returning for Wednesday.

Thanks, Paul! Sorry, I just saw the dress and thought of Paul!

Second time this week that there