29/10/2013 Look North (Yorkshire)

weekend. That's all from us. Now the news

where you are. You are watching Look North. On the

programme tonight. Development in the search for two of

Yorkshire's most high profile missing people.

We will have the latest on the search for Claudia Lawrence, and Ben

Needham. Also tonight. Godless church, grow in popularity as

services for atheists start in Leeds.

And feeling the heat in Mexico, plans to transfer Yupi the polar

bear to colder climbs in Doncaster. And lighting up Yorkshire, we will

be live as the Yorkshire museum, there, gets a visual make over.

And some pars of Yorkshire had a beautiful day, like here in Otley.

But it was fairly breezy. We are looking at a cold night tonight and

I will be back later with your full forecast.

First tonight, there are major developments in the long rains ``

runs cases of two missing people from Yorkshire, police have started

reexamining the case of Claudia Lawrence, who went missing over four

years ago, there is an update on the case of Ben Needham, who went

missing during a family holiday to Kos 22 years ago. The results of a

DNA test on a man in Cyprus have proved that he is not Ben. We will

hear from Ben's mother in a moment, but first, our crime correspondent

has the latest on the Claudia Lawrence investigation.

Four`and`a`half years after Claudia Lawrence van ibished without trace,

forensic science officers were back at her home in Heworth Road in York.

They will spend the next two weeks in a reexamination of number 46,

believing fresh evidence can still be found. No`one has seen or heard

anything from Claudia, since March 18th 2009. The following day she

failed to turn up for work at York University. She left her home neat

and tidy. Her personal documents there. No sign of any disturbance

which might explain what happened. One of the police's ever vaguses

failed to find any trace of her, but now, a new team is taking a new

look. The premises were left in a

particularly tidy situation. Now as you know, there maybe a perfectly

innocent explanation, alternatively whoever is responsible for her

demise might have tidied up. It has been the lack of forensic evidence

which has hampered police investigations into the mysterious

case of Claudia Lawrence. But now it is hoped with advances in

science, that new evidence, new clues could yet be found from within

Claudia's house, which it wasn't possible to discover four years ago.

Whether Claudia is still alive or not, the officer in charge of North

Yorkshire Police's new major crime unit believes they can find out more

If the day went by where that would be the day really to, you know, to

pack things up and move on into a different career. And they are

adamant a fresh inquiry will be worthwhile It is difficult when we

catch the full facts, with the public for good reason, I wouldn't

say that this particular examination would be undertaken if he didn't

think there was some benefit to be gleaned from it. Police know

Claudia's house which has stood empty for the past four`and`a`half

years will be resold in time. So they say their new investigation

there is urgent. We are joined now by Claudia's

father Peter Lawrence. Peter, technology moves on. Police in

presumably wouldn't do this if they weren't hopeful of finding in

evidence; does that reassure you? There is obviously a significant

cost involved in a team like this doing this investigation for

something like a couple of weeks in the house, so no, they wouldn't do

it unless they thought it was use. They tell me things have moved on,

let us hope they can find something. I know anger is not in your nature

but frustration might be, the frustration had they had these

facilities before you might have had a lead at least. Obviously. Let us

leave aside any advances there might have been in technology, North

Yorkshire didn't have a major crime unit. I suppose it didn't have much

major crime, but as you say, had this unit been there four years ago

we might not have been where we are now. It is fortunate that Claudia's

house has remained empty, do you visit, do you go back to the house

much? Yes, I have to go and check on it, but it is one of the things that

is required by the insurers and I have to go in. It wouldn't say it is

something I enjoy doing. From time to time things happen, new leads or

new suggestions, new gossip whatever emerges, have you got anything to

hold on to at the moment that is new in this? I haven't got anything,

what I hold on to is that whenever anything new happens, there is

always hope. This investigation that we are looking at, at the moment, is

part of a much bigger review of Claudia's case, and they will be

looking at all the interviews they did in connection with anything they

find at the house, it is completely new team, all together, they can

also call on their colleagues in West Yorkshire if they need to, it

is something new, I saw the Chief Constable about three weeks' ago and

he has a personal commitment to try and find out what happened to

Claudia. Let us hope we do. It quickly moved on from a missing

person's inquiry, to a murder investigation. What do you believe

happened to your daughter? I believe and always have done, and have been

obviously worked through every other possibility, that she was picked up

by someone she at least vaguely new knew on that morning on the way to

work. What has happened to her since then I don't know. The previous

senior officer involved in the case, who has now retired, and I, just

agreed to go along parallel track, he said it was a murder

investigation, I said it was a missing person, trying to find the

same thing. What happened to Claudia.

Peter Lawrence, thank you very much for speaking to us.

There has been a major development in the search for need. Ben went

missing 22 years ago and today, is his 24th birthday. A DNA test has

been carried out on a man who handed himself into Greek police after

suspicions were raced as a Roma celebration, but within the past two

hours the put results have proved he is not Ben.

A few seconds of secretly filmed pictures. The latest lead in the 21

year search for Ben. We have disguised the young man's

identity at the question of the Needham family. Their hopes have

been raised and dashed again. But they never give up There are lots of

lies of inquiry we can follow after this. I am sure now with all the

breaking news the Greek authorities will act swiftly and investigate all

these leads. Ben went missing on the island of

Kos in 1991. He was 21 months old. Today, is his 24th birthday.

Over the years his mother has worked tirelessly to keep the investigation

in the public eye. This is a computer generated image

of how he would have looked at age 21. The search for Ben as been given

new impetus by the discovery two weeks' ago of a blonde haired blue

eyed girl in a Roma camp in Greece. Her natural parents have come

forward. But, for the Needham family, it was proof that children,

even distinctive children can be hidden from the eyes of the

authority, and grow to adulthood. Far from home, and family, perhaps

without ever knowing who they really are.

Later on Look North. As the Government puts its case for hide

speed rail, our investigation finds most Yorkshire politicians still

back the project. `` high speed rail. NHS managers

have unveiled proposals for major overhaul of Dewsbury Hospital,

including plans to invest over ?20 million and sell off parts of the

old site. The proposals include building a new front entrance. A

redesigned A and a midwife led birthing unit. Campaigners have

criticised the plan saying they are part of losing other services. Our

health correspondent has this. David Johnson is one of round 500,000

people who rely on the services offered by Dewsbury Hospital when

injured or unwell. Drilling aluminium and caught my finger. But

there are big changes being proposed across the Mid Yorkshire Trust that

will affect everything from A and maternity service, to overnight

children's care, and surgery. There are three hospitals in the Mid

Yorkshire Trust, and under the proposals, all emergency and complex

care would move to pinneder fields in Wakefield, which deuce by and

Pontefract focussing on routine care. In Dewsbury the number of

patients being treated would rise, but the number of beds would be cut,

to reflect the fact that care won't be as complicated.

But these plans have been controversial and have been referred

to the Health Secretary amid concerns they aren't in the public

interest. Today the trust has unveiled plans for a major overhaul

of the Dewsbury site, assuming the changes go ahead, which includes

over ?20 million worth of investment. This is a major

commitment to Dewsbury Hospital going forward for the next 10, 20,

30 year, ?21 million is a significant investment in the estate

of Dewsbury Hospital, to make it fit for purpose.

Under the plan, the wing which includes physiotherapy would be sold

off as would the Bronte tower. There would be a new main entrance as well

as plans for a new birth centre. New equipment including an MRI scanner.

But these plans have been criticised by campaigners opposed to change.

They are messing with people's lives. We don't need a new front

door. We don't need a prettier maternity unit. We need to save the

service, for the people of Dewsbury. A decision over the future of

services at Dewsbury Hospital will now be made by the Health Secretary.

An exclusive BBC survey show he's the vast majority of Yorkshire's

politicians are still backing the HS2 project. The Government's

controversial high speed railway line is planned to link Leeds with

the Midlands and London by 20032. Look North has asked MPs and council

leaders if they are for, against or neutral about HS2, Spence Sir Stokes

has the result. HS2 is divisive and today the Government has published a

revised scheme that shows there are fewer economic benefits than

originally thought. We have been finding out what MPs in this region

thought. There are 44, some have constituencies close to the line,

others represent areas a long way from it. Five MPs say they are

against HS2, Barry Sheerman is one of them. He used to support the

project but says the more he studies the proposals, the more he is

concerned it will suck economic growth out of Yorkshire to

south`east. Four more MPs say they are neutral and three didn't get

back to us. The vast majority of MPs here in Yorkshire are in favour. 32

told us they still support the idea of building the 225mph railway that

will link Leeds with South Yorkshire, the Midland and down to

London. What we need is a modern transport

system in this country, to get people round quickly, speedily, and

reliably, and to have sufficient capacity to get even round who wants

to travel, the number of people who want to travel is growing, therefore

we need the line to solve that. We have been speaking to our big

council, asking whether they stand on HS2. There are 11 in total, and

the leaders of seven are in favour of going ahead with HS2, but three

are neutral. They haven't reached a decision yet. The leader of Bradford

says he is not sper `` persuaded by the scheme. I don't see how it can

be seen as a benefit to Bradford. My view is that there may well be

better ways of spending ?52 billion to improve the connectivity on a

wider basis s across the whole of the north of England, and improving

links north`south as well. Later this week there will be a key

commons vote on hist heist heist and the news that 32 of our MPs are

still backing it will be welcomed by a government that face, has faced

growing criticism of its high speed rail plans. Some other news. And

round 700 jobs are under threat at Bradford council. The council's

workforce which has shrunk by 15 hundred unover the past three years

will see another 700 posts go by 2016. Officials say the draft

proposals would say round ?21 million.

The owners of Yorkshire's tallest building have agreed to take over

responsibility for strong winds in the area. Dr Edward Slaney was

crushed by a lorry blown over near Bridgwater Place in March 2011. The

company had accepted for responsibility for wind reduction

measures on their own land. Not on the road nearby. Up to 100 snakes

have died in a house fire in, you. It is thought to have started in the

room where they were kept. A woman had to be rescued from the house in

the Clifton Moor area this lunchtime. 20 firefighters tackled

the blaze. More than 70 bikes thought to have been stolen have

been found as property in Selby. The cycles ranged from children's bikes

with stabilisers to mountain bike, shopper bike, racers and BMX. Three

people have been arrested and were later released on bail. Police say

there has been a big increase in bike theft over the last 12 months

We have had an increase of 60% so it is a problem at the moment. It is

not just with people parking bikes in the open arena, we are suffering

shed burglaries, where people are getting the cycles stolen from the

sheds, so when at home, we need to make sure that people are securing

them properly. We subpoena known it, now Yorkshire's been voted one of

the best places in the world to visit. It came third in a list of

the top ten world regions for 2014, compiled by the travel guide company

lonely planet. The guide calls it a welcoming region of rugged

moorlands, heritage homes and cosy pubs. Should have been first.

Tickets for the 2013 Sports Personality of the Year event which

takes place in Leeds will go on sale this Friday. Last year, 15 million

people tuned in to see shield's Jessica Ennis`Hill finish runner`up

to Bradley Wiggins. This time round it will be held at the new Leeds

arena on Sunday 15th December. Tickets cost between 40 and ?60

each. The programme will be live on BBC One.

Now, traditional church congregations round the country have

been declined for years but one form of worship has been an expansion

there is a growth in what is called the atheist church where groups meet

to sing songs and create a sense of community but without a pension of

God. The organisers want to set up their first group in Yorkshire in

Leeds, our reporter is there for us now. What is happening there? Good

evening. Yes, I am in a church, as you can see, we are right in the

heart of Leeds city centre, we are at St John's. But they won't be

talking about God here tonight. In fact, this building has not been

used by the Church of England for regular masses since the 1970s,

tonight it is being used to launch Yorkshire's first Sunday assembly,

at the congregation have started arriving. The cake is out. Let us

speak to this man. Why we in a church? It is a wonderful building.

It the sort of place people get married and it the place that raises

the soul. As it hasn't been used for a while it is a great place for a

community get together. So what happens at these community get

togethers? Well, there are a lot of fun, we are going to be singing

awesome song, we will sing Don't Stop Me Now. There will be a guest

speaker, a moment's silence, which is good to gather your thoughts and

then tea and cake and the star of a community of people who might not

believe in God but do believe in good. These services are up and

running in London. Let us look at what happens.

# Don't stop me now # Such a good time #

All the atom, all the atoms in your hand were created because of some

billion to one anti`matter imbalance, a trillionth of a second

after the universe began. So this is Rachel. Just tell me why

you are here? First I am a religious studies teach, I am really

interested in the idea behind building a community without

religion, it is a brilliant idea that brings people together. Also

looking at the wonders behind life and the philosophy, the songs they

are going to sing, and also the interesting talks that are going to

be going on, and I brought my son to involve him as well. I think it is a

brilliant idea for all communities. Thank you. Have a nice evening. Of

course they won't be singing hymns, I have had a look at the programme,

they will be singing songs by Amy Winehouse, dire straits and of

course Queen. We have had a big reaccuse shine

here. Hundreds have been commenting on this story on our Facebook page.

Maz says: Keep your comments coming in. Before

seven. An illuminating story as York ice buildings light up to celebrate

the city's first Danish king. `` York ice.

We have a bit of a story here but it might just might have a happy

ending. There are plans afoot to rescue a polar bear from saltering

conditions in a zoo in Mexico. It is not the place for a polar bear. The

Yorkshire wildlife park hope to rescue Yupi and bring her back to

the cooler climbs of Doncaster. Dan Johnson has been to see how

plans are progressing. Yupi the polar bear, a long way from

home and far from comfortable in the heat of Mexico.

Yupi is an incredibly sad story. She was an orphaned cub, she spend most

of her time in a small concrete enclosure, with access to one pool,

and very few places for her to hide. She has to suffer temperatures up to

30`5 degrees, for a polar bear they are not adapted to cope with that

heat so this is a real problem. So the plan is to bring her 5,000 miles

here, to the edge of Doncaster. But it is not easy building a new home

for the biggest of the bears. Is it an amazing transformation turning

what likes like an opencast mine into a bear pit, that it is hoped

will be home to Yupi, and actually some other polar bears too. But

there is an awful lot of work to do before they are hoping this can open

to the public in March next year. Space is important but it is not

just the space, they want a dynamic diverse environment, places for them

to hide, to play, and this is going to offer all of that to the bears.

The ten acre reserve will include streams, pools and waterfalls

designed to replicate the polar bears natural habitat. There are

still those who feel whatever the quality of the enChloe their they

shouldn't be in captivity. We want to see animals in their native home

but we do have polar bears in Europe, let us look after them, give

them the best life we can. The park needs to raise ?150,000 to

complete the project. But all being well Yupi should be chilling out in

Yorkshire by the spring. Let us hope so.

With the clocks going back we have got those dark winter evenings

drawing in, but don't go hibernating, because in York there

is plenty going on, taking advantage of the dark. It is the Illuminating

York Festival which is bigger than before, two locations have light

shows going on, Cathy is at one of them for us now. Wow, look at that,

what is going on behind you? Yes, thanks very much. Am in the museum

gardens and that is the Yorkshire museum it has said nickers to the

night`time and put on its glad rags, what you are seeing is the story of

Eric Bloodaxe, he was the famously bloodthirsty Viking king that lived

in York about 1,000 years ago. One of the team that has devised this

spectacular show is Philip and he is with me now. It looks incredible, I

am imagining it was a technical challenge? It has been a lot of work

for a lot people over a month, making the animation and we have

been here for a few days installing it. It pushes the boundary of this

particular art form. What I like about this piece, they have created

a narrative story, video projection mapping is not aed in idea, this is

telling a story, it has a lot of live action, we can have Eric here,

we have a bunch of actors who are from the Viking society who are

happy to volunteer and dress up for us, so yes, it is a nice story. But

it usesst building. I have seen those pillars become tree, flame, it

is wonderful. We are obeying some of the rules of map, we have them

outlined in Nyon, we have the building collapsing, we are working

with architecture as well. Thank you very much for now. This isn't the

only light show going on in York, there is another one at Clifford's

Tower and a host of other event, and the lady with the low`down is Gill

Cooper. Give us a taste of what is on offer. We are right across the

city this year, here a museum gardens and stretched all the way to

Clifford's Tower. We have things in the minister, treasurer's House,

Parliament Street, St Helen's square and all our partners have been

fantastic in working with us. Some is free, some you have to pay for

but we are all over the city. . In the railway museum, what is going on

there? We have had Mallard, we have done lighting up locos, this year we

have Mallard and her sister trains, so a thrill for the train spotters,

and they are all beautifully lit, and that is lovely free event.

Brilliant. About 50,000 people are expected in York over the course of

the festival which runs from Wednesday night, to Saturday night.

You might be tempted to spend winter under a duvet but it is good to get

out. Hot chocolate tastes better in the cold.

Thatst latest trend. They have done something similar in Leeds and

Bradford. One big story you may have missed it is national cat day. This

means that we are going to show you a sneak preview of Keeley's talented

cat Alan. I have been trying to get him on for ages. That is a quality

shopping bag there! It is upside down. Look at that.

Have you ever seen anything so cute? You have been telling us for a long

time your cat is very talented. He is quick. In what way was that

displaying talent? Quick and wit. He is brave. Let us look at some

photographs. The first are pictures that cats

wouldn't like, they are all wet! You can keep your pictures coming

in, you can put a few cat ones in there.

A fine cold night, perfect for those conditions in York, but we are going

to start off with the frost later in the day, we are going to see more

cloud rolling in and there will be rain, courtesy of this front, a cold

front which is going to push eastwards, spoiling things by

tomorrow evening. There have been a fair few showers and we may see one

or two continuing through the night, particularly in western parts but I

think generally we are looking at a good deal of fine, dry and clear

weather and as the breeze falls light a bit of patchy mist and fog.

A cool night. Temperatures could be low enough for a touch of ground

frost, down to three or four degrees.

So the sun will rise in the morning. . Setting again at 20 to five.

So tomorrow morning, a lovely autumnal start to the day. Plenty of

sunshine, a crisp, cold sunny start to the day, and it is nice through

the day, the morning hours dry and fine with sunshine, into the early

part of the afternoon, but as we go through the afternoon things going

down hill. Cloud sweeping in from the west with windy and wet weather.

Some places have stayed in single figure, Bingley, tomorrow higher, 11

or 12 degrees. 11 in York is 5 # Fahrenheit. Sunny spells and

scattered showers on Thursday, a ridge of high pressure, stormy for

the weekend guys. Thank you. How will you be

celebrating nationalical day you and Alan. With a can of tuna. We give

you all the news here! These are good pictures of York ill lieu name

`` illuminated. Good night.