30/05/2014 Look North (Yorkshire)

getting to Europe illegally. More than 40,000 have made the journey so

Coming up on tonight's programme: far this

Hundreds of people gather in Sheffield to pay respect to a World

People came from far and wide after a public appeal.

A Wakefield family whose children died

on holiday are granted legal aid for an inquest into their deaths.

And could One Direction's Louis Tomlinson be in talks to be

And saw the best of the sunshine today. Will there be more over the

weekend? First tonight, at least 500 people

have attended the funeral of a Sheffield war veteran after hearing

he had no family and few surviving George Thompson died 16 days ago

in a care home in Sheffield, but his story captured the imagination

of hundreds of people who made the They have come from far and wide,

moved by the story of a veteran with no family and few surviving friends

to bid him farewell. His neighbours had feared no one would mourn George

Thompson. How wrong they were. I think he would have been absolutely

overwhelmed by it. He was a fairly quiet, ordinary guy. He would be

staggered at the turnout today. His matinee idol eyes look at us from a

past generation. This is George Thompson, a World War II pilot who

joined the RAF at the age of 24. Life expectancy in one of the

world's `` war's most dangerous jobs was for two six weeks. But he

survived and died on May the 14th aged 96. His local RAF Association

were told of his death and did their best to ensure a decent funeral. We

had no idea it was going to escalate as it has done. We were expecting to

possibly get 25 or 30 people, something of that sort. But, of

course, it has gone global. If it was not for the likes of George and

others like him, who knows what we would be like. Who knows what

language we would be speaking. I am thankful to him and to those who are

not here today. It is easy to understand why members of the armed

services would take the time to come to Sheffield, but why civilians?

What has touched them? I buried my father for months ago and he was an

old soldier and he was `` there was hardly anyone for his funeral and I

didn't want it to be the same for this gentleman. We want to pay our

respects. The service was packed, respectful and heartfelt. Many

well`wishers waited outside, sparing a half`hour to think of what a

stranger did for them and perhaps what they could do for a stranger.

A lovely story. The parents of two children

from Wakefield who died on holiday in Corfu have today won their long

battle to be granted legal aid Bobby and Christi Shepherd died

from carbon monoxide poisoning Their families took

their fight all the way to Downing Street ` and today the Government

announced a change of heart. It has been almost eight years since

Christi and Bobby Shepherd went on a half term holiday and never came

home. They were staying on a villa on the Greek island of Corfu when

they started to complain of feeling sick and dizzy. Halfway through the

trip, the children went to sleep and never woke up. Their parents have

been fighting for answers ever since. The pain that you suffer and

the way it changes your life never ever goes away. To think that

nothing came of their deaths would just be horrendous. The children

died in 2006. A faulty gas boiler was identified as because. In 2010,

holiday operator Thomas Cook and two of its ribs were cleared of ``

cleared of blame but three of the hotel staff were convicted of

manslaughter by negligence and sentenced to seven years in jail in

total. Thomas Cook was given a reported ?1 million in compensation

last year by the hotel chain. " in Sheffield will be the first time the

story has been investigated in the UK. Legal aid was initially refused

but with the help of their MP, they took their fight to the Prime

Minister and today came the news that they had won. This is a

stunning victory and this highlighted the witnesses `` the

weaknesses in the European holiday industry. The inquest will be a

landmark inquest and we should seize the top change right across Europe

so that no other family experiences such a tragedy. In a statement,

Sharon would thank those who had helped her family saying, legal

representation at the inquest will help us have the chance to hear the

truth of what happened on that awful day when we lost our children. Neal

Shepherd said, a fair inquest is now achievable and this decision will

insure Christi and Bobby did not die in vain.

A woman from Leeds who fears her daughters

will be subjected to female genital mutilation in Nigeria won't be

deported for at least another day, according to friends of the family.

Afusat Saliu, who's 31, was due to be sent back to her home

country last night, along with her two young daughters.

She was arrested by border agency staff on Wednesday.

A social media campaign to keep her in the UK continues and her lawyers

Two groups hoping to revive the former Odeon building

in Bradford have handed their plans to the council.

The landmark building, which is owned by the council,

has been derelict since it closed its doors in 2000.

Rival groups Bradford One and Bradford Live both want to turn

There were celebrations in Scarborough today

as fundraisers from the Camping and Caravanning Club completed

They've cycled more than 400 miles, following much of the route

of the Tour de France in Yorkshire, and camping along the way

in order to raise money for alternative transport schemes.

They did it all in the tweeds and bloomers in vogue

when the Camping and Caravanning Club was created back in 1901

and the BBC's Julia Bradbury joined them for their triumphant finish.

It is national campaign and caravanning week so these guys have

travelled hundreds of miles on these very uncomfortable bikes in order to

engage the public across the country. Really to just encourage

people to get involved in camping and caravanning. Was that a Penny

Farthing? A century on from the start of

World War One, we look back 29 people died and

the steel city was left shattered Next tonight,

around 200 miners at Kellingley and Thoresby collieries have been

sent redundancy notices today. UK Coal, which owns the pits,

is planning to close them within 18 Union leaders say it's

disappointing news as they're still It is business as usual today but

people arriving for work to date did not know if they were one of the

miners here to face compulsory redundancy. They should get the news

in a letter tomorrow. Weeks of uncertainty about the two pits have

been tough for the miners. They don't know if they have got a letter

coming through the letterbox in the morning to tell them not to come to

work on Monday morning. That is very difficult. It is just a few weeks

since UK coal said it would have two" Alinghi colliery with the loss

of hundreds of jobs. Miners voted 80% to except the deal, but it has

not yet been signed. Kellingley has had a few profitable weeks so the

unions say that issuing redundancy has not been sensible. We were

trying to safeguard future employment at Kellingley. We want an

employee buyout. The mining unions are still putting a case to the

Minister that it is an option, so everything is still up in the air

and for UK coal to dig themselves into a hole which says, no, we are

doing what we want to do is not right. If we do not do this deal,

the NUM proposal of looking at a members, you can kiss goodbye to

that because that will take six months to get that in place. If we

do not get beyond next week, we are all out of work, no redundancies.

Letters have also been sent to a workers at full speed pit and some

staff at UK coal's headquarters. Doncaster Council's support

for its schools is ineffective, according to a new report

from the education watchdog Ofsted. It says more than half

of the borough's children attend a school that's inadequate or

requires improvement. Tom Ingall is

in Doncaster with more. Normally when we are standing

outside the council offices in Doncaster Rovers it is the children

services which have taken a knock. Tonight, the theme is education. The

council have been told they are not doing enough for the children in the

town. If you are a parent with children in primary or secondary

school might you might want to look at these figures. Ofsted say:

it is those stats that made Ofsted come up here and look at what was

happening and they have criticised the council for three things `not

keeping their own performance data correctly, not keeping any record of

how governors were improving schools and for not using their powers of

intervention consistently. This is what they said this morning bull is

top what we found was the local authority was not aware of what the

issues were across it schools. They have not been able to deal with them

historically. It has got a bit better recently and they must get

credit for that but historically, they have not known where the issues

were in order to address them. We requested an issue from the council

but they declined, giving us a lengthy statement instead. They said

it has been a year since the mayor was elected and there have in

changes in policy since then. They understand what Ofsted are saying

that they are pointing to the work they have done in the last year,

establishing a school alliance where schools can help failing

institutions. Thank you very much. Now let's catch up with a campaigner

from Yorkshire who's travelling all 215 miles of the Trans`Pennine trail

in his wheelchair to try and improve Roy Taylor ` who works for the RSPB

` was diagnosed with motor neurone He's now making it

his mission to make the great Our reporter Sally Young joined him

on day six of his challenge. One year ago, Roy would have made

this journey by that but he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease

in September and his mobility has decreased rapidly. I feel alive one

I am outside. I am grumpy when I am indoors. We have found that the

paths which were accessible to me six months ago are no longer

accessible to me. You cannot get over the horse barriers or 3`piece

chicanes. Today, Roy has planned ahead and arranged for the council

to unlock the gate for him but it is not always that simple. The worst

bit was when we started in a gale and we got to an obstacle in the

peak district on the exposed Moores and we thought, there is no way

round this. We will have two back track in the rain. That is what I am

trying to change. That disappointing feeling when you realised you can't

get somewhere. This barrier is designed to stop motorbikes getting

onto the trail but it also stops wheelchairs and makes life difficult

for a whole other bunch of people. I am an amputee and I find this kind

of obstacle difficult. There might be a parent with a child in a

pushchair. By improving access for people in wheelchairs, it makes life

easier for everyone. Roy's 215 mile challenge has already raised over

?20,000, money that will help to remove some of the barriers on the

RSPB site where he works. He has been supported along the way by his

wife and a full top it is his independence. He has always just

gone and done things. That is what got him sofa and got him so many

friends and people that admire him. To cut his independence like that

from day to day just because he is in a wheelchair, that is really

unfair and that is why he is fighting for his freedom. If all

goes to plan, Roy will follow `` finishes challenge in Hornsea next

Tuesday. We had Roy in the studio a couple of

weeks ago. Such a determined character. Highlighting the problems

people have. Before seven p.m., we look at the

boxing. And we knew Louis Tomlinson was a big fan of Doncaster Rovers,

but could he be about to buy the site?

Next tonight, we return to our series marking the centenary of

The World War One At Home project is being carried out throughout

the BBC, working with Imperial War Museums.

We're looking at how the war affected people away

One of the most terrifying aspects was the threat posed by German

Zeppelins ` the huge gas filled airships used in bombing raids.

Sheffield was targeted in September 1916,

leaving 29 people dead and a trail of destruction throughout the city.

As the aeroplanes were overhead, everywhere was in darkness. It all

went dead. Vivid recollections from a Sheffield resident who look to

these guys one September night in 1916. Looming above the clouds a 500

foot predator preparing to release its explosives. Piloted by German

Tim, Martin Dietrich, the Zeppelin dropped its bonds demolishing homes

and killing 29 people including ten children. Many of the innocent to

big Hemsworth families asleep in bed. At the beginning of the First

World War, the Zeppelin was the ultimate terror weapon. It could fly

further, faster and higher than anything else and people were

incredibly worried about it. Somebody said they had seen an

airship go over. I looked out the back window and I could see this

dark object going down towards rubber rim. Then there was acutely

booming noise. I was only young so I was frightened. Local woman Margaret

Smith which this to the horror, writing to her aunt Alan, I saw a

great red flare across the sky then a flash and another. They were high

explosive shells and they shook the Earth. They lit the whole sky up.

They were incendiary bombs. 36 crashed down, the first ironically

hitting a cemetery, the final resting place for most of its big

games. Searching amongst thousands of headstones, we found the grave of

Elizabeth Bellamy. It was reported the roof caved in as she was walking

across the bedroom to protect her child. The seventh bomb hit Kobe

Street and killed seven members of the same family. This is the grave

of a husband and wife and their five children. The youngest just two

years old. They were ordinary people from Sheffield. Quite often people

he had attempted to join up but it had been decided they were more

important at home. They stayed at home to do their bit and suddenly

the war came to them. In 1916, the great War descended on Sheffield in

the most terrifying and violent way. The Zeppelin returned safely to

Germany. You can hear more on that story

on BBC Radio Sheffield on Monday. All our local radio stations `

Sheffield, Leeds and York ` will be broadcasting their own World

War One At Home stories from Monday And to see more World War One At

Home stories, go to the website. Now, sports fans will have one eye

on England's friendly against Peru tonight but an even bigger sporting

occasion will be taking place It's billed as the biggest night

of British boxing ever, with a crowd of 80,000 people expected

for the Groves ` Froch rematch. But also fighting for a world

title in front of the same crowd The IBF world champion, hailing from

Don cast, let hear it for Jamie MacDonald. Today's very public way

in is taking place at Wembley Arena. There are thousands here for

this pre`fight spectacle. Tomorrow night, there are two world title

fights, one featuring Don cast a's Jamie Murray Donald. My preparation

has been fantastic. I feel great. It is great to be a part of this. There

will be 80,000 people at Wembley. The last one I thought was in front

of 3000 people. It is unbelievable I am fighting in our national stadium.

Great to be a part of this. Preparation has gone fantastically.

I am ready to get in there. MacDonald will be one of a number of

fighters making history tomorrow night. He will enter the ring in

front of 80,000 fans at Wembley Stadium. His promoter is hoping for

a big performance tomorrow. It will be fantastic. I am so pleased he

gets the opportunity. A bad decision went against him last year and a

chance to become a two`time champion this year would be amazing. There

are more people here already than in some of our shows. A great moment

for British boxing. We will find out whether Yorkshire will be hailing

MacDonald as champion again. A 15`year`old girl from

West Yorkshire has been named in England's weightlifting team for

this summer's Commonwealth Games. Rebekah Tiler from Keighley is

already the youngest weightlifter to She says it's a great feeling to

represent her country and she can't believe she's living

her dream at only 15 years old. Meanwhile, Ali Jawad from Leeds `

who was born without legs ` has made the team

in lightweight powerlifting. Doncaster Rovers has confirmed it's

in talks over a possible takeover. But get this, the new owner could be

One Direction's Louis Tomlinson. It's understood he's teaming up with

former Doncaster chairman John Ryan. Louis is a big Rovers fan

and he's even played for them but James Vincent is

our own Directioner. If you can't get a regular game, why

not just buy the club. You might recognise Doncaster Rovers number

28. He is a pretty big deal. He is their most famous fan and even on

their books as a player. Soon though, he could be in the

boardroom. You will know him better like this, in the world's biggest

boy band and we understand he wants TU some of the money he has earned

with them to try to get Doncaster Rovers promoted. Argue a one

Direction ban? No. Who is your favourite? Him from Doncaster. He

might be buying Doncaster Rovers. What do you think of that? I think

it is a good idea. He has got the cash and he must be keen, so why not

let him do it. I understand he has been a fan since they young kid and

he respects the club, so I can respect that. There was no mention

of Louis Tomlinson or boy bands in the statement. Jeremy Clarkson could

drive them to games, Lesley Garrett could give half`time entertainment

if you need help from other celebrities. It is estimated that he

earned ?10 million last year though, so he probably won't need financial

help. It is one thing buying the club, another thing to get them back

to the championship. Where will he find the time to sign

all those autographs. Phil is going to see one Direction tomorrow

night. I am not! I wanted him to end his

report with a one D. It has brightened up quite nicely. The best

of the sunshine today has been along the coast. Here are some

photographs: sunshine today, but we should all

see it whether `` we should all see good weather for the weekend. Going

down hill next week. It will not be wall`to`wall sunshine, but it is

settled as the high pressure will be dominating this weekend. When

low`pressure replaces that, it will be changeable again. The best of the

sunshine has been down the coastal strip. As we go down through this

evening, there is still quite a lot of clout. The cloud will remain

broken at times along the coast. That is where we are expecting the

lowest temperatures, but generally around ten or 11. The sun will rise

in the morning at 4:43 a.m., setting and 925 p.m. . Tomorrow, variable,

at times, large amounts of clout, but it will be varied. Not

completely dry. There could be the odd light shower, but you would be

unlucky to catch one. The breeze will be light and temperatures will

get up to where they should be for the time of the year, around 16 or

17 degrees, possibly even sneaking the odd 18 Celsius. On Sunday, a

better chance of catching a sunny spell. Dry on Sunday, variable

cloud. Hoping for better spells sunshine on Sunday with temperatures

up to 19 or 20. Make the most of it though because unsettled conditions

return on Monday and next week. So much for flaming June.

Mike, you don't need CAR HORN BLARES

Whoa! HE GASPS

Driving parents crazy. You have to tell the police

whatever it is that you know.