04/10/2011 Midlands Today

Hello, and welcome to Midlands Today, with Nick Owen and Suzanne

Virdee. The headlines tonight: The NHS pays out �900,000

compensation to the little boy who had his leg amputated. It was a

hell of a relief to know that his future's going to be cared for.

300 jobs under threat as DHL announces it's closing a depot in

Worcestershire. Getting worse and worse, the

shocking truth about the level of animal cruelty in the West Midlands.

The demand on our service is so great but we really struggle to

cope with that demand. MUSIC: "Ivory Madonna" by UB40.

And honouring the pub that helped launch an emerging band to

Good evening, welcome to Tuesday's Midlands Today from the BBC.

Tonight, a nearly �1 million NHS payout for a little boy who lost

his leg. Leo Ison was just three weeks-old when he suffered a blood

clot which saw him have his leg amputated. His parents claimed it

was because doctors failed to spot the clot quickly enough. The

hospital has refused to admit liability and instead settled out

of court. As our health correspondent, Michele Paduano,

reports, the family say they'll use the money to pay for the many

operations Leo will need as he grows up.

Leo Ison wants to jump and climb like his brother Zak, But the six-

year-old from Bedworth can't wear his artificial leg at the moment.

The bone still in his leg is growing, and it hurts. Leo has

received �900,000 compensation for the leg that was amputated when he

was just three weeks-old. Up until now, we have been ordinary folks

struggling to get by and to give away some the best life he possibly

can have. Even so, I would give it up if I could have his leg up. --

leg bat. At three days-old, he was taken to Glenfield Hospital in

Leicester, where a consultant saw his leg and sent him home. His

mother was still worried. She contacted a junior doctor and was

told to bring in Leo. When she brought him in, the specialist

appeared shocked. They started the relevant dehydrating and he got

straight on to the telephone and we could hear him shouting at them!

Leo had a blood clot. The delays in treatment cost him his leg, when he

might have lost just his toes. examination on the 1st July should

have picked up the problems with his leg. If they had been picked up

men, Leo would have been admitted a day earlier. In a statement,

University Hospitals Leicester said: We are pleased the court has

approved the terms agreed with Leo's family to bring this claim to

a close. We wish Leo and his family all the best for the future. And

that future is brighter. The family is looking for a bungalow and want

him to have the experiences they could neve afford. We are not that

well-off at the moment but we do give the kids whatever toys we can

get them. Having a substantial amount to help Leo get better means

his Christmas, we are hoping to take him to have Ms a Christmas. It

is going to make his day. Leo wants a specially adapted leg for

swimming. Swimming! What do you like about it? It is good!

Good to have you with us this evening. Later in the programme,

why they're looking for 300 volunteers to put their best

forward for Coventry next year. More than 300 workers at a

distribution centre will lose their jobs or have to move to Somerset

after it was announced the site will close. The logistics firm DHL

will shut the branch in Droitwich, in Worcestershire, in January next

year. Our reporter Giles Latcham is there now. Has this come out of the

blue, Giles? There have been rumblings but it is still a bolt

from the book, quite frankly. One of their biggest customers is

Morrisons. They are building a new distribution centre down in

Somerset and as a result, this place will close by January. If you

want a job, you have got to move to Somerset. A bad day for Droitwich.

It is a small town and I have been in the centre speaking to locals.

It is terrible. People are struggling as it is around here.

Not good news. Hopefully, they will be able to find new work for people

but it is very worrying. I am joined by Peter Pinfield, the

councillor for this area. We knew there was some reorganisation going

on, but to lose 300 jobs, we cannot afford to do that. How well-

equipped is this town to roll with this punch? There are jobs being

lost and we have got cutbacks in the local authority is. This does

not bode well for Christmas for many families. I guess it is up to

you and your colleagues in the County Council to get out and sell

Droitwich. Great road links with the A five just over there? You yes,

I would encourage anybody who wants to Rio -- relocate to come now.

Thank you for joining us. DHL, quite unusually, have offered to

retrain people who lose their jobs at nearby Dudley College. Many

families face a difficult run-up to Christmas now, deciding whether to

upgrade and moved to the West Country.

And there'll be more reaction to the job losses at DHL in Droitwich,

and the impact it'll have on the town, on Howard and Toni's

Breakfast Show on BBC Hereford and Worcester tomorrow morning.

Education, education, education. That was the focus of the

Conservative Party Conference this afternoon. But as the Education

Secretary, Michael Gove, took to the stage in Manchester, at one

school in Sandwell, they were hoping he might be able to provide

money to replace the Building Schools for the Future project,

after they lost out on �18.5 million, as Andy Newman reports.

He's let them down once. What would he say today? Pupils at Perryfields

High School, in Oldbury, watched Michael Gove's speech to the Tory

Conference with more than passing interest. Perryfields was one of

nine schools in Sandwell which lost millions of pounds in investment

when Mr Gove axed the Building Schools for the Future programme

last year. A court told him to consult again, but today, no

rethink, no new money. In fact, no mention. I am a bit gutted that he

did not give us any information on what could happen with the

programme. Kind of annoyed that he did not mention it at all, but as

one of them said earlier, it is not all around the building, it is

about the teaching. But the building certainly helps. I am

gutted that he is not mentioning the Building Schools for the Future

Programme at all. As Sandwell's highest performing school,

Perryfields is oversubscribed and needs new buildings to expand.

Instead, they're having to make do. The school has no fewer than 16

mobile classrooms. It had hoped to replace them with new teaching

blocks but instead, it has had to spend �50,000 bringing these up to

a proper standard, making the best of a bad job.

The big theme today was academies. Could that be an answer for

Perryfields High School? I think each need to make its own decisions

in their own context. They need to look at how well they have their

local authority and what position sues them best. It is not a

possibility we are looking up at this moment in time. Perryfields

may now consider taking out a loan to fund its own building programme,

since the chances of getting the cash from the Government appear to

have all but vanished. So, not as much applause for

Michael Gove in Sandwell as there was in the conference hall, where

he regaled his party with the progress of his Academies Programme.

And our political editor, Patrick Burns, is there for us now. Patrick,

what did the party faithful make of it? Michael Gove always gets some

of the biggest ovations during Tory party conferences because they see

him as someone who gets things done, in this case, celebrating the

1,000th of those new style academies. But, of course, no

mention of those schools like Perryfields High School. I am now

joined by Karen Bradley, the local MP. You can understand they feel

left out in the cold? I can understand that they need new but -

- need new buildings and their help, but the Building Schools for the

Future Programme was an incredibly inefficient way and expensive way

of procuring new school buildings. The Government is very keen to get

new funding to schools that need it. What can they do to reassure those

schools like Perryfields High School? When I learned what was

going on, I went and spoke to a member of Michael Gove's team, and

Michael is now aware of the situation. He knew what was going

on previously but now he knows exactly what is happening and he is

going to set up an urgent meeting to make sure pupils do get the

buildings they need. Really? Well, let's not to raise false hopes.

They were dashed before. This is very much breaking news. I just had

a full call to say he is going to set up a meeting, and let's take it

from there. Well, thank you very much indeed. Let's had everybody

takes note and that we have progress here. -- let's hope.

And you can read more about the Conservative Conference on our

political editor's blog, at the address below.

A 14-year-old boy is in a critical condition after being stabbed in

the neck. It happened yesterday at a newsagent's in the Earsldon area

of Coventry. Police are appealing for witnesses. A 32-year-old man's

being questioned by detectives. A further 14 people have been

arrested in connection with the summer riots. They include two men

suspected of stealing from a Hi-Fi and TV store in Birmingham, and two

14-year-old boys, one of whom was detained at school in Wolverhampton.

18 homes were raided. It brings the total number of people arrested

over the riots to 671. A planning inspector's held an

inquiry into plans to force the sale of a house standing in the way

of development at Warwickshire County Cricket Club. The Secretary

of State is expected to rule on whether Birmingham City Council

should be granted a Compulsory Purchase Order for a home belonging

to a young family. They don't want to move but the cricket club wants

to build hotels, bars and flats on the land.

More than 100 artefacts from the Staffordshire Hoard are being

prepared for a trip to the United States. They'll go on show in

Washington DC. More than 40,000 people visited the hoard when it

went on a UK tour this summer, and it's expected to get an equally

warm reception from American enthusiasts. It is definitely

beneficial to the region. It will be fantastic for Stoke-on-Trent,

and Birmingham, but for Stoke-on- Trent, it puts us on the map. The

museum is visited at least once a term by a President and it would be

so exciting if Barack Obama were to visit.

It's a rather grim reflection on the West Midlands, but it's the

only region in the country where cases of animal cruelty are on the

increase. That's according to the RSPCA, which says last year more

than 6,000 animals were rescued. The charity has told the BBC that

many cases involve dog-fighting and a trend for "dog-rolling", where

owners train their pets for battle. You may find some of the images in

Ben Godfrey's report distressing. This undercover footage shows the

practice of dog-rolling. These men, two of whom have recently been

jailed, are preparing their dogs for fighting. Typically, they're

forced to sparr in children's playing fields. Cases like this are

increasing. Certainly, the West Midlands stands head and shoulders

above the rest of the country for incidents of cruelty against dogs,

particularly dog fighting. We are processing information that comes

in from the public and other sources all the time. Unlike every

other region in England, the West Midlands is seeing a rise in animal

cruelty cases, up 14%. The RSPCA's hospital at Barnes Hill in

Birmingham is inundated, but the centre's almost 50 years-old and no

longer fit for purpose. This is the only RSPCA facility in the country

requiring 24 hours security, where members of staff are out every

morning looking for discarded drugs and even syringes. You can see they

have a major problem. Cat kennels are full and the waiting room is

always busy. The waiting time is not good. You always have to wait a

long time. But they look after your animals. But four miles away in

Frankley, this will be the RSPCA's new flagship animal hospital.

Newbrook Farm will cost the charity �10 million. But will the public

put their hands in their pockets? Adam Rickitt, a former Coronation

Street actor, is heading an appeal to raise a third of the cost

through donations. People are having to tighten their purse

strings and we completely understand that. We are not asking

for miracles. But if somebody gives a pound, that is a miracle in

itself. The RSPCA says it's rescuing animals at a rate of one

every four minutes. Many are the victims of vicious dog fights, many

which are still going unreported. Still to come this evening, the

weather and how the hot spell will soon be a distant memory. Yes,

we're certainly getting colder. As autumn tightens its grip, how far

If you missed out on Olympic tickets, there's still a chance to

be part of 2012, and you don't have to go too far. Coventry is looking

for 300 Olympic Ambassadors to represent the city and help the

thousands of visitors expected to flood the area. Here's our Coventry

and Warwickshire reporter, Joan Cummins.

An unusual recruitment hotspot for the Olympics, but this taster keep-

fit class for the over '50s in Coventry city centre is just one of

the areas being trawled for ambitious Olympic Ambassadors.

After the events have gone and the Olympics is gone, and part of that

legacy is that people will be able to tell their grandchildren and

families that they were involved in the Olympic Games and making the

Games happen in Coventry. people are needed to help fans of

Olympic football when they flood into the city, not only with

directions, but to offer advice on enjoying the city at its best. But

why should people give up their spare time to help strangers?

of that legacy is to lift the morale of people. At the moment, it

is quite depressing. You know, economically, job wise. If we can

raise morale, the people of Coventry are capable of achieving

anything. It would seem that the idea of showing the world that

they're proud of their city has already captured some people's

imaginations. I am very proud of Coventry. I have lived he all my

life. I am a little bit shy! People always say, you know, returned to

Coventry! Sent to Coventry. But it is a nice place. Simon Fairbanks is

one of those crossing his fingers that he'll be choosen. We don't

have tickets and we are not athletes, so to be there,

collecting tickets and meeting people at the train station, I

think it will be a wonderful experience. So, the Olympics really

is coming to Coventry next year and we can be part of it. But being a

one of the 300 and limpet ambassadors requires one

qualification - to be over 18. -- Olympic ambassadors.

Now here's Dan, with the sport. While our football clubs may have

to rethink their business plans, the region's Club -- pubs are

delighted after another ruling on a broadcasting football.

It might look like just another day behind the bar. But this was a day

which could change Michael White's Wolverhampton pub forever. Today,

he learned that he can show football using an overseas

broadcaster, saving him thousands of pounds a year. Fantastic. It

opens at the door now. For those who have got a satellite system at

the moment and are showing the games, congratulations to them.

Let's hope we can show them now so that all the pubs and clubs can be

on A-level playing field. It's all because of this woman, Portsmouth

landlady Karren Murphy. She was fined for using a Greek company to

show football. But she took her case to the European Court of

Justice, and won. It could be good news for pubs across our region.

have seen a horrendous increase in the Sky subscription price. Pubs

are struggling to survive, as you said earlier, so hopefully it is

good news for the future. But if pubs are showing every game live,

where does that leave our clubs? Wolves are in the middle of

building a new stand. Now they have a new challenge. They need to get

people out of the pubs and into the ground. The charge of the ground is

far too much. It gives people a different option. It will be the

decline of their business but they are the big dogs. It is a good idea,

to get more people in and stop them closing. And if the flow of TV

money dries up, that could have a huge impact on our clubs. But will

it close the gap between rich and poor? They will still be powerful

because they still have heavy commercial revenue. And they will

make money in other ways that will allow them to spend that money

within de rules. Sky are consulting their lawyers before commenting.

But this could prove to be a landmark day for Midlands pubs and

football clubs. It certainly sounds like it. Is

this legally-binding? Not at the moment. It has to be ratified by

our own court, but it is highly unusual for our courts to go

against the European High Court. What about households and families?

Are that could be a situation where we could go abroad and go to get

satellite broadcasters. The pubs might have problem with copyright

but watching at home, people could watch it over the internet. It

could change the world a lot. There is a lobby, for example, for

relaxing the laws with inside football grounds. So will play as'

wages plummet? There are so many different aspects. We will have to

wait and see people stop yes, a fascinating day, though.

Hereford United have appointed the former Shrewsbury Town manager Gary

Peters as their Director of Football. He guided them to a lead

in 2007. They have won just one of their first 11 league games this

season, however. A Black Country millionaire who

paid �36,000 for a Lonsdale belt belonging to Birmingham boxing

legend Gentleman Jack Hood says he couldn't let it leave the country.

Tony Whittaker feared American collectors would snap up the belt.

Sarah Falkland reports. He's never been in the ring himself,

but Black Country businessman Tony Whittaker is a life-long fan of

boxing. When he was a little boy, Jack Hood, the British welterweight

champion of the '20s and '30s, came into his father's pub... I have to

say, my recollection of Jack is very vague because I cannot him

will remember what you look like! And yet he's just paid a small

fortune his Lonsdale belt. started at �14,000 and then it had

gone up to 36 in no time. To stop it going out of the country was the

main thing. When everything is up for sale, it seems to go over to

the States. Only around 20 belts like this were ever made,

commissioned by explorer and bon viveur, the first Earl of Lonsdale.

It used to hang over the bar at this pub in Tanworth, in Arden,

where Jack was landlord after his retirement. It's here that his

daughters, who put it up for sale, have come to meet Tony. It was so

lovely when it went where it went. It was a lovely surprise and we

were so happy about it. Our father would have been thrilled about it.

If you look at Jack's record, it probably overtakes the Cassius Clay

fights. Jack was landlord here 30 years and he even had a win

upstairs to train aspiring boxers. He may have left in 1972, but he

has not been forgotten. There isn't a week goes by that somebody

doesn't come in and ask about Jack and think about what they produce

to look like and where the Lonsdale Belt was. Jack Hood lies peacefully

a few hundred yards from his old pub, in a modest grave that gives

no clue to his sporting heroism. Well, if the staff at John Ward is

staying here, it is good news that Jack's belt is staying as well. --

the Staffordshire halt. Yet another honour today for those

worldwide bestsellers UB40. The pub where they played their first gig

has become a music heritage site. The Birmingham boys watched a

plaque being unveiled, ahead of playing to their loyal fans. Our

arts reporter, Satnam Rana, went along to soak up the excitement.

Back to their performace birthplace. The Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath

Birmingham, where UB40 performed their debut gig on 9th February

1979. We are just so very proud to come from around here, and music is

a culture and is so strong. We also very lucky to have this on our

doorstep. What does it mean to you see in the pack up there? It is

great! They should have predict a bit higher rap because by that time

the sun goes down, it will be on eBay! -- a bit higher up. UB40 have

joined the likes of Dire Straits and Blur in receving this music

heritage accolade. I think it is good for our pop rock and roll

culture but young people recognise the length of the career, the

difficulty with which it is to actually make it as a band, and to

recognise where they started. had come from far and wide. I have

come from Wales to see them and every gig is like a first. It is

absolutely amazing. I have come all the way from Wolverhampton and I

have been queuing since 5:45am! Me and my friends have been here since

then. And some had been to the first gig 32 years ago. I got

dragged along with a mate from school. I did not particularly want

to go but it ended up being a brilliant night. Then a special

treat for 80 loyal fans, who got to see an acoustic gig. With more than

70 million records to their name, UB40 are the biggest selling Reggae

band wordlwide. The last few years haven't been easy for the band,

with the acromonious departure of lead singer Ali Cambell. Five

remaining orginal members then faced bankruptcy proceedings. But

today was all about celebrations. It has been a special day for the

band, who have returned back to their roots here. And a special day

for the fans, who have got up close and pretty intimate with their

reggae heroes. They have got such a distinctive

sound. I have seen them live but have also been lucky enough to see

them in rehearsal and it just goes through you! And coming all the way

from Wolverhampton! Quite a journey, that!

And you can log onto our Facebook page to see more interviews from

It is time for the weather. We are going through a transitional period

at the moment. But I will say that on Thursday, you were going to have

to reach for that winter wardrobe. The wind will be punctuated the

cold. If you look at the isobars, they are all over the shop.

Hopefully, by Friday, we will get a ridge of high pressure from the

West, so things could be a bit, and drier. Back to tonight, all day we

have seen a finger of cloud Begin in from the North which has become

a major distraction and his right over us. More of a nuisance factor,

because it is not heavy enough to do anything. So largely dry tonight,

but the main feature is the temperature. We have lows of around

15 to 16 degrees and it is because of the south-westerly wind. We will

see some mist patch is developing and those will lift quite quickly

through the morning tomorrow because of the breeze. Quite a

gusty day, with gusts of around 40 mph. A bit of sunshine here and

there, with the rain starting to move further south. Temperatures of

only 18, 19 degrees, but it is the wind that will make it feel cooler.

The rain spreads tomorrow night and it should produce a showers by

Thursday. Thank you. Let's take a look at the

main headlines - on her way back home, Amanda knocks freed on appeal

for the murder of British student Meredith Kercher in Italy. She

flies back to the US. And nearly �1 million compensation