31/10/2011 Midlands Today

Hello, are welcome to Midlands Today.

A new route is proposed for the controversial aged it -- HS2 rail

line. We thought it was more a less

planned and in place. It clear we are concerned it is coming nearer

to us. No fresh water for months, the

villagers having to rely on standpipes.

You take it for granted that you turn the tap on and there is water

there. But not be a to have a shower, not being able to wash

clothes. Police act on new information into

corruption at a council. And this Hallowe'en, we meet the

Americans get actor who is over here. Why? To frighten a silly!

You see people freaking out, you Greeting, welcome to Monday's

Midlands Today. Tonight, spreading the plight of further. That is the

reaction from some at anti- H has to proposals - hundred campaigners

to proposals for alternative route. Labour are proposing a road that

follows the child -- Chilton line and would bypass look Leamington

Spa and Warwick. They say it would save hundreds of acres of land. But

it would also mean trains running much closer to villages previously

unaffected. Our transport correspondent has been looking at

today's proposals. After months of consultation, those

against HS2, like this man, were once again poring over maps in an

effort to work out just where the latest proposals could take the

controversial line. Although for him, moving the line would be good

news, he is still concerned. It is still fairly open. The bridge

is not decided. The result at the moment is that Warwickshire is

blighted, rather than just the preferred route.

It was the Labour Party that proposed the current route, and was

to the government is behind the concept, they now that you grow

Labour now want the route to be moved. They wanted to follow

existing transport corridors like the M40 and the Chiltern Line.

This is what it could lot -- this is what it could look like. It

could run to Heathrow at - opera Heathrow Airport, as they could

take one of several options. So why has Labour done a U-turn?

We think it is not sensible to avoid going by your main airport,

and so we have suggested that it would be a better idea to do

another route. Any change in the alignment could

mean misery and bright in places currently unaffected by HS2, like

this village near Warwick. Here, up residents are worried.

Know. It will ruin a beautiful part of Warwickshire.

To bring it so close to a penny populated area, it is very

concerning. But so too is Labour's decision to

announce his alternative proposals after a major consultation,

according to the government. To put forward this route after the

consultation, I think it looks suspiciously opportunistic, and it

is woefully lacking in detail. Campaigners opposed to be rude say

that there will be no business case for us wherever it goes, and they

say it still leads to a huge white elephant.

This seems to have come out of the blue?

It certainly has. I did get quite a lot of annoyance on the path of the

government that Labour had chosen to publish this ridge now. They say

it is unfair to the 50,000 people who responded to the consultation,

as they say it is a big mistake for Labour to leave it so late.

So what difference would actually make?

Them or be more uncertainty as a direct result of this. The route

has already been looked at and dismissed, hence the reason they

publish the other route. Labour had already said that to this proposal

does not get the backing of the government, then they will still

effectively back the existing proposals, so we could be back to

square one within weeks. What will happen next? What about

the result of the consultation? The consultation took place earlier

in the year. Date -- it is unlikely there will be any further delay in

the consultation. The government seems likely to give HS2 the go-

ahead, and on the existing route that we have been talking about for

many months. It seems that even with these new proposals, it is

unlikely we will see that much of a delay or that much of a change with

the decision to go ahead with it. Later in tonight's programme,

reunited at last, the cat at the heart of the MP love triangle court

case is found safe and well. But first, families living in a

rural part of South Shropshire are suffering drought as their wells

and boreholes run dry. Thousands of homes are not connected to the

mains water supply, and rely on nature to provide them with water.

But with the country experiencing a very dry year, many are being

forced to rely on family and friends for water.

David and Coraine Oakley have come a mile and a half to get water. The

well that supplies their home near Clunton it dried out 12 months ago

-- 12 weeks ago. We have been fetching water from

our wonderful friends all over the place. We've been as far as

Birmingham. All the way to Birmingham.

They are filling up at a tank donated by Severn Trent, which is

stationed at a nearby farm which has also run dry. The water supply

from his farm normally comes from a spring in those hills. But it is

running dry, as they have been out of water here for two weeks.

The dry ground beans Falmer Jonathan Griffiths is having to

feed his sheep with a winter food. -- the dry ground means.

It has never happened, had I have been here all my life. It is a

whole new experience. Others are warning this localised

to drought could jeopardise next year's harvest.

At this time, it should be green it now, and you should be able to see

rows of seats coming up. The 10,000 people in Shropshire rely on wells

and springs for their water. Legally, it is their responsibility,

but talks are under way. This area is under stress for water

supply, so as part of the planning and development we are trying to

restrict development to areas where there are enough water, and then to

work with people to try and recycle things like either winter reservoir

as all things like rainwater harvesting to make things like

washing and washing-machines work. Meanwhile, everyday life is

revolving around water. The you take it for granted that you turn

the tap on and water is there, but does not appear to have a shower,

not being added to wash cloud that proper wash clothes.

Many here are praying for rain. Thousands of jobs in the region

will be either created or protected by the government's Regional Growth

Fund, according to ministers who have been setting out the plans.

The grants totalling 100 billion to pounds have been awarded to 22

successful bids. -- �100 million. One of the most important benefit

is looking at the automotive sector, as looking where industries want to

come back to the West Midlands. We see with Elonex, they wish to bring

back some of their development and production back to the West

Midlands from China. The a public meeting is being held for those

affected by the August riots. The Riots, Communities and Victims

Panel it is in Birmingham to find out why the disturbances happened.

It is also hoping to find out how to stop them happening again. They

want people to share their experiences of the disturbances.

Staffordshire Police say they have received new information about

alleged corruption in Stoke-on- Trent and are making fresh

inquiries. The it follows an investigation three years ago.

Detectives say they are reviewing information passed to them in the

last few days. This was an inquiry which saw three

of Stoke-on-Trent's most prominent public figures arrested. Councillor

Roger Ibbs, the city's elected mayor Mark Meredith, and

businessman Mo Chaudry were all questions. All denied any

wrongdoing, and all were released without charge. Investigations

surrounded the proposed closure of this council-run swimming pool. It

didn't shut, but there have been renewed questions after the city

council issued an apology over the matter to Mr Chowdhury. It has now

been revealed that settlement cost taxpayers �44,000 in legal costs.

Also, Staffordshire Police said it had received a complaint and are

reviewing this information. Of the inquiries have been welcomed by

independent councillors. I am pleased that the police are

going to do further inquiries into this matter, because it needs to be

done. It is the talk of the Potteries.

For his part, Mo Chaudry, who owns what a world, says the matter is

done and dusted. He says he is happy to reveal all details of his

agreement with the council. Liz joins us now from our studio.

What has reaction been to from the council?

When I spoke to members after them, their reaction was swift and short.

They said they had nothing further to add. There has been an attempt

to debate this issue, at that happened at the full council

meeting earlier this month. A group of opposition councillors got

together and put forward a motion because they said they wanted the

big players to be made there public. However, that motion was defeated

after 31 of Labour's 34 councillors voted against it. Separately, a

number of individuals have also organised -- a number of

individuals and other organisations have attempted to use the Freedom

of Information Act to get information. We have asked for

details of meetings, for correspondence and e-mails, in the

last few days, the council has refused our request alongside those

of other people. In our case, the council gave his legal reason by

saying it would be too disruptive to release that information, and it

could not be in the public interest. The council said it signed a

confidentially --, the entry -- confidentiality clause, and cannot

reveal any more. The tell us more about Mo Chaudry's reaction.

He has a rather different view. He said he had no objection at all to

all the information being revealed. He said he would be happy for the

council to reveal everything, and he felt he had been treated badly,

he said he felt aggrieved and let down by what had happened and he

said that throughout his position has remained unchanged.

Thank you very much. A cat belonging to the mistress of

the Liberal-Democrat MP John Hemming has turned up, safe and

well, more than a year after he was stolen -- she was stolen by his

wife. The Christine Hemming was given a suspended jail sentence for

stealing Beauty. Beauty is back, much to the delight

of Emily Cox, a long-term lover of MP John Hemming. The cat belongs to

her six-year-old daughter, and she is really delighted.

She just smiled and looked so happy, it was the most amazing thing to

see her. She knew she had her cat back.

And what a journey she has been on. Starting out in the arms of

Christine Hemming, wife of John, as she burgled Miss Cox's house in

Birmingham -- house in Moseley. Until last week she was missing,

feared probably dead. But after Mrs Hemming appeared in court, Miss Cox

appeared on Midlands Today. I think it has been worse for my

daughter. That has -- she has lost her cat.

That reached the ears of a cat lover.

My friend said that this cat has not been seen since November, at

that rang a bell. That was when she appeared. I thought I should follow

this up. A phone call to the Liberal

Democrat support Mr Hemming to her doorstep. It is thought Beauty has

had a litter of kittens, but they have yet to be located. The saga of

the MP, the cat, the wife and the Still to come: brewing up a storm

in League Two. We meet the hat- trick hero.

And find out why it's scaring yourself silly makes people in the

That was a bit scary! Every year, 2000 people receive free care from

hospices in rugby, Coventry and Warwick. But they rely on donations

and the cost for just one nurses �30,000 a year.

Today, BBC Coventry and Warwickshire launched an appeal to

help raise money to pay for more We have joined forces to launch the

BBC Coventry and Warwickshire Nurse Appeal. 2000 people every year of

cared-for by this Hospice, among from Joyce, who died last year.

Suddenly, there was help and it is invaluable help. It is stuff that

you don't even think about. When somebody is a very her ill, you

need help. �30,000 will fund a hospice nurse who in turn can help

43 patients this appeal by BBC Coventry and warwickshire aims to

increase the number of nurses working at the three centres so

that there is no risk of terminally ill patients being turned away.

is a great place for end of life care and we are set up with doctors

and nurses to what experienced. To turn someone down the field as

devastating because we do not know what alternatives are going on out

there. Donations of �7 million a year keep Myton hospice running but

it also helps famalies such as Meg who was just ten when her dad died

two years ago. Myton has helped her come to terms with his death.

makes us all feel better to know that we are there for them. Buying

items helps to fund this hospice but with more than 600,000 people

in their catchment area, if every single one of those people donated

just �1, they say they would be able to help you and Yours, at a

time when you need it most. Such a worthwhile cause. And you

can find more about the Myton Nurse campaign on BBC Coventry &

Warwickshire's website. Dan's here with the sport, and not

good news tonight for Birmingham City fans.

No but exactly how bad remains unclear. A statement has been

released to the Hong Kong Stock exchange today by the club's parent

company Birmingham International Holdings. It warns that they expect

to record a substantial loss for the year ending June the 30th, due

mainly to relegation. They also warn investors to exercise caution

when dealing in shares in the company. We also learned today that

those end of year figures won't now be published until the end of

January. What about the fans? How will it

affect them? Of course the big fear for fans is that more players will

be sold in January harming what so far has been a promising season.

They have done very well in the circumstances but they could lose

further players. They must be pretty nervous, the

players? Some of them are on Premier League

wages so it is not so much the money, but if they can get those

players of the wage bill, it would help.

That is not going to be easy. They didn't win this weekend. In

fact matters on the pitch and we didn't have a single winner above

League Two this weekend. That could change tonight though as Stoke City

host Newcastle United in the Premier League. Newcastle are

unbeaten in all 12 league games this season. But Stoke beat them 4-

0 when they last met. And there's full match commentary from the

Britannia Stadium on BBC Radio Stoke tonight. Coverage starts at

seven. Kick-off is at eight. Billy Kee will celebrate his 21st

birthday next month. But he's already got the perfect present.

Because Billy went home with the matchball on Saturday night, after

scoring his first-ever hatrick for Burton Albion. Ian Winter has been

to meet him. It's lasagne for lunch. And the

Burton Albion lads are always starving after training. Hungry for

carbohydrates and even more hungry to build on their excellent start

to the season. Not least, their talented young striker Billy Kee.

Outside, Paul Peschisolido believes he's snapped up a bargain. In his

heyday, Pesch loved popping in the goals for Birmingham, Stoke and

West Bromwich Albion, to name just three of his former clubs. So the

Burton Albion boss knows a natural goalscorer when he sees one.

Someone like Billy, who scored against Burton for Torquay back in

April. That goal convinced him that Billy would be perfect for Burton

and four months later, he signed him for the princely sum of �20,000.

Is that the best �20,000 you've ever spent? Absolutely. I don't

want to get too carried away because he is still young but he

has all the qualities of being a good player. Billy jumped at the

chance to join Burton, just 30 miles away from his mum's home

cooking. Normally, his proud parents go to every game. But they

missed his match-winning performance at Barnet on Saturday,

so this was their Billy at his very best. Goal number one came after

just seven minutes. And Burton were off to a flying start. Goal number

two was the best of the bunch and doubled Burton's lead after half an

hour. And then goal number three completed Billy's hat-trick in the

second half to put Burton back in front at 3-2. And they went onto

win 6-3. No wonder all the lads signed the matchball which now

lives in Billy's bedroom. It was one of those days, everything I hit

went in. Lately, my long-range play has not been the best but on

Saturday, everything I hit went in. Best hat-trick I've ever seen.

want to play at the highest level I can. Hopefully here, and believing

in myself more and a compass on. Now, Pesch is hoping Billy's boots

hit the target again at Aldershot tomorrow night. Lifting Burton up

to fifth in League Two. Two of our Elite League speedway

teams are under new ownership. The Coventry Bees have been taken over

by businessman Mick Horton who used to run a team in Peterborough. And

the Birmingham Brummies are now owned by the Black Country Training

Group. The Brummies have just finished their first season in the

top flight since returning to the sport in 2007.

And the deadline's passed to enter the BBC Midlands Sport unsung hero.

Many thanks for all your entries. Judging will take place this week.

The winner will be announced in early December.

I saw a great pile of them today, fantastic! Thank you.

If you're a mum or dad or grandparent getting the children

ready to go trick and treating, here's a spooky fact for you.

Halloween is the biggest money spinner for shops with only

Christmas and Easter beating it. 31st October has always been big in

America where they spend three times as much on Halloween. Now of

course, it's really catching on over here too.

Our reporter Ben Sidwell has gone to meet one American who's helping

up the scare factor here. Ben, who he is then?

Halloween, a time for ghosts and ghouls. He can make quite a lot of

money if you are a business. If it is bigger here, it is massive and

America at the moment. I'm in Burton-upon-Trent and the reason

this is happening is because of one scare expert from America, her why

have been spending the day with. I must warn you there are Strode

images in this report. How Wayne, a day for trickle Creek

is -- a trick or treaters, and for scaring yourself is -- silly. It is

also big business. Here, they portend a man with plenty of scary

experience to create their following attraction. Jared hails

from the home of the Hallowe'en celebration, the USA. You see a

group of adults coming through, they are cowering and freaking out.

You want to scare them as much as possible, that is the whole point.

To those of a more delicate nature, there is always a pumpkin to Carter.

Of course, it all costs money. As Hallowe'en become too commercial?

We have to dig into our pockets for another reason but I think it is

nice to have some fun and let your hair down and have a reason to have

a laugh and joke about things. children enjoy it so I don't see

why we shouldn't continue to commercialise it in a way that it

is at the moment. Jared will not be in Britain tonight, he will be at

home with his wife. Have been such a big hello Wheen Farm, their house

is hard to miss. -- Halloween. We put a lot of effort into decorating.

The we like to put a little something for the neighbourhood

kids to come to and everybody knows this. -- knows us. Back in Burton,

there are plenty of volunteers looking for a frightened of the

growth of hollow ring continues, you can't expect to see plenty more

attractions like this popping up in the Midlands over the next few

years. Jarrett has appeared in many of the

biggest scare attractions in America so he knows what he is

doing. One of the men that hired him is the eco owner of this

adventure park, that is Ivor Robinson. Hallowe'en for you guys,

you've invested a lot of money. That must mean it is big business.

Yes, sure. Hallowe'en is a number - - one of a number of seasonal

events. We had a successful time with it last year so we thought we

would build on it this year. We've made the attraction bigger and

better. It provides a good qualities get traction in the

Midlands. Why bring Jared in? He is the next bid for America but it is

a big thing to do for a place like this. He has the acting techniques

that we require and he has passed that on to the actors who can see

around me. It really is more than just people jumping out and

shouting. We have created towards 30 difference it theatrical scenes

that the actors work through during the night. Is this sort of thing...

I expecting hundreds tonight? have seen it working in other parts

of the country and it is successful. It doesn't seem to be so big in

Midlands yet but that is what we are going for. We've had hundreds

of people already. We are expecting more tonight. We will build on this

success in future years. They are here and 11 o'clock tonight. To be

perfectly honest, I have planned so -- spend plenty of time here and

I'm going to leave as quickly as The weather is a lot scarier.

Nothing as scary as the freak snowstorms in the States but having

said that, the same area of low pressure will affect us this week.

It is crossing the Atlantic and reaching our shores. As it does so,

it retains a lot of that intensity. Because we introduce a milder air

stream, the effects will be different. We will get wet and

windy weather but no star. We have a flavour of that coming along

tonight. I would get out on the streets sooner rather than later

tonight. For the next couple of hours, we will see this band of

rain heading our way. It is heavy rain, we are expecting between 10

to 12 mm. It is moving quickly so by the end of the night, it should

have cleared western areas but where we retain the the cloud and

rain, we will see mild temperatures. Values of 10 or 11 Celsius. It will

be gusty as the rain band moves through. By the time you wake up

tomorrow morning, the skies should have clear. We are looking up quite

a bit of sunshine. Copious amounts of it. That will not lift the

temperatures higher than two days temperatures. Eyes of 14 Celsius

but academic Ready because in the sunshine it should feel as warm. --

eyes. Through tomorrow night, which is dry and quite clear initially,

we will see evidence of the next band of rain coming through as the

cloud thickens up from the West. A look at tonight's main headlines.

After days of protests, another high profile resignation at St

Paul's Cathedral. And a new route's proposed for the

controversial HS2 rail line, affecting a whole new set of

residents. Inside Out is on in just over half

an hour here on BBC One and this week they meet Coventry's Adrian

Mason. He's spent more than 15 years in

prison for a catalogue of crimes ranging from theft, to driving

offences, and in the worst case, armed robbery. But whilst in jail,