07/04/2014 Midlands Today

Hello and welcome to Midlands Today. The headlines tonight: Police

confirm no new investigation into the Birmingham pub bombings of 0

years ago. There are no obvhous new points for us to take forward. If

there are, we will take thel. Heated exchanges as the family of one

victim of the bombs arrive for a meeting with police. Let me give you

a message to take upstairs from me, I will obstruct this building, I

will strike people coming through the front door, I'm not messing

about, either. We'll be askhng where the families of the victims go from

here. Also tonight ` a reprheve for cash`strapped Hereford Unitdd ` but

we meet the players who havdn't been paid. Unwanted hearing aids from

Birmingham bringing sound at last to joyous African children. Anxbody

watching this would struggld if they had been paid for two months. And we

have had heavy downpours and squally winds, doesn't bode well for the

rest of the week but it does get better, more details coming up.

Good evening. West Midlands Police have confirmed there'll be no fresh

inquiry into the Birmingham pub bombings. The news came at ` meeting

today between campaigners and Chief Constable Chris Sims. 21 people were

killed and another 182 injured when two bombs exploded at the Mtlberry

Bush and Tavern in the Town in November 1974. Ten months l`ter six

men were jailed for life for murder. But their convictions were puashed

in 1991. So what now for thd families of the victims still

seeking justice? Anthony Bartram reports.

A moment 's reflection before meeting they have waited five years

for, that's how long ago Brhan and Judy Hambleton Road to the chief of

West Midlands Police asking for a fresh investigation into thd night

in 74 Birmingham pub bombings, and atrocities which killed thehr sister

Maxine and 20 other innocents. We think they are going to comd out

with a bag full of excuses. At police headquarters, the caleras

were waiting. It is time for justice to be done and truth to comd out.

For two years, detectives from the counterterrorism unit have been

reassessing and preserving the old evidence but that is not thd same as

reinvestigating. That is wh`t the Hambletons want. I want to see the

Chief Constable. We're not standing for no messing about. Insidd,

tension and voices raised. Let me give you a message from me. This

force has covered this up for 4 years, we're not standing for this

any more. I will block that doorway, I'm telling you. It appeared that

two lawyers would not be allowed in. After this he did exchange hn front

of the cameras, the whole p`rty went upstairs. `` heated exchangd. The

meeting was held behind closed doors but after two hours, they elerged.

They're not going to reinvestigate, it's all a sham, they treat us like

we are cannon fodder. Our loved ones are meaningless to them. Thdy don't

care, they're not interested. This was a blow they had half expected

but where does it leave thehr campaign? It makes a strongdr and

more determined. We're not going to stop. The Hambletons have bden

waiting five years for this meeting with the Chief Constable. Lhttle

wonder they were angry and frustrated at the eventual

decision. The police say thd case isn't closed, but without any fresh

evidence, there is nothing they can do. If we get dysfunctional new

investigation, we are in a position to take an investigation forward,

but as things stand, and thhs is what I have told both familhes,

there is no new information that could support a new investigation.

He was also able to clarify rumours about missing evidence. One thing

that keeps coming up is this third bomb that did not detonate, that's

lost, isn't it? Yes. What wd have bound from the work is thosd

exhibits, and there were about 5 of the 165 exhibits in the tri`l that

were not available to the nhght 91 investigation, it attended to find

them but didn't. We have made further attempts but have not played

to locate them. The Hambletons have grown used to setbacks over the past

40 years and also picking themselves up to fight on. And Anthony joins us

now. You've got to know the Hambletons well in recent months `

how much of a blow was todax to them? Clearly was a blow, they

called it the day, decision day I don't think they were expecting

things to go their way but `fter such a long time, there is `lways

hope. Clearly, the decision today was that investigation, while not

closed, won't be reinvestig`ted until there is further eviddnce to

push the police forward on this At the moment nothing seems

forthcoming. What has Paddy Hill have to say? He is the other side of

this coin, desperately wants a fresh investigation to clear his own name.

I got a sense that it wasn't completely unexpected. I sahd to the

relatives of those who died and those who were injured and their

families, none of us is ever going to get justice, but I tell xou one

thing, if the people of the country get behind this petition and we get

100,000 signatures, we would be able to get something which at the very

least we deserve, which is the truth. Clearly, the campaign goes

on. They are certainly not going to give up, and the Hambletons and

Paddy Hill are determined to get as much support as possible.

And a BBC documentary made by Anthony asking Who Murdered Maxine?

Is available on the BBC iPl`yer Coming up later in the programme:

Businesses across the West Lidlands are being encouraged to takd up the

export challenge ` and develop stronger trade links with foreign

companies. In the last 12 months, firms in our

region have secured international orders worth at least ?286 lillion.

But UK Trade Investment ` the government department that helps

companies on a global stage ` says only around 20 per cent of firms

currently trade overseas. Hdre's our business correspondent Peter

Plisner. Cooking up an export success story.

This Black Country firm makds conveyor belt systems for the food

industry and it now exports to 2 different countries around the

world. More than 70 per cent of what's made here goes abroad ` here

it's definitely been an export lead recovery from recession. I think

there is a great deal of trtst in brand UK and we have to push that,

we have heritage, the industrial revolution started here, it's the

world 's number one languagd still, we have two really pushed the fact

that we are quality, we are a premium product, we shouldn't be

ashamed of that. The Prime Linister says he wants to see exports double

by 2020 but here, there seels to be apathy about increasing export

levels. Some companies are thinking they might not get paid and others

are concerned about the language barrier. Andy Cox is also a member

of the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnerships and knows

only too well about a reluctance to export. There has been a grdat,

great deal of worry. I brought an order back from Poland as opposed to

from Preston and get the crddit searches are exactly the sale. We

can research Company, find out exactly the financial state, but

there is a fear that we cannot physically get your product back.

But any fears have been overcome at this company three miles aw`y ` it

designs and builds pollution control systems. Exports are currently

around 30 per cent ` but growth in Eastern Europe means that should

more than double soon. European pollution control regulation is

driving the growth, we would expect the effect that to be a flip about

exports, currently about 30$, to about 70%. It's all good news for

unemployment in the region. Both firms we visited today say they re

planning to take on more st`ff and both want more apprentices too.

While the focus is on exports this week, another major event is taking

place at the National Exhibhtion Centre near Birmingham. MACH 20 4

sees 500 exhibitors putting their latest technologies and innovations

through their paces. And Peter Plisner is there now for us. Peter `

how important are events like this? Very important. The equipment being

displayed at the show will ultimately produce the goods that

will be exported from this region. This show is the biggest in the UK,

showing manufacturing technology, 600 exhibitors showing everxthing

from robots to 3`D printers, cutting equipment to high`speed presses like

this one. Cutting`edge equipment, ageing is the managing director

What is so special about thhs machine? Will it help exports? For

sure, this machine is a UK component, around the world, we

market them exporting around the world. Also with us is Louise from

the menu featuring advisory service. Tell me about exports, comp`nies in

your last survey were buying more equipment, they must be buyhng it

because they have got strong exports? Absolutely, there `re big

opportunities for companies, from exporting and the work being brought

back into the UK. Take advantage of that, they need to be more dfficient

and introducing innovative products and services. Machines like this

enable them to do that. There are lots of glossy machines herd but can

companies afford to buy? Ard they being lent the money? The fhrst

thing is they have the confhdence to make the investment, there `re other

sources of funding, regional growth funds are a good place to look for

investment and a lot of othdr finance houses, and that can help

with alternative sources. What do we do to encourage countries to export?

Them to be confident that there are risks. But organisations like the

Chamber of commerce can help manage a way through that. Thank you, sorry

I called you Louise. The family of a man who was attacked

in Stoke on Trent at the wedkend have released a photo of hil to

encourage witnesses to come forward. 60`year`old Leonard Holmes hs in a

stable but critical condition in hospital with head and face

injuries. He was assaulted by two men in Brownley Road in Smallthorne

in the early hours of Saturday morning.

A hole that opened up on thd drive of a bed and breakfast in the

Staffordshire Moorlands on Friday has been filled in. It took 140

tonnes of stones in seven lorry loads to fill the hole. The owners

don't expect to re`open thehr business until October. With very

concerned about the propertx, we had great worries about it, or 040

tonnes of stone, seven lorrx loads and the whole is now stabilhsed We

are just sorting the train dad and then we should be OK. Worcestershire

County Council have extended the deadline is to claim for cash to

help recover from every's wdt weather.

Two volunteers who helped whth the flood relief efforts in

Worcestershire attended a special reception at Downing Street today.

Richard Bailey led a voluntder boat crew which carried out welf`re

checks and rescued people at Callow End, while Dave Walker from the

Mercia Inshore Search and Rdscue team was a key part of the flood

effort in Upton. The force of the water this time with a lot lore

powerful. Because the flood defences were pushing water in different

ways, and because we work combating contaminated water in 15 model our

blows. The opportunity for people who are involved in ordinarx life,

coming up here in meeting the Prime Minister, I think is great that they

are recognised to what they do. A Birmingham man has collected

21,000 old hearing aids to help children hear for the first time in

developing countries. Analogue hearing aids are increasingly being

replaced by digital models hn the UK, but the old ones are sthll in

demand. Ben Godfrey has the details In a classroom in Zambia ` ` special

moment. These youngsters ard hearing each other talk clearly for the

first time. Those children have this man to thank. Paul Wood is `

collector. A man not content with helping to collect 21,000 hdaring

aids. A man who wants more. A group of people from my club went over

South Africa and discovered there was a tremendous need for hdaring

aids. The government making available 150 a year and thd need

was 150,000. These analogue aids can't be recycled. As as it's

digital technology on the NHS ` there's more here to send ott to

Africa and India. I was surprised and horrified, and as an estate

agent, I was aware that one often sees hearing aids in houses,

seemingly redundant, often hn the case of deceased estates. What

happens to them? The World Health Organisation estimates that 31.

million children in the World experience disabling hearing loss.

Well over half live in south Asia and sub`Saharan Africa. Doctors and

patients at the QE Hospital in Birmingham are supporting P`ul's

efforts. The hearing aids themselves cost us about ?100 each. Whdn you

multiply that by the millions of people who could benefit from

hearing aids, the costs could be quite large. Paul, with the help of

the Rotary Club, is appealing for hundreds more hearing aids ` in the

hope of creating more images like these.

This is our top story tonight: West Midlands Police rule out a fresh

investigation into the deaths of 21 people in the Birmingham pub

bombings. Horrible weather out there this afternoon: Shefali has the

detailed forecast a little bit later. Also in tonight's programme a

precious win ` could this bd the goal that keeps West Bromwich Albion

in the Premier League? Time for sport ` Ian's here with somd welcome

relief for fans of both West Bromwich Albion and Hereford United.

They have gone 13 Games without a win and their players are gone two

months without pay and on the brink of relegation but it is not all doom

and gloom at Hereford United. Hereford United have been granted a

seven`day adjournment by thd High Court to settle their outst`nding

tax bill. It looked like a player mutiny. Today training started

without the first team. Thex arrived 30 minutes late. They had bden

holding a meeting to discuss their perilous plight. The club nded these

players to get motivated for the last five matches of the se`son

because if they don't, they get relegated, and the financial

problems are even worse. But how do you motivate players who haven't

been paid for two months? This is the sharp end of Hereford United's

problems. For the players, everything is at stake. Thehr jobs,

their families, paying the bills. Players such as the goalkeeper Rhys

Evans are even helping out `s coaches. Anybody watching this would

probably struggle in their death day`to`day if they hadn't bden paid

for two months. It is that fine line between being professional `nd try

to do your job properly and doing what's right for you, and nobody

would have enlargement if somebody had to walk away or do something

else. Caretaker manager Petdr Beadle is left with trying to motivate

players who haven't won for 13 matches. They are playing for their

futures, wherever that may be, we have tried to maintain setthng your

own standards, I know it's tough but you have got to remain positive and

keep the standards high in everything we do. There is some good

news. Fundraising means the club will now meet a ?70,000 tax bill. We

have cleared this hurdle but we now have to face the next one, which is

outstanding payroll for plaxers and staff, creditors, and when ht comes

through, the next tax bill. Hereford United just one point ahead of the

conference relegation zone with five Games to play. They play thdir

rivals order shot in the final game of the season. These remain

desperate days as the fight goes on to save the club. What is the

intriguing connection now bdtween the fundraising efforts and the

Grand National? Good question. The winner is trained by Doctor Richard

Newland in near Worcester, which is good news for Ricky George, the

former Hereford United playdr who scored the winning goal in that

famous win over Newcastle in 19 2. He backed the winner and thdn

donated his winnings of ?1500 to help his old club in crisis. West

Brom have six Games left to guarantee Premier League football

next season. They got a 5`point cushion after beating Norwich 1`0.

They are now just a couple of points behind Aston Villa, whose dhsmal

home form continued with defeat against Fulham. With three coaches

laid on by the club, the Albion fans travelled in their thousands. They

will richly rewarded. Furtado's goal secured a win and Norwich s`cked

their manager 24 hours later. We have seven points from four Games,

we are in good shape. Three weeks ago, Aston Villa seemed to be on the

brink of clinching survival but have plummeted. Defeat by what club

Fulham was a new low, they have lost a club record ten home Games in the

season. Villa are still sevdn point clear of the bottom three and should

be safe. West Brom have a 5`point gap. Some teams below them have a

much more difficult run`in. Birmingham City have flirted with

relegation for weeks but another brilliant away victory at Doncaster

tried them closer to safety. Wolves are close to joining them in the

championship. Saturday's rottine win over Peterborough means thex could

be promoted next weekend. Every win at the stage of the season hs a big

step. One more game off, adding carriage by the performance, as

well. But we were back to otr best. Port Vale have overtaken Walsall in

their chase for the promotion play`offs. Shrewsbury Town

dramatically improved their chances of staying up after defeating

legation rivals Stevenage. @nd automatic promotion is still in the

sights of Burton Albion in league two, only three points adrift after

Saturday's win over Plymouth. Finally, Jody Stimpson is the

writing of the world triathlon series in New Zealand. She finished

25 seconds ahead of the field in Auckland. It's a flying start of the

competition for Jodie as shd bids to go one better than the silvdr medal

she won last year. No play for Warwickshire Worcestershire today.

It has been a total wash`out. He set off on his journey 500 years ago and

now the story of the Worcester pilgrim is being brought back to

life. His boots and staff which were unearthed at the city's cathedral 30

years ago have undergone extensive conservation and now form the

centrepiece of a a new heritage trail. Cath Mackie's been to take a

look It's 1454 ` and a pilgrim from Worcester is making his fin`l

journey. His name may be Robert Sutton ` and he's being burhed in

the city's cathedral. More than 500 years later, his remains ard

discovered during excavation work. I have had several stories about the

excavation, the caps of the boots, the toes poking out through the

soil, and the excitement of recovering more of the boots, which

were very unusual to find. The pilgrim's boots and staff h`ve been

in the hands of a specialist conservation team and now form the

centrepiece of an interactive exhibition at Worcester Cathedral.

It is unique in this countrx, people were not usually buried clothes

usually in a cloud, so it mtst be significant to this person that they

were buried in boots with their pilgrim's staff, and it's

extraordinary. We might be talking about a 15th century pilgril but its

modern technology that bringing technology to life and therd is a

phone that you can use to follow the pilgrim's Trail. Worcester was a

popular place for pilgrims to visit the shrines of St Wulfstan `nd St

Oswald. The cathedral's library holds the monastic account rolls.

Does it tell you how much pdople paid? Yes, in this year thex

received seven shillings at the tombs. These tired old boots carry

the dust of the medieval pilgrim trail. Hopefully travellers on the

modern day version in the chty will find the journey less wearing.

A pretty miserable day ` wh`t's the forecast got in store? Here's

Shefali. Thankfully not as much rain as

today. We have had reports of torrential downpours. That has been

coupled with squally winds `round the rain of up to 40 to 50 lph. It

is this area of low pressurd that has accompanied us, high prdssure

begins to build from the sotth over the next few days. This will be

keeping things largely dry. We can't rule out the odd shower, yot can see

the compression meaning we will see breezy weather. This evening and

overnight, some fairly punchy showers around in the wake of that

rain, they will be affecting us during the first part of tonight the

high pressure starts to takd effect and take hold by the second part of

tonight as the showers fade away. Mostly clear conditions.

Temperatures will fall lower than they did last night, when wd had

loads of around 11 Celsius, tonight we're down to about four Celsius.

The chilly start to the day tomorrow, largely dry conditions.

Lots of sunshine, particularly by the afternoon. That will rahse

temperatures. It will feel ` bit cooler because of the breezd. We are

looking at cold nights this week, tomorrow night is no excepthon. A

frosty start of the day on Wednesday, but again, high pressure

will keep things strike, a bit cloudier perhaps.

Thanks Shef ` and you're gohng to be busy over Easter aren't you? Yes,

I'm going to be presenting two radio shows on BBC Coventry and

Warwickshire over the holid`y ` at 6pm on Good Friday and Eastdr

Monday. And I'm hoping that listeners will get in touch with

their questions on Twitter. Tonight's headlines from thd BBC:

peaches Geldof, the daughter of Sir Bob Geldof and the late Paul Yates

has died at the age of 25. Police were called to her home in Kent

where her body was discoverdd. And a police confirmed no new

investigation into the Birmhngham pub bombings of 40 years ago. That

was the Midlands Today. I'll be back at ten o'clock talking live to the

man hoping to drive forward exports from West Midlands companies