09/05/2014 Midlands Today

one of his daughter's friends. That's all from the BBC News at Six,

so it's Good evening. A family is taking

legal action against a hospital in Birmingham over claims staff didn't

spot that a pensioner had died on the ward for half an hour. Her

relatives arrived to find Joan James, who was 85, dead in her bed

at Heartlands Hospital. Our reporter Joanne Writtle has been talking to

them about why they've now launched a negligence claim.

Joan James was an adored mother and grandmother. She spent her final

three weeks in Heartlands Hospital after falling at home in Solihull.

Her family regularly visited. But, tragically, they were the ones who

found her dead in her hospital bed, after apparently going unchecked for

half an hour. Although somebody is saying, yes,

she was still alive half an hour ago, it wasn't as though they

actually went to her and spoke to her or anything like that. We

haven't been given any documentation to prove that they actually did

that, so, therefore, we don't actually know for certain that they

did check on our mum. The family's pursuing a legal claim,

saying they were only told Joan also had heart and lung problems hours

before she died. What makes me really angry and more

I think about it, it makes me even angrier, is not being informed of

the acute illnesses that my mother had.

Joan James was 85 when she died, propped up in her hospital bed, 15

months ago. It's taken until this week for an inquest to decide she

died of natural causes. Birmingham and Solihull's new senior coroner is

former nurse Louise Hunt. She says she's reduced a backlog of 800 cases

to fewer than 200 since starting the job six months ago.

Firstly, I'd like to say to the James family that I'm very sorry

that they had to wait longer than I would have liked to have had the

inquest heard. Since coming into the post, I've put in place new

processes and procedures so that we can try and get answers for families

as quickly as possible. Heartlands Hospital said they were

sorry for the family's loss, adding: The James', meanwhile, say it's

crucial they speak out for their cherished mother.

I literally couldn't fault her. She was probably one of the kindest

women you could wish to meet. She really was.

You're watching Midlands Today, good to have you with us this evening.

Coming up later in the programme: Getting a taste for success, the

young entrepreneur among the nominees for tonight's Asian

Business Awards. Birmingham is booming as a tourist

destination. New figures show that there were

almost one million visitors to the city last year. That's an increase

of 228,000 from 2012. It means Birmingham has seen the largest

increase in visitors compared with any other city in the UK. It comes

as tourism in the West Midlands could be about to receive a major

boost ` with plans to change the way the region's promoted. Here's our

business correspondent, Peter Plisner.

Teeing off at The Belfry resort near Sutton Coldfield ` a Mecca for

golfers, a top venue for conferences and a place that's just undergone a

?26 million refit. It's hoped the work, that's going on

in some parts of the hotel, will help make it more attractive to

international tourists. With the refurbishment, we've been

able to combine great golf with a resort experience, and really

position The Belfry as an international destination.

The investment here shows that confidence is finally returning

after years of decline. Evidence of a pick`up in the hotel and

hospitality industry can be found all over the region. This old office

block in Birmingham's Five Ways business district is being converted

into a four`star deluxe hotel. It's one of several schemes in the city

where redundant buildings have been turned into places to stay.

And growth in tourism means more new hotels will probably be needed.

Birmingham now has the fastest growth in international visitors

across the UK ` up 30 % last year. And there's expected to be further

rises if a new way of marketing the region gets the go`ahead. The

Tourism Business Improvement District, or TBID, is likely to be

trialled in the Midlands and will have both public and private sector

involvement. I think the opportunity for the

sector to come together is a very important one. I think it's an

opportunity that, we are very disparate as a set of businesses,

and this would give a great platform to bring us together.

Even smaller hotels want to get involved ` although here they want

the TBID to prevent too many hotels being built.

I think the size of the market needs to be monitored very closely. There

is an impact in terms of spending power. If you have an oversupply in

the profitability levels will be heavily impacted.

More tourists means more money coming into the region and hopefully

higher levels of growth and prosperity.

A teenager caught on camera punching an 80`year`old pensioner to the

ground before spitting in his face has been sentenced to more than

three and half years in prison. 20`year`old Coral Millerchip

attacked Joginder Singh in Coventry in August last year. He died in

hospital three months later from a pre`diagnosed illness. Millerchip

was arrested after footage of the assault was uploaded to social

networking sites. A report by Staffordshire Police

The Asian Business Awards for the Midlands are taking place in

Birmingham this evening. They're recognising the success of Asian

business owners and the impact they've made to the UK economy. One

of those short listed is Dan Amin from Coventry. He's been nominated

for 'Young Entrepeneur of the Year' for his skills as a pastry chef and

baker. Ben Godfrey's been to meet him.

Dan Amin is about to open his first cake shop in Coventry.

Looking at me, you wouldn't have thought, this guy looks like a

pastry chef or a cake maker.The 29`year`old admits he's unsure about

whether his petit`four`style creations will sell but he's

determined to succeed. Dan often worked 14 hour days but

wanted to be his own boss. After leaving home at 16, we had

nothing. I thought, right, OK, what am I going to do with myself? No

money in my pocket. I thought, right, OK, I'm going to start a

business. He got a place at the world`renowned

Cordon Bleu culinary school in London.

Today, he also runs a catering firm in Warwick, managing 150 pastry

chefs. We've done cakes for a David

Beckham, Beyonce and the Queen's Jubilee cake at Buckingham Palace.

Dan says he used some of his student loan to fund early business

ventures. His earnings have improved considerably since.

Why here? We own this building. Our plan is to

go worldwide. In the next five years, we plan to have at least 20

or 30 stores in the UK. Dan says being recognised by the

British`Asian business community will inspire him to grow his

business...and discover others with a passion for pastry.

The guest speaker tonight is the Bromsgrove MP, and recently

appointed Culture Secretary, Savjid Javid, who joins us now from

Edgbaston. Mr Javid, why do we need Asian

Business Awards ` why not celebrate business success as a whole?

I think we should celebrate all types of business success. Our

economy is recovering, in fact it is growing faster than any other

developed country. That is thanks to the success of businesses up and

down the country. That is all businesses of all types, but

including Asian businesses. Tonight is an opportunity to celebrate the

contribution that Asian businesses next to our economy.

Are there any differences in the way an Asian business is run compared

with any other? `` makes to our economy.

I don't think so but is a distinct community. Many business owners may

have a shared community or shared history. It is understandable that

people want to come together to celebrate their success. But their

success is success for everyone in Britain because it means jobs are

being generated. There are roughly 300,000 small businesses owned by

people from ethnic minority backgrounds in Britain. That is

hugely valuable to everyone in Britain.

The Midlands Asian Richlist will be revealed tonight ` what's the point

in having one? You would have to ask the publisher

of banned list. I think it does show that Asians, or anyone regardless of

their background, that people are investing in Britain and also

contributing and giving back. Many of those people on the list are

people that are also some of the biggest givers to charities. I think

that is something to be celebrated. Thank you. A man from Coventry's

become the first in the UK to trial an artificial robotic arm to see if

it can help with everyday tasks. The arm can be fixed to a wheelchair

and is controlled with a joystick. The project's being run by a further

education college in the city. Cath Mackie reports.

Jon McGeown is a pioneer, and independence is within his grasp.

The first person in the UK to use this robotic arm, he can now give

himself a drink. It was hard at first then it got

easier through using it. How does it make you feel, being

able to do things like pick up a glass and give yourself a drink?

It gives me confidence to do things. Jon operates the arm using a

joystick and switch. He has Duchene muscular dystrophy, so has

restricted movement. He was offered the robotic arm as a trial being run

by Hereward College in Coventry. It has made it a little bit easier.

If he has a glass in his hand, I can just fill it up and he can take it

to his mouth. The arm which comes from Canada

costs around ?28,000. It was funded by a local energy firm. Jon began

using the arm in January and he should get to keep it for another

month or so. The hope then is that the college will find funding from

somewhere to buy robotic arms not just for Jon but for other students.

Assisting technology is increasingly going to play a part in our

students' lives. `` assistive technology. We've got an ageing

population and reducing workforce, so the use of technology to

leveraged existing in capabilities is going to be essential in the

coming years. Jon was recently able to join his

family raising a toast to his granddad.

It was his birthday and I raised a glass to him.

So you were able to raise a glass to your grandad on his birthday?

Yes. That must have felt really good?

Yes, it did. Doing things many of us take for

granted could now be within reach of many more in the future.

This is our top story tonight: The grandmother found dead by her family

in a hospital bed ` they claim staff were negligent.

Rebecca will be along shortly with your detailed weekend weather

forecast. Also in tonight's programme, a tall order? Hopefully

not. Worcester Wolves aiming to become British Champions this

weekend and how studying the media 50 years ago gave birth to a

cultural studies revolution. Less than two weeks to go now until

our opportunity to decide who should represent the Midlands in Europe.

Our region is one giant constituency of nearly six million people ` with

seven seats up for grabs in the next Parliament. Those of you watching in

Gloucestershire face a similar contest in Southwest England.

Patrick Burns is our Political Editor, so it's your job to explain

what we're in for! Here goes. Part of the mythology

surrounding European elections is that they're very confusing,

off`putting. They don't have to be. Voters just put a single cross on

the ballot paper which lists the ten parties who're fielding full slates

of seven candidates each here. Notice the clear divide between the

three Parliamentary parties plus the Greens who, with varying degrees of

enthusiasm, want to keep us in the EU, and the rest who, for various

reasons, want to get themselves in to Europe, in order to get us out.

There's UKIP of course, which the polls suggest could win most votes

here. We are against the EU institutions

that are trying to shape Thatcherism on a continental scale. They are

trying to bring privatisation and the role of private companies in

profit, particularly into things like health and education and

they've been partially successful in water, in transport, in the Royal

mail and we don't want to see Britain go down the same route. Our

opposition to the EU is against privatisation, competition and

profit. No fewer than six anti`European

parties obviously tells us quite a lot about the general debate here.

And about the fractiousness and personal rivalries between some of

our contingent in the outgoing Parliament. With so many standing,

will they split the anti`European vote?

I think they might to some extent. You also have to realise that UKIP

has the strongest profile and the greatest media recognition. They

have an identifiable national leader.

Go to the BBC News Politics website for the full list of names, plus the

one independent candidate. And there's more background in my latest

blog post. And Patrick will be back with the

first of two live debates with candidates for the main four

parties. Sunday Politics is from 11pm here on

BBC One. It's the end of the Football Premier

League season this weekend. But of our three clubs, only Stoke City

have performed better than expected. As for Aston Villa and West Bromwich

Albion, after a tricky season ` they're now looking at their

futures. Here's Ian Winter There's only one question on the lips of

Albion fans. Will Sunday's final game against

Stoke also prove to be Pepe Mel's last match as manager? Because

despite having a different boss, the team has delivered exactly the same

results. Under Steve Clarke, and Pepe Mel, Albion have played 16, won

three, and taken 15 points In sharp contrast to Albion, Stoke City's

season has been a model of consistency.

I will try to reach an agreement with the chairman. If we can reach

an agreement, I will continue. As for Aston Villa, a sign off at

Tottenham with supporters desperate to hear some positive news from the

chairman about the future direction of their club.

The wind of change is in the air at Villa Park.

The Worcester Wolves Basketball team are aiming to become British

Champions for the first time this weekend. They play Newcastle in the

BBL play`off final at Wembley Arena on Sunday. Victory for Worcester

would cap a remarkable first season in their new home. Dan Pallett

watched them in training today. It has been the best season in their

history but they still want more. They have already won a trophy this

season, now they want the big one. They want to be British champions.

Their coach has already done it. He won the championship title

previously. There has been a high standard of

teams this year. There is a sliver of paper between us.

Winning on Sunday has become an obsession for this player.

It has been consuming my thoughts, it has been all I have thought

about. Everyone from my team`mates to people I talk to personally. We

could be talking about what we are doing next week and my mind... I'm

just thinking about the game. They regularly attracts crowds of

1,400. The fans have played their part in the season. On Sunday, the

crowd will be around 10,000. I like it when crowds talk trash to

me. I like it when they pick me up. They're playing in first final.

Newcastle are the favourites to win. On Sunday, it is winner takes all.

Fifty years ago the idea of a degree in media studies would have brought

about a quizzically raised eyebrow. Now, they are on offer at most

Universities. For many it all began at the Centre for Contemporary

Cultural Studies, at the University of Birmingham. Our reporter Amy Cole

is at an exhibition marking its 50th anniversary ` at the Midlands Art

Centre in Birmingham. A lot's changed in 50 years.

You are absolutely right. The artists and their friends and family

are here for the opening of the exhibition. This venue wanted to

make a distant `` a distinction between high and low culture. The

emphasis was on the research of popular culture. They wanted to make

that distinction between the literary classics, such as

Shakespeare, and that was frowned upon by some academics. But they did

earn themselves a global represent `` a global reputation.

A career in film spanning more than 30 years. Roger Shannon was a

student at the Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies in

1977 and it had such a profound impact on him that after finishing

his Masters two years later he set up the Birmingham Film and Video

Workshop. Over eight years, we produced about

25 films. These were documentaries, TV series, feature films, drama and

short films. I can look back and say, found on heart, but the work at

the centre really carried through into these film making projects.

The centre was established in 1964 at the University of Birmingham and

gained a international reputation. Founded by Stuart Hall, who died

earlier this year, it took popular culture seriously and sought to

question ideas of race, gender and class.

At the Midlands Art Centre, an exhibition to mark 50 years since

its birth is now on display. It is quite easy to live in society

and not think about the things you see every day. These artists want

you to stop doing that, to take a second look. They wanted to stop,

think, look again. `` they want you to stop.

The exhibition is proof that the legacy of cultural studies very much

lives on. I am joined by a student. He is

showing work that has never been seen before tonight.

It has been languishing in a drawer for 30 years.

How has the centre influenced you? It has had an enormous influence on

my reading and writing, and the way I look at popular culture.

The centre closed in 2002. It has changed so much in the last 50 years

that it should have stayed open. In a way, it has done its work. It

has a huge body of work that has been shown nationally and

internationally. You have plenty of time to come and

have a look. We have joined up with the

International Dance Festival in Birmingham to make a special film to

celebrate the region. Dancers from across the city and the Black

Country have been getting members of the public ` and a few less willing

volunteers, to join in as Ben Sidwell has been finding out. The

musical heritage of Birmingham and the Black Country, alongside the

people and places that make it what it is today.

There were plenty of onlookers, some more confused than others.

I think they enjoyed it. They had a bit of a Down's. They were just

interested to see what we were doing. Why should `` they had a

dance. There were some who knew the music

better than most. And a few familiar faces, who took a bit of persuading

to join in. It would be a crime not to let

everybody know about it. Sadly, what followed is so

disturbing that we can't show it to you at this time in the evening.

When complete all the hard work will make one six minute film, which will

be shown at various locations around the region.

We've got three professionals heal are taking you on this journey. It

looks really fun. `` who are taking you on this journey.

For the finishing touches, showing that this is a city that really

knows how to move. How is the weather shaping up for

the weekend? It all starts off as we head into

tomorrow morning, with some heavy rain. Behind that, we have blustery

showers. There will be some brightness but it will be very

intermittent. That is because of this area of low pressure that is

pushing in the West. That weather front is bringing in some heavy

rain. At the moment, we have some high`pressure which has killed off

the showers. It's going to be quite persistent

with heavy bursts in there. It is breezy as well, so with that rain

and cloud our temperatures are around nine degrees. We start of

tomorrow rather damp, but that rain does clear away. We will have a

brief dry periods and then blustery showers start to blow in from the

west. Talbot `` wind speeds of 35 to 40

mph. It will feel colder if you are caught in the showers. This weekend,

we just can't seem to shake that rain. We will get brief periods

where we have a lull. Overnight, temperatures won't fall too far, at

a low of eight degrees. Temperatures are beginning to struggle, only

getting up to around 13 degrees. On Tuesday, it continues to be

unsettled. I will leave you with some good news, that by the middle

of next week things are starting to calm down.

Tonight's headlines from the BBC One of Britain's most famous stars, Rolf

Harris, goes on trial for sexual offences against young girls. The

grandmother found dead by her family in a hospital bed ` they claim staff

were negligent. Just before we go, the BBC is

offering apprenticeships at its local radio stations. Successful

candidates will start there in September and, after training,

they'll work as Apprentice Broadcast Assistants. You will have to be over

18 in September, if you'd like to find out more, visit our website.

The closing date is Monday. That was the Midlands Today. I'll be

back at 10pm. Have a great evening. Goodbye.