22/07/2014 Midlands Today

The headlines tonight: and on BBC One we

An independent education commissioner to be appointed

by the Government to work with Birmingham City Council.

We've got the children of Birmingham to think about here and if we can do

this in a way where they get a proper education is maintained, that

is to the good. There will also be a review

into how Birmingham City Council is run, as a report finds an aggressive

Islamist agenda in some schools. A new way of testing heart drugs `

the Coventry University scientists behind a potentially life`saving

treatment. From Birmingham to Beijing `

the first flight to China takes off from the City, but when will

other long`haul destinations come? Chinese visitors enjoy the Vista,

they enjoyed Birmingham, and they spend a lot of money.

We take you into the tranquillity of some of the loveliest gardens

in the Midlands ` their location might just surprise you.

And another sun`drenched day in sweltering heat and humidity `

but just how hot was it today and how high are those temperatures

An independent education commissioner is to be appointed

by the Government to work with Birmingham City Council.

It follows the publication of the Clarke Review into

In his report, Peter Clarke says there was "an aggressive Islamist

agenda" to impose hard`line Muslim views in some Birmingham schools.

But he says that the city council was aware

of the issues for more than a year ` and "didn't do enough to stop it".

Today the Education Secretary confirmed that

as well the new education commissioner, there will be a review

Co`ordinated, deliberate and sustained ` those were the

words Peter Clarke chose to describe the behaviour of some govs and staff

The agressive Islamic ethos they pushed meant Friday prayers

and Arabic lessons ` but no music, no drama, no Christmas.

According to this former education troubleshooter, there were obvious

signs at the former Washwood Heath School as far back as 2001.

He recalls one particular governors' meeting.

This was at another level, really. You basically had white governors

sat on one side of the table, Muslim governors sat on the other, and some

of the Muslim governors were standing up and pointing their

fingers and making allegations of racism.

Birmingham City Council has admitted it was aware of trouble

Nothing was done for fear of being seen as Islamophobic.

The new Education Secretary's seeing to it that the council can

I have spoken to servile but raw and we have agreed that we will appoint

a new education Commissioner. `` Sir Albert Bore. I'm quite happy. I

think there are mistakes that have been made by Birmingham City Council

and the Department for Education. Nicky Morgan has said she won't

hesitate to use the full extent of her powers to intervene further if

there isn't sufficient progress. You could say that means that she

doesn't have much confidence in how you are running Birmingham's

schools. Come on, of course she would have to say that. Some of the

failings are not just the failings of the City Council but the

Department for Education as well. Next

Sir Bob Kerslake, the former head of the the civil

service, has been appointed to carry out a review of governance

His report is due at the end of the year.

The Education Secretary's also withdrawn funding at Oldknow

Academy, one of the schools caught up in the Trojan Horse allegations.

The principal ` who claimed she was forced out by hardliners in January

I feel that finally, somebody is believing in me and I was probably

the only voice and I didn't think anybody would believe in me and I

would just be another number, like all the previous head teachers. One

minute they're there and the next, they're gone.

The systems and accountability of all schools will now be

strengthened, the Fovernment says, because of what happened

The Trojan Horse letter may not have been real, but the furore it caused

means schools will now better withstand the threats of extremism.

Well, we asked repeatedly to speak to the

Education Secretary or a minister from the Department for Education

today ` but they were unable to make anyone available to be interviewed.

Sarah, what do we know about this new role of education Commissioner?

Nobody has been appointed yet. I asked Sir Albert bore if he knew and

he said it was yet to be decided but whoever is appointed will answer

directly to the Secretary of State for Education and the Chief

Executive Bob Birmingham City Council. Their job, briefly, will be

to look at the criticisms of these reports and the recommendations. I'm

looking at the Kershaw report and they are things like setting up a

task force to deal with complaints about school governors. It is about

establishing a position on how cultural issues should be worked

into the school curriculum is. There is a lot for them to look at. Nobody

has been appointed yet but I imagine it will not be too long before they

are. Ignoring the warnings `

swimmers still using Gullet Quarry near Malvern to cool off,

despite deaths there last summer. Scientists at Coventry University

have developed a new way of testing heart and cancer drugs

which it's hoped will save tens They've been able to replicate how

the human heart will react to treatments,

but under laboratory conditions. This means they'll be able to spot

potential problems with drugs, before they're ever tested

on patients. This is human heart tissue being

tested in a way it has never been tested before. It's the brainchild

of this doctor who has spent the last ten years of her life trying to

make the breakthrough. Scientists would usually be testing out

potential cancer and heart related drugs on animal tissue but this new

technique for the first time recreate the conditions of the heart

` anything from the impact of blood flow to mimicking the movement of

the heart. We're making drugs safer and for patients that have cancer

and are on chemotherapy, we have the potential to make the drug is a lot

safer and help them live longer, potentially, in the future. Helen's

work is already attracting attention. She is in talks with more

than 15 pharmaceutical companies across the world and her team are

relieved that all their hard work is finally paying off. I've been

working on the system for two or three years and it's very exciting

that they say it can but essentially saved many lives, because it can be

picked up before the drugs go into clinical trials. In order for the

team to carry out their research, they have to rely on patients who

have donated their hearts, which are transported from the local hospital,

but when they arrive the team have just minutes to start their tests.

Only yesterday we received a heart donation from a lady who had been

very poorly and had sadly passed away but very kindly donated her

organs for research. We wouldn't be able to do this research without

these donations and it's absolutely critical. We do need more to be able

to do the research we're doing. Getting more people to donate their

hearts could be the key to developing this research and Helen

is hoping she could help transform the way all cancer and heart drugs

are tested from now on through her work.

The first direct flight between China and Birmingham landed at the

Our Transport Correspondent Peter Plisner joins us now

So, a significant day ` but these flights are just during the summer.

Well, they are, but hopefully more will follow. This is the day that

passengers and airport bosses have been waiting for. The airport has

invested millions in extending its runway so that flights can go

further afield and today saw the first in a new breed of long haul

flights. Arriving from the southward originating from the East, touchdown

of the first direct passenger flight from China. After a bit of taxiing

off the runway, the airport's now traditional water cannon welcome.

There was another traditional welcome for passengers, in the shape

of a Chinese dragon as they came off the plane. Most of those arriving

today where tourists and even they realised how historic the flight

was. I wasn't really expecting a welcome ceremony like that! It's

very good. Very fresh. The arrival of this flight from China marks a

milestone for the airport because it is the first in the UK outside

London to have direct flights to China. When this flight takes off,

another milestone will be cast ` it will be the first to use the full

length of a new extended runway, completed a couple of months ago at

a cost of ?40 million. Hasn't just checking in for the flight to

Beijing. Tiananmen Square, the great Wall of China, Shanghai, so many

things. I can't wait to see them! I'm the same, really. It's a

completely different culture. So, how important our tourist links with

China? Enter the tourism minister Helen Grant, also at the airport.

Chinese tourism is very important. Chinese visitors come over here.

They enjoyed a Vista, they enjoyed Birmingham and they spend a lot of

money. And tourists here will spend money in China, too. The flight back

to Beijing took off from Birmingham this evening. There will be another

five flights like this during the summer and, hopefully, many more in

future. Joining me is a representative of

Birmingham airport. Six flights in the summer to China ` you haven't

really cracked it, have you, as far as long haul flights are concerned?

We always said this was a market test. We're seeing if the market

will stand and the Chinese response has been phenomenal. The flights

have oversold so it is a good market test. Let's see what happens. What

are the other must have destinations? There are plethora of

destinations we'd like. The market will tell us which ones. There is a

lot of competition with Burlington, Barcelona. It is a very packed

market. `` with Burlington. `` Berlin. Who knows what the market

might bring? And extended runway has menu flight path that been

complaints from residents. Instead of extending the runway, you have to

move the flight paths a little so that the departure routes start of

the different position. We're doing a trial to find the optimum route

and when we have empirical evidence we will make recommendations to the

CAA and keep the community informed. What is your message to residents?

We will work with the communities, as we've always done, to get the

right result for Birmingham airport and our communities. Hopefully more

destinations will follow in the future.

New figures show police officers in Staffordshire used Tasers more often

The research from the Independent Police Complaints Commission shows

Staffordshire Police had the highest number of Taser

incidents per officer in the UK last year ` 33 uses per 100 officers.

The Conservatives have chosen their candidate for next month's

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner election.

Former Dudley Council leader Les Jones will challenge

for the post, which was left vacant by the sudden death of Labour's

West Mercia Police are appealing for help in finding

a 52`year`old woman who's been missing from home for five days.

Eve Cullen was last seen in Hollywood in Worcestershire

She was wearing a mustard coloured T`shirt, green three`quarter length

People swimming in a disused quarry near Malvern

could now be prosecuted for ignoring warnings to stay out of the water.

It follows the deaths of two men who drowned within

Our reporter Ben Sidwell is at Gullet Quarry.

Ben, it has been a very warm day ` have there been many people swimming

there today? There has been a steady stream, to be honest, of people

coming here. Many have been met by the police who are warning of the

dangers and asking them not to go into the water. Many have heeded

that warning and not gone in water but some have. It isn't only the

risk of they're putting themselves in ` as you say, two deaths last

year, five in 19 years ` these people can also face criminal

charges. Police have said they are willing to take prosecutions on our

behalf. It is a breach of our bylaws to go in the water and the police

can therefore take prosecutions. They've said to us that if people

are in the water, we ask them to leave and they refuse, to give them

a call and they will come and speak to them. Why exactly is the water in

that quarry so dangerous? The temperature, really. It isn't

actually that deep ` about four metres ` but it is incredibly cold

and your body seizes up, stops working, and that's where the danger

of drowning is. The other problem is that it is so remote so it takes a

long time for the emergency services to get here. I've spoken to the air

ambulance and they say it is a problem. A lot of people drowned.

They estimate about 400 nationally every year. A lot of these would be

described by their friends as strong swimmers and in a lot of cases, the

drownings occur within a few metres of the bank. There are plenty of the

territory ` barbed wire and a lot of signs ` but, as you can see, there

are still people in the water, risking their lives and possibly

becoming one of the next death figures here at Gullet Quarry.

An independent education commissioner to be appointed

by the Government to work with Birmingham City Council.

Your detailed weather forecast to come shortly.

A home away from home ` our athletes settle into Glasgow

just a day before the start of the Commonwealth Games.

And the neat box hedges, immaculate herbaceous borders

and beautiful orchards ` it could only be Castle Bromwich.

Bob Jones, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner died earlier

He'd been a councillor since he was 21 and lived

His life was dedicated to public service ` and tomorrow

a celebration of his life will take place at the Civic Centre.

Ahead of the funeral, our special correspondent Peter

Wilson was invited to the family home to talk to Bob's widow Sarah.

Bob Jones was the first ever Police and Crime Commissioner for the West

Midlands, one of the most powerful elected roles in the country. But he

was also a big critic of that job and in the beginning of July, he

died in his sleep, aged just 59. His widow Sarah agreed to talk about the

man who shared her life and had worked so hard to bring policing

closer to the people of the West Midlands. He worked too hard. He

used to leave the house about 7am and take a bus and train and then he

would be back for 9pm at night if I was lucky, otherwise we used to meet

down the road at about 10pm. He had to meet me down there for 10pm. He

was a real politician and he also liked real ale. He did lots for the

campaign for real ales. He was on the board of executives for them for

18 years. He ran a bar and I ran a bar. It was good fun. There will be

a lot of people from that association on Wednesday. What do

you want the service to be all about on Wednesday? Of's achievements, and

to thank Bob for all the hard work you did and all the good things he's

done. I want people to acknowledge that. Not many people like

politicians but they seemed to like Bob. At least half the letters I've

had said, "Bob did such and such for me". I'm very grateful for that. But

is a terrific legacy to have. You managed to help people. I loved him

and I think a lot of other people did and we're very grateful for him.

He used to make me laugh. That's a real epitaph, isn't it? Make me

laugh, make me happy. That is a real plus.

Bob's widow Sarah Edmondson speaking to Peter Wilson, and the memorial

service is tomorrow at 1 o'clock at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.

There are just over 24 hours to go until the opening ceremony

of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow ` and competitors

from all over the world have been arriving in the Athletes' Village.

They include more than 50 sportsmen and women from the Midlands,

many of them preparing to take part in their first major championships.

Tanya Arnold reports from the village.

Day by day, the village is filling up, each nation making it a home

from home. The athletes seem to be settling in well and each has their

own creature comforts. We haven't seen too much. We've just had time

to go around the village, in the food hall and settle into where

we're staying. It's absolutely amazing. It is on such a big scale.

All of the athletes are mingling. It's been a great experience. The

hub of the village is the dining hall. With around 4500 athletes plus

all the support staff, they estimate 20,000 meals per day will be served,

catering for all tastes. Free food and it isn't all just healthy so

that is the Catch`22. Some of the other players come in and think, "a

muffin ` it must be low`fat, " but they're not. These may be called the

friendly games but there is a healthy amount of rivalry between

each neighbour. Each nation has its own area so you leave Wales and then

to the lions den, which is the English camp. People think the

athletes all get on but if you want to head back through Wales if you

are from team England, they've set up a little tollbooth. The athletes

are here, the venues are ready. Millions will be watching as Glasgow

hosts the Commonwealth Games. As more and more small towns and

villages lose services, being able A project

in Shropshire is hoping to expand ` as it teaches older people how to

get to grips with the internet. Country living can be a delicate but

for some, isolation MBA daily reality. A scheme has been set up to

provide people from this area with basic intranet skills. The project

has been so successful that 40 people have been trained since last

year. This hotel provides free Wi`Fi. We feel the computer setup

will help overcome the loneliness. The Government has quite often said

loneliness is a big problem these days. Students have their own

tutors. If they have a specific interest, they can explore it. They

appreciate this flexible style of learning. I gained confidence by

coming here because I was frightened to press the buttons. I thought I

had to try and get with it. When I want to know anything or look in on

Facebook or play games, I come here. Some of the students have gone on to

become tutors. I would say to anybody who is terrified of

computers, just come and have a look and see how you get on and you will

probably amaze yourself how well you will get on. The organisers need

more volunteers so the product can grow. The next step, they say, is

training people in their own homes so they, too, can stay connected to

the outside world. And there are more details about the

project on our Facebook page. You've been with some very keen

gardeners! I have. It was a dazzling day. It is

an RHS partner garden in the suburbs of Birmingham, but it seems many

people don't know about it. It is been ongoing since the 1980s and if

you visit, I'm sure you will be thrilled with the result.

You don't often come across scenes like these in the middle of

Birmingham but when you do, you don't forget. This is part of a

Jacobean mansion dating back to the mid`17th century, where history meet

horticulture and people love it. I never knew it existed until I got

lost. I was wandering down the road of Castle Bromwich and I came upon

it. It was a wonderful surprise, very serendipitous. I used to play

here as a boy in the early 1960s and it has changed an awful lot! This is

my first time back. It is gobsmacking. This is our heritage

and what we want to preserve. We need to do so that these places

don't just as appear overnight. For the hedge Gardner, `` head gardener,

trying to restore the gardens has been a labour of love. This has a

maze based on the one at Hampton Court. It has a kitchen garden with

rare varieties of vegetables growing, for example Jerusalem

artichokes. We grow a range of unusual potatoes which you don't

normally see in the shops. Restoration began in the 1980s but

only recently gained momentum and Chris's supervision. With a pack of

secateurs and a hedge for `` head for water culture, he has managed to

piece together an example of how this once looked.

Chris has attempted to revive every corner of this ten acre site. This

is a restored 18th`century mirror pond. They few years ago, it was

neglected. We got a grant of ?10,000 and we have a fibreglass lining,

which will last many years, and it now attracts a wide variety of

wildlife. The grounds are invaluable to conservationists. For example,

for records dating back as far as the 12th century, Chris and his team

of volunteers have recreated this orchard of Heritage trees. To fund

their pursuits, they use the fruits of their labour, running seasonal

events like apple pressing and guided tours. Being here is like

stepping back in time but, for Chris, the past has shaped his

vision for the future. It is beautiful but too hot to be

gardening there today! There was a degree of uniformity across the

region, with most places in highs of 26. The low values are set to nudge

even higher in the days to come but not without interference. We have

hot and humid air feeding up from the near continent by the end of

tomorrow, through Thursday and Friday, which could set off some

thundery showers. But really, the main threat comes from this other

system that is moving down from the North West and it comes into contact

with unstable air. For the time being, we had through this evening

into tonight with the comfort of some warmth. Temperatures will take

some time to fall so even when they do, they will reach a minimum of 16

for most places so another stifling, sticky night. It is dry and clear to

begin with but we will see the end of that as we head into the morning

with cloud thickening up from the east. The winds are starting to pick

up slightly through the cause of tomorrow so we are seeing the cloud

pushed in from the North Sea but this is Jew in the morning so by the

afternoon, sunshine slices through it and we're into blue skies and

sizzling temperatures over soaring up to around 27 or possibly even

28, so even hotter than today. A plume of hot, humid air could set

off some thundery showers for the southeastern corner of the region

but they will die away and leave us with dry, sunny, hot conditions for

Friday. A train carrying the bodies of

victims of the Malaysian airliner has arrived at its destination

outside rebel territory. An independent education

commissioner to be appointed by the Government to work with

Birmingham City Council. That was the programme for today.

Albee back at Tenby with more on that story. `` I'll be back at

Tenby.