17/01/2017 Midlands Today

Hello, and welcome to Midlands Today.

Tributes of love and gratitude to rape survivor and sexual violence

campaigner Jill Saward, as mourners travel from all over

She knew she was making a difference but she couldn't take the

compliments always, because to her she wasn't

Jill's husband Gavin said he had been inundated with messages

How the Prime Minister's Brexit plans have gone down

with our businesses - will it boost exports or dampen trade?

We can trade with the whole world now instead of just Europe.

It has got to be stronger for the country

I am in Walsall were thieves have stolen a lifeline for the elderly

and disabled people. Pollution priority, helping farmers

to keep pesticides out of the River Severn -

and our water supply. And now for something

dark and dramatic. A fabulous photo but unfortunately

today no special photography or filters needed to

achieve the same effect. They came from all over

the country to pay their The funeral of renowned sexual

violence campaigner Jill Saward took Jill became the first person

to waive her right to anonymity, after being sexually assaulted

in what became known as the 'Ealing Vicarage Rape'

in the 1980's. Over the course of thirty years,

she rebuilt her life, She also devoted her life

to helping other survivors. Jill's hard work and

tenacity changed the law Her husband Gavin Drake

says he was deeply proud Doing what she did

best, speaking out. People often say that they feel like

they have been raped again going raped by two men in 1986

during a burglary at her Incredibly, the perpetrators

received much shorter sentences than the man who had

committed the burglary. That set in motion what was to

become her life's work - campaigning for victims of sexual

assault and for changes in the law. Her identical twin sister

Sue Lancaster and Jill's how special she was and they cannot

believe she is gone. I can't describe the

sense of loss because We are being supported

by so many thousands of She knew she was making

a difference but she couldn't take the compliments

always because to her she wasn't doing anything special,

she was just being heard. Sue is not sure if she can never

follow in her sister's footsteps. I have thought about

whether I should step up and try and take her place but I just

don't think I can. She was such a unique person

and she had something to Jill was involved with

Lichfield Diocese for many years. Before the funeral took place,

I asked the vicar what kind of It is a celebration

of what she did for so She was very courageous,

she was very humble and she did a great deal and stuck at things

with a great deal of determination. Perhaps surprisingly,

Jill's strong Christian Today, the congregation

will sing a hymn There is a verse that

could not be more apt. # As one who knows

the joys of sins forgiven. # one with my fellow

citizens in heaven. As the service got underway,

eulogies echoed around the walls of the Cathedral

and tributes paid. I know there are many,

many people alive today We looked after each

other as best we could over the years

because she said, it is what we do. Jill was a survivor

and used her dramatic Very loving and very caring

and very, very beautiful. And Jill's husband Gavin has written

a tribute to his wife, It's already been read

by thousands of people - Linda White remembers her

as "An extremely brave when she posted "Thoughts

with her family" While David Williams's tribute

was simply "RIP Brave Lady". Thank you to all of you who took

the time to comment. The Prime Minister set out some

detail about leaving the EU today, But would coming out of the European

Single Market mean for us Both for independent traders,

and for those who deal At the time of the referendum

we talked to viewers, both leavers and remainers,

in different walks of life, to get their views as

the Brexit story unfolded. Tonight, Joanne Writtle has been

back to two of them, to gauge their reactions

to the prime minister's speech. The pictures voted to leave the EU.

We filmed as they waited for the Prime Minister to explain more about

how the country will do that. I voted Conservative for the first

time in my life to years ago and I voted leave. Then I felt cheated

that Cameron gave up his post and now I am hoping today that she get

things straight. I am hoping that we will be able to govern ourselves

like we used to do in the past. As Theresa May spoke, the butchers

reacted. I want this United Kingdom to emerge from this period of change

stronger, fairer, more united. That is what I want. Exactly. We will

take back control of our laws and bring an end to the jurisdiction of

the European Court of Justice in Britain. She's going with what the

country wants. Good. On the high Street, mixed views. At the litany

wonderful. I was much in favour of getting out of Europe. -- absolutely

wonderful. I voted to stay in so I am not happy about the situation at

all. I am worried about the future of our country. This company is

celebrating its 50th year in business this week. The last five

years they have been exporting 15% of what they make to Germany and to

America. Personally for us, I would like to go over to America, do a

trade mission. I think that is our biggest export opportunity. I think

Germany is likely different. I think they will look at us uncertainty to

start with but I think again, we have the chance. We are world-class

leaders in manufacturing and they will come to us for our world-class

products. 100 people at work here, making parts for the likes of Nissan

and Jaguar Land Rover. It might be a bit of the unknown but I think the

opportunities are there. We will all work together, work hard as the

country. I think we will be OK. Businesses like this so they want to

continue closing deals in Europe and further afield. They are watching

the twists and turns of Brexit intently.

And our political editor Patrick Burns is here.

They say "business hates uncertainty", so has Mrs May

made her plans sufficiently clear for our local business people?

They can never get enough clarity, I am afraid. There is a general

recognition, even among business leaders like Chris, even those who

voted to remain like him that there may be opportunities under Brexit to

develop their businesses. However, the regional director of the CBI,

the employers organisations, says it could well become more difficult to

trade within Europe after this. He wants to see the real fast

development of those wider global export opportunities that we were

hearing their from the engineering firm. What if the European union

offer us only a very adverse terms? I have been talking to one senior

local business figure with very close links to Germany and he said

that when Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, warrant over the weekend

that in that event we could be pushed into turning Britain into

something akin to one of those far Eastern tiger economies, with all

truck load business taxes, right on the very shores of the European

Union, I am told that was the sent a shock wave through the German

business community. Closer to home, what kind of impact will this have

on upcoming elections? Think of that Stoke Central by-election. It is the

city that voted more enthusiastically to leave the

European Union than anywhere else. While that have pushed a wedge

between Labour and their core support? That will be a key test.

The Ukip and Tories are within a here breath within each other. They

will be vying for the Brexit vote, I would imagine. The Liberal

Democrats, they will see if they can conjure up some support for an

unambiguous, anti-Brexit campaign. Patrick, many thanks.

Birmingham City Council has announced it's hoping to transfer

responsibility for running children's services

The council plans to set up what's known as a "wholly owned

company" to look after the city's vulnerable children,

after years of its own department being rated as inadequate.

It would be run as a separate Trust which could run alongside existing

A further six men have been charged following the rioting

Four of the group appeared before magistrates in Birmingham today.

West Midlands Police says it's continuing to work

with private company G4S - which runs the jail,

and eight people have now been charged in connection with the riot.

A charity in Walsall which organises days out for elderly and disabled

people has had the trailer it uses to transport wheelchairs stolen.

It is a lifeline, isn't it? Yes, this is really a huge blow for the

whole team. The trailer was stolen from a outside the Church on

Saturday and it is used for transporting wheelchairs and

mobility scooters and it really is a lifeline. Speaking to some of the

local residents earlier on today, they said they are devastated and

worried about being stranded. These residents love to be on the

move. Michael has cerebral palsy and some members of this community

Church in Walsall are wheelchair users. That hasn't stopped them

enjoying days out right across the country, until now. The trailer was

stolen in broad daylight from right outside their church. It is just

awful. Awful. It is not just day trips, it is the whole community. It

has opened a new lease of life for me, being able to get out. Because I

have has cerebral palsy from birth, I find it hard to walk, I find it

hard to walk now. It has opened up a new life for that. We do not drive

and so we have no transport. Me and Michael, we cannot get on a carriage

because of the scooter. It was ?3700 and inside there, we also had our

motorised wheelchairs, scooters and a ramp. Of course, we have lost that

as well. It supplies the needs of the committee in lots of ways,

bikes, furniture is, you name it. It is therefore the community.

Residents love their gentle exercise classes but hope they will be able

to get out and about very soon. The neighbourhood here in Walsall does

not have a committee centre and the church really is a hub. That trailer

was donated by funds from another local charities here to stop joining

me tonight is Amanda Banks. Amanda, you told me this is a deprived area.

To find nearly ?4000, that money is not easily come by. No, we work in

partnership with the place of refuge Church debate on events for the

committee. The Church organise things such as cookery classes,

first aid courses, employability skills, trips to the seaside and

numerous other things, even if it bank. Without this trailer, it is a

real blow to the community. Do you think it will have an impact on the

wider community? It will do. That is a lot of unemployment in the area

and elderly tenants, who without the trailer, may not be able to get the

seaside. It is going to have a huge impact on them the most. Thank you

very much for joining us tonight. Hopefully the community will rally

round. Just to remind you, the trailer was stolen any time on

Saturday after 1130 and police have told me that they are now

establishing whether or not there is any CCTV footage. Thank you.

Thanks for joining us on Midlands Today, this

Challenging the farmers of the future. The bubble blowing clock in

need of a face lift. The wishing fish that has been entertaining

shoppers for 50 years. Sporting stars are gathering tonight

to raise a ?1 million to double the size of Birmingham's

specialist leukaemia centre. and all blood cancer services

located on one site Our health correspondent,

Michele Paduano, has been to see one of the patients whose benefited

from clinical trials. He dreamed of being a fighter pilot,

but in August 2015, Jaymz Goodman's He had a 14cm tumour on his lungs

and his life hung in the balance. One evening I woke up in the middle

of the night in screaming agony and that is not stop for two days. I

just cried and wailed and I could not walk, crawled to the bathroom.

It was very difficult to get through those sorts of experiences. You must

really valuable as clinical trials? I value everything that was given to

me because it saved my life. A year and a half later

he is in full remission, but has weekly blood tests

to check for disease. Jaymz from Telford has

benefited from treatment at Your blood tests are through and

your account is pretty robust. It is 2.6.

but now wants to be able to do even more work.

It has been tough over the last couple of years and it will be tough

in the future. We are in for the long haul and it is one of the

reasons we want to expand the centre, to show we mean business. We

have already been given Government funding. This will be a clinical

area where they can double the amount of patients treated and

trials and the amount of nurses employed. It is going to cost

another 1 million. That is why the former Wolverhampton footballer

Geoff Thomas will be joined by celebrities tonight. He will now

undertake three cycling tours this year. If we can get people to donate

and support the rights as well, that just adds to everything else. It

will make it a lot easier once we know people are supporting us and

money is rolling in. So that more patients like James can have the

latest treatments. For Severn Trent Water this

stretch of the River Severn from Tewkesbury to Shrewsbury

is a pollution priority. And that means convincing farmers

to drastically reduce the impact of water from farms,

as it flows into the River. Our Rural Affairs Correspondent

David Gregory-Kumar went to see how the farmers

of the future are being challenged Surrounded by the farmland that has

helped to create this But farmland can cause

problems for the river Our goal is to make the water a

better quality. We are reducing the carbon front and reducing energy

bills and customer bills as two if possible. Keeping expensive

pesticides of their land, for farmers, saves them money, too. This

morning we have some interactive sessions. Our colleagues here will

be talking about what treatment and how and why they have to strip

things out of water to make a drinkable. As the students are

learning, there are plenty of rules to deal with water that could have

an impact on their farms. If you were to drop one single slug pellet

into an Olympic size slimming pill full of water, that water would

officially be over the limit allowed for pesticides in drinking water.

After a morning of hard work, what is the reaction? I drink a bit and

it is an eye-opener. We are going to be looking at farm practices and

look at how we can improve them. A great benefit to me as a smallholder

farmers. It will be very useful as. Most farmers, do love their river

and they have noticed the changes over the years. Slowly as water

quality improves, they are noticing fish coming back and other wildlife

coming back to the river. There is no quick fix to improve water

quality, it is a long haul and these future farmers have a key role to

play. Onto football -

and the transfer market seems Now Birmingham City are in

FA Cup action tomorrow. But it seems that new manager

Gianfranco Zola has more Planning for tomorrow's game,

moulding the squad to play how he wants them to and delving

in the transfer market. He confirmed interest

today in several players. The Derby winger Johnny Russell,

Swansea City's Wayne Routledge Emilio Nsue from Middlesbrough

and Cheick Keita who plays in Italy. And the interest in two defenders

stems from the possible departure of another full-back Jonathon

Spector. And he's considering moving back

home to the United States. Zola admits he's got

a lot on his plate. I will give to this club what they

are looking for and I am so determined to do that and so

passionate about that. The result will be there. You know, I have not

been working as much as I have been working in this month, I promise

you. It is not feel like that. That is very positive.

But at Coventry City the transfer talk involves the club itself.

Lot's of speculation over the last few days about potential new owners.

The beleaguered fans are just desperate for some positive news.

The last few days there have been reports that former Crystal Palace

owner Simon Jordan is interested, of a fans consortium and then today

an investor claiming three former england players are also

But the current owners Sisu say simply that

Interesting. I am sure you will keep an eye on that for us. A busy month.

A bubble blowing clock that has been entertaining shoppers in Cheltenham

since 1985 has been stopped - for a facelift.

The huge Wishing Fish Clock in the Regent Arcade

is being dismantled, because parts of it

Here's our Gloucestershire reporter Steve Knibbs.

For over 30 years the mice have been sneaky, the snake has tried

in vain to catch them, and the fish has blown bubbles to be

I just remember coming to Cheltenham on special shopping trips with my

mum and just being amazed that all these bubbles were coming out and

watching the bubbles. It is just lovely. It is a nice. He is

experiencing something I have been through as well. It is a great

interaction for the kids. Whenever you come here, there are always

children running around and enjoying it.

The famous clock has a famous designer Kit Williams

he wanted a timepiece that was magical,

Everyone is excited by bubbles. The strange movement and the popping of

them. The painting that goes round and round. There were lots of

different aspects to it. Even the music everyone here is that music

and we see it all happening with the big fish.

Kit of course has a history of capturing the imagination -

in the 70's he he wrote "masquerade" that, through a series of clues,

led readers to a jewelled Golden Hare that he'd buried.

But as for the clock - time has taken it's toll -

and things need fixing - like the infinite stream

of golden eggs that's dried - that was originally inspired

It keeps coming down and down and as it passed into the clock itself, the

ball disappears and goes round and round the clock and the empty cup

goes back up again, up into the dark, we're goes over the top... It

falls down again. That is a simple trick.

But time has now stood still here - new, improved clock

will soon be back - to grant wishes to everyone

It is lovely. I hope it is not a wafer too long. -- away for too

long. Cast your mind back half a century -

a loaf of bread would have cost you nine pence,

a gallon of petrol 28 pence and Tom Jones was at number

one in the hit parade If you could afford it,

you might have lashed out ?300 on a television -

the equivalent of nearly ?5,000 And on that TV you could have

tuned in to a youthful 50 years later, he's

still on the box, fronting the news for the digital television programme

'Made in Birmingham.' Louisa Currie

has been to meet him. Your news for Birmingham, Solihull

and the Black Country begins now. It's rehearsal time at the Made

in Birmingham studios in Walsall. Mike's fronted their bulletins

since the station launched Despite the changing

nature of the industry, The equipment and the hardware, if

you like, around you, it's lighter and smaller. There is still the same

joy and fun in the gallery and with the people you're working with.

Television looked a lot different when Mike first took to our screens.

A continuity announcer and newsreader in the 60s, he worked for

TV. With the years come fond memories and plenty of stories to

share. Mike's experience and expertise and the relationship he

has with the viewers is invaluable to us. Mike has more experience than

the tire rest of the staff combined. -- entire. I never stop pinching

myself thinking how lucky I have been to have worked in this industry

for so long. It has been a lot of fun. Despite so long in the

industry, he has no plans to retire any time soon.

Grey, that sums up the weather. We are all looking for a glimmer of

something better. I should warn you because the weather forecast do

nothing to help in that department. We were wedged under a thick layer

of cloud to date with a mixture of mist and fog. The brightness tried

to break through the did not manage. We even got some brain once again

through the north of the region. A bit of a mist always creates mystery

and we have a lovely photograph here. Blame this frontal system that

is slithering across as or the cloud and the mist that is stuck above us.

That will move across to the east, so we can wave goodbye by Thursday.

It is going to leave behind as high pressure. The winds are going to be

light and that is nothing to agitate that cloud to break it up until the

weekend and some brightness. Also cold air. Still cloudy out there and

hail fog forming once again tonight. Some spots of drizzle as well. It is

a mainly dry picture. Temperatures dropping to a minimum of around

three Celsius. Perhaps a little higher towards the north-west. It is

a mild start to the day tomorrow. Those temperatures only increasing

to eight Celsius. Milder than to but a dull one and a mainly dry one. Any

drizzle will die away from tonight. That hail fog will start to lift.

Tomorrow night, more mist and fog galloping tomorrow night and you can

see a lot of that cloud will start to squeeze out here and there. --

developing. Temperatures down to six Celsius. Those values match the

temperatures today. Friday, a repeat of those conditions. Highs of six or

seven Celsius. Maybe eight Celsius but dropping into the weekend. Cold

but staying largely dry into next week. Thank you. We will hopefully

that brightness. That is all from me. I will be back at half past ten.

-- 10:30pm. That I will faithfully execute

the Office... And will to the best

of my ability... The Constitution

of the United States... TV: He's not your father.

WOMAN GASPS