20/02/2017 Midlands Today

The headlines tonight: The rising cost

It's got more aggressive and hostile as the game went on.

Both clubs are now investigating what happened, after video appears

Made to worship behind a screen - a landmark deal for Sikhs

who were unable to sit down in their temple.

It was like you was in a prison. On one side, you have done something

wrong people will catch you have got.

Catching them young - why performing simple physical tasks

by the age of 11 is critical to a healthy life.

Calling all chocolate lovers - a tasty job up

And a burst of spring to begin with this week,

But it's a changeable one to say the least,

You'll see what I mean in the forecast later.

It started out as a regular Saturday afternoon football fixture,

and ended up with fighting and arrests and claims

Police are appealing for witnesses after a series of disturbances

at Port Vale's home match against Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

Video footage appears to show a steward throwing a punch.

Fans also claim Staffordshire Police used pepper spray to control

Both clubs are now investigating what happened.

Filmed by an away fan, this is the moment a steward

appears to throw a punch during the disturbance at the ground.

It just got more and more aggressive and hostile as the game went on.

The Port Vale Supporters Club believe there should have been

more police inside the ground to keep control.

There weren't that many involved in the incident -

I know there was a lot of police outside the ground,

and I think if a few more officers had come in, they might have been

able to get it under control more quickly.

Staffordshire Police say during the game some 30

Bristol Rovers supporters were ejected from the ground

for a variety of offences, including making racially-motivated

I came out the ground, policeman swung this person

I went down and cracked my head open on the concrete.

People have been sprayed with pepper spray and having

their eyes cleaned out by St John's Ambulance,

rinsing their eyes out with water and stuff.

Staffordshire Police has confirmed there were

four arrests in total - including a match day

official who was arrested for assaulting an away fan.

They're now appealing for witnesses to contact them.

And Laura May is at Port Vale Football Club for us now.

Any response from the club about what's happened?

Well, tonight the club has said that obviously it is not acceptable for

any of its yours to react violently. -- stewards.

And a full Staffordshire Police investigation is now underway,

along with officials from both of the clubs.

Officers are reviewing CCTV footage and Bristol Rovers

say its forwarding any eyewitness accounts it recieves to Port Vale

and Avon and Somerset Police, who had spotters at the game.

St John Ambulance, who were at the match,

have also confirmed that six people

were treated for minor injuries.

Well, despite a 1-1 draw for the teams,

it's a match both clubs might want to forget.

The Bristol Rovers chairman Steve Hamer says he's "appalled"

by what's happened and he wants a full report on his

Five elderly and disabled Sikhs have reached a landmark deal

after they'd been made to sit behind a partition in their

As a mark of respect, Sikhs are usually required to

sit on the floor of a Gurdwara, but that just wasn't possible

for those using walking aids or wheelchairs.

The five claimants, including Malkit Singh,

who has cerebral palsy, have been forced to sit behind

a partition in their Gurdwara because they couldn't sit

They say it's been humiliating and upsetting.

Upset, really. Upset.

The screen was like you were sitting in a prison.

On one side it was like you had done something wrong.

Like people would catch what you've got.

That's how we felt, and it was very disturbing.

I've been through stress, depression, anxiety.

The Gurdwara - which is Wolverhampton's

largest Sikh temple - says it was following rules imposed

But some worshippers say the blame lies with those in charge.

But our religion isn't that, it's only this committee.

It isn't on the Gurdwara, it is on the committee.

At the hearing today, Judge Alistair Smail was keen that

both sides reached a compromise on a number of key points,

which includes installing a best to the first-floor prayer room

in the next five months, and completely getting rid

of the petitions in the prayer room and the dining hall

But, again, they are always trying to delay things.

They put them up overnight, within a couple of hours.

I can't see why they couldn't have taken them down

The judge said he wants it done properly, so he's

allowed it for two weeks, so that's fine.

The Gurdwara's committee told the BBC that it's glad to have

reached an amicable settlement and that it would continue

to address the needs of the aged, frail and the disabled.

For the worshippers it's a major step forward.

Amy Cole, BBC Midlands Today, Birmingham

Two 16-year-olds have been arrested by police as part

of an investigation into a series of stun gun attacks

The arrests come after three women were "shocked"

with electrical devices, in Moseley and Kings Heath

A search of one address this morning uncovered a suitcase

containing machetes, knives, hammers and mobile phones.

A 14-year-old has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery.

Staffordshire Police says a review of evidence

in the unsolved murder of

paper boy Carl Bridgewater will deliver

The force has been carrying out a "forensic review" in the aftermath

of a documentary which raised new questions over who may have been

Seven weeks of vital maintenance started today on the M6. It is to

prevent further water damage which would eventually corrode the steel

reinforcement bars. The Prime Minister was in

Stoke today, campaigning for the Conservatives

in the Stoke-on-Trent Central Theresa May toured the Emma

Bridgewater pottery factory alongside candidate Jack Brereton,

with the message that it was her party that would deliver the Brexit

most people had voted for. BBC Radio Stoke's Political

reporter Emma Thomas So does this mean the party

is confident about winning? The party leader might speak

confidently about why she believes the Conservatives are best party

to represent what is largely a working class constituency,

but election history Stoke Central has never

had a Conservative MP. The seat has been held by Labour

throughout its existence since 1950. In the 2015 General Election,

the Conservative candidate was beaten to second place by Ukip,

the result leaving them third However, since then,

the Conservatives have with the City Independents

to take control of So they will take some encouragement

of voter support from that. Needless to say, the Prime

Minister is confident. I'm very clear that the government

I lead will be a government that ensures we have a country that

works for everyone. The people in Stoke on the 23rd

of June last year voted for change, and it's the Conservatives,

and the Conservative candidate here is a strong,

local Member of Parliament, who would work with the government

to deliver that change. only party to wheel out the

big guns to woo the voters? You know there's a nationally

significant by-election looming when the Leader of the Opposition

starts spending his We've seen plenty of Jeremy Corbyn

and his predecessor Ed Miliband As was Tim Farron, the leader of the

Liberal Democrats. As for Ukip, their leader

is the very man standing It's been another challenging day

for his campaign as two senior party I expect this to continue to be

a closely fought contest right Now, we all know that good diet

and exercise can help prevent a range of health problems,

such as diabetes, strokes and falls. But did you know that if children

don't reach a certain level of physical fitness by the age

of 11, they're more likely to be Researchers have been

gathering valuable data at Coventry University today,

about the skills children need, if they're to carry

on exercising when they grow up. You'd usually find elite athletes

using this equipment here at Coventry University,

but for the next two days these children's running,

jumping and catching skills are being analysed

By researchers studying If they do not learn the we tend

to find there's a cut-off they tend to withdraw

from those activities. They drop out of sport and become

less active and long term suffer on a programme to identify

those children who need help With child and adult

obesity at worrying levels, research into early

interventions is welcomed. if you are sitting watching the

television all the time, you will get fat. You need to get active,

healthy and drink water. It is about exercising and eating healthily. The

message seems to be getting through and making a difference. The

children who know how to jump and catch transition into being more

active. We believe that will lead to them being physically active for

longer, and having a longer life. Although academics go

into schools quite often to teach children about science and sport,

it's quite rare that children The university hopes this work will

inspire these children and others to stay active.

Thanks for joining us on Midlands Today.

We'll find out how much longer this mild weather will be with us

Join me at one of the most isolated churches in Shropshire as one of the

oldest bells in the country is brought down for repair.

And queue up queue up for the Sky Blues -

Coventry City fans clamour for a ticket to Wembley

If you have a story you think we should

It's an increasingly common sight - a homeless person sheltering

Birmingham is in the top ten of cities with high

numbers of rough sleepers, according to latest

But many hostels don't have the facilities to take

in animals at night, so new efforts are being made

to accommodate the homeless with their canine companions.

Joan Cummins has spoken to one man who only came off the streets,

when he was told his dog could be homed, too.

Chris ended up sofa surfing and sleeping rough

to a life on the streets with just his pet dogs

for company, preferring to put their needs before his own.

If you have no one to go, the dogs are all you have left.

There are all I have, so I cherish them.

To many rough sleepers, their dogs are there only family.

Outreach workers say they are worried that,

unless people get off the streets, it could be a matter of

The Zambesi Project in Sparkbrook helps to get

rough sleepers off the streets and into safe accomodation.

The scheme to get people back on their feet is funded

by Birmingham City Council, and they're now opening their doors

The dogs are there as their friend and companion.

So we look to offer a provision of accommodation to a

It's good that they are giving the people

I know a lot of people that have dogs going into hostels and things.

It's hard to estimate how many people are sleeping rough

with their pets, but it's hoped schemes that allow animals

into hostels will help start to reduce the homeless figures.

You've been sharing your views about this story.

St Anne's accommodation, in Birmingham, for example,

has pointed out they've been providing shelter for homeless

people and their dogs within their hostel

While Gill Roberton posted on Facebook that it is

"obviously brought about by someone with a sense of humanity."

Thank you to all of you who got in touch.

For more than 850 years, the same ancient church bell has

rung out across a tiny isolated community in Shropshire.

As one of the oldest bells in the country,

experts believe it's of national importance.

This afternoon, for the first time in centuries, villagers in Myndtown

got the chance to see it when it was removed

Watching over this remote spots, supporters say the church has...

With scaffolding up for important restoration work, today history was

made as they spell dating back to 1150 one is removed from the first

time ever to be repaired. They have a beautiful sound. We want them back

up there. We want people under supervision, to bring them and to

say they rang a 12th century bell. This is the third oldest bell in the

country. The other Bell at Myndtown Church, a mere 600 years old, was

also brought down for conservation work. A ?200,000 grant from the

Heritage lottery fund is paying for the restoration. Although sparse and

remarked today, this community would want something much more

significant. The village of Myndtown, where a much larger

settlement in the Domesday book we paid three times as much as

Birmingham in rates, something like ?3 to their ?1. A good reason to

preserve Myndtown's heritage, then. And with care came to mind as the

bells were moved back down to earth. After being run countless times, the

bell is safely down. Once the repairs are finished, at a secret

location, the fully restored bells will return to this isolated spot in

May. Time for sport.

Dan Pallett's here. And Wolves' Wembley dream may

be over in the FA Cup, but it's very much alive

for Coventry City fans Yes, more on Wolves defeat

against Chelsea in a moment. But first to Coventry,

where season tickets from six o'clock this morning

to book their Wembley tickets. The club's been allocated

just under 40,000 seats for the Checkatrade Trophy

final in April. And Ian Winter joined the early

birds this morning. Coventry City are not used to people

queueing for tickets. But today, the owners

got a timely reminder about the passionate support

that is crying out for success. And if that means the Checkatrade

Trophy final, then bring it on. They may be rock bottom

of League One, they may be staring relegation in the face,

but there is nothing quite appearance to bring these

long-suffering Coventry City supporters out in

force this morning. We're going to go there

and have a fantastic day. And I've always wanted to see

Coventry City go to Wembley, It is all part of the

experience, queueing. I could have bought tickets

online, but I like being So it was busy, busy

at Coventry Rugby club, where sky blues season-ticket

holders where able to choose Many with fond memories of winning

the FA Cup back in 1987. Terry, did that hat to go

to Wembley 30 years ago? And I'm going to take

my grandchildren. But will Terry's children also

experience the pain of relegation? On Saturday, two goals in five

minutes from Kwame Thomas, and then George Thomas,

helped Coventry to their first league win since

the 1st of November. And they are still ten

points adrift of safety. One of their relegation rivals won

also. Walsall grabbed two goals

in stoppage time, including through Kyren Morris,

to beat Peterborough and move But today belongs to the sky blues,

who have sold almost 15,000 of their allotted 40,000

Wembley tickets. So plenty of positives

in League One and Two. But extremely worrying

times for Birmingham City It's one win in 14 games now

since the popular Gary Rowett was sacked and replaced

by Zola in December. And Saturday's 4-1

defeat at home to QPR There were reports afterwards

that Zola was set to Apparently, that's not the case,

and the club continues to back him. But you do wonder where

he goes from here. On Friday, they've got a trip

to Wolves for a Midlands derby. Wolves' FA Cup run came

to an end on Saturday. They lost nothing in defeat to

the Premier League leaders Chelsea. But we did have a winner

in the Championship. That's given them a four point

cushion above the relegation zone. Villa are away to

Newcastle this evening. We will have the result of that on

our late Billiton. Fashion And we've got two teams

into the FA Vase semifinals. Bromsgrove Sporting face

Cleethorpes Town and Coleshill Town So we could have an

all-Midlands Wembley final. And we learned today that

some of the world's best athletes will be in Birmingham this summer -

in the build-up to he World Yes, US Track and Field

will hold their training They did the same in 2012

ahead of the London Olympics. They trained at the Alexander

Stadium and could also It worked for them then topping

the athletics medal table with And it's certainly great news

for the city of Birmingham. And we can't finish

without a mention of Gloucester's They beat last season's Premiership

champions Saracens 31-23. Worcester had beat Saracens the week

before. Could you sit and eat chocolate

for seven hours a day? Well that's what's on offer

for a lucky candidate, applying to be a taster

at the confectionary But you'd have to be prepared

to travel for your chocolate fix - Ben Moore's been along to see

if he's up to the job # Come with me and you'll be

in a world of pure imagination #. One of the world's biggest

chocolate makers really There is no real requirements that

you can have for the job. It is basically what is

in your mouth, the taste Mondelez owns brands

like Cadbury and Oreo. But getting this sweet job

won't be a piece of cake. It was advertised on social media,

so there have been more We are not looking to see

whether they like the sample or not. We are looking for them to taste it,

and to basically say what they see, say what they taste

from the product. Through the tasting hatch,

there is a change of mood. We use a red light

so when the candidate is assessing the samples,

it masks all of the colour This is where the lucky applicant

will be confined with chocolate I am ready to taste my

first chocolate sample. I'll try this first and then I have

to decide which of these All the while, writing down

what I think about all When to have done that,

I eat a cracker, rinse This will be the test

facing the short-listed At the end, there

will be just one left. Yes, you have shown that

you can discriminate. But sadly, you have not quite

made the grade to go There was no sweet

talking my way round it. But I suppose, for times like these,

there is always chocolate. A Birmingham Professor believes

that the rainbow in a Constable painting was added by the artist

later, as tribute to a friend. John Thornes who is an expert

in Applied Meteorology has found that the original version

of Salisbury Cathedral from But he's since calculated that

where it now appears in the painting suggests the time of death

of Constable's friend, as well as pointing

to the cottage where he lived. Doesn't feel like February -

let's find out if the mild weather is going to be with us all week,

Shefali has the forecast. Knots to this degree. But there

could be some rainbows. Let us concentrate and celebrated a's

weather. We have Spring flowers in Coventry. To part of the region that

saw the highest temperatures today at 16 Celsius. The cloud was

breaking for the South, but it is now starting to thicken up and bring

in rain across the north of the region. This is a sign of things to

come. We have unsettled conditions this week, changeable weather fronts

moving in from the Atlantic. The wind strengthening as well. You can

see some snow there to the north of the country. Low pressure dominating

and winds turning north-westerly by Thursday. In summary, this is what

it looks like this week. Mild conditions to begin with, but then

wet and windy at times. Possibly turning my other into the weekend

once again. That is something to look forward to, I suppose, but not

to the degree that we see today with highs of 16 Celsius. Incidentally,

that is double the sorts of highs you would normally see at this time

of year. This event, a few spits and spots of rain. Not much, but more

travelling in from the north later on tonight. Covering the region,

heavy bursts possible. I of the cloud, some ministers well. Quite a

mild night with temperatures dropping to a minimum of nine or 10

Celsius. Mild, wet, cloudy, et al, into tomorrow. That's rain will

eventually start to clear away leaving drizzly bits and pieces.

Another band threatening to move in from the West. Better brightness

perhaps, but top temperatures of around 13 Celcius. Wet tomorrow

night, sunshine and showers on Wednesday.

Tomorrow on Midlands Today, we'll be at the National Farmers Union

conference in Birmingham - where farmers are discussing

And despite challenges in the industry , they're more

That's on tomorrow's programme at 6.30.

That's all for now - but I'll be back at ten thirty

with action from Aston Villa's game at Newcastle.