05/04/2017 Midlands Today

The headlines tonight: A newborn baby who died from an infection

caught at birth could have survived with earlier intervention,

We've fought for her, haven't we? We fought for the truth and ultimately

she could have been saved. We'll be looking at the implications

of today's inquest verdict. Also tonight: Sacked for complaining

about children being shown a disturbing video -

a teaching assistant wins her claim They told me that the school was no

longer a suitable place for me to work at because I was uncomfortable

with the curriculum. From dazzling daffodils to beautiful

blossoms, find out how this year's spring display has been turning

heads. Memories from 40 years

ago as Cliff Richard wowed his teenage fans,

making a film by the And in spite of incoming

cloud today, most places Even shinier by the

weekend and warmer too. Her death was "preventable" -

that's the conclusion of the Shropshire coroner

at the inquest of a newborn baby who died from an

infection caught at birth. Pippa Griffiths was born

in April last year, but less than 24 hours later,

she was seriously ill Today, the coroner ruled

that she could have survived if she'd been treated sooner

by medical staff. Our Health Correspondent,

Michele Paduano reports. Maybe Pippa was born perfectly

healthy but she had an infection and couldn't be saved. The hospital were

phoned twice by their worried mother but she was reassured.

We have fought for her, we have fought for the truth and ultimately

she could have been saved. Do your job and be honest. Put your

hands up and make mistakes, that's what we feel. We've gone through

hell and for people not to be honest with us is just another cheque when

you are done, really. At the inquest, the hospital

admitted it had failed... Midwife Claire Robinson, seen here

with red hair, denied she had been told about brown mucus in the later

called but it was the earlier call that would have saved Pippa's life.

The coroner said baby Pippa's death was preventable if a systematic

inquiry had taken place when Mrs Griffiths phoned. He said it may not

be any comfort that lessons had been learned. Have they? The trust did

not declare this as a serious incident and there was to be no

inquest. They said today that the death did not appear to meet the

criteria. The trust apologised for not providing appropriate care but

said appropriate changes had been made. No inquest was offered at the

time of death and the court learned that without the parents' tenacity

in seeking an inquest, they would not have led to truth.

I think it is shocking. If I hadn't had pushed for this it would have

gone. How many other teams would it

happen? Mrs Griffiths is expecting again but

is terrified and hopes nothing can go wrong.

And Michele joins us now from outside the Coroner's Court.

Baby Pippa was actually born at home and there is a national drive to

have more babies born at home and clearly the communications have to

be good. There is a national debate about whether all mums should be

screened for strep B. At the moment it is just those at high risk. Pippa

would have survived had that happened. They were reassured that

lessons had been learned after a previous case. I'm told there are

other cases around and one that could go to inquest.

A teaching assistant has won an unfair dismissal case

after being sacked for complaining about children being shown

Suriyah Bi was sent home from an academy in Birmingham

after raising concerns about the video showing the 9/11

One of the city's MPs says HE has concerns about the chain that runs

the academy and a number of others in the West Midlands.

After 18 months of turmoil, Suriyah Bi at last feels vindicated.

In September 2015, she was a classroom assistant at this

Despite a clear age warning, a teacher played a video to a group

of 11 and 12-year-olds, some of them with

Have you ever seen anything like this?

Absolutely not. I have seen at least ten people fall to their deaths.

It was about the 9/11 terror attacks and showed people

falling to their deaths - a video she complained

was inappropriate and a breach of safeguarding policy.

They said there would be an investigation.

They said I did the right thing raising the concern but 40 minutes

later they pulled me from my lesson and they told me the school was no

longer a suitable place for me to work because I was uncomfortable

Suriyah Bi's complaint led to her sacking and she brought

As a student herself she was head girl at Saltley School -

a school later linked to the so-called Trojan Horse affair

and allegations that conservative-minded Muslims

were seeking to exert undue influence.

She thinks her complaint about the video was construed

by the school as a complaint that they were anti-Muslim.

Although the tribunal agreed Suriyah Bi was unfairly dismissed,

they rejected her claim that she was discriminated

In a statement the chain running the school, E-Act,

said they were disappointed by the tribunal's main

"Heartlands is an outstanding academy which prides itself

on cultural inclusiveness and providing a nurturing environment."

Three years ago E-Act lost control of ten academies

after inspectors raised concerns about their performance.

Suriyah's MP's supported her claim for unfair dismissal.

The Secretary of State has got involved with this academy chain

before but now they have got to get stuck in again to get

to the bottom of what went wrong and to assure us and to assure

parents that there's not a systemic problem with this academy

chain that is looking after so many of our children.

An Oxford graduate, Suriyah Bi represented herself at the tribunal

and is writing a book about her journey from

Two people from Birmingham have been arrested on terrorism offences. They

are not connected with the recent attack in London.

Staff at BMW's engine plant at Hams Hall in Warwickshire

are to stage five 24-hour strikes in a dispute over pensions.

The workers - seen here protesting last month -

say they stand to lose thousands of pounds under plans

to stop their final salary pension scheme at the end of May.

BMW says it's disappointed and remains open to negotiation.

The Green Party candidate for the West Midlands first

metro-mayor officially launched his manifesto today.

James Burn, who's a councillor in Chelmsley Wood, says "no-one

will be left behind" if he's elected.

Voters go to the polls on May the 4th to decide who'll have

powers over transport, housing and economic development.

I want to be mayor because I think the economic plans for this

They have left areas like this really far behind and we need

a new type of economic plan which provides decent jobs

and good homes for everyone and shares out the wealth far more.

And you can find out more about the six candidates

standing for election in the West Midlands Metro Mayor

From cricket bats to kitchen cupboards, a Coventry

firm is celebrating 150 years of business.

The family run firm has survived two world wars,

numerous recessions, and a technological revolution.

Joan Cummins has been speaking to the fifth generation

Henry Burbidge started his wood turning business

in Coventry in 1867, making wooden sports equipment.

Across the decades, Burbidge's diversified,

from cricket bats to stiletto heels to car components.

Anything that could be made out of wood.

You've got to keep reinventing the business.

We wouldn't be here 150 years on from the foundation if we hadn't

done lots and lots of different things because times change

Two world wars and countless economic recessions have seen

the Burbidge business continue to adapt.

Even the destruction of a factory during the bombing

of Coventry was treated just as an interruption in proceedings.

When the factory was completely devastated in the Coventry Blitz,

reading the stories about my grandfather and what he had to do

and going around on his bike to find other factories and find places

to actually sort of carry on, I think that sort of spirit of never

Mechanisation and changing taste continue to impact on the firm,

But it is not just in the boardroom that family loyalty matters.

On the shop floor, Neil and Graham represent third and fourth

generations of workers in the business.

The family connection is mainly my mum.

She started here and I think my nan started at roughly the same time.

I started 42 years ago and then my son started.

Footballers are amongst the customers for Burbidge

products these days, keeping a tenuous link

with its humble beginnings as a sports equipment manufacturer

If you've been out and about in the past few days,

you may have noticed the sudden explosion of blossom on the trees.

It's certainly been catching the photographic eye

And Rebecca Wood is in Birmingham's Botanical Gardens this

evening, enjoying the view - really picturesque, isn't it, Beccy?

It is not just picturesque. Let me tell you, the aroma is absolutely

gorgeous in the botanical Gardens. It is beautiful. There is a bit of a

breeze that is not helping the blossom but we can see the

magnolias, cherry blossoms, daffodils. Some of them have arrived

at the right time but some are rather early. What is the reason for

all this beautiful plumage? I have been speaking to one expert and he

says it is all to do with the weather. After a

dull and damp winter, spring is arguably the time when nature puts

on its best display. You can see the azaleas behind us

are burgeoning with flour. They have axillary buds we call them, that set

and are ready to go. We have this flour and potentially more to come

from these magnolias. Hedgerows, gardens and even the

roadside have a dusting of pink and white flowers which has inspired our

weather watchers. This spring display this year seems more

inspired than ever and that is thanks to the weather.

We had a warmer winter and that has made some bad sport. We have seen

some things that are not normally in flower at this time.

They are pretty flowers and there are a lot of them.

It is a spectacular show. We are really lucky to have it and the park

is brilliant. It is really lovely. With more mild weather to come,

there is a further displayed so enjoy it.

This is only going to continue but we could get second or even third

buds so it is not over yet but, warning for gardeners, we can still

get a touch of Frost so any tender plants need extra care is taken with

them. But perhaps more side-chain to come and more beautiful blossoms.

More details later with the weather forecast.

Thanks for joining us on Midlands Today.

After another sunny day, hopefully more of the same later

Also in tonight's programme: The baby born just hours before

Coventry City's epic win at Wembley - now she's been named

If you need any advice, I can give you the name of a good estate agent.

I give advice, I don't take it. And memories, 40 years on,

of Cliff Richard wowing his teenage fans as he filmed Take Me High

in the centre of Birmingham. The Warwickshire showjumper

Nick Skelton, who won Olympic gold for Great Britain at Rio 2016,

is retiring later this year. The 59-year-old will

compete for the final time at May's Royal Windsor Horse Show

on Big Star - the horse he rode to become the individual

Olympic champion. Rio was his seventh Games

and he became the second-oldest Winning Rio was the icing on the

cake. I don't think you can get any better than that. I will be 60 this

year so now is a good time to stop. Any sportsman will tell you, you'd

think it is going to go on forever and never want to stop but you have

to at some point. I don't think there is a better time to stop and

when you are at the top. Well, Nick Skelton may have been

the oldest British medallist in Rio Both went to Bablake

School in Coventry. And, when Skelton retires in May,

Adenagan will be taking her GCSEs and preparing

for the World Para-championships This weekend, she'll pick up

a Young Citizen's award Pushing hard in every training

session to be the best. But fast times on the track aren't

the only target for 16-year-old Maths and French revision

are just as important I go to school for about 8am and

have lessons until 4pm sought as a long day and then I get an hour at

home and then straight onto the track. I'm usually on the track for

two hours and then after that I have homework to do. So it is quite busy

but I know it will all be worth it in July.

Kare was born with cerebral palsy diplegia which affects

She only took up wheelchair racing after watching London 2012.

Four years later she was coming home from Rio with a silver and two

bronze medals to the delight of her fellow pupils

Their support will be important this year and they're not the only ones.

This sport does not come cheap and this chair has cost more than ?4000.

It is a bit more narrow so helps me to be aerodynamic. It is also

lighter so... I've also changed the colour a little bit so it matches

the track. Sky-blue for Coventry. The World Para-athletics

Championships in London Expectations are high

but so is the level It is not just a case of her

improving herself, the hurdles get higher and higher. You have to do

world-class, unheard-of times just to get the medals.

But Kare's determined that she will inspire the next

generation as she was inspired by the London Paralympics.

Plenty of football action last night and, at this stage of the season,

results become that little bit more crucial, performances

Here to put it all into context is Ian Winter.

Nick, let's start with a frustrating night in the Premier League.

West Brom headed south, Stoke City headed north,

and both returned home goalless and pointless.

Albion fell behind to an early goal at Watford.

It was scored by the French striker Niang who then created the second

for the former Walsall striker Troy Deeney.

Watford played the last 25 minutes with ten men, but West Brom

One goal was enough for Burnley to beat Stoke.

George Boyd's second-half side-foot means the Potters have now

In the Championship, Villa and Wolves are red hot right now.

fell behind after just two minutes at Brighton,

who then scored twice more in the second half to go top.

Che Adams got a late consolation but Birmingham have now taken just

12 points from 19 league games under Gianfranco Zola.

And they're only six points above relegation.

At Villa Park, Jonathan Kodjia grabbed his 18th goal

That's now seven wins out of eight but, with only six games left,

the play-offs are out of reach, says Steve Bruce.

And 1-0 was also the perfect score for Wolves, who've now

won their last five games on the bounce.

Nouha Dicko got the winning goal against Nottingham Forest.

The foot of League One makes grim reading.

Coventry look doomed, they travel to the leaders

Port Vale and Shrewsbury both lost again, and could well be joining

the Sky Blues in League two next season.

Vale in yellow conceded three goals in just 11 minutes away to Rochdale.

And there was no way back after that.

But Shrewsbury missed their chance to move out of the bottom four,

Shaun Whalley's last minute goal wasn't quite enough to salvage

And while we're talking about football, Sky Blues fans

are still basking in the glory of Sunday's Checkatrade Trophy win.

And for one blissfully unaware baby girl, the victory

That's because mum and dad have decided to name their daughter

after the Coventry goal scorers at Wembley.

Coventry's Checkatrade Trophy win on Sunday is still the talk

of the town in the Sky Blue city, no more so in the home of

Steve had to miss the final as his partner had just given birth,

and it was then they decided to name her after the two Coventry

goal scorers George Thomas and Gale Bigimirama.

I was winding her up and saying we were going to call her yet to prove

-- Yakubu. And then my sister came up with the named Georgie of --

Georgia. What a name. And being in hospital Steve had

problems keeping across the score, although he did get

wind of the first goal. But he got the biggest prize

of all on a day He has some mementos from the day.

I was gutted about missing the match. But as soon as she came it

didn't matter. Well worth it.

He's now going to buy Georgia Gale her first Sky Blue

outfit and is hoping to persuade her

Meanwhile, a close friend's promised to take him to see

the Sky Blues play Peterborough at the Ricoh this weekend.

Just a couple of days before the cricket season starts,

the Warwickshire captain Ian Bell has signed a contract extension

to stay at Edgbaston until the end of the 2020 season.

Bell's been involved with the county since he was ten years old.

He's the most capped international cricketer in Warwickshire history

and he's won six domestic trophies with the Bears.

Let me take you back to 1973, one of the country's biggest pop

stars was on the canals of Birmingham sending screaming

Cliff Richard was here to star in the film 'Take Me High' and,

this Saturday, it'll get an outdoor screening as part of

Our Arts Reporter Satnam Rana has been taking a step

Speeding into Birmingham - a young Cliff Richard.

This is him as banker Tim Matthews in the 1973

Much traffic? Nothing to speak of.

The character comes to life on the canals,

falls in love and creates a Brumburger.

You make a good quality hamburger that everyone in Birmingham can

enjoy it and you are really back in business.

OK, so the film was made before my time but I no idea was made here

with Cliff Richard in it. Better still, I have found someone who was

actually in it. Mad about Cliff Richard -

Martine Carter from Sutton As a 14-year-old, you've got to

understand it was not very good to see my idol Cliff Richard sitting

alongside another woman in an open top car so I scribbled her out.

These photos taken on set because she bunked off

I always used to queue up to see him and here we were, chasing our idol

round Birmingham. But then she ended up

being an extra in the film. Not many teenagers can say they have

been any film at their favourite pop star, can they?

This is just one part of the city centre that will remain and Martine

of her adventure always. And the film will be shown as part of the

film festival this weekend. Given that people don't know about

it as well as they make do, it is a good opportunity to bring it back.

So if you fancy a rewind to '70s Brum Regency Wharf is the place

And I'm delighted to say that Shefali's taken a break from sorting

through her Cliff Richard albums to bring us the forecast.

It would be if it was summer. Lots of blossom around and bright

sunshine. It did start to fade away from the North quite quickly and it

negatively impacted the temperatures, which only rose to

about eight, nine or 10 Celsius. Whereas in the south they were 12

and 13 Celsius. High pressure dominates the next few days and will

be sitting ballplayer colossus -- boldly across us. This is how it is

going to impact on the weather over the weekend. It is looking quite

nice. Lengthier sunny spells than we have had. We could get some chilly

nights with some touches of frost. Something in the midst to high teens

to look forward to. We still have some sunshine across the central and

southern parts of the region but we're going to see a mixture of

cloud and clear spells and temperatures in the clearer spells

could fall low enough for a touch of frost in rural spots. Each chilly

start to the day tomorrow but a dry one hand, compares with today, it

will be dry. Some cloud through the course of the day that temperatures

should manage highs of 11 in the north and 13 in the side. Tomorrow

night, another mixture of cloud and clear spells. The same problem with

frost in rural spots. It is going to be a fairly chilly start to the

weekend. A touch of frost to start Saturday but decent spells

especially on Sunday with highs of up to 18 Celsius.

CHILD: This is a major scientific breakthrough.

Hello. It's All Round to Mrs Brown's, where my guests will be

Steve Backshall, and music from the beautiful Pixie Lott.