11/11/2011 North West Today

Good evening. Welcome to North West Tonight with Ranvir Singh and Roger

Johnson. Our top story: United in remembrance - towns across the

region fall silent to honour the fallen on Armistice Day.

Also in tonight's programme: No gas supply for days - several thousand

people in Wirral face a cold weekend after a pipe burst.

Speeding into the limelight - the new film designed to show Burnley

at its best. And the magic number - the boy who

has lived all his live for 11 o'oclock today.

I am 11. I was born in the 11th Today across the north-west, we

marked Armistice Day. At 11 o'clock, thousands stood in silence for two

minutes, just as the guns had fallen silent along the Western

Front for the first time in 1918. For some it was a chance to think

about the fallen in the two world wars, for others reminder of those

lost more recently in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nina Warhurst reports.

LAST POST SOUNDS. They are, of course, too young to remember the

world wars of the 20th century but, for this generation, British forces

have been in conflict for all of their young lives. Across the

region thousands of you stopped to remember. In Salford, hundreds of

children gathered at the Imperial War Museum North. The two-minute

silence was followed by a short film and a chance to think about

what war means to them. My great grandad was driving in the war in a

fire truck and then a mortar hit Poppies started growing in the

fields and that is why we wear them. They died for us, they didn't die

for no reason. For Geoff, who was a prisoner of war in Japan and who

witnessed the atrocities of Nagasaki, it is important to see

young people remember. It is really nice because they realise, if you

totter than, they are very interested in what you have to say.

Christmas is now fast approaching and financial strains are affecting

more families than usual, but once again today the 11th hour of the

11th day was a chance to stop and remember.

Several thousand people in Wirral are without gas tonight and could

be without it for several days. It is because water got into the gas

pipes after a water main burst. National Grid's opened an incident

room to support vulnerable people, and our Merseyside reporter, Andy

Gill, is there. How were people coping and what has

actually happened? We're at a recreation centre where

National Grid have set up a command centre. Close to hear a water main

has burst. Water has got into the gas supply and homes have gone off.

The gas service have to cut homes off when that happens. We think up

to 3,000 households could be without gas at the moment. The

National Grid people tell me they have reached about 800 homes to

turn off the gas. They have to turn it off in each individual home in

order to reconnect the supply and then switch it back on again in

each individual home. That is a massive job. Are people OK about

it? National Grid are dishing out electric heaters and things to cook

meals on. For elderly and vulnerable people this will be a

big problem. They do not want to give people too many bits of

electrical kept because you could lose the electricity as well as the

gas by doing that. Area where I spoke to us of the people who had

lost their supply. -- I spoke to some of the people has up how much

inconveniences it causing you? is terrible. I have one tiny hot

plate to feed four of us. We cannot have a shower or anything.

The question is: When is the supply going to come back on? At National

Grid have to go into each and every home. They will be working

throughout the weekend, they tell me. A spokesperson said they hope

to get this sorted out in two or three days. There are still heaters

and cookers here at this recreation centre and people to give advice.

Thank you. A man from Liverpool, convicted of taking part in an

international gun-running operation, has been given an indeterminate

jail sentence. Steven Cardwell was told today he would not be able to

apply for parole for at least 11 years. He sold an arsenal of

firearms which had been smuggled into the UK on transatlantic

flights. Stuart Flinders has the story. The guns came from this man,

an American living in North Carolina and Shropshire. Every few

weeks he would fly into Manchester Airport carrying guns dismantled

and packed with his other luggage. Eight days after one weapon was

bought in South -- in North Carolina it was being offered for

sale in Liverpool. These are the types of weapons he dealt in. Some

weapons have been put to use. A man was shot in the leg with one of

them in Wythenshawe in Manchester last year. One was used in a fatal

shooting. Another was used it in a shooting in Toxteth as recently as

September. It was far that a car containing a Barry Maitland-Stuart

small children, including a baby. Fortunately nobody was hurt.

Another gun was used in an attempted robbery and yet another

was fired through a window. Steven Cardwell is only the latest

conspirator to be dealt with. you sell a firearm you as culpable

as the person who pulls the trigger. That is a strong message that

should go out to people who are considering engaging in this type

of criminality. A man who modified the weapons at his factory near

Liverpool docks was jailed earlier this year. The American man was

arrested in North Carolina and as - - and is awaiting sentence.

Controversial plans for a new biomass energy plant in Davyhulme

have been thrown out by Trafford Council. At a meeting last night,

councillors unanimously rejected a recommendation in favour of the

project. They said it was in response to significant public

concern about the impact on public health.

Manchester's new Sikh temple officially opened today. The �2

million Sri Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara has been built in Whalley

Range and hopes to attract thousands of visitors from across

the country. You said the name beautifully.

Thank you. I might just know a thing or two about it! Don't forget,

tomorrow is the day when the BBC's asking you to record a message,

story or just part of your daily routine for Britain in a Day. The

idea was inspired by Ridley Scott's feature film Life in a Day - filmed

all over the world. Now they want to capture a snapshot of life in

the UK - and tomorrow's the day. You can record it on any kind of

camera - or even on your phone. To find out how to upload your film go

to bbc.co.uk/britaininaday. The results will be broadcast on

national television - just before next year's Olympic Games in London.

They have become regular visitors to the River Mersey - the big

cruise ships bringing wealthy tourists to Liverpool and beyond.

But when the city got funding for its cruise terminal it agreed that

ships could not start or end voyages there. Liverpool wants the

rule changed and the Government is expected to decide in the next few

weeks. But now the European Commission is saying it might want

some of its money back. Here is our political editor, Arif Ansari.

is the cruise terminal and we are walking along the landing stage.

For many visitors it is their first glimpse of Liverpool. But they are

only allowed a quick visit. The city's regeneration and tourism

body wants to change that. At the moment lots of visitors spend lots

of money while they are here. They are only here for the day, they do

not stay overnight. It would multiply the economic impact if we

could do that. The other thing is that it would create more jobs

because there would be lots of servicing of the additional

passengers coming through the terminal if we got turn around

status. Liverpool was the world's premier port. But as cruising

became more popular Southampton cornered the market. Liverpool is

again attracting the big ships and wealthy tourists. It's terminal

opened in 2007 with about �9 million of government funding and

�8.6 million from Europe. Liverpool is offering to repay the Government

�5 million but has always said Europe does not want compensating.

But in a letter the European Commission suggests it does. "We

will ensure state aid rules are fully respected... A financial

correction could not be ruled out." They must compete on a level

playing field. Southampton has no subsidy for its cruise business and

Liverpool should be exactly the same. It should be private money

competing with private money, nothing more than that. Europe's

position on this will not scupper Liverpool's plans but they could

certainly make them more expensive. Perhaps more serious is set and

then's threat to take this to judicial review, assuming the

decision goes in Liverpool's favour at all. A little earlier I spoke to

Councillor Joe Anderson, the Leader of Liverpool City Council, and I

began by asking him how damaging it would be to Liverpool's cruise

aspirations if the European Commission did demand its money

back. It will be extremely damaging, and the issue for us is that we

have agreed with central government on the state aid issue and the fact

that we would be glad to pay back some of the money. We have agreed

that. It would be hugely damaging if the likes of Southampton and

others demand that we payee European money back. I think it is

quite obscene. The fact of the matter is that this would be a

restraint of trade issue. We believe that the European Union

money was given for us to increase the economic benefits to the city

of Liverpool. You mention a restraint of trade, state aid, it

all gets very little. Is there not a danger that this will end up in

court. Southampton have said they will ask for a rid -- a judicial

review. We will pay the money back to central government and if you

are comfortable with what we're doing we will look at judicial

review. It is my job to stand up for the city and to bring

investment. Can you afford that? You have just announced �50 million

of cuts next year. There will be people in Liverpool who will say,

it would be nice to have this but we want have vital services

protected. Each of these cruise liners brings around �1 million to

the local economy. We have 16 lined up to come in next year. It would

be a huge boost to the city. Lots of people benefit and it creates

jobs. Southampton have said that, effectively, by paying the money

back yourself, you are effectively using state money anyway. Of course,

up Southampton are trying to protect 75% of the cruise trade

that they operate. I would suggest that Southampton stick to running

to what they already have and stop trying to restrict others. I think

they are being a bit greedy and a bit perverse demanding that we, as

a local authority, should pay the Exchequer back in difficult

Financial Times. thank you very much.

And you can see more on the so- called Cruise Wars on this week's

edition of the Politics Show. That is here and BBC 1 on Sunday

afternoon at the slightly later- than-normal time of ten past three.

Sport now and, Tony, I've never heard of a club telling its

supporters not to buy tickets for one of its big matches, but that's

almost what Kenny Dalglish has said to Liverpool fans?

Yes, quite extraordinary. Dalglish is furious that the Football League

have scheduled Liverpool's Carling Cup quarter final at Chelsea just

two days after his side play Manchester City in the Premier

League on Sunday, 27th November. His exact words to Liverpool fans

are: "Think carefully before buying tickets for the League Cup game. We

don't want them spending their money, then we decide there's no

other option but to use only young players in the tie." It is candid.

A cynic would say that you have 25 players. Is there any chance of it

being changed at this late stage? No, it seems not. And as Sir Alex

Ferguson recently said, it's largely about the power of TV.

Liverpool want to move the match against City forward to the

Saturday, but Sky Sports and the Premier League want it to be

televised on the Sunday. Now 12 of our local sides will be

hoping for a little bit of glory in the FA Cup First Round this weekend.

Among them are non-League Nantwich Town, who've reached this stage for

the first time in their long history. Tomorrow they go to League

One promotion contenders MK Dons, as Ian Haslam reports. Jimmy Quinn

was once a prolific goalscorer for the likes of West Ham, Reading and

Northern Ireland. Before that he played for Nantwich in the FA Cup.

32 years on he has come full circle. It is fantastic for the club, for

the players. It is our Cup final. If they perform like I know they

can, we might at least get them back here for a draw.

An historic market town which is arguably now best known for its

cheese-making. This weekend it is all about the football. Everyone is

really excited. It is the biggest game we have had in our history.

is brilliant. I am putting �5 on Nantwich. This is a tribute

smoothie for Nantwich Town getting in the FA Cup. Have people been

buying these? Yes. We are down to the last trade.

Mad Bailey works for an insurance company during the day. I have to

concentrate in the office even though I would like to have a kick

around. The lads are going down there feeling confident and we can

get a great win. Sharing that optimism are these fans who met

watching their beloved club. They have clocked up 100 seasons on the

Nantwich terraces between them. we happen to get something out of

the game, well, that would be a good Sunday lunch that we will have,

want it? It certainly will. And, of course, a place in the

second round will also be on the menu.

And you can hear full commentary on MK Dons versus Nantwich on BBC

Radio Stoke at three o'clock tomorrow. And there's full coverage

of Preston v Southend on Radio Lancashire, Tranmere v Cheltenham

on Radio Merseyside, and Barrow v Rotherham on Radio Cumbria.

Boxing now, and Wythenshawe's heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has

again hit the headlines, rejecting with contempt a possible fight with

Audley Harrison. "Leave him to the dogs" was Fury's response to

Harrison's suggestion. Currently, British and Commonwealth champion,

he's hoping for a shot at the world title if he beats Canadian Neven

Pajkic in Manchester tomorrow. Fury's caused controversy by saying

he really enjoys inflicting damage on his opponents. Richard Askam has

been to meet him. I know I am the ultimate heavyweight in the world.

I am going in there to punish him and making quit rather than knock

him out. -- make him quit. What would you say to people who say

that your attitude is beyond the Line? My attitude to boxing - this

is not ballet or football where you can get a kick in the leg and roll

around on the floor foreign hour. This is a fight game. People get

hurt. If you're not into parting people and it does not make you

happy when you break someone's nose or knock them out, if you are not

smiling and thinking, yes, you are not sporting. This is a brittle

thing. You have spoken about your psychological state. You have lots

of highs and lots of lows. Tell me about that. If I go somewhere I

don't enjoy it. Everything I do I think, that was rubbish. Where do

you see yourself when you finally retire. I was always destined to be

great in boxing. Winning this title is just one more step in becoming

the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

We can only assume that Richard was on Barry Matt Godden's shoulders. -

- Barry McGuigan's. I know that you're a big advocate

of Burnley. Do you think you get a bad press? Yes, if you say to

people, where deer live, and the living Burnley, they say that the

11 within shot. -- where do you live?

Bright lights, forward moving and very futuristic - this is Burnley

as seen through the lens of a film- maker who is sick and tired of

people's perception of his home town. They see the bad press and...

People miss what Burnley is becoming. For me it is not about

the footballer cricket, for me it is the mix of the old and the home.

It sits in a bowl between hills and moors that give it a green identity

will stop and that identity and landscape is changing fast. This

canal was purpose built to serve as the males and industrial buildings

during Victorian times. They are now part of the regeneration

project recently championed by Prince Charles. The viaduct that

cuts across the town is a stunning piece of Victorian architecture

against the model recently built college. Those kinds of things

fascinate me. My grandfather was a photographer. He photographed the

town in the 20s. I have photographs of the time with 40 or 50 mill

chimneys. The modern bus station is a destination now. It is somewhere

that is worth seeing. It is a gateway into the town rather than

an exit. For me, Burnley breathes in quite a unique way that I am

drawn to. Which is just as well because this

six-minute film is made out of 8,000 photographs. Piece of

Victorian architecture. I am biased but I could see the

beauty in Burnley there. It's always a bit of a shame when

you have to go to school on your birthday. But Zachary McGough

didn't mind too much today because he really was the centre of

attention. On the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the eleventh

year... Zachary was eleven. Sarah Mulkerrins spent the day with the

birthday boy and his classmates. Happy birthday.

For Zachary McGough, this Armistice Day is a special one. I was born in

the 11th hour. Does this special 11-year-old like spare a -- sharing

his birthday with Armistice Day? Yes, because you're remembering

those who have fought. They are not -- they fought not just for the

families of the king and queen but for you.

When we named him we did not have a clue and then afterwards my antique

phones to tell me that God has remembered to -- that it means God

has remembered. The timetable has been altered to

honour Armistice Day. Staff and children pause that 11am to

remember those who had fallen. -- post. Zachary, with his wonderful

statistic, is an example of the future that so many people gave

their lives to secured. -- to secure.

It is good news, believe it or not, for this time of year. Both days at

the weekend look like being mostly dry with pretty good spells of

sunshine. That is not the story or the next couple of bars. We have

had a lot of cloud cover through the day. This band of rain will

work its way through the Isle of Man in the next few hours. There is

a little more to come. By midnight tonight it should have left most

places, moving over the Pennines. Behind it the cloud cover will try

to start a thin and break-in one or two parts. Temperatures could fall

as low as seven Celsius for a short while. The cloud clubber will be

breaking in the morning as soon as the sun comes up. It will be a

really nice looking day. There will be still some cloud cover around

the Pennines. It will come and go as the day goes on. The

temperatures will be pretty good in the sunshine in the afternoon. The

rain comes back on Saturday night. There is a lot of cloud cover

around and temperatures will be in double figures again. A very mild

night. A little bit of rain could still be around first thing on

Sunday morning but it will move away quite quickly. Dry and find on

Sunday afternoon with a high temperature 14 Celsius. Earlier you

heard a little snippet of the choir at that school. Let's go back and