18/11/2013 North West Tonight

Good evening. Welcome to North West Tonight with Roger Johnson and

Annabel Tiffin. Our top story.. Tributes to the couple who idolised

each other after they died in a plane crash near Chester. It was

absolutely `` he was absolutely devoted to her and she was devoted

to him. Also in the programme tonight... Setting up camp.

Anti`fracking protestors arrive in Salford. They warn more will follow.

Applause from the hundreds who stood in the rain to celebrate the life of

rugby league star Steve Prescott. Pub quiz question for you, what is

the biggest town in England not to have a train station? The Ansar and

whether or not it will get one, later in the programme. `` the

answer. And re`writing history. How two

schoolgirls spotted a material mistake on this Macclesfield mural.

Protestors opposed to fracking for shale gas have set up a camp outside

a site in Salford. The energy company iGas is due to start

drilling there in the next few weeks. The protestors say they are

expecting their numbers to grow over the next few days. Here's our

Environment Correspondent Judy Hobson.

It's cold and wet. But these protestors are determined to stay

put. Five of them set up camp this weekend They want to stop the

company iGas drilling to see what gas or oil lies underground. But

they fear it will eventually lead to fracking, the controversial process

of drilling for shale gas by putting water and chemicals into the ground.

You cannot see the drilling site from here. But from where the

protesters are, it is about 300 metres through those trees.

Throughout today, the protestors have been joined by local residents,

offering food and moral support People really care about this,

really feel disenfranchised, like the decision has been made without

them. They do not want it and are not being listened to. I know people

have quit their jobs, pitched up a tent, and ready to take this on We

are ready to stand with them as well. The protestors say they expect

more to join them over the next few days from all over the country. Some

supporters have come for the day from Wigan. I have five

grandchildren and I believe they deserve a nice environment to live

in when growing up. In a statement, iGas said...

The company hasn't said exactly when it intends to start drilling. But it

claims the process it uses is safe. A Merseyside pensioner who spent

five years on the run in Spain has been jailed for three years for

benefit fraud totalling ?120,00 . 70`year`old Norman Brennan from

Netherton was arrested on the Costa del Sol last month. He pleaded

guilty to council tax, jobseeker's allowance and housing benefit fraud

in 2008. Father and son loan sharks, who ran

an illegal gambling den with a fruit machine and TV screens from their

home in Preston, have been ordered to hand over ?300,000 to the courts.

75`year`old James Alston Senior was sentenced to 18 months in prison

while 46`year`old James Alston Junior was jailed for a year.

They'll face more time in prison unless they pay up.

Strictly Come Dancing star Sophie Ellis`Bextor says the thieves who

raided contestants' dressing rooms while the show was live on Saturday

night were opportunistic. Police are investigating the incident in which

a an iPad, phone and jewellery were stolen from an area used by female

competitors. The owner of an Isle of Man hotel,

which burnt down earlier this month, says it'll cost ?15 million to

repair. The accommodation blocks at the Mount Murray Hotel and Country

Club were destroyed. Albert Gubay, who made his fortune by creating the

Kwick Save supermarket chain, says half of his staff will now have to

be made redundant. Kelly Foran has been to meet him.

He's created multi million pound business. And owns one of the

biggest hotels on the island. But it's been destroyed. I would not

believe the collar. He said I had better come and see. I thought it

was a job. Us would not believe the caller. Eye with speechless. `` I

was speechless. Luckily, no one was injured, but that has cost many of

the staff their jobs. We will maybe need to make at least half of them

redundant, but they will be paid out whatever their entitlements are I

am just dory at this time of the year for this to happen. `` I am

just sorry. The rest of the hotel, including a gym and function rooms,

will re`open on Wednesday. But it will be up to two years before there

are any sleeping facilities. We will get a list of people booked, and we

will work with those groups to get them alternative accommodation if we

can. Enquiries and investigation into the cause of the fire are

continuing. Next tonight, "A devoted couple who

idolised each other". The families' tributes to a couple who died after

their light aircraft crashed near Chester Hawaden Airport on Friday.

Gary Vickers and his partner Kay Clarke were on their way back from a

trip to Europe. They had delayed their journey because of bad

weather. But their plane crashed the next day. Yunus Mulla has been

speaking to their families. Gary Vickers and his partner Kay

Clarke were together for several years, always said to be very much

in love. Today, Kay's mother described how the beer were

returning from a trip to Amsterdam through Paris. He was a gentleman,

Gary was an experienced pilot, and would not have considered taking Kay

out if they thought there was something wrong. She was absolutely

devoted to have and she was devoted to him. The light aircraft crashed

short of the runway near Chester Hawaden Airport. Unfortunately,

there was a loud squeal, which brought people out to see what was

going on saw the tragic accident. The plane veered over to the left, I

believe, and the prepare those `` the propellers fit, and that is when

he lost control. The 58`year`old man a businessman ran a local hotel with

his father and businessman. Both had flown together. We started flying

together. He went on to twin aircraft. He was very meticulous in

his flying. He knew how many leaders he wanted `` how many litres he

would need. This filming of landing was filmed many years ago and he had

many hours of flying. Any footage from an on`board camera will be some

of the evidence that a team from the air accident investigation bureau

will examine. The wreckage of the plane has now been taken away. A

full report to take some months We have had some messages saying that

it would not be Gary. He was all about safety. That was always

paramount. One of the more obvious signs of

China's emergence as a major economy in recent years has been the

appearance of thousands of Chinese students coming to study in the UK.

Most of them won't realise it. But in Liverpool at least, theirs is a

well` trodden path. Chinese sailors visited the city when Britain was

the centre of world trade. And many made their home there. Stuart

Flinders is in Liverpool's Chinatown, where they're recording

the stories of China's 20th century immigrants through

the stories of China's 20th century immigrants false `` immigrants.

Many generations have followed in the footsteps of the first

immigrants. Today, the city has been celebrating its Chinese history

When Britain was at the heart of an empire, the world came to Liverpool.

Ships headed in and out of the port to all corners of the globe. On

board, not just cargo, but seamen from far`away places. Many decided

to stay. My mum said they met at a dance. So she decides to stay here

after meeting a girl from Liverpool? He was a merchant seaman. When he

settled in England, the first jockey to was as a laundry man. `` the

first job he took. Today, a blue plaque was unveiled at the old

offices of the Blue Funnel Shipping Line. It employed many of the

Chinese sailors who stayed here It's now a Chinese restaurant. Many

Chinese were the unsung heroes of the convoys that supplied the Soviet

Union in the early years of the Second World War. There is a dark

side to this story. After the Second World War, in a crackdown on illegal

immigration, many of the Chinese sailors were deported, their

families divided. The consequences for families was their fathers

disappeared. They had families here in Liverpool. They had children here

in Liverpool. And the father disappeared. No Liverpool seems to

be full of Chinese students, lots of them with plenty of money, a

different kind of Chinese immigrants from your parents. Yes, because our

parents scraped through. What do they think of your story? They do

not understand it. The stories of those who came from China to make

their homes in Liverpool are being collected for an oral history. The

blue plaque a reminder of the city's colourful past.

That oral history Project is an effort to gather the stories,

particularly those that came here in the 1940s through to the 1960s, to

make sure that history is not lost to the city.

Thank you very much. Stuart Flinders live in Liverpool for us tonight.

Still to come on North West Tonight... Inspiring the next

generation. We meet the region's Unsung Sporting Hero or Heroes of

2013. All will be explained. And rewriting history. How two

schoolgirls spotted a material mistake on this Macclesfield mural.

OK. Back to the pub quiz question at the top of the programme. What's the

biggest town in the country not to have a train station? The answer?

Skelmersdale. Very good, how did you know? Of the top of my head! But

might it finally be about to get one? Here's Jayne McCubbin.

Driving around Skelmersdale can make you dizzy. No traffic rights, `` no

traffic lights, just roundabout after roundabout, after roundabout

and, after roundabout. Skelmersdale was a new town experiment raised

around the card. So much about the car, people are cut off from the

town centre by duel carriageways. No pedestrian crossing. Skem is cut off

from the rest of the world with no train station. Today, Lancashire

County Council said the town's entire transport system is not fit

for purpose. Everything has to change. Starting with a train

station. We believe that, economic generation, not just for the town,

but the whole area. This is the original railway station. In the

local library, they show me the original one, closed in the 195 s.

And then, talk on and off of reconnecting the town. Long overdue

says Darren Baker born and bred here. It's a disaster. Has it held

you back jobs wise? The doc about high`speed rail bringing jobs. ``

there is talk about. That could also bring business. But they have

gathered all before. Will promises finally be delivered? They have

talked about this for years. We can do this, but needless discussion.

What we actually need is action and some work. After that, we can do it.

So another master plan to save Skelmersdale. Public consultation

begins next month. With Network Rail supportive, the hope is to deliver

the train station by 2019. Sport now. And only one place to

start really, Richard. The funeral of the former St Helens rugby league

player Steve Prescott took place earlier today?

Yes, the great and the good of Rugby League turned up to pay their

respects to Steve. Along with of fans and members of the public. He

was an inspiration to lots of people. Diagnosed with cancer

himself, Steve went on to raise more than half a million pounds for

charity. And today he got the send off he deserved.

They had queued on the streets of St Helens for several hours. Giving

thanks for a man who never gave in. The church was full long before

Steve's wife and two sons arrived. His coffin was carried by friends

and former team`mates. No room inside even for some of rugby

league's biggest stars. He was such a great man, the least we could do

was pay our respects. Such a sad loss. I cannot put it into words.

Somehow, Steve's son Taylor found these words, and the strength, to

pay tribute to his dad. When I was five, and my dad got leukaemia, I

said I would follow my dream to be a sportsman. I hope I make him as

proud of me as he was of me. We will love him for ever, but will miss

him. `` as proud of me as I was of him. A talented rugby league player

for Saints. In retirement, Steve became a tireless fundraiser. Given

months to live with stomach cancer, he survived for seven years. Thanks

for 39 years of hope, love, inspiration. We will make sure,

mate, that your name will go on and on. And we will let everybody know

that you were truly one in a million. His coffin emerged to the

chimes of When The Saints Go Marching In. Every club recognised

Steve, not only as a rugby player, but a man, a true warrior. He left a

large impression on all of us and hope lay we can show some of the

courage he showed throughout his career on Saturday and bring home a

good win for the England team in memory of Steve. Further proof that

Steve Prescott retains the ability to inspire.

He was a great man, for sure. Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge

has been named in England's starting 11 to face Germany at Wembley

tomorrow. The striker missed the defeat against Chile on Friday with

a foot injury. But he will play for his country alongside his club

skipper Steven Gerrard, who'll be winning his 108th cap. It takes him

equal third in the all`time list, along with England's iconic World

Cup winning captain Bobby Moore I really humbled and flattered to get

108 caps, alongside Bobby Miller, but the most important thing is to

get the right result against Germany. `` Bobby Moore. Then I can

look back with pride. In League One, Preston North End

made a statement about their promotion credentials with victory

at Leyton Orient. Orient, top`of`the`table before kick`off,

had only lost once in the League all season. But North End outplayed the

London side for large parts of the match. And won it thanks to a

cracking strike from Joe Garner That's now four goals in the last

three games for the in`form striker. And in League Two, Accrington

Stanley are now out of the bottom two after an excellent 2`0 victory

at Scunthorpe. George Bowerman and Kayode Odejayi with the goals for

Stanley. Altrincham will have to replay their

FA Trophy match with Colwyn Bay after the game was abandoned with

just eight minutes to go. Very controversial. Altrincham were

leading 2`nil at Llanelian Road when the referee pulled a calf muscle.

The Colwyn Bay manager, former Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair

refused to accept a substitute referee.

You may remember that we've been looking for this year's sporting

unsung hero in the North West, as we build up to the BBC Sports

Personality of the Year awards next month. And this time, it's gone to a

couple who've dedicated their lives to helping young basketball players

in the region. And on top of that, arguably the biggest name in British

basketball is their biggest fan You have got to be down here low,

ready to go. He is North West's basketball heart and soul. For well

over three decades, he has helped thousands of youngsters, often three

days a week. It is not a hardship. I enjoy doing it. Sport has great

value projects. With his wife, they were instrumental in setting up the

Greater Manchester basketball club in the late 1990s, now 1500 players

use the centre of each week, 50 going on to represent England and

his most famous prodigy went on to star in America's NBA. He is the

closest thing to a father figure I ever had, I wanted the nod of his

approval to drive me forward. They are the only two people who can take

any credit for my success in basketball. And they are quite

literally the only people who never take any credit. One of the young

players is also particularly grateful to the couple. They helped

him and his family through the sudden death of his eldest brother,

a promising player who was just 18, and were instrumental in his other

brother winning a scholarship in the states. The I cannot put it into

words, but they have helped does. I have a surprise, we have been here

to fill new and would like to present you and your wife with this

special award, the North West sports unsung hero award. You are joking?

No, you truly deserve it. And look who is presenting it! CHEERING. Well

and, for decades and decades and decades. Thank you.

They thoroughly deserved it as well. Everyone had nice things to

say. And a joint award for both But we did not see Maggie?

Unfortunately, Maggie was not well. And he did not want the limelight,

as part `` at one point running away from me. Nothing new there! Putting

in lots of time, sometimes seven days a week, all of the work. And we

find out the winner, on the big night. `year`old they win the

regional award. Win the regional award and go up against all the

other regional winners. And something else for you. It's for

FC United in their 3`0 victory against Frickley Athletic in the

Northern Premier League. Ten minutes after the break, Steven Gardner

scored with an extraordinary 50 yard lob into his own goal. Like David

Beckham, just in the wrong goal He will never scored a better one.

One of those moments that, as soon as it came off his boot, you

realised. And he was starting a moment ago

about unsung heroes. We are on the lookout for North West Tonight's

very own Christmas stars. And we need your help. We want to hear

about anyone who's gone out of their way to show kindness and generosity

of spirit to others. It can be in any way you think is suitable. Maybe

just a small act of kindness. Maybe something bigger. We have had lots

of your stories already. But drop us an e`mail. Or, if you don't have a

computer, ask someone who does to send it on your behalf. The e`mail

address is on screen now. Tell us who it is, what came that they have

done for you. And we'll make them one of our Christmas Stars of 2 13.

We have already had lots of really good entries, some great acts of

kindness. Thank you for that. They have had their fair share of

late arrivals on Macclesfield train stations, but 100 years late is

pushing it. A quick guide to the town was one century out when it

came to the most important date in Macclesfield's history. The mistake

was spotted by two schoolgirls. Now the council has held up its hands

and moved to put things right. Dave Guest reports.

There are certain dates in history that are etched into our minds. This

country is at war with Germany. Easy, but what about local history?

People of Macclesfield may know the town was built on the silk industry,

and even now the founding father of that industry was one Charles Roe,

but on which she did he build his first factory? No idea. 1860s

something. Well, one trip to Macclesfield train station should

set them on the right track. This council` commissioned timeline

guides travellers through the town's history. And there's Charles Roe,

who built his first mill in 184 ? That's actually a century out. Roe

was long dead by 1843. Schoolboy error to those in the know. But it

was two school girls who spotted it. We were just looking at the signs

and realised that was wrong. What did you do? We told our history

teacher. Why is he so important Clearly they'd been paying attention

in class at the King's School. I was so delighted be applied what they

have learned. The council, who commissioned the signs, held up

their hands and admitted the mistake. Replacing it entirely might

be expensive, so they have a cost`effective solution, adding the

word centenary. Because, 1843 was the centenary of him opening the

first silk mill. The history detectives. Well done to

them. A bit of an embarrassing. Easily rectified. Moving on to the

weather. It is going to be a cold one?

It is, winter is going to show its face, already some heavy showers

this week, continuing this evening and turning into wintry showers We

shall see a few this week. It will be bitterly cold with frost that

night. The changing conditions is courtesy of cold beer blasting from

the Arctic. Over the next 24`48 hours, very cold indeed stop not

particularly warm today, temperatures creeping eight or nine

Celsius. Tomorrow during the daytime, we will be lucky to see

highs of five Celsius. Into the end of the week, temperatures

recovering, but still only six or seven Celsius. Adding in the wind

chill, feeling much colder. Wintry showers crossing the Irish Sea

overnight tonight, rain, sleet and snow, over the Isle of Man and many

coastal areas. Any snow on high ground. A frosty and chilly night.

Temperatures in towns and cities as low as minus two Celsius. Tomorrow

morning, we wake up to a frosty start. Because the wintry showers

are falling on frozen surfaces, there could be some ice. Idea low

weather warning for this ties. Watch out for that one untreated roads on

pavements. `` warning for this ice. One or two wintry showers blowing in

tomorrow, Chris Gate, crisp sunshine, . `` crisp day. Adding on

the wind`chill, the temperatures will feel like 0 Celsius. Wrap up

very warm indeed. The very first icy start I should

mark the first. `` the first icy start? You no the first.

Just before we go, a big thank you to all of you who helped raise money

for the BBC's Children in Need appeal in a record breaking year.

The North West raised more money than any other region outside of

London. ?2.7 million of the national total of just over ?31 million came

from you. A huge thanks to everyone who donated as well. Have a great

evening. Thank you for watching Good night. Goodbye, wrap up warm.

'We wanna do a science fiction series.'

CS Lewis meets HG Wells meets Father Christmas, that's the Doctor.

Can't we have Doctor Who without Doctor Who?