25/04/2014 North West Tonight

firepower in military exercises That is all from the BBC News at

Good evening. Welcome to North West Tonight with Roger Johnson `nd

Annabel Tiffin. Our top story: offensive online comments about the

Hillsborough disaster have been typed on government computers. They

will never walk again, to md. What an utter disgrace that is. @n

inquiry is launched. Also tonight. New figures show the North West has

more dog bite attacks than `nywhere else. Restoring Rivington, can a new

?3 million project return Lord Leverhulme's gardens to thehr former

glory? Manchester United's new interim manager vows to makd things

better. Also tonight, Naomi Cornwell is in

Preston with some famous footballers from yesteryear.

Yes, we will be at a very special reception for the stars of women's

football, as they celebrate the achievements of a ladies te`m who

played almost a century ago. The families of Hillsborough victims

say they're appalled to learn that computers in Government dep`rtments

may have been used, to post offensive comments about thd tragedy

on the internet. Now the former Government Mhnister,

who's long campaigned on thdir behalf, says he wants to sed a quick

and effective inquiry to catch those responsible.

Wikipedia is an online encyclopaedia, to which just about

anyone can contribute, make comments, update or revise. The

problem is, some of the comlents that have been made on the section

relating to the Hillsborough disaster in recent years have been

highly offensive. Some of the comments are just too offensive to

broadcast. But in one the f`mous line: You'll never walk alone was

changed to you'll never walk again. To me, what an utter disgrace that

is, for anybody to be spoken about like that. More shocking sthll is

the fact the comments may h`ve been written on computers based hn

Government departments. The IP address, that's the unique code

identifying a computer systdm which shows where a communication

originated, has been traced to Whitehall. Investigations bx

Liverpool Echo reporter Oliver Duggan led to the revelation today.

It's obviously hugely shockhng, disappointing and something that was

particularly difficult for the families to understand. There needs

to be an independent and `` enquiry to establish the name or nales of

the individuals responsible for this. But with hundreds or dven

thousands of people accessing computers in these departments will

it be possible to pinpoint those responsible. It's extremely hard,

the bigger the organisation. There is obviously the alternativd theory

which is in fact, a governmdnt computer has been hacked, that a

third party has taken control of that computer, has gone out through

the government Gateway, therefore leaving the indelible stamp of the

IP address behind. The Cabinet Office has described the colments as

sickening and has an urgent investigation is underway.

The Cabinet Office have been in touch and have confirmed th`t

enquiry will be led by a senior civil servant and it will bd

overseen by Andy Burnham, who you saw there in those `` that report.

Meanwhile, the mother of a teenager who died in the Hillsborough

disaster has described how ` darkness fell on their family with

his death. Margaret Aspinall was paying tribute to her 18`ye`r`old

son James at the new Hillsborough inquests in Warrington.

Another relative described how she wished she'd been able to hold her

father's hand as he lay on the pitch. Our Merseyside reporter Andy

Gill has been in court and darlier I asked him about Margaret Aspinall's

tribute. She is very well`known as a

campaigner. Today, she spokd simply as a mother. She said her htsband

was at the match and had to watch from the side panel the lifd of

their eldest son disappeared in harrowing circumstances. Thd tribute

was read to her son, David, and he read it again for us, afterwards.

The darkness fell over our family and it's only being allowed to

describe what a decent Schulann being James was, that has ghven us a

shard of light. `` decent htman being. We heard a very powerful

tribute from Stephen Kelly. His brother, Michael Kelly, was 38 when

he does `` died at Hillsborough Here is what Stephen Kelly said

Hillsborough victim, one of the 96. In death, he became boarding the 72.

Also, the last Hillsborough victim to be claimed by his family. I want

to remove that sequence of numbers from him and I am here todax,

waiting to reclaim my brothdr. We also heard from a family of Henry

Burke from Kirby, who was 47. His daughter recalled how he was always

there for his family, when they were little. The one time we wanted so

much to be there for him, when he was lying on that pitch on his own,

to hold his hand, like he hdld our hands throughout our lives. We were

not. None of his family werd forced about haunts us every singld day. We

also heard tributes today to others. The coroner said it had been

a very upsetting but a very uplifting day.

Nearly 40 jobs are to be cut at museums across Liverpool. Staff were

told during a meeting yesterday Museums and art galleries wdre

closed, as plans to scale b`ck the workforce were explained. Ftnding

for National Museums Liverpool has been cut by 28% since 2010.

A Greater Manchester roofing company has been fined after allowing a

worker to jet wash a roof, without safety measures. IQ Roofing

Solutions, based in Tyldesely, pleaded guilty to breaching health

and safety regulations and was fined ?3,000 plus ?2,000 costs.

The low`level nuclear waste store at Drigg in Cumbria will continue to

operate, despite fears the site will eventually be eroded by rishng sea

levels. The site's operators say that, even in the worst`casd

scenario, the impact on lifd and the environment will be insignificant.

Concern was raised in a doctment released by the Environment Agency,

in response to a freedom of information request from thd

Guardian newspaper. If you live on Merseyside, xou are

almost five times more likely to end up in hospital after being `ttacked

by a dog, than in some parts of the south of England. That's according

to new figures. Despite Police on Merseysidd

launching a campaign last ydar to tackle dangerous dogs, the number of

injuries has increased. Now experts are calling on the Government to do

more to help. Jade Anderson, Ellie Lawrenson,

Clifford Clark, lives lost because they were attacked by dogs. Despite

the recurring tragedies, thd number of dog attacks in our region is

going up. But the Royal Livdrpool, they see at least one everyday.

What's more frightening is the reason behind many of them. Some of

these dogs, especially the dangerous breeds, are almost being usdd as

status symbols and as a protective weapon for the person, as opposed to

knives and guns. Merseyside has the highest admissions from dog attacks

in the country, 24 for everx 10 ,000 people. In greater Manchestdr, the

figure is higher as well. 17 per 100,000. Compare that to more

affluent parts of the South. In Kent and Medway, just five per 100,0 0.

Experts say this comes as no surprise. What is surprising is how

little has been done. What we need is painstaking evidence that allows

us to introduce either legislation or educational plans, which will

combat this problem. We don't have that at the moment. What we have is

a lot of good ideas, possibly good ideas, but no good evidence. Last

year, Merseyside Police launched a major campaign to cut down on dog

attacks and yet the numbers have gone up. Today, they told us,

officers from our specialist dog unit regularly meet with thd RSPCA,

dog wardens and charities to tackle the issues of dangerous dogs.

Relatives of all of these vhctims have said they hope positivd change

will come out of the tragedx. Clearly, that change is not coming

quick enough. If you are a regular viewer you may

remember the story of a man from Nairobi, who found a Manchester

University prospectus on a rubbish tip. A lucky find which eventually

led him to study here. Sammy Gitau returned to Kenxa after

graduating to set up a commtnity centre for street children. But now

he claims the authorities w`nt to close it down and he's been

threatened with prison. The Mathare community Resource

Centre is in the middle of one of the biggest slums in Niarobh. These

teenagers have written a song about their life there. In a placd where

gang violence, drugs and poverty are endemic, it has provided safety and

education for thousands of children. It's run by Sammy Gitau. In 200 the

former drug addict found a prospectus for Manchester University

lying on a rubbish dump. Ag`inst all the odds he came to Manchester and

gained a Masters in Developlent North West Tonight even filled his

graduation. When I got the prospectus for Manchester

University, I got it becausd I was visiting my friends, who were still

living in the streets. He s`id the local council now wants to turn the

centre into scrap and he faces imprisonment for breaching planning

rules. We have approached Nhrobi City Council to ask why thex intend

to close the community centre, but so far they havent replied. I feel

betrayed and demoralised. This is something that the government and

anybody who supports development and believes in people should stpport.

If this project was lost, it would be an absolute tragedy for those

people. His project is a mahnstay for young people in this violent

place. But Sami thinks he's the victim of a power struggle between

political leaders. `` Sammy.

Still to come on North West Tonight. Widnes Vikings hoping to recreate

their challenge cup glory d`ys. And rolling back the years. We joined

the famous footballers reliving the glory days.

A hundred years ago, one of the world's richest men spent a small

fortune, turning barren moorland above Bolton into a terraced garden.

William Lever, Lord Leverhulme, made his money selling soap, fom his

factory at Port Sunlight on Merseyside.

His gardens are still there but they're in danger of becoming

dilapidated. So a ?3 million overhaul could save the sitd for

future generations, as Stuart Flinders reports.

It's a fantasy world of towdrs and winding paths, built on the West

Pennine moors at Rivington. Generations of families havd

clambered up to the terraced gardens on the way to Rivington Pikd but

this began as a very privatd domain of all our great industrialhsts

William Lever, Lord Leverhulme, made a fortune at his soap factory at

Port Sunlight on the Wirral. He had residences in London, Liverpool but

this was always his spiritu`l home. It's been described as his Graceland

is. He grew up in the area. There is a sundial behind you, which marks

the spot where he proposed to his wife. He did a lot of his courting

around here, as I would imagine a lot of current residents do not have

done in their day. His garddns are a pleasure, but also a burden. There's

always something in need of repair, and those who manage the gardens,

owned by United Utilities, `re applying for a lottery grant. You

are looking for more than ?3 million but even that will not restore this

place to how it looked years ago. It was never intended to restore it to

the way it was. What we're trying to do is to conserve, repair and

protect the structures we h`ve. Not a complete restoration perh`ps, but

a chance to reopen viewing `reas closed off on safety grounds and to

preserve the gardens for future generations.

It would be wonderful if thdy can! Sport now and Richard, Ryan Giggs

has been speaking for the fhrst time since taking charge of the

Manchester United team after the sacking of David Moyes.

Yes, he spoke about it as the proudest moment of his life. He

looked very relaxed, even when he was accidentally introduced as

David. On the subject of David Moyes by the way the club has confirmed

his settlement has been agrded. So that probably brings an end to that

chapter at United and a chance for a new start at Old Trafford.

A new era but some familiar faces. Most of the class of '92 taking

training at Manchester Unitdd. And after more than a thousand games as

a player, Ryan Giggs is now juggling a new role, player`manager. It has

been a difficult week for the club. It's been chaotic. I want bring some

positivity back. I was to ptt smiles on their faces. I went to sde

players taking players on. H went to get the Passion. He is management

material. He's very strong linded. He is dedicated to the game. That is

why he's had such a fantasthc career. I don't know what the

club's feelings are about Rxan but as far as I'm concerned, I think

they will probably go with `n experienced type of coach, who has

been a big clubs. One man who fits that category,

Carlo Ancelotti, today ruled himself out. I am happy here. I havd been

lucky to work with the best team in the world. I respect Manchester

United. My place at this molent is here. So Carlo Ancelotti has said

no, Jurgen Klopp has said no, Louis Van Gaal remains odds on with the

bookies. It appears Ryan Giggs isn't under consideration but if he can

revitalise the club starting with a win over Norwich here tomorrow then

that may change. The Premier League title race is the

focus for Liverpool and Manchester City this weekend. Both plax on

Sunday. City at Crystal Pal`ce and before that there's a huge game at

Anfield where Chelsea are the visitors. The possibility of Brendan

Rodger's side bringing home the first title for 24 years has turned

some fans into nervous wrecks. As for the manager? He's sleephng like

a baby. There is no pressurd with it. People are saying you mtst not

sleep at night. I've not sldpt better. It's absolutely gre`t. It is

why we work. I see the joy hn the players and their training. There is

no anxiety. Rugby League's fifth round of the

Challenge Cup takes place this weekend. Tomorrow Swinton host

Keighley while the standout tie is a clash between two of the Super

League's top teams, St Helens and Leeds. It is all about on the day

who was doing the right things. There might be an element of luck in

that but again, it's a one`off game. You will see two great sides going

at it. It should be a great spectacle. A number of our sides are

in action on Sunday as well. Leigh host Featherstone, Warrington

Doncaster, with the holders Wigan welcoming Hunslet. There's `lso an

intriguing tie at the AJ Bell Stadium where Salford Red Ddvils

take on a team who used to lake a habit of Wembley finals. And as I

found out the Widnes Vikings are starting to think the good times

could be coming back. These other players hoping to make

their own mark for a club once known as the cup kings.

The current Vikings head co`ch was a key member of Wigan's all conquering

team of the 80s and 90s and often locked horns with Widnes. Wd

understand our past but we want to deliver week in week out for the

supporters who come now. We want to show them that we are competitive

and are fighting for them to enjoy coming up watching this teal. The

Vikings have made an excelldnt start to the season and this victory

against St Helens last time out will certainly have made the rest of

super league set up and takd notice. We were second bottom at

Huddersfield and we made thd cup final. It's a great competition and

anything can happen. I just cant wait to be involved in the game The

ambition is to be in the gr`nd final, the challenge cup final, to

be competing at the top in the play`offs, every single year. By

just one year because we spdnt a lot of money and then we can justify a

year after the year after that. And for a club that not that long ago

came close to financial oblhvion, they appeared to be getting ever

closer to another big day ott at Wembley.

Cricket now and Lancashire captain Glen Chapple has been appointed

coach for the rest of the sdason following the departure of Peter

Moores to become England boss. The 40`year`old seam bowler has played

for the Red Rose county for more than two decades and led thd side

throughout Moores's five`ye`r reign. I am sure he will do well. He's also

Liverpool fan. Fantastic care!

Imagine this, a women's football team attracting crowds of more than

50,000 and threatening the popularity of the men's gamd.

It's something many aspire to nowadays, but it happened hdre in

the North West nearly a century ago. The Dick Kerr ladies team from

Preston enjoyed huge success, even playing the first women's

international. Now a book's been published, telling their story and

tonight stars of the game are gathering in Lancashire for its

launch. Naomi Cornwell's thdre. I am just south of Preston, where

nearly a century ago, a grotp of ladies set up a football te`m, which

people are starting to gathdr here tonight to celebrate the

achievements. That team oftdn drew crowds outnumbered those whhch the

men's teams enjoyed. They enjoyed the recognition which many football

followers can only dream of now The women of the Dick Kerr lunitions

factory became the most successful team in the history of women's

football. Formed in Preston in 917, their aim was to raise monex for the

war effort. They quickly became stars. They played in their tea

breaks and lunch times. That is where the idea came from. The lads

had lost some games and the girls were giving them some stick. Call

yourselves a football team? We can do better! In 1920, 53,000 fans

turned out to watch the Dick Kerr ladies play at Goodison Park.

Another 14,000 were unable to get into the stadium. The biggest record

for a crowd since records bdgan It was no wonder. It must have sent

shock waves throughout the country. They were pulling in bigger crowds

than their male counterparts. And some feared they were threatening

the men's game. The FA banndd women's teams a year later, saying

the game of football is quite unsuitable for females and should

not be encouraged. It changdd the course of the women's game for ever.

If you can just imagine if women's football had been allowed to prosper

and grow at the same rate as the men's game, where would we be today?

Now Gail's has published an updated version of her book about the team

with new revelations. And how many games they went unbeaten? Wd are

talking a run of well over 200 games without defeat. It's more than that

but you will have to read that in the book as well. After changing its

name to Preston Ladies, the club carried on playing until 1965. Never

since has any women's team dnjoyed the same success.

Tonight, they are just starting to gather here for the reception to

launch that book. I caught tp with one player Ilia, who was looking

forward to an emotional reunion It was brilliant really becausd

previous to this, I'd only played in young men's teams. And tonight, you

are hoping to see two team`lates you've not seen for... Not hn 6

years. I hope they will recognise me! I've looked through the book to

see what they look like now. As you can see behind me, Mary has now been

reunited with Edna and June. Let's have a quick word. Edna, yot've been

reunited with Mary after 60 years. What's it like to see each other

after all this time? Oh, it's wonderful. Wonderful. Yes, ht is.

June, there was a comment e`rlier that maybe there was a reason you

hadn't seen each other in 60 years and that was because you kicked a

myriad of goal. I believe so, yes. But I was told, getting goal and

that was it. I stayed there. That was the only position that H had for

the rest of them the time I was playing for them. Is it going to be

a special night tonight? Wonderful. We haven't seen Mary, well, I've not

seen her for 60 or 62 years. We are still alive and kicking. We are

alive, but not so much kickhng now! Have a fantastic night. Thex will be

a lot of happy memories shared here tonight.

Very mixed over the weekend. We ve been talking about it all wdek.

We've been saying the weekend will be unsettled. Yes, that's true but

it is perhaps not as bad as we first thought. Yes, there is a horrible

area of low pressure but it falls apart and it leaves Sunday without a

weather front. This is the track the rain took as you went through the

day. It hasn't gone yet. Ovdr the last couple of hours, it has kept

back up again. If you're he`ding out this evening, there's to cole. It

trundles north as the night goes on. After midnight, it should bd

relatively quiet. The list shouldn't be a problem. The temperatures will

be around six relief. I think eight, nine or ten for your towns `nd

cities. This is the weather front we're talking about. This r`in will

move quite quickly. Even for parts of the Isle of Man and Cumbria, it

would do quite nicely. The rest of the region by midday. Behind it

some brighter conditions cole through. That is not bad. What is

not great is, after you go through the afternoon, the showers will

build. They could turn up anywhere. If you get some good spells of

sunshine, it's not a bad dax. Some showers at times on Sunday but some

sunshine as well. Enjoyed your lion tomorrow, if you

are getting one. Have a good weekend. `` enjoy your lie hn.

at the European elections on May the 22nd.

even though that would wreck the recovery and destroy jobs.

The Conservatives are now openly flirting with exit.

they just don't have the courage of their convictions on this.

They wouldn't lift a finger to help keep Britain in the EU

So, I'm asking you to vote for the Liberal Democrats, the party of in.