08/08/2014 North West Tonight

Through Sunday and inch or two inches of rain, gales are possible

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

Meehan. Our top story: Keep calm or face the consequences. Police warn

Gaza protestors ahead of weekend gatherings. The activists have been

warned to behave when they gather in Manchester tomorrow. Also tonight: A

near miss with an exploding e`cigarette and a fresh warning

after a man dies in a Merseyside house fire. Sailing into dangerous

waters. The story to the Fleetwood Trawlers, requisitioned to fight in

the First World War. And filled with pride. Burnley's only dry dock is

open for business again thanks to the hard work of four enthusiasts.

Traders in one of Manchester's most upmarket

shopping streets are bracing themselves for large demonstrations

this weekend by supporters from both sides of the conflict in Gaza.

The council say that the protests are putting jobs at risk. But the

protesters say it is important voices are heard. What is a scene

like at King Street at the moment? You can probably see that it is

reasonably quiet. It has been a low key affair this afternoon, with

protesters on both sides of the Gaza debate. Loki and low numbers but

both sides very keen to make their arguments very forcibly. `` low

key. It is a subject that causes bitter divisions. What is wrong with

Israel? What is right with Israel? Those divisions are here on the

streets of Manchester today. Israel don't seem to be listening to our

protest and the governments are not taking action so it is time

people to rise up and do something. I think we have a moral duty to make

sure that those people who bring harm and suffering to

Manchester are not allowed to do that. Pro`Palestinian protesters say

this cosmetics shop buys stock from Israel so it makes money for Israel

and therefore they say it should be boycotted. The Israeli products

bolster the Israeli economy. For those working inside, this has

become a daily ritual. We will never close down because of this on

principle. Not just us. Every shop in this street has been affected. He

is right. Larger gatherings at weekends have attracted far more

protesters from both sides. At this fashionable street in the heart of

Manchester say they are suffering as a result. I think we are largely

frustrated. The protesters not be happening in King Street but in a

neutral area like near the town hall, near Piccadilly Gardens. Do

you think the Israeli Government is watching what is going on at King

Street and taking notice? The only impact of these demonstrations week

in and week out is to lose jobs in Manchester. The police say

do all they can to facilitate peaceful protesting but with

substantial numbers expected over the weekend here, they say they

do anything necessary to uphold the law and prevent disorder. Clearly I

will not talk about the tactics we will be employing

and coming weeks. Does there come a point where you

and force them to disperse? That is a sort of thing we

so King Street is bracing itself for another unpredictable

Nobody is quite sure what will happen here tomorrow. The City

Council is keen to stress Street and Manchester is open for

business keen to stress they will do their

utmost to uphold will take any action necessary to do

so. Protesters on both sides keen Thank you. We will follow those

protests on the bulletins this weekend.

A man has died in Wirral after an explosion believed to have been

Merseyside's Fire Service says it's the ninth incident involving

Firefighters have been visiting homes in Wallasey this afternoon to

warn smokers they may be in danger without realising it.

Because they produce vapour rather than smoke, they are billed as

cleaner than traditional cigarettes and some believe they are useful

step on the way to giving up smoking altogether.

electronic they need to be charged like a mobile phone and

e`cigarette was on charge in this pub

up. Now e`cigarettes are being blamed for the death

Wallasey. The body of the 62`year`old man was found in a

bedroom at his home. Fire investigators believe an

had exploded while on charge, tearing into a pipe from an oxygen

machine the man relied on to him breathe. Electronic cigarettes

are increasingly popular with sales rising by 30% every year. Police in

Merseyside have now been called to nine incidents involving

e`cigarettes. The fire service is now including warnings about

e`cigarettes on community visits. Make sure you charge them during the

day. Don't leave them charging overnight. Buy them from a reputable

retailer, always use the charger plug that comes with it and check it

has the CE mark on it as well, the safety mark. Manufacturers are

calling for a sense of proportion. It is really important that people

use the supplied charger and follow instructions. Batteries should never

be left unattended while charging. As the fire service has pointed

out, this pales into insignificance compared to the number of fires

caused by tobacco cigarettes. This is not an e`cigarette problem but a

battery problem. This was the damage done to a house in

faulty charge was used for an e`cigarette. Smokers are being

A health regulator has found no evidence human tissue samples were

sold to drug companies by Manchester's Christie Hospital

The Human Tissue Authority investigated after concerns were

raised in the House of Commons by the North West MP Rosie Cooper.

The regulator says it's confident the Christie's procedures

The National Crime Agency has released images of

a man they believe was involved in an operation to smuggle 45 kilos of

The man, who's thought to be from the North

West, was photographed loading the suspect sacks at Liverpool docks.

Rail union officials held a demonstration outside

The Government is currently consulting on services

and routes operated by Northern Rail and First TransPennine Express.

The RMT fears a loss of direct rail services from Blackpool, no guards

The Government says it's about delivering benefits for passengers.

11 libraries in Liverpool could close as part of council plans

The Library service needs to reduce its budget by a quarter.

Among those that could be at risk are Wavertree, Fazakerley

Everyone knows fracking is a controversial issue,

Now there are calls for up to 12 councillors at Fylde

Borough Council to stand down after they declared a prejudicial or

Three were given payments by a firm conducting a geophysical survey.

The other nine sit on committees which have accepted

They're adamant they haven't done anything wrong.

Here's our environment correspondent Judy Hobson.

Two and a half years ago, Councillor Trevor Fidler allowed a company onto

his land to survey the rock beneath. A macro that came through the

vegetable garden. They said it was a safety matter because the coastline

had just experienced two earth tremors and they were offering him

?150 for the inconvenience. He said no problem. It has since emerged

that company was working for Cuadrilla who plan to carry out

fracking in the area. Last week there was a council vote on

and campaigners working in the industry had asked councillors to

declare a personal or prejudicial interest. Trevor did and now

something that he and others should have done so sooner. At that time

Cuadrilla had never been heard of and fracking had never been referred

to. It was simply a scientific and therefore why should one make

500 households allowed seismic testing on their land in return to

cash, including Councillor Tommy Threlfall who holds the portfolio

for the environment. He also said he did not realise the company was

connected with Cuadrilla and declared a prejudicial interest

before the vote. Neither think they have done anything wrong and others

disagree. Where is the trust? How can we trust them to make decisions

with any influence when they have money in their pockets from

Cuadrilla? Nine other councillors said they were members of community

groups that received money from Cuadrilla and another councillor

said she was also paid for tests on her land and said it was done in

good faith. It over the borough. If I had known

then what I know now, I have allowed it. The whole episode

has outraged anti`fracking groups. I have been councillors for a very

long time and they know you have to borough council can't approve

fracking, that is down to the County intense scrutiny over the coming

months. North West exports to India have

increased 15% in the last two years. It's a huge opportunity

and no wonder. By next year, the size of its

wealthy new middle class is expected to exceed the population of the UK,

Germany, Italy and France combined. So as part of our Export Or Die

series, we're going to follow one company as it sets out on its Indian

adventure. Here's our economics correspondent

Jayne McCubbin to introduce them. We start this programme is a

newsflash. Alcohol consumption in the UK is going down. Binge drinking

Britain is getting clean? Has anybody checked this script? The

truth is that Britain as a whole has been drinking less and less of this

every year since 2002. For this man, that is a problem. I think consumers

are much more aware of alcohol intake. There is also the health

thing and the Government actively targeting us to make sure people

don't drink as much alcohol any more. No wonder Halewood

International has to become more international. So the next step is

here. Give me an idea of why you are excited about this and the scale of

it. I think the scale is the big one. One. Alcohol might be banned in

parts of India but boozing is booming. Admittedly many people

don't drink but many do. There is a huge drinking consumption in India.

They are super`confident and no wonder. Exporting has already

transformed their business. When we started two years ago it was less

than 2%. Over the next four years it will be about 30%. Amazing. Can you

be blas? about India? I would like to. There

be done. Can the exporters crack the overseas market? No idea! We will

find out over the next 12 months. And more from that story later in

the year, no doubt. But can Blackburn make a winning

start as the new football season The restored dry dock,

where they're hoping business will The First World War was

the first total war. Every economic sinew was yoked to

the cause of victory and the Trawler fleets

and their crews were commandeered by the Royal Navy and put to work

protecting vital shipping lanes. In the last of our current

World War One At Home series, Annabel Tiffin tells the story

of the Fleetwood trawlers. Robert Butler, drowned aged just 20

while trying to clear a mine off the Scottish coast on a Fleetwood

trawler. No glory in this death, no medals, no heroism, not a death to

inspire a poem or heroic monument. A victim from a forgotten corner of

the First World War's killing grounds. Here in Fleetwood there are

no trawlers left. The cod wars and EU quotas saw to that. Just

reminders of the fishing past dotted around the channel. 100 years ago

this entire area would have been crammed, and in 1914, virtually the

entire fleet of 111 was signed up to the war effort. Fleetwood had ships

and experienced sailors. 100 trawler men were already part of the Naval

reserve. The day before war was declared, they got the call, landed

their catch and sailed away. Looking across to the deepwater channel,

where the big trawlers that became the minesweepers and the First World

War sailed in and out of the port. This local historian

the Fleetwood trawlers did was a vital and underappreciated role.

They were helping to keep food Lifeline is open, make sure ships

were protected in our coastal waters, which was a vital part of

the war. Only a tidal proportion of ships passing around the British

waters were lost relatively, largely due to the efforts of these men.

There were fears about the town's survival but fishing was still a

vital industry. Replacement trawlers were built and retired men put back

to work. My own great`grandfather was one of these men. He came and

retired to the Fleetwood area and he was asked when war broke out if he

sure that the ships were kept at sea. Of the 111 Fleetwood trawlers

conscripted, 20 were lost. Robert's memorial is in the church at the dog

and his nephew and niece still live here. `` the church in the village.

The whole family were fishing for shrimps and shellfish and it was all

sailing in those days. And he wasn't in very long before he was swept

away. They were looking for and he went down and they lowered

the boat to go in but it capsized. He went overboard and basically all

his waders and heavy duty thing is filled with water and dragged him

down. He was never found but they do have a memorial in the church for

him. Such a waste It is just part of our history and

it is part of our family. The latest in our World War I films. You can

find all the stories that BBC radio stations have been running

this week. Sport now and the new football

season is finally here. Blackburn Rovers get

us under way tonight. Some consternation from viewers that

the football season is already here even though it is summer. Dumb

people will be delighted and other people think there has been no

escape with the World Cup. `` some people. Some people it thinks it

never ends but I am not one of them! Yes, Rovers take on Cardiff City

at Ewood Park tonight, with the rest of our Football League

teams kicking off tomorrow. In the Championship, Wigan take on

Reading, Blackpool are at Nottingham A question I put to

the former Everton, Wigan First up,

Blackburn Rovers who last season appeared to have put a past littered

with fans' protests behind them. Rovers finished two points

off the play`offs and are hoping to I think now we are expecting

a few bigger and better things We have Jordan Rhodes and we know

he will score goals for them. It is about the rest of the team

contributing along the way. For Blackpool fans,

the dizzy heights of the Premier For the bulk of preseason,

new manager Jose Riga has only had a handful of players to work with,

with supporters' demonstrations against the club's owners continuing

but in the last few days a dozen Can't see anything but relegation

for Blackpool this season. I want to see the North West

clubs higher in the league. But seeing the negativity around the

clubs, the supporters aren't happy and it might take time for the

players to gel and suddenly you are A poor start and

a strong finish was last season's Manager Dougie Freedman says he now

has a very good and honest group I don't think they will be

relegation candidates but I can't see them being

in the top six positions. They are

a club that should be because of the Premier League pedigree they

have had over the last ten years but I think this might be a stable

period for Bolton this season. Last season was one to remember

for Wigan with their first journey in European competition and another

great run in the FA Cup. Although despite momentum going

into the play`offs under Uwe Rosler They have a lot

of quality within that squad anyway and I think now with the signings

they have made, they are going to be Overall I think they will be

a force come the end of the season. Full commentary from Ewood Park

tonight on BBC Radio Lancashire with all our stations all over tomorrow's

action for all of our teams too. Radio Manchester will be at Wembley

on Sunday for the Premier League's curtain raiser, the Community

Shield, where Premier League champions Manchester City take on

FA Cup winners Arsenal, a useful Maybe both teams don't arrive at our

best moment because both teams have a lot of players just arriving from

the World Cup but I think it will be both teams to win it and we will try

to. So, City off to Wembley and they

could soon be followed there by two Warrington and Widnes will meet

there in the Challenge Cup final if they can win their respective

semis this weekend. But while one of those clubs is well

used to trophy glory, the other has been long starved of

silverware, as Ian Haslam reports. Warrington know all

about winning the Challenge Cup. Under coach Tony Smith they have

done it three times What happened in the past is

in the past and it is what we do It should be a good battle

between two very good teams. Widnes used to know all

about winning the Challenge Cup but the one`time kings have not done

so for 30 years. It is building the cultures

and philosophies of this club, understanding our history,

how great this club was On Sunday it will be a 12,000

sell`out at Leigh Sports Village It is special this club,

the success we have had, Once you get a taste for it,

you have a craving for it. For Wolves that marks familiar

territory, for Widnes it marks progress, and since returning

from Super League last year they have gone from finishing bottom to

being play`offs contenders. To be in the top eight in the

Challenge Cup in our third season, I'm not sure how many rugby league

pundits would have predicted that. We are quite happy with

our progression. Of course both sides know what would

await them in the final, each other. Some are not willing to

tempt fate too much. Wembley hasn't been spoken

of ones and hopefully if we can get the result this week

we can start to mention the W word. There are going to be nervous

but they are good. Win, and they might struggle

to contain their excitement. I hope that happens because it would

be a cracking final. Yes, and the rest of the football on Monday

night's programme. Thank you. It's taken months of sweat

and tears but an important part of Burnley's waterways history is

back in business. The Bank Hall dry dock fell

into ruin after the colliery closed but it's now been lovingly restored

to its former glory. This dog was once at the heart of

the nation but when the coal and textiles industries disappeared, so

did the men who worked here. `` dock. Almost half a century on, they

are repairing boats here once again as part of the restoration. It was

my only chance to do something like this in my life. It was 70 feet long

and 40 feet wide and six feet deep. Mud, dirt, shopping trolleys,

everything. Everything you could imagine was in the bottom. It was a

dumping ground. We have been on board for the last 12 years. Les

built his own boat and we wanted to paint boats and there was

do them. This wasn't what we wanted because we just wanted to

odd boat. A nice way to fill your time. And then this was just

marvellous. All they needed business plan and once that was in

place, the council agreed to lease the land. The dried dock is

remaining link to the industrial past of this area. There were once

22 canal boats every day taking coal station. This is the first canal

boat they have repaired and there should be more. Three days down to

Wigan and three up to Skipton. If somebody once their boat back in,

this couldn't be better. Although the dock is still a work in

progress, waterways around Burnley are still open for business once

again. That was a real Labour of love. Great work. We have had some

apocalyptic weather forecasting. Is it going to happen? A weekend of two

halves. Still not firm on the detail for Sunday. On Sunday there is doubt

about the rain for our part of the world and let me

Saturday is not too bad with fine spells of sunshine.

hurricane Bertha coming through the endless channel

of the day we could see the remnants of it moving in from late morning

onwards. Some showers turned up today, not as widespread as we

thought, but where they have turned up they have been belters with

localised flooding and torrential downpours. They were relatively

short lived. Some of them firing in Cumbria but they will travel North

over the next couple of the theme tonight is settled and

quiet. If you are dog walking last night, working or going out,

and fresh and that is because of the westerly winds.

the difference. Really it could be eight and

degrees. And Saturday I would love to

at any point. That is all the risk is and many places

comes and goes, so not wall`to`wall sunshine and we

breeze. Not boiling hot but a top temperature in the afternoon of 21.

21 is the magic figure of 70 Fahrenheit. On Sunday, the

weather will be in southern parts of the country

us, we could see strong winds and heavy rain.

way in terms of weather forecasting so we bring you the very latest at

10:30pm. `` 24`38 hours. A weekend of two halves? Shias after your job!

We will have a job swap. `` she is after your job! Enjoy your weekend.

Goodbye.