20/08/2014 North West Tonight

Welcome to North West Tonight with Roger Johnson and Annabel Tiffin.

Six months on from a damning report ` Alder Hey

children's hospital receives a mixed verdict from inspectors.

They find the hospital has made significant improvements `

Questions over why a Salford Council official agreed to subsidise rugby

matches ` as his Council makes huge budget cuts.

We uncover the story behind the festival fairylight fall

The Blackpool to find at what links Winnie the Pooh with fish and chips.

Six months on from a damning report the Care Quality Commission has

found that Alder Hey has issues. Since the previous report, the trust

has made significant improvements. There was also praise for accident

and emergency and staff. Our health correspondent joins us from Alder

Hey. Alder Hey Council for many families every year. For the

majority, care is good. But this is a trust which has

troubled times. In a report in February it filled in for out of

five key areas. Inspectors have been back and it is once again on the

spotlight. According to the latest inspection, there have been

improvements but the trust must do better. The most important issue we

have been facing is our shortage of nursing staff. The report highlights

particular concern around the care of children in the high dependency

unit. Safety and stabbing still fall short of the required standard. We

have appointed a new consultant who is going to lead and we have plans

in place to have a further consultants appointed by the end of

the year. But it is safe. It is just making it unsafe to excellent. Staff

shortages are still a big concern here but it is an issue the trust

says it is addressing. Currently we are interviewing for new nurses. I

think staff morale is improving. Every year we appoint new staff for

the winter period and staff are wanting to stay. The trust has been

rated as outstanding for its end of life care, accident and emergency

rated as good and staff were recognisable care a compassionate

and commitment. `` recognised for. This child was mad life has been

saved here. I could not fault it. I have never had a problem with the

staff. They seem younger days and bad days. We have received wonderful

care. Obviously there are staffing issues which you have all over the

place but this If it was not been transferred here

and the surgery and good care rebuild confidence and morale. But

trust says to improve. Speaking of rebuilding,

you can see just behind me in the new Alder Hey children's

children here. It will be turned into a park, the new hospital will

be opened in 2015. A man's been charged with murder

after a woman's body was found in the garden of a house in Leigh

yesterday. 57`year`old Thomas Flanagan

from Wigan Road in Leigh is expected to appear before

Liverpool Crown court on Friday. A post`mortem examination will take

place later to establish how Then Dover has been told he will not

face further action. from the party into thousand and

eight for gross misconduct and later ordered to repay money. Mr Dover

says he is delighted to be exonerated.

An investigation is underway after a former Manx Grand Prix

winner was killed during qualifying for this year's event.

Stephen McIlvenna who's from Northern Ireland crashed on the

Mountain Mile section of the course on the Isle of Man yesterday.

Race organisers say he was an experienced competitor, who had been

Salford's mayor is being asked to explain why he agreed to spend

thousands of pounds subsidising rugby matches at a time when his

Ian Stewart, Ok'd the move to underwrite match

The deal was drawn up by a senior council official, who

All this has only come to light because

Our Chief Reporter, Dave Guest, has more and joins us now.

This is Martin Vickers ` one time Strategic Director for Customer

It was he who drew up the deal to help out

Last July the council agreed to pay the club's match day costs up to

Salford's Mayor Ian Stewart agreed the deal as did his deputy.

But no official record was made and so the deal wasn't subjected to

The details have only become public following an internal audit.

The opposition Conservative Group on the council are livid.

I am appalled. When you look at what we are having to do it with the most

abominable in our city, and they are prepared to prop up a rugby club, a

private rugby club. What would you like to see happen? I want the mayor

to come forward and admit he was wrong.

It's true Salford, in common with all councils, is supposedly

This year the council needs to save a further ?24.5 million.

So why would it want to put money into the Salford Red Devils?

they are part owners of the stadium. If the rugby club go bust, they lose

their tenant. They lose money coming in. If you look at it

picture, they are putting in money to save themselves money.

And Salford Council part owns the stadium where the Red Devils play.

But there's another feature of this story which has raised eyebrows.

Shortly after sealing the match day funding deal, Martin

He'd asked for and got voluntary redundancy.

He then got a new job ` with the Salford Red Devils.

The auditors say in future senior council staff should sign

a termination contract limiting their future employment options.

He said he hadn't been interviewed as part of the audit process

and he didn't want to comment on a report he hadn't seen.

I offered to email him a copy but he declined.

The Mayor, Ian Stewart was also unavailable.

"My actions have always been in the best interests of

Salford City Council and I will continue to do so."

A newlywed couple from Salford have been charged with public order

offences ` over a reported row with hotel security staff

Nick and Kirsty Bigland were arrested at the Hilton in Manchester

The bride and groom were held overnight at a nearby police station

They will both appear before Manchester magistrates next month.

A Blackburn based company which makes electronic cigarettes,

is challenging European law on tobacco Products.

'Totally Wicked' claims one part of the law would require companies

which make E`cigs to comply with stricter rules than

If successful, the company could shape new EU regulations due to

She is the last surviving ship from the Falklands War `

the Argentine surrender of South Georgia was signed on board.

But since 2006 HMS Plymouth has been slowly rotting in a Wirral dock.

And today she set off on what looks to be her final journey For the past

few years, a group of sailors have been fighting to save her.

But so far their efforts have been unsuccessful.

Today the dock's owners Peel Ports said there was no practical

The Royal Navy frigate was a key part of the British victory

in the Falklands War ` the surrender of South Georgia

An unceremonial end for an important piece of British

naval history as early this morning HMS Plymouth was towed

Campaigners had fought a legal battle to try to keep

significant for is the surrender which was signed on the board and

she was also action during the Falklands war and

was severely damaged during the action. It was a part of a floating

museum here but the museum folded in 2006, and the ship was left on the

dockside. Reports say known as by default but the

campaigners disputed this. they were not willing to pay for the

ship. be handed over to them. We have a

lot of support from businesses in Plymouth, and politicians. If we

obtain her, which we intend to do, then Plymouth is a viable

proposition. Newport says it costs happen only pounds to have the ship

there. They said: the campaign group says they will

continue to try to save the ship. Find out why the contents of those

bins have provoked a row. Fish, chips and peers. That

With four months still to go Christmas isn't on the minds

of many people ` but it has been occupying the thoughts of

A row has broken out over who should use a set of Christmas lights.

They were put up in Crewe last year but have now been given to

neighbouring Nantwich ` a move which promoted threats of legal action.

already we have three separate councils, two in neighbouring towns

at one set of lights. And an almighty festive fight. It has left

a very sour taste. How did it gets to this? The lights ewes last

Christmas, `` the lights were used last Christmas. Then they were given

to a neighbouring town. They threatened legal action. Has anyone

handled stolen goods here? The way the lights were removed from Croom

was unfortunate. . This is about politics. Labour, liberal, whatever,

I want the best for the residents of Croom. You think you need these

lights? Absolutely. It is a good thing that they are given to

Nantwich because they are given to Nantwich. A temporary home for these

decorations is here at Nantwich's all. You can see some of

decorations and it appears that after months

owns them and where they should be put up some goodwill has come. ``

months of Rowling. We think that we will not be needing them and

Nantwich. It seems that a touch of festive spirit has, in the end,

sparked a solution. I went to the dentist today and I did not see any

Christmas lights. I am sure they will get it sorted. For months to

go. A disappointing night for all of our

Championship teams and more misery Yes it doesn't get any better

for the Seasiders. They lost to Brentford last night

which means they've lost their It's a pretty unsettled picture

overall, with most of the sqaud having been drafted

in in the last couple of weeks and And as it stands the seasiders

are at the foot of the table. Wigan and Bolton are also

in the bottom four. Blackpool ` Rock bottom

and without a point to their name. The tangerines who let almost

30 players go in the summer. had several new names on show

last night` against Brentford But But the seasiders did have something

to cheer with the opening goal. And it came from one

of their more familiar faces. at Bloomfield Road

for another season. Nodding But

despite one or two promising signs First a smart finish for

Alex Pritchard levelled for Brentford before suspect

defending let in Stuart Dallas A painful defeat for the Blackpool

manager. Not enough in the game so we had to

face reality. Again I am looking to find a solution individually and

collectively. Meanwhile ` Craig Davies blasted

in this penalty for Bolton against Middlesborough But two

goals including penalty for the visitors meant defeat for wanders

leaving them third from bottom. Despite a dominant performance

at Cardiff ` they failed to Nicky Maynard, who had a loan

spell at the DW Stadium last season Blackburn got off to a flying start

at Norwich with Tom cairney scoring But

the celebrations were short lived as Much better news

for Fleetwood town in League One. After winning their first two games

of the season Jamie Proctor got A second from Gareth Evans

ensured their 100 record. The Argentinian defender Marcos Rojo

is on the verge of completing a ?16m move to Manchester United

from Sporting Lisbon. The 24`year`old left sided player

scored his first international goal He's taking a medical

and expected to agree personal terms with Old Trafford and could play

against Sunderland on Sunday. Meanwhile, Nani who scored 41 goals

in 230 appearances has returned to Sporting Lisbon where he received

a hero's welcome. Southport swimmer Francesca Halsall

was part of the Great Britain mixed medley team that broke a world

record last night at the European The quartet won gold

in the four`by`one`hundred race with a finish time of three minutes

and 44 seconds. Halsall who swam the final leg

paid tribute to her team mates. It is such a good team to be part.

To go in a head and think I just had to maintain this is fantastic and

thank you to them for putting me in that position.

Super league takes a break this weekend, with the

Challenge Cup Final between Leeds and Castleford taking centre stage.

So for our teams it's a chance to get back on the training

ground and in Wigan's case pop down to the South West for a bit

Invited to muscle up with one of rugby union's biggest teams.

From the 1920s right up until the last couple of decades, cooperation

did not happen. With players are forced to e`mail their colours to

the mast. Now players move both ways. `` nail their colours to the

mast. Wigan have taken it a step further with this two day training

session with Bath. I am very grateful for what they have done. We

are fine`tuning our attack and defence. The exercise came about

because Sean's relationship with his opposite number, Mike. They were

team`mates in the 1980s. Probably the best team in the super league.

They bring all the skill that you would imagine with a fantastic rugby

league side and for me it's just shows how much we are very much

alike. Bath even have a former Saint Helen Starr. `` star. It is good to

see them. The Warriors planned to return the favour and have already

invited Bath to train with them back in the North West.

Big night up in Bacup Cricket Club tonight ` one of the great legends

of West Indies Cricket, Sir Everton Weekes, now 89`years`old, is going

back to the club where he played as a professional for ten years back

His batting average in those 10 years in the

He's still up there in the test averages with 58.

He came from Barbados and found Lancashire so cold he bought him

self a huge ex`Army greatcoat and wore it all the time.

Presumably not when he was at the crease.

That was when the Lancashire league was full of wild stars. `` world

stars. Many played in Lancashire. It's that time of year again that

the stages are almost set for some major music events in Liverpool as

part of the International Music festival

Over the coming days the City will play host some very familiar chart

stars from the 1980s through to the present day ` some of whom will join

forces at a special concert at St George's hall tomorrow. Ian Haslam's

been to rehearsals. What do you get if you cross

Culture Club with the Charlatans, The answer is this ` the country's

newest supergroup, currently rehearsing for its one and only

performance at St George's Hall. Laid for rehearsal was Tim. This is

a rock and roll after all. There was also no boy George. They will be

onstage alongside this man. You are pretty good as this. Rehearsal time

is short and tight and there lot of stuff going on so the best

thing to do is know what you are going to do, know how the songs go,

you start playing, it sounds just like the record. Legendary producer

Steve moved to Merseyside some years ago. When the opportunity

for this particular event and they said where would you

I said why can we do it in here because it is so beautiful. We

coming together and they will all be playing on each

Alongside legends, emerging talent including Natalie. We sounded

checked my song and it sounded so epic in this room. Amazing. As part

of the festival, Ian Brodie and the lightning seeds. Should be a great

weekend. There is some good news for Blackpool tonight.

Winnie the Pooh is a bear of simple pleasures

and it seems that eating fish and chips in Blackpool is one of them.

Visit England asked families to share their favourite days out

and turn them into a new story for the fictional bear.

An adventure that also takes him to Windermere.

He is a classic England children's character and now he is discovering

the top ten experiences to enjoy England. Today, said Christopher

Robin, we are going on an adventure. Why my do you not to tell everyone

the news. 2000 parents were asked to share their favourite days out and

Blackpool came top. staring out across the water as the

sea breeze chip is around you. Some source of

delicious this was coming from a newspaper. Visit

produced ten stories following Winnie the

they visited the top ten attractions. To play on the beach

and have fish and chips and rides and go on the pier and slot

machines, just lovely to come to the seaside

and have fish and chips and adjust around and yorker be found on the

beach. Kids like riding the donkeys. The donkey is the best. Windermere

is also recommended. Food is on the list of things to enjoy here, too. A

little something to eat, asked Winnie the Pooh. Yes, and said

Christopher Robin. It is lovely here. Jump off the jetties and stuff

and have a nice swim and then a nice picnic. Winnie the pool is right. It

is a brilliant place to be. Visit England hope the stories will

inspire visitors of all sizes. Doesn't that look nice? Fish and

chips and carrot cake. Let's have the weather forecast. It looked

lovely today. Most of us are finding it very cool. Tomorrow it is another

change. It is cloudy, with rain at times. It is not pouring down all

the way through the day but enough morning but they died through as we

went through spells of sunshine but once again

very disappointing. cloud rolling in once the sun goes

down. Cows moving in from the North. Bombers places with the arrival of

rain it will little line of whether works its way

through. This is not the main could be a heavy burst from time to

time. touch about your civil pleasures.

Here are a few of them. I am with you on about one, Sandra.

We will be back at 10:25pm. Good night.

We've got factory boys and butchers' apprentices and office clerks

Don't stop moving! If you go back you'll die!