19/12/2016 North West Tonight

We did not want to hear that. That is all

Welcome to North West Tonight with Roger Johnson

Talks to avert a strike by baggage handlers at Manchester Airport

They're threatening to walk out for 48 hours before Christmas Day.

Blazing a trail - how Timothy's new job proves

the value of Down's Syndrome employees in the workplace.

It's made me proud, how I'm working here.

Thirsty work - the 200-year-old brewery tradition looking

I love beer, so what more could a man want?

How a little boy's memory is kept alive -

by the dad they call the Chocolate Orange Man.

Talks will be held tomorrow to try to prevent a strike

Which threatens to disrupt Christmas holidaymakers

over what's expected to be the busiest Christmas

who're employed by Swissport - are planning to strike

More than half a million passengers are expected to pass

through the airport over the holiday period.

What's this all about? the airport for us.

What's this all about? It's about to pay. Baggage handlers

here, have rejected a three-year deal worth over 3.5%. The union says

it barely keeps pace with inflation. The dispute has been compounded,

they say... While the company at the centre of the dispute have produced

their own statement... supposed to be the busiest Christmas

at the airport they have ever had, what is the impact likely to be on

passengers? It is a very busy time of the year

these days - 640,000 passengers expected through

a year over the Christmas period. Bob 22 are sent on last year. In

Liverpool they are expecting the numbers to go up ten at present on

last year. Whether you will be affected on this partly depends on

where you are flying from. In Liverpool they do employee baggage

handlers from Swissport, but it's different union and they are not

expected to strike. Here, it may depend on who you're flying with.

Many airlines have contracts with Swissport, and of course the strike

is due to start on Thursday night at the night, going into Friday

morning, and end Christmas Eve, midnight into Christmas Day morning.

Not guaranteed it is going to happen, there are talks planned?

That is the good news. Talks tomorrow that may avert the strike.

But I hate to be the bearer of bad news at this time of year, there are

mind if you're travelling, there are two other national dispute looming,

cabin crew going on strike over Christmas, and Virgin Atlantic

pilots on a work to rule. So if you are going to seeks Sunshine by Ed

this Christmas, there are a few problems that may affect you.

We will follow those talks with interest tomorrow bring you any

resolution tomorrow night. A Greater Manchester charity

has launched a mission to provide aid to thousands

of people fleeing Aleppo. As the city's being evacuated

under a truce deal, Up to 16,000 people are expected

to arrive in nearby Azaz, where the charity Human Appeal

is building tents Rehan Salim from the charity

is here, he's in charge Thank you very much for coming in.

When you speak to people who are volunteering and helping your

charity on the ground, what are they saying? What conditions are these

people coming from and how are they arriving?

Unfortunately, at the moment, I think approximately 8000 people have

left from inside Aleppo. The word from a ground teams is that people

are leaving with only the clothes on their backs. They are carrying what

they can carry in terms of foodstuff, etc.

, They are going through dire conditions, in the winter it gets

down to around minus four degrees. People are freezing, they don't have

any food, there are no medical clinics around. People are

struggling making their way to Azaz. 8000 people a lot to descend on one

area, heady couple that matter people?

That is the issue, and they're expecting maybe another 30-40,000

people to come out. We're working in terms of providing hot food meals,

particular when people are coming from this area. Lack of food and

water, providing 5000 meals per day. One of the big concerns for

ourselves is that a good four to present of those leaving our

children. The children are many without their parents. Someone get

to Azaz, they don't have anyone there. This is a concern for people

like yourself who are focusing on children.

Is it safe where this camp is? Reports are saying because it led is

right next to Aleppo, there is potential this could be the next

target in terms of the regime. This is something we're preparing for,

but for the time being, our operations are happening.

We saw your providing shelter and food, what can people here do?

So far, we've had such great reaction to the Aleppo appeal, I

think the first three days we raised around ?250,000, that is a testament

UK. People are feeling it, with the UK. People are feeling it, with the

Facebook videos. I think people feel a responsibility, and it is very

heart-warming. That is amazing, a huge amount of

money in a short amount of time. We wish you well with more fundraising,

people can look at your Facebook site.

You can donate online as well. Thank you very much indeed.

Three men have been jailed for causing the death of a van

James Ray was found with serious head injuries after a gang of men

stole his transit van at an industrial estate

It is thought that he fell or was thrown from the moving

Patrick John McDonagh and Martin Ward were sentenced

to a combined total of 21 years for manslaughter and

A third man, Patrick Joseph Cawley, was also sentenced for five years.

A man and a woman in their 20s have been arrested after a baby was found

with life-threatening injuries in Cumbria.

On Saturday, police received a report a young baby in Barrow

The baby is in a critical condition in hospital.

The man and woman have been questioned on suspicion of grievous

A Warrington-based housing association has signed

a ?2.5 billion deal to build thousands of flat-pack

Your Housing Group is linking up with the

Chinese National Building Company to build factories in the UK to

It's expected at least one of the factories will be

Timothy Broadhurst loves playing sport and socialising with friends.

Now, thanks to a new scheme, he's become a valued member of staff

at the head office of shoe repair firm Timpson in Manchester.

Timothy Broadhurst is 25, and has been working

It's down to DS WorkFit, an organisation which helps

employers to connect with people with Down's syndrome.

This is one of my jobs, car park managing.

This is the postroom, where I sought the post out.

When he first started, his colleagues were given additional

training to understand the challenges facing someone

One of the main objects for us is finding a manager who really

wants to employ someone who has Down's syndrome.

Although his colleagues insist he's treated

He just seems to get in and get on with it, kind of thing.

Every so often he might need an arm round his shoulder or even

And earlier this year, Timothy received a special award

Presented by none other than Coronation Street

Can I have a pork and turkey, please?

It's made me proud, how I'm working here.

A fun-loving character to have around the building.

Timpson has an opportunities for all policy, and considers anyone

for a role, as long as they're able to do it.

After seeing Timothy successfully hold down a job,

it's hoped other employers may be prepared to do the same.

Why did Santa's helper see the doctor?

Nice one, ten, cracker jokes are great!

It's derby night on Merseyside, but will home advantage help Everton

And toasting the heart of their village -

a Christmas Star for the couple who bring

In the last hour, a plaque has been unveiled at Liverpool Town Hall

to the memory of the hundreds of local people who supported

the anti-fascist cause in the Spanish Civil War.

The new memorial marks the 80th anniversary of the war,

one which inspired so many ordinary people to take up

Here's our Merseyside Reporter, Andy Gill.

They were known as the International Brigade -

people from all over the world who went to fight when the Spanish army

rose against an elected left-wing Government. Of the 130 Merseyside

people who went, 80 were killed. And now a plaque to the memory of all

those who fought was unveiled at Liverpool town hall.

They were forbidden to go. The Government said it was illegal for

them to go, but they went, nevertheless. Even companies on

Merseyside helped support then and support the fight against Franco.

The director Ken Loach made an award winning film about a working-class

Liverpudlian who goes to fight fascism in Spain.

I left Liverpool would adapt, romantic idea.

The International Brigade was on the losing side. Of course, it wasn't

just people from Merseyside he went. As the People's History Museum In

Manchester records. The vast majority were working-class

women and men from working-class areas like Liverpool and Manchester.

That is why a disproportionate number, from cities, particular in

the North West. The man who unveiled the plaque

hopes visitors will be inspired to find out more about the Spanish

Civil War. This is part of modern Europe, Spain

is a very different country from what it was in those days. But

people look back less than a century, they can find out how these

forces of darkness are very -- never very far from us.

Lord Sugar has picked his Apprentice in the final on BBC One,

but a Blackburn brewery is after an apprentice of its own,

You're public wondering what Lord Sugar has to do with a horse!

This job is certainly unusual - the chance to help look

after Thwaites' famous shire horses, which have been part

Stuart Pollitt's been to find out what skills are needed.

Think Apprentice, and this probably comes to mind.

Lord Sugar began his search for a brand-new business partner...

Think apprenticeships, and the normal image is eager

But this apprenticeship is very different.

A successful candidate will be looking after

This job is just the ideal job for me.

I love beer, so what more could a man want?

Richard smiled his way through the job for 16 years.

It's very rare, jobs like this don't come along at all.

If your heart's in this kind of a job,

No time for mucking about, but the odd bit of mocking out.

As well as all the dirty work here at the stables,

you have to be the public face of the company, taking these

two to more than 100 events every year.

And that means dressing for the role.

Horses have been part of our business since inception.

Who's the Lord Sugar of this operation, is that you?

I guess so, but there'll be no tasks.

There'll be no pitches, no boardroom grilling at all.

No, just as long as you're good with a shovel.

There's already been dozens of applications,

the free beer is only for the horses.

I hope they're able to walk after that!

He's messaging, like me! You had to be quite tall to reach

them, to grin them at the top. And now for a Christmas Star Award

which will definitely get Roseanne and Tony Davies are known

as Mr and Mrs Affetside - the village in Bury where they

live - because of everything they do They organise events

bringing everyone together throughout the year,

including This year, the villagers

wanted to repay the couple for all their kindness -

and Abbie Jones went It's not Christmas without carols

around the Affetside village tree. The whole community gathered

round, young and old, brought together by these two,

Roseanne and Tony Davies. To create friendship

within the village, And it took off very nicely,

right from day one, with all the activities

that we organised. When we first came, nobody

knew their next-door neighbour. For hours, Roseanne and Tony have

been straightening seats, tweaking the tinsel,

making sure the And they don't just organise this

event, but Father Christmas visits, They really are the heart

and soul of our village. They give everything, they're always

there, for every event. Doesn't matter what we do,

they turn up and give 200%. # And a partridge

in a pear tree...#. I have to say, we're slightly

here under false pretences. We haven't just come

to film this wonderful carol concert, but we've

come to surprise two very special people,

who, without you, I don't think any OK, Roseanne and Tony,

you do so much for this And for all your hard work,

we've nominated you for this BBC North West Tonight

Christmas Star Award. A little emotional,

to be honest with you. If every village and community had

a Tony and Roseanne, We've just bought a house up

here because of people like that. After the carols, mulled

wine to celebrate. To a couple who bring

cheer to this village, not just at Christmas,

but all year round. I just want to go an live there!

It's lovely, isn't it? We have another Christmas a stray

tomorrow for you, right through the week until Friday.

On to sport now. Lots to talk about, one place with every have to start,

because big match, Merseyside Monday.

Yes, Everton against Liverpool at Goodison Park.

The Blues have won just one of the last 19 derbies and will be

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool - who've lost just once in their last

14 Premier League matches - have other ideas, of course.

And both sets of fans will have everything crossed that

it's their team that comes out on top.

Whatever the era, the Merseyside derby is often supercharged.

It's pressure, of course, but we all love it. We all want this loud

stadium, we want the really a emotional crowd around and all that

stuff. It's not a normal match. It's about

the Derby rivalry between Everton and Liverpool. It's all about their

fans, and we understand that. The rivalry between the two clubs is

intense. But in a city where families are often half loo and half

red, they also come together, as they do today. There's half blue and

half red. Helping the that's Liverpool foodbank. For 12 months,

they've been collecting outside Anfield and Goodison every Monday.

There collecting food for residents struggling to make ends meet.

It is about putting aside rivalry and think people are more important.

It's about solidarity in times of need. What a perfect example of what

we're trying to achieve here. When we might enter the game

tonight? At the first Wessel.

Disturb it's a great game, and Liverpool win.

Home win, all the way. And with Christmas just around the

corner, no-one want to lose this one.

We won't lose today. What makes you confidence?

I'm whenever turning, you have to be.

I'm hoping they win 2-1. What all be like if Everton lose?

Season-ticket holder, devastated abilities, delighted if they win. If

they lose, the kids don't get no Christmas presents or nothing!

The Merseyside derby can come soon enough. Should be a cracker.

There'll be full match commentary from Goodison Park

on BBC Radio Merseyside tonight, all the build up starts at 7pm.

And you can watch highlights on a special Match Of The Day,

Manchester City leapfrogged Liverpool in the table after a 2-1

Pep Guardiola's side trailed 1-0 at half time, but hit back just

after the restart, when Leroy Sane benefited from a dubious call

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger claimed City's winner from Raheem Sterling

should also have been disallowed for offside.

There was more refereeing controversy at White Hart Lane,

The Clarets were leading through Ashley Barnes' goal

when the home side's Moussa Sissoko was guilty of a late,

Burnley boss Sean Dyche thought he should have been sent off,

but just a minute after being booked,

Sissoko set up Danny Rose for the game's deciding goal.

North West winners were at a premium in the Football League,

with just two of our 12 teams tasting success.

In the Championship, it's just one defeat in seven now

for Preston North End, who won 2-1 at Bristol City, thanks to goals

from Simon Makienok in the first half, and then Daniel Johnson

Matty Lund's hat-trick kept Rochdale's League One

This is a lovely story, sad but inspiring.

When Elliott Lamb was being treated in hospital,

his dad bought a Chocolate Orange to say thank you to the staff.

Elliot passed away, aged just four, in 2010.

But every Christmas, his dad has continued giving

Not just one or two - thousands upon thousands.

In fact, this year, he's given 7000 of them to doctors

and nurses up and down the country, as Judy Hobson reports.

Just a little something to say thank you.

This is the sixth year that Chris Lamb has

They've been donated by friends, family, even complete strangers.

I got a Chocolate Orange for one of the physios at Alder Hey,

As all the nurses can vouch for, they love Chocolate Oranges.

They were all asking where theirs work,

And the following year, I wanted to do something positive

for others who loved him to remember him in a positive way

Elliott was born with a rare disease and severe brain damage.

He died just before Christmas in 2010, aged four.

For much of his life, he was cared for here,

at Zoe's Place, a hospice for babies and young children.

It's about the people who take care of our loved ones.

The people who work 365 days a year, doing such an amazing job.

They're always there when we need them.

Today, staff could have as many Chocolate Oranges as they liked.

We actually nickname him the Chocolate Orange now,

It means a great deal to the staff, because it's just so nice

for the staff to have someone come in and say thank you.

Sometimes you come on shift and you get a box of chocolates

or something, but by the time the next shift comes on,

So it's nice to receive a gift that everybody gets some.

Chris has already taken hundreds of Chocolate Oranges to doctors

and nurses at Alder Hey and Whiston hospitals,

The idea has also taken off in other parts of the country.

Up in Newcastle, colleagues of collected for hospices up there.

Blackpool, Preston, Chorley, just incredible to think that it

started off with one Chocolate Orange.

Now Chris has given out more than 20,000, a small token

of appreciation in the memory of a very special little boy.

It's a lovely way to remember him. And thank the people who looked

after him. Antarctic, we met Chris at Alder Hey

last year, do you remember? A great guy. Now the weather. Snow for

Christmas? I suggest you get your umbrellas for

Christmas. It's looking like it will be wet and windy for Christmas Day.

But I'll let Diane be that there are bad news tomorrow, I'll skip that!

It has been a cloudy afternoon, and it will continue to be fairly

unsettled. Outbreaks of rain and turning quite windy. The first band

of wind will push in from tomorrow night into Wednesday. Then showers

for Wednesday and Thursday, then the first big band of rain pushing in on

Friday, behind that, lots of isobars, so quite windy. Behind

that, another band of rain that Diana would tell you all about

tomorrow. Tonight then, cloudy night, light, drizzly rain

overnight. Patchy cloud as we head into dawn. Temperatures as low as

three degrees. Tomorrow we start cloudy, some fog into the afternoon.

We will see bright spells sneaking through, but also the chance of

showers. Wind picking up through the afternoon. A top temperatures of 9

degrees. Just 6 degrees in Cheshire tomorrow. Tomorrow evening and

tomorrow night, that band of rain pushes in. The winds pick up, expect

gales or near-Gales tomorrow night. Temperatures not looking so bad.

Wednesday looks to be a cloudy day was showers. It is likely to be

quite windy as well. As we head into Thursday, we will see very similar

conditions, but then that band of rain pushes in on Friday. On Friday,

we'll see double figure Heck temperatures, but feel cool. Windy

conditions, expect rain, and temperatures in double figures. Do

you see how I skipped Christmas then? Diane is in the tomorrow, I'll

let her do her job! Someone wrote in and said they were

in New York for Christmas, all smelly on Christmas Day...

We wouldn't want it any other way, wet and windy gives us an excuse to

stay in! Keep your umbrellas handy!

See you There's family tradition of

difficult Christmases. Ben dropping

a frozen turkey on Mum's foot. Put me down!

No, we talked about this. Taser him! That is a video game,

isn't it? I'm going to need at least another

15 years to recover from children. This is all nonsense - it's highly

entertaining, nonetheless it's... I'm starting this new job, I'm

taking over a really tough school. Where is it?

You're not going down south...? Huddersfield? I know. That's like

the dark side of the moon. You do know that this house

is haunted?