10/05/2017 North West Tonight

and on BBC one we now join the BBC's news teams where you are.

Good evening, welcome to North West Tonight

with Annabel Tiffin and Roger Johnson.

A growing number of schools ask parents to give them money

to compensate for cuts in their budgets.

It's so unusual to ask parents to fund the school when we're

A lot of parents couldn't do that, and it's not

We'll be hearing from one school which has been asking for help.

Three rail fare rises in nine months for passengers

in Greater Manchester, but advance tickets

A pub burglar is caught by people who respond more quickly

to a Facebook appeal than police to an emergency call.

You get a quicker response than what you would ringing 999.

I've been looking at an inspirational project in Everton,

under the banner of one of football's most famous names.

An increasing number of North West schools are asking parents to give

them money to make up for cuts in their budgets.

The latest to send out a letter asking for donations

is a high school in the Conservative flagship council of Trafford.

The news comes as the major political parties argue over

Labour's general election pledge to spend billions more on education

Our reporter Phil McCann is outside Sale High School now.

What have you got to do, are you writing an essay?

Mrs Nicholls has been head of Sale High for eight years,

but never has she had to ask parents if they can help to plug gaps

For me, running a school, I've seen the budget disappearing

And yet numbers of children coming through our growing.

We've been very good at housekeeping and ensuring that front-line service

So when you see funding having a direct impact on possibly class

sizes or interventions you might put in place, then your outcomes

You're going to struggle to get the same outcomes.

So beyond the school gates, the call has gone out for extra cash

that could be spent on equipment, or voluntary help from parents

It seems a bit unusual to ask parents to fund the school

when we're already paying in our taxes.

You want the best education for your kids, and if you're asking

for money, then personally, I don't see anything wrong with it.

We're in a very diverse area here, and there are a lot

And it's not really fair to ask them, because they might feel

The problem for Sale High is that it has a much higher percentage

of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, whose families

are less able to afford to give their school cash.

The problem's been made worse by the fact that many pupils

from more affluent areas are in local grammars instead.

But a growing number of schools are doing the same.

One teachers union reports some are even asking

parents to set up direct debits for up to ?400 a year.

I think it's a shame that schools are in a position where they feel

they have to ask parents to make contributions in order to cover

the curriculum resources, which should be part

But with a new formula on the way which could cut funding

further in some areas, schools like this don't

think the signs look good for their balance sheets.

Phil is here. Today's general election campaigning, dominated by

spending on education. What are the main parties been saying? Labour and

Lib Democrats be making announcements today. Multi-million

pound funding pledges. Labour said they would raise corporation tax.

The tax on businesses' profits, to keep up with the rising costs and

schools. The Olson said it want to make sure no schools with that when

funding is reorganised later this year. Liberal Democrats say they are

investing billions more in schools and colleges. Ukip, something they

have called for previously, single increase grammar school provision

and encourage vocational education. The Conservatives have criticised

the other parties today saying they are making unfunded, made up

promises, they say. Proposals about job cuts in higher education, what

can you tell us about that? At the University of Manchester 170 jobs

are going to go there. The University is a it's about making

cost savings and ensuring its financial sustainability. The

University and College union say that 926 staff goods, with a long

time, be affected. They are saying Brexit and Government policy or the

two reasons behind the decision. They target star that have been at

the University for many, many years. Senior lecturers, professors who

have world-class reputations in terms of their academics subjects.

It could potentially the academic vandalism for people put so much

time and effort into their academic field for so many years. Has the

university said anything? They have said it is about ensuring the

financial state ability of the University. They also said there

will be opening a voluntary redundancy scheme to try and avoid

compulsory redundancies. A teenager has been seriously

injured falling from a balcony The 18-year-old fell

at the New Charter Academy in Ashton-under-Lyne

at 9:10am this morning. Police say he was taken

to Manchester Royal Infirmary The Crown Prosecution Service says

it won't be prosecuting three Conservative MPs over allegations

about their training expenses. The letter commission said spending

rules had been per can, but the CPS said there was insufficient evidence

to proceed. The planned Shakespeare North

Playhouse at Prescot on Merseyside moved a step closer today

with confirmation that the Arts Council is to put

?5 million into the project. Construction of the theatre

and college - close to where an Elizabethan theatre once stood -

could start early next year. Rail unions have accused

Northern Rail of ripping off passengers in Greater Manchester,

after the company announced its But the company says it's to bring

prices in line with other areas, and there'll be reduced rates

for some advanced tickets. Our transport correspondent

Judy Hobson reports. No-one wants to hear prices going

up, but three times in less than a yet? That's the reality for Northern

Rail passengers in Greater Manchester. The company is due to

increase the cost of many of the day return fares by up to 50p. So, a

return ticket to Manchester will soon cost ?5. And a return fare from

Ramallah willing crucify pounds 90p. So how is that gone down with

off-peak travel travellers at Victoria Station? It's unacceptable.

The travelling public in Manchester can't afford it. The price rises

have been relentless. I don't think it's fair that it goes up, got a

majority of time they are delayed. Bus prices are much higher, so it's

much better for me to get the train into Manchester than the bus. Arriva

took over the operation of LAUGHTER Northern last year, but over the

past ten years, the Government has said it once the Government to pay

more for the services and take the burden of the taxpayer.

Because of subsidies, passengers are paid less in Manchester than other

parts of the North West. The company says it didn't want to make one big

price rises, so it's made three smaller ones over nine months. I

think it's fair if you look at the viewpoint of people outside Greater

Manchester who have been paying these higher fares the years. But

it's not fair on the people of Greater Manchester who suddenly get

increases all the time. Northern says some journeys will be cheaper,

and you'll be able to buy some reduced-fair advance tickets up to

15 minutes before travel. That's been welcomed by passengers, but a

spokesperson for the RMT union says the increases I read both, and

says... But Northern Rail says any profits

will be used in preserves as an replace old trains. Good news for

passengers, but many want to be happy that because of it will be

shifted onto them. -- at the cost for it will be shifted.

A woman from Cheshire whose husband was beaten to death has started

a campaign to have his killer kept under supervision by

Stuart Pickett murdered Helen Hill's husband Dave just

Mr Pickett was released from jail after serving ten years.

But now Helen's been told his regular supervision

And that's left her nervous and angry, as Andy Gill reports.

At home in Hale, near Widnes, Helen Hill remembers her husband, Dave.

When Stuart Pickett murdered him, he broke nearly every

Dave died a few days after the attack, when his

Helen says Pickett returned to live in the Widnes area

when he was released from jail on licence.

The prospect of him no longer having to report to probation

It's like if my daughter goes out, for example,

You feel that you're actually the one who has committed the crime,

because your area becomes a very small.

You avoid going to certain areas, because you could run into him.

Helen says the probation service told her that Pickett's

supervision would end because of his good behaviour.

There are people who would say that if somebody's served their sentence,

They have paid their debt to society and they should be able to move on.

However, for me, he is a murderer at the end of the day.

He savagely and brutally took my husband's life.

Her husband - with whom she had a now grown-up daughter -

Helen started a petition calling for all convicted murderers released

on licence to be under supervision for life.

I'd like the Justice Minister and the parole board to really

look at this policy, to amend it.

Because, not just for me, from victims' families,

In a statement, the Ministery of Justice said...

We meet the award-winning nurse who refused to let her own battle

against cancer prevent her caring for sick children.

I can play with the children, I can talk to their

families, I can allow them to go for a break.

You might know that your father and I married in India...

Add a famous face takes to the stage, Shobna Gulati returns to her

roots for a new play in Oldham. You've managed to trap

a burglar in your pub. You've called the police

and they've not appeared. Andrew Forster put out

the SOS on social media and within minutes,

help was at hand. It was an hour before the police

arrived. This is the moment an intruder walks

into the bar and goes up through the private entrance. We were just

outside, holding the door shut, trying to keep her inside. Shot in

the ring, the intruder then starts playing loud music, while Andrew

wonders what to do. I just thought, medium, I need some help here. I ran

downstairs to get some help from the staff and asked them to call the

police. It was a burglary in a public house with people downstairs,

I thought it would be a urgency response. But as police officers

failed to write, you started making other plans. She tried to get

through the park to escape, I thought people might be in harm's

way. I thought, what can I do? Sergei jumped onto Facebook and put

a post out there to see then one could offer help or advice will stop

people turned up at the pub and had a crowd of other art managers who

had seen it and came down. Steve answered the SOS and was close by. I

saw it on the Facebook page, there are about five or six people

involved in keeping her locked in the room and told the police came. I

didn't think it would be that long before they came, but it was quite a

long time. One hour 50 minutes later, the police arrived and

arrested the woman. In a statement, Lancashire Police say...

I know that they're stretched. I know that there's been budget cuts

and whatnot, but a quick response on social media than ringing emergency,

it seems anyway. Andrew says he will now take extra security measures.

Was white what a strange story! Difficult to argue that you are

looking for the lose, I suppose. A year ago, nurse Joanna

O'Toole was diagnosed But she refused to let her

condition stop the most rewarding part of her life -

caring for seriously ill youngsters at the Royal Manchester

Children's Hospital. Joanna returned to her work and,even

though she's now too ill for full-time duties,

she still volunteers Her dedication has won her

the Royal College of Nursing's most prestigious honour -

the Patients' Award. Earlier, I spoke to Joanna

and the mother of a young I'd worked for nearly

39 years in the NHS, and I can honestly say,

hand on heart, that every job I've I'd worked with lovely

families and children. I've had a lot of

support from my family. And I can't say

anything else, really. It sounds like, and we'll talk

to Lesley in a moment, it sounds like you bring an awful

lot to the children, but it sounds like they bring

an awful lot to you as well? And I suppose I've been very lucky

that I've had two children that But when you look at the families

with children with complex needs, and the struggle that they have

to go through day in and day out, it's very difficult,

and they need somebody on their side to help them do some

of the battling. Lesley, you have seen what work Jo

does with the children at first hand, with your daughter,

Amelie. She looks at the whole family

holistically, all of us. Amelie's sisters, it's not

just about the care for Jo reads into that and she cares

about the girls, what they're up to. So she makes me feel

that she cares about us all. For some of these patients,

their lives are not that easy. How does Jo make it

different for them? There's things about her that you'll

see, like skipping along, I think Jo understands that

Amelie's sensory-impaired, And she's partially sighted,

so when she starts to misbehave while she's doing her treatment

and behaving silly, she brings out a fun factor for Amelie which really

gets her going. Those are the little things do a mum

and dad that really make you think, she's trying so hard

to interact with Amelie. Jo, there must have been times -

and no-one would begrudge you it - during your own illness

and treatment where it was hard I've always taught the children -

because I've looked after respiratory patients,

whether they've got cystic fibrosis or just general

respiratory problems - I've encouraged them

to get up in the morning, get dressed and live their lives

to the full. And if I can teach the children

to do that, and I've been reinforcing that for many years now,

if I can't practice what I preach And Lesley, it's exactly for reasons

like that that you wanted to nominate a Jo for this

award, wasn't it? I wanted to do something to get

the message out about Jo's 39 years, dedicated to the children

and the families. And I wanted her family,

when Jo dies, to know It sounds like it's very

well-deserved, and thank you so much, both of you,

for coming in to tell us about it. Enormous thanks to both of them for

coming in. She's astonishing. Doesn't matter how ill she's

killing, she goes in and volunteers and looks out of these children. I

spent a little time visiting the Manchester Children's Hospital over

Christmas, wonderful, wonderful people.

Everton have had some great names linked to them over the years,

and now they have a connection with one of the greatest

players of all time - the late Johan Cruyff.

The Cruyff Foundation helps to set up and fund projects around

the world aimed at promoting health and personal development.

For their latest venture, they chose the Blue half of Liverpool.

And as Richard Askam reports, it was a particularly proud day

They must for its links with the community, Everton's latest venture

launched with a spot kick from the manager, is tied into one of the

most famous names in football. Johann. Johann and passed away last

year, but the foundation in his name continues to fund budgets around the

world. Built around ?200,000, Cruyff Court Everton is part of the big

committee club, a stone's throw from the club's ground. It is an amazing

combination, and this is what we want, happy Joplin playing on a

Cruyff Court Ronald Koeman played under Johann Cruyff aren't I access

and Barcelona, where Cruyff had a huge influence on his fellow

Dutchman. He was our best football player, and one of the best coaches.

I had that experience with him at Barcelona. For the people going to

use this facility, it is hoped it will not only encourage them to keep

active, but hopefully it was dark the youngsters' old lies. It helps

us train and learn. It is fun, because I have seen Ronald Koeman

and present. Watching people play on this makes you want to join in. What

would he make of this facility, what Everton are doing here? He knows,

because maybe it was one year ago we spoke about Everton, and he knew

that Everton double North West Today is really doing a lot to the

community's spirit. An endorsement from one of the big names of the

past to a club that continues to map out its future at the heart of the

community. In cricket, Lancashire have enjoyed

a comprehensive victory in their latest One Day Cup match,

romping to a 152-run win Dane Villas scored an unbeaten

century and Jordan Clark 79 not out as Lancs posted 313-5

from their 50 overs. Clark then took four wickets

as the visitors were dismissed A spoken word theatre show, full of

stories from south Asian women will start a national tour in Oldham

tomorrow. Mother Tongues From Father Lands features Coronation Street

actor Shobna Gulati. The production is looking at the roles of strong

women and has been written by a stand-up comedian.

Mum used to say marriage is like having a pet. You don't like it to

start with, you might even be allergic to it... An insight into

the lives of south Asian women. It all came from harming -- holding a

series of workshops in Oldham. This all tell you I don't have a story,

but we all have a story, really. I wanted to focus on them and make

them the heart of the show. Hats I should have told you all this

before. You might know that your father and I married in India. But

did you know that I chose Henley? Shobna Gulati, past credits in clued

Dinner ladies, was born and bred in Oldham. It's really interesting

joining in other people's stories. Have been moved by the stories?

Absolutely. I have a lot of responsibility, and it is important

to hear the stories. I feel that our community hasn't been represented

enough on this stage in Oldham. The performance here is the first four

nationwide dates. And that central theme of strong women should appeal

to an audience much wider than the community which inspired the

stories. We're the same, we cry, we laughed, we fall into and out of

love. We married, we die, we divorced -

who doesn't? The real stars of the show at the women you don't see.

There are plans for them to front their own stories sometime in the

future. Wonderful, we love Shobna, don't we?

Lots of loose geyser at the programme today, where heading

towards rain, aren't we? Heading towards change, three fine days and

in a thunderstorm. But we've had a fortnight of really good weather.

Some advice to you for tomorrow is grab the good weather with both

hands, it will be a beautiful day. Lots of sunshine, but through

tomorrow and Friday things change. More mobile weather comes an, the

static picture we've had will be a thing of the past. Saturday and

Sunday, a risk of showers. They could be thundery. Today was

absolutely glorious, hardly a cloud in the sky. A light breeze, very

pleasant, three and V8 in many places through the afternoon.

Temperatures around 78 degrees. -- three miles per hour in many places.

This was a beautiful sunset on offer. There should be a full moon

on offer, that should be something you will see very clearly. As we had

through the very early hours of the morning, temperatures possibly

falling away to three degrees rurally. That is the exception

rather than the rule, for most of us the temperatures will not be too

bad. Five-10 degrees. Tomorrow morning, this is the start of the

day in Southport. Blue sky all the way once again. Times are sunshine

on offer. The most of it, because after lunchtime we will see more

cloud pushing in. It will make the sunshine weaker and more hazy

towards the tail end of the day. Any showers, they will likely stay away.

But we can't say that through Thursday night. 20 Celsius a

possibility tomorrow. Wow! We're starting a general election road

show tomorrow. When does it start? 6:30pm.

Just before we go, some rather poignant news to end on.

Two tiller girls sitting on Blackpool seafront

It became an iconic image of Britain in the 1950s.

Sadly the girl in the spotted dress - Pat Stewart -

And she asked to be buried in that dress.

What a photograph! Iconic. Thanks watching, bye-bye.