27/07/2011 South East Today

Welcome to South East Today. Tonight's top stories: 66

recommendations from a report into the fireworks factory explosion

that killed two. We are live with the details at the fire station

where one of the men worked. A family's fears - the parents of a

man in a coma in Bali without insurance say he may die if he is

not flown home soon. We are just praying and hoping that

this week we can get in repatriated. Also in tonight's programme: how

time flies - six years down, just one to go. We find out what it's

like for those taking part. A French food the favourite has

come to town with some tips for us all. Good evening. Later I will to

be talking about the reason why I am so passionate about good food.

And a rock star painted one, a musician another, and the third by

a dress designer. But can you tell which is which?

Good evening. It was a devastating explosion that killed two fire

officers. A report released today into the blast at a Sussex

fireworks factory says there must be better communication between

emergency crews and better assessment of potential danger

sites. The report into the incident 4.5 years ago, which killed Geoff

Wicker and Brian Wembridge, was published by East Sussex Fire and

Rescue Service themselves, and runs to 244 pages. Robin Gibson has been

examining its implications. The man holding the camera is Brian

Wembridge. In front of him firefighters are trying to hose

down a container in the middle of the blaze at Festival Fireworks.

Their actions indicate they are unaware it is packed with fireworks,

and in the next few moments it will explode. It is clear from our

report that a significant amount of information was not made available

to firefighters so they could assess the situation and deal with

that incident. It was a very dynamic incident, it happened

quickly after the attended with lots of things going on and lots of

misinformation. Brian Wembridge and Geoff Wicker lost their lives. A

father and son were jailed for manslaughter. This internal fire

service investigation recommends a raft of safety improvements for

tackling similar incidents in the future. But it has taken 4.5 years

to be made public. We were hindered in the initial stages as a result

of the criminal case by the police, and lots of information was not

made available to our cells until after the court case in December

2009. For firefighters, any death- in-service is treated rather like a

death in the family, even 4.5 years on. So, while this review may help

save lives in the future, it can't change the emotional feelings about

what happened on that day. There's not a day go past when someone

mentions his name. Either in the club, or when I parts the fire

station a look at the Memorial trees that a plant there. Every

time I hear a firework, the memories keep flooding back. It's

about lessons learned. Lessons of a bitter experience that will be

shared with emergency services all over the country. Lessons learned

The report is incredibly detailed, covering more than 240 pages and

includes 66 recommendations, so what exactly are they? It's called

for what is in effect an at-risk register. That would mean drawing

up an improved map of where all licensed explosives are stored

across the county. It recommends better sharing of information

between other emergency services and the implementation of a

contingency plan for explosive sites. The report has also called

for a formal procedure for tactical withdrawal and emergency evacuation

to be drawn up. The MP for Lewes says he hopes the recommendations

will have far-reaching implications. We now have a better understanding

as to where the shortcomings were and the lessons to be learnt, and I

hope that out of this will come not simply improved practice for East

Sussex Fire and Rescue service, but also for other emergency services

and other Fire and Rescue services across the country. The report also

highlights significant ways the service needs to develop its

training and emergency procedures following the tragedy. It is called

for a review of the use of hearing protection whilst at the same time

maintaining effective kin indications so firefighters are

aware of vital signs. -- effective communications. The report also

looks at safety equipment and found that everything performed as it

should in a fire, but it recommends that the way some pieces are worn

should be reviewed. It also calls for improvements in the way

firefighters are trained when faced with hazardous or explosive

materials. Lynda Hardy is outside Crowborough Fire Station where

Brian Wembridge was based. Lynda, does the report draw a line under

the tragedy for the fire service? No, I don't think it does. Aside

from the emotional impact of the loss of a member of this fire

station, Brian Wembridge, who died alongside his colleague Geoff

Wicker on that day, there is also the matter of an ongoing civil

compensation case. The families of the two men who were killed, as

well as 12 other firefighters and police officers who were injured

during the explosion, they yesterday won the right to

substantial damages payments from the factory owner, Martin Winter.

understand that the Fire Officers' Association have responded to the

report. They have, and they said they support all the

recommendations that have been made, recognising the fact that many have

been implemented already. They say they fear there is a danger that

this report might be regarded as the end of the process, and given

the on going cuts to funding for the fire service, and that will

continue over the coming years, they say that was not be allowed to

impact on firefighters training and their safety.

You can read the full 240 page report by logging on to our website.

In a moment: it is only 22 miles away, so why don't more of us use

the Chunnel to commute? We reveal plans to make it easier.

You can hardly have missed that one year from now, plus an hour or so,

the eyes of the world will be on the Olympic Stadium in London as

the Games get underway. The global stars like the sprinter Usain Bolt

may grab the headlines, but they will be joined of course by

athletes from the south-east hoping to win a medal at their home games.

Our sports reporter Neil Bell joins us now from the Olympic Park. Quite

a milestone for our sports stars and their families.

Absolutely, a memorable day and for all the right reasons. Normally at

this stage of the Olympics headlines are all about the chaotic

scramble to get things completed in time, but as you can see, the

Olympic stadium is having his final touches applied to it. The aquatic

centre will -- was unveiled today. In a few minutes' time a big party

will get under way in Trafalgar Square where Kelly Holmes is one of

the star guest. For the competitors from the south-east and the rest of

the world, the starting line for the 2012 games is now well inside.

London. The East were the scenes six years ago. The countdown to the

London Olympics began at that very moment, but with just 12 months ago,

the focus now is much sharper for those hoping to be involved. This

Gravesend BMX bike it is working harder than ever to be sure he

grabs one of the two places available in the mountain bike

event. It would be great to go to the Olympics. It is home crowd and

home turf, so it would be great. I have done a few test events on the

circuit, which was quite good, but it is always better to write nearer

home to get more people supporting you. It is not just the competitors

who were beginning to feel the nervous tension only an Olympic

Games can be used. 12 months ago Chris Bowman coached Martin Bormann

to a bronze Mantel -- bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games and knows

just how dramatic the Olympics can be. I went in 1996 and it was the

high and below in 10 minutes. Michael Johnson won a world record

in the 200 metres and missed the final by one second. It is an

emotional roller-coaster. competitor could have received more

support from their parents than Charlotte, a double Commonwealth

medal winner she was introduced to big sport by her father. I find it

very hard now to watch her. I usually wander off. You will see me

wandering about and then coming back at the end to find out how she

did. You know what they're doing, how they feel, and you know the

tension that is on them. A massive amount of tension. No one should

underestimate the magic of Beijing, but nothing could compare with

being at your own Olympic Games. For those hoping to be involved,

the next 12 months will require plenty of hard work. Ultimately, it

should be unforgettable. And on Monday, BBC Radio Kent and

BBC Sussex will launch a special Olympic Dreams serious, charting

the highs and lows of local Olympic hopefuls as they train and prepare

for selection in the year leading up to the 2012 games.

The uncle of an 18-month-old girl, mauled to death by his dog, has

been fined for ignoring a court order banning him from keeping dogs.

Urfan Ahmed pleaded guilty and was fined �500 after police found five

dogs at a property in Crawley. In April last year, his niece, Zumer

Ahmed died after she suffered multiple bites after being attacked

by an American Bulldog at the family home.

A hospital trust in Sussex has been warned again that it must improve

areas of patient care. The Care Quality Commission has ruled that,

despite previous warnings, the East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust is still

failing to protect some aspects of patient privacy at Eastbourne

District General Hospital and the Conquest Hospital in Hastings.

The deaths of three soldiers from Kent was a well-planned operation

carried out by an Afghan soldier who had been forced into committing

the atrocity, an inquest heard today. An officer who survived the

attack that killed Major James Joshua Bowman, Lieutenant Neal

Turkington, and Corporal Arjun Purja Pun from the Royal Gurkha

Rifles Regiment in Folkestone said he believed Sergeant Talib Hussein

had been threatened with retribution if he didn't carry out

the massacre. The parents of a man from Kent in a

coma in Indonesia fear he could die if he is not flown home soon.

Richard Plummer was injured in a motorbike accident in Bali, but his

travel insurance had lapsed and he'd decided he couldn't afford to

renew it. His parents returned to the UK from his bedside this

morning, needing to raise tens of thousands of pounds to repatriate

him. They spoke to Simon Jones at their home in Maidstone.

The first picture of Richard Plummer in his hospital bed. His

parents are now back home, but without their son. Very hard. Yes.

I didn't want to leave, I didn't want to come home. I wanted to stay,

but, you know, we couldn't stay any longer. Their trip to see their son

and his medical bills have already cost �20,000. All their savings. It

is an 8,000 mile trip home. It is likely to cost �96,000 to

repatriate him with an air ambulance. He has now been in a

coma for 27 days. I dread to think what will happen if we don't get

him home. We're just praying and hoping that this week we can get

him repatriated. His pregnant girlfriend and brother remained by

his bedside in Bali. This would be a terrible situation if it had

happened in England. The fact that it is the other side of the world

and there is a time difference and a language barrier, and a huge cost.

The hospital costs alone where he is staying at the moment have

already trained my parents live savings. Richard had been insured

for the start of his stay, but he didn't renew it. Because we're very

lucky in this country that we have a national health service, be

people assume that those kind of services are available for free

worldwide, and unfortunately they are not. We do come across cases

sometimes what people have an accident abroad, are not insured,

and have problems getting treated at all. If you don't get him home

soon, what you think the consequences are going to be?

don't know. I really don't know. I don't know whether he will just die.

Doubts have been raised in court today over whether symptoms of

mental illness shown by a mother accused of killing her two young

children were genuine. Fiona Donnison is accused of murdering

three year old Harry and Elise, who was two, in January last year. A

clinical psychologist has told jurors the 45-year-old was likely

to be feigning psychological problems or symptoms. Fiona

Donnison denies murder. A rail company has been ordered by

the Advertising Standards Authority to remove a website claim that it

offered the quickest route to Gatwick Airport. Southern Rail

claimed its Gatwick Express service was the fastest way between the

West Sussex airport and central London.

Two German men who were arrested at the port of Dover and charged with

terrorism offences appeared in court this morning. The men are

accused having information that might help anyone committing or

planning to commit an act of terrorism. Let's cross live to

Dover and our reporter. I understand it was a slightly

unusual court appearance by the two men?

Well, normally in court, the accused are asked to stand up as

the charges were read out. These two men refused. The pair are

believed to be news on converts and said through an interpreter or to

stand up would be an act of worship. The pair were arrested here in

Dover on 15th July. They were held in London by anti-terrorist police

and told yesterday, when they were charged. Today, they were remanded

in custody and will appear back in court on 24th August. The police

have stated this case has nothing to do with the attacks in or lay.

Our top story: -- the attacks in A report into an explosion at a

fireworks factory which killed two fire officers says there must be

better communication between emergency crews and better

assessment of potentially dangerous sites. East Sussex Fire and Rescue

Service published a 244-page report into the incident in 2006 at Marlie

Farm near Ringmer, which killed Brian Wembridge and Geoff Wicker.

Coming up full-on which one of these would you bid for?

There is light at the end of the tunnel. Sunlight, in fact. But when

and where will it happen? I will have the weather forecast in 10

minutes. If you have a story you would like

How would you fancy living in France, but commuting to work in

England every day? French officials are proposing a brand new commuter

train service between northern France and Kent, and say they want

to see it materialise ahead of the Olympics next summer. Operating

between Calais and Ashford, it could boost the economy in both

regions. Any new commuter service would use existing trains and track.

Eurotunnel say technically it could begin operating immediately. Kent

County Council and the Chamber of Commerce will meet French officials

next month to discuss the idea, but is there enough demand for a train

operator to invest in the project? Our Business Correspondent has

tonight's Special Report. The stunning coastline just south

of Calais, just a short hop from the UK. The White Cliffs of Dover

just 22 miles away. One easily commutable distance. But is it

feasible to commute from the French coast to Kent? One lady does it

every single day. It is 7am. This woman is saying goodbye to her

young son before leaving her home in northern France to commute to

work. She is a teacher and works in Dover. I thought I was just going

to work like other people. I thought I am just travelling. I am

just working. She is just one of our handful of people to travel

every day through the tunnel. She gets a discounted ticket, but

taking the car makes it an expensive commute. It cost me �31

return every day. It is quite a bit of my salary. On top of everything

else. But she loves her job, earns more than she would in France and

says it still pays her to commute. If she is able to commute on a

daily basis, what would it take for thousands of us to make the same

journey? We have the tunnel, the station and rail. But we do not

have any commuter system. We would like people to commute from Calais

to Ashford, just as easy as you would commute from London to

Ashford. Technically, it could happen. There are charges at each

end, charges on the line and the tunnel. Putting something together

without a very firm knowledge of the size of the market is a bit of

a gamble for anybody. It takes this woman one hour to journey into work.

Perhaps thousands of others could soon join her on the commute from

France to England. For many people, he is the most

French of French chefs. Jean- Christophe Novelli has won a string

of Michellin stars and now has his own cookery school. And today he

was at the University of Kent to share his philosophy on food with

delegates from Univeristy catering departments from across the UK.

Jean-Christophe Novelli may not be in charge of the cooking today. He

is just you to talk. But his first instinct is still to meet the chef.

He is the expert. The man in charge of the kitchen. It is a big scale

to cook for 300 p ball. He tells me that Britain should no longer be

ashamed of its culinary skills. There are more at good pubs and

catering outlets for her doing a very good job. The link is very

much with the farmers and producers. A lot more now -- a lot more people

are involved in the right industry now. Raymond Blanc was amazed that

I was on my way to Britain to cook. He was amazed. Over-thirties years,

he has made television programmes and opened his cookery school.

Always encouraging people to cook more and better. If people continue

to say they do not have the time or money to cook better, what would

you say to them? It is an excuse. Find out where you can buy nice

ingredients. To be able to read properly every day and enjoy

yourself is a big part of your life. You happiness as well. You enjoyed

that, didn't you? Imagine going along to an auction

without knowing the identity of the celebrity artists behind the

artwork. A leap of faith perhaps..? But that's exactly what a Kent

charity is asking fundraisers to do, with the promise of getting their

hands on work by the likes of rockstars Brian May or Roger Daltry

and fashion designer Karen Millen. The exhibition will raise money for

Pembury's Hospice in the Weald. It'll be held at the Brew House

hotel in Tunbridge Wells where our reporter is now. A whole host of

stars have decided to get involved with this, haven't they?

Carol Vorderman, Ian Hislop, Richard Madeley. There are some of

the stars who have either submitted canvases are promised to do so. The

event will be hosted by a local artist. He got lucky on Dragon's

Den and won �80,000 for his pop I can sculptures.

MUSIC. Could this be the handiwork of Brian May? Perhaps it is Roger

Daltry's, Karen Millen's, Sir Terry Wogan's? This option is to raise �5

million for a local hospital. asking artists, dignitaries,

celebrities to do anything you like on a canvas. Something that reminds

them of their favourite song. idea was inspired by the annual

silent auction from the Royal College of Art. For �45,000, people

can take home oppose court -- postcards from a celebrated artist.

I think Roger Daltry will go for something classical. Also Brian May.

I think they would paint water or sunset. Carol Vorderman is fiery

modern. -- very modern. Maybe the Arctic monkeys? Carol Vorderman? I

don't know. He will be able to view the art and put in that its in

Tunbridge Wells on 7th October. -- pit in a bit. I heard that some of

the patients are going to get involved as well. The excited

because they could end up exhibiting alongside one of their

favourite celebrities. She also said that if any celebs were

watching tonight, they are very welcome to send in their canvas to

join the collection. Maybe we could get one from whether

legend, Michael Fish? -- weather. These animals are the largest of

the rodent species. They will eventually weigh the same as an

average-sized man. average-sized man.

We thought that was a mistake, but we checked it out.

If all you care about is the weekend forecast, then this is the

one for you. Feast your eyes on this and lap it up. Not often that

happens. Sunny, dry and warm for the weekend. Saturday, Sunday and

Monday. Temperatures up to 25 degrees. Even before then, we have

some sunny spells sneaking out at the moment. It looks cloudier on

the satellite picture, but you can see some gaps here and there. There

are some blues guys to enjoy and sunny spells through this evening.

We have another two hours until sunset. There were some showers

earlier in East Kent. They have now disappeared. In will be dry

overnight. Cloud coming and going, so temperatures around about 13

degrees. In some clear a sports, it could be about ten degrees.

Reasonably mild, either way. Tomorrow, although today was fairly

cloudy, tomorrow will be dry and there will be more sunny spells

than we have had today. Better sunny spells means better

temperatures. Getting up to 22 Aug 23 degrees tomorrow. -- or. Still,

just those light winds. Four Friday, we are looking at that mass of

splodges to the north of us. That is a week weather front coming down.

It will not scupper our sunshine too much, but we will notice

increasing cloud through the afternoon. Possibly not quite as

funny on Friday, but it starts picking up for the weekend. On

Saturday, a little more cloud in the east of Kent. Elsewhere, lots

of sunshine. Sunday will be the better day for us. Temperatures of

25 degrees are possible. Looking fine for the weekend. Sunday with

the best of the temperatures and we will have those high temperatures

for money as well. Can find too much to grumble about in that.