19/08/2011 South East Today

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

Jail for the lorry driver who hid illegal immigrants in his trailer,

in temperatures which reached minus 23 degrees.

The man who tried to smother his dying father in a Sussex hospital

is sentenced to six and a half years.

Also in tonight's programme. It's Festival Friday, and we'll be

live with a special programme from the most famous modernist building

in the South East, the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill. Multi-million

pound building work has cut off access to the beach, so they've

created a beach party up on the roof instead for their Dune

festival. And with projects here in Bexhill, and brand new galleries in

Margate, Hastings and Eastbourne, we find out if the investment is

Good evening. A lorry driver who was found with 16 illegal

immigrants hidden in his refrigerated trailer has been

jailed for four years. The group of Albanians was discovered in the

vehicle, in which temperatures could get down to minus 23 Celsius,

by British Border agency staff in France. Robin Gibson reports.

This is how the 16 would be illegal immigrants were discovered. They

were huddled together on mattresses. They had been sealed in the

refrigeration unit, the temperature hovered around minus 23 degrees

Celsius. They knew what they were getting into, they were suitably

clothed. The plan to smuggle them into the UK it meant everything had

to go correctly. If anything had gone wrong, there had been any

delays, they could not have got out themselves, it could only be open

from the outside. The lorry driver had to be complicit. If there was

any problem with him or any delay, it could have had fatal

consequences. The Lithuanian armed -- the we -- the Lithuanian driver

was jailed for four years following a hearing at Canterbury Crown Court.

The immigrants' journey ended after routine checks in France. We all

remember the tragedy of the 58 Chinese who came through this port

and died, and we think that this sentence sends a strong message

that you should not put people's lives in danger from whatever

country they may be. We would support this kind of action and

this sentence. This case was heard in this country because at the time

the lorry was apprehended, under border control regulations, it was

technically under the jurisdiction of border authorities from Britain.

The Albanians themselves were released into the care of the

French. The case is another example of the risks for those searching

for a better life are prepared to take.

Presumably, this driver was not acting alone? When he was arrested,

he initially denied that he knew his people were in his luck -- the

lorry. He then pleaded guilty. Beyond that, he did not give any

details about the operation to the police. It was probably part of a

wider smuggling operation, and the police should -- police are

continuing to investigate that. A man who was caught trying to

smother his dying father on a Sussex hospital ward after learning

he had no chance of survival has been jailed for six and half years.

Joseph Peachey was caught by a nurse at Eastbourne District

General with one hand over his father's mouth and the other

pinching his nose after being Joseph Peachy denied trying to end

his father's life, but after feeing -- been found guilty of attempted

murder in June, today his barrister said he had been trying to kill him,

knowing his wish to die with dignity. His father was being

treated for cancer, but a huge stroke had left him with no chance

of recovery. Staff nurse Robert Wilson caught Joseph Peachy with

his hands over his father's nose and mouth, trying to smother him.

Today he was jailed for attempted murder and four counts of assault.

It has been a distressing experience for all those involved

including our partner agencies. Joseph Peachy was a violent and

threatening individual towards hospital staff and police officers.

When Joseph Peachy was disturbed at his father's bedside, he flew into

a rage, assaulting a rage -- and nurse, a security guard and two

police officers. In the end he had to be subdued with it pays a gun

and pepper spray before being arrested. The judge told him he had

caused a disgraceful scene in Joseph Peachy was jailed for six

years for attempted murder, and six months more for the assaults.

In a moment. Why the mother of a victim of a

crash caused by chronic fatigue wants all lorry drivers to be

tested for the condition which Now every Friday in August, South

East Today is on the road, and this evening Polly and Rob are live in

Bexhill for the latest in our Festival Friday series. They're at

the De La Warr Pavilion which has converted its roof into a beach to

make up for the multi-million pound building work taking place on the

seafront. Let's cross live to them now. It sounds as though you're at

an unusual festival this week, to say the least?

It sounds quite vigorous up here! Thank you who has -- thank you to

everyone who has come up to the Bexhill De La Warr pavilion. We

have got pedalos, there is sand, deck chairs, grass, people are

enjoying themselves. They are trying to recreate the feeling of

the Sussex seaside day, because you cannot get direct access from the

De La Warr to the beach. They are carrying out regeneration works.

A it is called the Next Wave project, and it is hoped it will

make the whole experience of visiting Bexhill even better. It is

the single biggest investment in this part of the Sussex coast since

the 1930s. While it is not to the taste of everyone here, there are

many who are convinced it is going to make Bexhill even better.

Bexhill-on-Sea is not a place traditionally associated with rapid

This is Next Wave Bexhill, otherwise known as the next wave

project. It is the multi-million pound scheme to transform the

seafront, starting with a promenade and running up to a landscaped park

in front of the De La Warr pavilion. Not everyone is convinced. Look at

this. Lot! It looks like something from the Beach. That is the point,

it is meant to look like that. want to see a blaze of colour like

here throughout -- like it used to be. And the shed! My garden shed is

prettier. It has changed so much, it is not the same old place.

forward-looking plans to have an unlikely champion in the form of

the man involved in preserving the past of the town. When people

retire here, they tend not to want to see anything changed.

Regeneration itself makes things exciting for the future. Hopefully

it will help more tourists come in, which will help Bexhill business.

It is just what we need. It takes people a while to get used to

change. This is a lot of change to get used to. But when this great

modernist spaceship the Obama Pavilion landed here in 1935,

people were not sure about it -- the De La Warr pavilion. A hopeless

when it this is finished, and given some time, people who live here and

visit the town will realise it was all worth it. It may help if they

reap the rewards of the tourist Along with the Turner Contemporary

in Margate, the Tal Afar Gallery in Eastbourne and hopefully the

Jerwood in Hastings, this is a wider investment in the cultural

regeneration in the south coast. Do you think this cultural

regeneration is still viable, given the current economic climate?

Absolutely. I think the cultural regeneration is very important.

When you look at the tourism infrastructure we have in the

south-east, our proximity to London, the Olympics going on next year and

we have announced our own Olympic project for 2012, there is some

really big to rid them opportunities here. -- tourism

opportunities here. What about getting the backing of people who

live here? You would forgive local residents for looking at this in

the middle of summer and saying, you have turned by beachfront into

a building site. Absolutely, but if you are going to create something

innovative that people will enjoy, this is something that is going to

last. We could not just tinker at the edges. Right now, it may be a

hard sell, but it should enhance Bexhill's unique selling point as a

contemporary seafront setting for the jewel in the town's crown, the

I am delighted to say that we are joined by Alan, the director of the

De La Warr Pavilion, Elizabeth, director of the Jerwood Gallery

rock -- Jerwood Gallery, and Sally, the exhibition curator at some East

would -- Eastbourne. What added value are you hoping the

development here will give to the experience coming here? Added value

in terms of it gives more of a reason for people to come to

Bexhill, stay here and visit, and also to enjoy what my colleagues to

my right will also be offering along the coast. It is very much

more of joined-up thinking. What is it that you're offering? We are

offering a cultural experience. We hope that will spread out until the

new seafront. But also, kind of, in essence, in which the kind of lives

of people live here -- living here, and make more reasons for people to

visit. I know the Jerwood Gallery is very much a work in progress.

What sort of investment cannot bring to somewhere like Hastings?

am home it is -- I am sure it is substantial. The very act of it

coming to Hastings is a real gift, it is a �4 million project

alongside of nationally significant and very valuable collection.

controversial, you are having to convince local people that this is

the right thing for Hastings. not so sure. There will always be

differences in views about change. What I can say overwhelmingly is

that I have enormous support from local pavilion from the old town

residents, the steering group, many people within the fishing community.

From our perspective, it seems like there is real momentum growing and

real excitement about what the offer will be. It is more than the

art, it is about it being a cultural hub for people to be at

home there. The town has been open for some time now, it is so

successful, I know you now want to get together with other groups in

the south-east to promote the south-east as a wider destination

for the arts. Definitely. We are in a unique position here, the three

venues are so close together that people can come here and go along

the coast and have three stops. is also a case, taking this amounts

to international festivals and saying, we have got these amazing

buildings, we can offer something that is unique. It is about but in

this part of the coast on an international map. -- putting this

part of the coast. The three of us are offering things that 20 years

ago you would never believe would appear in these towns. They are now,

and we have got to use a bit more of joined-up thinking. And actually

improved communications, including the kind of development of a new

boat service that can come along the coast line. Let's go over to

Robert now, wherever he is! I am still up on the an roof. The

reason why we came up here, on a Friday they have this thing called

Dune discs, as in sand dune, it is the top 10 tracks you would bring

if you're a stranded on a deserted beach. Where have you come from?

Hastings. London, all the way from London. There are lots of people

here, having a great time. When we come back to them roof, we will be

having a chat with the man from Bexhill rowing club who has got an

event here tonight. He has already rowed 3000 miles across the Indian

Ocean. Carole Upcraft had to get 100,000 signatures on her petition.

Daniel and Nicola were seen to be married, but in April last year,

their car was hit from behind by a lorry. Nicola died and Daniel was

badly hurt. My thoughts were, is he going to live? If he does live,

what sort of life will he have? They were serious injuries. It was

unclear at first what had caused the crash. A lorry just does not

ploughed into the back of seven stationary vehicles. You go through

all sorts of thoughts. Was there something wrong with the vehicle?

Could it have been that he was not concentrating? Was there a mobile

phone? All the things that everyone would think. This should not have

happened, stationary traffic, it should not happen. In fact, the

driver had fallen asleep at the wheel because he had sleep apnoea.

This happens when the threat Muchalls -- throat muscles relax,

blocking the air power it -- airway. It can be treated simply. People

stop breeding repeatedly in their sleep and snore in between. And in

the morning, they feel very tired, they are not refreshed. As a

consequence, they are liable to drop off to sleep unintentionally

during the day. A Kent coach driver who did not want to be identified

contacted asked today to say that he had suffered from the condition

for four years before getting treatment. I continuously felt

tired. I would drive with a flannel, hang it from the window and wipe it

across my face to bring its -- to keep me awake. It is a tragedy what

has happened, and all for tragedy. If we can stop another family going

through what we have gone through, something positive would have come

out of it. Kent police have launched an

investigation after the body of a woman has been found in a flat in

Chatham, a woman, thought to have been in her thirties, was found

inside a flat on New Road this morning. Two men from Chatham, aged

40 and 43, had been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Around 30 soldiers from the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders joined

police and family to search for a man with dementia who had been

missing for four days. Bryn Mellor, who is 71, had not been seen since

he left his care home in Sturry near Canterbury on Tuesday. He was

found late this afternoon in a garden of a derelict house nearby.

Football and Brighton and Hove Albion welcome former the Premier

League side Blackpool tomorrow. Following their impressive victory

at Cardiff on Wednesday, a sell-out crowd at the Amex will be hoping

the Seagulls can stretch their unbeaten run in the Championship to

four games. The Charlton boss Chris Powell is

looking to include the goalkeeper Rob Elliot for the visit of

Scunthorpe in League One. Elliot has attracted interest from

Newcastle but has yet to sign a new deal. Powell says he will pick the

26-year-old, who's out of contract at the end of the season.

Meanwhile in League Two, Crawley Town travel to Torquay and the

striker Matt Tubbs will be hoping to add to his two midweek goals

that helped the Sussex side continue their unbeaten start to

the season. And Gillingham are at home against Plymouth. Manager Andy

Hessenthaler welcomes back the midfielder Luke Rooney, who missed

the midweek draw at Barnet through suspension.

That's it from me here in the studio. Now it's back to Polly and

Rob live at the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill for our Festival Friday

series. There's a lot happening this evening, isn't there?

Welcome back to Bexhill for Festival Friday. It's going to be a

big night for Bexhill Rowing Club, because they've organised a

fundraising event to help raise money for their new boat house.

They need around �70,000 to equip the building, which is being

created as part of Bexhill's multi- million pound seafront

redevelopment programme. In a moment we'll be speaking live to

Matt Hellier. You may remember him as one of the Bexhill team who

broke a world record by rowing across the Indian Ocean back in

2009. But first, here's Lynda Hardy with a flavour of everything that's

been going on here today at the De When it was first built 75 years

ago, this Grade 1 listed structure was progressive, pioneering, and

controversial. A vast space, the UK's first public building to be

built in modernist style. It was always aimed at making culture and

leisure more accessible to Bexhill and beyond. Regenerating this area,

bringing contemporary music and art work to it. This summer's

exhibition, by Catherine. mostly works with light boxes. We

have got two sets of light boxes here. It is quite a large space,

and the main source of the light is only from the light boxes. Her

focus on the subject matter is space. And whether they are

interior or exterior, or imaginary. The way she does it is to use

intense colour, and the light coming from the light box, which

makes it incredibly emotional and very beautiful. When Catherine Tate

came down to De La Warr pavilion, she immediately spotted the White

House. It was incredibly fitting for us to explore this opportunity

to make a new creation -- commissioned work. This is the

Light House where she has put her stamp on it, the aesthetics, this

intense blue that she uses. From the negative, the son becomes

almost black. It is not just a still photograph, but the Light

House gave her an opportunity to make a film. And most ambitious

film. The way that she has Flip the frame upside down, this rotation,

and the fact that she has projected it large scale, makes the audience

very disorientated. The progressive nature of this pavilion it sees the

next generation of artists being trained here. Future film-makers in

the arts space beside the sea. I am on the balcony that is just

below the level here, and you can see the extent of the building work

at a going on. The famous iconic band stand here at the De La Warr

is not in use at the moment. Just over here it is the roof of

Bexhill's growing club. This has are some significant history, and

Matt Hellier can tell us about it. You rode across the Indian Ocean,

setting out world record, tell us about that. In 2009, we set off,

four of us, from Bexhill Rowing Club from Australia. We rode around

two-and-half months across the Indian Air ocean to malicious,.

Four a club like Bexhill, it set -- it but to cut back Bexhill on the

market. Yes, and it United as -- and it United Bexhill, we all got

the freedom of the town. We can see the roof of the rowing club, it is

being refurbished as part of the regeneration, but it means you

cannot use it? No, we are just in containers at the moment, we are

just starting to move in now and do some of the internal work. We are

doing that ourselves as members. You have got a big fund-raising

campaign on? Yes, we have got to raise �70,000. We have done fund-

raising so far, we have backing from the Rowing Association. They

have given us �35,000. We have got 16,000 still to raise. There is an

auction going on here at the De La Warr Pavilion, come along. I know

that you are still among the throngs in this building?

There is a bit of controversy raging about how exactly to

pronounce the brain -- the name. We say De La Warr, but a lot of people

say of war. War. War. I say De La Warr! He cannot anticipate as, --

he camp in Elizabeth Cross. It is De La Warr, it is named after the

pavilion. Most people think it is pronounced the same as of war.

you look at the State of Delaware in America, it was named after a

barren there. It is like a main it is pronounced differently?

Americans have pronounced the pronunciation. It is De La Warr.

Pronounced the same as the state of Delaware. This building is really

important, isn't it, from businesses like yours? Vital, we

have many visitors coming in, it has got better over the last few

years. The quality of exhibitions have been getting better. We get

visitors from all over the world, from everywhere. D'you find them

talking about this building? Yes, they love it. They have some really

good followers, they keep coming back time and again. They love it,

we get nothing but praise for this building. So I guess you are

pleased about the development? pleased about the development for

the De La Warr, and the Western parade, we are looking forward to

things like the Andy Warhol exhibition in September. That will

bring lot of people in. It has been a glorious day here today. Given

the weather yesterday, it is a bit It has been a welcome return to

summary conditions today. As we look towards the weekend, cloud

around on Saturday, it brightens up nicely into the afternoon. Chance

of thundery outbreaks of rain into Sunday, but again it should be

better in the afternoon. If you are planning to head into Bexhill,

quite a bit of cloud around but temperatures not too bad. Some

thundery outbreaks of rain overnight into Sunday. Into the

afternoon, it should be increasingly dry and bright. As you

can see from the pressure chart, it has been a quiet day weather Wise.

We will have some thundery outbreaks of rain overnight into

Sunday. As we look at tonight, increasingly cloudy. Mostly dry,

spits and spots of rain in the early hours. Temperatures not

getting much below 13 or 14 degrees. Any cloud that is around will be

clearing through the morning on Saturday. Bright into the afternoon.

Temperatures are pegged back along the coast because of sea breezes.

In two Sunday night, overnight, we will see plenty of cloud around.

Thundery outbreaks of rain. We might not see those exactly as we

think they are. We are double- checking with the latest forecast.

It will be a humid night. The rain will clear through the morning on

Sunday, increasingly bright into the afternoon. It is downhill from

there, increasingly unsettled into They are very happy here at the

Pavilion! That is the end of our coverage here for Festival Friday.

If you want to catch up with everything we had been doing here,

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