13/12/2011 South East Today

Welcome to South East Today. The top stories: credit crunch

Christmas - the families struggling to make ends meet as inflation

stays high and wages flatline. My wages are not going up at all.

Everything else is. We will be assessing the impact with live

reports from Maidstone and Hastings. Stormy weather - a roof is torn

from a block of flats in Sussex as gales batter the south-east and

there's more to come. Also in the programme: caught on

camera - how the latest generation of wireless technology is helping

Sussex police reduce violent crime and speed up convictions. Carving

out a niche in the art world - how Bedgebury Pinetum is turning fallen

trees into sculpture. And, still educating Archie - the

famous ventriloquist's dummy makes a comeback in Sussex, with a new

Good evening. The latest inflation figures have been published today

and they make for grim reading if you wages are stagnant, or if you

are relying on your savings to keep afloat in the run-up to Christmas.

The consumer price index shows inflation of 4.8 per cent this

month. That's slightly less than last month's figure, but across

England annual earnings for all employees before tax have increased

by just 0.4% year-on-year. In the south-east we are faring slightly

better with earnings up by 0.8% on average, but it's a mixed picture.

They are actually down in Surrey and East Sussex. Let's cross live

now to our business correspondent Mark Norman at the Fremlin Walk

Shopping Centre in Maidstone. Retailers need us to spend money in

the run-up to Christmas, but money is increasingly tight, isn't it?

Absolutely. Look at some of the shops behind me - a sales, I can

see 50% signs. Retailers offering huge discounts just two weeks

before Christmas. Why? That is because you and I, the consumer,

are not spending money. That is due in large part to wait is not

keeping up with inflation. Some people's wages have not come up at

all for a year. Sarah and her house built --

husband a decorating their Christmas tree. Despite holding

down two part-time jobs and working overtime when she can, she says

this Christmas finances are tight. I am in the second year of a pay

freeze, and as the Chancellor announced, it is only going to be

1% for the next two years, so made -- my wages are not going up at all.

Everything else is. At the moment, I haven't got anything from my

husband. Normally we spend and get some new toys for the dogs, but

that is on hold. She is not alone. In many areas, women part-time

workers have been badly hit. Medway part-time pay for women has gone

down by more than 14%, but in Surrey it has only dropped by 0.1%.

In Sussex, it is up by more than 4%. The Government's sample rate for

these statistics is quite low, but limited pay packets, combined with

rising inflation, has created a future problem for the wider

economy. Effectively you are going into a vicious circle where

consumers don't spend, businesses don't have money, they don't employ

people, they don't give good wages, and consumers don't have money to

spend and it is very difficult to exit that cycle. Just borrowing is

not going to get us out of that. The what can be done to ease the

squeeze on our wallets? The Labour Party would cut VAT and petrol

prices, while the coalition Government take a different view.

Inflation is falling slightly, but it is too high. Families have got a

problem of cost of living. The Government is helping merit can,

for example we have stopped the fuel duty increase, we are freezing

council tax again from April. For commuters and the south-east we

have cut back the increase in rail fares. Whether government can help,

it is helping. Inflation figures have fallen slightly, but these are

tempered by unemployment statistics and retail sales figures, all of

which will offer an indication of how difficult a Christmas this will

be for both the businesses and the public.

This is part of a bigger problem. If retailers don't do well than the

companies is that by then don't do well, which means the whole economy

could struggle for many years to come. One bank today predicts that

they think the UK economy could go back into recession.

So, the cost of living is going up, but how does it compare with the

amount of money we are earning here in the South East? Well, annual pay

before tax is up by 3.7% year-on- year in Medway, 1.6% in Kent, and

1.1% in West Sussex. But, average salaries are down by 0.6 % year-on-

year in Surrey, and down 1.3% in East Sussex. The Office of National

Statistics says our average earnings across the South East rose

by 0.8%. Compare that with the North West where pay was down 0.2%,

and London where it was down 0.6%. But in the East of England, it was

up by 1.5%. The south-east is important. It is a large, important

region. If the south-east is doing badly, there's a good chance the

rest of the economy is doing badly. The south-east is doing exactly

what the rest of the country is doing - it is struggling. People

are getting poorer rather than richer and earnings are not growing

as quickly as inflation. A And our take-home pay simply

isn't keeping up with the rising prices of essential goods and

services. For example, the cost of gas for cooking and heating is up

by over 25% year on year. Petrol's gone up by 13%. And, average food

prices are up by 4.9%, with biscuits and cakes, for example, up

almost 12% year-on-year. Sara Smith joins us live in Hastings.

For anyone relying on savings or pensions, the rising cost of living

is a real problem, isn't it? Yes, because prices are going up so

much faster than in comes. Even people who thought they had planned

well for their retirement is struggling because the interest

being paid on savings is so low. They can consider dipping into

their actual savings pot, but the problem is then the fear of what to

do if the money runs out. With a small pension from her 25 years as

a school cook supervisor, 83-year- old Barbara has always been able to

make ends meet for herself and her dog. But these days, things are

getting considerably tougher. She is eating into her modest savings

just to pay for her every day expenses. At Christmas large today

for the elderly in Hastings, she is not the anyone noticing the

difference. You have only got to go to the shop and there is another

�10 on your bill for the same items. Apples went up 40p in a week.

Everything has gone up. Also at today's lunch is Donald, a former

charity finance director who plans carrot -- Catholic for his

retirement, but he had not reckoned on economic conditions being quite

the stuff. The 2% return on his savings just is not keeping up

without -- with outgoings. Inflation is really at the

supermarket till. It is about 5%. Simple arithmetic tells you you are

going to fall further and further behind. It is a difficult time.

Citizens Advice here in Hastings they are seeing more and more older

people worried about how they are going to manage. They have made

their plans for the future. They thought they were going to be OK.

There is some money available, but benefit levels are so low that

people can't maintain a good lifestyle. Barbara has already said

goodbye to the occasional steak and other treats. The concern now is

the squeeze on the things she really relies on for a comfortable

retirement. Suddenly, people who thought they were doing OK are now

finding life much more difficult. It is one thing not be able to go

on holiday as often as you like, but when you have to start worrying

about whether you can afford to put the heating on, life becomes much

more difficult indeed. We want to know the impact that

this has had on your lives. How has your lifestyle been affected by

rising prices in the run up to Christmas? Email us at the usual

address. In a moment, Royal Marine, teacher,

friend - hundreds turn out to pay their respects to the Kent man

believed to have been murdered in Gale force winds have caused damage

and disruption across the South East. The roof was blown off a

block of flats, uprooted trees blocked roads for motorists, and

there was localised flooding in Kent and Sussex. Simon Jones is

live in Dover. The closure of the port last night caused some real

problems for travellers. The port was shut for around five hours,

which is a pretty rare event. Today, passengers have been experiencing

delays. Dover was the worst hit by the strong winds with some gusts

reaching almost 75 mph. Taking a battering - in Bexhill,

the wind was so strong it ripped off part of a roof of these flats.

It forced residents from their homes. People say it was quite a

night. Very, very scared. I need to repair everything. I was quite

worried because I could hit noises at the back. My friends got blown

down. It is not normal. Gearing up, Mike Collins is camping out by the

sea in Folkestone for six months to raise money for charity. Last night

he saw much of what he had built up ripped away from all sides. It was

a little bit like a lorry hit in your tent every 30 seconds. I was

lying on the floor of a four-man tent and the roof was hitting me on

the nose. Bit by bit, you just heard each paid and each tent pole

snapped, until something went. Trees down, this one near Dover

made that road completely are impassable. With it, heavy rain,

too, causing flooding. One man in East Grinstead is now counting the

cost after his home was hit. children are still at home. They

had to miss school, and my day has been turned upside down and I am

now gearing up the mess. 50 trees were brought down in Sussex alone.

Train journeys were disrupted, too. The warning is that it may not be

over yet. Simon, rough as it was last night,

it could be just a taster of what is to come later in the week.

That's right, all eyes will on Thursday evening into Friday when

we expect the next bout of bad weather with more strong winds. The

man you saw in my report to is camping out in the elements says he

is being told by everyone along the coast that things could be even

worse. The messages, prepared to Batten down the hatches.

The ferry operator DFDS has dropped plans to launch a takeover bid for

its rival, SeaFrance. SeaFrance sailings stopped last month when

the company was declared bankrupt. It could cease trading at the end

of January if a buy-out offer isn't accepted.

A permanent memorial is being created to honour a Sussex solider

killed in Afghanistan. 27-year-old Daniel Prior, who'd just become a

father, died in March after he was injured in an explosion while on

patrol. This afternoon his family have planted a tree and unveiled a

plaque in Peacehaven. Brighton and Hove has been named as

country that are likely to launch a new local TV service. The Culture

Secretary Jeremy Hunt has confirmed the city's on a shortlist of

"pioneer areas", with Maidstone earmarked for a future round of

licensing. It is a unitary authority. It is

going to be an excellent way to hold local politicians to account.

Also, there are tremendous sporting and cultural traditions that we

have in Brighton, and all of that will be able to be featured

prominently on a Brighton and Hove first local TV station.

Hundreds of mourners have paid their last respects to a former

Kent teacher and Royal Marine who's believed to have been murdered on

an island in the Indian Ocean. Carl Davies worked at the Isle of

Sheppey Academy until August, before taking a job as a security

contractor on the island of Reunion. His funeral took place this

afternoon in Bobbing, near Sittingbourne, as Lynda Hardy

reports. A solemn salute for a comrade, a

friend. Fellow Marines paid their tributes today, alongside hundreds

and hundreds of others. Just to have known him and spent so much

time with him is a great honour. He will be missed by a hell of a lot

of people. Carl Davis left Kent to fly 6,000 miles to the Indian Ocean

island of Reunion, arriving on 7th November. Two days later, he was

found dead. He had been stabbed and beaten. A murder investigation was

launched on 17th November. Tributes left outside the Chapel this

afternoon sums up a much laughter man. One in a million, you will

always be remembered, and simply a hero. Nothing other than the best.

It shows today that there were a lot of people who cared for him and

loved him. He was our teacher, but we came to see him more as a mate,

So many mourners came. They spilled out of the chapel. A testament to

an extremely popular and now It is 6:40pm. Our top story

tonight: Families across the south-east say

they're struggling to cope with the rising cost of living. The latest

figures show inflation has fallen to 4.8% - but average annual

earnings here have risen by just 0.8%.

Also in tonight's programme: Cutting-edge sculpture - how an

artist is transforming fallen trees in Kent with a chainsaw.

And bringing back Archie Andrews - the famous ventriloquist's dummy is

Sussex Police say new technology that's enabled them to attach

wireless video cameras to their officers' uniform is helping to

reduce violent crime and speed up convictions. Our Home Affairs

Correspondent Colin Campbell spent a night out on the beat in Newhaven

and Seaford with officers equipped with the cameras and sent back

tonight's Special Report. You are under arrest for the

attempted theft of a motor vehicle. This man is being arrested on

suspicion of trying to steal a car. The vehicle, which was left ablaze,

is destroyed and an associate found hiding in a bush is also being

questioned. The whole incident is It is just one example of how video

technology is helping police gather evidence that could be used to help

Also caught on camera, abusive drunks in Seaford. Police believe

the equipment helps protect them from attack but also provides the

public with reassurance. The cameras are also less likely to be

interfered with. I am more confident that I am not as likely

to be assaulted when turning up at an incident that is involving a

fight or public order offences. That is because the presence of a

camera deters people. Sussex Police has 94 body cameras. They cost �500

each. 16 out of the UK's 43 forces by using the technology. The

lightweight devices are warned overtly and are clearly visible.

They do not record continuously but I used by the police to document

incidents they attend or to record anything an officer sees, hears or

says. Sometimes it is complex cases that are captured on camera. This

footage shows officers searching for a 13-year-old who has just

escaped after being returned home by police. It is 1255 am, I'm going

to vesture on suspicion of theft... He was found hiding in bushes

moments earlier, a discarded bag of LED found nearby. We have had

successful cases where they have seen the images and they have had

to admit to being guilty of the crime, so doesn't have to go

through a lengthy trial. footage is also proving useful in

cases of domestic violence when victims are too afraid to make a

formal complaint. Speeding up and securing convictions, it seems

there is a new meaning to the A renowned artist has been hard at

work deep in a forest in the Kent countryside this afternoon. But if

you're thinking of peaceful watercolours in the Garden of

England, you're off the mark. Andy O'Neill doesn't work with

easels and paint brushes, but a chainsaw, creating sculptures out

of huge blocks of wood. Jane Witherspoon's been to see him in

action at Bedgebury Pinetum, near Cranbrook.

Chopping up the formal OCA is no easy task for this former tree

surgeon -- former oak tree. There is a lot of heavy work in lifting

MUSIC. But he is not just cutting wood, he

is sculpting. Andy O'Neill is an artist. He has been chosen by the

Forestry Commission to deliver a series of work that will be

installed across the High Weald. Each will estimate -- I would

estimate at taking today's age. I will draw a basic idea on, use the

chainsaw and then sanded and wheel it. I don't choose chisels are

anything, it is all done with pencils. Be unconventional style is

a hit with the staff where he is working. He is not a typical artist,

he is wielding a chainsaw. It is pretty heavy duty stuff. We are

fortunate to have all of this timber in the woodland here and we

thought what better way to utilise it than to get him here and make

something really fantastic out of it. How important is it for you to

make your pieces within the environment where the materials

have come from? Very important. It is not always feasible, because

some people don't have the timber and it is really nice to make

something pleasing that people can come and see and sort of and hands

the visitor experience. A&E is hoping to finish the project by

Christmas -- Andy. With the remaining work expected to take

around nine days, he has got his work cut out.

In his day, Archie Andrews was a massive star, regularly getting

audiences of 15 million and attracting the biggest names in

comedy and entertainment to his show. Which was remarkable when you

consider that he was a ventriloquist's dummy, on the radio.

Now the act's being revived, and taken back out on the road by a

chap from Sussex. And to make sure there are no hitches, he's also

creating an understudy, a perfect replica - even down to a new set of

porcelain teeth. Ian Palmer has more.

Archie Andrews is worried. Maybe it's because he's about to see the

dentist. Archie Andrews, would you like to come through? The 70-year-

old dummy needs an identical twin. His owner is going to extraordinary

lengths to make one. Including buying a replica of Archie's teeth.

Archie is such a significant character, anything we do with him

has to be just right and with the stand-in, it has to be spot-on.

Have you had your breakfast? I had eight sausages and three eggs.

ate all of that? Created in the 1940s, Archie worked with all the

music hall greats - Tony Hancock, Julie Andrews, as well as Max

Bygraves, Hattie Jaques and Eric Sykes. Archie says he's very

excited about going back on the road, but isn't so keen about his

understudy. He is doing this just to get me back in the suitcase. How

very day you, Colin. That is not very nice. I need to speak to my

agent. It is nookie Bear. Staff at the dental practice have never

received such a bizarre request. didn't really believe it to start

with and then I thought of Colin, and I thought, yes that is him to a

tee. We could hear this conversation going on and what

struck us as to be very funny was when Chris said, don't just bring

the head, bring the body as well. We were gone. With the gnashers

complete, all that's needed is a wig and a Saville Row suit and

Archie Mark Two will be complete. However, the heart of the nation

will always belong to the original Archie Number One. He is still a

bit scary, though. It just a little bed. She is no

dummy, she is here with the weather. I thought you were going to say I

was scary as well. The weather certainly his and the way things

are going with all of these storms, if we carry on like this we could

end up with the stormiest December for over 80 years, so some really

stormy conditions to come. We have another two to come that the next

48 hours and a list of weather worries over the next few days.

Some really heavy showers, had been winter, some of them will have

winter, some of them will have hailed extend them but also

starting to get a little concerned that some will start to turn wintry.

Sleet for the moment but I will be looking out for anything a little

bit more snow E. Also very strong winds, last night got up to 74 mph.

50-60 per the next few days, but that could change, and being

December, we are on the lookout for ice. Any of that water are the

ground looking at turning into lies with temperatures close to freezing,

which is looking likely tonight -- ice. The sea temperatures are

relatively warm for this time of year, so lots of showers are being

generated by those warm, moist conditions over the sea and are

blowing inland. Someone to reach the North of Kent but many will and

particularly around the south coast, where the majority of these heavy

showers will be, possibly thundery and with some hail. Where we have

the skies with fewer showers, temperatures could get close to

freezing to get some ice or some frost. Celibate the mixture, still

some of those showers along the south coast tomorrow -- so a bit of

a mixture. Daylight hours, many others will have a dry day but it

won't feel warm, six or seven degrees and still very breezy. The

next storm tracks in through tomorrow night when we could see

gusts of 50 mph, with heavy rain pushing into, but we are fairly

lucky that most of the wet weather moves out of the way for daylight

hours on Thursday, giving us some sunshine, but again, round the

south coast, a lot of those showers generated by the sea temperatures

and hitting the south coast. The next storm after that is for

Thursday night into Friday, which the Met Office are concerned about,

when we could get the gusts going back up to 60-70 mph, so it is

certainly very unsettled over the next few days but many others will

at least see some sunshine had to dry weather for daylight hours on

dry weather for daylight hours on Wednesday and Thursday.

Now let's recap tonight's top story:

The latest inflation figures show a slight drop to 4.8% - but that's

still way ahead of the average increase in earnings in the south-

east, which is just 0.8%. Our Business Correspondent Mark

Norman is live at the Fremlin Walk shopping centre in Maidstone. Mark,

many people are really feeling the squeeze as the cost of living rises.

Indeed, there was a survey out this morning that said one out of three

others will go into debt to pay for Christmas and another survey of

that business confidence, where four out of five bosses said they

had no plans to take on any more I'm pleased. Undead imply that

figures are due out tomorrow, the retail figures on Thursday --

unemployment figures are due out tomorrow. None of it looking very

good, not painting a good picture of the UK economy.

Earlier we asked how your lifestyle was being affected by the rising

cost of living. Thanks for all your replies.

Stephanie says we can only afford to get our children are few things

as my husband is the added weight than a. We are expecting our second

son at the end of January so things are extra tight -- my husband is

the only way each added. We are dreading next year and I doubt

there how this government is going to help us, with petrol and food

prices going up all the time. Nathan says it is a real struggle

with bills, food and clothes and he has struggled before but not this

bad. He was made unemployed and is looking for work every day which is

depressing. We have a bleak future and he is NE25.

This one says, I will be buying just a few gift vouchers, the cost

of fuel is crippling me and I living of rural community and

public transport is costly and buses are few and far between. High

fuel prices are pushing me towards personal bankruptcy which may be

inevitable. Jane from Crawley says it is hard

watching grown-up children struggling with the bills but at