25/10/2012 South East Today

Welcome to South East Today, I'm Lynda Hardy. And I'm Rob Smith.

Tonight's top stories: �50 million for dementia care but calls for the

government to do more to help the elderly from Kent County Council.

The crash was an accident says the jury. The widow cannot believe it.

The evidence shows the death was not an accident. Also in tonight's

programme: Artistic advice for the talented teenager whose work is

already selling worldwide. Archie returns - the famous ventriloquist

dummy comes out of retirement to entertain Eastbourne. And which

one's political top dog this year? A Kent hound scoops the perfect

Good evening. Cap the amount pensioners have to pay for their

care and quickly - that's the message from Kent County Council to

the government on the day that the Health Secretary visited Sussex and

announced an extra fifty million pounds to care for people with

dementia. At the moment anyone who owns their own home is liable to

pay for all of their care costs - meaning people who have worked all

of their lives to pay for their home are often left with nothing to

pass on to their children. Our Political Editor Louise Stewart

reports. Giving his first speech since

becoming Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt addressing delegates on the

issue of paying for the ageing population. Eight out of 10 of us

needs social care but there is a cost attached. We are scratching

our head trying to find the funding. The government is considering

reforming the care system which has no limit to cap the cost

individuals can pay. Council-funded a home help is only free to those

with assets under �23,000. An independent report suggests the

threshold should rise to �100,000. A �35,000 cap is also proposed and

then up the state would step in. The government should bring that in

as fast as possible, we are campaigning for 2015. The cost is

modest on the Exchequer in comparison but the good it would do

in supporting hard-working families across the country and county.

people say it should be up to the government to find the money.

fairest thing is to make us all contribute from the minute we start

work. It would be like an insurance policy, some of us may benefit,

some of us may not. That would be fair. Mr Hunt announced a �50

million funding for dementia care but he knows it would take more

than that to tackle the issue of how to pay for an ageing population

better living longer and requires more care. We will be taking a look

at how people will care for elderly relatives and have their struggling

later. We want to know what you think. Have you had to sell your

parents' house - or release other assets - to pay for care? Do you

think there should be more State support? Add your comments to our

Facebook page and we'll read out some of them later in the programme.

The widow of a pilot who died after a mid-air collision over Shoreham

has rejected an inquest verdict which said he died accidentally.

Penny Weal said she couldn't understand how after a three day

hearing, a jury could have reached that conclusion. Her husband Alan

died near Shoreham Airport in July last year. From the courtroom, John

Young reports. This is the latest image of Captain

Allen released by his family today taking the day he retired from

British Airways as a senior captain after 31 years' service. He died on

a July afternoon after taking a light aircraft for a test ride. A

mid-air collision with another aircraft, according to the inquest,

but not according to his widow. Very disappointed. The whole family

is disappointed. We are not happy with the verdict as it stands.

official investigation suggested how the playing in blue may have

flashed in front of the other play, an instructor and an instructor who

was learning new qualifications. Mr Kerr was at the controls and landed

the plane with damage. An air traffic controller's told the

surviving pilots there was other playing nearby and a later said

they check and sought to others but the official report blamed nobody.

It is hard to blame anyone. Basically, the evidence over the

past few days shows Allan's death was not an accident. It was

preventable. The other pilots are at fault which is obvious from what

happened. We understand the other pilots feel they are suffering but

we have had a great loss and you know, a tragic loss of him. That

can never be replaced. Within minutes, the lawyer representing

the two accused pilots issued a statement commending them for their

professionalism and skill in London a severely crippled aircraft. An

air investigator told the inquest today flight involves risk and he

was described as a man who lived life to the full. With a cold snap

expected at the end of this week, a survey by the Citizen's Advice

Bureau has revealed that four out of ten people in the South East are

worried about meeting their fuel bills. More than ten thousand have

found themselves in debt because of rising gas and electricity prices.

Sara Smith has been to meet one Cranbrook woman was struggling to

manage. It is so worrying. You think where

is the money going to come from? Linda's arthritis forced her to

retire early as a health care assistant but while her income

plummeted, her fuel bill was on the rise. I was turning the heat is

down, only keeping the minimum of the radiators on. I was also only

doing the washing at night. I was freezing, absolutely freezing.

That's when I decided that is enough and I would switch. After

talking to Citizens' Advice Bureau she shopped around and found a

cheaper deal. She is worried her elderly neighbours will not find it

so easy, the latest survey shows that there tonight sent of people

in the south-east are worried they cannot pay their next energy bill.

Less than a quarter checked with a supplier to see if they were on the

best deal. 16% had switched companies in search of lower bills.

The picture is the bills are going up and income is static or going

down. It is getting tougher and tougher. People generally have

taken flat out of their budget already, the excess expenditure, so

they are left with only the essentials and they are struggling

to meet those bills. The people we spoke to were determined to check

and if necessary change tariff. Money is tight. Don't give it away

if you don't have to. I swapped to one that was cheaper.

straightforward was it? At I used a comparison website, it was easy.

Last week's announcement on energy bills by the Prime Minister was

followed by days of confusion over what he meant. What is Clare is

with the approaching cold weather, many householders are worried about

coping with their bills. Brighton's Green MP Caroline Lucas

has voted against the Government's controversial badger cull proposal

after a highly charged debate in the Commons. The Government's not

bound by the vote and the Environment Secretary has insisted

the scheme to combat the spread of tuberculosis among cows will still

go ahead - but not until next year. But Caroline Lucas claims evidence

shows killing the wild animals could actually increase instances

of TB. The government and the union is healthy cattle and badgers but I

agreed but how does a culling improves Bagehot health? It does

the opposite. All of the evidence shows culling badgers increases the

proportion of badgers with TB. overturned lorry closed part of the

A259 near Newhaven for more than 4 hours this morning. It fell across

cycle and footpath just before 10 o'clock causing delays on the main

Seaford to Brighton coast road. No one was injured in the accident.

The sister of a missing Hastings man is urging him to call them to

say he's safe. 62-year-old Norman Race from George Street was last

heard from on the 8th of August when he spoke to a friend and said

he was "camping up north". Peter Whittlesea has more on this - what

do we know about Norman Race? Norman's sister describes him as an

introverted character, he has never been away for this length of time

before and she does not believe he had much money on him. He is 5 ft 7,

slim build with a bid. People in Hastings might recognise him

because he cycles around the area and often pulls a trailer on his

bike. His bicycle is missing. Police have not confirmed if they

have checked his banking records but they are saying if anyone sees

somebody who fits this description, they should contact Sussex police

immediately. He could be anywhere within the south-east. Just a month

ago, we featured the story of twelve year old Thomas Hawley - a

schoolboy from Battle with a remarkable talent for painting

who's work has been sold around the world - a talent that was only

discovered through his therapy for a rare genetic disorder. Now one of

Sussex most successful painters, Alan Rankle, has invited Thomas to

his studio in Hastings for the day - Robin Gibson was there for

He is one of Hastings best-known artists, the landscape several

thousand at home and abroad. Here, they are on show in a restaurant

and he has exhibition locally starting this weekend. The theme is

wilderness approaching. It is partly about the way nature is

considered to and ill-considered in various social and political

frameworks. 12-year-old Thomas has come to meet him. He discovered a

talent for painting as he tried to combat the effects of a facial

syndrome. You can feel inspired. He hopes are and can do let -- develop

his guilt which has prevented fits which could happen many times a day.

Are you into abstract things? really. My dad does sometimes

abstract stuff. But she did. A no, not really. I like landscapes.

is when he made earlier. striking watercolours are inspired

by photographs and pictures. can see I am trying to paint over

that with the other colour coming through. The artist's experience

and not experienced linked by the love of landscape. That might be a

hill. I was amazed and Thomas was amazed. He's been very excited.

It's been brilliant. But in the whole experience together. What

will you do? Lots of painting! artist as the man. -- as a young

man. Jeremy Hunt visits Sussex are to announce extra money for

dementia. Kent County Council called on the coalition to bring a

proposed cap on the amount pensioners must pay for care soon

as possible. Also in tonight's programme: It's dog eat dog at

Westminster as a Kent hound scoops the title of this year's prized

pooch. Big changes in the air, colder weather is on the way. The

weekend outlook is coming up. you have a story you think we

should be covering on South East Today, please do get in touch. You

can call us on 0845 300 37 47, send us an e-mail to south east today at

BBC dot co dot uk, or text us on 81333 - making sure your text

message starts with the letters 'SE'.

A rock band is performing close to home, the Rolling Stones have

announced they will be playing for two concerts up the road up the A

two Arena to celebrate their 50 of anniversary. But, some fans are

expressing shock at the ticket prices. Soon, we look back on the

stage playing for you. London is one of them. It thrilled fans until

they saw the price of tickets. Even the cheapest is over �100. One

critic of Mick Jagger believes it's not rock and roll, it is more about

the money. This has always been his driver, from his youth upwards,

when he was in Dartford, he would be a millionaire. He is now a

multi-millionaire and this is what is driving it. What's really going

on his are the exploitation of the fans who are indulging in nostalgia.

A statement from the concert promoters describe the gig as a

unique occasion celebrating the 50th anniversary rather than part

of an extended global talk where substantial costs can be spread

over Lent the period. The top- priced tickets on general sale will

be the �406. For other shows, there is criticism for high prices. In

March, tickets for Radio Heddle �78. Top-priced tickets for Madonna in

Hyde Park were �125. In 2007, Barbara Streisand fans paid up to

�500. The price of the tickets are said to be more than the Rolling

Stones pay themselves when they played their first gig in Oxford

Street in 1962. Other fans willing to part with their cash for a taste

of rock'n'roll nostalgia? There's a lot of people my age who would love

to see them he could not afford that. It's a experience, maybe.

This is one band in the world he can get away with it. Would you pay

the money? Stupidly, yes. There are hints of a longer series of shows

at a later date so if you save now, you never know. It's been half a

century since his last performance but now Archie Andrews is about

step back into the limelight. The world famous Ventriloquist dummy

was last seen performing during his television show, "educating Archie"

in 1962. This weekend a talented cast of actors will be bringing

Archie back to life once again at a theatre in Eastbourne. Ian Palmer

reports. Educating Archie! He's an

entertainment legend that hasn't been on stage for 50 years but for

Archie Andrews that's about to this weekend. It is great to be back

again, reminiscing about the old days. It is nice to be on the stage

and see the audience in colour, the fans are still up there. The fans

are still there, the response I get from the people that remember the

show, their eyes light up. Have you had your breakfast? Yes, ate

sausages. As a double act in the 1950's and 60's Peter Brough and

Archie Andrews were as famous as Ant and Dec. Millions tuned into

their radio show. Hattie Jacques, Max Bygraves, Bruce Forsyth - even

Julie Andrews began their careers with him. Today's version of the

show is called Re-educating Archie. You can expect a 1950s style

tribute show, it's a tribute to those artists from the 50s. We had

traditional acts, sketches as she would seem when educating Archie to

court. It's a good all-round family show. Apart from a few new parts

Archie is the same as he always was. He's a very valuable piece of wood.

The cast know they're performing with entertainment royalty. It was

a very big show. And it's the original Archie Andrews. From my

perspective, just playing such a legend as Hattie Jakes is amazing.

After Eastbourne, it is hoped Archie can tour the country giving

laughter to audiences, new and old. Hockey's equivalent of the

Champions League comes to Sussex tomorrow, with the town of East

Grinstead chosen alongside Barcelona as a host venue for the

group stages. 12 matches will be played over the three days of

competition, and East Grinstead - with Olympic stars such as Ashley

Jackson in their ranks - are hoping to become the first English team to

win the competition. Neil Bell Just a couple of months ago, many

of the best hockey players were competing at the Olympics. This

weekend, they are back but enjoying East Grinstead. The reason for the

visit is the East Sussex town is the home of the UK's most

successful hockey club and they are hosting the first round of the

equivalent of the Champions League. It's fabulous, I am proud. Not only

to host it here but to be the first English club to have the Hockey

League on English soil. It is a tremendous honour and we're proud.

The European Hockey League is traditionally staged in major

cities like Barcelona but they are hope to the increased profile will

lead to plenty of interest and visitors to the town and clubs.

atmosphere created by the whole buzz of the Games was phenomenal.

No one could have predicted how amazing it would have been at how

amazing it was. If we can capture even a small percentage of that, it

is set to be a fantastic weekend. Many of the players took part in

the Olympic tournament where Team GB finished fourth. This weekend

gives them a chance to have another crack at some of the stars they

came up against a few months ago. It is the best hockey competition

in the world and when you're not playing internationally, this is

your level. To be playing some of the best players and teams in the

world for the local hockey fans is a great opportunity. The hosts a

conference home advantage will help them progress further in the

competition. -- are confident. Politicians fighting it out for

dominance at Westminster will look for any advantage - any advantage.

So to be able to say that you are the owner of the Westminster Dog of

the Year is a big deal. So today was nothing short of a triumph for

Kent MP Charlie Elphicke - who's Norwich Terrier "Star" took the

honours - beating off stiff competition from Sussex MP Greg

Barker's 4 legged friend Otto. The competition was fierce but in

the end it was a Tory triumph. Start macro is her name and chasing

sea eagles is a favourite pastime - - star. She is very happy sitting

on the sofa watching TV with the family this that she cannot bark at

all. She is equally happy in open fields in Dover or running around

chasing things. She is the ideal dog or town and country. There was

to be no coalition this time, the sausage of Otto was out despite the

owner being a fellow MP. The 23 dogs were judged on deeds, and acts

of devotion but there is also a serious side. The competition aims

to encourage discussion about dog welfare. The problem in Dover now

is puppies are imported from Europe in terrible conditions and puppy

farms and I hope I can bring attention to this issue that we

need to deal with in terms of puppies from Europe as well.

now, it's time for the dogs to enjoy the 20th anniversary of

arguably the most sought after title in politics.

Shall we take a look at the weather. The fog has gone. Yes, it will get

colder. I would not say it is particularly Arctic over the next

couple of days or so but compared to what we have been having,

temperatures were up to 17, 18 degrees. By to ride, 10, 11, 12

degrees lower compared to 48 hours. degrees lower compared to 48 hours.

Let's look at the forecast. The headline for tomorrow is colder, a

few showers around. Some sunshine, too. This is the scene today, a

thick areas of cloud, there has been drizzle around, but will stick

around for the rest of this evening and tonight and if anything through

the course of the night we might see some rain and drizzle getting

into the North Downs cost of a damp night on the way, a bit of missed

but not an awful lot. The overnight temperatures, eight or nine. The

following night will be a lot colder. Tomorrow morning, fairly

grey first thing, one of two Shell has, you are most likely to catch

the showers the further east you are. Western areas get some

sunshine. The computer is overdoing the shade, there will be some

bright is poking through. The lows and maximum will be about the same.

Tomorrow, the cold air comes in from the Norwegian Sea, we could

see around about zero degrees in Tunbridge Wells, temperatures

hovering around freezing. The weekend is much colder, compared to

what we have been had it. This is not especially arctic weather but

more surely than what we have had. Another cold night Saturday night.

Cold wind blowing from the north, gale-force in Thanet. More sunshine

towards the West, Severn on the thermometer but feeling lower than

that because of the dry air from the north. The cold bright weather

with would to showers sticking around and by Sunday rain piles in

of the Atlantic, it is not going to be particularly warm air, it will

be fairly cold. Single figures by Sunday, great skies but not heavy

rain. The outlook, Saturday and Sunday, Friday and Saturday, Chile

with showers, a frosty nights and be on that it says it all. Back

seated. Earlier in the programme, we reported on how Kent County

Council is urging the government to act more quickly to implement a cap

of �35,000 as the maximum amount the elderly should have to pay for

their old age care. Well, we've been asking for your comments on

Facebook. Stuart says his mum's house has

been handed to three generations but now it must pay for her care.

Why can't the care be available on the NHS? It is an illness. We now

I'll over �25,000. My mum will lose everything slowly, like her

condition. Madeleine says her 85- year-old mother has released equity

from her house twice as she only has a state pension and her energy

bills will only go up. She says they help where they can but they

are struggling to pay the Moon bills but they go up faster than a

come down. -- energy bills. Linda says a I think will support is

needed. She says her dad might be Ken next year and her uncle have to

sell the house. Rebecca sent as heard comments, she says in a

society were alcoholics and drug addicts are allowed to live on

state handouts, the least we can do is support the elderly, most of

whom have paid taxes their lives. Remember, you can always join in

the debate on our face book pages. Our Political Editor Louise Stewart

is in Eastbourne now where the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt made

his speech this afternoon. The Southeast has one of the largest

elderly populations in the country - this is a real issue the

government has to get to grips with? He mentioned the issue,

Labour were accused of kicking it into the long grass, this

government are accused of the same thing, Jeremy Hunt says he likes