24/09/2013 South East Today

Welcome to South East Today, I'm Rob Smith. And I'm Natalie Graham.

Tonight's top stories. A lucky escape for the teenagers who

crashed a car into deep water but the residents near this accident

blackspot say next time someone could die. We're live in Hailsham

with the story. A political dogfight, how an

interview on Brighton seafront turned nasty.

Also in tonight's programme, after losing his railcard twice, the

commuter told he can't have another one costing him more than £2,000. I

have had to borrow money from my son 's first birthday party just to get

to work. The Kent grandmother planning on

running from Athens to Sparta and back again, more than 300 miles,

nonstop. Let's abandon the show! Who want to fight?

And whatever the news, Paul Merton is still funny. We'll be chatting

with him about his latest live shows here in the south east.

Good evening. The political row about the memoirs

of the ex—Labour party spin doctor Damian McBride escalated into a

physical fight on Brighton seafront this morning, when his publisher

tried to stop a protestor disrupting an interview. Best known as a

political blogger and commentator, Iain Dale, who lives in Tunbridge

campaigner Stuart Holmes managed to get a placard into shot during a

live interview. Ellie Price reports. A Kent

it is not something you see every day on Brighton seafront. It is not

something you see every day on breakfast television. Damian

McBride, Gordon Brown's former specialist adviser, being

interviewed about his new. Protester Stuart Holmes saw it as an

opportunity to waive his backyard on TV. But Mr McBride's publisher,

well—known political blogger Iain Mac —— Iain Dale, took it upon

themselves to stop him. He got hold of me like a bear hug, he is a big

guy. I managed to struggle free dog was jumping up and barking. Iain

Dale, who is publishing company was called by its pack, avoided

appearances on camera today. Instead he wrote on his blog.

It is not the first time Stuart Holmes has tried to make his mark on

the big stage. A veteran protester, he says he's destroyed to get his

message across. —— he says just trying to get his message

across. I think that professional television news reporters know that

the best way to handle it is to ignore those who are trying to make

a fuss. Usually it works, it can be very disruptive, but usually by

turning a blind eye and doing what you're doing, you can get the piece

you want. Politicians in conferences like this as well of their aides

will know that you cannot dictate the headlines. It is well understood

by the protester Stuart Holmes who says he will keep on trying along

with the help of his dog, Stuart. Later on in the programme we

with the help of his dog, Stuart. looking at how the Labour leader's

speech has gone down in Brighton. Kent commuter # Kent commuter says

he has been left thousands of pounds out of pocket after Southeast

refused to print his ticket out of pocket after Southeast

Rahim Shivji, whose annual season ticket from Gillingham to Tunbridge

Wells cost £2,500, says he's now having to use money he put aside for

his son's birthday to pay for his journey to work. Simon Jones

reports. Counting the cost. After coming to the aid of a disabled

women when he says station staff were nowhere

process, he lost his ticket but they say they will not get a replacement.

I think it's disgusting. I have got a family to support. I have had to

borrow money from son's first birthday party just to get to work.

His last annual season ticket had cost over two and a half thousand

pounds. He is paying £63 per week for a replacement. Weaning he will

end up paying an extra £1460 for the rest of the year. As this was the

second time he had lost the ticket, southeastern say a passenger is only

allowed one replacement ticket a year except in exceptional

circumstances such as if the replacement is stolen or destroyed

in a flood or fire. They are within their rights not to give out another

one. I think the main problem is that the technology is so

dedicated. It seems amazing that in 2013, you can spend £5,000 >

dedicated. It seems amazing that in 2013, you can spend £5,000 and all

you get in return is a tiny piece of cardboard. —— the technology is so

antiquated. I think the rules have to be followed. Some people would

say, if you lose ticket price, face the consequences. It is a bit of

cardboard. It is not even think —— thick enough to be cardboard. Even

when you lose the ticket you have to pay a charge to have it printed

again. I do not understand it. The watchdog is now investigating. I

think there is now room for discretion. In this case, the

operator should show some goodwill towards the passenger. And they

believe the passenger should be made much more aware of the consequences

of losing tickets. Simon Jones is at number 12 today. Is it right that

this was a company rule rather than the law? Southeastern say this is a

matter of policy, and it is a policy dictated by the government. It is

the Department of Transport who say this rule has to apply to all train

companies. The idea is to help in the fight against fraud. No one is

suggesting anything untoward in this case. Experts say in a situation

like this, common sense should prevail. The watchdog is taking up

this case and they believe they can get a positive outcome.

After nine crashes in their garden in 30 years, a Sussex homeowner

fears someone will die unless serious road safety measures are

taken. In the most recent incident four teenagers were lucky to escape

with their lives after their car ended up upside down in a pond. But

East Sussex County Council say budget restrictions mean crash

barriers and traffic calming measures for Ersham Road in Hailsham

aren't a priority. Lucinda Adam reports.

In eight feet of water, residents say it is a miracle that for teenage

boys escape from this car alive. It was very frightening until I counted

all four of them standing on the bank. It is terrifying, because that

water is very deep. They were young, fit and slim and they managed

to climb out. Out of the tiny window. If that had been an older

person, or a larger person, they would never have got out. If the

fence looks new, it looks like it has only been replaced and last ——

in the last month since the last crash. Nine cars have ended up here

in eight years. They say in stalling crash barriers is the only way to

prevent someone drowning. Every time someone goes into the pond, you rush

out and see whether they need help or assistance with your heart in

your mouth, and you think, if that person going to be dead as Mac will

they come out dead or alive? One day it will not be happy ending. You

look at the pond, see the car so he submerged, think again and let's

have a barrier before someone gets hurt. In a crash just metres along

Ersham Road, last month, one person died and five were injured. And a

13—year—old was killed here in 2007. The speed limit has been

reduced from 60 to 40 miles an hour but it is not having much effect.

The county council recently visited the road but in a better say they

have budget constraint so barriers are not up priority. We are lucky

that no one has been killed or injured there, but it is not a

reason for not doing something. We have got to look at the situation

and look at measures to prevent accidents happening in the future.

For Stella, it is another insurance claim and another major clean—up

operation. She fears the next crash could be a a tragedy on her doorstop

—— doorstep. It is understandable residents are worried after this

latest crash. It certainly is, you can see this tree that was pushed

over by the crash, that is the only thing which stopped the car being

submerged. This bank used to be lined with trees but crash after

crash has destroyed them and there is not much protection. Stella's

husband has now passed away and she fears the worst. It has six county

council say they will work with police to reveal the underlying

causes of this crash but they make no promises about installing any

barriers here. A man found guilty of murdering his

first wife, a woman from Kent, has begun an appeal. Malcolm Webster was

jailed for 30 years for murdering their Morris in Aberdeen share in

1994 in effect car crash. —— Claire Morris. In effect car crash.

Firefighters in Kent, Sussex and Surrey go on a four hour strike from

midday tomorrow in a dispute over pensions. It's the first national

strike for ten years. The government say the decision to walk—out is

unnecessary and avoidable, and called its decisions to pay full

pensions when they reach the age of 60 as generous. The fire services

say they have contingency plans in place to deal with emergencies. The

government are trying to make firefighters work until 60 years of

age, we think that is dangerous and wrong. The idea of having large

numbers of 16—year—olds going up ladders and rescuing people from

burning buildings is frightening. —— 60 years old. It is a much about

topics public safety than everything.

Sussex Police say a 52—year—old man with paranoid schizophrenia, who's

been missing for more than a week could pose a danger to the public.

Officers are extremely concerned for the safety of David Hraboweckyj who

went missing from his home in St Leonards eight days ago. His family

say he's vulnerable. They've been putting up leaflets in the area, and

along with police are contacting homeless shelters as part of their

search. Babel has been —— David has been stable on his medication for 20

years. He has been safe and secure in the sheltered home he has been

in. It is very out of character. David has not wondered for a long

time. Clearly, the family are very worried about him. Yes, they are

distraught as you would expect. They told me they have tried everything

in their power to track him down, they have leafleted his known haunts

and even set up a Facebook page in an attempt to track him down. The

source of their anxiety is the fact that he is a paranoid schizophrenic

and they fear he has not had medication for some eight days. They

have been in touch with local homeless shelters, they believe he

has friends in that network. In terms of his family, whether or not

he is a danger to the public, they would say in this story, here's the

vulnerable one. The top story tonight. The political

row about the memoirs of the ex—Labour party spin Doctor Damian

McNair Wright escalated into a physical fight on Brighton seafront

when his publisher tried to stop a protester destructing an interview.

Iain Dale 's tried to stop human —— Stuart Holmes from getting his

placard in the camera. The incredible grammar that an

athlete from Kent, her next challenge is running 153 miles

through Greece, nonstop, twice! We will be talking to Mimi Anderson

here in the studio. Coming up is news about my show, touring Kent, it

is very good. So I've been told. You can't trust anybody these days!

The Labour leader has delivered his key—note speech in Brighton pledging

to build a better Britain. He apprenticeships, a freeze on energy

prices as well as thousands of new homes. Our political editor Louise

Stewart is in Brighton. The speech went down very well, in

the conference hall here with Labour death —— Labour delegates. Ed

Miliband knew it was important, he spoke for over an hour, with no

notes, off—the—cuff and it was confident performance. His message

was that only Labour the squeeze on living standards and only they can

tackle it. Delegates cheering as Ed Miliband

takes to the stage in the conference centre in Brighton. Across the

city, we gathered our own panel to scrutinise the leader's speech. Ed

Miliband was determined to deliver a speech packed with policies. First

Miliband was determined to deliver a up was on extra childcare provision.

For so many parents in this country, the demands of the daily school run

combined with their job are like their very own daily assault course.

It is very good that he's talking about wraparound childcare, but I

wonder who is going to pay for it. It is a necessary thing from Earth

to school and beyond. I would like to see something in permitted but

someone will have to stump up the cash. He promised to tackle energy

prices for homes and businesses. If we win the election in 2015, the

next Labour government will freeze gas and electricity prices until the

start of 2017. The good news is an energy freeze will ease the cost of

living both struggling households and for businesses. If you are

paying for both, that freeze will be a good thing. He also had the young

people in his sights, promising to create up to 125,000 high quality

apprenticeships during the next Parliament. Benefiting businesses by

at least £450 per year. That is how we win the race to the top, friends.

He mentioned young people twice, once in the middle and the end, his

rhetoric was very nice, getting younger people into work. He had a

nice half policy about apprentices for the —— apprenticeships. They

gave a list of top graduate employers, and almost all of them

are larger companies, that is who employs graduates like myself. If he

taxes low Moor, they will not be able to employ us. His message

throughout the speech was, Britain can do better. He must now prove

that Labour can be trusted on the economy again. There will always be

concerned about how government will afford it, and there is always come

from eyes as there is in life and business. We will need to see

exactly how they will cost it. Today Ed Miliband set out his stall as the

man who wants to be the future Minister. In just over 18 months,

the electorate will decide. This has been a big speech for Ed Miliband,

how pleased will he be the way the wider week has gone in Brighton? If

you set aside the fracas on the beach—front that spoke about

earlier, with the former spin doctor of Gordon Brown, he will think it's

gone pretty well. The speech went down well. We will see what the

people think tomorrow. He has had policies he has been announcing on

childcare, but he saved the best to last, his manifesto commitment to

freeze energy prices for 20 months until 2017 if Labour win the next

election. He has to to hope and farmers like that, a pledge like

that will appeal to those feeling the squeeze on their living

standards. He also has to hope it does not scare off big business.

A 51—year—old grandmother from Kent is preparing for the kind of

challenge that would daunt even the fittest long—distant athlete, a 306

mile run across Greece. Mimi Anderson is heading from her home in

Smarden to Athens where she will run nonstop to Sparta. It's a 153—mile

run called the Spartathlon. But then she'll attempt a British first by

turning straight round, and running the 153 miles back. I am exhausted

just talking about it! We will be speaking to the incredible Mimi in a

moment. But first here is a look at what she has achieved so far. 100

miles here! The most important bit my trainers. Very nervous, I have

constant butterflies. I never take anything for granted until across

the finish line. I will be fine once race day comes

and we get going and the adrenaline goes and my heart rate goes down. It

is a great way to go and see different parts of the world with

like—minded crazy people. Mimi is here now. You said yourself just

then, they are crazy people who do that kind of thing, wide you do it?

For me personally, I like to see far I can push myself. The body is

an amazing machine. I do not know what my limits are. If it's 200

miles, 300? Is it more? Do you get any pleasure from the running itself

or do you get your pleasure six months later when you have

recovered? I do get pleasure from the running. There are sections when

I don't like it and you do want to stop. You know that that will

happen. It does take you the towel on your body. Yes, I don't get to

get blisters, but your muscles get sore, you get other problems with

your stomach. It is not very nice. How long does it take you to

recover? Something like this, two or three weeks off running. Off

running? ! Doesn't sound like much of a rest! How about a family, you

mentioned you are a grandmother, you don't look it! How do they feel

watching you, it can't be nice for them. My husband comes with me. Does

he run with you? No, he is in the car, on the bike, doing Mr Bean. He

supports me, it is great. My eldest grandson thinks I am the fastest

person in the entire world so long may that last! You are doing this

for fundraising reasons? I am, I am raising money for a campaign set up

by a friend of mine who was diagnosed with Parkinson's and the

end 40. —— at the age of 36, he is now 40. I'm trained to raise money

for the Parkinson 's trust to fund research into the disease because as

yet there is no cure. You have been doing this running for 15 years, how

much longer will you carry on doing it for? There are people in their

70s doing it, so I have got another six years. She is excited about the

prospect! So you will never stop? As soon as I get bored. If I get bored,

I will stop, and I will not be able to compete at this level because you

have got fantastic runners coming in who are in their 30s who are

fantastic. I can still take part in races and do amazing event round the

world. Any excuse. We will be looking your progress with keenness.

What is the website? Marvellous Mimi .com.

Some have described him as a national treasure. He made his name

with his quick wit and surreal improvisational comedy on hit shows

like Whose Line is it Anyway and Have I Got News For You. Now Paul

Merton is heading for the South East with his Impro Chums show. Chrissie

Reidy went to find out what's in store. When I met my hero, the

subject. I interviewed subjects —— Spike Milligan... As someone who

knows a thing or two about improvisation, comedian Paul Merton

is about to drawn inspiration across the Southeast as he takes the Paul

Merton Impro Chums show on the road. Yell at the whole thing is

completely improvised, music, songs, two people, five people, a mixture

of everything. So expect improvisation.

Known for his lightning wit and at times deadpan remarks, he is far

more at home in a world unscripted. It is immensely freeing. Sony ideas

in the TV industry are discussed a round table of people and you end up

with the committee pulling it bit. With improv, someone says, you are a

lion buying a nightdress, so you start buying it. And off you go! As

you do! Lets get and sound effects here from Archie. One of the key

things in improvisation is listening, rather than what you are

saying. If I am doing a scene with you and I have not heard what you

are saying, we are lost. Doomed. Yes, doomed. You have got to be

ready. But nerves, no, I would be nervous if after 30 seconds we were

not getting any laughs, but that hasn't happened yet. So should

audiences in Kent and Sussex be working in their suggestions?

Tunbridge Wells has always been great fun despite the image of the

town. They have always been great at the assembly rooms. I think the

audience like this kind of show because you act on their suggestions

so somebody says, driving a bus to Wolverhampton or something, so you

start doing that. Talking to him was chairman of the proud moment for

me... So there are no rules, no scripts and no two showings of the

same. He is a properly clever chap. It has

been a great day today. People enjoying the sunshine all over the

place. This is the afternoon sunshine in Tunbridge Wells. It has

been as hot as Rome today, even part of Morocco and Barcelona, just one

degree warmer there. I bet it will not last.

It will last for the week, but not the weekend, sorry! The reason has

been this area of high pressure. We have had Southeast elite winds,

bringing up warm air from the front, dry air. We have had clear skies,

where they have had cloud further north temperatures below seasonal

averages. We have had highs of 23 degrees, many reaching 21 degrees

today. Fairly light winds, lots of sunshine, once that dense fog and

back this morning. There are spies, lighter winds, staying mild. ——

there will be clearer skies. Temperatures only just under 12 or

13 degrees, along the coast much milder. Again, we have fog and mist

first thing tomorrow morning. High pressure around so it will earn

back. A bit more cloud cover around tomorrow than today. We have got

sunshine again. Temperatures still above seasonal averages. Normally it

should be 17 or 18, we should get up to 21 degrees. Tomorrow night, dry

and settled again. Clearer sky but low cloud around. You might see some

patchy light mist and fog. Cloudy start on Thursday, and into

Thursday, the shift is coming. A weather front which will be not mean

much rain but more cloud cover. A fresher feel to things. Into Friday,

we will be staying dry during daylight hours but the weather front

will be pushing up from the south—west just in time for the

weekend, turning rather wet and windy. Before that, settled and

drive.