30/04/2014 South East Today

A Welcome to South East Tod`y, I'm A Welcome to South East Today, I'm

Polly Evans. And I'm Rob Smith. Tonight's top

stories. The residents blighted by a mountain

of waste battling plans to double the size of the recycling operation.

If there is no wind, you have got a terrible smell. You cannot open the

windows or hang your watching out. We're live with the details.

A former Kent soldier was murdered A former Kent soldier was murdered

in Zimbabwe, claim his family. They are now preparing to fly out to

search for clues. We need to get some answers. There are lots of

unanswered questions here. Also in tonight's programme: The

hard shoulder of the M25 is made a permanent lane. Campaigners claim it

could put lives at risk. Why a Sussex teenager who lost her

hair to chemotherapy is calling on everyone to wear a wig for charity.

And a scandal behind the doors of Knole House. A new book on the

Sackville West family, a Sp`nish Sackville West family, a Sp`nish

dancer and five illegitimate dancer and five illegitimatd

children. Good evening. It's a 14,000 tonne

pile of waste that towers over the homes of people in a small Kent town

and residents say it's making their lives a misery. The mountain of

rubbish at the Waste4Fuel shte lives a misery. The mountain of

rubbish at the Waste4Fuel site at lives a misery. The mountain of

rubbish at the Waste4Fuel shte at St rubbish at the Waste4Fuel shte at St

Pauls Cray near Orpington collects rubbish from all over the South

East. The company is used to controversy,

having been investigated by the Environment Agency and the Fire

Service after 12 fires broke out at the site in the last year alone

Piers Hopkirk joins us from the site now. Piers, how much of an hmpact

now. Piers, how much of an impact does this pile have on the

residents? It has a massive impact. Let me show you. This is Cornwall

Drive, a residential cul`de`sac of seven or eight homes and thhs is

what greets people every day, seven or eight homes and this is

what greets people every day, a pile of rubbish around 40 feet hhgh. I

spoke to one householder this spoke to one householder this

evening who says he believes this has taken 100 thousand pounds of the

value of his home. It is a giant mountain of waste which now dwarfs

the homes around it falls ott thousands of tonnes of rubbish

overshadowing this quiet cul`de`sac. If there is no wind, you have got a

terrible smell. You cannot open the windows, hang out your washhng

terrible smell. You cannot open the windows, hang out your washing and

it makes life very, very miserable. You feel you are being driven from

You feel you are being drivdn from your home. Benjamin says it is an

eyesore which blights his home. He has not opened his windows in four

has not opened his windows hn four years. The stench, the smell which

comes over from the dump is terrible. But it is not just the

site and the smell. There is also the fear of fire. The fire brigade

have been called him all kinds `` 12 times in the last year alond. The

last month has been unbelievable. I don't know how many times I have

seen the fire engine. They have two close the road. This is the main

concern. The site is run by wasteful fuel and they take rubbish hn

concern. The site is run by wasteful fuel and they take rubbish in from

the south`east in the hopes of burning it and turning it into

electricity. That has not bden possible yet though and the pile

grows higher and higher. The grows higher and higher. Thd

environment agency is taking the company to court next week in the

company to court next week hn the hope of forcing them to take action.

hope of forcing them to takd action. We gave them the chance to move this

We gave them the chance to love this waste a long time ago without

waste a long time ago withott economic action. Either they chose

economic action. Either thex chose to ignore it and they didn't remove

the waste. Do you see a solution to the waste. Do you see a solttion to

this any time soon? No, not in the immediate future. We have to follow

three with the High Court procedure which should make that happen.

three with the High Court procedure which should make that happdn. It

which should make that happen. It should never have been giving

planning permission. `` givdn planning permission. `` givdn

planning permission. We have got planning permission. `` given

planning permission. We have got to get the illegal activities stopped

and then get the whole of the site cleared. It is thought this giant

mountain of waste amounts to around 14,000 tonnes. To move it anywhere

would take weeks, if not months The people who run this site say they

people who run this site sax they are as anxious to move it as anyone.

Because of the impending legal action, they would not talk on

camera today but the companx's new direct told me they want to move the

rubbish but legal restrictions on the site say they make it

financially impossible. All eyes are now on the courts to try to find a

solution. The company says they are in a Catch`22 situation. The law

in a Catch`22 situation. Thd law limits the amount of waste that can

be brought here. They say they need to increase that amount in order to

generate the sort of cash they require to make a dent on that

mountain. Neighbours say they are not interested in excuses. They want

action and they want it now. A man from Dover who believes his

brother was murdered in Zimbabwe is flying out to the country tomorrow

to try to get answers. Former flying out to the country tomorrow

to try to get answers. Formdr SAS to try to get answers. Formdr SAS

soldier Robert Wood was running a gold mine when he was found hanged

at the home he rented with his mistress.

A coroner hearing the case hn mistress.

A coroner hearing the case in Surrey A coroner hearing the case in Surrey

said some of the evidence about his death is very suspicious ` but there

is insufficient detail to draw any firm conclusions. Simon Jones

is insufficient detail to draw any firm conclusions. Simon Jonds has

firm conclusions. Simon Jones has more.

Preparing for a journey that he hopes will bring answers. I`n Wood

says he has uncovered answers that his brother's will was forgdd

says he has uncovered answers that his brother's will was forged in

says he has uncovered answers that his brother's will was forgdd in an

his brother's will was forged in an attempt to cash in on his assets. He

is convinced Robert had no reason to kill himself. This has not changed

one bit for anyone in the f`mily. There are lots of unanswered

questions here. We need to `nswer them. Although a lot of the evidence

is circumstantial that we have, as the court in salaries and s`id, it

the court in salaries and said, it is quite damning. It should be

investigated. Robert Wood had is quite damning. It should be

investigated. Robert Wood had been running a gold mine and a

pathologist in Zimbabwe concluded he had taken his own life but `fter an

had taken his own life but after an inquest in Surrey last year, a

coroner said: he recorded an open verdict. Now

they will be a second inquest in Zimbabwe. I hope that inquest will

be transparent, will follow due process, will hear all the dvidence

and will enable the truth to come out. Robert Wood, with his SAS

training, was used to dealing with problems in life, according to his

brother. We hope they will open up another enquiries. He was a big

character in the family. Lots of fun. Definitely a big loss. The

family has offered a ?15,000 reward for information. That report by

Simon Jones and he joins us live now from Dover. Simon, what rold will

Ian Woods have in the inquest hearing? As far as the police in

Zimbabwe were concerned, thhs was hearing? As far as the police in

Zimbabwe were concerned, this was a closed case but pressure from the

family here in Dover over the last two years has got the authorities to

investigated once again. Thd inquest is due to open next Monday and will

is due to open next Monday `nd will last a couple of days. Ian Wood

believes he will be allowed to address the inquest and also ask

questions. He says he is prepared to name the names of the peopld he

believes are responsible for his brother's death.

In a moment, has a potential buyer been found for Manston airport in

Kent? A controversial plan to turn the

hard`shoulder of the M25 into a traffic lane has gone live today.

Drivers using the motorway between Junction five and Junction seven in

Kent can now use all lanes. It's taken a year to complete, work

started last May and has taken a total of ?129 million.

There are ten so called reftge total of ?129 million.

There are ten so called refuge areas There are ten so called refuge areas

along the stretch for vehicles that do get into difficulty, placed

around a mile and a half apart. do get into difficulty, placed

around a mile and a half ap`rt. But around a mile and a half apart. But

while the aim is to improve traffic flow, some motoring groups `re

worried about what will happen when breakdowns occur away from those

refuge areas. Peter Whittlesea has this report.

Gone in a drive to beat congestion. This thin sliver of tarmac is all

This thin sliver of tarmac hs all that is left of the hard shoulder,

making this stretch of the L25 for making this stretch of the L25 for

lanes each way. The rates Mhnister claims it is an inexpensive way of

widening the motorway but the AA claims it is dangerous. Even if you

are on the hard shoulder, it is dangerous. It is not a nice place to

be when you have lorries passing so close and traffic moving so fast.

You have to be careful. With no hard shoulder, broken down motorists are

still on the motorway, but with cameras and the highways agdncy

behind it, they say it is possible to create a hard shoulder in no

time. By running smart motorways we are delivering refuge areas and they

are safer than traditional motorways. The statistics come from

a pilot scheme run on the 42 but people are unsure whether they

agree. If you have developed suddenly, you have nowhere to go.

Are there sufficient places to pull in? I think it is brilliant in

rush`hour times but there are safety issues. I would not want to stop in

a lane in an emergency and wonder what was going to come up behind

a lane in an emergency and wonder what was going to come up bdhind me.

Behind me, you will see a hardened Behind me, you will see a h`rdened

strip of just over a foot and a half. Should drivers get into a

difficulty and not get into the emergency refuge area, get hnto

difficulty and not get into the emergency refuge area, get into that

hardened strip and verge, gdt out of your car and go to a place of

safety. That means the hard shoulder will

only be used in an emergencx, only be used in an emergencx,

creating extra capacity most of the time.

We've been hearing from you on this subject today. Chris Heath from

Otford emailed in to say he thinks a smart motorway is sheer folly. He

was ten vehicles behind when a family was hit by an HGV on the hard

shoulder of this section of the road in 2006. Even with a hard shoulder,

it's not a safe place to break in 2006. Even with a hard shoulder,

it's not a safe place to brdak down. it's not a safe place to break down.

But Joshua Amott sent us a tweet to say it was badly needed. He lives a

minute away from the motorw`y and minute away from the motorw`y and

says he will use it every d`y. Well, we'd like to hear if you agree with

these comments. Do you support the introduction of the extra lane at

the expense of the hard shoulder? Are you satisfied that therd is

Are you satisfied that there is enough provision for break downs?

You can join in the debate on Facebook and Twitter, or email us at

[email protected]. Two teenagers are appearing in court

charged with the kidnap of ` 14`month`old boy from Chatham. Mark

14`month`old boy from Chath`m. Mark Dallas, who's 19, and Sophie

Dallas, who's 19, and Sophid Knowldin, who's 18 and from

Leysdown, are the second and third people to be charged in connection

with the incident which happened last month. The boy was latdr found

safe and well. A car caught fire on the 823 this afternoon caushng

the 823 this afternoon causing lengthy tailbacks. Police closed the

northbound carriageway as firefighters tackled the blaze. It

is understood no one was hurt. A potential buyer for Manston

Airport may have been found, BBC South East Today understands. A

consortium visited the airport yesterday, holding talks with the

owner, Ann Gloag, and Thanet MP's Sir Roger Gale and Laura Sandys The

Sir Roger Gale and Laura Sandys. The loss`making airport is thre`tened

loss`making airport is threatened with imminent closure and p`ssenger

flights have already stopped. LE, is this a significant developmdnt?

this a significant development? Roger Gale told me at the wdekend

Roger Gale told me at the weekend that he thought he may have found a

potential buyer but he used very cautious language. The fact this

visit has taken place is significant. It chose the process is

ongoing. We know the consortium has been in meetings with BT panicked

MPs in Parliament. This will be seen as good news by all the Manston

airport supporters. They are currently losing millions of pounds

a day. 15,000 people signed a petition to try to save the airport

and now delicate discussions are taking place with the Apple's

owner. How long those discussions take is anyone's yes.

A recycling company which h`s A recycling company which h`s

created a 14,000 tonne pile of rubbish in Kent is being

investigated by the environment investigated by the environlent

agency. They collect rubbish from across the south`east.

Also tonight, where a week to work. The charity call from a Sussex

teenager who lost all her h`ir The charity call from a Sussex

teenager who lost all her hair to chemotherapy.

And we end the day with sunshine but tomorrow the weather warnings are

back. Join me later for the full cost. `` the weather forecast.

?NEWLINE Sometimes, small is beautiful. The final six museums in

the Museum of the Year have been announced. And on that short list,

and very much in the running, is the Ditchling Museum in Sussex.

Dedicated to celebrating arts and crafts, it attracts around 06,0 0

visitors every year. Compare that visitors every year. Compare that

with Tate Britain, which had 1.5 million visitors last year, and has

just completed a ?45 million revamp. Ditchling has also recently

undergone renovations but for a comparatively modest 2.3 million.

For tonight's special report, Ian Palmer has been to see what makes

it, in the words of the judges, a gem.

It is found between Lewis and Brighton. I think the atmosphere

inside the building is peacdful and and it is a very nice place to be.

The little rooms off here and there, the lovely shapes. It is

amazing. The team running the museum think the venue is amazing `s well.

think the venue is amazing as well. One of the strengths of our project

is we are showing works in the environment in which they are made

and that is shown in the architecture. Throughout thd

building, there are pockets of daylight which give you visitors

onto the landscape which informed the objects. The museum was created

years ago by these sisters. Hillary was a weaver. She made the costumes

for Charlton Heston in the film, was a weaver. She made the costumes

for Charlton Heston in the film Ben Hur. She made his cloak. This

Hur. She made his cloak. Thhs sculptor moved to the village and

set up a group of artists whose work is showing here. Willing the

set up a group of artists whose work is showing here. Willing thd Art

fund prize will of course be is showing here. Willing the Art

fund prize will of course bd good for the attraction's bank balance,

for the attraction's bank b`lance, but more importantly, it will

highlight the village museum on Britain's cultural map.

A Brighton teenager who lost her hair during chemotherapy is backing

a cancer charity which encourages people to wear wigs for a d`y.

Charlotte Eades was diagnosed people to wear wigs for a day.

Charlotte Eades was diagnosdd with people to wear wigs for a d`y.

Charlotte Eades was diagnosed with a Charlotte Eades was diagnosed with a

brain tumour in July last year. She underwent an intensive course of

radiotherapy and chemotherapy after doctors also found tumours on her

spine. Jane Witherspoon has been to meet the 17`year`old who wants

everyone to take part in Wig Wednesday.

17`year`old Charlotte Eades was diagnosed with a brain tumotr

17`year`old Charlotte Eades was diagnosed with a brain tumour in

July last year. The cancer had also spread to her spine and she

underwent intensive chemothdrapy spread to her spine and she

underwent intensive chemotherapy and underwent intensive chemothdrapy and

radiotherapy. Like most young girls, she was worried about her

looks. The first thing I thought about was my hair. With cancer, you

don't straightaway worry about the cancer, you worry about all the

other things like socialising, school, head treatment, all those

everyday things. Charlotte is promoting click sergeant to support

a week Wednesday, hoping to raise money for people with cancer. Every

day, ten young people will hear that they have got cancer but currently

where can only afford to help two out of three people. We need to

raise awareness and funds in order to help more. I have had a lot of

fun experimenting with my hair as it is exciting to look forward to

getting new haircuts in the future once you have lost it. She is

getting new haircuts in the future once you have lost it. She hs not

once you have lost it. She is not only inspiring other people fighting

cancer, Charlotte's optimism and cancer, Charlotte's optimisl and

courage also leaves her parents courage also leaves her pardnts

gobsmacked. It has been amazing to see her develop in that way. Clearly

we would not have wanted to see it this way, but she has maturdd

enormously in the space of ten months and she is really committed

to raising awareness becausd it is so easily missed, unfortunately. The

chance of having Charlotte's exact condition is one in a million. That

sums her up perfectly. Good luck to her.

Charlton Athletic secured their Championship status last night with

a 3`1 win over Watford at The Valley. 20`year`old Callum Harriott

opened the scoring for the Addicks opened the scoring for the Addicks

with a 20 yard strike in thd opened the scoring for the @ddicks

with a 20 yard strike in the first with a 20 yard strike in thd first

half. But with half an hour to go, the tension was increased when Troy

Deeney hit a stunning equalhser for Watford. But Charlton captain

Watford. But Charlton captahn Johnnie Jackson restored the

Watford. But Charlton captain Johnnie Jackson restored thd home

Johnnie Jackson restored the home side's lead before Harriott got his

second which ensures Charlton will play Championship football next

season. While in League One, Crawley

season. While in League One, Crawlex drew

0`0 with relegation`threatened Carlisle. The Sussex side, who

parted company with first tdam Carlisle. The Sussex side, who

parted company with first tdam coach Guy Whittingham before the match,

were already safe and had few chances to win the game.

It's one of the best known stately homes of England, Knole House in

Kent. But there's a little known story about the family who owned it.

The Sackville`Wests and a scandal involving a Spanish dancer `nd five

involving a Spanish dancer and five illegitimate children. It involved

the current Lord Sackville`West s the current Lord Sackville`West's

great`great`grandfather. The current Lord Sackville has written ` book

Lord Sackville has written a book about the scandal and Mark Sanders

has spoken to him about the story. They were five children who believed

they'd been born into the aristocracy but they were

illegitimate and not recognised aristocracy but they were

illegitimate and not recognised as members of one of England's's

grandest families, Sackville`West. `` Knole House is one of thd

`` Knole House is one of the grandest stately homes in the UK.

This was where, in a way, that they started. It was in some of these

photo albums that I found photos of these kids who I haven't got a clue

initially who they were. Robert Sackville`West has written a book

Sackville`West has written ` book about this tangled history in

Sackville`West has written a book about this tangled history hn his

about this tangled history in his family's history. It recounts how

one of the illegitimate sons confronted his father. Henry, the

confronted his father. Henrx, the first time he comes here, comes here

in 1896, comes across the green court and the footman and porters

have do throw him out of the court and the footman and porters

have do throw him out of thd house, physically, because his father will

not see him. It was all somdthing of not see him. It was all something of

a scandal. The five children were born by a Spanish dancer, the

mistress of Lionel Sackville`West, later the second Lord

Sackville`West. He was extrdmely Sackville`West. He was extremely

feckless. A completely hopeless father. If there was any scent of

father. If there was any scdnt of trouble, he tended to run away from

it. Delving into the past h`s it. Delving into the past h`s

involved research and sometime it. Delving into the past has

involved research and sometime on eBay. I found a fellow who was

selling letters that she had written and also a postcard which she had

made of herself. The book he and also a postcard which she had

made of herself. The book hd has now made of herself. The book he has now

written shines a light on the secrets of an English dynasty, his

own family. Children from a school in Canterbury

Children from a school in C`nterbury have planted poppies at the city's

Cathedral to mark the centenary of World War One. 25 pupils from St

Peter's Methodist School also sowed poppy seeds in the grounds of the

Old Palace. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is

encouraging people to plant poppies across the country.

After a foggy start, it's been a glorious day across the South East.

Many people have been lucky enough to make the most of the sunshine,

taking to the parks or coast. Here in Tunbridge Wells, temperatures

reached highs of around 16 degrees, but will the fine weather continue?

It almost felt like summer for a moment but I think it was just a

glimpse. I'm afraid the sunshine went last

for tomorrow but it should be back in time for the bank holiday

in time for the bank holidax weekend. Temperatures this afternoon

weekend. Temperatures this `fternoon around 15 or 16 degrees. Fairly

light winds as well. One or two showers around, continuing into

light winds as well. One or two showers around, continuing hnto this

evening with more cloud cover evening with more cloud cover

around, head of the band of rain we are seeing moving from the south. It

is heavy and Bhandari, temperatures is heavy and Bhandari, tempdratures

overnight of eight or nine degrees. `` it is heavy and thundery. Once

the rain clears, still some thundery weather around. Heading tow`rds the

weather around. Heading towards the bank holiday weekend, feeling

cooler, with overnight frosts, but staying dry and bright.

Well, let's recap tonight's top national and local news stories.

national and local news stories A care home worker has been sacked

and seven others suspended after A care home worker has been sacked

and seven others suspended after an undercover investigation by the BBC

Panorama programme found mistreatment of elderly residents

Panorama programme found mistreatment of elderly reshdents at

mistreatment of elderly residents at one of the largest care homds

mistreatment of elderly reshdents at one of the largest care homes in

mistreatment of elderly residents at one of the largest care homds in the

country. Residents in a small town s`y

Residents in a small town say towering piles of rubbish ndxt to

their homes is making their lives a misery. Waste4Fuel collects rubbish

and recycling from all over the South East.

And a controversial re`design of the M25 stretching from Kent to Surrey

has opened this morning. The hard shoulder on both carriagewaxs,

between Junction five at Sevenoaks and Junction seven, has been

converted into a permanent traffic lane. Well, we asked you for your

opinions and we've had quitd a response.

Derek Hanks, he is not a fan at all. He says this is a cheap, nasty,

utterly stupid idea. When the first motorist who breaks down is killed,

I expect the Minister will not accept responsibility. Motorists ``

motorbike riders will be particularly vulnerable.

Another viewer says he is in favour of it and it has worked well in the

past. At the disabled wheelchair tser I

At the disabled wheelchair user I cannot get out of my car if I break

down. It is bad enough with a hard shoulder, let alone without one.

shoulder, let alone without one If you breakdown, you are a sitting

duck. How will the emergencx services get through the traffic?

More lanes just means more traffic. What we need is a credible

alternative. In a similar way, one person has

said three lanes were taken up by Laurie 's this morning with only one

forecast to get through. Pldase Laurie 's this morning with only one

forecast to get through. Pldase join in on our Facebook page. Goodbye.

Some people don't think real change in Europe is possible.

Some people don't think real change is necessary.

Some people don't think it's worth fighting for.

But we want to make Europe work for Britain,