04/01/2017 South Today - Oxford

Hello and welcome to South Today. - so it's goodbye from me -

In tonight's programme: Hundreds of homes, but would they help

The opposition to plans to build on fields near Aylesbury.

Campaigners have branded the developers as greedy.

Also: the fans and the tributes keep coming.

Ten days after his death, flowers are still being left outside

Every day there are something like several hundreds at least coming. I

shall never regret doing this, it's the best thing I could do.

And later on: family secrets, a special wartime unit

A first time author who's just won a top award.

Campaigners in a Buckinghamshire village have reacted with anger over

fresh plans to build hundreds of new homes there.

They'd be in addition to 400 houses that have already been

Protestors say not enough thought's been given to how schools,

GPs surgeries and roads will cope with the growing population.

It comes as Aylesbury has been selected by the government

to become a new garden town, receiving more than a million pounds

In a moment we'll hear from our political reporter.

This development in Aston Clinton sits next to another site Web

This development in Aston Clinton sits next to another site where

Residents say there isn't the infrastructure to cope.

We understand the need for houses but these houses

have not been planned, they've been put in piecemeal,

ad hoc, and they've rode roughshot over planning laws and the Council

and the government need to stand up to developers

Around 700 homes are planned for Aston Clinton, meaning

I've just taken a short walk down the road and you can see

the building work has already started on this site behind me.

In fact we walked past two potential development sites just to get here,

15,000 homes are planned for Aylesbury alone.

Come into Aylesbury any morning at nine o'clock,

traffic miles back down towards Aston Clinton.

It's got to be rethought, it really has.

House prices are just priced so way out.

The kids, my children are 28 and 30 and they cannot get

onto the property ladder for love nor money.

I think it's very good that they are building

these properties now, it's just the cost

Aylesbury was recently granted garden town status.

Now a masterplan for the town will look at existing housing

proposals, infrastructure, parks and cycleways.

We are in a position, particularly with our emerging local plan,

but also with the garden town status where we can actually plan

for future development and not have it more or less thrust

upon us on a site-by-site basis, as has been happening in the past.

Back in Aston Clinton residents have one week to comment

on this application, and shape the direction

As we heard there, Aylesbury is one of the latest places

A short time ago our political reporter Bethan Phillips told me

It's an idea that's been around since Victorian times,

stop urban sprawl by building new communities and protecting

And the plan behind these new garden towns remains pretty much the same.

The government says it wants to create distinct new places,

Two garden towns have already been announced in our area,

at Didcot and Bicester, now a new garden town

All three will have more than 10,000 homes each.

The government also wants to create 14 smaller garden villages,

including one next to Eynsham, that's currently being called

What's been the reaction to the announcement about all these

They've been welcomed by some, but concern from others.

Bicester and Didcot have already caused controversy, with some

residents worried that the idea of a garden town isn't being adhered to,

and that green spaces are under threat.

Housing expert Professor Danny Dorling hit out yesterday

at the garden village next to Eynsham, saying the homes

were really needed in Oxford, and that this would

But West Oxfordshire District Council say it

These garden towns and villages are an attractive idea for councils

because they get extra government funding for them.

In fact the government says there's been a high level

of interest in the idea, and it may open up

a new round of bids for Garden Villages later this year.

The impact of Brexit on farming is one of the key

topics being discussed at the Oxford Farming

Andrea Leadsom, who campaigned to leave the EU, is Secretary

of State for Environment, and MP for South Northamptonshire.

She says she's committed to giving farmers access to the seasonal

migrant workers they'll need to harvest their crops,

I want to pay tribute to the many workers from Europe who contribute

so much to our farming industry and rural communities.

Access to labour is very much an important part of

our current discussions and we are committed to working

with you to make sure you have the right people

with the right skills, a strong skilled workforce will allow you to

focus on how the latest technology can transform your business.

Ten days after his death, tributes are continuing to pour

in at the Oxfordshire home of George Michael.

The singer and songwriter died at his home in

It's still not known what led to his death, but it isn't

Fans of George Michael, not just here in Goring

but from all over the world, have been paying their respects

There must have been thousands of people.

You know every day there are something like several

It takes comfort a little bit really just to understand how much it

meant everyone really, just to see the messages and to see

what he meant to so many people from different walks of life.

Just couldn't get over it for ages, I couldn't stop crying.

He was just such a brilliant, brilliant man.

Despite living here for a number of years, George Michael

The news of his death shocked many, including local businesses.

We've had people from all over the country coming in,

talking about their memories of George Michael.

I can't believe the impact he had on people's lives and

We have had people from all over the country and

they are leaving all sorts of tributes, there are pineapples down

It's still not clear how George Michael died.

Police say the 53-year-old's death is being treated as unexplained,

Post-mortem results have come back inconclusive.

More tests are being done over the next few weeks.

Adina Campbell, BBC South Today in Goring on Thames.

Oxford United could have a permanent training ground at Court Place Farm

stadium, the home of Oxford City - under a new deal agreed

United would continue to play first team matches at the Kassam Stadium

and City would continue playing at Marsh Lane.

The deal would help finance a new artificial pitch being laid

It's important for United because they need facilities

for both the academy for

the first team, and for Cit, of course, it's a financial lifeline,

given the problems they've been facing in recent months, so we are

delighted that bringing the two clubs together from the City point

Bees and butterfly numbers have plummeted over

the last decade according to the Swindo-based National Trust.

The organisation's been reviewing wildlife on its estates.

It says unsettled weather has led to a boom in grass growth

at the expense of the wildflower habitats required by

A film-maker has helped a woman's dreams of being a mermaid come true.

Sarah Chandler from Oxfordshire suffered two severe strokes

aged six and seven, leaving her unable to speak.

She's now starred in a short music video as her favourite Disney

character, Ariel from The Little Mermaid.

Sarah was filmed with her parents and carers by filmmaker Amanda Reid.

Following two devastating strokes as a child, Sarah now lives

with past-it dystonic quadriplegia and a complete loss of speech.

Eye-gaze technology is helping her to express herself.

My best friend is my mum, she is lush.

Actually I programmed that last week, I have to take the

credit for that one, but Sarah and I do get on very well.

This is brilliant because she's just got it and

But it was the chance to play Ariel alongside her

parents and carers that has been a real dream come true for Sarah.

I really enjoyed making the Little Mermaid film.

Sarah was on a beanbag so it meant she got

some physiotherapy getting out of the chair but Sarah just

It was so much fun everyone was involved,

Sarah's support workers both took in turns,

I called it the pea, but it

was the green suit, all up over the face

so they were around Sarah as Flounder and I was

I expect the fee would be very cold at this time of year, especially

tonight! The weather is later on in the programme.

I'll have the headlines at eight and a full bulletin at 10.30pm.

Now more of today's stories with Sally Taylor.

changed the character of the Isle of Wight.

Keggie Carew had never written a book before.

But she grew up with stories of her father's courageous acts

during the Second World War and was determined to get them

on paper before dementia took hold of her father's life.

So, she wrote Dadland - A Journey Into Uncharted Territory.

And it's won her the Best Biography in the Costa Awards.

I went to chat to her at her home near Salisbury.

As dad slowly leaves us, I try to haul him back from the bottom of

cardboard boxes and forgotten trunks, from letters buried in

desks, from books I have not known about, from photos I am unfamiliar

with, from diaries never meant for my eyes. It isn't just that I want

to stick together again, this is an exorcism and a ghost hunt. Rebuilt

him, rebuild me. Why did you embark on the story? I knew my dad had done

some extraordinary things in the war, since we were young we have

these Indian newspapers from 1945 that col Tim Lawrence of Burma and I

got into his attic and found two huge trunks full of stuff and I

sadly realised I had an incredible story and everything things kept

falling into my lap. Did you learn more about your father, would you

like, I did not know he was like this. There was a lot of wow, I knew

he was extraordinary because he was unorthodox, rule breaking,

charismatic, living with him was like being in a game of poker, you

never knew where you were. He was born in 1919 in the middle of the

Irish War of Independence out of wedlock, so it started off like that

and went on. Tell me about the note that kicked it off for you. He came

to say and I was going through his pockets and he had just started to

lose his memory and I found a note that said my name is Tom Carew but I

have forgotten years. It was moving but he was funny, once he had got

over the immediate panic, he would try to outwit his dementia. My

neighbour came round and I overheard him say to her, I don't remember you

but I do remember your teeth. They are very distinctive. So he was a

joy. And a nightmare! How much of this has been a personal journey? It

has been a huge personal journey, I am very much in this book and it has

been hard because I have two revisits a lot of tough family stuff

because everything went pear shaped, with a man like that it will go her

shape. Post-war Britain, there wasn't much call for aid agent in

Hampshire in 1960 but it didn't stop his self belief -- a gorilla agent.

This is where you wrote the book. This is my ramshackle shed, or my

dad's letters and photos and secret papers. What is next? I have

something in my drawer, loads of things in my drawer, more horrible

true stories. Which you will not share? Not right now click! And you

can hear Keggie talking tonight on front row at 7:15pm.

Do you remember your first visit to the cinema?

It may well have been to an ABC Complex.

They were one of the biggest names during the post-war heyday

of British cinema-going and tonight, one of the last remaining

It's in Bournemouth and we can join Ed Sault who is there ahead

What an entrance, there certainly has. Welcome to Bournemouth. Who

needs Hollywood on a night like this, this is where the action is as

the ABC cinema closes its doors after 80 years. Members of the

public got to choose the last film, and this is a giveaway, the DeLorean

from Back To The Future and the cinema, while looking back on its

past, is also looking forward to its future.

It is a Bournemouth icon, a 30s landmark but one that is closing

down. The ABC cinema first opened in 1937 and everything from Fred

Astaire's dance to Star Wars Rogue one has been projected onto its

giant screens. This is the projection room for them they just

screamed, screen one. We have the two ages of projection, the

old-style 35mm projection and the new digital projector. And that is

what is used now. One of the interesting bits of history by the

fire instructions. Instead of using the word far, a charrette which used

the word sand, like code, and rather than a conventional fire alarm, Rule

Britannia was played instead. I started when ABC was part of the

Cannon group and we reverted back to ABC, so if you cut me in half I

would have ABC and Odeon written through me, so to close it is like a

story full circle in my career. ABC cinemas were well known across the

south, as seen here in Portsmouth, but Fred Hughes -- for those who

work here it is bittersweet. With 80 years of history, knowing we are the

12 will close it down is sad on our part but we are glad knowing we are

looking to the future and looking around we think it is so different,

especially when we moved to the new building. Tonight's screening of

Back To The Future is the end of an era as the curtain comes down on

eight decades of history. A brand-new theatre opens across the

road in February. While there is a lot of change on the card, some

things aren't changing. I love this bit. I will make sure you get some,

Sally! I know there will not be anything

left after you finished that not, and Chris Temple either wanted a

drum roll or curtains. That would be nice, one of those

curtains for the sports presenter. What happened last night? Are

Bournemouth fans upset? I'm sure they will be, 3-0 up against Arsenal

and then you throw it away, Bournemouth fans may have felt they

should have been gutted but a large number reflected on a night of

positives at the vitality stadium, which is proving the place to go for

Premier League drama. Goals, disallowed goals,

penalty shouts, a red card and a last-ditch equaliser,

this had the lot. Half of Charlie Daniels'

family are Arsenal fans, A temporary family split

when the left back put Bournemouth It's hard to keep the Cherries'

pocket rocket Ryan Fraser This push on the Scotsman gave

Callum Wilson a chance 2-0, Bournemouth all over

the 13-times champions. Then came another point for debate,

Harry Arter's shot coming The referee ruled it

out for handball. That seemed irrelevant when Fraser

belied his stature to thread 3-0 but not yet won,

particularly when Alexis Sanchez Difficult to argue with the quality

of the Gunners' second, The Cherries' quest to hang

on wasn't helped by a red card for skipper Simon Francis

for a lunge on Aaron Ramsey. The Cherries have today

appealed that decision. And with ten men, the resistance

buckled as Olivier Giroud glanced It's a strange one for us, 3-0 up,

to be hoping the game is over but you can't underestimate

the quality of Arsenal. As soon as they got that first

goal, the game changed. 3-1, we didn't see the game out

in an effective manner. We're here to win and that's why

tonight hurts so much. And Bournemouth stay ninth in the

Premier League. Hampshire bowler Reece Topley has

suffered another injury setback, in his attempts to return

to full fitness. After spending the whole of last

season on the sidelines with a recurring back problem,

Topley has today undergone That will prevent him joining up

as planned with the England I think it was a case of not

responding well to the physio he's having and the decision was made

to have an operation but the encouraging thing that's

positive is that it's a short time out and he should be raring to go

at the start of the season, so that's a real positive for Reece

and also for us at Hampshire. It's back to business this week

for the Berkshire-based GB rowing squad, who have launched

into their Tokyo 2020 Olympic cycle. The GB squad were back at Caversham

today, before heading off for their first training camp

of the four-year build-up. It's a mixture of seasoned

Olympians, and new faces too. The big target of 2017

is the World Championships They had a longer time

after the Olympics to recover, four years on, very demanding

on the body and to get the wheels spinning again is not as easy

and if you look now, two and a half years' time,

we have to qualify for Tokyo, That lake looks cold.

It's amazing when they say it's not a lot of time, you think it is ages

but not when you work Groening, it goes quick. -- when you are

training. It's 50 years since the last

British Rail steam train ran The railways used to crisscross

the island, but, today there's just one short line

from Ryde Pier to Shanklin. Now, with archive film

you've never seen before, our transport correspondent

Paul Clifton looks at how the end of the steam era changed

the island's character. The Isle of Wight once had

55 miles of railways. This is 1928, when trains linked

most towns and villages. From the 1950s onwards,

the lines gradually closed. At the end of 1966, Ventnor died

because the line from Ryde to Ventnor served the principal

holiday resorts on the island, Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor -

and it took Ventnor about 30 years to reinvent itself to become

a destination once again. Here is the last ever train from

Newport, shortly before the tracks were taken up.

If you look carefully, evidence of the old railways

A platform that hasn't seen trains in decades.

Once called Whitwell Station, here it is in 1897.

And this is a junction of two lines, the station building is long gone

but the platforms are still standing. The island always had old,

worn out trains, second-hand cast-offs from the mainland, but in

the summer holidays they were packed. The carriages made of wood

are still here, restored on that carriage railway. -- the heritage

railway. After 104 years, the last steam

train ran on New Year's Eve, 1966. The trains were probably much more

busy than an average were very much coming

for their last trip of an era. The final seven miles of railway

from right to Shankland were electrified, ready for a more

cast-offs. This time former London underground trails, old even in the

1960s, yet still soldiering on half a century later. Certainly the eyes

and railways never made any real profit and they just closed a year

because of their non-viable T. There is a future in the sense that I

didn't line carriage provides a good service to and from the ferries.

In reality, the island has two heritage railways.

Unlikely survivors from the island's past.

And there are no firm plans to update it.

And for those of you who'd like a bit of steam, you can go to our

Facebook page and see that archive footage over again. Onto the

weather. It was not quite so chilly this morning but

weather. It was not quite so chilly this morning but it will get cold

again. Temperatures were above freezing this morning but remembered

Tuesday, minus six Celsius and it will be cold overnight to like,

maybe even minus eight Celsius. Tonight we expect frosty conditions

but let's look at your pictures because many have been out despite

the cloud cover this morning, a dog walker at Waltham St Lawrence in

Berkshire, also a cloudy scene with some brighter spells at Netflix and

a few brighter spells at Hungerford, captured by Ken Rayner. The night

temperatures will drop like a stone, potentially -8 across southern

England, elsewhere temperatures could drop to -24 minus three. There

is a chance where we have crossed on the ground that could create

slippery conditions and maybe some freezing fog first thing tomorrow

morning, so it will be a bitterly cold start, tomorrow temperatures

will struggle to rise. Lots of sunshine, barely a cloud in the sky

and temperatures could reach five Celsius along the south coast that

just a high of two Celsius in parts of Oxfordshire. A lovely end to the

day but we will see increasing cloud for western parts, the further east

you are, you may see freezing fog with temperatures dropping to -3 so

Friday will start on a chilly night, cloud will increase with a weather

front from the North West thinking South and East, it could produce

some heavy rain from lunchtime onwards on Friday afternoon and some

milder temperatures, the air behind the front will be milder,

temperatures up to nine or 10 Celsius but that rain will clear

south and east into Saturday morning, so a bitterly cold start to

tomorrow, temperatures could start off at -8 Celsius, the usual cold

spots like Bournemouth Airport, Friday quite a cloudy start, some

bright spells, temperatures milder than tomorrow and staying mild over

the weekend, highs of 10 Celsius. High pressure will develop over the

weekend so we will have fairly settled conditions, a chance of

drizzle but a good deal of cloud and one were too bright and sunny

spells. So it will be chilly tomorrow morning. We will have more

at 10:30pm tonight and then we're back tomorrow morning. Have a great

evening. Good night. as he explores Naples,

Venice and Florence. It's like we're walking through

a giant's armpit. We can follow the escape route

of Michelangelo. Mildred is our first student

from a non-witching family.