24/03/2017 South Today - Oxford

Hello and welcome to South Today. alone.

In tonight's programme: In the seat of power - but helpless.

An MP talks about the horrible moments when shots were

Our cameras go inside the new a new ?1 million endoscopy

Fearless Freddie and his friend prepare to race

after the seven-year-old boy cleared the huge hurdle life threw at him.

And later on: Let's hear it for Red Nose Day -

as all the fun of Comic Relief comes to the region.

The MP for Wantage has spoken of the sense of helplessness he felt

after he heard the shots at Westminster on Wednesday.

Khalid Masood killed three civilians and a policeman outside

Parliament on Wednesday before he was shot dead.

Ed Vaizey was among the MPs who were locked

in the Houses of Parliament when the attack happened.

The attack happened at Ray boat was called in the House of Commons, so I

was walking across new Palace Yard, where the attack took place, and as

I was entering, although I couldn't see anything, I had three gunshots.

It is amazing how your mind words are no circumstances because I had a

gunshot, I thought to myself, those are gunshots. Then I thought, this

can't be good in short, this is Westminster, and then the atmosphere

change, people started screaming, shouting get back. There was a

terrible moment, about 30 seconds, where we were trapped in a corner

because we had a go at some escalators, which was crowded. Where

you didn't know where those shots were from a terrorist carrying a gun

round corner. When we look at these terror attacks in Paris and so on, I

think about the attacks, dozens of people were killed then. For those

few seconds you have a sense of what it was like. Gunshots very close to

you. The possibility someone with malevolent intentions is about to

come at you. As sheer feeling of helplessness. It does bring home

stuff you see on the television, when it happens 100 yards from where

you are. A former police officer

from Milton Keynes has been sentenced to one year in prison

after being convicted of a number of offences including making

indecent photographs of children. 31-year-old Leigh Morris

was sentenced at Luton Crown Court He was arrested after police

searched his computers Police are appealing

for witnesses after a white HGV travelled the wrong way

on Oxford's A40 Northern Bypass. It happened around Marston last

Thursday causing a series of collisions as other drivers

performed emergency The lorry then turned to be

on the correct side of the road There've been further

protests by workers The Unite union members

are campaigning against the BMW Group's plans to end the final

salary pension scheme. Talks between the two parties

are in deadlock and ballot for industrial action is being held,

with the result due Earlier diagnosis for bowel cancer

could become a reality for more patients with the extension

of the John Radcliffe ?1 million has been invested

on building work and new equipment. Jeremy Stern's report contains

some flashing images. Today it was a curiosity for guests,

but this camera will almost certainly save lives. It provides

intricate detail and will be used for internal examinations to spot

signs of cancer, particularly bowel cancer. There are eight newcomers at

the John Radcliffe Hospital, each with ?40,000. With investment in the

building too, staff can offer state-of-the-art care. Endoscopy

demand is increasing, particularly around cancer screening. It is

important we are able to see patients very quickly, people are

worried when they have these symptoms and we need to be able to

make a diagnosis and treatment quickly. This afternoon, the

chairman of the local NHS Trust officially opened the extension. It

is always important to be offering high-quality service, in comfortable

surroundings so that patients experience, and with these

investigations, which can be worrying for them, is comfortable,

and for the staff to work with them and feel they are supported by them.

However much money is spent, endoscopy will remain an unpleasant

prospect of patients, but they can't be the difference between early

detection of cancer and invasive surgery. About 20 patients a day

come here, that the unit is now set up to help even more.

A GP surgery in Witney has closed down after a new provider could not

Around 4,000 patients are registered at Deer Park Medical Centre.

The matter has already been referred to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt,

who's decided it should close whilst a panel considers the decision.

The future of solar energy projects in Oxfordshire could be under

jeopardy as a result of the government's

That's according to the Low Carbon Hub -

which helps local organisations invest in renewable energy.

They say a move to tax small businesses who've installed

solar panels will put off other organisations.

Even if their project is still viable with the business rate, the

impression is that solar projects are more difficult. And we really

don't need that, we need to have certainty, we need people to be

carrying on installing these, not just for the carbon benefit, but for

the energy security and for the jobs.

Local authority funded schools which have bought their own solar

panels class as a business and are among those

Windmill School in Headington is exempt because it

had its solar panels installed through the Low Carbon Hub.

One of the ideas of having it is to save money. That won't happen

because your taxation is actually going to rule out any of the savings

you make financially, but our budgets are so tied, we haven't got

any room for movement in investing in something. Even if we know it is

the right thing to do, we are having to make decisions about how we use

our money, and it has to go on the children and staffing in school.

A seven-year-old from Steventon in Oxfordshire who became critically

ill last year will fulfil his dream this weekend of taking part

Freddie Fletcher and pony Tommy will compete at the Isle

Lucy Bickerton has been to meet them as they carry out some

For now it's finessing his jumping technique surrounded by friends.

But on Sunday it will all be about speed.

And Freddie has dreams of being fast, just like the pros.

I'd like to be like Leighton Aspell, Noel Fehily, and David Cross.

And I like ponies because they're fun to ride.

Watching Freddie standing up in the saddle, it's hard to believe

that just six months ago he had to spend much of his time

Freddie was hospitalised with a serious infection -

which led to swelling in his brain and a collapsed lung.

But coming out of hospital led him to become even more determined

Born just days apart from each other, Freddie and Tommy have

It gives something Freddie Tupe get up and go out, someone to go and see

-- to get. All around his bedside he had photos of his pony. We got him a

pillow of his pony on it, it is giving him something to keep aiming

for, to help out. Raising money for Oxford

Children's Hospital, Freddie is making sure Tommy

is fully prepped for He jumps up naughty, most of the

time fast. And really cheeky. Freddie is committed, and that is

what everybody needs. They don't only need the child to be committed,

they need the parents to be committed. The child can't do it

without the commitment of the parents, and the parents there are

committed 100%. Freddie says he nervous

ahead of Sunday. But with a lot of help

from friends and family, he's ready to take the trip

across of the Solent Fundraising activities

for Red Nose Day have been kicking A 16 piece band squeezed

into the Radio Oxford studios for a singalong with breakfast

presenter David Prever. It was one of a range of stunts

being pulled across the South as we try to beat last year's record

of ?4 million. Of course, the Red Nose fun

carries on throughout But now, more of today's

stories with Sally Taylor. It is, grimly. The fundraising fun

has begun at Red Nose Day. I will be finding out how you have been

raising money, including this orchestra, and how your donations

are helping people across the South. House prices in three of the south's

cities registered some of the biggest rises

in the country last year. Portsmouth house prices rose by 8%,

second only to Manchester. The figures come from Hometrack

which monitors prices in the Bournemouth and Southampton

were both in the top Many families will be celebrating

Mother's Day this weekend. But what will it be like for mums

who've lost a child? In 2009, Rifleman Cyrus Thatcher,

from Caversham, was killed when he stepped on an improvised

explosive device. Aged just 19, he was one

of the youngest members of the Armed Forces to die

in the conflict. Ahead of Sunday, Cyrus's mother

Helena Tym reflects on the eight years that have passed

since he died. Joke was, you buy a Mother's Day

card which has absolutely nothing And inside, they all

wrote, love you, Mum. The fact that he can't call,

he can't send a card. He can't be here to

share lunch on Sunday. I know that I am not the only mother

that goes through the agony of knowing one of their children

isn't around on Mother's Day. Because every day is a day

since I last saw him. And it is the things that you think

you are always going to remember, you will never forget,

like the sound of their voice. Or how they feel when

you give them a hug. And it is those things that become

more and more distant, and yet they become more

and more important. You know, I know he died doing

something he truly believed He was proud of himself and proud

of being in the British Army. Cyrus is buried at the Henley Road

Cemetery in Caversham. With the other soldiers that were

buried from the Second World War. His junior school, Micklands,

is just behind where he is buried. And as sad as it is because

I know he went there, Because I know that he

is very close to home. And he is in a place

that is familiar to him. We will definitely be

here on Mother's Day. It just becomes part

of your new normal. To come and celebrate something that

you really don't want to celebrate, because he wanted us to carry on,

and to not fall to pieces. But I don't think he truly

understood the impact that his death The famous Overlord Embroidery

at Portsmouth's D-Day museum has gone into temporary storage today,

after more than 30 years on display. The 272 foot long work was inspired

by the Bayeux Tapestry It's being removed while the museum

undergoes major renovation work. Out of the spotlight and into

storage. The Overlord Embroidery is moving home for the first time since

it arrived in the 1980s. It was commissioned by a philanthropist who

wanted to make a tribute not to war, but to the people involved. To

protect the delicate work, it will have to be stored at a constant

temperature and timidity, check every five minutes. It is never

acting because it represents a huge moment in the global, European and

British history. Wonderful artworks, apart from anything else. It is one

of the longest pieces of embroidery in the world. Panel by panel, the

needlework is being carefully removed. The D-Day landings where a

catalyst for winning the war in Europe. The 84 metres of embroidery

detail the tale of thousands of soldiers who made the ultimate

sacrifice, told by 25 embroiders, women in the... Who remembered those

who fail. It was designed to capture team numbers like Winston

Churchill's motivational visit and General Motors,, just days after

Overlord. It will be a focal point of the renovated museum. The

Heritage lottery fund has given millions of pounds to the D-Day

exhibit. An extra insight onto what the panel shows. Other things in

this gallery as well. And also a new gallery about how the embroidery was

made. Which will shine a new light. You can see how it was made, who

made it and some of the techniques. You will be able to see the

embroidery as the centrepiece of the museum when it reopens next spring.

Athletes and broadcasters were among the mourners remembering

one of Britain's top athletics coaches today.

Mike Smith's funeral was staged this morning and this afternoon his life

was celebrated at a special service in Southampton.

Former Olympians Iwan Thomas and Roger Black were among those

at the city's Central Hall along with former colleagues

Mike was a sports reporter and presenter on BBC Radio Solent

Football, while takeover talks continue off the field,

Portsmouth hope for three valuable points on it this weekend.

Pompey host bottom of the table

Paul Cook's side are in the last of the automatic promotion places

with eight games to go this season but they're not taking anything

I think in this division everyone has seen that nothing is a given.

Nothing, certainly, to be given up on.

With the points gap, I think it is six between them

and Cheltenham, I think they will be coming to

Fratton Park very much with an eye on victory.

I think you can get too deeply involved in different agendas

We have eight games to go to try and get our club promoted,

Meanwhile there's League One action for three of the region's teams.

Swindon host Millwall, Oxford, in ninth go to Northampton.

There's coverage across the BBC including live commentary

Hampshire Cricket has announced that Australian George Bailey

will captain the side in the County Championship

Bailey will take over from James Vince when he arrives

in England a month into the new campaign.

It will be the Australian international's second spell

England international Vince will continue to lead

Red Nose Day is here. Let's join early South. A musical feel going on

there. It is quite sedate at the moment. Rehearsals underweight for a

musical marathon. This weekend, performing and orchestral to

Catalan. Their third event for Comic Relief. He conducted jointly. Craik,

how is this different from what you have done in the past? This time, we

are performing ten different works by ten composers. How are the

preparations going? Really well. We just want to get on with it now. It

is very tiring. There is a blot of energy in the room, but we really

just want to get on with it. Good luck. The concert hall has raised

?4000 so far for a number of causes, including the Oxfordshire Family

Support Network. So that they can have a voice in the way their

services are run. Some of the carers their sense -- their sales are

pensioners. We have quite an action

packed morning This is a group of family carers

over the age of 55 or 60. Who have been caring

for their sons and daughters, usually at home, some

of them for over 40 or 50 years. But they are still doing that

really important work, But they are still doing that really

important work, and supporting Comic Relief get as

?119,000 to be able to It gives them a voice,

enables them to talk to the decision-makers,

hold them to account. And we can press together

the changes for the support I don't think this group

would happen, we would have anyone together

speaking or seeking support are helping us plan,

if we did not have Comic Relief Small charities like

us, we can't do it without the support

of organisations like Comic Relief. And I have looked

after her since birth. If it wasn't for Comic

Relief, they wouldn't be able to do the job that they

are doing to help us. I think I can speak on behalf

of all the carers - I think I am the oldest carer here -

to say a very heartfelt thanks. Everyone there obviously grateful

for the money and support that they are receiving. That is one of the

many causes that your donations can help. Every penny counts, and we

will be hearing how you have been doing your bit for Comic Relief

2017. Now the weather. I will give you

this after the weather. A chilly breeze. A cool edge. Today was

beautiful. Lovely springtime shots. Dramatic skies. Sunny spells in

Dorset. And how about a windswept blossom tree?

More of those springtime scenes over the weekend. Tonight is a quiet

night. But a bit of a breeze. That will make things feel fresh. With

the clear skies overhead as well we can expect our temperatures to take

a tumble. Towns and cities likely to see those of around three or 4

degrees. Most of us will escape a frost. 18 easterly breeze. Perhaps

one or two sheltered spots to the north of our region seeing a touch

of frost. And maybe a patch or two of frock, freezing fog. A fine and

bright day after it lifts. For much of the region. Some cloud here and

there. Good sunny spells during the day. Warm once again in the shelter

with highs of 14 degrees. The north-easterly flow will take the

edge of those temperatures. For coastal spots, those strongest

winds. Tomorrow night, quite clear skies in the most part. Again, a bit

of a breeze as a future. Our temperatures likely to hold out at

around four or 5 degrees. Fresh, need the first thing Sunday. We

still have this area of high pressure, keeping things settled on

Sunday. More cloud but the wind is looking degrees as we can see those

buyers he's apart. The summary for the coming days. Not too bad this

weekend. Good sunshine on Saturday. Wind easing down through Sunday.

Good brightness, more cloud. Into the new working week, not too badly.

Some sunny spells. And those longer, lighter evenings because the clocks

go forward on Saturday night. FUNKY TUNE.. Full of sun straight after

South Today. Now back... We have matching. I have met oversized

T-shirt. I have stolen this flashing thing. From my children. But this is

not think about what the people of the South have been doing. Custard,

cakes, dancing, cycling. All in the name of Red Nose Day.

This was a huge clue about what day this was.

Selwood's headquarters in Chandlers Ford helping to remind

At the Costello School in Basingstoke 220 students

and staff swapped red noses for custard raising ?1200

I was really looking forward to it because it is for charity

and you get is that people in the face, so it is fun.

Since last Red Nose Day in the South, Comic Relief has made

200 grants totalling more than ?1.5 million .

Hoping to add to that total were these pupils

at Wallop Primary School near Stockbridge some of many to

Including the Churcher's College Junior School in Liphook.

What do you call a deer without any limbs?

at Emmer Green Primary School in Reading.

Of course Comic Relief is all about making people laugh

and this improvised comedy at Brockenhurst college is certainly

Heartrates were also being raised across the South to encourage

donations with a rowathon for pupils and staff at Wildern

A sponsored cycle at the South Eastern Hampshire clinical

A five-a-side charity football tournament at The Oracle

Whatever the event, there's one goal for Comic Relief -

If you are not sure how to make your donation, there are still tickets

for the orchestral deck Avalon. 2pm, for 40 5pm, 7pm. -- deck

-- decathalon. Don't go anywhere. Stay on BBC One for a mammoth night

of sketches and much more. You are always generous. There is how to

donate. Enjoy the evening. I cannot wait for the carpool karaoke. We

will go back and finish off with the orchestral deck Avalon. --

decathalon. Good night.