:00:00. > :00:00.Hello and welcome to South Today. eight. And that is
:00:00. > :00:00.In tonight's programme: The snap general election.
:00:07. > :00:09.Could Theresa May's decision change the political map
:00:10. > :00:24.I have concluded that the only way to guarantee certainty and stability
:00:25. > :00:31.for the years ahead is to hold this election and seek new support for
:00:32. > :00:36.the decisions I must take. I am staggered. I am disappointed. I
:00:37. > :00:39.would have thought that everybody would have got behind her.
:00:40. > :00:41.Also, the charity that needs to raise ?15,000
:00:42. > :00:43.to pay for the extra animals it's taken in.
:00:44. > :00:45.And later on: The disappearing act of the coach
:00:46. > :00:59.company that's taken bookings but left customers disappointed.
:01:00. > :01:05.Almost a year since the EU referendum, voters will be
:01:06. > :01:08.going back to the polling stations in June - for a general election.
:01:09. > :01:10.The Prime Minister has announced plans to call
:01:11. > :01:14.It's a chance for people to vote again on the issue of Brexit
:01:15. > :01:16.which split the South, as it split the country.
:01:17. > :01:19.Our Political Editor Peter Henley has spent the day in Theresa May's
:01:20. > :01:25.home village of Sonning on the Oxfordshire-Berkshire border.
:01:26. > :01:33.Conservative MPs on the site have always said the danger was going for
:01:34. > :01:35.a snap election is that it could be seen as political opportunism,
:01:36. > :01:40.taking an advantage of a Labour Party that is not doing so well. I
:01:41. > :01:46.wonder if to reason me consulted the former MP for Witney, David Cameron.
:01:47. > :01:52.He treated today that it was a brave decision, but the right decision.
:01:53. > :01:57.This is what people then this constituency thoughts today. I am
:01:58. > :02:01.disappointed. I thought everybody would have got behind her and
:02:02. > :02:06.supported her. She didn't want to leave the EU, but she did the decent
:02:07. > :02:10.thing and went with what the majority of the people in this
:02:11. > :02:16.country voted for. I am staggered by that. I wouldn't have believed it.
:02:17. > :02:23.Why? I don't think there's any need for an election. The need to start
:02:24. > :02:27.addressing the young people, the people that need to be up and
:02:28. > :02:30.coming, rather than the people that have already established themselves.
:02:31. > :02:36.They do not need their position secured. What is the purpose for it?
:02:37. > :02:41.She has got a mandate to do what she is doing. What Theresa May has
:02:42. > :02:46.gained as the element of surprise. The Labour Party still have to
:02:47. > :02:51.select candidates. Will it be Andrew Smith in Oxford East? An Oxford West
:02:52. > :02:55.and Abingdon Liberal Democrats might have a strong campaign last time,
:02:56. > :02:59.they will be fighting on the issue of Brexit. Something that the Prime
:03:00. > :03:04.Minister a few in her constituency sees is the key to wanting an early
:03:05. > :03:10.election. The news that the PM has gone to the country, despite fixed
:03:11. > :03:14.term parliaments, we will be voting on June the 8th, if Parliament
:03:15. > :03:17.approves, and there was excitement in the Prime Minister's
:03:18. > :03:24.constituency. It is a good thing. After the Brexit thing, people did
:03:25. > :03:32.not have a chance to have their say. It is southern. I heard it on the
:03:33. > :03:37.news. I am staggered. I can't see the reason why. I know there is a
:03:38. > :03:46.lot going on and there is the question about Brexit. But I was
:03:47. > :03:49.quite astounded. The local Conservatives see this will give a
:03:50. > :03:57.stronger position to negotiate from in Europe. I do not know what to
:03:58. > :03:59.expect. It has got to be serious because prime ministers do not make
:04:00. > :04:05.announcements from the steps of number ten and most bit as serious,
:04:06. > :04:07.and it was. Maidenhead is a safe Conservative seat. Other
:04:08. > :04:14.Berwickshire MPs said it was worth going to the country to strengthen
:04:15. > :04:16.her position in Parliament. It is important to have strong backing in
:04:17. > :04:19.Parliaments to reach that deals cannot be turned down at the last
:04:20. > :04:24.minute, to make sure the primers are's and is not force at any stage.
:04:25. > :04:32.She has to be any strong position to be sure we get the best for Britain.
:04:33. > :04:37.What you get? Is the fate sealed? Or will they still get supporters? If
:04:38. > :04:41.they don't, which party will be switched to? So many questions to be
:04:42. > :04:46.answered in the next seven weeks. What we probably will see is more
:04:47. > :04:49.clarity as the parties publish their manifestos over what they think is
:04:50. > :04:52.the way forward on the big issue of Europe.
:04:53. > :04:54.Our political reporter Bethan Phillips is with me now
:04:55. > :04:56.and has been following developments throughout the day.
:04:57. > :04:58.Bethan, we heard some reaction from Witney there -
:04:59. > :05:01.what have politicans been saying to you so far?
:05:02. > :05:05.People are surprised despite all the rumours.
:05:06. > :05:07.I spoke to the Conservative MP for Banbury, Victoria Prentis,
:05:08. > :05:10.earlier and she seemed very taken aback, but she's put out
:05:11. > :05:14.a statement saying she does believe it's the right thing to do
:05:15. > :05:16.One Ukip politician told me he would have done the same
:05:17. > :05:21.And some are clearly already thinking about their campaigns -
:05:22. > :05:24.my Twitter feed is full of tweets urging people to register to vote,
:05:25. > :05:27.sign up to different political parties and get campaigning.
:05:28. > :05:32.I think Witney could well be interesting.
:05:33. > :05:35.Conservative Robert Courts - who took over from David Cameron,
:05:36. > :05:37.of course - has only been an MP for six months.
:05:38. > :05:40.And he did lose quite a lot of ground to the Lib Dems
:05:41. > :05:44.It's an area that voted to stay in the EU -
:05:45. > :05:47.and the Lib Dems will be running on a very pro-Remain ticket -
:05:48. > :05:50.so we'll have to see how that affects the result there.
:05:51. > :05:53.Oxford West and Abingdon was one of the country's most marginal seats
:05:54. > :06:00.a swing seat between the Conservatives and the Lib Dems.
:06:01. > :06:02.Conservative MP Nicola Blackwood really did consolidate her majority
:06:03. > :06:05.there last time around - but post-referendum,
:06:06. > :06:11.we'll have to see if she can hold on to that support.
:06:12. > :06:13.And Oxford East is our only Labour seat, of course.
:06:14. > :06:33.But I think voters will be giving their verdict on party
:06:34. > :06:36.leaders as well as local MPs - so interesting whether or not
:06:37. > :06:38.Oxford Labour voters will want to support Jeremy Corbyn.
:06:39. > :06:41.A teenager from Oxfordshire who was over the drink-drive limit
:06:42. > :06:44.when he caused the death of a motorcyclist has been
:06:45. > :06:46.18-year-old Daniel Beaumont was driving
:06:47. > :06:48.on the A4074 at Ipsden near Wallingford when he
:06:49. > :06:50.caused a crash between a motorbike and a lorry.
:06:51. > :06:53.Michael Dix, who was riding the motorbike, died at the scene.
:06:54. > :06:55.Work on the next phase of Oxford's Access to Headington
:06:56. > :06:57.transport improvement scheme is due to start this week.
:06:58. > :07:01.between Old Road and the mini roundabout at the junction
:07:02. > :07:04.of Hollow Way and Horspath Driftway and will take about 26
:07:05. > :07:07.The charity the Blue Cross in Burford says it's taken
:07:08. > :07:11.in so many more animals than expected, that it needs
:07:12. > :07:13.to raise ?15,000 to pay for their care.
:07:14. > :07:16.Staff say they can't find the money, they may struggle to take in more
:07:17. > :07:19.unwanted animals over the coming months.
:07:20. > :07:22.Among the rescue animals so far this year - 20 horses,
:07:23. > :07:33.Easter may be over but these bunnies aren't going anywhere just yet.
:07:34. > :07:36.Their mum gave birth to them just a week after being taken
:07:37. > :07:46.And although they might be cute - they're not cheap to look after.
:07:47. > :07:48.It costs us money to house these babies,
:07:49. > :08:04.mares in the past few months - 15 of them pregnant.
:08:05. > :08:06.Now they're asking the public for help.
:08:07. > :08:28.It sounds like a lot. But a cult-like this week course ?1600 to
:08:29. > :08:40.look after. -- but it a colt. She was rescued from behind the wall
:08:41. > :08:44.of a hotel near Cirencester At this time of year
:08:45. > :08:48.we need a lot more money because there are more
:08:49. > :09:00.animals in our care. If we do not get to the money, we
:09:01. > :09:02.will not be able to help as many animals.
:09:03. > :09:15.Last year the Blue Cross helped 1,700 animals in Burford it's
:09:16. > :09:20.expects it'll have to help more this year.
:09:21. > :09:23.A Sikh group in Swindon is marking its first anniversary
:09:24. > :09:27.The Sikh Seva Society has been providing hot meals once a week
:09:28. > :09:30.in the town centre - making around 30 meals each time.
:09:31. > :09:33.The service was set up after a man who was sleeping rough was found
:09:34. > :09:35.dead in a car park in Swindon last February.
:09:36. > :09:38.Today it's Sunny and Navdeep's turn to cook.
:09:39. > :09:41.They're part of a group who donate their time and food
:09:42. > :09:43.to make meals for those that need it.
:09:44. > :09:45.Some weeks we have traditional food like samosas.
:09:46. > :09:50.Latest figures show there are nearly five times more
:09:51. > :09:59.The Sikh Seva Society decided it was time to help.
:10:00. > :10:01.We were made aware last February of a gentleman that
:10:02. > :10:04.passed away due to the cold weather
:10:05. > :10:09.That is what motivated us a bit more to get
:10:10. > :10:12.We have taken the principles of Sikhism on board as
:10:13. > :10:14.well and got together and come up
:10:15. > :10:23.When I was underneath the Wyvern they used to come down there.
:10:24. > :10:34.sudden they came round here so I have been coming every Wednesday.
:10:35. > :10:36.It is making a huge difference to you?
:10:37. > :10:43.Some people just need someone to talk to.
:10:44. > :10:45.And we try and provide that here as well.
:10:46. > :10:49.It's about building friendships and relationships with everyone here.
:10:50. > :10:51.The Sikh Seva Society says their group will
:10:52. > :10:58.It started life as one of the first village schools in the country,
:10:59. > :11:01.before later being turned into a museum.
:11:02. > :11:04.Now, staff at Tom Brown's School museum in Uffington want to use
:11:05. > :11:06.the building's 400th birthday to engage the community
:11:07. > :11:13.Since the year 1617, this small, unassuming building,
:11:14. > :11:18.And now 400 years on, you can step inside and see
:11:19. > :11:27.At just 600 feet it's thought this is one of the smallest
:11:28. > :11:30.museums in the country, but it didn't start life that way.
:11:31. > :11:32.400 years ago the building was founded by Thomas
:11:33. > :11:39.He built the school for just 12 worthy boys.
:11:40. > :11:44.It was very unusual in the 17th century
:11:45. > :11:49.Although the school is no longer used,
:11:50. > :11:51.history continues to be taught here, with more than 7,000
:11:52. > :11:58.Many of the artefacts at the exhibition give a
:11:59. > :12:01.glimpse into what school life was like in Uffington through the ages.
:12:02. > :12:18.At that time, if you were naughty, you might have got a few
:12:19. > :12:22.And it was this kind of education that caught
:12:23. > :12:24.the imagination of one of Uffington's most famous
:12:25. > :12:28.The museum is named after his most famous novel, Tom Brown's School
:12:29. > :12:30.Days, and 136 editions now have pride of place
:12:31. > :12:32.alongside some other gems from years gone by.
:12:33. > :12:44.What we have been able to include in our display is things
:12:45. > :12:47.like a school photograph from 1910, and if you look closely there's two
:12:48. > :12:58.ladies there, looking out the window.
:12:59. > :13:00.They wanted to be in the photograph but were not
:13:01. > :13:03.From books to bones, the exhibition covers
:13:04. > :13:05.all aspects of village life, including the age old upkeep
:13:06. > :13:09.They were able to establish that there had been continuous
:13:10. > :13:12.habitation down at the bottom of the hill here around the village for
:13:13. > :13:14.The continuous habitation must have tended the
:13:15. > :13:18.That must have been done on a regular basis, at least
:13:19. > :13:21.Otherwise the horse would have disappeared.
:13:22. > :13:24.and with admission free, staff want you to join them,
:13:25. > :13:38.Now, more of today's stories with Sally Taylor.
:13:39. > :13:40.what a properly un-run a club should do, we have allowed the fans to make
:13:41. > :13:46.the decision, the fans will make that decision and the decision will
:13:47. > :13:50.be huge and whoever takes on the role, I wish them the best.
:13:51. > :13:51.Good to talk to you, we'll be watching carefully. Thank you very
:13:52. > :13:53.much. He weather is lovely
:13:54. > :14:01.at the moment will it stay? Glorious day today, but will be
:14:02. > :14:06.swimming into summer for the rest of the week?
:14:07. > :14:09.A Hampshire swimming club claims it's been left high and dry
:14:10. > :14:12.by a coach company that appears to have gone into liquidation.
:14:13. > :14:13.Victory Travel in Portchester has disappeared after taking
:14:14. > :14:16.bookings and then failing to provide transport.
:14:17. > :14:25.These young athletes from Havant Waterlooville Swimming Club
:14:26. > :14:28.are destined for a three-day intensive swimming session that
:14:29. > :14:33.Just days ago, the coach operator, Victory Travel,
:14:34. > :14:36.suddenly disappeared, leaving them ?500 out of pocket,
:14:37. > :14:40.and no way of getting to Crystal Palace.
:14:41. > :14:48.Then we found out at the last minute, no reply.
:14:49. > :14:51.Obviously, this left us a bit in the lurch.
:14:52. > :14:54.It's unprofessional, and when you've got kids' wishes
:14:55. > :14:58.and dreams and goals here, I think they should have stepped up
:14:59. > :15:01.to the plate and been a bit more on this.
:15:02. > :15:05.Not having on-course training will effect us badly,
:15:06. > :15:07.because it's part of our important schedule, because that is
:15:08. > :15:11.the pool we race in, and it will impact us massively.
:15:12. > :15:13.After lots of ringing around and another coach bill,
:15:14. > :15:15.Pete's Airlink Minibus has stepped in as a last-minute replacement
:15:16. > :15:21.Just one of many clients who claim they've been left stranded.
:15:22. > :15:24.We've come along to the registered address here in Portchester,
:15:25. > :15:30.The firm that shares the building says the company has closed down,
:15:31. > :15:33.and that we're not the first people to come looking for the director
:15:34. > :15:38.We've made a number of attempts to contact Paul Donald,
:15:39. > :15:41.but tonight our calls and e-mails remain unanswered.
:15:42. > :15:43.And the company's website hasn't been operational
:15:44. > :15:49.Hampshire Trading Standards is urging anyone affected to contact
:15:50. > :15:59.the Citizens Advice consumer helpline.
:16:00. > :16:07.On to sport now, Tony Husband's here. A lot of celebrations across
:16:08. > :16:10.this place today. Portsmouth in Brighton both promoted. Both are
:16:11. > :16:15.difficult times recently? Definitely, a moment to compare and
:16:16. > :16:19.contrast. I wore blue for the occasion, because those are the
:16:20. > :16:23.colours the fans of celebrating tonight. Football is so much about
:16:24. > :16:27.cycles. Back in 2003, Portsmouth got promoted to the Premier League.
:16:28. > :16:31.Right-on were playing in athletics stadium and that time. Look at them
:16:32. > :16:35.the other way round now, it falls apart. Right-on had been a Premier
:16:36. > :16:39.League club in all but name for a long time. They have had a habit
:16:40. > :16:42.embedded in the community of getting things right. Portsmouth, it is now
:16:43. > :16:48.a way back. They have both got dedicated fans,
:16:49. > :16:51.great support. The critical decision for
:16:52. > :16:56.Portsmouth, to the go for the overseas investments? We talk
:16:57. > :16:57.Brighton first, they had been the most consistent club in any league
:16:58. > :17:01.in Europe over the last few weeks. Their 2-1 victory over
:17:02. > :17:02.Wigan yesterday was their Glenn Murray got the opener
:17:03. > :17:06.in front of just under Local boy Solly March then found
:17:07. > :17:10.an angle to make it 2-0. Wigan got one back, but it proved
:17:11. > :17:13.only a consolation and it didn't affect the Albion fans
:17:14. > :17:16.starting their party, which went on long into the night
:17:17. > :17:19.and included the news that Huddersfield had only drawn,
:17:20. > :17:31.meaning promotion was confirmed. We go lives to the Amex now, and a
:17:32. > :17:36.man who described every kick of Albion's promotion. What kind of
:17:37. > :17:39.challenge of facing the Premier League?
:17:40. > :17:44.And think it's difficult to say in the immediate aftermath of the
:17:45. > :17:47.ecstasy of promotion. Certainly, the hard work starts now. The Albion
:17:48. > :17:50.have fielded on average the oldest side in the championship match this
:17:51. > :17:56.season, and that's what will need refreshing. The chairman and owner
:17:57. > :18:02.has invested heavily here at the Amex and at the training ground. But
:18:03. > :18:06.this is a new challenge for this football club, and survival is
:18:07. > :18:10.certainly tough. Saying that, Bloom, by profession, is a gambling man,
:18:11. > :18:15.and it would take a brave person to bet against him.
:18:16. > :18:19.They give very much. A great season commentary from BBC Sussex, and
:18:20. > :18:22.three games to go. They can win the title sooner.
:18:23. > :18:24.So along the coast to the celebrations for Portsmouth.
:18:25. > :18:27.They needed to better Luton's result at Mansfield and with the Hatters
:18:28. > :18:30.losing, this 3-1 win at Notts County guaranteed a spot in League One.
:18:31. > :18:33.After Gareth Evans' penalty had been cancelled out by Jorge Grant,
:18:34. > :18:35.Jamal Lowe, who was playing in the nonleague at the turn
:18:36. > :18:38.of the year, came of the bench to score twice to seal
:18:39. > :18:42.5000 Pompey fans were there to see what they hope will be just
:18:43. > :18:47.Live now to BBC Radio Solent's Andy Moon, the voice of Pompey
:18:48. > :18:58.What challenge awaits in League 1? No question League 1 will be a step
:18:59. > :19:03.up Pompeii, but not one that will be beyond them, given what they have
:19:04. > :19:06.achieved this season. Looking at the squad, most played in the third tier
:19:07. > :19:13.already, if not higher. While players out of contract, many of
:19:14. > :19:17.them will be retained going forward. The challenge for Pompey this season
:19:18. > :19:19.has been breaking down opponents who played very defensively against
:19:20. > :19:23.them. That will change when they make the step up, and a different
:19:24. > :19:27.style may suit them. The last time Paul Cooke was promoted from League
:19:28. > :19:31.2 with Chesterfield, in his first season they made the play-offs. That
:19:32. > :19:36.may be asking a lot of Pompeii, but I expect them to be a top hat team
:19:37. > :19:39.next season. Fratton Park was the scene are quite
:19:40. > :19:41.a party last night, regular much indeed.
:19:42. > :19:43.The promotion drama is far from over.
:19:44. > :19:45.Reading picked up six points from Easter weekend,
:19:46. > :19:47.including this 2-1 win over relegated Rotherham yesterday,
:19:48. > :19:51.The play-offs seem a certainty for Jaap Stam's side, but it's not
:19:52. > :19:52.inconceivable they could catch Newcastle.
:19:53. > :19:55.Lewis Grabban scored as they came from 1-0 down to seal
:19:56. > :20:07.That was John Swift to make it 2-1. And don't forget, Aldershot up to
:20:08. > :20:11.fifth in the National League as well, there could be successful at
:20:12. > :20:15.them. I can't ever remember the football being quite this good on
:20:16. > :20:20.South Today. Three Premier League teams make season, amazing!
:20:21. > :20:27.Ulick happy. I'm please.
:20:28. > :20:32.Legs get the weather. It is lovely, it's about chilly
:20:33. > :20:34.across the coast. It will feel warmer.
:20:35. > :20:37.Steve Miller photographed the sunrise in the Meon Valley today.
:20:38. > :20:40.Martin Perry took this picture of the blue skies at Colwell Bay
:20:41. > :20:45.And Terry Martin captured the sunny spells at Fobney Lock near Reading.
:20:46. > :20:51.Some glorious sunshine today. Some sunny spells this week, but the
:20:52. > :20:59.weather for the week ahead will be dry. Through April, it has been a
:21:00. > :21:04.fairly dry already. Just tomm in many places. Many the rain because
:21:05. > :21:07.of the dry weather. Bright and sunny spells are possible overnight and
:21:08. > :21:14.through the course of the week. Overnight, we're looking at dry
:21:15. > :21:25.nights. Tonight, we could expect loads of minus four Celsius.
:21:26. > :21:31.Generally, five Celsius the lower in urban areas. A frosty start in many
:21:32. > :21:36.areas, but the surgeon what an hazy with high and medium level cloud
:21:37. > :21:38.arriving through the afternoon. Temperatures up to around 12
:21:39. > :21:44.Celsius. In chartered spots, a high of 14 Celsius. The winds will be
:21:45. > :21:50.fairly light. Site, the cloud will increase. It won't be as chilly as
:21:51. > :21:57.tonight. The odd bit of frost down to the southeast. Temperatures
:21:58. > :22:02.falling to around six Celsius. Thursday a cloudy day. Through the
:22:03. > :22:08.day we may see light showers. Most places will stay dry, with sunny
:22:09. > :22:15.spells at times. Temperatures very similar to tomorrow, highs of 13
:22:16. > :22:18.Celsius. It wants up slightly through the course of Friday, high
:22:19. > :22:23.pressure not far away. Through the course of Friday, we see a cold
:22:24. > :22:28.front moving southwards. That will produce showers and increasing
:22:29. > :22:33.cloud. The air behind the cold front coming straight from the North.
:22:34. > :22:36.Friday feeling cooler, especially in the evening, and the weekend as
:22:37. > :22:42.well. The weekend will be similar to this weekend, in north in 3rd
:22:43. > :22:50.northwesterly breeze, sunny spells and possibly cross.
:22:51. > :22:53.Be with us tomorrow if you can, because we have an exclusive report
:22:54. > :22:55.on how overcrowding in prisons is causing staff to fear for their
:22:56. > :23:00.safety. I was knocked out about a year ago
:23:01. > :23:07.by a prisoner in a spice attack. Head-butted me from nowhere, knocked
:23:08. > :23:11.me out. I have been spat at, verbally abused. You have that every
:23:12. > :23:14.single day, there is a dead AI goes through my job I don't get verbally
:23:15. > :23:17.abused. And very candid interview with a
:23:18. > :23:24.prison officer. We'll about tomorrow night. It's editor of this evening,
:23:25. > :23:27.the late news this evening slightly later at 10:50pm, that is part of an
:23:28. > :23:32.extended ten o'clock news. Bye-bye.