15/06/2011 South Today

Hello, I'm Sally Taylor. Welcome to South Today. In tonight's

programme: An inquest hears evidence that the

actions of a pilot in a fatal air crash may have avoided a much

greater tragedy. Testing times - ticket sales and

the weather prove a challenge for Hampshire's first ever Test match.

A personal crusade - the father appealing for donations for

research into a cancer which hit his daughter.

She was not well at all and could easily have died. It is a living

nightmare. And all aboard - the commuters

determined to arrive with a smile on their faces.

You are never quite sure if people want to join in, and it is quite

An inquest has been told of eyewitness accounts of seeing a

light aircraft spiralling vertically downwards before

crashing and bursting into flames. Two men, both experienced airmen

from Dorset, were killed instantly in the accident in April last year.

At the inquest in Winchester today, their families were told the pair

may have chosen to deliberately avoid making the recommended

emergency landing at Thruxton race circuit because a motor sports

event was being held there, and they feared attempting to land

could have put many more lives at risk. Allen Sinclair reports.

The blackened wreckage give some idea of the force of impact and

ferocity of the fire which followed it in April last year when the

light aircraft came down, ironically as the two men on board

flew home from an air safety show. At the controls was a local

hospital consultant who had held a pilot's licence for several years.

His passenger, Richard Wheeler, had previously held a pilot's licence.

Several eyewitnesses described seeing what they first took to be a

model aircraft nose-diving towards the ground before disappearing

behind trees. A number rushed to the scene when they saw smoke

rising from the site, but it was clear nothing could be done.

Moments before, the pilot had put out a mayday reporting the cabin

filling with smoke. Air accident investigators concluded an

electrical fault may have given off perfumes, leaving the men

disorientated. It was an unavoidable accident. As the

coroner said, we are confident he wasn't able pilot and did

everything he could. He was an excellent father, excellent husband,

and has left a big hole in our lives. Their men were committed

Christians who met through their church. They were two honourable

man of great stature, and they were well respected and looked up to buy

a large number of people. coroner said the pilot, Mr Hoskins,

had shown considerable presence of mind and may have chosen

deliberately to avoid the recommended emergency landing at

Thruxton in order to minimise the risk to the many thousands of

people attending a motorsport event there that day. In recording a

verdict of accidental death, he expressed hope that the families

would take some comfort from the fact the men did not suffer and die

doing something they left. -- died doing something they looked.

The world of international cricket is gearing itself up for a first

tomorrow - a test match at Hampshire's Rose Bowl. But with

just a day to go before England take on Sri Lanka, only two thirds

of the tickets for the opening day have been sold. Hosting the match

was a sealed bidding process, but it is understood the Rose Bowl paid

more than �1 million to secure the event. There are 15,000 tickets on

sale per day across the five days. But, at the moment, only 10,000

tickets are expected to be sold for the first day. Roger Johnson is at

the ground tonight. Has the game really caught the appetite of the

paying public? I am not sure that it hasn't, but

you are quite right, there are plenty of tickets available. But,

for me, this is one of the finest arenas around for watching cricket,

no doubt, and that is why Hampshire build the Rose Bowl and moved out

of Southampton a decade ago. Sri Lanka are not the biggest draw. The

weather is rotten, and England, Kevin Pietersen aside, do not have

any big star characters any more, they are in a state of transition,

so everyone here is hoping the next five days pass off effectively

smoothly and with a good game of cricket. Here is Tony Husband.

10 years, tens of millions of pounds spent. Test cricket is

Hampshire's prize. The Rose Bowl was billed with international

cricket in mind, and now gets its chance at the sport's top table.

But on the eve of the ground- breaking Test there are still

thousands of tickets available to come and watch. Bidding for a Test

match in the expensive business. Counties like Hampshire pay in

excess of �1 million to stage the Games, but there is only so much

top-quality international cricket to go around. I think it is the

wrong game for the Rose Bowl in the same way the first match was the

wrong game for Cardiff. The Rose Bowl, Cardiff, Durham, they are new

grounds, fantastic grounds, and it is always a pleasure to go

somewhere new and different, but in order to capture the public's

imagination, they need to be staging the bigger games. But as

final preparations are made in the lounges and hospitality boxes,

Hampshire know that England against Rwanda is a key moment for them.

certain amount of Test-match cricket is enormously popular with

the public and we need to keep on cannot -- keep on providing that in

the best facilities that we can. Exposure to international cricket

is an important part of the business mix. The Rose Bowl came

top in a poll amongst cricket supporters last summer. The England

team had to perform to the fans this week. We want to play in full

of full houses. We realise our responsibility is to provide enough

entertainment for people to want to come. We do not want to be playing

in front of empty stadiums, that his first shop. Hampshire are

waiting on final combination of a �30 million loan from the council

to help complete this ground. Future Test status is uncertain

without it. Equally uncertain is the weather. After years of hard

work, it is one element no one can control.

For all our hard work and preparation and high hopes, the one

thing they cannot control here is the weather, which is why they have

got 20,000 ponchos ready to give out to be able over the next five

days if they are needed. Later in the programme, we will be hearing

from the man who is trying to make sure the playing surface is perfect

whatever the weather. Thank you.

The rubbish keeps mounting, and so do the associated problems.

Striking bin-men in Southampton are entering the second week of their

latest strike. It is all part of the growing industrial action in

the city over plans to cut jobs and the salaries of other local

authority workers. And as the rubbish piles up on the streets,

there have been reports of a rise in rats as well. This strike by

refuse collectors is the third to hit the city. Workers are now one

week into this latest stoppage, with another week to go before the

bins will be emptied. In total, more than 100 of the council's

refuse workers are on strike. As Roisin Gauson reports, one business

has even had to hire in its own private rubbish collection, fearing

it could face action from the very council whose staff are on strike.

One week in and Southampton is littered with rubbish. But today in

St Mary's, a rare sight. The Edge nightclub called in a private firm

to clear the waste which had built up outside its main entrance.

a health and safety side, my customers leave this place late at

night because we close late and some of them have had too much to

drink. If they fall into that and you do not know what is in the

rubbish, they could damage themselves and who is liable for

that? The owner contacted Environmental Health on Monday. She

is yet to hear back. The council can bring in other contractors to

clear the waste if it is a health and safety risk. After three days

waiting for a response, this business decided to swallow the

cost, even though the rubbish was not theirs. Southampton City

Council says that any waste being dumped outside of businesses is

fly-tipping and will not be Since the strike began, some pest

controllers have reported a 20% increase in call-outs. Because

there is so much rubbish on the street, the rats have got free food,

so whilst the numbers have not increased, the incidents of rat

activity are on the up. The bin-men are not due back for another week,

so in strike terms this one is literally still building up.

When HMS Invincible left Portsmouth for the final time it was to a

glorious send-off. The axed aircraft carrier was once the

flagship of the Royal Navy. Now, three months on, she is at a

Turkish scrapyard. Workers have been dismantling her for two months,

but it will take a further six months before all the steel is cut

into small pieces ready for recycling.

Still to come in this evening's South Today:

An appetite for success - the Olympic hopefuls surviving with a

A 66-year-old man has appeared in court accused of stabbing his wife

to death at their large country home in West Sussex. William Allen,

of West Chiltington, is charged with the murder of his wife Linda,

who was found with head and chest injuries last week. He has been

remanded in custody and will next appear at Lewes Crown Court in

August. A father from the New Forest has

launched a personal crusade to raise money for medical research

into a childhood cancer which nearly killed his daughter. Minna,

who is now ten, went through years of exhaustive treatment for a

disease called neuroblastoma, which affects the nervous system. And

though she is out of the woods now, Ed Dubois, who is a luxury yacht

designer, has now appealed to all his clients in the sailing world to

give generously so other children can have a greater chance of

survival. Dani Sinha went to meet the family.

A picture of health now, but six years ago when Minna was just four

she was diagnosed with an advanced form of neuroblastoma, a cancer

which affects the nervous system. It is every parent's nightmare to

be told your child is unlikely to survive, because Minna's chances of

survival were about one in three if you look at the National Statistics.

It is like flicking a coin. Playing with her siblings now, it is easy

to forget the chemotherapy and radiotherapy and complicated

surgery Minna has had throughout the years, despite being rid of

symptoms for two years. I got quite cross sometimes. Sometimes now I

still get quite cross about it. do you get cross? I just feel like

it is not fair and things. Minna's father Ed is not taking Minna's

current health for granted. He has now launched a dedicated fund so

more research can be carried out into this devastating condition.

Working as a luxury yacht designer, Ed has friends in high places, and

is now encouraging his clients to pledge big amounts of money as well

as donating funds himself. I am not wealthy like Bill Gates, but we

have clients who are extremely wealthy. I am able to look at them

and say, you gave me �1 million, thank you very much, this is how it

is being spent, these are the results we are getting. I am

involved for life. The Dubois Child Cancer Fund has an initial

fundraising target of �10 million, but it is this special father and

daughter relationship that has inspired this man to think of the

future. We wish Minna all the best, and

let's hope they raise a lot of money for the fund and the research.

Fossil experts from Portsmouth have confirmed the discovery of what may

be the world's smallest non-flying dinosaur. The discovery is based on

the finding of a single tiny vertebra by an amateur fossil

hunter in Sussex. The bone stayed in his bedside table for two years

until he realised how important it might be. Lynda Hardy reports.

The creatures that roamed the land many hundreds of thousands of years

ago still caused great excitement today. This time, it is the finding

of the tiniest bone that has led to the discovery of what is believed

to be the world's smallest adult land dinosaur found by fossil

fanatic Dave. The most exciting thing is finding the fossil.

Looking at it for the first time in 140 million years especial, and to

go on to find what it is from and that it is nuke, it spurs you on to

get the next one. At 7.1 mm long, the vertebrate is tiny, but as was

the dinosaur it came from because that measured about 45 centimetres

in length, which is about as long as a chicken. This specimen

basically shows we had small dinosaurs running around in England

during this time, so it helps to add to the roster of species that

we have got not only from the UK but also from East Sussex. It would

have been covered in feathers, it would have been bird like. The find

will now be given a place at Bexhill Museum. Small in size

alongside the other bones, but hugely significant.

It is so small! Extraordinary story. On to sport now, and as you may

know there is a burst at the Rose Bowl tomorrow as it hosts its first

Test match. England are playing Sri Lanka and there are worries about

the weather and the number of tickets that have been sold. Roger

Johnson is there. Real concerns at this stage, Roger? Minor ones,

Sally. You have to look at this as an opportunity. You could come and

sample the first Test match at the Rose Bowl. It is the weather which

is the biggest headache. The outfield here is pretty dry, and

has had a lot of sunshine ahead of the rain that has fallen over the

last few days, said that is not to worry. The square, the covers are

on, lots of standing water there, but we have been speaking to the

man who is in charge of making sure the pitch is tip-top, and he says

all precautions had been taken. have got more ground staff on duty

for this game, a dozen or so people, who can cover the square quickly.

We had the outfield relayed a couple of years ago, and it does

drain well. If we get some rain, we will be able to drain it quickly,

get the square uncovered and start play promptly. Play is due to get

underway tomorrow at 11am. We will have a full forecast shortly.

Friday is not looking too good, Saturday may be the best day. They

are hoping England could finalise a series victory against Rwanda at

the Rose Bowl's first Test match. - - against Sri Lanka.

Sussex are back to second place in the Twenty20 South Group after

beating Somerset in a low-scoring match at Hove last night. Spinner

Ollie Rayner took five for 18, including this spectacular catch by

Luke Wright to dismiss Marcus Trescothick, as the visitors were

bowled out for just 90. Sussex then sneaked home with 15 balls to spare.

Rayner was only playing due to skipper Michael Yardy's absence, as

he continues his recovery from depression. Well done to Sussex. In

football, Portsmouth's new owners, Convers Sports Initiatives, seem

set to complete the first signing since their takeover at Fratton

Park. David Norris, the former Ipswich Town captain, has agreed a

deal to join Pompey for the new Championship season. The winger is

a free transfer after his contract at Portman Road expired at the end

of the season. The Great Britain women's

volleyball team are in the south this week as they continue along a

very difficult road to next summer's Olympics. The team lost

all of its funding in a review of financing for Olympic sports. But

they are being helped along by friends, families and businesses as

they tried to keep a long -- keep alive the dream of Olympic glory.

Meal times have been mad times in this household this week. Great

Britain's players are being put up by parents and neighbours during

their stay in Poole. We are looking after them. They are training, but

we have given them some treats as were. How does it feel to be

outnumbered? I am used to it with three daughters and a wife, but it

is an increase on that. To be told we were not found it was

devastating, but we said, we have to move on, take charge of our own

destiny and we will make it to the Olympics and be the best we can

possibly be, with or without funding. The girls have been given

training facilities and meals out by businesses keen to help them

stay on the road to 2012. They have been coaching local schoolchildren

in return. It is really good to directly get involved and

contribute to that legacy. It is great to not just be playing for

ourselves. The players will spend most of the next year honing their

skills in foreign leagues. And the team is improving all the time.

They have beaten top South American nations already this year, and they

are hoping to beat the odds by securing a top eight finish at

London 2012. It would be a great achievement for British volleyball

because there has never been a British team in the Olympics, so we

are making history just being there. And you are doing it the hard way?

We are giving it the hard way! Losing their funding was a bitter

blow, but strength can often come from adversity. And, in a sport

where togetherness is key, few can be as united as this team.

Best of luck to them as they continue on the road to 2012.

Volleyball, of course, is played indoors, so it does not matter what

colour the clouds are. Cricket, on the other hand, is in -- is in the

hands of the elements, so they will be hoping that the first Test

passes off really successfully. We will keep our fingers crossed for

that. We well, thank you for that. We

will have the weather forecast in a moment.

How about this, Cromarty, white and Portland. For many here in the

south, the daily Shipping Forecast is an essential source of

information. And for nearly 90 years, the list of names, even for

those who are not seafarers, has been an evocative roll call. Now, a

composer has set them to music with the help of choristers from

Portsmouth. David Sillito reports. Fair Isle, Faeroes, South-east

Iceland... Sole, Shannon, Rockall... Variable four, becoming mainly

north-easterly five. North Utsire, South Utsire. Cromarty, variable

four, occasional rain, moderate or good. The Shipping Forecast, a

daily reminder of the hazards around this windswept island. But,

to some, it is also poetry. It is rhythm, it's strange words, words

depicting amazing, spectacular places. Fair Isle, Faeroes...

now it is the inspiration for this new musical work by the composer

Cecilia McDowall, who, like many others, finds the forecast both

beautiful and baffling. All ll these things, I know they mean

something to somebody. But even though they don't mean anything to

me, I enjoy them. But those words, out here, mean rather more. For

Alan Gick, it is reassuring. It is a reassuring view that people are

still collecting the data and telling you about it.

There is something hypnotic about listening to it. They have a very

special way of saying the shipping We have the general synopsis for

the South at 18: 51! We have had some lovely pictures, actually.

A scene from Bambi in David Townsend's garden in Headley near

Kingsclere this morning. Two alpacas in Grendon Underwood

this morning after their fleece had been cut.

Not a good day to lose your fleece. It has been a dull and damp day

with a risk of showers, which is ever present this evening. Some of

those showers could be heavy. The first band of showery rain has

eased eastwards before the second band pushes in from the Far West,

giving us a chance of the low cloud lifting to do this not a clear view,

but a chance of seeing the lunar eclipse at 9:30pm tonight. Some

heavy showers for western areas, and more rain pushing in from the -

- by the Western powers. A wet start for Thursday morning with the

rain tracking eastwards, and we will have a gap before further

showers bubble up, and these will be rather big, quite lively, with

than the mixed in and perhaps the risk of Hale. It is quite blustery

around the showers, temperatures lower than today, 18 sells it at

best. Into the evening, the temperatures drying in the north

and east, but for the south coast it is still damp and drizzly. Why

is it happening? It is because of low pressure, which has been

dominating the scene. It is quite a vigorous low, quite a lot of

significant rain, with the Ice Bars tightening in time for Friday. On

Friday, we start the day with some rain, which could be fairly heavy,

significant rainfall. On Thursday at the Rose Bowl, play may get

underway, but we may lose a few overs because of the fund which

hours later on, and Friday looks to be a bit of a washout, I'm afraid.

On Thursday, a bit of respite from the showers at midday, but then

they begin to bubble up. Friday, the winds fairly noticeable and a

lot of the day taken up by the rain. Saturday, not totally dry, showers

mainly affecting the West at first. It is rare to find anyone who truly

enjoys their commute. According to the labour force survey, people

living in the South East and those travelling into London have the

longest commute in the country, with the average journey taking up

to 78 minutes - that is nearly half an hour more than the national

average. However, one group of city workers travelling on the Arun

Valley line in Sussex, decided to make the most of their journey and

now they are spreading the word to encourage others to follow their

example. Catharina Moh has the story.

It is a social club of sorts. The location, carriage one on the train

from Bognor Regis to London. Train gang, as they are sometimes

affectionately called, are always having social events, this time

celebrating Roland's that day. It began a few years ago, when Jane

said hello. The City worker was bored of her commute so decided to

make it fun by getting to know the person next to her. A commuter

community soon engulfed. It is always exciting when we have a

recruitment. Normally it takes a bit longer. You are never sure if

people want to join in, and it is obvious when a dead, but sometimes

the quiet ones take a while to reel in, but when they do they are solid

members of the grey. They have launched a campaign called talk on

the train, with a belief that commuting to work can be happy,

even if you are not a morning person. They are calling on all

commuters to try to do something similar. As a result of this

journey, I am friends with someone who works for a Tory MP, which is a

challenging friendship, but it is because we have got to know each

other and look beyond the surface. With up to 26 members depending on

the stock, it means there are always enough people to celebrate

anything and everything. At Christmas, they performed a

Christmas pantomime before the train pulled into London. Before

this group, I got on, and it took about 1.5 hours to get to work, and

it was boring, no one talked to each other. I get on now and it

seems to go in about 10 minutes. Some people think they are mad, but

they say going to work in a good mood have a positive impact on

their day, and they want others to take part.

I think I had a moment to there. You were distracted by the K X.

like the idea of bringing cakes into the studio. If they can do it

on the train carriage, why not bring them into work? The cameraman