25/08/2011 South Today

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

programme: The massive cannabis factories set

up in luxury houses in leafy suburbs - a gang faces its

punishment in court. Cleared to fly - the Red Arrow Hawk

jets preparing for a sad journey home.

Fighting for compensation - the former servicemen hoping victory is

near in their atomic bomb campaign. And bundles of joy - the snow

leopard cubs venturing out for their first taste of a British

summer. An they are now 12 weeks old today, and this is their first

Four men are beginning prison Investigating the death of The

coroner asked the police to look at the case. The patient is said to

have died during an operation on the same day as a power cut. Our

reporter Danielle Glavin has more from Guildford. In little is known

about the patient whose death has started this inquiry.

I have asked for more information, but very few details have been

released. It is not known what the patient was being treated for, but

a hospital spokesperson had told the BBC that the death occurred in

an operating theatre. Today, they would not discuss the case further

On the day in question, there was a power cut in the area. Homes and

businesses lost electricity in the afternoon. A damaged cable caused

the outage. Most properties had their supply restored by 3pm. It is

not known if the two incidents are connected. Surrey Police are

investigating. They say no arrests have been made. At the hospital, no

staff have been suspended. Their health watchdog, the Care Quality

Commission, has told me the case has been referred on to them and

they are waiting for the outcome of the investigations before deciding

if any action is needed. Schools across the south have been

reporting another record breaking year for GCSE results. For many

pupils, today's results will allow them to study A-levels. For others,

they will take them into the world of work. But some critics say

that's a world they're not prepared for. Charlotte McCathie reports.

For these pupils, the weight is finally over. Congratulations.

the waiting is finally over. GCSE results they, and most had reason

to celebrate. I got an A snow N drama, and a star in the Peak --

physical education. I am relieved, because I had to wait so long.

it wasn't just the pupils who were relieved. I am very proud. It is

relief. I am very proud. She is a diamond. This here's group achieved

the school's best ever result and others had record-breaking

achievements -- this yearPosmac. At this school in Reading, every one

of the 50 years -- 51 girls achieved grades of A or a bar.

truly is a team effort. Staff, students and parents, and together,

it has all come together and we are delighted to date. It is just

fantastic for the students who have performed so well -- today.

some critics say the rest -- exams have become easier and do not

prepare the pupils for the world of work. We have to retrain and so

their skills are more relevant to the business world. This goes as

far as working as an ordinary shop assistant. Communication there is

absolutely bit -- vital. Whether they are going straight into work

or further education, to date is the day they will always remember.

-- Today. Four men are beginning prison

sentences this evening after a major drugs bust by police

uncovered a highly organised criminal gangs supplying high-

strength cannabis are too much of the south. Around 7,000 plans were

seized from houses across Surrey, Berkshire and Oxfordshire, with a

street value of around �20 million. The houses, all of them large homes

in desirable areas, have been converted into sophisticated

factories which were farmed by Vietnamese immigrants. Joe Campbell

is outside Reading Crown Court tonight.

Sadly, the sentences handed down today are between 21 and 30 months

-- Sally. This is to the so-called gardeners who run the factories,

but belied the scale of the operation. They were the lowest

rung on the ladder, all but one, who had been expelled from the

country and returned to Reading to run this far larger operation.

This was drug production on an industrial scale. At the time

police shut the operation down, the gang was using this and two other

large detached houses in Surrey, and several other homes across

Berkshire and Oxfordshire. Inside the properties were 7,000 cannabis

plants. It all added up to �20 million per year of business.

could have run the operation for longer and had we chosen to do that,

no doubt be would have gone further and found more. The organised crime

group that were behind us were not going to stop and say, we have had

enough now, because they are making a significant event of money. So at

the. We chose to intervene, we got what we got, but we are under no

illusion that that was the end of it -- at the point. Again chose to

use houses like these because they offered more space to grow the

drugs -- the gang chose. They had all the other and from earlier

mistakes after earlier houses was stumbled upon by neighbours. One he

then had the added protection of being in a gated community -- even.

When the police raided, they found they were operated by a Vietnamese

nationals who had been people trafficked into Britain. Four of

them were jailed today. A police hope for more substantial sentences

tomorrow, when the people who helped run the operation, and

especially in the case of one of the men, who was also arrested in

connection with the smuggling illegal immigrants into France.

The involvement in people trafficking is significant, given

the fact that these factories could not be run without the Vietnamese

immigrants who were brought into this country illegally, so the

police will be looking for a substantial sentence when those

behind this huge keen to are dealt with at the court tomorrow. -- huge

scheme. The RAF has given the type of

planes used by the Red Arrows clearance to fly again. A Hawk jet

was involved in the crash at Bournemouth air show on Saturday.

But today's decision does not mean the team can display again just yet.

Chris is with me with more on this. Just to remind you, the Red Arrows

we using Bournemouth airport as their base for the display. BBC

South cameras were at the airfield on Saturday and we saw them

preparing to take off. These are the same type of aircraft that the

RAF use to train their fast jet pilots. We had already filmed them

on the seafront the previous day, tens of thousands people were

watching and they did a repeat performance on Saturday -- of

people. But on Saturday, as they came bar, and -- came back, Red

Four failed to complete the manoeuvre, and plunged into the

ground. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging, was killed

and the entire fleet of the Hawk jets were grounded as they tried

and found out what was wrong. So what does the announcement today

mean? It means that the planes will fly

again and the Red Arrows will take off and fly out of Bournemouth

tomorrow. All of this suggests that the preliminary enquiry has

suggested the planes are safe to fly but what we still don't know is

what caused the crash of Red Four. It could have been mechanical

failure or maybe a bird strike. It is likely to be some months before

we know. And will the Red Arrows perform

again? They will perform again. It is not

clear if they will do so before the end of this year, but if they do

perform again before the end of the summer, it will be as a team of

eight, not nine. Chris, thank you for that. If you

are there tomorrow and happened to catch the moment the Red Arrows

We would like to hear from you. The Trussell Trust charity

headquarters near Salisbury has been targeted by burglars for the

second time in just a few weeks. The Trust works with local

communities to help combat poverty. The break-in happened last Monday

night and the petty cash box was taken. This was after �1,500 was

stolen in July. The charity says it will have to pay for the damage

caused. We have been based here for six years and we have a wonderful

relationship with the local community. We are extremely

disappointed we have been broken into twice in the last six weeks.

The police have helped us and we have taken extra security measures.

We are asking the local community that if they know anything, could

they contact the police. Still to come this evening: are

checking the coast is clear. A tentative look from snow leopard

mum and her cubs. People living in Hampshire are

claiming victory after a planning inspector rejected a proposal to

build a large-scale anaerobic digest that right beside the

Selborne brickworks. The plan had been to use the digest that to

create gas that would fuel the brickworks. -- digest all.

Selborne brickworks went bust two years ago. Their tone it blamed the

rising cost of fuel, accounting for 70% of the cost of making a brick.

He suggested a giant anaerobic digest that that would turn all of

these ways products into gas. The county council rejected the

proposal, the owner appealed and in July, there was a local hearing.

Many residents turned out to object. Now the local planning inspector

has dismissed the appeal, but agreed it had some advantages in

supplying renewable energy, but said there was insufficient

evidence that the brickworks would be viable. And that the arguments

were not strong enough to justify building in a sensitive area of

countryside. The New Forest National Park

Authority says it has drawn a line under criticisms made by the

National Audit Commission over the appointment of an interim chief

executive at the cost of �1,000 per day. The Audit Commission said the

authority had failed to follow proper procedure in making the

appointment. But the park authority says new people and correct

procedures are now in place. I am satisfied that we are doing things

in the right way. We have a new chief executive here, many new

faces and many of them are different to the two years ago.

They are committed to the forest and to the authority.

The Royal Navy's newest destroyer began preparations for its journey

to Portsmouth today. Page ms Strachan will be based on the south

coast with its sister ships. -- H AMs dragon. Each of them have cost

�1 billion each. The bow section of the ship was built in the City's

shipyards. Veterans who were exposed to

nuclear radiation during atomic bomb tests in the 1950s are now

hoping their long fight for compensation is coming to an end.

More than 1,000 are part of a legal action that will be heard by the

Supreme Court in November. Roger Finn has been to meet one of the

veterans, Raymond Atkinson in Gosport. He was 19 when the RAF

sent him to Christmas Island in the Pacific.

I quite enjoyed it, actually. The work wasn't very hard and you got

half a day off. That was too hot to work in the afternoon, so you got

most of the afternoon off. Plenty of swimming and games like that. A

cinema. We were well catered for. I quite enjoyed it. The Raymond

Atkinson was sent to Christmas Island in 1958 that Raymond

Atkinson. He was there to see the last of the A-bomb tests. They said

to look away from where the bomb was going off and just but straight

ahead. We just had short and a hat on. -- look straight ahead. We

suddenly heard a mighty crash and you felt the heat on your back as

it went off. We had to stand like that for about five minutes and

they said if you want to have a look, you can turn around now and

there was a big mushroom. Very frightening at the time. That is

how it happened. For the last five years, veterans have been trying to

prove that this experience caused a host of medical problems and the

Government should pay them compensation. Raymond Atkinson met

his wife soon after his exposure. She suffered two miscarriages and

Raymond has had a long history of skin rashes. The MoD has always

denied a link between exposure and the illness, and they are backed by

at least one major scientific study, but the veterans have some expert

support. Perhaps the biggest tragedy is that most other

countries, the United States and France and various others, have

just paid out compensation. Not a future bad, but they have paid it

out. Britain has decided not to -- not a huge event. The compensation

claim has already been rejected by the Court of Appeal. Now everything

hangs on a decision by the Supreme Court, due in November. It has been

proved by other countries that this has affected other people,

handicapped children and stillbirths and all sorts of things,

because of the atomic bombs. Our government does seem to realise

this and are trying to get out of it all the time.

The go-ahead has finally been given for a London high-style Ferris

wheel on Brighton seafront. -- London Eye. Paramount attractions

have been given permission to build on Madeira Drive. The owner of the

"Brighton O" says it will now open in the autumn.

There are a lot of these coming on the south coast. We will have to

have a lookout. You can go along the south coast just trying each

one out. I don't fancy it too much.

Shall we start with cricket? Yes, the home of cricket. Not many

below the professional game actually get the opportunity to

play at Lord's, so for Berkshire, it is safe -- has been a big day.

Be anything better than playing there is winning there. Today has

been a day they will say that, as they took on Hertfordshire in the

final of the Minor Counties Knockout. But not before the

weather had its say. Cricket can be a day of two halves.

Berkshire's dream of playing at Lord's was on hold as they downpour

continued, but when the covers came off, a 36 over match was agreed.

have won the toss, we are going to a ball. It is what we wanted to do.

-- ball. The groundsman has done a great job to get this on. Yes, I

think the boys will be pretty pleased we are playing some cricket.

Winning the toss proved a real advantage after the rain. Berkshire

went right into the attack. The first wicket falling after just

five minutes, as Lambert tended Hewitt to edge to the keeper. For

the travelling fans, it was turning out to be worth it. It is like a

dream. I have always wanted to see Berkshire at the Lords. We were in

the final about four years ago, and we are optimistic this year. Some

of these boys, I have known them since they were seven or eight and

I have say that grow up and play youth cricket, so to see them at

Lord's is a treat. -- I have seen them. All of the Berkshire's

bowlers took a scalpel. Hertfordshire's opened their

shoulders towards the end, but perhaps the early rain had dampened

their spirits. At tea, Hertfordshire are 140-nine, and

they would have hoped for more, as Berkshire are an exceptionally

strong batting side. If the weather holds, this could be Berkshire's

day. Let's find out if it is, we can go

live to Lord's. As predicted, Berkshire have

capitalised on that bowling performance. They have won a minor

car and -- minor counties Trophy, easily, by six wickets. The opening

batsmen performed beyond expectations. Michael Roberts left

the field not out, just three short of a ton. There was a stand of 135

that had the crowd on their feet. A slight wobble when they lost four

wickets for 25 runs as Hertfordshire Rob -- rallied. But

moments ago, here at Lord's, Berkshire lifted the trophy for for

the second time in their history. And for that performance, they

deserve it. Many congratulations to Berkshire.

Let's stay with cricket, and Hampshire have a real fight on

their hands the state -- save their crucial County Championship game

against Worcestershire. The batsmen have again failed to deliver

against their closest relegation Bad light stopped play when

Hampshire were 84-six in their Hampshire were 84-six in their

second innings. Meanwhile, Surrey completed a comprehensive victory

out County Ground in Hove, Sussex On to football and it was a

memorable night for Aldershot Town as they dumped Championship side

as they dumped Championship side West Ham out of the Carling Cup.

Trailing by an early goal, the game changed after half-time. Callum

McNaughton was sent off for a professional foul on Danny Hylton.

On 78 minutes, Alex Rodman's shot was saved but Luke Guttridge

pounced to draw Aldershot level. And with a minute left, a fine

finish by Danny Hylton and send them into round two. Been

Holdsworth described it as the best Holdsworth described it as the best

moment of his career -- Dean Holdsworth. Aldershot face Carlisle

in the second round, while Southampton go to Swindon after

beating Bristol City last night. It was a celebratory sport.

Berkshire and Aldershot doing very well.

Now, something for youngsters, and dare I say, middle-aged men. It

depends on your point of view, it is either a highly skilled musical

performance, or it is something your children grow out of in their

late teens, or perhaps never grow out of. A musician from Brighton is

taking it very seriously. We are talking about Guy "The

Bandit" Thompson, he was crowned Air guitar champion of the UK at

the weekend and is bound for the International Finals in Finland

tomorrow. John Young caught up with him as he prepared for his big

moment. Take it away.

ROCK MUSIC. If you are into air guitar, you

will be admiring the power chords, and that hammering. But if like me,

you are wondering whether guitarist, there isn't one. Air guitar is all

about pretending you have one -- where the guitarist. It is not as

easy as it looks. You have got to make sure you have got... It is no

good doing all of this. You have to pretend you are playing the guitar.

You may have missed it, but the air guitar championships have been

around since the late 1990s. The International file and then Finn

and well involve Keppoch -- the international final in Finland will

involve competitors from around 20 countries. Moving your arm around,

looking like you have got a bendy guitar, not hitting the notes,

hands in the same position. That will cost them.? I think so.

convinced? Neither was this Radio 1 disc jockey, tracked down by an air

guitar expert. I just shout at the TV, no! But each to their own.

is not going to hold our man back. But there is one obstacle to

overcome. I have pulled a muscle in my back so it has been painful, but

I'm sure one sad that there, it will be OK. -- once I am out there.

And we will all be cheering you on. The prize for the winner? A real

guitar, but I'm not sure Guy "The Bandit" Thompson needs it.

He is so good. And you are so good. You have done that before. Shall we

all do that at the end? She said, no, you do it.

What did you do it too? That was status quo.

You just do three courts for that. We love Status Quo. On to the

weather now. The weather cheered up later on today.

It did, and it will be fairly similar tomorrow, although the rain

could be heavy at times in the morning. We do have some lovely

The rain didn't stop this Squirrel from feeding on the nuts in Chris

Castle's garden in Fleet. And two's company. Diana Wilson

from Bognor Regis in West Sussex captured two donkeys posing for the

camera. So it was an improving picture. A

quick look ahead to the weekend and there will be some showers, more so

on Saturday, but some decent on Saturday, but some decent

sunshine on offer. Tonight, increasing cloud cover and that

will bring rain through the early hours of this morning. Initially as

showers and then there heavy band of rain. It is all from this heavy

band of rain moving up through the Bay of Biscay and through the

English Channel. Maybe the odd rumble of thunder and then the main

band of rain will arrive through the early hours of the morning, may

be affecting eastern areas. You can see the darker blues and greens.

Some heavy periods by dawn but temperatures will stay mild,

despite the cloud cover. Those are the baddies in our time it's --

towns and cities, 12-14. But an improving picture, the main band of

rain will go north, one or two showers dodging around and

temperatures up to around 18 Celsius. The wind will start to

pick up speed tomorrow night, disbursing showers and clearing

skies. Temperatures not as warm as tonight. One or two showers to

start the day on Saturday morning, which could stay with us up until

lunchtime, but it is an improving picture facts to this area of high

pressure. The shares will come -- the showers will come up from this

weather front and move the East. One or two showers dotted around on

Sunday, but mostly dry for us. Into the new working week, back Holiday

Monday is looking good, one or two showers once again -- bank. Expect

heavy rain for tomorrow morning, our very soggy start the day,

sunshine on Saturday, but we have an improving picture. Sunday is the

best day to get out and about over the weekend at Monday is also

looking fairly good. If you want a full five-day forecast, you can go

on to the website or pressed the on to the website or pressed the

red button. Thank you. Come and join us,

because you take part in our last story.

This next story will probably make you "oooh" and "aaahh". Three snow

leopard cubs took their first steps outside today.

They, along with other big cat species, are threatened in the wild.

Maintaining a healthy captive population is very important to the

global conservation of the species. I went along to see them.

There three bundles of joy were unveiled to the public for the

first time this morning. This is the latest letter of the breeding

programme which has been ongoing for 40 years -- litter. They are 12

weeks old today and this is their first day out in the enclosure.

They are looking very well, they are all very healthy and a good

size. This is the first time they have been allowed to venture out

into the open. Two girls and one boy. He is the boys Trust one, he

has taken a few footsteps into the open -- boisterous. And he is the

one the public can name. Despite being born in captivity, they are

vital to the world population of snow leopards. There are around

6,000 in the wild but it is hard to ascertain because of their

secretive lifestyle. So it is really hard for the global

conservation strategy for the species that we maintain these

populations. So here, we contribute to European breeding programmes for

the snow leopards and that is really what is so exciting about

the three cubs at the moment. father, aware that something was

going on, was marking his territory Idonia by enclosure. The weather

was not perfect for the first few steps into the big wide world, but

it did not stop them exploring their new home. In the wild, they

can extreme -- survive extreme temperatures in the mountain

regions of Asia. Here, they are finding their feet in a slightly

warmer climate. Fabulous shot. Really great

pictures. And they are going to name the boy.

If you go on to the website, the Marwell Zoo website, you can float.

They have quite long tails, I didn't realise -- vote.

Did you know something about their tails? In the mountains of Asia,