19/03/2012 South Today

Hello, welcome to South Today. Where are the jobs and new

businesses? We look at the region's economy.

Fireworks could have started a hotel fire as tens of thousands of

pounds of business is lost. The clock that is ticking away

again after a complaint stopped time. I can't get over these people

that come in and say, "I don't like it so it must stop." we will be

meeting some of the people who will be taking part in the Olympic torch

The South's economy could be showing signs of growth. Research

carried out shows a mixed picture. Business growth is surging in some

areas like Reading but in others such as Chichester, there is

continuing decline. The research carried out by

Experian gives as a snapshot of the health of the economy. Looking at

the number of new start-up minus insolvencies. Amongst the

performers are writing at which it saw a rise in business start-ups

since 2010. There is a rise in Basingstoke and at AB Dey in West

Sussex. In other areas, the business base has declined. Among

the areas affected were Chichester, Southampton, Portsmouth and the

Isle of Wight. This survey shows a rise in self-employment in parts of

the self, notably in Winchester, where the figure rose and in Havant.

Is supporting new businesses a sure fire way to kick-start the economy?

Cash grants to help a new breed of entrepreneurs.

As the South struggles to wriggle free from the grip of the economic

downturn, people like Aaron Blackburn holds the key to a

brighter future. He is a young entrepreneur who has set up a firm

selling parts to the double-glazing industry. After taking a degree, he

had seen how difficult it has become to get on a graduate

training scheme. They are so many people trying to get on them so to

save wasting time, I tried to think there's anything you can do for

yourself. Aaron is one of the entrepreneurs who will benefit from

a �500 grant and advice from Havant Borough Council. Last year, 60

firms got the cash and this year, 80 will benefit. For every new

business that is established, within 12 months, that business is

employing at least one extra person. In a town like Havant which has

high unemployment, we need those jobs. Last night, people from

across the region debated the state of the economy at the UK

headquarters of forklift truck after -- forklift truck company,

Linde. One care worker share -- spoke how she had been affected by

the squeeze on public spending. am �300 a month worse off because I

had a pay cut to save jobs. I a man from the Isle of Wight he has

secured an apprenticeship said many of his friends are struggling to

find work but some employees complained of a shortage of skilled

workers. A yacht manufacturer says British industry needs to flag up

its high quality products. People come to us from overseas and see

what we do. Their jaws hit the floor when they see the quality we

are doing, be hand-finished. We don't shout about this anywhere.

Today the Prime Minister has been talking about the road, rail and

airport improvements needed to drive job creation and the head of

the Confederation of British Industry said stimulating growth

must be the Chancellor's number-one priority when he delivers his

Budget speech on Wednesday. Tonight on BBC 1, you can see that

special debate programme looking at how the region is faring and that

is at 11:05pm. It is also on the BBC iPlayer.

Detectives investigating the death of a man in Newbury had been

granted more time to question four men. The 38 year-old man died

OFSTED -- died of stab wounds on Queen's Road. They have been

further arrests over alleged assaults that took place that night.

Investigations are underway into how a fire started at a landmark

hotel on the Isle of Wight. Fireworks were being set off from

the roof of the nineteenth-century Ryde Castle during a wedding

reception. No one was hurt but investigations are focusing on the

use of fireworks during the celebration.

Coming up to view the aftermath, an iconic building that has stood here

since 1833. On Saturday night, when I fire destroyed the property, it's

ruined the wedding of a young couple. I conducted the wedding. I

was so shocked when I was looking at the pictures on Sunday morning

and so gutted for that couple to have their wedding and like that. I

felt so bad for them and shocked because it is such a popular venue.

Another 20 weddings were due to take place between now and August.

Isle of Wight council has helped one other couple there were due to

get married this Friday find somewhere else. Owners of a hotel

said: Are we were aware fireworks were set off during the wedding

function. It appears possible that fireworks were the cause but we

will have to wait for a full investigation to get the facts.

investigation is focusing on trying to determine the cause the secondly,

to look at the management and safety aspects of the use of

fireworks. We would like to see a tightening of the legislation

around using fireworks. The company who own the hotel say they will be

restoring the venue. From Pond Street in Papworth to

Chapel Street in Thatcham. The chairlift at the Needles to

Reading's were this KC Stadium. -- majestic stadium. They have been

details that have been released on the journey the Olympic torch will

go. Starting in a touch on 9th July, over the next 11 days the torch

will pass through Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, the

Isle of Wight, Sussex, Kent and Surrey. Leaving Guildford on 20th

July and reaching the Olympic stadium in London a week later. On

July 13th, the torch will be carried along shore road in Swanage.

Roger is there for us. At precisely 12:42pm, the Olympic

torch will make his way along the seafront here. The whole relay has

been organised with military precision. Today we heard the

details of the where and the when but we also heard about some of the

people, the extraordinary people who will be carrying the torch.

The winner is going to be Tom Muels. At 16, Tom has been a national

swimming champion. He also gives his free time to teach children to

swim so they were the choice to run the torch relay. But, he has a

problem. He tore a knee ligament in December. I will be off crutches

soon and I start running a month after. I am really looking forward

to it. The torch gets to Weymouth on 12th July and the town is going

to make the most of it. If here in the Sailing Academy, we will have a

spectacular corridor of young sailors from all over the UK

cheering the torch in. From the most ordinary roads around

Winchester to stop offs at the region's historic icon has, it

takes in them all. I couldn't think of a better welcome to Portsmouth.

It makes Paul Smith so special and that is the modern Royal Navy and

our maritime heritage. It will pass through this sheltered housing.

I feel privileged and proud to be able to take part in this adventure.

It is an amazing thing. It makes people feel more involved in it

than they would normally be. Organise us hope hundreds of people

were line the pavements two-tier on the Torch Bay that -- will line the

pavements to cheer on the torch bearers. It is a dream. I would

like to go on to represent Britain at the Paralympics, whether it be

see p football or athletics. The 14 year old has cerebral palsy. He is

a keen football and plays in goal for AFC Bournemouth Ability Counts.

It is an honour that he has been able to carry the torch. Charity

fund raiser, Danny Ely is hoping for similar on 20th July. It is

going to be a great day. I have friends and family to support me.

Homes, businesses, schools, finding out for a few minutes in July, they

will be at the heart of the Olympics.

In Swanage, be really will spark off a week of festivities for young

people with possessions, musical events and sports events. Where it

goes, it will produce quite a spectacle.

If you want to know where the tort will be travelling, go to this

website. -- torch. Campaigners from so may have

launched a challenge against plans to replace some paid library staff

with volunteers. The County Council says the move could save 52

libraries but the Surrey Libraries Action Movement says the council is

trying to get rid of its statutory responsibilities.

Surrey County Council is writing a new chapter for Bramley library.

It's as elsewhere in Britain, but it wants to keep all 52 of its

library is open. Bramley and nine others will no longer have salaried

staff. They will be run by volunteers. Villagers have mixed

feelings. If they want to volunteer, why not let them. One assumes that

they will enjoy doing it other Babel -- otherwise they wouldn't

volunteer. It seems a pity to lose professional people there. It is a

question of can may be maintained over the years? Today, campaigners

opposed to the plan arrived to have their case argued. If there is a

big difference between volunteering to help the paid staff whenever you

can and taking legal responsibility for running the service. We don't

think that is fair and right. court the campaigners barrister

said his legal challenge was not a political one centred on the

arguments about budget cutbacks all the big society. She said this was

about the council's decision making process and whether disabled people

could be disadvantaged by these changes, not least because

volunteers would not have the same level of trading as experience to

help them. The council says it has many volunteers ready to takeover.

We will provide all the stark, all the buildings, all the equipment

they need and the training. They will be, for this small area, a

very well supported library. hearing is expected to conclude

He lived in Salisbury for 20 years and after months of uncertainty,

the fate of the home of Edward Heath has been resolved. The

authorities had opposed the house being opened as a tourist

attraction, but as we report, it will reopen from next week.

They are training their tour guides for Sir Edward Heath's former home.

It is just as he left it. A bottle of single malt on the side. His

housekeeper provides the inside track on the life of a private man

who counted some amazing people amongst his friends, enjoyed music

and sailing on the Solent, and loved living in Salisbury. He had

an ability to compartmentalise his life, and he has done that yet. In

the front room, it is about sailing, the drawing room, the music. In the

dining Room, he hosted guests, from David Frost to the Archbishop of

Canterbury. All of this has been closed for four years as the trust

deed's of Sir Edward Heath tried to sell the house and then the

cathedral objected to the public opening of the house. Others argued

that tourists are the lifeblood of what is a busy place. It has half a

million visitors a year. Arundel attracts 20,000. What is important

during these tough times is that we help businesses and we help

businesses in the City by making sure that this gem remains open to

the public. The Chinese wallpaper and the staircase are evidence of

his links with the Far East. He struck up a friendship with drum

and mow whilst keeping souvenirs with quite different approach back

home. Aaron dealt will open from next week. -- Arundel.

Still to come in this evening's South Today:

100 years of history as a new Titanic art exhibition goes on

A memorial was held today for a child who was said by a cricket

ball and died last month. The 16- year-old was a pupil at the local

school and his parents and a teacher called it a tragic accident.

The school will erect a memorial bench in his memory and dedicate a

football trophy to him. Up to 1,000 people in Winchester

have been sent council tax statements containing other

people's personal information. Winchester City Council says it's

investigating with its contractor, who prints and posts the bills, to

find out how the error happened. The Council is writing to affected

taxpayers to apologise and provide them with the correct information.

A man has died in a flat fire in Worthing. 30 fire-fighters were

needed to tackle the blaze at Gratwick Road. The alarm was raised

by a neighbour hearing the windows of the converted terraced house

blow out. It's not yet known how the fire started.

Farnham's Town Hall clock is ringing out over local roof tops

once more tonight. A week after it was silenced following a complaint

from a member of the public that the chimes were keeping them awake,

the owners of the building relented. They agreed to let the bells sound

out once more after the silent majority rose up in protest. Joe

Campbell reports from the Surrey For the majority of Farnham's Town-

folk, this is music to their ears. And when the owners of the Town

Hall decided to silence its clock after just one complaint from a new

arrival, well, people decided it was time their voices were heard.

Even with the chimes restored, many were today continuing to sign a

petition against the original decision. Somebody just comes into

the town and then says, OK, that has been going for 100 years. And I

don't like it. We are going to switch it off! Perhaps they ought

to live somewhere else. Without the sound of a bell. This bar's been

the campaign's headquarters for those wanting the bells back.

Ironically, its owners are themselves newcomers to Farnham

after living in Spain and Germany. In Spain, you are not allowed to

leave a burn on -- belts off, because it is part of the history.

So even if it is annoying, you cannot complain. So, today, the man

who first raised the alarm was back in business. Exactly a week after I

was told to Symons it, it has come back, because it is fantastic. -- I

was told to silence it. And the person who complained in the first

place... Well, from them today, it was a case of a deafening silence.

Well, the clock in Farnham may be working again, but some of you may

have noticed, Southampton's Civic Centre clock has come to a

standstill this week. Time will remain frozen until Thursday as

workers prepare the tower for visitors to celebrate the opening

of the Sea City museum next month. The union representing air traffic

controllers says it fears the Government is about to sell more of

its stake in the National Air Traffic Service. Much of the work

is carried out at Swanwick in Hampshire. The Prospect Union

believes the sale could be announced in this week's budget. At

the moment, the Government owns 49% of NATS.

The sinking of the Titanic has captured the imagination of

hundreds of artists across the south. As we approach the centenary

of the disaster next month, it's become the theme for this year's

annual open exhibition at Southampton City Art Gallery. And

it's proved the most popular ever, with more than 300 entries. Roisin

One subject interpreted in hundreds of different ways. We have had more

entrants than before. Certainly, we have been bowled over by the

creativity. People have responded marvellously. From schoolchildren

to professional artists, judges have their work cut out determining

Anybody looking closely will hopefully start to work it out and

will see in the smoke that is issuing from the finals that there

are other people that didn't make it across. The exhibition runs

until 29th of April and many of the works are for sale. Many, but not

all. This is special to me and it is a gift to my wife. Stunning

artwork and well worth a look. No out, the sport.

As far as Southampton is concerned, it is getting repetitive but in a

nice way because they keep winning. Top of the Championship, and an

amazing Saturday afternoon. Here's how the table looked at

three o'clock on Saturday. But there were a few twists and turns

on the way. So let's roll the action and see how events occurred.

Southampton at Millwall, they going front. Things would change. There

was an own goal. Millwall go into the lead, a 2-1 lead. Southampton

were in trouble, particularly when Reading were put in front. The

Royals are going top-of-the-table at this point. What about this

second goal? A golf -- the goal of the weekend. Reading, cruising,

going top. Backed his of Rampton. Penalty Southampton. 2-2. And then,

what about this late drama? Handball. The saint's day top. That

meant that it was academic, but it was a 4-0 win for Reading, but they

stay second. Let's hear from the managers. Clean sheet, four goals,

improve the goal difference, and still plenty of games to play.

We have got to get back into it. We have changed at around during the

course of the game. The squad is wanting to do very well.

Brighton suffered their first defeat of 2012 in the League. They

were beaten 3-1 at Blackpool despite taking an early lead

through on loan Joe Mattock. Ian Evatt levelled before the break.

Brighton were defending their unbeaten record. Former Southampton

striker Kevin Phillips put the home side in front before half-time. The

game really changed when Jara Reyes was sent off. Albion down to 10 men.

Phillips wrapped up the win ten minutes from time. So this is how

it looks in the Championship. They Reading have won 16 of their last

20 games. It looks like two from three for automatic promotion.

Portsmouth's administrator is aiming to more than halve the

club's wage bill if they make it through to next season. Trevor

Birch says he inherited a bill of �13 million. That's high by

Championship standards. On the field, an ever depleted Pompey side

drew another blank. At Fratton Park, Portsmouth are

trying to balance being competitive with staying alive. A below

strength side, which could be weakened further by the end of the

week, couldn't break either their winless streak, or goal drought.

Relegation to League One beckons. But that's hardly the most pressing

concern. Everybody knows that if a substantial offer comes and it is

right for the players and club, then we might have to lose some

more. Portsmouth could well be playing Bournemouth next season.

Their own five game losing streak ended against Carlisle on Saturday.

The Cherries had been behind for much of the game. But loan Miles

Addison struck a late equaliser. In League Two, Crawley are back in

the promotion race, but only just. They came from a goal down against

Port vale to level through Sergio Torres. The visitors went back in

front after half-time. That set the scene for new signing Gary

Alexander to score twice in the last 20 minutes. First to equalise.

Then the all-important winner. With seven minutes to play, Crawley

aren't finished yet. Aldershot are certainly looking up, not down,

after a 1-0 win against Bradford thanks to Wilko Risser's goal.

Late Kick Off returns next week, but don't forget there are

highlights of all the games online right now. Congratulations

Guildford Flames have won this year's Premier League ice hockey

title. The Flames, including Branislav Kvetan, beat Basingstoke

4-3 in overtime this weekend to capture their fifth title. They'd

been beaten on Saturday night at Milton Keynes, meaning that the

team secured the two points they needed in front of their home fans

at the Spectrum in Guildford last night. The first trophy of the new

year. An exciting end to the season in

football. I unexciting summer ahead.

Now, the weather. It was gorgeous today.

I take full credit. Spring is here. All our viewers

agree as well. A feeling of spring is in the air.

A rhododendron. This picture was taken in Southampton by Chris

Maybee. The frost on the trees contrasting with the very clear

blue sky. It is so frosty, it went black. This shot was taken in

Ablington on the Salisbury Plain by Jackie Dryden. And an early morning

shot of Weymouth Bay Sent in by Very sunny during the day. We have

those clearing skies for much of this evening as well, at least for

the first part. The cloud encroaches fairly soon, though. The

cloud marches in from the North and West, meaning Western areas will be

milder and further East, temperatures closer to freezing.

But it is not as cold as last night. The coldest areas will be further

East in the region, but by the end of the night, temperatures

recovering. Minimum, two or 3. Tomorrow morning is a lot more

cloudy, but it will be slow to brighten up. It is not going to be

as beautifully bright as today. A South easterly breeze, quite

noticeable, and cloud along the M4 corridor. In the evening, a lot

more cloud building up. A misty start to Wednesday, temperatures

never wear them 5 or 6. Wednesday, plenty of sunshine, and dry. There

is not at any rain in the foreseeable future, I can promise

you that. Thursday is the one to watch out for. The High is pushing

North eastwards. Behind it, the cloud breaks up fairly nicely.

Thursday is tipped to be the warmest day this week. It could be

18 or 19, particularly towards the South East. So, it is dry and mild,

there will be sunshine, some cloud tomorrow and Wednesday, and there

is not at any rain through this week, not until the weekend, and