20/04/2012 South Today

Cattle welcome to South Today. The main stories: At 16 years since her

son was murdered, Damien Nettles's mother on why a reward could help

find his killer. No parent should lose a child but

in our case, there has been no explanation.

Disabled workers fight the closure of Remploy factories, saying they

are a lifeline for employment. A open wide - they were once

commonplace, but to fewer tonsil operations mean a rise in A&E

admissions. -- do. HMS Terrible becomes the most

expensive toy ever sold in Britain. It is an excitement that only a

collector could have. It is a disease. I have got it and a lot of

people here have got about disease. -- that disease.

It is one of the South's longest running unsolved cases and tonight

the family of Isle of Wight teenager Damien Nettles are hoping

that raising money for a record will provide the breakthrough they

need. Damien was 16 when he went missing in 1996 after a night out

in Cowes. Today, his mother has spoken of the family's anguish that

his body has never been discovered. Our reporter is in Cowes.

Several bands are coming here to play on stage with a common purpose.

They are here to raise money, to raise awareness, to raise a reward,

to try to find answers in a murder inquiry.

This is the last confirmed sighting of Damien Nettles. It is 16 years

since this CCTV was taken. His mother accepts there is little hope

he is alive. No parents should have to ask the question, "where is my

child's body". But in our case, there has been no explanation. He

went out one night and he never came back. Valerie Nettles now

lives in America but is back on the Isle of Wight for a concert to help

raise a reward of �10,000 to solve the case. It is believed Damien was

murdered: But his body has never been found. Last year, police

searched a nature reserve in Newport without success. There have

been arrests and three people are currently on police bail, suspected

of being involved in his murder, but nobody has been charged.

Tonight's concert is not just about raising money but raising the

concept -- the profile of the case, hoping someone might come forward

with fresh information. There are many reasons why people don't come

forward - it could be loyalty, it could be because they are scared.

They may now have their own children or grandchildren and feel

different about things. I think through raising of the reward, we

are raising awareness and bringing Damien's face and the case back

into the public eye. This is the 16th year of unanswered questions.

What did happen to this teenager? It will be one of the most

difficult years for his mother. years is the kicker for me, because

I don't know how I am going to feel on that one. I had him 16 years and

he has been gone 16 years. That is going to be a hard one. That is

later this year? Yes, November. It will be a difficult one but we will

get through it, I am sure. The police believe that a reward is

not appropriate at this particular time. They say that they had

several suspects on bail and are also pursuing existing lines of

enquiry. The concert is due to kick off in half-an-hour.

Thank you. Former luxury cruise ship worker

has pleaded guilty to 13 charges of sexually assaulting boys and 11

charges of making and possessing indecent images of children. Paul

Trotter made many of the films on Cunard cruise ships operating from

Southampton. He worked as a children's supervisor on board and

will be sentenced next month. Cunard says it is deeply shocked by

his appalling crimes. A been reviewing our policy and procedures,

the NSPCC found no major issues, but we have found areas where we

could continue to do more. We could train our staff to be particularly

vigilant -- vigilant. We had vigilant policies but we are now

going to do everything we can to safeguard passengers.

At fire has ravaged a millionaire's house on Green Island in Poole

Harbour. Firefighters are still damping down at the four storey

timber building on the fortified AK Island. The house has been severely

damaged and some parts have collapsed. -- the 45 acre island.

The government says money spent on keeping Remploy factories open

would be better eight used helping people into jobs with mainstream

employers, but staff at the site so, which will close this summer, may

never work again once the factories shut. -- sites.

For the people protesting today, time is marching on. In just a few

weeks, the factories that employ them will close. Nick is one of the

lucky ones. His Portsmouth site has been given a stay of execution but

it can't break even in a year, he will be out of a job, too. Despite

a number of disabilities, including epilepsy, he sits as a magistrate.

A few years ago, he got a degree. Others are less able to flourish in

the wider world and, at 58, he is worried that with his disability,

he might never find work again. Nine of our people left last year.

Two people did get work but the rest, as far as I am aware, have

not. It was the problems faced by disabled former servicemen in the

post-war jobs market that lay behind Remploy's creation. Critics

say more than 60 years on, though, their time has come and gone.

money at the moment is following factories, rather than people. Last

year, the batteries lost �68 million, which could have been

invested in supporting people into work. Closing factories like this

one has the backing of some disability groups, but others say

that with mainstream employers already swimming against the

economic tide, few will look favourably on those Remploy staff

with the greatest needs. A leading throat surgeon says

children are falling seriously ill with tonsilitis because health

trusts are refusing to do operations. There has been a 40%

increase in the number of youngsters taken to axe two

departments with severe tonsilitis. One specialist from Frimley Park

Hospital says more operations should be done to help prevent that.

-- taken to A&E departments. In the 1950s, one in four children had

their tonsils out. By 82005, only 35,000 operations a dear work done.

Last year, 29,000 operations were done in England and Wales. -- a EDF

work done. This girl had tonsilitis so badly

that she fainted. Her mum called an ambulance. It was so painful

because I had never had it before and had no idea what it was. It was

just horrendous. You could not concentrate on anything. She missed

training and a national rowing regatta but was never offered a

single operation, which could have cured her. 50 years ago, one in

four children had their tonsils removed. It meant a couple of days

in hospital and Delhi and ice-cream. Since then, numbers have fallen

dramatically. -- jelly. In the south, most counties do about 2000

Hampshire has one of the lowest rates in the country. Many

specialists believe this has led to a big increase in emergency cases

of children with tonsilitis. It is tonsilitis of such severity that

people cannot even drink and are becoming dehydrated, so they have

to come to hospital for fluids and rehydration. For people that are so

ill that they require intravenous antibiotics, or an abscess on the

tonsils, or quinsy, which can be dangerous. Nobody is suggesting a

return to the 1950s and routine tonsillectomies. But many experts

believe that limiting operations is now costing the NHS more than it

saves. We have a statement from NHS south

Still to come: Alexis will have the weekend weather forecast, and Tony

will have the support. Plus, HMS terrible - it is far from

it. A record price for this Edwardian doorway.

-- tally. Ministers from 47 European

countries visited Brighton this week to debate changes to the

Convention on Human Rights. The week has also seen UKIP overtake

the Lib Dems in a Pelian polls -- opinion polls. Is our relationship

with Europe changing? Our political editor has been to Strasbourg and

is with me now. Nigel Farage, the leader of UKIP, is elected by those

in the south. He must be happy. and this is a party with no MPs in

Westminster who have found themselves more popular than one of

the parties running the country! Some of that is a protest vote

because the government is unpopular mid-term, but he is also to do with

European issues. Nigel Farage's message that Britain must resist

interference from this place, the Strasbourg Court of Human Rights,

has played a part. I went there to talk to people in Europe. Brighton

was hosting a major conference of the Council of Europe. They refused

Britain's attempt to water down, as they saw it, the commitment to

common law against Europe. -- across Europe. Some say that we in

the South benefit greatly from been closer to the Continent - is that

the case? That argument is still being raid -- made. Nigel Farage

says the cost of Europe is too much. You could argue that less

bureaucracy would help but others say that Britain can take a

stronger part in the world from being part of Europe. If you take

what we are doing together in fighting piracy off the coast of

Somalia, it is run from Northwood in the UK. We have a lot to

contribute to the development of a common European policy and at the

same time, it saves us money. are saying we should not be paying

�50 million per day to bob up these buildings. We should take back

control of our borders and must have a referendum to decide our

future. These are positive things and collectively, are confidence in

the political class in Westminster has never been lower. What are the

chances of a referendum? It depends on how much of the main partys'

votes, but you could end up taking. -- UKIP end up taking. We will be

asking bat on Sunday Politics on Sunday. And that is after you have

done the London Marathon?! The new Bishop of Winchester, the

Right Reverend Tim Dakin, will be enthroned tomorrow at a ceremony in

Winchester Cathedral. He becomes Bishop at a time when the Church

faces controversial changes, including a vote on the

consecration of women bishops. Radio Solent's religious affairs

editor, also called Tim Dakin, met his namesake.

When it was announced last September that the new Bishop of

Winchester is Tim Dakin, there was considerable confusion, but no, it

is not me! It is the Tim Dakin who lives here. I have come to the

official home of the Bishop of Winchester. He takes up his new

home -- role after 10 years at the helm of one of the Church's

missionary organisations. As one of the Church's most senior bishops,

he now becomes a member of the House of Lords. A asked him about

the big questions facing the Church and society are. They had riots in

London and for those riots to spread around the country and to be

seen on our TVs, was the thing that a disturbed many of us. He is

particularly concerned about social inequality. Poverty is an ongoing

issue. There are places in Winchester diocese where there are

significant areas of poverty. 25% of the children in a particular

parish are below the poverty line. That is something I think we should

be racing as an issue which Christians must, because they are

Christians, ask of the government to do something about. -- raising

of. What about women bishops? very enthusiastic that the Church

of England proceeds with the ordination of women. It is going to

be very important for how people understand Christian leadership to

see women in responsible positions. When the bishop a rise at the

Cathedral on Saturday for his enthronement, the first thing he

has to do is to knock to gain admission. -- arrives. He will be

greeted by the Dean and a packed congregation, but on the horizon on

You can hear more from Bishop Tim Dakin with our own Tim Daykin on

BBC Radio Solent on Sunday morning at 7.30. I went straight up to him

and said congratulations! I had no idea you were going to be Bishop.

We were talking about Reading earlier in the week. Hopefully,

followed swiftly by Saints. Probably two to go. The emphasis

will be moving to Southampton. Southampton will hope to join

Reading in the Premier League this weekend. If they can get a win at

Middlesbrough, they will end their 7 year exile from the top division,

a division they played in for almost three decades. So it's apt

tonight to talk to the man synonymous with some of

Southampton's happiest times in the Premier League. I've been chatting

with Matthew Le Tissier. Southampton's Premiership existence

is dripping slowly way. May 2005 and Southampton's run in top-flight

football came to an end. Southampton are relegated. Painful

for fans and players who helped keep them there during the years.

Seven long years watching us slide down the divisions was painful. I

was commentating the debris were relegated. It was as hard a job as

I have done. It was a hard landing to League One and close to going

bust. Rebuilds with the money, this could be a second consecutive

promotion. It would give everyone a real sense of pride in the city. We

have taken a bit of a knock. League One was a big blow. People do tend

to underestimate the amount of confidence as a team and squat. The

momentum you gain from their promotion and starting with

victories at the start is just snowballing. The Premier League is

20 years old, Matthew Le Tissier it contributed some of its greatest

goals. The class of 2012 can dream of the biggest stage. If they focus

on getting the points at Middlesbrough and Coventry on the

final day. Saints have never been out of the top two this season,

they can cement their place in the league tomorrow. Best of luck to

Southampton. Sir John Madejski says the takeover of Reading football

club will be completed next week. Russian Anton Zingaravich is buying

a controlling stake in the newly promoted club. Reading could move a

step closer to securing the championship title if they can beat

a Crystal Palace, who, frankly, have nothing to play for. Tuesday's

win over Nottingham Forest sparked scenes of celebration for the

Royals and the planning has started for the Premier League, but now

they have to refocus on staying ahead of Southampton. Some

Portsmouth fans have been resigned to relegation for a few weeks now,

but they've won their last two games and are still in with a slim

chance of survival, but matters are very much out of their hands.

Pompey need to beat Derby at Fratton Park and hope that Bristol

City don't beat Barnsley at Ashton Gate. That would mean Michael

Appleton's men can take their relegation fight to the final day

of the season. Elsewhere in the championship Brighton and Hove

Albion can't reach the play offs now, they host Birmingham. In

league one, there's a mid table clash between Bournemouth and

Colchester In league two Crawley are hanging on to the third

automatic promotion spot- so their game at Dagenham and Redbridge is

crucial tomorrow. Aldershot are at Burton Albion. Two runners from the

south face make or break weekends in their quest to gain a place at

the Olympic games. With only one place in the women's marathon team

up for grabs, Winchester's Louise Damon and Liz Yelling from Poole

are among a number of top athletes vying for the remaining place when

they tackle this weekend's London Marathon. Even if they run the

qualifying time, they face a nail biting wait for the selectors to

make their decision, which is expected on Monday.

I have the pedigree but I have not shown it. I am not the favourite to

take the spot so that suits me. I want to get out there and race and

the other girls have moved on. It is really great for marathon

running. We would have to run better than ever before. So

actually that makes it there to be simple. Whatever happens on Sunday,

I hope it will be positive. good luck to the GB Hockey Head

Coach Jason Lee and Team manager Andy Halliday. The pair who are

based at Bisham Abbey in Marlow are taking on the 26.2 mile course

whilst dribbling a hockey ball. Its all part of the "Big Dribble" aimed

at raising the profile of Hockey ahead of London 2012, and money for

the charity WellChild. Onto cricket and play got underway

on day two of Surrey's game against Worcestershire after a washout

yesterday. There were more interruptions but Surrey closed on

123-7. Good luck to all of the preparing

for the London Marathon. We would love to hear your messages of

congratulation and any pictures you can send us.

The favourite toy of a childhood? Table football. Almost predictable.

I had about 50 teams and television floodlights. My parents are still

asking me to take it away with me. I did not have a favourite toy.

Well there's money in old toys that's for certain because an

impressive collection went under the hammer in Newbury today. And

one battleship blew the existing British record of �40,000 for an

antique toy out of the water. Allen Sinclair reports.

Anything but child's play. This was strictly a game for those in long

trousers with very deep pockets. I'm not going to tell you what I'm

after - that's a rather silly thing to do isn't it? Whichever side I'm

sitting, he always has the card in the other hand, so I can't actually

stop him. Ron McCrindell was the foremost

authority on tin toys, and there's been huge excitement since it was

announced sixty thousand items - his entire collection - was going

to auction. This will not happen again. This kind of collection

coming on the market is so rare. And it's kind of a meeting place.

It's a gathering for all the toy collectors and they're going to be

sort of touched by Ron McCrindell's magic.

Estimates for lots ranged from twenty pounds up to tens of

thousands with this tinplate spirit-fired battleship the

undisputed star. It was bought in the late 1960s, for a reasonable

sum of money at that time. But it's now estimated at forty to sixty

thousand pounds. So I'm trying very hard not to drop it. With those in

the auction room competing against phone bidders from Europe and

America, it was clear the previous record of forty thousand pounds was

about to be blasted out of the water. �76,000 - the most expensive

toy ever. The winning phone bid was from a European collector. So what

would Ron have made of it all? He would love to know that it was

going to people who'd really appreciate what he strove for over

those fifty or sixty years that he �76,000, you want to dig out the

table football. Never mind the mortgage, but would pay for the

house. On to the weather forecast. We were talking about vegetables is

today. Pea sized hail captured in Binfield in Berkshire by Neil

Curnow. Michael Horlock took this photo of the vibrant yellow

rapeseed against the grey storm clouds in the distance in

Fittleworth in West Sussex. And 3- year-old Emelia tried to catch the

hailstones. This picture was sent in by her mum Stephanie Wheeler

from Andover. Some big thunderstorms today, hail and

lightning in places. Tonight, Chile lightning in places. Tonight, Chile

with a clearing skies but some rain, especially on the south coast.

Persistent and lingering in the early hours. Clear skies for inland

areas. A ground frost with temperatures down to three or four

in towns and cities. The lingering rain stays on the south coast the

Sussex first thing. Back to square one with a shout as, rolling in

from the West, heavy, thundery and slow moving. Persistent in some

areas. Highs of 12 or 13. The wind will gradually pick up speed. We

use the showers tomorrow night although a few dotted around along

the south coast. Once again, the risk of a touch of frost in the

countryside, lows of 4-7. A cold start to the day on Sunday. A

mixture of sunshine and showers. The showers less frequent than

Saturday. If you are heading to the London Marathon, a dry start, quite

chilly. A high of around six or seven. Rising to 12-14. There will

be showers out there if you are a slow run. Temperatures around 12

Celsius in the afternoon. Full coverage on the BBC. Monday, we do

it all again. Low-pressure heading towards us, this coming Monday low-

pressure and squeezed isobars. Rain at times, gale-force wind on the

south coast. A wet and windy day. Tuesday, the Shah was will make a

return. This is the summary, one or two thundery showers, prolongs,

slow moving -- the showers. Heavy rain arrives on Monday, and gale-

force gusts on the south coast and some showers and sunshine.

If you are running the marathon, you would be beating the weather.