02/05/2012 South Today

Welcome to South Today. The main stories: P&O cruises comes under

fire for paying some foreign crew 77p an hour.

Their company masquerades as a British company with Union Jack

flags everywhere. I thought it was demeaning.

A former is forced to kill two dogs after they killed some sheep in his

form. I dread to think what could have happened if I was not there.

These canoeists -- for the final places. -- these canoeists are race

for the final places. You're never too old to learn an

instrument. We have the South's oldest brass section.

P&O Cruises has been criticised over the amount it pays some

foreign crew members on its Southampton-based ships. It has

also emerged that some staff face having tips from passengers

withheld, unless they hit new performance targets. A junior

waiter with P&O Cruises earns �250 a month for shifts lasting 11 hours,

working seven days a week, usually on a nine-month contract. That is

just 77 pence an hour. Compare that with the UK minimum wage, which is

�6.08 an hour. Our Transport Correspondent is here. 77p an hour

sounds like a pittance. We are talking mainly about Indian

staff here, and some from the Philippines. And yes, they are paid

what to us sounds like a tiny amount of money. Cruise ships

operate in international waters, they are not subject to UK

employment laws, so the minimum wage does not apply. The crew rely

heavily on tips from passengers. But they have been given new

performance targets. The company is moving from voluntary cash tipping

by passengers to an automatic deduction of tips on their credit

cards. If the crew don't meet their targets, they don't get the extra

money. Not good, according to passenger Rob Bygrave from Dorset.

Well, when I saw the contract and realised the rate per hour was 77p

for a waiter, which was likely to get worse because of upon it --

performance management system they were bringing in, I thought it was

appalling. This is a blue-chip company with a Union Jack flying

all over the place. It is not a British company. I thought it was

degrading. I have got a copy of the crew's new

salary and bonus scheme paperwork. It shows that bonuses will be held

back in part if passenger feedback ratings do not exceed targets. If

cabin stewards attitude is rated lower than 92%, they forfeit an

entire bonus payment, worth 15% of their salary. Here is what the RMT

union thinks of that. Well, I really don't know how you

can motivate staff with that. They cannot afford to live on that rate

of pay. This is social dumping of the highest degree.

P&O Cruises did not want to be interviewed. But it points out that

77 pence an hour is more than many of its staff would earn in India,

where it has a long tradition of recruiting crew. Its wages are in

line with other cruise companies. It also told us that its new

tipping policy would remove the variability and mean staff are paid

more. Three quarters of a million people took cruises from British

ports last year. A million more bought fly cruises. They did so

because cruising is a good value mass market holiday. Now one way

the prices have been held down is a bit clearer.

Police in the New Forest are concerned about a growing number of

dog attacks on sheep and cattle. In one recent incident, a farmer had

to shoot dead two dogs at night as they were savaging a flock of

pregnant ewes. The National Farmers Union said it was also seeing a

rise in insurance claims by farmers as a result of such attacks.

The flock at Minstead Manor Farm has suffered two attacks in the

last two years. But what happened here one night just over a month

ago was particularly traumatic. Two dogs, a red setter and a collie

spaniel cross, escaped from a nearby house and ran wild amongst

the sheep, 60 pregnant ewes all just days away from lambing. The

farmer was alerted by the barking of his sheepdog, Shep, and went to

investigate with his shotgun. I got into the field, I fired a

warning shot hoping to secure the dogs away. That did not work. There

for up to that was I had to shoot both the dogs that were attacking

sheep. The police photographed the aftermath and many of their photos

are too gruesome to show. Two ewes had to be put down, three more

needed treatment. Horrific wounds. One had it under completely bitten

off. The owner lives locally and has accepted full responsibility.

He has agreed to pay the former �900 in compensation. As a result,

he will not be prosecuted. The farmer was completely within his

legal rights to shoot the dogs and the police are concerned that pet

owners realise the possible consequences of not controlling

their dogs in the countryside. have had an increase in reported

incidents during this year. It is up on this time last year. There

are a number of incidents involving sheep and other livestock. Animals

being killed and undergoing horrific injuries with dog attack.

This is a big problem that cost �1 million a year. There are no

winners in this. Losers on both sides with the people who own the

dogs and those who keep the livestock. Had I not got into the

field that night, I dread to think what could have happened.

Figures out today show the South of England has had the wettest April

for 12 years, but despite that the government has said standpipes may

be necessary next summer. The Environment Secretary Caroline

Spelman says a wet winter is still needed for a return to normal

conditions. The recent rainfall has improved river levels in the south

but some of our famous chalk streams are still suffering.

Famously described as the finest trout stream in the south of

England, the Bourne Rivulet in Hampshire attracts fishermen from

all over the world. But this year a mile and a half stretch is closed

to fishing. River levels are just too low. Where we're standing now,

there should be tresses of green weed rising. The water here hardly

covers the top of you but. We have had a two of the driest winters

ever, one after the other. It does not allow at the ground to recharge.

The wet weather in April has helped but it's winter rain that is most

useful. Once the trees start growing, very little water gets to

do. If it rained constantly every day between now and July, it might

make a small difference. But really this is what we have got. Hosepipe

bans remain in place and the environment secretary says she

can't rule out more drastic measures such as standpipes next

year. It all depends on whether we have a third dry winter. I am not

deluded into thinking I can tell you how much it will rain next

winter. It is far too early to tell. Whereas it's most unlikely we will

have standpipes this year, if we have another dry winter that

becomes more likely. Campaigners argue rivers like the Kennet which

runs between Marlborough and Reading are also suffering because

of water companies pumping out millions of litres of water from

boreholes. Thames Water says a planned pipeline will halve the

amount of water taken from the Kennet. What we have to do is work

out a long-term sustainable solution and that is exactly what

we are doing. Pressure on water supplies isn't new but this year's

drought is stimulating the debate about how best to manage this

precious resource. And you can see much more on that

in Drought 2012 an Inside Out Special at 7:30pm on BBC One.

Officials in Brighton are considering whether to loan

developers �14 million to begin work on a seafront viewing tower.

The city council's cabinet will meet next week to vote on whether

to pursue the idea to kick-start the i360 project. It would bridge

the funding gap for the 600 foot viewing tower. Planning permission

for the project was granted some time ago, but the project stalled

due to the recession. Plans for a �50 million development

in a Berkshire town have been revealed. In January, traders

expressed fear the replacement of Bracknell's 3M building would mean

the indoor market would have to move. But Bracknell Forest Council

reassured them it would work to ensure the future of the market.

Now Comer Homes has put in plans to replace the building with a 19-

storey block of flats, a gym and two business units.

Still to come in this evening's South Today: Ben Moore takes to the

dance floor tonight. I am here to find out why the life and soul of

this party is over 90 years old. A 79-year-old man who handed over

his life savings to a conman is warning others about telephone

scams. Roy Watkins from Chichester thought he was dealing with the

Ministry of Justice but instead gave over �7,000 to a scammer.

Sussex Police believe there are many other victims out there.

The man turned to police when the cheque he was promised failed to

arrive. A man who claimed to be from the Ministry of Justice had

called to say he was awed money but had to pay a fee first. The

scammers kept coming back for more. In total, he gave them �7,000.

trusted them. I used to live on trust in the old days. It does not

work any more. I don't trust anybody now. The scammers asked --

ask for cash to be sent through money transfer. They are now long

gone. Sussex Police say three other victims have come forward, but they

think more about there. You don't get anything for nothing. If people

have said that you were due some money for whatever reason, that

money is yours so you should not have to pay money to get that money.

The lesson is, if it sounds too good to be true. -- if it sounds

too good to be true, it probably is. I have learned the hard way.

has signed up with the telephone Preference Service to block future

scam calls and urges others to do the same.

About half of us in the South of England will have received a

polling card allowing us to vote in local elections tomorrow. In some

places, there is a big potential for change. Mid-term in the

Westminster Parliament, the national parties are watching how

we vote very carefully. Our Political Editor is here to explain

what is going on. Will local or national factors make most

difference? In these difficult economic times

local councils are having to make increasingly controversial

decisions. Things like reducing services or putting up car parking

charges. Making workers redundant or perhaps allowing or preventing

new house building. So local issues are making more of a difference to

people's lives a local vote is more important. But the way these local

elections work, the national picture makes a big difference. As

you say, this is a rolling programme of elections with a third,

or half of the councillors elected every four years. So the

councillors asking for our votes now were elected in 2008 when

Gordon Brown was an unpopular Prime Minister, Conservatives did

especially well. Now the Conservative and Lib Dem coalition

is taking the flak, and it is Ed Miliband's chance to make progress

especially in the South. The Labour Leader was in Southampton today. He

is under real pressure to deliver success in our part of the world.

Nine when you call and put yourself in the front line in places like

Southampton, what you see is politicians saying they are staking

their reputation on places where they are making progress. I am sure

every political party will have something that they can pull out of

the results on Friday morning to say that it is a success. But what

Ed Miliband is really hoping for his success in the south of England.

But not everyone has a vote. In Dorset, they are at Weymouth and

Portland Purbeck. In Hampshire, Rushmoor, Hart, Winchester,

Eastleigh, Southampton, Fareham, Gosport and Portsmouth. In Sussex,

Adur, Worthing and Crawley. In the Thames Valley, Wokingham, Reading,

Swindon Oxford, West Oxfordshire and Cherwell. When do the polls

open? 7am tomorrow. They close at We had a couple of footballers in

their! A political football! A �5 million research centre to

help deal with diseases like Alzheimer's has opened. It comes at

a time when many drug companies are struggling with creating new

medicines. On average, each new drug takes more than 12 years to

license and cost more than �1 million. The new centre will

analyse drug trials around the world. That is where it all starts.

Scientists here are making new compliance for diseases of the

brain. For every 10,000 invent, only one makes it through to the

patient. It is the passion of the scientists involved here are trying

to develop these drugs against major diseases that helps them on a

day-to-day basis. In the end, you're hoping for this one agent

that will make it all the way through testing and also help

patients in the end. Drug companies do not always get a good press but

they invent the medicines we all use or need to use. The a lot of

the work being done here is looking at finding new treatments for or

illnesses like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Creating new drugs

that can be used in the brain is particularly hard. Alzheimer's is

complicated, it is a slow, progressive disease with multiple

pathways. We need to understand the basic mechanisms which neurons die.

With new drugs, we have to get them across the barrier into the brain

to act on the targets we would like. That can be time-consuming and

expensive. They can take for years and �430 million to discover a

molecule. Human trials and licensing takes 12 years, bringing

the total bill to more than �1 billion. This week, Lord Winston

opened the new research centre and called for drug trials to be

simplified. It is extremely expensive to do drug trials. It is

notoriously difficult in this country and European regulations do

not help. That is the disadvantage to retaining this important

industry with an hour shores. Meanwhile, the work goes on,

looking for that one in 10,000 molecule which might make a

difference. I spoke to Lisa from EP Vantage

earlier about the costs involved in creating a new drug. The stays, the

cost of developing a new drug has listen to roughly �1 billion.

looking at a decline in development at the moment, aren't we, at the

moment? Pharmacy companies are focusing on the drugs they might be

successful. If you're spending a lot of money, you do not want to

have a scattergun approach to research and development. With less

money being around and scientists looking at the high end of what are

considered to be more complex diseases, how much of an impact is

that having? We are seeing less development in the law end of

diseases, things like diseases -- things like cholesterol or blood-

pressure tablets, because they're more generic were by the companies

have lost the exclusive right to develop them and lots of other

companies can develop a more cheaply. Companies are focusing on

high end drugs were they think they can make returns. We just heard

Lord Winston saying that he was thinking that drug trial should be

simplified in this country. Some people might have alarm bells

ringing at that point. It is a delicate balancing act, because on

the one hand, you have the longer times for drugs to be developed and

the increase drugs -- in -- and the increased cost, but you also have

to counterbalance that with safety. Wise move on to sport. He just told

me it is the biggest test of the Olympic Park so far. Yes, it is a

big test this week of security and logistics. We're going to talk

about hockey. The hockey Test event is taking place at the Olympic Park

and it is the first competitive matches on the new pitches. First

up were the women of Team GB against Korea. The only goal of the

game was a special one for Reading player Alex Danson. She marked her

50th appearance for Great brim with that brilliant run and finish.

Bucher the goalkeeper will be particularly happy. The Team GB men

are taking on Germany at the moment. That matches live on the red button.

There was a year to go when we first started following Gilford's

Rachel Cawthorne. The team's next three races will largely determine

who charges for medals during London 2012.

The boards are qualified but Rachel isn't. -- they bought. She joined

the rest of Team GB at the Olympic venue today. The regatta in

Nottingham will have helped me but I've still got to go out there and

can for my sport. National champion, and with a solid winter of training

behind her, thoughts are turning to the summer. Ever since I started

paddling, to get to an Olympics has been my goal. It would be a dream

come true. The Team GB squad as a chance to qualify another three

bought in Poland. -- another three can lose. We're going to World Cup

in Poland and then another one in Germany. Why have the big battles

is for a place in the men's individual 3000 metres. The

reigning Olympic champion is still to guarantee his selection. Finally,

we have Burdett and our sport. One or other of us will compete in

London and hopefully one or other of us will be on the podium, but I

think it will be me. It is a great honour to be compared with them, I

am just going out and doing what I have always done, racing from a to

be as fast as I can. At the moment, 10 and I appear close race. Olympic

year is hotting up. The -- Tem and I appear to be having a close race.

13 players in total have been released by Reading. Andy Griffin,

Brian Howard and Tomasz Cywka are the three most notable.

Hampshire's bowlers turned in a good performance on the opening day

of their County Championship game against Northamptonshire. Chris

Wood took four thicket -- took four wickets. Hampshire were 42 to do --

or 42 for 3 at the close. 8th the first match of the England

tour is a three-day affair in in Sussex.

Here is the weather. Is it the wettest April on record? Yes, and

also be called a staple and 23 years. Temperatures were suppressed

Charlie David-Lloyd captured this view from Spetisbury Rings in

Blandford Forum of the flooded water meadows. A swollen River Test

under grey skies at Broadlands in Romsey taken by Ray White. And Rob

Forrester-Addie captured the murky view from Old Sarum looking towards

The Met Office have issued a yellow weather warning. This rain could

cause some localised flooding. 2240 mm is a possibility. It is coming

from this mass of cloud moving in from the Continent. There are

thunderstorms and there, are already developing across the

Continent. They're pushing their way westwards. You can see the

Greens and the darker blues. There the heavier bursts. -- they are the

heavier bursts. It could be heavier in places. The odd rumble of

thunder. But one or two showers dotted about as the rain band

begins to break up. Maybe one or two sunny spells on the Isle of

Wight. A high tomorrow of 9-12 degrees Celsius. The showers will

tend to fade away. With all the moisture of the rain, there is the

risk of most -- the risk of mist and fog. A low overnight of 8

degrees Celsius. On Friday, there will be one or two showers. Hard to

predict exactly where the showers will be. On Saturday, there is a

little uncertainty, but there is a band of rain which makes it over

the south of the country. That is gradually working its way south. A

dry end to Saturday. That rain band could linger on Sunday. It will be

a dry and improving picture on Sunday. Some late afternoon

sunshine possibly. Tonight and tomorrow morning, there is the

potential for that thundery rain. That could cause some localised

flooding. Do you play an instrument? Were you

forced to play an instrument as a child? I was in force, I played the

clarinet, lacked commitment, gave up. I love that! One musician from

Dorset has to be played in public for the first time after taking up

the new instrument at the age of - Not bad for a beginner. He is 90

and took up the cornet early in life. Three years ago, to be exact!

They us is the first time I've played in front of an audience. It

was a bit nerve-racking but didn't go too badly. I don't think anyone

will have any worries! This is not the first time he has beaten a new

path with music. We followed him in 2008 when he are taken up the drums.

-- when he had taken up the drums. With his new instrument, he is in

good company. He is sharing the stage with another nonagenarian.

Tony is a saxophone player. A place in the old dance halls in the post-

war era. Dance bands, that was my big thing. Marjorie shares a

brother with Brian -- Marjorie shares a birthday with Brian. What

do you think about the fact that two of the band members are in

their nineties? It is wonderful they are outperforming at this age.

This talent is wonderful! It is still a 90, isn't it? I absolutely,

there we go! With the band's popularity, he might not have much