18/11/2013 South Today

Welcome to South Today. Today... Can the target be met? Army reserve

tests are down as the government wishes to increase numbers. For a

long time the perception of the TA was a drinking man's club. It is not

the case any more. Why residents of a home are protesting at their

lunchtime menu. Seven decades for the D`day veteran

to get into print and now he is off to Buckingham Palace. Relief

followed instantly by guilt that will never go away.

The scary monsters appearing from the sea at Portsmouth as octave are

celebrates its 50th anniversary. `` Dr Who.

The battle's on to beef up the number of part`time soldiers in the

South. It's all part of a national campaign to increase the size of the

army reserve, while the number of regulars is slashed by a fifth.

Already there have been some problems with a newly privatised

recruitment system. Today the region's reserve tank regiment was

showing off its skills in Dorset as it continues its own drive to get up

to full strength. Steve Humphrey reports.

It is the shape of the Army of the future. Today on the Lulworth Ranges

in Dorset eight Carpenter, plaster and computer engineer were amongst

reservists. The government wants more part`time soldiers. This job is

amazing. I have just been in command of a gun on 65 tonnes of tank. These

soldiers serve in the Royal Wessex Yeomanry, providing back`up to three

regular regiments. Amongst those involved was Emma. In civilian life

she is a dance teacher. In the Army reserve she is a medic. The

experiences are amazing and they are skills I can transfer to my civilian

career. Government defends changes means the size of the regular Army

is being cut from 102,000 down to 82,000. The size of the Army reserve

is being increased from 19,000 up to 30,000. There have been problems

with the newly privatised recruitment computer system which

has caused delay to the entry of regular soldiers and reservists. I

think by this time next year the backlogs will be clear. The Royal

Wessex Yeomanry wants to have 240 was serviced by next year. At the

moment it has reached 82% of the target. I have more people asking to

join them I will have spaces for so my line is, you need to reserve your

place in the reserve. The defence secretary has told MPs the changes

could be revised but in a statement he said we are now only two months

into a five`year recruitment drive. The figures will not improve

overnight the chief of the defence and I are confident we will meet our

target. A group of Conservative MPs unhappy with the cuts to the regular

Army are planning to register their feelings by voting against the

government defends ill on Wednesday. `` defence bill.

A Hampshire man who was arrested at Gatwick Airport has appeared at the

Old Bailey charged with a terrorism offence. Mashudur Rahman Choudhury

was arrested last month on suspicion of the commission, preparation or

instigation of acts of terrorism. Police said the charge related to

"activity overseas". The 30`year`old appeared via video link from

Belmarsh Prison and was remanded in custody to appear before the same

court in February. A woman from Reading who attempted

to kill a 13`year`old boy has been detained under the Mental Health

Act. Jane Rogers, who's from Tilehurst, pleaded guilty to the

offence earlier this year. She will now be treated at a mental health

hospital for psychotic depression. Rob Powell reports.

Jane Rogers appeared at Redding Crown Court this morning having

already pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a 13`year`old

boy in breading in May of this year. She was detained under the mental

health act for further treatment in Oxford. Rogers wept in court as she

heard details of how she had given the 13`year`old boy four alcoholic

drinks before attempting to smother him. The prosecutor said the boy

pushed her off before managing to call 999. Police officers found that

Rogers had swallowed antifreeze in an attempt to take her own life. She

told the court she had lost her job. The court heard from a forensic

psychiatrist who told the court Rogers had psychotic depression and

she would be detained in a mental health hospital. The judge said that

any attempt to kill a child was a grave offence but said that right

now what Rogers needed was not punishment but help.

Residents in a sheltered housing complex for the elderly at Fleet in

Hampshire say they're disgusted with some of the meals they are being

given. People living at Campbell Place are obliged to pay for a

certain number of meals a week whether they eat them or not. But

some say the meals are so poor they're having to buy extra food or

else go hungry. The Housing Association has apologised and said

it will make improvements. Sean Killick reports.

These are some of the recent meals served at Campbell Place in Fleet, a

sheltered housing complex for over 60s. Residents are obliged by their

tenancy agreement to pay for five or six meals a week in the restaurant,

costing ?5 99 per meal. Resident Michael Chamberlain is a former RAF

chef. Some of the portions are so small it would not feed a bird. They

seem to expect that women eat less than men. One woman only had four

scampi and five chips put on her plate. Those people were buying more

food in or going out to buy something else. Those who can't I

feel really terribly sorry for because if they can't eat the meal

then obviously they are going to go hungry. I feel that is unacceptable.

Barry and his wife Cathy invited me to join them at lunchtime. Barry no

longer has the vegetables because he says the quality is so poor but they

say some meals are acceptable. I would defy to tell me anybody that

is `` I would defy anybody to tell me that is worth ?5 99. It does not

even smell nice. Centre now housing association said the main problem is

with meals served at the weekend. Residents have written to local MP

James Arbuthnot, who says it seems from the photographs that some meals

are in adequate but he can't be sure until he has had a full response

from Sentinel. A group of villagers in West Sussex

say they're struggling to cope after BT left them without phone or

broadband for three weeks. A line serving a dozen homes in West Dean

near Chichester was damaged in last month's storms. BT says it's trying

to correct the problem, but those affected say the delays are not

acceptable. Joe Campbell reports. The whole thing is a complete

communication disaster. Three weeks after their phones and Internet went

down these residents are the end of their ten `` tether. My daughter is

unable to do her schoolwork. It affects your whole life. The problem

is even worse for freelance web designer Steph James. Last week

after promising several engineers' visit BT told that the problem was

sorted but it was not. They are supposed to be a communications

company but they don't seem to be able to communicate with their

customers. BT say they are investigated. `` investigating.

Residents say this is the cable its own engineers cut. You have

businesses, carers, people with disabilities, a range of people

depending on high`speed broadband. I for one do not think BT is the right

contractor. The government can expect e`mails from others here who

now share those concerns, as soon as they get Internet access back.

The funeral of leading British composer Sir John Tavener will be

held at Winchester Cathedral later this month. The 69`year`old died at

his home in Dorset last Tuesday after suffering from ill health for

much of his life. His funeral will take place on the 28th. Sir John,

who was knighted in 2000, won a Grammy in 2002 for best contemporary

classical composition and was twice nominated for the Mercury Music

Prize. Still to come in this evening's

South Today... The invasion of Portsmouth ` did

anyone call a doctor to repel the aliens?

It's approaching the most dangerous time for survivors of Typhoon

Haiyan, according to the World Health Organisation. The peak danger

period is between ten days to a month after a natural disaster.

Without access to safe drinking water, the threat of disease

escalates. One company in Farnham may be able to help reduce these

risks, with the invention of a water purification system. We can join

Georgina Windsor where the production line is busier than ever,

after the WHO approached the company for help.

It is all too easy to take a glass of drinking water for granted but in

the Philippines now is the most critical time. In Farnham, Pure

Hydration have developed a new technology that can help to improve

and make water safe. This is the first aid station and here is its

developer, Jon Grant. It looks like a simple bag of tricks but what does

it do? Basically you have a pre`filter that will take out a

larger part of sticks and stones and suchlike. The water passes down the

tube into the purification module, which is a technology that is very

modern and will remove bacteria, viruses and other waterborne

diseases. Let's have a look to see exactly how it works. The technology

happens right here. Murky water is going in. These are the water

quality problems they will have in the Philippines right now. It goes

into the first aid station. You pour the contaminated water in and very

simply just turn on the Euro fire at the bottom and outcomes crystal

clear safe drinking water. `` the purification knob at the bottom. It

is tested by the London School of tropical medicine and hygiene and

other schools. Thousands of these are going out this week alone but

the rescuers will benefit, not just the people in the Philippines. If we

take this black water out of here, show us what it does. International

rescue services use this product. You can take water like this and

simply by popping on the cap and squeezing the water through what

comes out is fresh, clean, clear drinking water. Sadly, this

technology is going out to the Philippines this week and let's hope

many lives are saved. Thank you very much, Georgina.

Absolutely fascinating. A council leader has said she'll

write again to the Prime Minister asking for a national debate on

fracking, following a meeting with protestors who've camped outside her

offices. Louise Goldsmith has asked

campaigners to leave West Sussex County Council's headquarters but

the group Frack Free Sussex says it will stay until tomorrow at the

earliest. It wants councils to reject applications by energy

companies pursuing fracking. Dennis Wilson took part in what many

still believe is the greatest invasion of all time, the D`day

landings in June of 1944. He put pen to paper and wrote poetry. Now, all

of these years later, his work has been published and he is due to go

to Buckingham Palace tomorrow, invited their as a contemporary

poet. What has wore down to the youth of

the world? `` what has wore down. Many soldiers return from the war

and never think about `` talk about what they have seen. But Dennis

Wilson would sometimes exchange his rifle for a pen. He wrote poetry

about the tragedies of war. It surprises me that I was able to read

it without a lump in my throat, really. Ie used to write in a lull

in the battle. `` are used to. He was 16 when he wrote his first poem

and 22 when he was sent to Normandy. When I completed one page I posted

it home to my mother in case I didn't get back. It was actually...

It was one of the happiest moments of my life because I took one look

at my right arm and I thought I was probably going to lose it but I was

very happy because I knew I was out of it. When he got home his poem was

waiting for him but it was almost 70 years before they were published.

Now his work has been recognised with an invite from the palace. It

is very gratifying to find that the reception is for contemporary poets

and it is nice to know that is how I am regarded. What Dennis saw on the

front line moved him to write. He has lived not only to tell the tale

but to see it in black and white as well.

Denny Wilson, finally published and off to Buckingham Palace tomorrow.

He has recovered from the till June in need macro, back to the day job.

We are talking about the international football.

Yes, not great, the game against Chile yesterday.

Lallana will start tomorrow night but Jay Rodriguez will be among the

substitutes. Both players featured from the start in Friday night's 2`0

defeat by Chile, with Lallana generally given good reviews on a

tough night for Roy Hodgson's men. Rickie Lambert was back in training

today and could feature at Wembley tomorrow night. He is recovering

from a muscle strain. ? The Premier League and Championship had the

weekend off, so here's the best of the rest across the Southern

counties this weekend, starting with another bad day for Portsmouth.

We might learn a bit about Portsmouth's character now.

Therefore`0 defeat at Wimbledon came as they were slumping in the league.

Andy Bartram went close to an equaliser but then it all went

wrong. Three Wimbledon goals in the final 16 minutes. It was victory and

a moment of history for Oxford United at Mansfield. And by the ``

action packed first half saw an opening goal followed by a red card.

The Stags remained in the hunt. Least Evenson fired into put the

home side on level terms. James Constable, on as a substitute and he

did what he does best. His 100th goal for the club. After the break

Aussie winger Ryan Williams added a third, but the day belonged to the

Centurion who now is only seven short of Oxford all`time scorers

record. Swindon Town's promotion hopes also received a boost this

weekend as they eased to victory in Essex. Goals either side of

half`time from Nicky Ajose and Danny N'Guessan put Town in control

against Colchester. The home side scored a late consolation, but it

wasn't enough to stop Swindon moving back into the League One playoff

places. Brackley town face their FA Cup

replay tonight against Gillingham. They were just seconds away from an

upset nine days ago in Kent, only to be denied by an equaliser deep into

stoppage time. A crowd ten times its normal size is expected for the

replay at St James's Park and Brackley say the revenue

`` the revenue will set them up for the next three to four macro years.

After seven events over three continents it came down to the final

series in Brazil. Leigh McMillan and his wave Musket team were defending

champions but their path to the top of the podium could hardly have been

tighter. They led the season going into the final act but they were

pipped to the top spot. The two teams finished level on points for

the season but the Wave had won more races over the full year, giving

them victory. It was such a fight and we had to be squeaky`clean today

to pull it off. They were gunning for us whenever they had a chance.

It was a follow`on day. This has been the seventh season of extreme

sailing. The aim was to bring the sport close to the shore and

spectator numbers hit 325,000. We'll McMillan and his team be back for

more next year? They were thrilled with the result and they love the

racing and the competition and hopefully we will all be back next

year and defending for the third time. Very well done, some

spectacular pictures. He is consistently one of our top

performers in sailing. Great recognition for him.

Did you ever hide behind the city when you heard this?

DOCTOR WHO THEME PLAYS. Down the years the South has seen

its share of filming action. The Sea Devils came ashore at

Portsmouth Naval base. We met two men closely involved with

making that episode. For Jon Pertwee, being in Portsmouth

was like coming home. He had been based here in the Second World War.

The story being filmed was the Sea Devils. There aim was to take over

the world, starting in Portsmouth. They filmed the Sea Devils coming

out of the sea so they were sort of emerging slowly out of the water

onto the beach. On the sure they borrowed a whole load of sailors for

this, we put up a fight and effectively got beaten. The Sea

Devils is one of the most memorable stories in the 50 year history of

Doctor Who. These pictures filmed in 1971 have never been broadcast. It

sees them in battle with Pompey troops. The special effects

department have laid on various little explosions. There is a brief

clip in one of the episodes of me and the sailors walking with our

hands up, surrendering to them. From the sailors' point of view it was

great fun, took them out of their day`to`day routine. When the cameras

stopped rolling, the sailors took the opportunity to mingle with the

TV star. The filming took them from the stony beaches of Portsmouth to

the sandy beaches of the Isle of Wight and straight into battle with

the creatures from the deep. Inside one of the scary suits is a stuntman

who laid many monsters over the years, but none as challenging as

the Sea Devils. We were filming with water so we came out of the water

with these loose costumes, the feet hanging off, our heads full of

water, waves knocking us over, out of breath, a lot of coughing and

spluttering. It was great fun. And hard work too. With his background

in gymnastics, Stewart developed a special way to die, a big athletic

backflip, but his fellow stuntmen were not completely convinced. I

thought they could cut to me halfway through the backflip so all I am

doing is being shot and landing. If ever you watch the episode, they

only use half of the backflip. Ultimately, of course, the Sea

Devils' ambitions to take over the world did not get any further than

Portsmouth. Save to come out? Oh, good.

The most scary part was that it ended with the monster's head and

then you popped up. All this week we have the people and

places in Doctor Who history on radio Solent. Pictures on the

website. A change in the weather. We had a

mild day today, the temperatures tomorrow will be half what they are

today. It may have been a day in Swanage but that did not stop this

photograph. We are expecting a band of rain to

push through. The colder air will sink southwards through the course

of the night and through tomorrow morning. Feeling bitterly cold

during the day tomorrow. Through the course of the night tonight we have

a band of rain, which will eventually clear the southeastern

corner of the country. Frost more likely the further north and west

you are. A few showers drifting about to the South West but

otherwise a dry night with temperatures in some areas down to

freezing or just below. A frosty, chilly start tomorrow but the good

news is lots of sunshine despite the freezing temperatures. We expect

highs between four to seven Celsius tomorrow afternoon. That is half

what they were today. Maybe some rain, sleet or even the odd snow

flurry. They will be few and far between. Through the course of

tomorrow the winds will pick up so the northerly wind will be a key

feature, taking the edge of the temperatures even more. A hard frost

through the night into Wednesday, temperatures dropping to minus three

Celsius. Increasing cloud from the north and west is working its way in

and that will mean Wednesday will be slightly milder. A bit of a soggy

day with increasing winds. You can see them coming in from the North

West. This weather front drifting further southwards. A wet and pretty

windy day all in all. This is the outlook for the rest of the week, a

lovely day tomorrow but very chilly, and a strong north`westerly wind.

Some rain by Wednesday, with gusty winds. Slightly milder but turning

cooler Thursday or Friday. Thursday and Friday mainly dry.

We want to say a huge thank you to all of you for your fundraising

efforts for Children in Need. It stands at a record`breaking...

That is all we have time for. More at 8pm and 1025. We are back