10/01/2017 South Today

The work as the need to get back to news teams where you are.

The work as the need to get back to work and we as passengers can get to

work. The war of words continues over

who closes the doors on Southern Rail trains

and another difficult day The show of affection for

George Michael continues with calls for a permanent memorial

near his Goring home. Despite to female Prime Ministers,

why are there so few And the picture that captures

the destruction of Portsmouth by German Bombers

on this night in 1941. I don't think there is a street in

Portsmouth that was a bomb that some time or another during that period.

-- that was not bombed. It's been yet another bleak day

on Southern Railway. They have brought almost every

Southern service to a standstill. That affects about 300,000

passenger journeys each day. Here's what the Aslef union

said this afternoon. For the first time, passengers had

been pleased to see a real replacement bus service.

Perhaps for the first time ever, passengers have been pleased to see

Southern has laid on a bus every 20 minutes

That's the nearest station not affected by the strike.

Normally, 10,000 people a day pass through here.

But it's been very quiet - just a handful of passengers on each bus.

That's the proportion of Southern trains

being replaced by buses during this strike.

Even so, the first commuter services from Chichester were quiet.

heeding Southern's advice to stay away.

Amongst the passengers who had no choice, there was resignation.

Bred I have to get a portion every day, I am a teacher. It becomes very

difficult. But it is just one of those things. Why not we look quite

angry. They are not pushing their agenda anymore, just causing

discomfort for the sake of it. I have to get up a lot earlier. I

would get a train at 8am, but I'm here for a quarter past seven bus.

It is probably about another two hours onto my daily trouble. --

travel. I joined the 7.18 bus to Havant

where commuters could then catch a South West Train

to London or Portsmouth. It's a 25-minute ride,

but there's a knock-on effect. The earliest connecting train gets

into Waterloo at 9.30. No wonder Southern Rail is advising

passengers to work from home. The Government need to step in and

mediate and call a truce if there are safety concerns. That needs to

be looked into. In the meantime, we need a truce so the workers at

Southern Rail can get back to work and we as passengers can get back to

work. The rush hour may be coming to an end, but that rail replacement

buses are still going and they will be into the night, because people

are now relying on them to get home tonight. They will be back on

Wednesday and Friday as the strikes continue. Let us take a look at what

this strike is about. The drivers and the guards are both

against transferring responsibility From the first of January

on Southern, it is now It's widely known as

Driver Only Operation. The first strike ballot by the RMT

union was in December 2015. In April, the conductors

started their strikes. The drivers began similar

strikes in December. But they also have an

overtime ban every day. Over the last ten months,

there has been one month Southern imposed a new role

of On Board Supervisor last week. An offer to the train crew has been

on the table since August. It promises: No job losses,

above inflation pay rises for the next to years, and overall,

the same number of staff In return, Southern wants

to run driver-only trains without conductors under certain

circumstances, such Driver Only Operation

is used on almost one in three trains in the UK,

and on the London Underground. And nobody has died as a result

of this way of working. The industry's safety bodies have

made detailed studies And perhaps safer than

working with guards. But the unions don't believe that,

especially on older trains. Today the MP for Havant said

the unions were simply against the inevitable

progress of technology. Well, these trains have been working

on the UK rail network for the last 30 years and they operate on around

30% of existing trains anyway. The Independent Safety

Watchdog has said that they are safe and therefore

the train drivers and unions should get back to work and make sure

people can get to work themselves and

families can meet up and our economy This week, we're hearing

from passengers whose lives continue to be disrupted

by the ongoing industrial action. Tonight, Sean Killick has been

talking to a management consultant from Portslade near Brighton

about the impact her commute It's quite nice to not have to go

near the trains today. Every cloud has a silver

lining and for Harriet and Sally, not being able to get

to London today meant a chance to meet socially for once,

usually only seeing each other as

part of a group of 20 or so regular commuters

on the But even in this domestic

setting, talk quickly turns to the life crammed onto packed

trains which are frequently It is not sustainable

and it is not fair. I would walk in the door

just after 7pm, now, It could be nine o'clock,

it could be ten o'clock. Getting in late last

night and my 16-month-old with my husband and I was

having to get a takeaway. Because I walked in through the door

at eight o'clock at night and you've got

the takeaway cost. I can't commute to a yoga class,

because if I don't get there, that's ?15 that is gone and lost

because I can't get there. The way I feel we

are being treated... If I was cattle, I'd

know I'd have my area to When I'm standing on a train,

I can just about And then when you get to work,

you are like, right. Then you're on your

phone the whole time, Is it going to go, when is it

going to go, when do I have to start the conversation with my boss

that the train has decided A lot of people started

internalising things and you can see they are getting greyer,

they are getting tired... Even our group you can tell

there's a lot more... The laughter is starting to go,

because this has been going on Harriet and Sally are fortunate

enough to be able to work But they just want

an end to the chaos and uncertainty of their

regular commute. Just to let you know, we hope to

interview the leader of Aslef, so be with us for that.

Southampton and Portsmouth could be among the top UK cities

Some recruitment agencies have seen a 30% increase in vacancies.

The rise in jobs is believed to be across all sectors of the economy.

Rather than stifling growth, it's thought last year's referendum gave

companies the certainty to grow and advertise for new roles.

Our Business Correspondent, Alistair Fee explains.

Having left school last summer as a new job-seeker, Jordan's timing was

perfect. When I saw this was being built on the amount of jobs that

would come out of it, I thought I would commend. I had my CDs in other

places, but they were the first people to get back to me here. This

restaurant chain is among several new places in Southampton's extended

shopping centre. This has created 17 new positions. The key to hiring

staff is we have to make sure enough people are coming in and we have

enough balance in the business so we can afford to hire more people and

give the best service possible. What is your assessment of the economy in

Southampton? It is doing good. This place enjoyed its best year in 2016.

It is busy preparing for the new season and is recruiting to fill up

to 100 new jobs. We have more work going on an exciting new things that

will be public soon and we will need more people. We know it will lead to

an increasing guests and it has been a good year and we hope will

continue. The job market in Southampton Portsmouth has beaten

all expectations. This Havant recruitment agency saw a massive

rise in positions last month. We have seen consistent growth in

employment opportunities almost as soon as the Brexit result was

announced, which I think was quite a surprise for me and for many people

in business, but it was almost as if most businesses and clients were

waiting for a decision rather than a specific one. Most cases,

unemployment is across the South is at a record low. With this boom

across all sectors, a challenge for employers will be finding people to

fill those vacancies. There are calls for a permanent

memorial in the Thames Valley village which was home

to George Michael. Tens of thousands of people have

visited Goring-on-Thames to lay flowers outside the star's

sixteenth century house. It's where he was found

dead on Christmas Day. His death is still

being investigated. A fortnight after George Michael

died and the flowers outside his I've come from Portsmouth,

so not too far. People will keep coming

back and putting down more and more and more,

and the candles will light, there Every day, someone is

putting I had no idea he was

so loved and popular. I think it will be very upsetting

for the flowers to go, but I think what's written down should

be kept safe somewhere, like a book of condolences

or something, that can be seen

by future generations. From Denmark to Derby,

people from all over the world have been

saying it with flowers. The local florist has been

doing good business. Everybody has been generous

in what they are buying, the amount they are buying,

the amount of people coming through the door as well,

so you can see The drinks are not free at this

cafe, almost opposite The owner Stephanie would

like to see He was here because he liked

like the privacy, I don't think there should be anything too huge,

but a plaque would be lovely. George moved to Goring

for its tranquillity. When the flowers

and crowds are gone, But he will always

be remembered here. A court's been told that a former

bomb disposal expert was murdered Mark Manning's body was not found

for more than two years after being allegedly killed

at a garage in Lancing. Colin Gale is alleged to have killed

Mark Manning before enlisting Stewart Robertson to help dispose

of his corpse in April 2014. Prosecutors claim a row over

a debt owed to Mr Manning ended with Gale deciding

to "finish him off" at P Car Sales garage in Western Road,

Lancing, Still to come in South Today:

Closing in on history. Gosport sailor Alex Thomson

is set to take the Vendee Women have come a long way

since the first female MP was elected to parliament almost 100

years ago...or have they? Despite boasting a second

female Prime Minister, the UK is 48th on the global league

table for female politicians. Now the Basingstoke MP,

Maria Miller, who chairs the Commons Women and Equalities Committee says

parties should be forced to do more Currently only 30 per cent

of our MPs are women. I spoke to her a little earlier

and asked her why so few women I think across the country

still we do not see enough women in leadership positions to encourage

women to come forward. Also, I think people see

some of the harassment and the online abuse

that women can endure and also

the tragic murder of Jo Cox last year, I don't think that is

encouraging women to come into That's why this report

is so important. Talking about introducing

targets and founding political parties and forcing

positive discrimination, that doesn't necessarily get

you the best candidate, does it? And in a way, it

demeans women as well. Look, we need more women

to consider coming into politics, but I don't think anybody

would argue that aren't enough women with the right sort of experience

out in our communities who could And you seem to have

all the leaders of all the parties sort of in general

agreement, a consensus, but there is no action, really, nobody

is doing anything about it. Do you feel slightly

frustrated by that? I think there is a huge

frustration there, because all of the party leaders

have told us that they think parliament would be a better place

with 50% female MPs, but they don't really have the strategies in place

to make it happen yet. At the next general

election, there are big boundary changes, 21 women look set

to lose their seats and if parties do not act, we could see the number

of women going back in 2020. And we heard the Green

Party, fielding two female candidates

wanting to job share. So women are up against

that kind of thing? Obviously, we have to modernise

Parliament, and that has been happening over the last decade,

but there is more to do. You've women on South

Today listening to you now, tell them why they should

go into politics, in 15 seconds. If you want to change

your community for the better, if you want to ensure your

community is the best it can be, then you have to take

responsibility, stand for election and make sure women have a strong

voice in Parliament. Last January, quite a lot of us

registered to give blood. But fewer than half of those

who signed up actually This year the NHS says it

needs at least ?200,000 new blood donors, to

replace people who've had to stop giving because

of their age or health. Nikki Mitchell reports

from Berkshire. People with O negative

blood like Sheila here are much in demand

as donors. That is because their blood can be

given to almost any patient and is so often used

in emergency situations. Sheila began donating

after her father was diagnosed with I couldn't help my

father, he died, sadly. But I carried on and

they said we need your blood, so I have done this

since then, since... I was 18 when I started,

it was just something I wanted to do, but then,

I've been so glad I could do it all It is so easy for me to just sit

here for a few minutes. I can get a cup

of tea and a biscuit! The NHS needs new donors

of all blood groups, but it is particularly keen to encourage

younger people and people from black Donors that can donate

need a place so we can make sure we get

It is always something people think though,

I must come along and give blood and then you forget about it.

So, a new year, we're just hoping people will sign up but also book

that appointment and walk through the doors to come along and donate.

I've always wanted to do some good with

my life during the year, so I just thought, what's better

than donating a pint of blood every couple of

My best friend, my school friend, she had to have a blood

transfusion and that inspired me to give something back, really.

All donors must register before making an

appointment online, via an app or over the phone.

At least 100 pints of blood were collected during this

session and each pint has the potential to save

And if you'd like more information on becoming a blood donor,

There's also a mobile app called 'NHSGiveBlood'.

The sport. Tony husband is here. We were talking about Alex Thomson last

night, this is the sport. Tony husband is here. We were talking

about Alex Thomson last night, this is because Paul yes, there's a great

sense of anticipation there and the feeling that their manner could

catch the leader and he could win. could catch the leader

and he could win. as Sir Ben Ainslie attempts to win

the Americas' Cup, but just days into the new year, our sights

are fixed on the toughest offshore Tonight, Alex Thomson remains

in the hunt to make history as the first Briton

to win the Vendee Globe. say on current projections, it

will go down to the wire next week. All this despite losing

one of his boats foils I've been to see his

team today in Gosport. Staff glued to their computers,

tracking the race data in the But in the offices of

Alex Thomson Racing, they are also preparing to head for

the finish in western France. I think everyone throughout

this has different His family and friends are very

different to the team. I feel we are good at

concealing it, we are all pretty happy we have come

to the finish, but I think the emotions will probably go wild

when he 65 days ago, Thompson

left for the French He has broken three

speed records already on the journey around

globe against the prevailing winds and tides.

He is currently second, with 3,000 miles to the finish.

But projections are that there could be

as little as three hours between the two leading

Thompson is chasing the prerace favourite.

In the north Atlantic, you are dominated by the high

pressure and there is a high pressure there, so it looks like

whoever is in the lead can't really run away

from a second or third, so

I think we will see as the race comes to the closing stages that

tactically, the sailors will have some big challenges.

Four years ago, Thompson finished third.

No British person has ever won the race.

I remember coming of the canal with Alex and third and we both

looked at each other and said, we are coming

You think back to all the great British sailors and

they've all led and been part of this great sport which is a single

person setting out on sale around the world alone, nonstop.

It is a phenomenal sporting challenge and to

win it would be amazing for all of us.

A place in history is in touching distance.

The website has posted the latest positions in the last hour and Alex

is just over 100 miles behind the leader, but as we deny reports, it

is likely to close up in the next few days.

A new record's been set for the number of entries

Organisers say the 340 boat limit was reached

The 47th edition of the race from Cowes on the Isle of Wight

to Plymouth via the Fastnet rock will set off on Sunday

A new record's been set for the number of entries

Organisers say the 340 boat limit was reached

The 47th edition of the race from Cowes on the Isle of Wight

to Plymouth via the Fastnet rock will set off on Sunday

And Reading's under-23 side face Yeovil tonight in the last

Thank you. Just before the weather, we want to show you these fabulous

pictures. This was sent in by photography

student. Isn't that wonderful? Joanne Porter captured Cirrocumulus

clouds over Frimley in Surrey. Gaz McLean photographed

a Giant Otter at the New Forest And Martin Perry took this

picture of the bright spells in Freshwater Bay

on the Isle of Wight. We are expecting clear skies in some

places but cloud foremost and a bit of a drizzle here and there. A lot

of dry weather, too. Temperatures will fall to 7-8 C, fairly mild. The

breeze will increase to the west in the early hours of the morning.

Quite a grey, start tomorrow. The rain clears eastwards. Sunny spells

with the increasing breeze and there will be a wind chill. Temperatures

of 8-11 C, but feeling lower in many locations because of the wind-chill.

Tomorrow night, the odd spot of rain, patchy cloud, still a brisk

north westerly which will make it feel chilly. A chilly start on

Thursday with lows of 3-5 C tomorrow night. A cold and damp starts on

Thursday. Ahead of this band of rain which could turn to sleet or even

snow showers. The Met office have issued a snow warning for Thursday.

More likely over the Chilterns and Cotswolds. You need all the

ingredients to make the snowfall. We have the northerly breeze and moist

air from the Atlantic, so we could have some snowfall, we are not

expecting anything significant or anything to settle. If it does, it

will be most likely over the Cotswolds and Chilterns. The Met

office warning is in the fourth through Thursday, when we may

potentially see snowfall. Friday and Saturday, things brighter note that

it would bitterly cold. Temperatures are for - five Celsius, but with the

wind chill, feeling more like freezing or just above in many

locations. As we head through the week, there's a chance of snow and

it is getting colder. Now on this day at this

time in 1941, the people minutes away from the start

of the worst bombing raid But amidst the devastation,

a war artist was at work, but incredibly, it's never been

displayed in Portsmouth until now. It's now gone on show

at the city's museum. Our reporter Steve Humphrey

is in Portsmouth tonight. Steve - it's a painting that

captures the mood of the time? Yes, it was just after seven

o'clock on January 10 1941 It total, 300 German aircraft swept

in across the harbour behind me - their target the Naval

base - and 76 years ago where I'm now standing

at Gunwharf was part The attack continued

through the night. By the time it ended, 170 people had

been killed and hundreds But out of the onslaught

emerged a famous painting that managed to capture

the city's mood of defiance. It is clearly showing a war scene,

but showing the resolve of people to get on and deal with it and get

through it. I don't think there is a street and this is that was bombed

at some point or another. Was one of the most heavily bombed cities in

this country during World War II. Portsmouth's suffering on this night

76 years ago was immortalised by War artist Richard Eurich. He has this

access the not even the press would have had. It is an amazing insight

into part of the city that is normally underrepresented. It was

such a uniting thing as well as being a desperately awful situation.

Even as the country battle for survival, art had its place. As

Winston Churchill visited the city to boost morale, Richard Eurich was

a work on his painting. You can use art as a propaganda tool as opposed

to photography. You can change it to how you want things to be perceived

in a positive light. But the heart of the painting is HMS victory, an

enduring symbol of previous battles but amid the devastation of the 20th

century, sent out a powerful message. It is kind of like the

heart of the dockyard. She is there and does not seem to be affected by

all parties going on around. Another artist, Edward King, also painted

Portsmouth's ruined streets. There were a total of 76 bombing raids.

930 people were killed and 3000 were injured. The Royal Garrison Church

near the seafront hearing Portsmouth was amongst the buildings that were

badly damaged, back in 1941. It has been left as a permanent memorial to

those who were killed and injured. Richard Eurich's painting has been

left to Portsmouth Museum by London's Tate Gallery. It is a

remarkable reminder of the city's suffering during the Second World

War. As we reach 7pm, the moment when German planes flew over

Portsmouth on this day in 1941, we will leave you with this remarkable

painting which captures the devastation of the bombing of that

city. Good night. It's back... Let's get ready to

grumble. ..with more belligerence... Can you imagine anything more

diabolical? ..moaning...