27/01/2017 South Today

Back down to Earth: Astronaut Tim Peake returns

to Chichester to visit an exhibition starring himself.

He's not just this amazing superstar we have all met he is a very

down-to-earth person. More than ever I want to go on and have a career

like he has done and be a pilot and see what opportunities are available

to me. A pet dog's shot in front

of its owners after attacking The farmers union warn

sheep-worrying is on the rise. Adapting our immune systems:

scientists in Southampton looking at how our own bodies

can kill off cancer. one of the wildlife photos taken

in the South being displayed

around the country. It's been a long time coming

but well worth the wait. Britain's first official spaceman

Tim Peake touched down in his home city of Chichester today to meet

pupils from his old schools and to see a special

exhibition all about him! Local fans had been getting a little

anxious as Tim has been back on Earth for longer than the six

months he spent on the International Space Station

and they were desperate to see him. It was an out of this world Day

for dozens of schoolchildren. The day Tim Peake

touched down Thank you very much, and it is

fantastic to be back Nationally, more than

a million schoolchildren were involved in projects as part

of a six-month mission. primary and senior

schools had the chance How has like being in space and

seeing the Earth from space change your perspective of the planets

and life question? There are so many places I feel

like I know very well. I've never set foot

in those countries or those areas, and maybe never will set foot

in them but I do feel like I know Everyday I would look

at and photograph them and see them. Tim toured a special exhibition

at the city's Novy Museum, It was a bit surreal,

actually, coming in and tired of seeing

your own life history Strange seeing sort of half your

life on display here? It is quite strange,

as well, seeing some artefacts here as well that

I actually had with me in space, clothing that I wore

in space, it's very unusual. It's seven months since he landed,

and although he has visited Britain from

America where he lives and works, until today

he had not returned to Chichester which last month

problems they never pondered some local children to produce a video

message to their hero. We and several thousand

kids want you to visit.

We're all ears. The post flight period

is exceptionally busy. The most important thing for us

the scientific data, that's why we have the space station

programme primarily, so we have to capture

all of that scientific data being based in Houston,

of course, makes it difficult

to get back to the UK, so everything just takes

its time During his space trip,

Tim appeared on South the things he missed

most of the rain. The feeling of nice,

cold drizzle on my face right now You've been back a few

months now, back in England, have you changed

your view on that? Not particularly, I still do

and always have loved the outdoors, and so any weather,

to the outside, camping, hiking, walking, cycling,

that kind of thing... So for me being on board the space

station, one of the most difficult things was just getting used to that

artificial environment for so long. Today, Tim was invited to receive

the Freedom of the city. He hopes to return later this

year and there are plans for a special

presentation ceremony. Four men were jailed today

for a total of more than 20 years as part of the ongoing

investigation into the murder Michael Freshwater was found

stabbed to death at a flat No one has ever been

charged with his murder, Chrissy Sturt has been

following the case. Chrissy, what happened in court

today? Well, today's sentencing centred

around a gang of five men who were working together to supply

heroin and cocaine 22 year old Tristan Pope and 23

year old Kevin Suika played leading roles,

coming down from London to Southampton to deal

drugs for nearly a year. Dantai Thompson, only 17

at the time, was also involved. Two other local men,

Daniel Sadler and Daniel Ferret, both heroin addicts,

had also been sucked in. Four were jailed with Sadler given

a suspended sentence. And how does this

link to the murder? Well, Michael Freshwater's body

was found at a flat in West Ridge road, and this was one

of the properties that was being used to deal drugs

by this particular gang. During the investigation

three men were arrested on suspicion of murder,

including Kevin Suika. Hampshire police wanted

to press ahead with charges, but the Crown Prosecution Service

decided no further action Since then the investigation

has floundered. There's still a ?10,000 reward

offered by crime stoppers for any But clearly the police will be

frustrated they haven't been able to bring anyone to trial

for this murder. There's an inquest

into Michael's death His partner has spoken

today of her great loss, A man's been arrested

on suspicion of murder. It's after a woman was found dead

at a house in Gurnard Hampshire police say

a 60-year-old from Sandown Farmers in Sussex are launching

a poster campaign warning dog owners that their pets can be shot

if they attack sheep. Last Sunday, a dog was shot in front

of its owners because they couldn't stop it worrying livestock

on a farm near Chichester. The owners hadn't realised

the animals were nearby when they let their pet

off the lead. Some viewers may find the images

at the start of Steve Humphrey's This was the horrifying aftermath

of a dog attack on a flock of sheep 116 sheep were crushed to death

against a gate as they tried to flee

from a dog at a farm

in West Dean near Chichester. Despite all the warnings to dog

owners there have been a series of attacks on sheep

right across Sussex. And, last Sunday at north London

near Chichester, a Shepherd was forced to shoot a dog which had

started to maul some sheep. Sergeant Tom Carter has

spoken to the shepherd For all intents and purposes the dog

was probably playing with the sheep but unfortunately that act is

causing a massive panic throughout the sheep and the dog was seen to be

biting them and it consumes problems and the mere fact of dogs

worrying sheep can actually cause quite serious stress in sheep

and actually they can die from that stress.

The law support the farmers in shooting the dog, but that is the

last resort. The NFU says the number of dog

attacks has increased in recent years, with more people taking dogs

into the countryside. We've got a very urban population

nearby to some rural areas, we've got a lot of livestock in the area,

and that's probably a population A range of techniques are being used

to highlight the issue, The NFU estimates there are around

130 dog attacks on sheep The farmers are saying, you know,

are you taking it seriously? And my message to them

is yes, they are. Over the coming weeks,

new warning posters are going up in popular dog walking areas,

urging people to keep Even if you have the most docile

pets they can still turn and just flip the switch and become a killer

of sheep at the end of the day. Sussex Police say all dog attacks

on sheep should be reported - so they can build up a clear picture

of the scale of the problem. Steve Humphrey, BBC

South Today, West Sussex. Union leaders are claiming that

schools in the South will lose more But that's hotly contested by the

Government which says its proposals for the new National Funding Formula

have been misinterpreted. Hampshire County Council thinks

while it will be a winner overall, some schools

will be significant losers. Tom Hepworth's been

studying the numbers. It's the building block for the rest

of our lives and everyone agrees the current system,

which has been described as a postcode lottery that can

result in big differences between neighbouring

schools, needs to change. So the government is proposing

a new national funding formula based on the needs of pupils rather

than where they live. The teaching unions have crunched

those numbers and factored They claim schools in

the South Today area will lose more That's the equivalent

of cutting 5,400 teachers if there was no other way

to make savings. Worst affected would be

West Berkshire which would see funding per pupil fall

by more than ?400. Nearby Bracknell would see

the smallest reduction, The National Union Of Teachers

says 98% of schools will be worse off under

the new arrangement. Practically, what it could mean is a

redundancy spread high budget in school, teaching assistants for

example, large closet perhaps go out emerging classes to 35 bus. They

could also mean looking at a secondary sector a reduction in the

doubts of lessons that are taught. That track lessons that are taught.

The government says it's spending more than ever on schools,

On the face of it that's a lot of money,

but it's not keeping pace with inflation.

And pupil numbers are growing so the money has to stretch further.

The independent Institute Of Fiscal Studies estimates that

taking these two factors into account spending

per pupil is likely to fall by around 8% in real terms

Hampshire thinks it'll gain more than ?400 million a year

but has concerns some areas will lose out because

spending decisions will be taken out of its hands.

in deprived areas, schools will suffer losses and a good example is

in Havant, ?1.1 million being taken from that budget. Here in Gosport we

will lose ?200,000 from school budget. That is unacceptable.

The Department For Education says the unions have

A spokesman says more than half of England's schools will receive

a cash boost and because per pupil funding is protected at current

rates, this means more money in our schools.

The RMT union says its members are meeting this weekend to discuss

whether to call more strike action as part of its ongoing dispute

12 train drivers who are members of the RMT have walked out today,

the last day of action scheduled so far.

A 900-year-old skeleton found in Hampshire has revealed important

Researchers say the remains of the man, thought to be

a religious pilgrim, were excavated at a burial

Scientific detective work suggests he caught the highly-contagious skin

disease on his travels to a shrine in Spain and brought it

Still to come, Alexis has the weekend's weather -

And tee'd off - the golfers angry about their practice

range closing down - meaning they'll have

Can your body's own immune system - kill cancer?

Well, it seems it can - with the right sort of help.

Immunotherapy is an exciting area of research that's already

showing promising results for cancer patients.

And a new centre dedicated to it will open in

It's part of an existing complex that's been running

trials for many years, and our Health Correspondent David

Fenton has been along to see how it's taking shape.

When it comes to cancer, cure is a big word. That is what this place

will be working on when it opens in September. For the first time it

allows us to bring together basic scientists and clinicians at the

clinical trials units and one roof. One that means is that we will be

able to expand, we will be able to increase throughput of clinical

trials ultimately benefiting patients in the area and nationally.

This new centre costs ?25 million. 1.3 million of that donated by a

former student at the University of Southampton. It's just part of a

much bigger complex dedicated to studying immune therapies. The

centre here already runs a 50 trials a year. Involving hundreds of

patients. When this place opens they are hoping to double that. This is

what they will look at. Inside the pink circle is a killer T cell. It

attacks they sell and eats it. Sometimes the cancer cells are not

spotted by the cell. Tim ball-macro can help. We all have immune

systems, and so we harness the power of the immune system to identify and

destroy cancer cells, we know that the system knows it is there but

perhaps it doesn't know where to go or once it gets there doesn't fully

appreciate what the cancer is. Charlotte Moss had skin cancer and

joined an immunotherapy trial, and has been clear of cancer for the

past five years. The actual clinical trial meant that I was coming to the

hospital about once every three months, I would have the infusion on

a Friday morning, take it easy over the weekend and I was back at work

on Monday morning, so really straightforward. The new centre

opens in eight months but of course the therapies it's researching could

take years to develop. the therapies it's researching

could take years to A busy golf practice

range in Reading is to be closed down next month -

much to the frustration The privately run facility

is on land owned by the council, and it's exercised its right to end

the lease early. The council says it can generate

more income from the site, by replacing the driving range

with a new outdoor activity centre. Even on a dreary January

weekday, the It's a place golfers of all ages

and abilities come to practice, operated by the same firm

for almost two decades. The lease was renewed

only a year ago. But without warning,

Reading Council announced last month I think people are just surprised

and disappointed because there isn't another range anywhere

near in Reading, so, Don't think there was any

consultation about this, This is one of the new attractions

Reading Council plans to put here, a high ropes adventure climbing

facility, together with archery, laser shooting

and - ironically - mini golf. There'll also be a now outdoor

education and activity classroom for local schools

to use during term time. It's more for the younger

generation, whereas this golf ranges for

all walks of life, from sort of three years

old upwards. It just seems criminal

that the council are looking to close

a very, very well used facility down.

There are acres of space around Reading where they could put these

other facilities. These days, obviously

budget constraints for all councils, we have to make the best

use of our assets, and that's what We're putting in an activity

centre which we think will be busy fantastic for children

and families, and also we are relocating our Play service

which will both save cancel money and also help

with educational attainment. The driving range is run

by the owners of the Sandford Springs Golf Courses,

at Kingsclere and used as a gateway facility,

for people to try golf We did expect to be

at the Leaderboard range for a number of years to come,

however there is, as with any lease, there

is a break clause. The council had that break clause

and they decided to action it and yeah, from a visitors' point

of view, you have to respect that. It's thought most of the small

number of staff will be redundant when Leaderboard closes

in three weeks' time. Allen Sinclair, BBC

South Today, Reading. Now, Tony is here and Tony last

Friday we celebrated Alex Thomson coming sentence. People are being

pushed to follow his lead? It is so much work and the culmination

thereof. Alex Thomson sailing in, special pictures, what is making the

Vendee the challenge it is. Eight vendee globes,

eight French winners. A programme is running in the south

which aims to try to end the French dominance of the event and put more

British skippers on the start line. As I found out today,

the rigorous process involves far They are the future of British

offshore sailing, but they have These five sailors are

on an intense programme to get them to the start line

in the next Vendee globe. Part of it is the fear,

it is a real challenge, and that it is so different

from your daily life. Classroom stuff is as important

as the on the water It's the biggest challenge

that exists, and I Around the world nonstop

without assistance. You've seen this absolutely

amazing footage coming back from Alex Thompson

in the Southern Ocean, and each time I see it just makes me

want to do it more. Yesterday, we had our

fitness tests, and, like, it was pretty brutal,

but I guess The initiative is run

by Southampton-based firm Whitecap, and it's not just about being at sea

in a 60 foot yacht. He obviously got a lot

of credit for the pieces These five have done

media training, and pitched to possible corporate

sponsors for backing. There's four legs,

and they basically time you... The Vendee globe campaign

can cost ?10 million. I've been out on the water

for as long as I can remember, and now I'm trying to stand in front

of boardrooms trying to kind of justify an investment for,

effectively, a global marketing

campaign. Alex Thomson's success

in finishing second this year overshadowed the fact

that he was the only It's not because we don't

have the talent, we've got some It's that we need to

partner them and provide a commercial return to companies

so that is attractive for them to that "it's time Britain

ruled the waves again." By 2020, there could be several

contenders to secure an historic success in

the Everest of sailing. And good luck to the quintet as they

continue their preparations. It's FA cup fourth weekend

on the BBC but a Hampshire University could steal the headlines

in the FA Vase. Southampton Solent University

have reached the last 16 of the competition

for the first time. Tomorrow more than five

times their regular attendance It's a 3 o'clock kick

off at Test Park. Southampton will play

Manchester United at Wembley in the final of the EFL

cup next month. United beat Hull on aggregate over

two legs, concluding last night. Tomorrow Saints are back on the road

to Wembley in the FA Cup. They host Arsenal at St Marys

in their latest game Send Manga has just been handed a

four match ban for pushing an official. -- Wenger.

Saints beat Norwich in round three and are without injured

Championship leaders Brighton travel to Lincoln City in the fourth round

hoping to avoid an upset against the non leaguers who knocked

In the Championship Reading could go back to third if they beat Cardiff

at the Madejski stadium In league two Portsmouth face an in form

Follow the cup on BBC local radio and online with highlights of every

We like wildlife stories on South Today and two award winning

photographs we've previously featured on the programme

are now part of a national touring exhibition.

One of photos was intriguingly titled "Kung Fu Puffin", taken by 18

David Allard has been to see that and other exhibits

at the Moors Valley Country Park in Dorset.

Photography - it's all about capturing the moment.

Of course you can't persuade wild animals and birds to pose.

Which means these are images to cherish.

Fineness of the feathers and everything that come out with all

those colours, they're fantastic. These animals you never see them

close up, so it is excellent to see them in ways that you went most of

us. I wonder how many they take before they get the actual one.

Becky Bunce from Berkshire took this photo of puffins.

While I'm capturing that image it is just me, the camera, and the

wildlife, so it is this very special and unique connection that you tend

to feel. It is only when I reviewed the voter that I realised that one

had kicked the other in the face and I was like this was such odd

behaviour I have never seen it before.

The team at Moors Valley say it's appropriate they're hosting

an exhibition that reflects the diversity of British wildlife.

I think we have such a diversity of habitats and there is obviously a

great number of what is exhibited in there we are lucky enough to see

here at all Valley. Mainly because water voles are in such a decline,

we reached used water voles he later years ago and now have 300. It is

great to see their habitats being reused.

These stunning images were taken across the UK.

Matt hopes they'll inspire visitors to spot

wildlife at Moors Valley - next year - the exhibition may be

The exhibition runs until 26th February.

Aren't they beautiful! Now, Alexis, it's not so cold but warming up,

now. Nick Keown photographed

the sunrise in Greywell Shazz Hooper took this picture

of a boat in the brighter And Emma Golds captured

the grey skies at Petworth So, all change through the course of

today with increasing cloud and outbreaks of rain spreading in from

the Atlantic. Hill fog is a possibility overnights tonight,

seeing some outbreaks of rain. Light and patchy, but oddly moderate or

heavy bursts in the early hours of the morning possible. A great nights

to come, lots of cloud and temperatures not as low as recently,

dropping between three and eight Celsius, the mildest along the

coast. A damp start to the day tomorrow, through the cause of the

morning rain edges northwards and eastwards, claiming many places

during the afternoon but one or two isolated showers through the

afternoon, in the sunshine temperatures reaching a high of

between 7-9 Celsius, with a brisk south-westerly wind. Further showers

are also likely tomorrow evening, in the first part of tomorrow night.

High pressure builds into the early hours of Sunday morning and so we

may have a frost under clearer skies north of Berkshire, Tebbutt dropping

here north of freezing. A weather front on its way in time for Sunday

day. Sunday expected to be quite a wet day, a good deal of persistent

rain during because of the day and with that they brisk south-westerly

wind, these two weather fronts moving their way in during the

course of the day, being heavy at times but mainly light and moderate.

Nuisance rain during the course of the day and limited brightness so

there won't be sunshine at all. We good seasons hill fog as well,

during Sunday daytime. Looking to the rest of the week, sunny spells

tomorrow after a wet start in places and that weather front slowed to

clear in some areas and mailing into parts of oxygen during the parts of

the afternoon. Rain on Sunday and some rain also on Monday and Tuesday

full 's up now, tomorrow it is the Chinese New Year, and also the year

of the Rooster, the lucky numbers of the Rooster are five seven and

eight. Look, seven and eight! A lucky year to happen!

If you weren't watching last night, you missed a lovely story

about people in Reading clubbing together to replace a stolen bike

after seeing a forlorn note left by the owner.

But don't worry, you can see a special version on it

on our Facebook page which has already had a quarter

Geared bike thief. Have you ever thought that you make people stay

miserable? It is a full or note as you can

And just look at some of the comments you've made:

Tracy Ann May says "blimey, this had made me cry a little bit.

"Well done Rachael and all the donators".

Sue Roffe declares "this is the Britain I want to live in.

"Well done Rachel" "there are some lovely people in this world

"Hope this bike is safe this time. Great story and outcome".

Isn't that brilliant! Very Nice. Lets hope for more uplifting stories

with programme is over the weekend and of course next week. Good night!

Good night, have a lovely weekend.