17/06/2011 Spotlight

For homes evacuated after a major fire wrecked Falmouth Docks, with

concerns about hundreds of gas cylinders. The cylinders were

flaming, smoke coming out. I panicked. Hello, good evening. An

exclusion zone is in place around the yard. We will be live at the

scene for the latest. Also tonight, tributes at the funeral of Royal

Marine Sam Alexander. Courageous, brave, heroic, selfless, all the

words stick with Sam. And fined by the taxman for using red diesel,

the farmer who was volunteering did cut the grass at a local playing

field. I don't know where common sense has gone in this country, to

be honest. More than 100 people are unable to

return to their homes this evening, after a fire and a series of

explosions at Falmouth Docks. The fire began in an area storing

hundreds of glass cylinders. The authorities have cordoned off part

of the town because of a higher risk of another explosion. Let's go

live to Falmouth and are Cornwall reporter, Eleanor Parkinson.

Yes, I am in the tower at the National Maritime Museum, which has

an excellent your Falmouth Docks, but we can't get any closer because

of that exclusion zone. The area where the fire broke out was

storing no less than 240 canisters, and that is why the fire brigade

were not taking any chances. This is the moment the fire began.

The footage shot on a mobile phone shows a Settelen cylinders in

flames. People living close by told how there were several explosions

and plumes of black smoke. There were fears that if flames would

spread to the 240 cylinders being stored near by, leading to a much

bigger explosion. As a result an exclusion zone of one quarter of a

mile was put in place. protocols have been followed. All

the emergency services are working together. Things are in place to

assist residents and workers alike, if they have had to be removed from

their homes, and the situation is ongoing as we speak. More than 150

people had to leave their homes. Many of them were students, who

live in a complex of flats close to the docks and very close to where

the gas is stored. They had to leave their flats in a hurry, many

were still wearing my clothes. They were taken in by a nearby hotel.

friend bend on my door at about eight o'clock this morning and we

ran down the corridor, looked out of the window and the canisters

were on fire. We literally ran back down, banged on all the doors, got

my coat and well as up. I saw the cylinders smoking, flaming, with

the smoke coming out and I panicked. Nine hours after the incident began,

some of the cylinders were still alight. We're still trying to call

some of the cylinders but are still alight, but we are having some

success at this time in decreasing the number of those that are light

from what was in the high twenties, down to about 15 now. As a result

the exclusion zone will be kept in place until at least tomorrow

morning, which will make life for some people in Falmouth very

difficult. I have been talking to the fire

brigade about the gas, which is normally used for welding, and how

volatile it is and how long it takes to bring under control. This

will not be good news for those people who it is affecting, people

who cannot get back into their homes tonight, also the local

leisure centre has been closed for today and it has affected rail

services. So everyone in Falmouth will be hoping the fire brigade can

resolve the situation as soon as possible.

Hundreds of people gathered in Plymouth today, before the funeral

of a Royal Marine who was killed in Afghanistan. Sam Alexander was

described as, brave and courageous, the epitome of the Royal Marine. He

would have celebrated his 29th birthday yesterday and leaves

behind a widow and a one year-old son. Hamish Marshall has this

report. A wet, miserable day, but that

mattered not to those who wanted to pay their last respects to a

British hero. Mourners started filling the pews in the Minster

Church of St Andrew more than one hour before the hearse carrying the

body of Marine Sam Alexander arrived. The husband of Clare and

far-off ten-month-old Leo would have been 29 yesterday. -- father

of ten-month-old Leo. He was outstanding, the epitome of the

Royal Marine. Courageous, brave, heroic, selfless, all the very good

words stick with some. No more so than his previous operational tour,

where he was awarded a Military Cross. He was a guy who would put

himself out there first. Two of Sam's closest friends were among

those who carried his coffin into There were tributes from friends

and family, such as this poem written by his mother after Sam's

death. My laughing boy, your best friend, your greatest mates, Yawer

rock, your star, your dad, your brother, our hero. Our hearts bleed

but yours, Sam, I know, bleeds to, for those that loved you, lived

with you, left with you, drank with you, fought with you and died with

you. As the coffin came back outside the city centre resounded

to a military tribute. Marine Sam Alexander was buried at a private

ceremony near his base at Bickleigh Barracks on The outskirts of the

city. The funeral of Marine Sam Alexander.

A Devon police officer has today been cleared of perverting the

course of justice after being injured while arresting a suspect.

At Exeter Crown Court 41-year-old PC Anthony Cross, seen here wearing

a blue tie, was cleared of the charge. Yesterday, the jury found

him not guilty of fraud following the same incident.

PC Cross has maintained his innocence throughout his case. It

has been a difficult time for him and his family and the verdict that

has been reached today has proven his innocence. Thank you.

Plymouth Argyle have confirmed that Truro City owner Kevin Heaney is

involved with the Irish consortium bidding to buy the club. He says he

has been approached to act as a property adviser because of his

true road connections he can't be involved in the running of that

second club and he says his interest is purely in the property

side of things -- true road connections. Plymouth fans say the

secrecy has added to their concerns. It is a completely mixed reaction

but I think what won't help is the fact he has tried so hard and

denied so many times he is involved and now it is clear he is involved,

people will ask what have you got to hide.

Bathers continued to be advised not to go into the sea at Dawlish Town

beach after further tests showed the water quality is below standard.

The district council is working with the Environment Agency and

South West Water to investigate the cause of the pollution. The council

thinks it may be due to heavy rainfall in recent days.

There are more questions tonight over whether funding can be found

to save school crossing patrols endorse it. -- in Dorset. The

majority of schools affected will not take on the cost from the

Camden Council. The authority says it cannot afford to pay for this

service but campaigners have argued that children's lives will be put

at risk. You have one. Are you sure?

officially recognised part of a British like since the 1950s, but

lollipop ladies now face an uncertain future in the county of

Dorset. Locals -- the local school here says it can't take on the cost

of paying from the council and it should not have to either. It is

something that should be put provided by the council, not by

individual schools and from the economic point of view we have a

school budget which is supposed to pay for the learning that goes on

and the school. The school budget is not really about providing a

safety element. We have separate budgets for that and those are

catered for. I have contacted all 56 schools in Dorset threatened

with losing their crossing patrols. Of the 47 who responded, 32 said

they would not be plugging the funding gap. 12 are still undecided.

Just one school said its patrol was financed separately. All sides seem

to agree that this is a valuable service which should be kept, but

it is not won the county council has to provide an so lollipop

ladies have found themselves on the list of cuts. The question has been,

can someone else pay for it? Many schools told me that with tight

budgets they simply could not afford to pick up the bill. Some

felt it was the council's responsibility and the grants they

received should be spent in the classroom. There was a will to find

alternatives in some cases, raising money through the PTA was one idea.

Strictly it is parents who are responsible for making sure their

children get to school safely. The campaigners against the move says

it flies in the face of efforts to get parents back to work, reduce

congestion and encourage youngsters to live a more healthy lifestyle.

Let alone the question of their safety on the road. I think it is

extremely serious. I think this is the only cut but I consider across

the country that is a local cut, that will end in the death of a

child and that is unforgivable. Nobody is talking about stopping

patrols. All we're doing is saying that we can't afford to fund them

and can we have some help from the local community. The schools will

be broad-minded in their approach to how things can be done because

after all, they fund various organisations that run with the

school and perhaps those organisations can find ways of

advertising, or making sure that the funding is available from pet

contributions, or a number of other ways I am sure there is a myriad of

ways they could raise money to do this.

But schools directly subsidising lollipop ladies looks unlikely in

many cases. The biggest change in the south-

west's newspapers for a generation has been announced. The Herald

Express in south Devon has been a daily paper since it started in

1925, but it is now going to become a weekly. The paper is blaming

falling advertising revenues and the changing state of the newspaper

industry. The hell of it -- the Herald Express is expected to shed

about 15 jobs. When Herald Express goes weekly

instead of daily next month, it will not just be the staff who will

be affected. Small shops like this one in Torquay rely on the food for

provided by people popping in to buy the paper. I am lucky, I have

the lottery, so I get people in from the lottery and from pay., but

some shops don't have the lottery, or paid point, and they depend on

Sunday -- selling the Herald every day to get customers into their

shops so they buy other bits and pieces. The paper has been daily

for 80 years but the local economy has taken its toll. Add to that the

decline in the newspaper industry and the way people access news and

you have a problem. Bosses at the Herald feel the only way to

safeguard the paper's future is to go weekly. This is a very sad day

for the people here who care passionately about this, for the

readers who value was, but it is the way of safeguarding that and

the transition will start next month. We anticipate the final

daily edition will be published on Friday July 15th and we will move

to the first weekly edition the first Thursday after that. It is

very important in a democracy to have a body that keeps people on

their toes and over the years, although councillors have had their

run-ins, MPs have had their run-ins with the Herald, by and large it

has been there as a protector. it happens the paper has good

circulation. The problem is not people buying the paper, it is

advertisers buying space in it. Torbay has the worst economy and

the whole of the south-west. It does not have a high value brands

that would make advertising We'd like to hear what you think

about one of our stories later in the programme.

Should this farmer have been fined for using red diesel in a tractor

as he volunteered to cut the grass at his local playing field?

Also still ahead: Bringing the Grecians up to date. The �30

million modernisation of St James Park.

A woman from West Cornwall has been telling the Politics Show about her

three year battle to get her husband released from an African

prison. End he is asking the government to step in and help.

Martyn Oates is with us now. What is the background?

He is a taxi driver who was building himself a retirement home

in Gambia. He gave some people up a lift into Senegal, and when they

arrived there they were arrested. He is being kept in prison, and his

wife is getting increasingly desperate. A I have had no hope at

all, I just keep phoning, and hoping to be heard. I had been

doing it for three years, trying to get somewhere. I feel dead inside.

I just do not know what torching not on next. -- door to knock on.

George Eustice has taken up the case?

Yes, he has asked the government to provide legal aid. But he has been

told it is not government policy to do that kind of thing for British

nationals abroad. The minister also said the government funds would

support people in this kind of position, they told us they would

pay just -- they are paid just �15,000 per year by the government.

It is also difficult to make progress in this case because the

Foreign Office seems unable to provide basic information about the

legal system in Senegal. A race against time is going on at

several sites across the region where large solar energy farms are

being built. Industrial scale plants will not qualify for the

generous incentives that were originally offered unless they are

finished by the end of next month. Neil Gallacher reports.

Near Truro, they are hurrying to complete a solar power farm that

will generate 1.4 million -- megawatts of electricity. Hurrying,

because unless they finish by the end of next month for the generous

subsidies originally promised will largely be denied them. Finished

means not just built, but tested, set-aside and connected to the grid.

They have to be programmed in, and they are at the moment. We just

cannot afford for anything to go wrong. A government is cutting its

subsidy because so many of these schemes were proposed. The subsidy

was very attractive, and generated a lot of interest, particularly in

the South West where we have the best solar radiation. I was having

up to 10 or 20 phone calls per day from landowners who wanted to take

part. Those who have decided to keep going on gambling. Part of the

problem... I am slightly nervous. The gamble is understandable since

by the time they get replanning most developers will have spent at

least �50,000. This is one of six big a solar farms now under

construction in Cornwall alone. 29 other such schemes have made it 3

planning in the county. Many of those may now fall by the wayside.

We are already getting a lot of comment on the story this evening.

At Devon farmer has been fined �250 for having red diesel in the

tractor he uses to cut the grass on the village football pitch. He has

been mowing the grass for three. But on Wednesday, taxmen impounded

his tractor and gave him an immediate fine.

It is a common enough sight, the grass on a football pitch being cut.

John Thorne has been doing it for the last two seasons at Hartland

Recreation Ground. He does it for nothing with his own tractor. But

on Wednesday, customs men were waiting and they fined him �250 for

using red diesel, which is cheaper to buy. How do you feel about what

happened? I am very upset about it, and I think it was very heavy

handed. We talked about court cases, and she said I could pay �250. I do

not know where common sense has gone. Hartland Recreation Ground is

a charity which relies on volunteers. Three men blocked

Brigade, threatened him, an immediate fine of �250. Paid by

card while two men waited by his tractor. I think it is totally

ridiculous. What has happened to John has left people seething.

whole point of Cameron's Big Society is that we are supposed to

be helping and working out. So a �250 fine seems a bit harsh to me.

It is terrible. He was doing a good deed, cutting the picture on the

playing fields. There you are. statement, outcome of -- customers

said they were unable to discuss individual cases duty taxpayer

confidentiality. It went on to say that the law states attract a may

only use red diesel for the purposes of agriculture,

horticulture and forestry. John says he will continue to cut the

grass with his red tractor, but not with red diesel.

Let us know what you think about Support, and Dave has been at

Exeter City on the day next season's football fixtures have

been announced. Lovely weather. But on a day like

this it is opportune to next -- mention next season's fixtures.

Three of the South West League teams are on the road on the

opening day. James Vickery has more. Exeter City open at the team who

beat Torquay United in May's League Two play-off final, Stevenage. Paul

Tisdale's team, who finished 8th in League One last season, renew

acquaintances with nearest rivals Yeovil Town, not only in the first

round of the League Cup, but also in November and at St James Park on

January 2nd. Relegated Plymouth Argyle kick-off at Shrewsbury Town,

whom Torquay United dispatched in the play-off semi-finals in May.

The Pilgrims have informed the Football League that they will

fulfil their obligations with the new campaign, despite the

uncertainty hovering over their future. Torquay United begin at

Plainmoor against Burton Albion before pitting their wits against

previous manager Paul Buckle at his new club Bristol Rovers on 13th

August. The Yellows face Devon neighbours Plymouth Argyle at home

in November and at Home Park in the new year. Yeovil Town, who have

lost four of their best players already for next season, launch off

at Brentford. Exeter City have unveiled plans to

modernise their St James Park football ground and surrounding

area at a cost of more than �30 million. They are looking to start

work on rebuilding the old grandstand and the away supporters'

end in two years' time, subject to public approval and planning

permission. To fund the project, the club wants to construct student

accommodation next to the stadium. We are a debt free club, so we have

to finance it with enabling developments. We are looking at

having student accommodation, nearly 500 student flats or rooms.

Bennett can be self financing. If we had the opportunity to move into

the championship, this would be perfect. But just staying in League

One, it is necessary also. There is a public exhibition on display

where you can see those plans. It is open from noon until 6pm

tomorrow. Rugby's championship fixtures are

also out for next season. Play-off runners up the Cornish Pirates try

to go one better and they start their quest at Moseley on 3rd

September. Plymouth Albion, who avoided relegation in the play-offs,

meet Esher at Brickfields in their first game. The Pirates-Albion

duals are on October 1st at Brickfields and in Penzance at

Christmas. Exeter Chiefs' Premiership schedule is due for

release on Monday week. And I am afraid the 20/20 cricket

at Taunton has fallen to the weather along with tonight's

speedway for Plymouth Devils. The point-to-point Season reaches

its climax tomorrow at Umberleigh. Richard Woollacott has retained his

title, but there will be a First Lady's ground. Racing starts at 2pm.

You may remember back in the autumn we followed a class of protrudes

through HMS Raleigh. Those films had been made into a documentary

which you can see on Sunday on BBC One. Here is a taster.

These are Royal Navy recruits. They joined up to save their country.

But to become sailors, they have to make it through basic training.

Start showing the you want to be here!

We will also be revealing what they are doing now, that is Civvie to

Sailor on Sunday at 5:30pm on BBC One.

Lot of comments coming in about the red diesel. We will come onto those

red diesel. We will come onto those comments for a moment. First, the

Slave -- there will be plenty of showers around tomorrow, much

quieter come Sunday. Lots of cloud on the satellite here, is beginning

to move away now, and later tonight there will be a lot of clear sky.

Tomorrow, there will be another weather front wrapped around that

low. That would generate frequent flyers in the mornings -- showers

in the morning. There is a weather fronts coming from the size, this

will nudge in enduring the cause of the afternoon. The better of the

two days is Sundays. The rain that we sold earlier today is moving

fairly quickly and eastwards. Now lots of clear skies moving into the

far west of Cornwall. Overnight, apart from one or two showers,

there should be a lot of dry weather to be had. But the showers

keep going right through until dawn, and temperatures will go as low as

nine or 10 degrees Celsius. Tomorrow, lots of shares at least

in the morning. But they will become more isolated as the day

continues. It will also be very windy. Temperatures struggling up

to 15 or 16 degrees Celsius, so quite add cold field to the day. If

you are going to the yacht race, the conditions will be very

blustery and the seas are very rough. Conditions quite poor for

that. Most of the islands are seeing quite blustery conditions,

blustery with showers. Here other The waves there will be very big

The forecast for Sunday is much better, lighter winds, some hazy

sunshine in the morning but clouding over in the afternoon.

That is good news for the tour they have Marathon taking place on

Sunday. It should be dry with temperatures up to 17 degrees

Celsius. Mandate, it will be wet, Celsius. Mandate, it will be wet,

Most people are saying, what is the country coming to, he been doing

volunteer work carries its burden. Perhaps he should stop and let the

local council meet the bill. And on twitters says the find is

outrageous. Rogers says many local village

teams rely on the generosity of local farmers to keep the pitch is

cut. Robert on Twitter says he cannot

believe the country and the match rules that are imposed on good

people. I hope he gets his money back and with compensation.