28/07/2011 Spotlight

Rescue missions at risk as travellers set up camp at the end

of a runway used by the coastguard helicopter. The travellers have

moved on to land on Portland. Also tonight: The plans for 40,000 new

homes. How Cornwall hopes to tackle the shortage of affordable and

social housing. And text before marriage - how a message sent to a

random phone ten years ago led to wedding bells. I can't say many

people would meet this way, but I am glad I have done it now. There

are warnings tonight that the Portland based coastguard

helicopter may not be able to fly rescue missions, because travellers

have set up camp at the end of it's runway. The land owner has called

in the bailiffs to try to clear the camp as soon as possible. The

helicopter flies a range of missions and was called out almost

20 times a month in the first half of this year. But the travellers

have arrived at what is traditionally its busiest period.

Our Correspondent Simon Hall is at the base this evening. Let me give

you sense of the problem. This area is an emergency runway for the hell

el -- helicopter to come down on if it was suffering a problem. If that

twr case it would need that grassy area there. The travellers have set

up camp next to that. That is why the coast guards are concerned.

Teams of bailiffs have been serving eviction notices. It is very

friendly, mostly. It doesn't go wrong very often. They are quite

approachable and they wish to do it peacefully as well. They don't want

to cause problems. This is the busiest time of the year for the

helicopter. Its main role is rescues at sea, but kit be called

to a range -- it can be called to a range of emergencies. It is high

holiday seasons and thousands are visiting. Some are concerned at the

threat to the helicopter flying. Having that he kids with us. We

were on the beach yesterday and if there is leds of kids in the sea,

if anything was the happen, they would be up the spout. If you get

in trouble you need something to rescue you. It is very

inconsiderate of people pitching their caravans there. If somebody's

in trouble, I can't tread water, I would look forward to it if I got

into trouble. None of the travellers wanted to be interviewed,

but one did talk to me. We're not stopping nothing. We're minding our

own business. The helicopter takes off any time they want to. We're

not stopping nothing. We're out of the way. There is a lot of hull Aba

loo. Council officials have visited the site, they're trying to find an

alternative location. An added concern is where the travellers

have settled is only yards from what is to become the Olympic

village. I have been speaking to the bailiffs. They stay operation

to clear the site will follow the classic strategy of softly, softly.

They will give the travellers plenty of time to get their

possessions together and to move off. And also they say they will

give them dignity, the time and space and the pride intact, to move

on. But they say they will be staying to monitor what happens and

offering help to the travellers if they need it. But the key thing is

they expect the site here to be cleared by tomorrow. Thank you.

More than 40,000 new homes could be built across Cornwall within the

next 20 years. Councillors have been debating a new long-term plan

today, but admit that securing affordable homes and social housing

is an ongoing challenge. If the proposals are approved it'll mean

new homes being built across the county and not just in towns.

Philippa Mina reports. Lucy is packing up, but us didn't - doesn't

know if she and her daughter will have anyone to live. Her rental

property is up for sale the nearist place the council may find

accommodation is more than 50 miles away. I'm still waiting for things

to happen. The council have accepted a duty of homelessness.

But the nearst place they can re- house me is a long way from my

daughter's school, a long way from I clean in the village. So I don't

know what we're going to to. She is like many people struggling to buy

or rent a property in Cornwall. Today councillors have been

debating how many more houses need to be built in the next 20 years.

The final figure reck daigss is for 40,000 new homes. -- recommendation.

Some of us who supported the lower number, challenged some of the

projections. We wanted a different type of policy, where we're more

ProActive in bringing forward more affordable housing, rather than a

large number of open market houses. So it is not just about the numbers,

but the type of policies that will underpin that and deliver for

Cornish communities. Rather than just building and hoping for the

best. This is the first step in what will be a long debate over the

housing needs, with some claiming the numbers are unsustainable.

Others say they are not enough to tackle the county's social housing

needs. A man who was on remand at Exeter Prison has been found hanged

in his cell. 24-year-old Jason Rose from Mount Gould in Plymouth had

been accused of pointing an imitation firearm at police

officers in Freedom Fields Park in June. The Prison Service says an

investigation will be carried out by the Prisons and Probation

Ombudsman. The crew of the container ship which ran aground

near Lands End yesterday morning are being questioned. The ship is

now in Rotterdam. Maritime safety officers are interviewing the

captain and crew of the Karin Schapers as part of its

investigation. Falmouth coastguards had repeatedly warned the ship she

was heading for rocks. The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust says

there've been no cases of MRSA over the last nine months. It says

there's been a dramatic fall in the number of cases of the infections

in the last five years. More than 100 young officers embarked on

their naval careers today, as they passed out at Britannia Royal Naval

College in Dartmouth. The parade took place as speculation about the

future of the college continues in the wake of the Governments

strategic defence and security review. Spotlight's defence

reporter Scott Bingham was there. The Royal Navy has been training

recruits at Dartmouth since 1863. Now these are the latest men and

women to pass out after 28 weeks initial officer training. As a

short-term savings measure, this intake is smaller than the usual

150 and with a higher proportion of officers from international navys.

It has been a challenge, but it has been rewarding. A lot of the people

from the middle eastern and African states are coming from war-ravaged

environments and we're training them and they're seeing how we work

and we're developing relationships. Brittannia has been under a cloud

this week amid speculation about its future. But the sun broke

through on a proud day for the officers and their families. Rpblgt

we're very proud and unfortunately -- We're very proud and

unfortunately my dad's not here. He would have been proud. It is nice,

especially having the family. has been a wonderful day. This is a

big day for us. Because he is our big brother and his graduation.

We're happy for him. We're proud of him. The hope is that training will

continue here for many years to come. But nothing is certain. The

Armed Forces Minister yesterday said there were no plans to close

the college, but he couldn't rule out a future possible merger with

HMS Raleigh. It is a long way off and needs planning and money to be

released. We're developing that training ethos with what we have at

the moment. Senior officers and ministers maintain that no

decisions have yet been taken o' future of HMS Raleigh or Brittannia.

But it is possible that naval ratings could be trained here

alongside the officers. Still to come in Spotlight tonight: We'll be

examining if it's cheaper to holiday here in the South West or

fly abroad. And we'll be meeting the people who live and work on the

River Dart in the first part of our new summer series. Now it's August

and despite the grey weather, holidays are on a lot of people's

minds at the moment along with the cost of them. It's too early in the

season to say whether the economic situation is affecting the region's

tourist industry but some holiday sites we've spoken to say bookings

this year are down. So just how expensive is it to stay in the

South West? We did a quick trawl of holidays available on the internet

from Manchester and this is what we found. It would cost an average of

�130 in fuel alone to drive from Manchester to Newquay and back. And

at this time of year for a couple to stay in budget accommodation the

best deal we could find was �240 per person, per week. That would

make the total cost per person �305. Meanwhile, we found a deal for

seven nights, self-catering in Corfu with the flights included for

�299 per person. Spotlight's Simon Alexander has been finding out if

it's just a case of cost. It Habsi none mouse with a busy summer

tourist season for decades. Observers in the holiday trade

noticed years ago that this annual invasion beginning at about Easter

is as predictable a feature as the arrival of swallow in the sky or

mackerel in the sea. And this year's been no exception, with a

steady stream of traffic pouring in. The South West is a magnet for

visitors and while early indications show most coastal camp

sites are doing well, some inland sites are not so positive. For one,

the current stay of the economy is having a knock on effect. I have

been about 20% down on previous years to do with the economy,

people have said it is to do with job losses. And fuel increases. We

have had also more supermarkets delivering. With fad etc. Because

of people saying they can afford to go on holiday, but can't afford the

day-to-day living. I think it will work out more expensive while we're

here. But then we have got all the local things we can use. We can use

the supermarkets and Eigg. So hopefully it will work out all

right. -- supermarkets and everything. It is cheaper. Not so

much out of the pocket going abroad this caer. The tourist season here

is in full swing. Those in the industry will be watching for any

potential storm clouds on the horizon in the current economic

climate to make sure they're not blowing their way. Just two days

before the start of the new football season, Plymouth Argyle's

administrator Brendan Guilfoyle is warning that they may have to look

at other options if more money isn't forthcoming from the buyers.

Spotlight's Dave Gibbins joins me now from the newsroom. We seem to

have been here so many times, why is the administrator so worried

about the lack of money now. have hit the nail on the head. Well

Plymouth have no money in the pot. I have got a statement from the

jointed a minute straitor, Brendan Gilfoyle, who has writ on the the

preferred bidder, whose negotiator has been Kevin Heaney, and asked

the company to produce funds to pay wages. Let me remind you at this

stage that the players left from last season haven't been paid in

full since December. They want confirmation that they will

complete the purchase of the clubby the middle of August. How have fans

reacted? They are keen to find out what has been going on, as we have

been finding out from them today. think we feel vindicated that we

have had these concerns and they haven't really been seriously

addressed. Now it seep that Brendan Gilfoyle is addressing them and

looking to deal with us and James Brent. Time seems to be running out.

Will they be able to start the season on start -- Saturday? Yes it

was some time ago they stated they will fulfil their fixtures. They

will have an emergency kit on their first game before the official

centenary kit comes out to fans in October. So there is no doubt,

Peter Reid reed has new players, but while they're cracking on with

it on the pitch, it is off the pitch where the concerns lie.

afternoons Dave. Well, as we've just heard, - the new football

season is almost upon us and excitement is mounting among South

West fans. We start our build-up with a look at the region's League

One clubs, Exeter City and Yeovil Town. Dave kicks off with the proud

record of City manager Paul Tisdale. Looking dapper as always, Paul

Tisdale sets the right example. He has done for the past five years,

with a record most managers in the game would feigned to beat. The 38-

year-old has taken Exeter City from non-league football the a team full

of RMT and within sight of the Championship A rise as quick as an

inform pole vaulter. Stay within the budget that is the first thing

and see every player improve. If we do that, I know we will win games.

Hoump longer will he main at City before the tesmation of earning

more becomes too much. I'm not looking to leave. One day I

probably will. But until then, hopefully we will continue to go

forward and I will be able to see the club having a more successful

time. But who knows? Tisdale's team launched the new season at

Stevenage. Yeovil Town have been a league club for eight years now,

six have been in League One. They have flirted with relegation more

often than they would have liked. But they have survived and the man

who steered them to safety last season is keen to keep them from

shark-infested waters. We have been tipped to go down. We love that,

because... You know people, they're not seeing what I'm seeing and

they're going off stats and whatever and how much people have

spent. But we have recruited wisely. After 12 years in Somerset, there

nobody better to deal with the financial restraints than Terry as

they start their latest adventure at Brentford. Tomorrow, Dave

concentrates on League Two clubs Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United.

Now you either love them or hate them; and at times they can drive

all of us mad, but for one couple in Yeovil the mobile phone has

played a very special role in their lives. This year they're going to

celebrate ten years of marriage, all because of a random text. In a

moment of boredom, Tina Huish wrote the words 'feel like talking' on

her mobile phone and then sent it to a completely random number. 140

miles away Andrew Baldwin responded and a short time later the couple

were married. John Henderson takes up their remarkable story. The joy

of text and if anyone knows the happen yns - happiness it can bring

it is Tina. Ten years, I don't expect that with a text. In a

moment of boredom in 2000 she wrote these words on her phone. And sent

it to a random number. expecting to get a reply. And I did

and the reply was just yes. I think I was more shocked than the person

who received the text. The text ended up on the work telephone of

Andrew Baldwin in Hemel Hempstead. He responded and so began text

you'll relations. When we fist met, we knew there was something there.

That is when we desaided we would make a go of it and he moved down

with me. And here we're now with two children. Next month the couple

are taking a family holiday to France in celebration of ten years

of marriage. A marriage straight from the text book! They were lucky,

it is a big gamble. I did think about it as an idea. But I wasn't

sure what I would end up. I could still send that to my husband and

he would probably say no! Now the start of a special new summer

series on Spotlight on the River Dart. Over the next few weeks,

we'll be visiting some of the people who live and work on the

River. Emma Ruminski begins the series with the help of a Dartmoor

National Park ranger and a former BBC film maker who made the same

journey for a documentary back in 1971. Dartmoor, dart meet,

Dartington, doort mouth. These are obviously names that are derived

from and get their meaning from the River Dart. No one can dispute this

musings in 1971. The River Dart is not only at the heart of this

landscape, but its one of the rivers that help provide water for

the towns and cities beyond it. Here we are. This is pool, one of

the remotest parts of Dartmoor. A lot of major rivers start close to

this spot. The pool has shrunk, but the peat hags and bogs continue to

feed the rivers. And the first letterbox remains. There is a

letterbox where you sign your name in a book. And you post them back

in civilisation. Signing it again 40 year ago, again, the documentary

making has seen the area change. has become more popular.

Particularly on Dartmoor, more erosion, are people walk out to

these places. And of course, as you get down stream, the whole tourist

industry has increased enormously. Which is good for the area. They

need the tourists. Having got here you ought to have the stamp. Here

it is the stamp. Well I won't wash now. Like some of kids I brought

here, they didn't wash for whole week. I won't leave it that long.

Hike further and you come across a muddy trickle. This is the start of

the east Dart and at the moment in August it is dried up. But after

heavy rain or in winter when it is in full spate, it can come up to my

knees. The whole area acts as a huge sponge and this peat keeps the

water and as you can see, little streams, they are starting. It is a

major source of water supplies for the rest voirs in the west country.

And the peat contains it and lets it out slowly. Dartmoor has been

always inaccessible from pre- historic to medieval times, there

were no roads, only tracks. Much easier to get to now, eight buss a

day visit Post Bridge. It is a challenge the National Park have

had to meet. Our role is to keep that balance and conserve the place,

but to look after it and use it as a yn - o' area for people. No one

want it to be a museum. No, but no one wants it to be a glorified park.

It is a National Park and one of the fantastic areas in the country.

Tourism was booming in the 70s here, vu as busy as the beaches. It I

quite eter and cooler. It I quite and -- quiet and it is buef. Shops

and tea room -- Beautiful. Shops and tea rooms started. We're well

known now for families they come back time and time again. As they

have got older they bring their children. A lot have been coming

here for many years. It us all good fun. You have have to have your own

pixie hat. Yes. It is compulsory. From the source to a centre for

tourism, the Dart has shaped the landscape and people who use it.

Behind me you have the West Dart and this is the East Dart, this is

where the water meet. Next week we will explore the beautiful Dart

Valley. We can't say the weather is Valley. We can't say the weather is

as lovely. By the way, your husband will be cross. She will say sorry

later. We have some heavy rain. Dorset saw 46 millimetres. That was

a six hour total. The rain has moved. But expect more of that. In

the form of showers. There might be one or two showers around tonight.

But I think tonight it is quieter, generally dry and the main line of

rain has moved a long way from us, up to Scotland and through the low

countries. So there is some clear sky to the west. As that air comes

n it mixes with the warmth of the land and generate cloud. So don't

expect too much sunshine. This is tonight. By lunchtime on Friday we

have a ridge of high pressure. It doesn't seem like it, but it is

there. So a mainly dry day tomorrow. Through the weekend that changes.

This low pressure gets closer by lunchtime on Saturday. Several

weather ropbts -- fronts wrapped around that to bring more rain. The

low pressure moves closer as we move into Sunday. But the brighter

colour, that was the heavier rain. That has moved out of the way. And

while the -- there is some sunshine, there is a fair covering of cloud.

That may well break up tonight so allow some clear skies. Where that

happens, there will be some mist or fog forming. But generally light

wind. It is a dry story with just some showers in the north Cornwall.

Temperatures tonight down to 14 degrees. Tomorrow, a better chance

to see sunshine. There will be a lot of cloud that will build and

develop through the day. If you're along the coast, particularly the

south, you may get awhich with some sunshine through the day. But

inland the cloud will be stubborn to move out of the way. Should be

dry with temperatures responding in the sunshine, up to 20, possibly 21

degrees. Generally light winds, although the Coes will feel fresher

and cooler. -- coast will feel fresher and cooler. For the Isles

of Scilly some sunshine in the morning, but more cloud in the

afternoon. But it should remain dry. 18 the top temperature. Types of

high water are on screen. -- times of high water are on screen. For

our surfers, the surf has been disappointing this week. It does

pick up tomorrow. Generally clean, up to three or four teat. We have

the board Masters starting on Monday. And the area of low

pressure that is coming in will bring more of a breeze and

hopefully give more surf for the surfers for the first day on Monday.

The coastal waters forecast for the next 24 hours has the winds west or

north-westerly, three or four. They will back south-westerly on sarts

and become strong on Sunday from the same direction. Mainly fair

tomorrow. The outlook, it is changing in the weekend. Feeling

fresher come Sunday. With some heavy showers around. And the winds

increasing through the day, become strong by the evening. For tomorrow

mainly dry. Saturday a risk of a few showers. 17 degrees. I

mentioned Sunday, the showers becoming frequent and hfry. Monday

I think there is a bit of brighter weather. Winds becoming north-

westerly, but still not what we want the see. Temperatures still

struggling at 18 for the early part of next week. Thank you David. Our

main news: There are warnings that the Portland coastguard helicopter

may not be able to flay, because travellers have set up camp at the