19/03/2012 Spotlight

Light at the end of the tunnel. Are there sign our economy is beginning

to grow? Good evening. Research suggests we may be on the road to

recovery. We will be live in Weymouth where new businesss are

blooming. Also on Spotlight. Limbering up for the Olympics, the

local people who will be the guiding lights of the games.

think it is fantastic for Cornwall. If you stop and think, it is the

biggest sporting event in the world. It begins here, in Cornwall, with

the relay. And in a class of their own. Why these pupils are schooling

at the local rugby club. First tonight, new research shows

significant evidence of business growth in the south-west,

especially in some of the most deprived areas. The information

experts Experian conducted the research for the BBC. Exeter comes

out particularly well and is? The top ten places in England for

businesses that show high potential for significant future growth.

North Devon and Torbay rank well. The number of businesses in

Cornwall grew from more than 31,000, to more than 32,500. The third

biggest increase in the country. Despite an overall growth in bidss,

Taunton Deane had one of the highest reductions of self-employed

people in the country, down 6.1% to 4 200. Weymouth has the highest

proportion of business start ups in the south-west, and our reporter is

in Dorset for us this evening. Yes, good news in Weymouth and Portland

tonight. More and more businesses are setting up here, so before the

Olympics have begun, it is there something the legacy of the games

will leave behind. I will ask that question to one of the councillor,

first I have been to meet one of the new businesses set up here. Amy

and Kirsty opening their new business two years ago. Heavenly

Bumping is -- bump is an internet business. It is one of many new

business start ups in Weymouth and Portland. It a brave thing to do in

this climate, but we felt so passionate about our jobs, that we

really wants to set something up. We knew there was a gap in the

market for affordable clothing, especially on line. The areas seen

the highest number of business start ups across the south-west.

Weymouth and Portland is a fantastic place to live. To be able

to work here with fantastic job opportunities is ideal. I think

what the Olympics have given us is crated an energy and buzz between

the business community that has given people the confidence and

ideas to start up their own businesses. When it comes to

champion business, ebg -- Exeter is the star of the region. Fair energy

started three years ago as a one man show, now it employs 19 people.

Although much of the credit must go to generous feed in tariffs.

Government are incentivising biomass technology, which is

fortunate for us as a business. It is probably the greatest thing.

Obviously people are interested in being more green, but it is

expensive to do this stuff so the Government incentives have helped.

So evidence tonight of local growth across much of the south-west. It

may not be the full picture, but enough perhaps to give some hope

for the future. Well I am skpwroind councillor Ian Munroe-price. You

are the brief holder for economic develop p. Is this success down to

the Olympics? No short know. People have known for a long time what a

great place to live and work Weymouth and Portland is, but I

think the Olympics is helping to driv forward legacy benefit, such

as the relief road and the superfast broadband we are seeing

at the moment. The real legacy for the Olympics will be after, when we

have had the publicity and more people find out what a great place

to live this is. You paint a good picture but things, businesses are

still struggling and some o still closing. We understand we have a

lot to do keep the momentum rolling forward and create a vibrant

situation in which businesses can do business. We have a few

initiatives going forward, we have got the events in August, with the

Dorset business club, and the UK trade and investment, to bring

businesses here, highlight the export opportunities to local

businesses, and the Weymouth bid for the town ten ser -- centre is

trying to create a vibrant town centre. Thank you for joining us,

beautiful evening here in Weymouth. A nice breeze. Perfect conditions

for sailing event that will be happening here soon. Thank you very

much. Although there are signs of business recovery in the region,

one firm in Devon has criticised the Government for not doing enough.

Inject plastic has won the contract to manufacture children's suitcases

which were featured on the BBC television programme Dragon's Den.

They were previously made in China. It is the sort of private sector

success which ministers say will drive the economy forward, but as

Dave Harvey reports the firm says more tax breaks are needed to help

businesses. Meter rens and Trixi. The world's first and only ride on

suitcases for globe trotting tots. I'm out. I too am out. The dragons

didn't bite but the public certainly have. We have gone on

from strength to strength. It is not just the UK we are exporting to

62 countries and the proof is in the finances over the last 12 month,

we have turned over six million. Currently there is two factories in

China that make the case. Well that is all about to change. We are

delighted to say we have made the decision to make them in the UK now.

It has been a long passion of mine to be able to do this. I am dealing

with crazy pricing in shipping from the far east. We are able to create

a more sustainable product. Our carbon footprint is reduced.

decision has created 20 new jobs in Devon and allowed the factory to

expand further. But this equipment is expensivement We are spending

about �500,000 on new equipment this year. Until two years ago,

manufacturers like this could write off 40% of that investment against

their tax bill. That tax break has now been halved, to 18%.. You hear

on the news a lot that the Government is supporting

manufacturing, but when you get down into it, there is very little

support there, and any support would be welcome. With me is our

political editor Martin oets. There was criticism in that film of the

Government not doing enough to help manufacturing, what would they say

they are doing to help? In a speech a few weeks ago the Business

Secretary said millioning e-- manufacturing is at the heart of

the strategy. He says that it is investing hundreds of millions of

pounds to boost manufacturing across the country. We have a

special debate coming up looking at the economy, within that there was

criticism of the banks as well.. My experience is that the entire

banking industry has closed to what is described as bucket and spade

style hotels. There are two hotels adjoining my three that are both

closed down, boarded up, almost 50 full-time jobs lost, because the

entire banking industry will not give a mortgage to a hotel. Both

this Government and the last have tried various initiatives to get

the banks lending more readily again, they have left that

gentleman rather underWestminstered, to say the least. Tomorrow though,

ahead of the budget we expect anmouncement on and probably the

launch of the Government's latest big idea to get credit flowing,

hand is the national loan guarantee scheme, where by the Government

would guarantee bank loans, collectively up to a total of �20

billion over the next two years for small and immediate yumed size

business, that is businesss with a turn over of up to �50 million.

This is something the Chancellor announced five months ago but it is

one of these things like the fuel rebate which needed EU permission

to get off the ground. That has been granted. Thank you for joining

us. We will look at the prospects for the south-west economy in a

special spot lithe debate tonight. I will be joined by a studio

audience of business people, jobseekers and MPs. That is Our

Economy, the Spotlight debate here on BBC One. On to the other big

news of day and the names of hundreds of torch bearers who will

carry the Olympic flame have been revealed. The exact route has been

announced. Starting at Land's End on day one it will make its way

through Cornwall, across the Tamar and wind its way to Plymouth Hoe.

We can go there now and join Natalie. Thank you. Yes, the south-

west is really going to play a major role in the journey of the

Olympic flame. The eyes of the world are going to be on the region,

when the flame arrives here for the very first time in this country.

Now, as you said it will make its way through Cornwall to this iconic

landmark, Plymouth Hoe, where it will pause and have the first

overnight rest. There will be a major party here to celebrate that

on May 19th. To get here there is going to be dozens up tos and

villages that it will pass there. - - of towns and villages. The 70 day

Olympic torch relay starts at Land's End at 7.15 in the morning

on Saturday 19th May. From there, it goes through Newlyn to Penzance.

Then the flame travels through, passing St Michael's mount before

heading through some village, before going up the main street of

Helstone. In Falmouth, schools running coach and former Olympic

10k triallist Dave Collins will be one of the 100 or so torch bearers

to carry it through Cornwall. it privilege for me. I think it is

fantastic. If you stop and think, it is the biggest sporting event in

the world. It begins here in Cornwall, with the relay. The torch

next appears here in Truro at round 12.30. It will come down the street

here and then they will jog past the Cathedral, before it heads to

Newquay. There the town's streets and the school are on the route.

And then the Olympic flame comes here, to Cornwall's China clay

country and they will get a fantastic close up view in those

China clay villages. As well as the Eden Project and St Austell itself.

Next stop this town. The children of the school will be here to watch.

Aren't you? Yes! All the children are excited about the idea that big

things don't happen in the town, so we are not used to things like this.

From there the torch bearers will pound the roads and pavements on to

the Tamar Bridge. This is the Olympic torch and it will cross

from Cornwall into Devon on 19th of may. And it will go along Devonport

at 7.30 and in through the city and on to the Ho for a big party so I

am told. Next morning it will travel through the villages and on

to Torbay. Then up to Exeter where it stays overnight. Then on Monday

it passes through Minehead and on to Taunton on 22nd May. It Leighs

the south-west. The Olympic spirit has begun to weave its excitement

among the torch bearers. It is a historic event. People will be

talking about it for year, to say I was there on the day and holding

the torch, it will be amazing. do you -- why do you think you were

chose snn. I do a lot of charity work, I sing for charity so that

maybe why. How heavy is the torch? You going to cope? It is very light.

I am sure on the day the elation will make it lighter. Why you been

chosen? Because of the work I do with dimember sha, I am on the

board nationally for the Alzheimer's Society, and I am also

vice-chairman of a youth football club, in Saltash. So, plenty of

voluntary work. Of course the torch does come back to the south-west on

12th July, it travels through Dorset, to our own Olympic venue

for the sailing. I am joined by former Royal Marine Mark Ormerod

who has heard he will be one of the How did you got the news. I got an

e-mail before Christmas that I was provisionally accepted. On Friday,

I got the final e-mail to say I had been accepted and I was going to do

it on 20th Mair. It is quite an o' an hour. -- 209 May. Yes I was

fortunate to spend several years travelling the world representing

my country in the military and now I have been given the privilege of

carrying the flame through my home city. Since your injuries in

Afghanistan, you have had the chance to do a lots of things. How

does this rank? This is up the top. This is a once in a lifetime

opportunity and I don't, well I know ill never get this opportunity

again. Will do my best to represent Plymouth the best I can and make

sure I don't drop it! Are you going to run or walk with it. It must be

difficult to run? With the one arm, it will be difficult to run. I

think I will walk it. I need my arm to pump while I'm running. I think

will walk. It will be emotional? Yes, it's, I can't explain what an

honour it is, the people that voted for me and getting through all

those people and being confirmed in my home city, it's amazing. Well

done and thank you for talking us to. That is all for now. Back to

you in the studio. Thank you. Natalie will be back later with

more sport. You can find out more of the torch relay route on the the

web-site. We will pleat more of the torch bearers throughout this week.

-- meet more. Parents trying to save a troubled private school in

North Devon say they've managed to raise enough money to try and buy

the building. St Michaels at Tawstock went into administration

just after Christmas because of falling numbers. Pupils that are

left are now having lessons at a local rugby club while they wait to

find out their fate. Sarah Ransome has the details. This rugby club

might be an unusual substitution for a set of visitors more used to

a traditional classroom, but for these children from St Michael's it

is not about location, but about education. The private small and is

now up for sale. Parent and pupils have raised �1 million to try and

buy it. I was there since I was three months old. So it kind of

meant something to finish St Michael's off and it's quite

special and unique. The whole St Michael's feeling. As we have the

same class mates and teacher, it still feels special. Many children

have already moved on. Worried parents of those left are pleased

they have got somewhere to go. first I was concerned, but the

children seemed to adjust and they have been happy to come here and

they see it as school. So no, we have adjusted with them. Falling

numbers have been blamed for the school closing. The parents support

group believes selling it is about more than just the bottom line.

have got to look at the aspects of community and financial aspects. I

don't think we're looking for the minister to do us any favours. Was

we have want them to look at our bid in a realistic way and say

there is more than just money. statement the administrators said

they recognised the special circumstances of bid and are

treating it seriously. All bids need to be in by the end of week.

Only then will these visitors know if their try has been successful.

South West doctors and academics who oppose the Government's health

reforms have pledged to stand as candidates in the next election.

Family doctors in Exeter and professors from the Peninsula

Medical School are among senior healthcare professionals fiercely

opposed to the Health and Social Care Bill. They say they'll target

the seats of MPs who've voted for it. Details of a �1 million project

to make the most of North Devon's fishing industry have been unveiled.

The idea is for people in Clovelly, Ilfracombe, Bideford and Appledore

to benefit as much as possible. The funding is aimed at increasing jobs

and business opportunities, as well as enhancing the market for local

fish. Devon's Military Wives Choir has gone to No 1 in the album

charts. It follows their Christmas number one single. The album called

In My Dreams hit the top spot two weeks after being released. A pound

from every album sold is going to the charitable foundation for

military wives' choirs. It is nice it is light in the evenings. It's

time to go back to Plymouth Hoe now from where Natalie can bring us the

weekend's sports round up. To football now and it was a

significant weekend for our sides as they continue their promotion

and relegation battles. It's looking grim for Exeter City in

League One's relegation zone. Torquay are going great guns near

the top of League Two, while Plymouth boosted their survival

chances, but aren't out of danger chances, but aren't out of danger

yet. Dave Gibbins rounds it all up. Torquay have eyes on the League Two

title. Their 4-1 win at Burton came from Stevens. They led to the

sacking of the brewer's manager after the game. It is United's

fourth win in five and it is top against second tomorrow at the

County Ground as Torquay could go a point behind Swindon if they win.

Plymouth thanked a keeper's error that let in a free kick for only

goal against Shrewsbury. They crawl out of the bottom two and a win

tomorrow will ease their worries. In League One, the alarm bells are

ringing at Exeter City. A 2-1 set back to Preston cease City up to

their necks in the relegation swamp. Preston pounced late on and it

means victory against Wycombe tomorrow is essential in their bid

to escape the drop. Yeovil are up to half way and in calmer water

after their 2-1 win over Walsall. Williams turned the match around.

Taking the strike tore ten in as many games. -- striker to ten in as

many games. There was good news and bad news for our rugby sides

involved in the championship play offs. Cornish Pirates victory hopes

suffered a blow, but Plymouth Albion recorded a much needed win

in their battle for survival. Here's Brent Pilnick. It may not

have been pretty, but a win's a win. Albion fans fell for the right boot

of James Love. He put over six penaltys to seal an 18-11 victory.

It gol Albion their first win in six matches. But the Cornish

Pirates are still yet to win in the top of the table play offs and

conceded a last minute try after some controversial refereeing

decisions. Well done to Plymouth Raiders who've won the first leg of

basketball's BBL Trophy final. They now take a nine-point lead to

Newcastle Eagles for this Friday's second leg. The Raiders won the

first leg 97-88. They overturned a six point deficit in the final

quarter and restricted the Champions to just four points in

the last three and a half minutes of the match. That's all from here

for now. Don't forget we'll be back up here on the Hoe on Sunday for

Sport Relief when thousands of you will go the extra mile for charity.

will go the extra mile for charity. For now good bye. A lovely sun set

there. The weather in a few minutes. There were cookery demonstrations

with a difference in Cornwall over the weekend. The techniques and

recipes used were more than 3,000 years old and some of them took

place in an Iron Age round house. Spotlight's Emma Thomasson takes up

the story. For thousands of years people in Britain lived in round

houses like this one, the reed roof and walls have taken volunteers at

this field school near Truro around 18 months to build. This is a copy

of a house from Sussex. It is cut into the side of hill. So we can

can have a sleeping platform. Jackie has spent years researching

pre-historic cookery and proving that food can compete with today's

Master Chef offerings. Trout baked in mud - gorgeous! Tasting food

that was pre-historic is always a must. We can always relate to food

and think we can taste something, why should people have had horrible

food then. They had wild game and meat and fish. Outside they're

cooking lamb and beef in a pool of water heated by hot stones. How is

this for a hot plate and stove all in one? Bean cake anyone? It is a

special place and I found it interesting. The food was brilliant.

I like seeing it live, so you can look at the remains and see that is

why it is like that. It helps you to understand how the people lived,

which brings it to life. Dozen of visitors came to see and taste how

it was done 3,500 years ago. Fascinating. That food looked good

as well. For 3,000 years old it didn't look bad. Now weather with

Helen. Some lovely sun sets tonight. Red sky at night shepherd's

Red sky at night shepherd's delight? We will see more cloud

tomorrow, but day has been a beautiful day. The rest of the week

we will see some more cloud. There is still some sunny spells and it

should be dry. We can see some pictures from earlier on today.

These were taken by Dan, our cameraman. Beautiful skies here.

Just some patchy cloud in Tawstock. We are going to see increasing

amounts of cloud over the next 12 to 24 hours. The satellite shows

that band of cloud to the north, slowly creeping towards us. Already

across western parts of Cornwall. It will continue the make its way

in tonight, but it mean it won't be as cold as recent nights. We have

high pressure close by to the south. The weather fronts to the north and

there is lilt change by tomorrow. Still high pressure cles by, but we

will see more cloud. By Wednesday, the centre of that high starts to

move away and that will allow more cloud to push in towards us. Here

is a closer look at the satellite and radar from earlier on. We did

see that cloud bubbling up across south-west England. But still a lot

of sunshine. The band of cloud currently out to west will push in

to us. And for most of us through the early hours it will be cloudy

and it won't be as cold as last night. Temperatures by dawn around

four Celsius. Tomorrow, there will be more cloud around, the best

chance of any brightness will be to the east of the moors. The cloud

thick enough for a spot of drizzle around the hills. But dry for most

and temperatures up to 14. The Isles of Scilly cloudy, but

generally dry. A top temperature of 11 Celsius. For the surfers, not a

huge amount of swell around. Up to three feet and clean on the north

coast. So not too bad. Here is the forecast for coastal waters

tomorrow. Winds from the south-west, force three or four and the weather

fair. The outlook, there will be some cloud, but also further bright

spells, temperatures up to 15 Celsius by Thursday. Thank you. Now,

just before we go I'll be interviewing Shaun Sawyer, the new

acting Chief Constable for Devon and Cornwall Police, tomorrow

morning. You'll be able to see that interview on our 1.30 news and

Spotlight and if there are any questions you'd like me to put to