14/03/2014 Spotlight

died aged 88. That's all from the BBC News at Six so it's goodbye

died aged 88. That's all from the Campaigners accuse a council of

abandoning its duty of care amid plans to close a residential home.

Good evening. Protestors have told Spotlight the closure will have a

devastating effect on their loved ones. I know she is safe and secure

and looked after there. To love her from that would be a disastdr. We'll

also hear from the council which says it has to make changes to save

money. Also tonight: Shocking new details

of the circumstances of the man found dead on a Cornish beach.

Police reveal Alan Jeal had a sock in his mouth and other unexplained

injuries when he was found `t Perranporth.

An economic boost for the South West as the Chiefs prepare for the

biggest game in their history. And the heart`warming tale of a dog

whose own litter died, saving the lives of these puppies.

Campaigners say the closure of residential homes will have a

devastating impact on their vulnerable loved ones and that any

upheaval will be a disaster for them. The protesters have accused

Devon County Council of abandoning its legal duty of care towards

elderly people with dementi`. The authority is considering closing its

care homes, including Davey Court in Exmouth, to save money. We'll hear

the council's response in a moment. First, Chris Lyddon reports on the

campaign to save the homes. It's a beautiful day but thhs

pensioner is too worried about his wife to think of anything else but

her future. She lives in a council care home facing closure. She

wouldn't wash, she wouldn't bath or change her clothes. She nevdr

slept. Her appetite was ravdnous. She would go into the waste bin and

dig stuff out and try and e`t it. It was murder. The care home worked

wonders with her. She is quhet, settled, happy. I know she hs safe,

secure and looked after thehr and to move her from that would be a

disaster. It's ridiculous. They are telling you they have made the

decision to close then they are going out to consultation. Other

relatives with loved ones h`ve launched a campaign. Stephanie is

worried her father won't get the care he needs in the privatd sector.

He has advanced Alzheimer's and at times challenging behaviour and the

local homes we have approached are not interested in taking on someone

with that level of care. Delentia is on the increase. By 2021, it will

increase by 34%, so one in 20 adults over the age of 65 will havd some

form of dementia. To bury your head in the sand about is not on.

Campaigners are doubly angrx because the council said it would spend

millions to make the care home Centre of excellence for those with

dementia that now, there dodsn't seem to the money.

Well, Chris is with us now. It seems that closure is a foregone

conclusion. Yes, the governlent s care minister, Norman Lamb, has

already said that councils should move from being providers of care to

commissioners of care. It's much cheaper for a council to pax

families to buy their care hn a private care home because that way,

the council doesn't have to pay the huge costs of running homes. What is

the county council saying about the relatives' concerns? The cotncil is

saying no decision has been made to close Davey Court. It's sayhng it's

consulting relatives, GPs and other health providers to decide what to

do. Anything that happens to the care home will not happen

overnight. This will not be a 1st of May or 1st of June. It is not likely

anything finer will happen for at least 18 months. So their fttures

won't be certain until the dnd of the consultation at the end of this

month, with decisions expected to be made during April.

Detectives investigating thd death of a man whose body was found on a

beach in Cornwall have reve`led that a sock was found in his mouth. They

say this, combined with unexplained injuries on Alan Jeal's bodx, means

it's now very likely someond else was involved in his death.

Alan's body was discovered on this beach by a dog walker. He w`s naked

except for one shoe. Today detectives revealed he also had

something placed in his mouth. There is more information we are putting

out to appeal for any inforlation. He was also found with a sock in his

mouth and we can't really think of a good reason for that sock bding in

his mouth. It raises suspichons for us as to what happened to hhm before

he died and we would like to hear from anyone with any inform`tion

about that. Tests are still being carried out on a number of

unexplained injuries on his body that the police don't believe it

could have been caused accidentally. They say taking all this information

together suggests someone else may have been involved in his ddath The

police have been able to tr`ck his movements on the day before he died.

This is CCTV footage of him withdrawing money from a cashpoint

in his hometown of Weybridgd. New pictures reveal he caught a bus

where he spent several hours walking around the city. He appears to be on

his own and wearing his blud coat and rucksack, he appears to be

walking with a relative amotnt of purpose, but there was no other

person with him. His family say he was a mild`mannered and gentle man

and are desperate for answers. "Appalling and revolting." That s

how a health watchdog has rdacted to a hoax email that's been sent to

thousands of people. The message appears to come from the National

Institute for Health and Care Excellence, or NICE, and advises

people that blood tests havd revealed "a suspicion of a cancer."

Medical bosses in Cornwall say they are being contacted by worrhed

patients who've received thd email and there are warnings not to open

it. Tamsin Melville has been following the story from Trtro.

People have been calling BBC radio Cornwall, saying how upset they are

to have got this e`mail. Whdn you open this e`mail, it appears to

suggest that test results h`ve led to a suspicion of cancer. This man

is disgusted. It was a bit of a shock at first. It was a bit of a

shock but it was lucky I re`lised it was a scam e`mail. I am worried

about the more Bonera bore people that might not realise that. Nice

says it has been inundated `bout calls from this e`mail. It says it

never sent out e`mails about blood test results and you should delete

it straightaway if you get one. It also says this is a new low. The

police are now investigating. It's emerged that a navy warship

torpedo was accidentally fired into a dockyard wharf. HMS Argyll was on

a training exercise at Devonport dockyard in Plymouth when the

torpedo "unexpectedly jettisoned onto the wharf," said the Royal

Navy. It said the Test Vari`nt Torpedo was a dummy weapon with no

explosive content but it did cause minor damage.

The case against three carers accused of ill`treating or

neglecting people with learning difficulties at a Penzance care home

has been dropped by prosecutors The three had previously pleaded not

guilty to charges of ill trdatment or neglect. The charges had related

to their work at the John D`niel Day Care Centre. The prosecution was

dropped after the CPS offerdd no evidence.

Dorset Council is still waiting to hear from the government after

appealing for funds to help repair flood`damaged roads. ?10 million is

needed in Dorset, where it could take up to six months to repair the

road network. The Department of Transport says claims are still

being considered and an announcement would be made in due course.

A row over an upmarket food wagon has led to people living in a Devon

village losing a multi`millhon pound trust fund. The cash would have come

from one of the owners of the Bantham estate in the South Hams,

who died last November. Gillian Goddard had intended to leave her

shares to the village but she dropped the idea after vill`gers

opposed plans for the refreshment bus in the beach car park.

Plans to open the first new metal mine in the UK for 45 years moved a

step closer today. The ?123 million mine at Hemerdon near Plymotth

should produce enough tungsten to meet around 3.5% of the global

demand when production begins in 2015 but some people living near the

mine are concerned about thd environmental impact.

Chris walks his dog here most days. He has seen the dramatic

transformation of the landscape We knew it was coming because ht has

been on the cards for 25 ye`rs but the reality is much worse than you

could have ever thought. Thd once green valley was home to more than a

dozen families that they have moved out and the houses are boarded up.

Willingly sold, says the mining company, at market value. Wd haven't

had any compulsory purchases. We have had to buy 15 local properties.

I think it speaks volumes for the work. The turf cutting may be

ceremonial but it marks a rdal milestone towards the global

business of mining. There m`y not be gold here but there is a close

second. 400 million tonnes could be any those old mine buildings. The

plan is to remove those and dig out up to 3500 tonnes every year for the

next ten years. The operation could create 500 jobs. Production is due

to begin in 2015. Or minerals will eventually see the mine sitd

restored to woodland. Traders in Shaldon in South Devon

say their businesses are beginning to suffer because the village has

been cut in half by a landslip since January. A vital road connecting the

centre of Shaldon to the Ness on the outskirts has been shut and, as

Sophie Pierce reports, it's still not clear when it will reopdn.

A village divided. Normally it is a pleasant walk or drive into the

centre but look what happens if you try it at the moment. It's `ll

because of a landslip from ` private property at the top of the cliff

which has been going on for six weeks. Businesses say takings have

nosedived. I am very worried. If this carries on for much longer and

goes on into Easter, one of our busiest times of year, we c`n't

afford not to have a busy E`ster. Devon county council says it is keen

to reopen as soon as possible but is having to liaise with the

landowners. It needs to be resolved. We need to let our people vhsiting

the area in Drogheda facilities In recent years, it has been enjoying a

revival with new cafes and businesses bringing people hn. They

are hoping this problem won't have permanent repercussions.

Coming up: A big weekend for the Exeter Chiefs and an economhc boost

for the area. Plus: An MBE for the historhan who's

spent 30 years delving into Devon's past.

And a happy ending to the t`le of the puppies adopted by a new mum.

Time for the sport now and ht'll be all eyes on Sandy Park this weekend

as the Exeter Chiefs get re`dy for the biggest game in their hhstory.

Andy Birkett has been there today to soak up the pre`match atmosphere.

Here I am at Sandy Park. Thd Chiefs are hosting and starring in their

first`ever major final. Exeter have been building towards this day for a

while and although the scordboard may have the team 's starting

equal, home advantage could give them the edge. The skipper will lead

the team out and it will be a packed house. These opportunities don't

come along too often. There has also been a period of achievement in

recent years yet nothing to show from that in terms of silverware.

This opportunity doesn't cole often. We are excited. They go into the

match full of confidence. Rdally looking forward to this spectacle

and enjoying the atmosphere and the occasion and hopefully, we will get

what we want out of the gamd. The opposition have only beaten

Northampton once. We know how good they are and they have international

across`the`board. When the teams met last month, it was the leaddrs who

snatched a late win. We don't have any worries about beating

Northampton. With the final preparations underway, the lessage

is clear: Go out and enjoy xour day in the sun. I am joined now by a

former Exeter Chiefs. You h`ve seen both sides of it. How big an event

is this? Massive. You look `ll the premiership clubs which are in the

mix. International final hosted on our home ground. Sold out on the

first half of Monday morning. Where is your money at the weekend?

Obviously, on the Chiefs, btt looking at it, we play Bath in the

semifinal, we beat them, we are at home, Northampton beat us bx less

than appoint a month ago. Wd will find out on Sunday. The Chidfs rise

is not just good news for the country, it is good news for rugby

fans as a whole. This final and the Rugby World Cup next year should

provide local businesses with a massive boost.

Rugby is becoming big busindss in Exeter. These posts promote next

year's World Cup and many fhrms are following in the successful

slipstream. This pub is little more than a drop kick from Sandy Park.

Its bedrooms are booked for matched is well in advance and for this

weekend, it has had to turn away 100 potential bookings. We are busy

throughout the year and espdcially rugby matches, but this weekend we

have got a waiting list for tables. Reservations are high. This is a

crucial delivery: 5000 pints of Devon brewed beer have been brought

in for Sunday's final. They will taste it here. They will sax, what a

great day they had out in Exeter. Fantastic beer. All part of the

experience. It raises the profile. No one is sure how much mondy is

brought into the local economy by the Rugby club here but conservative

estimates reckon it can be ?15`20,000,000. It all brings

business into the city. We have got the science park out there. We are

looking at the world, not jtst the UK, and the more we can for Exeter

on the map, the better it is for business. Work on improving the

ground will pause on Sunday as the Chiefs hope to match success of the

field with success on it. Looking at this weekend's football

and in the Championship, Yeovil Town will have their work cut out at

promotion`chasing QPR as thdy look to climb out of the bottom three. In

League Two, Plymouth Argyle's recent form has seen them shoot up the

table but they face a tough trip to second`placed Scunthorpe. At the

other end of the table, Torpuay United head to Cheltenham, buoyed by

their midweek win over Rochdale but still seven points from safdty.

Exeter City's slump in form has seen them slip into the relegation mix.

They meet Newport on Sunday. And finally, the first round of the

British Motocross Championship is taking place in Cornwall thhs

Sunday. The best riders frol all over Europe will be taking part at

the MotoPark in Landrake. Well done to the Plymouth dhver

down. Good luck to Tom Dalex who gets his campaign underway on

Sunday. A historian from Devon has today

received an MBE for his lifdlong passion for the county's past.

Though American by birth, Doctor Todd Gray, as he's usually known,

has spent the last 30 years bringing history to life in the South West.

He was awarded his medal by Prince Charles at a ceremony at Buckingham

Palace this morning. Before the ceremony, John Henderson went to

meet Dr Grey to find out whx he s devoted to Devon's history.

This hardly needs any explahning. A little bit of history repeating

because 160 years ago, the same thing happened. If you are `

Victorian historian, you know the 1850s collapse. They didn't have

their health and safety concerns we do. Everybody got out, walkdd around

the train track and off thex went. We have got wonderful images of that

time but seldom is there anxthing new in history. If anyone knows

anything about Devon's history, it is Doctor Gray. Since arrivhng from

the States, he has written 45 books on the county. From fascism and

early vegetarianism to the carvings on church benches, he has bden

inspired by Devon's diverse typography and its seam of documents

and archives. You end up with a history which is so different from

Somerset or Yorkshire or Berks and although I love Cornwall, Ddvon has

a diversity which I think is extraordinary. It also helps that

the past can still make its presence felt. The war memorial is a

particular favourite. For fhgures standing on top of the Demon of war.

It reminds me of how import`nt that war was to people and at thd time,

they said this huge darkness fell across England and we want to leave

something behind suit you know what we went through and you know it

shouldn't happen again. He has given 3000 lectures on history but now, he

is making it by receiving an MBE for his voluntary services to Ddvon

Heritage. There are probablx 10 0 Devon historians. Everyone hs

working quietly away. This hs nice, the Devon history is recognhsed

And now for a sad story with a happy ending. A litter of orphan puppies

have been saved by a surrog`te mother who lost her own litter just

a week earlier. What makes this story so remarkable is that the

surrogate mum is a Hungarian Vizla, just like the orphan puppies, and

they live only 20 miles apart. The new mum for the pups and new

pups for the ma'am. Clara h`d been expecting five puppies of hdr own

but tragically, they all didd. It was unable `` it was an awftl

experience to go through. Wd were relieved that we still had Clara,

though. She has been searchhng the house. She was looking for the

puppies. I had her upstairs in bed with me that night and she spent the

entire night crying. A week later, and 20 miles away, another Sizzler

was giving birth but the mother died and six of her ten pups also died.

Did she have any milk for the survivors? Yes, she did. It was a

perfect ending. It has been fantastic for Clara. It's lhke she

has got her babies back. It has been fantastic for the puppies. We don't

know whether they would havd survived without her. It sedms, in

life, some things are just leant to be.

They are gorgeous! My heart has melted.

We lose all this mist and fog we have been getting used to over the

last few days and we gain a bit more of a breeze and better visibility,

both out at sea and inland. It is less misty, brighter and more of a

breeze. That is not to say we might see a few mist patches overnight,

but already, the cloud base is coming up in the main probldm will

be hill fog. There is still a big area of high pressure on our

doorstep which doesn't move very far away from us. By the middle of the

day tomorrow, it is pretty luch in the same position. It will dominate

the weather through this wedkend. By the middle of the day on Sunday

hardly any change. We do have north`west winds which will feed in

a fair amount of cloud but the dryer story continues through Sattrday and

Sunday. Already, some of thd low cloud has lifted and clear spots,

but very quickly, the cloud will fill in the gaps. Winds are

north`westerly. They will bd moderate overnight tonight.

Overnight temperatures no lower than six or seven. For tomorrow, after a

cloudy start, the sunshine will break through that cloud and

particularly in the afternoon, lengthy spells of sunshine to enjoy.

Along the north coast, low cloud still, so here not quite so fine,

but for the rest of us, in that sunshine, it will feel pleasant with

14 or 15 Celsius the top temperature. On the coast, the sea

temperatures will be nine ddgrees. For the Isles of Scilly, brhght and

dry but cloudy. Much better visibility in general. For our

servers, bigger waves then we have seen. The sea has been all winter,

really. Tomorrow, more for our servers. Still quite chilly. Better

visibility. The sea state whll be moderate. Still dry story ndxt

week. On Sunday, more cloud than we like. Brief lyrics `` breaks in that

cloud. A big change from Wednesday onwards. It becomes more unsettled,

so make the best of the next four days.