24/04/2014 Spotlight

It's official, the Cornish have the serious injuries

It's official, the Cornish have the same status as the Welsh, the

Scottish and the Irish. Good evening. Welcome to Spotlight.

Celtic heritage is protected. A county 200 miles away from London

can now expect special consideration can now expect special conshderation

by decision`makers in London. We'll look at the politics of it all

by decision`makers in London. We'll look at the politics of it `ll and

look at the politics of it all and get reaction from Cornishmen and

women on their new identity. It will have no effect whatsoever on me and

I don't think it will have `n have no effect whatsoever on me and

I don't think it will have an effect on anybody really. The Devon family

who have to travel to the USA every two months to get treatment for

their son. Eight`year`old Leo two months to get treatment for

their son. Eight`year`old Ldo has their son. Eight`year`old Leo has

muscular dystrophy but the drugs he needs aren't available here yet.

Holiday anger as more parents are being fined for taking their

children out of school during term time.

And still spooning after half a century of making music.

Years of campaigning for Cornwall to be given special recognition took a

huge step forward today. Whdther through geography, language or

history, the county has always had a history, the county has always had a

strong identity but now the Cornish are officially a national mhnority

are officially a national minority group. It means they have the same

protection as other Celtic peoples like the Scots, the Welsh and the

Irish. So, for example, under like the Scots, the Welsh and the

Irish. So, for example, unddr the Irish. So, for example, under the

European rules, the views of the county must be taken into

consideration when decisions are made in Westminster. Tonight we ll

consider the timing of the announcement as the election season

gets underway. Our Political Editor Martyn Oates reports.

Visitors to Cornwall are left in no doubt as to the pride it takes in

its Celtic identity. Today that gain European acknowledgement and

protection. The news was announced by a fellow Celt whose own nation

already enjoys the same recognition. This is about saying, within the

European Convention and the framework of law that exists, that

Cornwall, the Cornish peopld, Cornwall, the Cornish peopld,

Cornish culture should be rdcognised on the same city as `` footing as

on the same city as `` foothng as other minority languages in the

United Kingdom, making an ilportant contribution to the whole union. The

contribution to the whole union The Treasury's number two was quick to

Treasury's number two was qtick to emphasise there is no money to be

had for this. Not that this dampened the cross`party enthusiast. We are

very proud of our culture and we have a strong identity. This is an

additional string to our bow, we have the Cornish is language

have the Cornish is languagd recognised, we celebrate the

have the Cornish is language recognised, we celebrate thd work

have the Cornish is languagd recognised, we celebrate the work of

recognised, we celebrate thd work of great Cornish inventors, we have got

a proud history and this is another additional string to our bow. As a

Cornish person as I woke up this morning of as a member of the

National minority I was delighted. morning of as a member of the

National minority I was delhghted. I National minority I was delhghted. I

think it is good but we get the same celebration and recognition of other

places of a similar nature, like Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The

most important thing is that people can be proud to be Cornish `nd

can be proud to be Cornish and recognised as such. The number of

times people will say to yot, recognised as such. The number of

times people will say to yot, you are not Cornish, your English. I am

not, I am Cornish and proud to be. It has a lot to say about promoting

minority languages which worries one politician who descends frol

politician who descends from today's general euphoria. I suspect

it means that Cornwall Council will be required to spend more council

taxpayer money on things like the Congress should `` Cornish language

programme. I'm yet to find anyone who wants to see their monex

programme. I'm yet to find `nyone who wants to see their money spent

who wants to see their monex spent on it. I have no problem with people

who want to learn Cornish but I do who want to learn Cornish but I do

not understand why it should be taxpayer funded. The convention also

protect the minority nation with assimilation with the majority

assimilation with the majorhty nation in front of me. In practice,

assimilation has been going on since the reign of King at Fulston in the

10th century. More than a millennium on, the degree to which that is

politically or culturally ddsirable remains highly controversial, at

least on the West Bank of the River Tay Ma.

It is European status, European elections coming up, pro`European

Lib Dems campaigning, how much of Lib Dems campaigning, how much of

this is politics? This is not actually an EU convention committed

the European Council which hs the European Council which hs

separate from the EU. UKIP councillor we talked to said,

sarcastically, what a coincidence this is during a European c`mpaign!

this is during a European campaign! We tend to be sceptical abott

announcements coming during a European campaign, we are getting

European campaign, we are gdtting this announcement from a party with

a strong interest in Cornwall. On the other hand, Parliamentary

business does continue as usual We business does continue as usual. We

put this allegation to the Cornwall MP, and he said it was also do with

the government's commitment to localism. He pointed us to an

localism. He pointed us to `n announcement yesterday with St

George estate, government allowing councils to put up signs to put up

traditional boundaries, which at the moment, you could not see them.

To other news now and a family from Devon are travelling to the United

States every two months to get treatment for their son who has a

rare type of muscular dystrophy. The Le Gals from Ivybridge say their

predicament shows why the l`w needs to change so doctors can be

encouraged to use innovative encouraged to use innovativd

treatments, without fear of being sued. Spotlight's John Henddrson has

sued. Spotlight's John Henderson has the story.

Getting about isn't easy for Leo. The eight`year`old from Ivybridge

near Plymouth has a rare form of muscular dystrophy called Dtchenne.

muscular dystrophy called Duchenne. It causes his muscles to we`ken

muscular dystrophy called Dtchenne. It causes his muscles to weaken. A

few years ago, it was getting harder for me to go up the stairs and run

around and jump up and down, stuff like that. Very few sufferers make

it beyond the age of 30 as there is no known cure. But every few months,

Leo flies to Boston in America no known cure. But every few months,

Leo flies to Boston in Amerhca to Leo flies to Boston in America to

take part in an advanced clhnical take part in an advanced clhnical

trial. It's not a miracle cure. take part in an advanced clinical

trial. It's not a miracle cure. You wouldn't expect children to leap up

out of their wheelchairs and start running round the garden, btt

out of their wheelchairs and start running round the garden, but you

would expect them to stabilhse running round the garden, btt you

would expect them to stabilise and would expect them to stabilhse and

you would expect to see them would expect them to stabilise and

you would expect to see thel stop deteriorating. The family are

getting help from an American getting help from an Americ`n

charity for the treatment, otherwise they'd be looking at bills of

?30,000. But what they really want are people to sign a petition that

will give legal protection to doctors willing to expose their

patients to untested drugs and patients to untested drugs `nd

treatments as a last resort. At the moment, it can be very diffhcult to

moment, it can be very difficult to try new medications and tre`tments,

there can be a lot of obstacles, try new medications and treatments,

there can be a lot of obstacles a there can be a lot of obstacles a

lot of restrictions. The online petition for the Medical Innovation

Bill closes tomorrow. It's received cautious support. At the end of

life, when all else seems lost, it is right to try innovative new

things. However, we have to be careful we don't put new barriers in

place that might hold up effective new treatments coming through. The

government has said the bill could lead to health breakthroughs. But it

won't happen overnight. So Leo and his family have to wait and hope.

There's been a sharp rise in the number of parents in Devon being

fined for taking their children out of school during term time following

tougher government regulations. A total of 335 fines have been issued

since last September compardd with 248 for the whole of the previous

school year. Spotlight's Andy Breare reports.

Debbie Rodway and her husband Rob run a tearoom in Tiverton. In

run a tearoom in Tiverton. Hn February, they took their daughter

February, they took their d`ughter out of school for eight days for a

family holiday to Thailand. They got back to a fine for ?120 from the

back to a fine for ?120 frol the school. We only have two weeks

holiday a year. And I think going to Thailand was very educational for

her as well. Plus she was taking schoolwork with her. It was not as

though she was missing everxthing at school. And I made sure she wasn't

missing any exams or any work. The summer is Debbie and Rob's busiest

time of year at the tearoom and so they try and take a break in

February when it is quiet. They do it every year but this is the first

time they've been fined. In a statement, Devon county council says

the rise in the number of fines is the rise in the number of fhnes is

the inevitable result of the new the inevitable result of the new

system. It expects the numbdr of fines to drop once that system has

had a chance to bed in. But many parents feel that the new system is

in urgent need of revision `nd needs to be fairer. It is unfair. There's

a lot of people out there working really hard to do exactly what we're

doing, and being fined for doing it. Our daughter probably has 94%

attendance, and for one week a year, we get fined. And the worst part as

well is if you are single parent, well is if you are single parent,

you only get fined once. Because we're married, we get fined twice.

Parents say it's hypocritic`l we're married, we get fined twice.

Parents say it's hypocritical for Parents say it's hypocritic`l for

schools to take pupils on foreign trips in term time but not `llow

trips in term time but not allow family holidays. Today's figures

suggest the new system of fhnes family holidays. Today's figures

suggest the new system of fines is suggest the new system of fhnes is

not deterring a lot of parents taking their children out of school.

A businessman who began a company in Plymouth which then expanded around

the country is to create 450 jobs in the city. Chris Dawson will build a

new headquarters for his store The Range at Derriford. He says he's had

tempting offers to relocate outside the South West but wanted to keep

the operation in its home town. All those people we built up over all

those people we built up ovdr all these years, I can't throw that

away. It's not just because I live in Plymouth, I was born herd

away. It's not just because I live in Plymouth, I was born here and

away. It's not just because I live in Plymouth, I was born herd and I

in Plymouth, I was born here and I come from here, that has a bit to do

with it but I've made a bushness with it but I've made a bushness

decision and Plymouth being based at the district centre is where I

decision and Plymouth being based at the district centre is wherd I want

to be. And where I should be. For more than a century St John

Ambulance has been providing first aid to the public. Organisations

continually evolve but that evolution is upsetting some

volunteers. After giving decades of service one group in Devon says the

charity's selling off the f`mily silver. Sophie Pearce looks at a

struggle between the past, the present and the future.

Mary's father helped build this St Johns and it is Hall in 1938 after

local people raised money for it. Now the volunteers have been told

the hall will be sold off next year. The government goes on about care in

the community, but where is it? It has been a tremendous blow to us,

who come here and we try to do our best. I'm not getting any stpport

who come here and we try to do our best. I'm not getting any support at

all. I think it's disgusting to be quite honest. No recognition to what

we have done or what we want to do. The St John ambulance has played a

strong role in the history of the town as it has in many across the

south`west. Other divisions have seen similar changes. The charity

says it does value the volunteers but it needs to focus funds on its

core activity, first aid. Wd but it needs to focus funds on its

core activity, first aid. We have to core activity, first aid. Wd have to

be very careful about how we spend money, going in the right w`y

be very careful about how wd spend money, going in the right way to

money, going in the right w`y to meet the objectives of the charity.

It is not about maintaining property. It could be difficult if

you are in a property where that decision has been made but overall,

our resources are going into providing more training for

communities in first aid and that is our focus and that is where we want

resources to go. Many volunteers are still unhappy especially because

proceeds to the sale of the hall will not stay in Ashburton.

Consequently several, including Mary, have changed their wills. The

charity says it is committed to the Ashburton unit and wants to work a

bit to find a new venue. `` work with it.

Now Dartmoor is a natural landscape Now Dartmoor is a natural l`ndscape

which attracts thousands of visitors each year. But what happens when

people become lost or injured each year. But what happens when

people become lost or injurdd on each year. But what happens when

people become lost or injured on the moor? That's when a dedicatdd team

moor? That's when a dedicated team of volunteers swings into action. In

the second of his series on the rescue services BBC Spotlight's John

Danks has been discovering how the Dartmoor Rescue Group is ushng

Dartmoor Rescue Group is using technology to help them track down

those who go astray. It is evening and the Dartmoor

search and rescue group are gearing up to recover a casualty on the

moor. Everything they need hs on their backs or on a lightweight

aluminium stretcher. All thdy their backs or on a lightwehght

aluminium stretcher. All they need aluminium stretcher. All they need

to do now is find the injurdd to do now is find the injurdd

walker. Tell me what you have done to yourself. When he is loc`ted

walker. Tell me what you have done to yourself. When he is located, his

to yourself. When he is loc`ted his injury is assessed. What have you

heard? Your legs? Meanwhile, the team leader is able to pinpoint the

exact position thanks to his smartphone. People can find out

where you are through the body to body travel system. Inside this

control vehicle, there are other forms of nuke technology designed to

assist in search and rescue. `` new technology. This allows us to plan

and support a search for a new missing person, this flag is the

position where the person w`s last seen. There is even a way of texting

and apps to the smartphone of the missing person which tells them

their precise location. On the moor, the casualties being moved.

moor, the casualties being loved. This is an exercise which is being

carried out every week. We `re carried out every week. We `re

leaving the casualties right now. The team is made up of volunteers,

it with a passion for the ottdoors it with a passion for the outdoors

and a willingness to help others. Technology is helping them to do

their job more easily. And you can see more on John's

report on our Spotlight Facebook report on our Spotlight Facdbook

page. The personal belongings of `

page. The personal belongings of a Cornish

engineer, killed alongside other Cornish miners in the First World

World War, have gone on display for the very first time. It was

Lieutenant Llwellyn Twite's job to dig tunnels so explosives could be

planted under the German trdnches. planted under the German trenches.

Among the possessions are hhs watch, Among the possessions are hhs watch,

which stopped at the exact time he was killed. Spotlight's Ele`nor

Parkinson has the story. Lieutenant Llwellyn Twite w`s

working as a mining engineer when he volunteered as a soldier in the

First World War. He and other volunteered as a soldier in the

First World War. He and othdr miners First World War. He and othdr miners

from Cornwall helped dig tunnels and plant mines under the German

trenches. This is a map of some of the tunnels they built on the front

in France. On December first, 1 15, in France. On December first, 1915,

they had just retreated aftdr they had just retreated after

setting a number of charges when there was an explosion.

Unfortunately, the Germans were similarly tunnelling, and they

detonated a very large explosive charge. And Lieutenant Twitd and

four, I think, of his men, were killed instantly, all Cornish

miners. Lieutenant Twite's widow was so distraught when his canv`s kitbag

was sent back, she couldn't open it. Now, almost 100 years later, his

grandson has not only opened it but has loaned its contents to the St

Agnes Museum. Among the possessions is his watch, a poignant relinder

Agnes Museum. Among the possessions is his watch, a poignant reminder of

when and how he died. The fhnal objects that they revealed was the

poor man's watch, that he w`s wearing on that awful day. And

poor man's watch, that he was wearing on that awful day. @nd as

you can see, it's still caked with mud from the trenches. And ht

stopped at 8pm, which was the time when the Germans detonated their

bomb. So really, really sad. Other items from bag are equally loving.

items from bag are equally moving. This is a letter from his children.

Dear daddy, my best day I got 30 marks. Auntie Clark has brotght us

some sweets. He never got this letter because he had been killed

two days earlier. This exhibition also features sketches by an unknown

soldier, capturing life on the front and on leave. But it's Lieutenant

Twite's final hours, sealed in a kitbag, that make this exhibition so

special. Very poignant stuff.

Now back to our main story that the Cornish have been given nathonal

Cornish have been given national minority status. Spotlight's David

George, a proud Cornishman himself, has been talking to people hn

Cornwall about what it might mean to them.

So, the Scotsman, a Welshman and an Irishman walking into a pub. Soon

they will be joined by a Cornish man. The covenant has deciddd that

man. The covenant has decided that the Cornish should have the same

status as other Celtic people under the European framework Convdntion

for the protection of national minorities. If it means we can fill

out passport applications and put Cornish instead of English, I am all

for it but I am not sure wh`t Cornish instead of English, I am all

for it but I am not sure what it is. for it but I am not sure wh`t it is.

Many who visit and most who live here know it is a unique place.

Today's announcement has surprised some. National minority status? No

clue. Does that mean that Cornish would be a minority? It seems

clue. Does that mean that Cornish would be a minority? It seels like

an icing to do. We can wave our flock `` and nice thing to do, we

can wave our flag and be Cornish. You could do that before. Yds,

can wave our flag and be Cornish. You could do that before. Yes, is it

You could do that before. Yds, is it making any difference? Let's ask the

Scotsman, they have been a national minority the years. I cannot see

anything that has happened hn Scotland. If we have been treated as

a national minority, I don't see any advantage that that has givdn

Scotland. People will be able to call themselves Cornish without

being told, no, you're actually being told, no, you're actually

English. We have got differdnt English. We have got different

surnames, I am Cornish, she said, `` she said I wasn't Cornish, H

surnames, I am Cornish, she said, `` she said I wasn't Cornish, I said,

why not? She said, I am too tall. So a Scotsman, Welshman, Irishman and

a Scotsman, Welshman, Irishlan and Cornishman walk into a pub and the

Cornishman walk into a pub `nd the landlord says, is that some kind of

joke? We have had hundreds of comments on

this story. Linda has been hn We have had hundreds of comlents on

this story. Linda has been in charge this story. Linda has been in charge

to say `` in touch to say, ht is to say `` in touch to say, it is

bringing news. Stuart from Genesis, it is nice to see Cornish finally

it is nice to see Cornish fhnally recognised in law. And says, it

seems like a huge waste of time and money than me. It seems people are

desperate to segregate themselves rather than join together. Phillips

says, it is interesting but no one in the county speaks Cornish as a

first language. So what is the point com he asks? Just another... And

Phil commented in proper Cornish extracts blended, my dear!

Not many bands still play together after fifty years but one stch group

is taking to the stage in Barnstaple is taking to the stage in B`rnstaple

tonight. The Bonzo Dog Doo`Dah Band have been around for decades and one

of them lives in Fremington in North Devon. Haven't heard of them? Well,

Devon. Haven't heard of thel? Well, they play metal, just not the sort

of metal you might expect. Carole Madge reports.

It starts with a simple tapping but quickly becomes performance art. At

the age of 12 in North Devon, he started playing the spoons. And then

as a student, he brought his talents to Plymouth. The sailors used to

to Plymouth. The sailors usdd to love it. Because they all had

to Plymouth. The sailors used to love it. Because they all h`d party

love it. Because they all had party pieces, they used to stand on their

heads, eating champagne glasses and stuff, I used to get up and play the

spoons, they would go, wow! That was something they could practice when

they would be bored on ship. Called the fastest spoon player in the

world, his fame spread as part the fastest spoon player in the

world, his fame spread as p`rt of a world, his fame spread as p`rt of a

cult group. They're called the Bonzo Dog Doo`Dah Band.

I would hold the spoons back`to`back with very firmly with my thtmb in

between, so I can maintain a very slight gap between the bowls of the

spoons, so that whenever I touch anything, I get a click. So I can

make a little roll. Get a shngle make a little roll. Get a shngle

click, double click. So what's the thrill of playing the culinary

thrill of playing the culin`ry percussion? Getting so much out of

such a simple implement. Evdryone's such a simple implement. Evdryone's

got spoons. You can always join in. Wherever I go anywhere in the world,

with any kind of music, I c`n Wherever I go anywhere in the world,

with any kind of music, I can join with any kind of music, I can join

in. Three Bonzos And A Piano are playing tonight in Barnstable and

tomorrow in Ilminster. And hf playing tonight in Barnstable and

tomorrow in Ilminster. And if you're tomorrow in Ilminster. And if you're

passing a garden in Fremington, you might just catch Sam warming up.

He is brilliant! Very livelx. We have got to have a go. They have

given us the spoons, here is a good lesson. Faster, do it faster! I

think I might stick to the garden. How! She is quite vicious of these.

Look at the size of that. Why have I only got little spoons? I will give

it a quick go. I will stick to the weather. Good

evening. Get rid of that, let's I will stick to the weather. Good

evening. Get rid of that, ldt's talk evening. Get rid of that, ldt's talk

about something a bit more serious. There is some wet weather heading

our way and this weekend is not look too good. Low pressure is going to

take charge of the weather, not just for us but the whole of the United

Kingdom. Tomorrow is an East`West split, Dorset and Somerset season

outbreak of rain, and the best of outbreak of rain, and the best of

the sunshine will be in Cornwall and West Devon. More wind and rain

West Devon. More wind and r`in overnight and into Saturday morning.

There are some blue sky patches on the big satellite picture, sadly

they are not into staying whth the big satellite picture, sadly

they are not into staying with us. they are not into staying whth us.

This is a new area of low pressure moving in, as well as a lot of cloud

developing across the Bay of Biscay and western France. That prdssure

will trickle up across the eastern will trickle up across the dastern

side of the region overnight and tomorrow. Then in the area of low

pressure takes shape, it moves right across and brings as windy weather

and wet weather as we go into the start of the weekend. We have had

temperatures are 17 degrees today. By Saturday, we are back down to 11

or 12. A into Sunday, even though the low pressure is beginning to

move away from us, plenty of cloud wrapped around it to keep the shower

is going. There is the satellite picture from earlier today, a

beautiful afternoon, many of us have got away with a lovely day, and warm

as well. This was earlier, blue sky, some clouds developed but this part

of Devon had been fine and dry. The breezes freshening little bht.

of Devon had been fine and dry. The breezes freshening little bit. There

breezes freshening little bht. There has been some lumpy cloud developing

through the back end of the afternoon. That is giving a few

showers. For many of us, a fine spring day. Enjoying the sunshine

and the views. Overnight tonight, any shower activity we have across

the North Devon will tend to fade away and for a large part of the

night, we will have a good deal of clear skies. Mr Foreman, a few fog

patches and then pick a clotd will patches and then pick a cloud will

start to creep in from the dast `` start to creep in from the east. ``

misinforming. `` mist forming. Cornwall, down to five or six

Cornwall, down to five or shx degrees, most of us will have seven

or eight. Tomorrow, we hold onto the sunshine but the further east we

are, the thick of the cloud and it will give outbreaks of rain. That'll

peter out in the second half of the day and for most of us it whll be

day and for most of us it will be another fine and dry day. A small

chance of a few showers developing chance of a few showers devdloping

and temperatures back up to 15 or 16 degrees. There could be a fdw places

degrees. There could be a few places that get to 17 if we get an

sunshine, particularly across northern Cornwall. The answer

sunshine, particularly across northern Cornwall. The answdr silly

northern Cornwall. The answer silly should remain fine and dry, thick

cloud approaching from the West. `` cloud approaching from the West ``

the Isles of Scilly. The high water times...

The winds aren't overly strong tomorrow so most of the beaches will

be clean. The outlook is definitely unsettled.

It might be that we improve conditions into Sunday and Londay

conditions into Sunday and Monday but Saturday is the day where we

have quite a breeze. It is from the south`west but it will change to

action all day as the low pressure moves in, eventually becoming a

northerly. We will see outbreaks of rain replaced by showers. It will be

a cold day. Lighter winds on Sunday, with a mixed sunshine and showers.

Mainly bright and dry into Londay. Have your spoons back, we will play

out. Thank you for watching tonight. The national anthem? Shall we have a

go? Three, two, one! I don't think it's working! We will say goodbye!

All across the country, millions of families are waking up

to a Britain in which they find it harder to get on.

Whilst the Government keeps telling people everything is fixed,

no longer stops the pound in their pocket getting smaller

or the bills getting harder to afford.

gas and electricity bills have increased by more than ?300

whilst the energy companies are making huge profits.

not a luxury but an essential for millions of working families -