04/07/2014 Spotlight

Remember flooding for as far as the eye can see?

Almost six months on, some `re only just back in their homds.

The water was up to chest hdight, now it is perfect, amazing, it

really is. They knew it would take

a long time to return to normality As people settle in to life

in Moorland once again this evening, we'll look at efforts to

prevent a repeat of the crisis. Bantham is sold to

a mystery cash buyer as the The Trust has said it's extremely

disappointed that it lost its bid And love is in the air `

a welcome home proposal as They stayed for as long

as they could but as flooding edged ever closer to their homes, many

people in Moorland in Somerset took The waters may have long receded

but it has taken until tonight for some residents to finally get

back to where they belong. Andrew Plant reports

on the last chapter of the wettest Back inside the home for thd very

first time since the winter floods, which forced them to flee.

Jane and her teenage daughtdr have Jane and her teenage daughtdr have

been in temporary accommodation for more than six months. Finally able

to move back home. Bigger than I remembered it. It is amazing, like a

newborn. This was February this year, the home under three feet of

water. Most of their furnittre and most possessions destroyed. Jane was

not insured, she had to clahm in 2012 when her home was flooded and

had not been able to find anyone to provide cover. Facing repairers of

?25,000, the community stepped in and fixed her home for free. The

property was gutted, plastering floorboards, starting from fresh,

new electrics, plumbing, essentially inside they are brand`new. The first

time we were doing, I cried and I am again. Tears of happiness. This is

part of the project to prevdnt more flooding, creating a colour matters

of local rivers to free up space and stop them spilling over. But for the

second time this morning, workers here had to delete rating. Thieves

have stolen all the diesel from five of these machines. Thanks in part to

the spell of dry weather, the dredging is slightly ahead of

schedule, but the Environment Agency is talking about fitting machines

with CDD, or even hiring ovdrnight security. This is one of thd oldest

houses in Moorland, it has been in the family for more than a century.

Thanks to the kindness of strangers, they can finally live there again.

One of the jewels of the sotth Devon coastline been sold to

a mystery buyer for more th`n the ?11 million asking pricd.

The family that's bought thd Bantham Estate is promising to

The National Trust says its disappointed to have missed out

on it chance to protect an important stretch of coastline.

Bantham, tucked away on the night of the river even, it is a beattiful

place. But the decision to sell the 750 acre estate has unsettldd many

people living here. Today they learned it has been sold to one of

the dozens of applicants. It is important to mention the lenders are

thrilled and delighted to h`ve received the interest for the

estate. From the public and interested parties. They ard quite

excited they have chosen thd right purchaser to look after the estate.

And they feel confident the buyer will do for the next 100 ye`rs. This

woman has lived here for 60 years. Her garden enjoys spectacul`r views

and she hoped the National trust would buy parts of the estate, but

he is optimistic about the new owners and hopes they will live up

to the standards set by thehr predecessors. Diane Dodds it has

been beautifully looked aftdr for a long time `` it has been looked

after for a long time. Their daughter sadly was ill and died last

November, so we knew that after that there would be a challenge for top

there have been suggestions about fitness names who could be the new

owners. These pages and havd confirmed it is definitely not

Richard Branson. Business is bespoke to said were disappointed the

National. Buy it. We get protection for ever. And we understand others

can look after other places well. Today many told us the hope that

Bantham would not change. Efforts are continuing to try to

save a part of South Devon's once Syntech was set up 15 years ago

on the old Nortel site in P`ignton where nearly 6000 people usdd to

work in the sector. The company's now stopped trading

with the loss of 85 jobs. Spotlight's Hamish Marshall has been

looking at the demise of high`tech Syntech was set up 15 years ago

on the old Nortel site in P`ignton Spotlight's Hamish Marshall has been

looking at the demise of high`tech Part of the old Nortel site, there

were nearly 6000 people working here, as high`tech seen the future.

Nortel has become the South West's biggest employer, announcing another

250 jobs. Ball was the boss of the radio unstructured business, and

then into Nortel in the 1990s. It set a new standard of emploxment,

skill and salary level, and traditional dualism business in

Torbay and unlike a lot of businesses it was not seasonal, so

very important to the econoly. 500 new jobs came between Septelber 1999

and January 2001, but went `lmost as quickly. Hundreds of Nortel workers

face an uncertain future... Relocations to the Far East and

decisions made by parent colpany it here. By 2002, a headcount was down

to 700. The latest blow as hts roots in Apple II. Syntech was st`rted by

staff with redundancy money. `` has its roots in Nortel. She dods not

want to raise hopes, despitd meeting a prospective buyer next wedk. We

have high track companies b`sed here until generally ruled. Therd will be

ups and downs, there always are but the momentum is in the right

direction, although this is devastating for the people `ffected

by this loss. The redeveloplent work sums up the fortunes of a hhgh`tech

company based here over the last three decades. It is still hold a

buyer can be found for Syntdch, the company had an excellent clhent base

and there is a pool of skilled labour here.

Plans are being drawn up to dual the dangerous sections of the

Devon County Council is looking at the parts

of the A361 where accidents happen or excessive queues form.

No money has been agreed yet but a public consultation is taking place.

The parents of a toddler have thanked a policeman after

his quick thinking stopped their car rolling down a steep hill in

PCSO Richard Hill drove his car in front of their runaway vdhicle,

A 14`month`old enjoying the beach with her parents,

It started when her father parked his car on a hill so he could sort

This little one doesn't likd waving hats, so she took it off

So I pulled over on the sidd of the road and put

the handbrake on, walked around the side of the car, adjusthng her

The handbrake had gone and the car started rolling back.

So I ran to the back of the car to push against the car,

but it was on a slight inclhne and the momentum was building, there

As Simon was being pushed down the hill by his moving car

he was spotted by the local police community

He decided the only way to stop the vehicle was to drive in front of it.

There was no way he was going to hold the vehicle

And it was reaching a point where it was picking up spedd.

So I had to try and get the vehicle in between him `nd his

And at the time, you did not know there was a baby in the car?

My initial concern was the people walking down the slope.

And it was when the chap looked across at me

and I saw the panic in his face that I thought, there is no other option

It is not just thinking so puickly, but acting so quickly.

It is one thing to think, I can save these people, it is another thing to

actually put himself in harm's way like that to save ..

He didn't even know about the baby, which for me takes an even lore

hero. He was thinking about the pedestrians on the side of the road.

The family have met up with PCSO Hill just to say thank you `nd to

A pioneering charity which helps mentally ill people

and their families in Devon is facing closure after over

The Cool House in Torquay s`ys it's saving the NHS thousands

by keeping people out of hospital, and it needs more support.

A therapeutic boxing class `t The Cool House.

The charity was started by ` benefactor who donated the property.

And it is always there for people in need.

I remember the day you came in with your face messed up.

That was when I was kicked out of my flat.

And you just sat on the sof` and just looked really sad and lost

The charity is unusual in that it asks people to become members

at a very small cost and thhs gives people real involvement, rather than

Most people volunteer doing anything from serving meals to working

It has just given me a reason to get up some mornings.

I come here and do a bit of volunteering.

And at the end of the day, you have done something good.

It costs ?120,000 per year to run The Cool House.

So far, it has survived with lottery and other grants,

It says it will have to close in December

Why what the Queen has been doing in Scotland

And we are racing in the Falmouth Working Boat World Championships.

Every member of the upper door shipyard in North Devon was gathered

to watch on television. `` @ppledore shipyard. HMS Queen Elizabeth is the

largest warship ever constrtctive for the Royal Navy. Andrew Ormsby

joined the workers for a very special day.

And everyone here at Appledore shipyard has stopped work

and come to watch and landm`rk event of British shipbuilding.

I name this ship the Queen Elizabeth.

May God bless her and all who sail in her.

For the 400 strong workforc to day is an extremely proud day.

It is fabulous project to be involved in.

And this is eight years work.

And to see all the workforce here gathered is just

A bottle of Scotch whisky instead of the traditional champagnd

Schoolchildren in Appledore got involved as well,

making their own versions of the 65,000 tonne carrier.

On the crane, we focused on putting planes and things.

So when you watched the namhng ceremony, and saw the real carrier,

do you think you would have managed to do that building project?

They were given a goodie bag to take home, including a model kit of

The carrier officially named, time to get back to work.

There is no question that today s staff here

at Appledore shipyard will have felt a huge sense of pride.

As one naval ship repairs pdr service, another one prepard for

duty. Not once welcomed HMS Somerset home.

The Type 23 frigate returned after a six month patrol in the Gulf

Spotlight's Johnny Rutherford was alongside to meet them.

Making sure the message was right for a father. HMS Somerset back home

and for many emotions running high while waking to be reunited with

loved ones after months apart. But one young woman was not aware she

was about to receive an important ship to shore message. Fumbled, but

message is received. CHEERING. The company of 220 had been patrolling

the Middle East policing kex shipping lanes in the Gulf `nd

Indian Ocean, but it was good to be home. How do you feel? Thred is back

and it is a special day. I can't believe! Did you have any idea? Not

at all. Pleased to see him? Signed by yeah! What was it like? We not so

much better to be back. It hs so much better to be home. The ship was

engaged in maritime operations, including a major bloodbath in the

Indian Ocean. HMS Somerset was fortunate to see the of heroin on

one occasion. For the ship company, it was one of the recognisable

highlights. After 27,000 nattical miles, the company has deserved a

short break. Return, the shhp has to go through a lot of mainten`nce for

the next deployment next ye`r is `` next year.

Some lovely scenes. I am so glad she said yes. Of course!

And people all over the world are posting pictures to social ledia

And the one from Mexico has a telly on ht?

The fact that people in Mexhco are doing this is just wonddrful.

And the campaign is being b`cked by Keep Britain Tidy.

So it gives you the same sensation estuary `s

I'd have anywhere you go in the world,

Working boats are hard work to make them sail well.

Then the gang on the mainshdet which controls the mean saw.

A separate crewmember for each control?

The racing over the next few days starts and finishes in Saint Mauls.

They are calling this the F`lmouth Working Boat World Championships.

But I think the name is a little bit tongue in cheek.

The furthest is coming from the creek about five miles `way

The racing continues over the next five days.

Time for the weather and pldnty of grey skies?

Not used to that. Did you rdcognise those boats? Yes!

Some wet weather, pretty miserable today, the rain off and on, good

news for some, the rain washing out a lot of the pollen, so somd relief

for a fever sufferers. Not bad this weekend, it is cool as well,

temperatures overnight last night, 16`17 for night`time is unusual

collected nine down to about 12 And generally, a fresher feel to the

error. Some sunny spells, btt the risk of sunny shoulders. Lots of

cloud, `` the risk of sun and showers. We are between two lines of

rain. The second one later tonight. That will bring the more definite

clearance across as. Across the English Channel tomorrow, other

outbreaks of rain for the Channel Islands tomorrow morning, btt

greater for most of us, even some afternoon sunshine. And the risk of

showers that of the into Sunday but isolated showers for Sunday, and

hopefully some sunshine. Fahrly dull evening this evening, althotgh the

rain has eased a little, and other spot of rain from the West later

tonight. Some heavy for a Txne Bridge singularly across Dartmoor

and Exmoor. `` some heavy for a time particularly across. Some pressure

temperatures after that band of rain. For `` briefly, some outbreaks

of rain, then quite a nice `fternoon tomorrow, some showers to spoil an

otherwise tidy. The wind in a fresher direction, so expect a drop

in temperatures. The link love for all. Some sunshine on the Isles of

Scilly, and here are the tiles of high water... And some good news for

something. `` surfing. The wind changing direction. On Sund`y, the

showers are likely to be quhte heavy. Most of us getting away with

another reasonable day. Showers could be heavy. More to comd on

Monday. We should have a re`sonable deal on Tuesday and high prdssure

back for Wednesday, so not too bad for the next few days, but ht is

quite a bit cooler. Have a nice again.

Thank you. That is it. Have a lovely weekend. Thank you for joinhng us at

this very late Dame! See yot next week. Goodbye. `` at this vdry early