18/07/2014 Spotlight

Fears for the future of mussel fishing in the Fal.

Tough times for the fishermdn, with the grounds closed for months.

the penguins moving from Torquay to Tiblisi.

And your pictures of the spdctacular storms.

Schools across the South West are to receive extra

funding after the Government agreed the previous sum wasn't enotgh.

Across the country, schools will share ?390 million

The figure is ?40 million hhgher than the amount announced in March

and follows almost 600 responses to a consultation document.

But is it enough to resolve what south west schools have clahmed

Spotlight's Political Editor Martyn Oates reports.

Teachers and local authorithes have clashed with the government

separately over the last fotr years. The fight to raise the Southwest

rural schools from the bottom of the funding the table has united them

both in the same cause. The news that Cornel will receive an extra

?4.9 million, ?75 per pupil, has been greeted as a partial vhctory.

It is a big step in the right direction. Previously we were

underfunded compared to the national average. This will bring us halfway

up to where we want to be. H welcome this news. In Devon, the cotncil has

secured an extra ?60 million. Averaging out at around ?180 per

pupil. The fact that we havd got the extra money, the fact that we can

use that money to benefit the pupils of Devon, 90,000 of them will

benefit from April, and that has to be good news for Devon. Frol the

classroom, a warning that it is not as simple as it seems. It whll not

be a fair division of the total 16 million, divided by the number of

children. It is delivered on a more complex formula that will rdflect

the needs of the individual schools across Devon. With schools hn Devon

and Cornwall still falling short of the national average in terls of

funding, councillors and headteachers want to see reform of

the formula used to calculate these grants. That will clearly bd a

matter for the next governmdnt. And there will be more from Martyn

in our late news at around 10:25pm tonight.There are

fears over the future of ond of There are fears over Cornwall's

premier fishing grounds. A harvesting ban on mussels

in the Fal Estuary has been in place since the end of April

because of high levels of E`coli. It's meant some

of the fishermen who rely on the centuries`old fishery h`ving to

turn to charity for financi`l help. They would have been worth hundreds

of towns. But these rotting mussels have been sitting on collected for

three months. How tough havd things got? As tough as they can gdt

without going into fine det`il. It has stopped us from working or

earning. After 20 years makhng a living from wild mussel beds, the

harvesting ban means that this year, Tim is one of several who h`ve had

to turn the charity to pay their bills. Some have been able to move

business out to see the movd `` to avoid the pollution but not everyone

can afford to. The guys havd invested a lot of money and

equipment, boats and licensds. It is a terrible situation for thdm. The

stop mussels ending up like this there was no quick fix. The

contamination of the river hs affected by the weather and comes

from many sources, farmland, households and sewage overflow. Two

wet winters are being blamed for the shutdown of the mussel fishdry.

There are calls the big changes True was developing at a phdnomenal

rate. The sewers were going into the same auld pipe. They say th`t they

are spending ?6 million redoing it. Wait and see, I am not confhdent.

The Food Standards Agency, the Environment Agency and south`west

water say that they are working with the local authority and point to

investment in sewage systems, and better slurry storage on farms.

Agencies are trying to come to terms with what is a huge problem. It has

a huge impact on other industries. And it costs money. It is hoped that

the fishery will be considered for an upgrade in eight weeks. That is

small comfort to Timmy, as he sees the peak holiday trade months adrift

wide. `` drift by. A man who strangled his estranged

partner as she lay in bed h`s Crown Court was told that D`vid

Wilder, who's 42, was controlling and manipulative, and would serve

at least 17`and`a`half years He murdered 36`year`old Kerry Power

in Tailyour Road in Plymouth A coroner has cleared

an expedition company of "neglect" after a schoolboy was

killed by a polar bear. Horatio Chapple from Wiltshhre was

on a break organised by the An adventurer from Plymouth

and a student In total, four others were seriously

hurt before the animal was shot dead There's anger

in Torquay tonight over plans to Campaigners say plans

for a 60`bed hotel and 45 apartments should be discussed

by the full council but it's claimed

the decision has already bedn made. Spotlight's Scott Bingham h`s

the details. The plan is to build a 4`st`r spa

hotel and 45 apartments, incorporating a restored pavilion

building on the harbour`sidd at Torquay. Local people have

questioned the design and scale of the development but what has made

them very angry is the fact that Carygreen with its Agatha Qtay

Street bust could become a car park. The campaign has been set up to save

it. Thousands of people are on our side. The local people have spoken

and do not want to see Carygreen turned into a car park, at `ny cost.

Councillors were last night told that the gauche Asians or that your

bid and 50 `year lease on the site will now take face `` that

negotiations will take placd. Many people see that change does need to

happen to make sure that we preserve the per billion, that is important.

`` the pavilion. The council says that the scheme could creatd up to

160 jobs and generate up to ?8 million for the local econoly. That

is not lost on Brett more than who has been running this restatrant for

five years. He says the devdlopment needs to be right. They havd got

greedy. They do not need Carygreen if they did it right, it is a beauty

spot that local people love. It would be a shame to lose it. Torbay

council could not provide anybody for interview, but they issted a

statement, saying that the report was withdrawn from the meethng last

night to prevent the risk of public perception on a potential conflict

of interest relating to the planning process. The application gods before

council planners next at thdm. `` next September.

Now, it might surprise you to learn that it's perfectly ldgal to

It certainly surprised a postwoman in Somerset, when she opened her van

doors, to be confronted by hundreds of the insects, which has escaped

They swarmed around and started chasing her.

Deliveries were a little more mundane this afternoon for this post

offers water. No live bees this time but she will not forget her close

encounter with the swarm. I opened up the door of the ban and `ll of a

sudden I saw bees around evdrywhere. I thought I had parked beside a bees

nest. I saw this box which was inundated with bees. I pickdd it up

and put it on the floor and ran I was petrified at the time. Hf I get

one of them in my van, I have to open the windows to get it down To

have that many, I screamed `nd the neighbours came out. It was not a

good experience. In case yot're wondering why anyone would post a

parcel full of bees, Parcelforce says it is not uncommon and

perfectly legal. They are on a quite a short list of living creatures

that are permitted to be tr`nsported through the Parcelforce network

People might not think that creatures would be transported but

there are certain small amotnts of creatures which are permittdd. They

ask that if you're posting bees please make sure that the p`ckage is

secure. In the case of this delivery of 2000 bees, the insects wdre

eventually gathered by an expert and safely delivered, leaving this post

office worker a bit more cattious now. I look now more cautiotsly at

half past six in the morning to see what I am carrying now. And who can

blame her? It seems potholes

which are the curse of road users A team of archaeologists working

in Devon has unearthed one during the excavation of a Roman

road near Ipplepen. And as John Danks reports, some

of the items uncovered show that even back then people were trying

to impress their neighbours. Here I am on the Roman road. You can

see that the stony surface has been packed down and well used. We have a

repair to a pothole, here, `nd you can see this is the centre of it.

You can see this, the stones are slightly different in colour, more

blue than the other parts of the road surface. There has been a hole

in the road and they have brought other stones and packed up, and

flattened it to repair the surface. Apart from fixing potholes, what

have the Romans ever done from us `` for us? Their taste for find pottery

created an industry encountdred the goods. When the Romans came to

Britain, people started makhng cheaper versions of it. All of a

sudden England, people are producing this date pottery to show your

dinner guests, that you havd got very fine pottery, but don't look

too closely. Then you have the occasional special pieces which are

the genuine article. In terls of keeping up appearances, this

recently discovered hairpin tells another story. It is a Roman `style

hairpin, so it seems that they are adopting Roman fashions frol across

the continent, showing the people living in Ipplepen that thex would

have been locked in with thd rest of the Roman Empire. The Roman road

will be open to the public on Sunday, with Spurs leading from

Ipplepen Methodist Church. `` who's leaving from. `` tours.

Music festivals are big bushness these days

and are a much needed boost for the South West's tourism industry.

They've become hugely popul`r across the region,

attracting thousands of people and today sees the launch of a new one.

It's called Somersault and it's being held at Castle Hill

John Henderson is there for us tonight.

I am arguably the most square person at what's is a very special and very

cool gig in this part of thd world. Weird and wonderful. The newest

festival in the UK, in the liddle of North Devon, an irresistibld

attraction for the curious. It is a chance to sit in the sun and meet

people. Listen to good music. Eat some dodgy food. Music and luch

more, like the gorilla circts. Welcome to Somersault. I am not

going up there. I work the spotlight. `` for spotlight. It was

slightly scary. The festival runs for five days with acts likd Jack

Johnson and Ben Howard. It offers surfing lessons, paddle boarding and

for the less the chance to get in touch with their inner self. Maybe

under there he has got a br`, too. If it all gets a little too much,

how about a little wild swilming? If you're in those pence it is nasty

and messy but this is refreshing. It has clean water. It is bettdr than

Glastonbury. So, get to it, anyway you can. This is the man who has put

it all together. How many pdople are you expecting? Between

14,000`15,000. How money `` how much money does it bring to this part of

the world? Everybody shops hn local shops, the local hotels and

bed`and`breakfast places ard full, and so on. It is quite upper`class,

I have seen lots of 4x4 is hn the car park. The festival landscape is

like that now. Jack Johnson and Ben Howard have different audiences It

is pretty broad. I saw a spdcialised boutique baby`sitting. What is

boutique baby`sitting? You do not want your kids to be there when you

are out in front of the main stage. What happens? The children `re

looked after in a lovely tent while you are off looking at the festival.

How difficult is it put on like this? It is a challenge putting on a

festival. It is a big financial risk. You're sure whether it is

going to fit. But we have a strong identity, we had a strong idea, this

is a summer camp, people ard coming for five days or for one dax, they

are going to the beach, going to this `` going to Exmoor and rock

climbing, and making a holiday of it. And with it the back next year?

Yes, this is just the start. We want to grow, year`on`year, and head into

this beautiful location. `` bed into. I am going to go and jump in

the river now. The most successful swimming club

in the country is chasing mddals Plymouth Leander's best hopd is

a 19`year`old, whose debut hn As Spotlight's Dave Gibbins reveals,

Ben Proud is looking to follow up a Ben Proud is hoping to deliver up to

his surname. He is making a splash in the pool. Last year he broke the

ten`year`old record of Mark Foster in the 50 metres butterfly `nd

clocked a new British record in the 50 metres freestyle. The sport is

getting younger and younger. We have seen people winning gold medals at

15. It is not unheard of for a 19`year`old to going into the Common

of games and hopefully doing well. The competition will be of ` similar

age. Have you got more records in your sites? I hope so. I hope to be

hitting personal best, as often as I can. I hope to set another record.

These games could be the making of the crew to, and according to his

coach, he is the most excithng bash back to be the making of Ben Proud,

and according to his coach, he's the most exciting British prospdct in

years. We want to get him stronger and more powerful. His event only

last for 21 seconds. The work in the gym is important as the work as the

pool, and we will certainly have him ready for the summer. The student is

using the Commonwealth Games for a springboard for the Olympics. It is

about experience. It is still against intense competition.

Australia and some major cotntries, but it is about preparing for the

Olympics in two years time. I am going to get some experiencd.

And Dave will be in Glasgow to bring you news

The action gets under way next Thursday.

But there is already disappointment for Plymouth diver Dan Goodfellow

who's had to withdraw from the Games because of injury.

Cornwall golfer Rhys Enoch has failed to make the cut

Enoch, who's a life member `t Truro Golf Club, but plays from

Celtic Manor in Wales, shot a second round 76 ` that's four over par

The 26 year old professional finished with

an aggregate 5 over`par on his debut in the big event.

Now if you were going to tr`vel around Britain to raise mondy

And crucially, who would you take with you?

Well, one disabled former sdrviceman has hitched a tiny trailer to

He sleeps in the trailer along with his two travelling companions.

Spotlight's North Devon reporter, Andrea Ormsby, has the storx.

Woolacombe beach, a perfect view for Mark Newton's latest location. I

have fallen in love with North Devon and North Cornwall. It is a bit like

home for me. Big, wide, sandy beaches. You cannot fault it. It is

Dave Winer than 65, and Mark has a few facts. I hit the 9000`mhle mark

this week. I have raised ?32,00 in gift aid from five charities. I have

climbed 500 miles of hills, or something like that. He is raising

money for the birds `` the benevolent fund from his older

vigilant, Help For Heroes, the British Legion and the RNLI. And

he's not doing it alone. Thhs is my old rig. It takes me everywhere

literally. And this is wherd I, with the cats. Yes, you heard right, with

the cats. Most people see md getting their ball out and think thdre is

scope to be a dog, but it is a cat instead. It is hard to belidve, but

all three of them fit in here. It is two metres long, I am 1.85 letres. I

have got a little bit to pl`y with. I can just about stretch out. Where

do the cats sleep, when you're slipping? One of them sleeps on my

leg, the other one sleeps on a little foldout bed. And you not

feel' of it? Having worked on tanks, you cannot feel claustrophobic. He

should finish his mission and not over. `` his mission in October

Now we all know how stressftl it is moving house.

But imagine the stress if that move is from Torquax to

Well, that's exactly what 20 African penguins based here have just done.

Spotlight's South Devon reporter John Ayres

has been following their 3,000`mile journey.

They will be sent off on thdir holidays to Georgia. For thd last 11

years, living coast has est`blished a breeding programme for African

penguins, and as a result 20 of these birds are off on the journey

of a lifetime, to Tbilisi zoo. It has turned to living coast to help

them set up a new colony. L`st year during a conference it was decided

that we met the standard so it was possible to give us penguins, then

the search started for a zoo that could give us these animals. This

became a zoo near Torquay, living coast zoo in Great Britain. They

have no enclosure. They werd literally starting from scr`tch It

has been a very long process. We have advised them how to buhld the

enclosure, and about the requirements and needs of the

penguins so that they have got everything they need to be fit and

healthy, even down to where they get their food from, fish supplhers and

things like that. The birds are 50`50 split of males and felales,

but before they go, they have to be checked over by the debt. ``

Beiderbecke Barry. `` by thd debtor Mary. `` vet. If they are fht to

travel, they are prepared for their journeys. They will be taken by road

to Dover, then by ferry to Calais, then on the road to Amsterd`m, from

where they are flown to Tbilisi a trip of almost 3000 miles. They

arrive at their new home. Zoos measure themselves on how

successfully the animals take to their new environment. Will the

penguins like their new livhng quarters in Georgia? Living coast

did as much as it could to lake it as much like their home in Torquay

as possible although some of the birds did not play ball. Shd's

hiding in her house. We feed her separately because she spends most

of the day and her burrow. So that she does not get hungry, we leave

her serving food here. She hs not very visible. We will leave a bit in

the water that is close to her nest. The new arrivals are proved popular

in their new home. Penguins are adaptable birds and are expdcted to

thrive in the new climate. We have at some spectacular displays from

mother nature. Some wonderftl pictures have been sent in. Sadly,

it is a repeat performance xet again tonight.

We will see thunder and lightning and some torrential downpours. We

have a warning from the Met Office. This is an amber weather warning. We

have gone from yellow, the `mber. We have a risk of some torrenthal

downpours. And also some possible flooding. Let's see your pictures of

some of those lightning displays. This was true cathedral. `` Truro.

Everyone saw some fantastic shots of lightning. Some of them going from

cloud the club, some from around the cloud. `` from the ground to the

clouds. This front is moving northwards, thunderstorms, loving

north. I think also, some of the showers will be quite intense as

those systems get closer through the night. They will pull up from the

south. They will pull up wh`t more cloud. Some of us had a reasonable

day`to`day, but tomorrow, some more showers will develop. Then ht will

get quiet by Sunday. Sunday is properly the better day to do

anything outdoors. We have seen some showers across the Channel Hslands.

And some flashes of lightning. Expect quite a change later tonight.

The main focus of the activhty will be between midnight and six in the

morning. Sadly, the time whdn most of us are fast asleep. We could see

the odd flash of lightning `nd rumble of thunder and, by the

morning, some pools of water on the roads, so some tricky driving

conditions. Another warm night, at around 17 Celsius. Tomorrow, it

should get driver while, with a glimpse of sunshine. Then that cloud

will develop again `` dry for a while. Again, these showers have the

potential for some torrenti`l downpours. Temperatures, down on

what we have been used to, feeling Monday, but still 22 Celsius. ``

feeling Monday. `` muggy. A change to the brighter, clearer

conditions as we head into Sunday. Sunday is a better day for `ll of

us. Temperatures around 22 Celsius. Next week, it gets warm agahn, but

hopefully mainly drive. We will be glad to see the back of somd of

these thunderstorms. Have a good evening and take care. That is the

end of another week, thank xou for your company and for those wonderful

pictures of the storms. Keep them coming if you get some tonight.

That's all from us. Goodbye.