15/08/2014 Spotlight

Good evening, on the eve of the tenth anniversary of

the disaster, we'll hear from some of those who were caught up in it.

We escaped up the ladder and into the garden up above and we were

saved. CCTV caught on fishing boats to find out how much is thrown back

into the sea. And standing

on her own two feet again ` the paralysed rider whose battling

back by becoming a bionic woman. Ten years ago this weekend

an intense and localised storm wrought havoc on

one small corner of North Cornwall. The villages of Boscastle

and Crackington Haven were Problems started early

in the afternoon on the 16th Heavy rain started falling

on the moors above Boscastle By 1 o'clock river levels in the village

were starting to rise. By 3.30 the river Valency was bursting

its banks At 3.45 the fire service started receiving calls for help. At

around 4 o'clock families who were trapped in the Visitor Centre had to

climb into the attic to escape the rising water, cars were starting

to float through the village. At 4.45 the first

of seven helicopters arrived on the scene, and just after 5

a major incident was declared. Johnny Rutherford reports now

on the scene of devastation One month's rainfall in two hours. A

Cornish village under siege from a freak rainstorm ten years ago. A

major incident declared in North Cornwall, dozens of people trapped

after flash flooding in Ross Castle. `` Boscastle. There was a huge bang

and the river started flooding, it was literally in a matter of seconds

and there were cars floating downstream into the sea. Jude was on

holiday at the time. The sudden storm and its scale even took The

Met Office by surprise. An absolute shock to see this. The coastguard

was the first to be alerted. The river has urged `` burst its banks.

A lot of people around. That call started the biggest he's fine `` the

biggest peacetime rescue in peacetime. As well as the main

emergency services, seven helicopters were scrambled. They

battled against strong winds and torrential rain. A major incident, I

have to say. They blew four hours over the devastated village, flying

very low. As they went from building to building and plucked off stranded

holiday`makers. There was a mixture of relief, you could see that. Other

people were still scared and somewhere even jovial, they could

not believe what was happening. There were some hysterics. We have

two on the front of that building. 120 people were rescued in seven

hours. At its peak, the flooding whipped through the village with a

wall of water ten feet high, travelling at 40 miles per hour. It

has now disappeared, one of the oldest buildings in Boscastle. I saw

a car hit it and it went stop we could see buildings crumbling around

us. The water was gushing through the harbour and all of the sudden it

crumbled like a pack of cards. Water was spilling through the youth

hostel, out of the windows, and you wondered what would happen next stop

only six casualties were taken to hospital, most suffering from shock

and affects of the cold. It is incredible to think nobody was badly

injured or dragged out to see by the sudden raging flood that caused so

much devastation. Well,

ten years on from the devastating And new flood defences have been put

in place to protect the village. Our reporter Simon Clemison

joins us now live. A good evening to you, Rebecca.

Students actually come down here to study the flood defences. The whole

village is back to its former glory, but there is always a danger a place

suffers a major event that it will become defined by it. It becomes a

benchmark, but not necessarily in a bad way. The pain has gone here. The

character and appeal does seem to be have `` doesn't seem to have been

boosted by what happened. Our reporter has been to meet some

people who wear here on that terrible day ten years ago. This

woman lives in a flat above her place of work when the water began

pouring in. She knew it was time to go. I put up a ladder here and we

escaped up to the garden above. Seven miles down the coast from

Boscastle, they were left submerged under a wall of water. Restaurants

were flooded, people were trapped in buildings and cars were washed out

to sea. Staff at this cafe realised very quickly that the situation was

serious and escaped to higher ground just in time. A lot of water in a

short time. It was obvious that things were going to happen.

Everybody was all right because had time to escape so it was just a

matter of watching in disbelief. Cars were thrown over the top of the

bridge. Back in Boscastle, and Tracey Bright found herself cut off

from her husband, 12 months pregnant. She had an appointment in

the town. It was when I came out of the appointment, I realised I could

not get out so I went to my mother's. I watched it on the TV. I

was pregnant so I was getting panicky. The phone was down so we

could not get hold of anybody. The couple were soon reunited and Lily

was born ten days later. The first child to be born in the village

after that remarkable day which changed many people's lives.

Research by The Met Office suggested there could be an increase in the

number of extreme downpours in the future. Ten years ago tonight, the

conditions were not that remarkable. Any sharp showers were expected to

pass over but the landscape and atmosphere clashed as I have found

out from the Environment Agency. We know from secondary school geography

that if there was a lot of rain, it needs to get to the sea. Yes, a

special set of circumstances ten years ago. To air masses met and

they got stuck. They stalled and stayed there, and it kept raining

intensely for four of five hours. Is this the solution? Yes. This is the

bottom end of the flood defence scheme which we built six months

after the event occurring. It helps relieve the flood risk that we saw.

What else have you done? Where we stood, what we did was widen and

deepen the river, and set the car park back from the river. All other

cars ended up in the harbour. Yes. We set the car park back from the

water to make more space for the water, really. You cannot tell

anything has happened, it does not look like you have flood defence

scheme. Yes, that was a key aim. We knew how important the history was

to Boscastle and we wanted to reduce the flood risk but we wanted to keep

that historic environment intact, and I think we have achieved it. It

is better than some great big concrete flume you could have had.

What about the other villages around Devon, Somerset or Dorset? The ?10

million also covered a lot of the other places affected as well. We

have a programme of flood risk improvements across the UK, and we

have learnt a lot from the 2004 flood. We have engaged with

communities to help them manage flood risks. This is just one of the

businesses that was completely rebuilt. I am joined by a member of

The National Trust, you wear here that they, won't you? What was it

like? An unforgettable experience. It is something I will never forget.

The strongest memory is the sheer force of the water and the damage

unleashed by it. So many people had their lives are affected by it. Ten

years on, it it does seem to have added to the appeal of the place. It

was probably the biggest single event in the history of Boscastle,

and although they do not wish to be defined by that, it has attracted

many visitors in the years afterwards, and they still come. It

is part of the history of Boscastle. Thank you very much. How, where and

when, and the science of rainfall is still very challenging but measures

are improving all the time and the forecast, you will be pleased to

hear, for Boscastle, is settled. Thank you, Simon.

And this weekend also marks 62 years

since the devastating Lynmouth Floods in which 34 people died.

On the 15th and 16th of August in 1952,

The water flowed off the moors and into the rivers, which then

formed a torrent that cascaded through Lynmouth overnight.

More than 100 buildings were destroyed,

Almost 40 cars were washed out to sea.

Coming up: Further revelations about the controversy that has rocked

Plymouth University. Also, we will catch up with the Devon hockey

player who helped England win silver at the Commonwealth Games. And food,

glorious food. A festival welcomes thousands of visitors to the south.

A senior figure at Plymouth University is claiming

she's been forced out of her role as part of the ongoing dispute

In a statement today Barbara Bond criticises the University's Board

of Governors for the way they are running the university, and

for their decision to effectively suspend the Vice Chancellor Wendy

The university denies dismissing Mrs Bond.

Our correspondent Neil Gallacher is following this story

Let's start with Mrs Bond, who is she? She has held a number of senior

positions and is a former chairman of the governors. She has been an

ambassador, and is also an MBE. Her role as Chancellor came to end last

month but she said she was asked by Wendy Purcell to do another term.

The university has said that her role came to a natural end. She said

it was brought to an end. Barbara Bond has criticised the Board of

Governors. Yes, essentially. At the heart of this is a bitter dispute

between the chief executive Wendy Purcell and the chairman of the

board of governors, a retired judge. Wendy Purcell was placed on leave by

the board of governors last month and we do not know why. Today,

Barbara Bond is calling on the board to reinstate Wendy Purcell before

they do any more damage to the University. Mrs Bond has said she

has long`standing concerns about the questionable governance practice of

the University and she says the board lacks the experience. I gather

Mrs Bond has been in dialogue with the University's regulators? Yes,

Barbara Bond said she went to see the regulator. What is the

University saying? They say they strongly refute any suggestion that

the University is in crisis, and they point out that the university

was visited by the regulated and found no evidence to investigate

Barbara Bond's complaint for themselves. We know that the

regulator the deeds ask for the university to be investigated but

University have pointed out that the case against Wendy Purcell is

something for the university to investigate. We will watch this

space. South west fishermen are about to

begin further trials using CCTV to cut down on the amount of fish

being thrown back into the sea. They've told Spotlight they're keen

to reduce the overall amount of discards, but believe some

species such as young monkfish can have good survival rates

if they're returned to the sea. Our Environment Correspondent Adrian

Campbell reports. A small number of south`west vessels

have been fitted with CCTV and are being monitored to make sure they

bring back everything they catch. It is part of trials using different

net sizes which cuts the amount of fish being thrown back into the sea.

We are trying to ensure that certain species are not discarded. We

reviewed the footage from the cameras to make sure soul is not

discarded. This was filmed by fishermen. Many fishermen leave it

makes sense to throw them back into the sea. Juvenile monkfish are

susceptible to being caught in trawls. We are trying to highlight

the high survival rate of juvenile monkfish so they can be returned to

the sea in future. New European regulations to reduce the amount of

fish put back into the sea start to take effect from next year. There is

uncertainty about how these new rules will be enforced but fishermen

say they are worried that they will be expected to bring back every

single fish they catch, including those of no value. We will have

doctors and boxes of fish. `` boxes and boxes. Fishermen say they are

working with scientists to show that they are returning some fish the sea

and it can help conservation. Onto this evening's sport now and

Dave Gibbins has been to Kingsbridge to welcome home a Commonwealth Games

silver medallist who helped England Well, here in Kingsbridge, it is

homecoming for the Commonwealth Games' silver medallist, back in her

home town. First, Plymouth Argyle are preparing for their Devon

confrontation Exeter city. It is the first time they have met so early in

the season. Exeter City have just had their transfer embargo lifted.

Exeter Harriers are very confident of winning another gold at the

European athletics Championships in Z?rich tomorrow. Four days after her

10,000 metres success, the 40`year`old mum tries to add the

5000 metre title. There is coverage on BBC Two. Here is just sell

Annesley who is proudly wearing the silver medal she won for the England

hockey team in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. You were 11

seconds away from winning the gold against Australia. They equalised

and went on to win the penalty shoot out. How long did it take you and

your team`mates to recover from that agony? A long`time! I have come to

terms with it and we are very proud of our silver medal. What feedback

and acknowledgement have you received from people in the town? A

lot of support throughout the whole tournament. Old school teachers and

stuff like that. It has been really, really good. The qualifiers are the

main focus for us but so are the European Championships next year.

Thank you for joining us this evening. That is it from me in

Kingsbridge, I hope you have a lovely weekend, and enjoy your

sport. Back to you. A 25 year old woman from Cornwall

paralysed in a riding accident two years ago is learning to stand up

using a bionic leg. Suzanna Hext broke her back and

pelvis and was left in a wheelchair She's recently started riding

again and is determined to Spotlight's Janine Jansen has been

to see her at the country's leading rehabilitation centre

for injured jockeys in Berkshire. Two years ago, Suzanna was paralysed

when a horse fell on her. After eight operations and a year and a

half in a wheelchair, she can now walk in crutches, thanks to a

battery pack in her spine. But she has no feeling in her left foot and

ankle. Last month, she achieved her goal which was to write again. But

there is a problem. It keeps going into spasm. Oh, God. She has come to

Berks where they help injured jockeys. The people here just seem

to think that nothing is impossible which is a great attitude. And now,

the exciting part. This is the bionic leg. Basically, it is an

assisted robotic walking device which is controlled by Suzanna. We

have a sensor that is in her shoe. It feels quite weird when it is

turned on. It makes funny noises. Let me pop is on your leg. Suzanna

is determined to stand up on both legs. I will stand on it however

long it takes. You are in control. And your other leg, well done.

Good, nice! Well done! Bring yourself forward. Yes, beautiful.

You have got it. Read. Well done. It is the first time she has stood up

in two years. I am very determined. I am not going to let my leg lead!

Yes, I will eat my leg. `` my leg beat me. Her passion for writing is

so strong, nothing will get in her way. Such a positive up the person.

`` upbeat. Lentil burgers,

blueberry beer and curried goat: just some of the offerings

at Plymouth's three day Flavour Fest which is celebrating

its 11th anniversary this year. It's a chance to showcase

the best of our regional produce alongside demonstrations from some

of the top names in gastromony. John Henderson has been enjoying

a saunter through the food stalls. the dramatic images of the flooding

which swept through Boscastle and Crackington Haven in North Cornwall

ten years ago this weekend.