13/04/2017 Spotlight

More people than ever are risking their lives by trespassing

Dealing with the new junior-doctors contract, but at what cost

We have set aside considerable sums, up to ?1 million,

for the new contract, so we are anticipating it

won't be cost neutral, it will be more expensive

And, the Devon players hoping to help Somerset make it

a Good Friday on their opening match of the cricket season.

I am here at Truro Cathedral, where the Maundy Thursday Eucharist

of the Last Supper is taking place, and I will give you an idea of some

events that are happening around the region this Easter.

The number of people risking their lives by trespassing

on rail tracks has reached a five-year high in the South West.

Last year, there were around 553 incidents in the region, up 14%

The reasons for the increase, according to the police,

include people taking shortcuts across the railways

John Henderson joins us live from Hele and Bradninch in Devon.

Here I am at a level crossing. Thornton is that way, Exeter down

the line, lots of safety signs, as you would expect. I draw your

attention to this one, do not trespass on the railway, penalty

?1000. It seems as if a lot of people have not been paying

attention to that side. The number of people...

These are some of the 8,000 people who trespassed

In one instance, a man staggers off the track and just about manages

to haul himself onto the platform, with seconds to spare.

Worryingly, more and more people have trespassed on the railways.

Here in Devon and Cornwall, we are recording 150 crimes a year.

That is the tip of the iceberg, we have another 150-plus incidents

recorded, so we are into 300, and we believe it is probably double

that, so between six and 800 offences every year in the county.

Across the country, one person trespasses

Last year in the South West 32 children were caught trespassing,

with boys aged 14 to 16 being stopped the most.

We get young children who are exploring, we get teenagers

who don't understand the dangers, and we get adults who are taking

Even professionals working on the track are only allowed to do

so with a raft of safety measures, including lookouts

Trains that travel so fast, trust bosses will be unaware of.

The trains are silent until they are on top of you.

I have been at this level crossing for the past hour or so, and I can

confirm, the trains really do race along here, coming out of Exeter at

a terrific click. If you got caught on this side of the tracks, your

chances would be pretty slim, given that it takes about a mile for a

train to slow down. Network Rail told me there are about 315 miles of

track in Devon and Cornwall, so it goes to show that in terms of the

number of incidents of trespassing, it is relatively high for quite a

low level amount of track. The best place to be is this side of the

safety barriers. Some South West hospitals say

the new junior doctors' contract is taking millions from budgets

at a time they're being They're also finding it harder

to fill rota gaps and believe it could have a significant impact

on some services. The new contracts were opposed

by the junior doctors' union, which claimed it would affect

pay and services. The Government argued

more-efficient working practices It was the latest stand-off

between junior doctors and the Government, the end of years

of disagreement over But as it is phased in,

hospitals have started Jeremy Hunt had described it

in Parliament as cost neutral. We have set aside considerable

sums, up to ?1 million, for the new contract,

so we are anticipating it will not be cost neutral,

it will be more expensive The contract is in the process

of being phased in. Half of the South West hospitals

have told us it is either having no But in the last financial year,

others say it has cost them a total These extra costs come

at a time when hospitals in England are being asked

to reduce their spending as part of so-called sustainability-and-

transformation plans. Plans which may include the loss

of acute hospital services. Particularly ones which do not

have enough staff. Something which has led

to protests in part of Devon. But there is another way

in which the new contract could impact on some

of those vulnerable services. It is making it harder

to fill gaps in the rotas. Torbay Hospital has warned that

could have a significant impact on service continuity in urgent

and emergency services. We have in the South West

15% of junior-doctor posts are not filled,

and we have over the years developed ways of flexing to fill those gaps,

and this contract will make There is a concern that morale

amongst junior doctors The British Medical Association

fought against the introduction of the contract for years,

and says it warned This contract was brought

in by Government, it was forced in before we felt it was ready,

this contract was rejected We still think there are huge areas

of concern in this contract that need to be addressed,

and this was pushed through on a political timeline

without considering the implications that we have already raised

within this new contract. Today, Royal Cornwall Hospitals

Trust said it won't know yet about additional costs

until after August, Meanwhile, in response to other

hospitals' concerns, NHS Improvement, the organisation

responsible for overseeing health trusts, told the BBC,

"It's important when moving onto the new contract that

providers take the necessary steps to help doctors

in training feel supported. We will continue to support

trusts as they work towards implementing

the new contract." Now a brief roundup of other stories

making the news in the South West. Chickens across the South West have

been released from captivity today as avian-flu restrictions

for high-risk areas These birds from Teignmouth,

like other free-range hens, have had to be kept indoors

for the last three months. Urgent repairs have been carried out

on Plymouth's Hoe Foreshore, The city council is spending

?1 million on improvements after surveys found

the Tinside Bathing Houses and Arcaded Sun Terraces needed

stabilising and strengthening. Police investigating a hit-and-run

in Kingsteignton say they want to hear from the driver

of a VW Lupo seen nearby 25-year-old new father Jason Bunce

was seriously injured when he was struck by an unknown

vehicle on 8th April. Officers also want to hear

from a dog walker seen in the area. Speedway returns to Plymouth

tomorrow evening, a sight many of the fans feared

they wouldn't see again. The club folded amid financial

issues at the end of last season. But new promoters have worked

and spent hard to bring The sound, the smell and racing with

no brakes. Six months ago it did not look like we would see riders on

this track again. But the Plymouth Devils have come back from the dead.

It has been successful here before. When it was opened in 2006, the

crowds were fantastic. Could be lovely to get those people back. We

have reduced the admission prices, ?10 for adults, ?5 for children,

free for under tens, and a family ticket for ?25. As dwindling gates

and rising costs were not enough, the old place had to deal with this,

vandalism destroying the safety fence. Anyone has been bought. It is

like the football teams, if they are not willing, the crowds will not

come. It needed to be saved, Plymouth is up-and-coming, we need

something like this. These people that have taken it over, they have

spent a lot of money. They are hoping for big things. Over the last

two decades we have seen speedway tracks close. This one in Cornwall

lasted eight years, while the Exeter County Ground, the fastest in

Britain, went when the rugby club moved. And they are still hunting a

replacement. Plymouth have dropped to third division, one of their

riders for this year is 16 years old, took part in a sponsored bike

ride to help raise funds. It is our's Drive, but for the locals, it

is their only track. The nearest one after that is Somerset, a two hour

Drive. For us and the locals, it is good. We want to carry it on. It has

been an achievement to get to the starting line. Now for the hard work

of being first to the finish line. Still to come in

tonight's programme. We'll be hearing from

Somerset's Devon players on the eve And, hoping they're

not out for a duck. We're in Dulverton, where the birds

are part of a knitting revolution. It's time for the sport now,

and Natalie's here ahead of one of the busiest and most-significant

weekends of the year. It's all happening, with promotion,

relegation and play-off places all a possibility

for our sides this weekend. In League Two, Yeovil have

to have a good couple of games to keep themselves away from danger,

Exeter need to cement their position in the top seven, but it's

Plymouth Argyle who might produce the biggest celebrations,

as they could secure promotion After six years in the basement

division, the Pilgrims will make it back to League One if they win

at rivals Portsmouth tomorrow and Luton fail

to beat rock-bottom Orient. If that doesn't happen,

then the champagne will have to be put on ice until Monday's

home game against Newport. I have never had a promotion on my

CV, I have been to Wembley twice and not come from it. This goes above

everything I have done in my career. This would be the icing on the cake.

To do it at 31, it has come later than I hoped, but it would be

fantastic for me to get a promotion. Mathematically, Torquay could be

relegated from the National League this weekend if they lose

both their games and other They're at leaders Lincoln

tomorrow and then at home to Braintree on Monday,

who're one place above them. Last year the Gulls were in

a similar position and survived, and their manager thinks they can do

it again. Right now it looks like the penny

has dropped, they are picking things up, taking on board the information

I am giving them, they are executing. If they can do that for

the next four games, they have learned from that experience, and we

will have a fighting chance. But it is fine margins. We need to take it

one at a time, which is why you will always get that same answer.

After sealing a play-off place last weekend, the Exeter Chiefs now

want to secure a home semi-final with a top-two finish.

We have got a semifinal place now, sometimes we need to remember that,

and a lot of what needs to happen is is making sure that mentally and

physically we are where we need to be. Whether that is home or away is

not the biggest issue. I would love it to be at home, primarily because

it is able board for the players and the supporters.

And it's the last game of the season for our Championship sides.

The Pirates are at home to Bedford, while Jersey host Richmond.

And, where one season ends, another one starts.

Somerset begin their County Championship campaign tomorrow.

If they can go one better than last summer and bring

the title back to Taunton, Devon will have played its part,

Ben Green, 19, from Exeter. Jamie over ten, from North Devon. I had to

think about it! Lewis Gregory, 24, from Plymouth. Don Bass, 19, from

Sid Worth. Greg Overton, 22, also from North Devon.

I want to find out who the best all-rounder is, on and off the

field. It is up to you to decide. It is very easy. Jamie Overton,

hands down, terrible. The Flymo? You do well! Not the nicest bunch of

lads. I will have to go with Jamie, just to get a bit of own back. I

fancy my chances, because I do not turn the ball. I give myself it.

Probably Lewis, he is so short. Massive melon, mate, no one else can

fit in. If it is a standard elevator, probably him, because

nothing much can fit in apart from his head.

The results are in. Good news for one of the, bad news for one of you,

and the bad news is for Ben Green. According to your team-mates, you

are the worst all-rounder on and off the field. The winner, he has a

century, Lewis Gregory. He is pretty proud of that. They are

lovely. Five from Devon. It is great that the cricket season

is back. You know it is summer.

As the Easter weekend approaches, David White has been out and about,

tracking down events to keep the family entertained

Tonight he joins us from the Maundy Day service at Truro Cathedral,

the first of a series of services being held to mark Easter.

We are having a quick game of spot the odd one out. I hope it is not

too difficult. They said, you can stand with the choir, but absolutely

no singing. No syncing. Last week I was in a big top, this week I am

indeed beautiful surroundings of Truro Cathedral, and there is a

service taking place denied. This kicks off your Easter celebrations.

Yes, it is the Maundy Thursday celebrations, the celebration of the

institution of the Last Supper, where Jesus began the holy

Communion. It is followed by the watch, which resembles the watch

that Jesus had in Gethsemane, with his disciples will stop tomorrow we

have all of the drama of the Good Friday services, and that leads up

to the joy of Easter Day itself on Sunday. The breaking of the bread

and wine tonight, and everybody has to leave in silence. That is what

happens in the Bible. They go to Gethsemane and Jesus prays. We tried

to resemble that, because that is what our Lord did on that night.

That will happen very soon. Elsewhere, there are a view ideas if

you are looking to do something. At Tavistock, the Passion play is

taking place on Good Friday morning, a dramatic open-air retelling of the

Easter story. There is a new tonic for Easter stress in Torquay.

In Somerset, lavender and coal are opening their field.

You sure I cannot sing? OK. I am sure Victoria is off to the

festival by now! festival

so rude! He knows you so well!

Now, aside from it being the most-important festival

in the Christian calendar, for most of us Easter also

means eggs, of the large chocolate variety.

Yes, but on the edge of Exmoor in Dulverton,

something else is fast becoming an Easter tradition.

Dulverton library, home once a month to the knit and meta group, and they

do both well. In the run-up to Easter, docks of their delight. It

involves knitting a straightforward little neck piece and head, then

there are wings and a beak. And a pocket. And a baby. If you are

Rosemary, feet as well. They started knitting Easter ducks four years ago

and have a different design each year. This year, they have a cheque

in the pocket, we take the chick out of the pocket and we popped a little

Easter egg in. Ready to go to its new home. I wondered how much the

ducks are. They are sold in the thrift shop to help raise money for

the town hall. I will have this one. So far, so straightforward. But

then, something crackers happened. They have been travelling the world,

amazing places, and they have been sending postcards, which we have

here on display. From Cambodia, South America, Venice, and so on.

The volunteers who also run this shop have been delighted. Hello,

thrift shop... Christmas 2016 was quite a cold

one... The Christmas market was just across the river? We have had a

wonderful trip to Vietnam. We started in Hanoi... So many

motorbikes! Alex Hales continue and have brought us to Malaysia. She

thought it was hilarious to bury me in the sand. It is fantastic, such

good fun. We have been so interested, following their

progress, and they are kind enough to send us postcards, so we enjoy

reading about them. We are delighted with their stories. They now have

their own Facebook page, where their ventures can be followed by

everyone. Easter is their birthday, and they are keeping tight beat

about any surprise travel plans, but promised to keep sending postcards

back to the place they were born. And tonight we'd like to

welcome the knitted chicks Following in the footsteps

of our Christmas knitted robins, Brenda and John Joynes sent us

these from Somerset. They're being knitted

for the League of Friends shop at Yeovil District Hospital,

where they've already Like the ducks, they are well

travelled, with apparently two There is some good news, because the

weather looks like it will be promising for the Easter weekend. If

you need rain, there is not a great deal in the forecast at the moment.

There might be a few showers, but for the next three or four days

there is dry weather to be had. Tomorrow will be rather cloudy. The

risk of patchy rain later, but it is light. There will not be a huge

amount. It is also quite breezy, the wind picking up from the West,

Northwest. The high pressure is close enough to keep a lot of these

weather fronts to the North. The cloud associated with them will come

across us, but there is not much left by the time it gets to us.

Eventually, they will bring some light and intermittent rain. Gone by

Saturday. The same area of high pressure just about holes therefore

Easter day. Even though the weather fronts try to come in from the

north. It will not get to us, really. Even by Monday, even though

there is a risk of showers, still a lot of usable weather. We have had

some sunshine today, not everywhere. This was earlier today. We got some

good shots of people out enjoying some reasonable weather, and trying

to gather sheep. Very busy for our sheep farmers. And now into

Plymouth. A lot of clout in the sky today, but it has not spoil the day.

If we were really fussy about the weather, you will need to wrap up

warm, it will not be overly warm. But if the sun comes out just for an

hour or so, it will help lift the temperatures. This cloud will begin

through the night. Still clear skies at times in places, so in a few

shots, sheltered parts of East Devon, Somerset and Dorset, we could

see four or 5 degrees. Tomorrow, the cloud will come and go. Eventually

it. To produce showers of rain across the northern half of our

region. A bit more of a breeze. Bright to

start with on the Isles of Scilly, then cloudier. If you are heading to

high water. Some usable surf. A bit high water. Some usable surf. A bit

choppy on the north Coast, though. Saturday starts a bit cloudy, but it

should brighten up. Fine weather on Sunday, a small chance of a shower.

We hold onto the bright with for Monday.

Well, the choir from Truro Cathedral are now going to play us out

with a song specially written for Maundy Thursday,

Have a lovely Easter. Good night.

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