BBC Local Live: Stoke & Staffordshire on Friday 19 August 2016

Summary

Nic Cruwys attack: Five change plea in Watford football fan trial
Teenagers force train into emergency stop after standing on level crossing
V Festival organiser confident of putting on a show
Updates from Friday 19 August

Live Reporting

Allen Cook

Shock at Cheadle Hospital closing 47 bedspublished at 10:52 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
James Bovill
Staffordshire Political Reporter, BBC News
Politicians have told BBC Radio Stoke they're shocked by news that two wards at Cheadle Hospital are to close with the loss of 47 beds.
Image source, Google
They're mainly used by patients recovering from an operation, but North Staffordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) say they want to treat them at home instead.
The CCG said staff would be redeployed elsewhere but there were no plans to close the hospital.
A former mayor of the town told BBC Radio Stoke he's appalled by the news.
Quote Message
What is a hospital without beds at the end of the day? What does it become in real terms? Is it going to be a viable proposition for the small services that are being discussed? I just do not understand it."
Ron Locker, Cheadle Town Councillor and former mayor
Rio 2016: Jazmin Sawyers proud and disappointed over eighth placepublished at 10:38 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
Stoke-on-Trent long jumper Jazmin Sawyers has tweeted her reaction this morning to coming eighth in the final of her event at Rio 2016.
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Wide load warning for drivers in Staffordshirepublished at 10:21 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
A wide load's heading through Staffordshire today from Congleton, Cheshire to Stafford, police say.
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Latest: Joe Clarke homecoming announced; students get A-Level results; Jazmin Sawyers eighth in long jumppublished at 10:03 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
Lee Blakeman
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
This morning's headlines for Staffordshire and Cheshire include:
- It's been revealed this morning on BBC Radio Stoke that Stone will host a homecoming celebration for local gold-winning kayaker Joe Clarke on August Bank Holiday Monday
- Thousands of students in Staffordshire and Cheshire are getting their A-level results today
- Stoke-on-Trent's Jazmin Sawyers missed out on a medal at the Rio Olympics overnight as she finished eighth in the women's long jump final
Thousands of students getting A-level resultspublished at 09:46 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
John Acres
BBC Radio Stoke
Thousands of students in Staffordshire and Cheshire are getting their A-level results today.
A special hotline has already been taking calls, external from people worried about their results at Staffordshire University.
Dozens of teachers and existing students are giving advice until Friday night.
Last year, a third of 18-year-olds in the West Midlands applied for a university place, with applications from women still outstripping men.
‘Mischievous’ mum-of-three’s final message to pals - announcing her own deathpublished at 09:29 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
The Sentinel
A mother-of-three with a wicked sense of humour stunned family and friends by writing her own tongue-in-cheek obituary., external
Image source, The Sentinel
Rio 2016: Jazmin Sawyers comes eighth in long jump finalpublished at 09:11 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
BBC Sport
Stoke-on-Trent's Jazmin Sawyers missed out on a medal at the Rio Olympics overnight as she finished eighth in the women's long jump final.
She had a best jump of 6.69m - USA's Tianna Bartoletta took gold with a lifetime best of 7.17m.
Quote Message
I am disappointed. I usually thrive in these environments but it did not happen tonight. It was a solid performance but I feel I am capable of more than that. I am a bit gutted but really proud of myself. I have years, I am 22. I don't feel this is the end for me."
Jazmin Sawyers, Stoke-on-Trent long jumper
Official homecoming announced for Olympic gold winner Joe Clarkepublished at 08:57 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
Pete Morgan
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke
It's been revealed this morning on BBC Radio Stoke that Stone will host a homecoming celebration for local gold-winning kayaker Joe Clarke on August Bank Holiday Monday.
The 23-year-old British number one from Staffordshire snatched gold last week in the kayak K1 at Rio 2016.
This morning, the chair of Stone Town Council, external, Jill Hood, announced that BBC Radio Stoke will host the celebration from Westbridge Park on 29 August.
Among the plans are for Joe Clarke to be carried aloft in his kayak by members of Stafford and Stone Canoe Club, which they say is a tradition of the club - the full town council will vote on the proposals on Tuesday.
News: Homecoming celebration announced for Joe Clarke; shock at shutting hospital beds; A-level results due outpublished at 08:41 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
Lee Blakeman
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
A few of the stories we're looking at this morning:
- It's been revealed Stone will host a homecoming celebration for local gold-winning kayaker Joe Clarke on August's Bank Holiday Monday
- Politicians say they're shocked by news that two wards at Cheadle Hospital are to close with the loss of 47 beds
- Thousands of students in Staffordshire and Cheshire are getting their A-level results today
Watch: Stoke and Staffordshire's weather for this morningpublished at 08:23 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
Alexandra Hamilton
BBC Weather
Here's your morning weather forecast for the area - if you want the latest details at another time, head to the BBC Weather website.
Media caption,
The weather for the West Midlands.
Travel: A38 southbound congested near Burtonpublished at 08:10 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
BBC Travel
If you're heading southbound on the A38 near Burton there is slow traffic in Branston at the Branston Interchange.
Good morning - join us for today's live coverage for Staffordshire and Cheshirepublished at 08:00 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Hello everyone, afraid the weather looks to be on the turn after a couple of mornings of blue skies - it was overcast over The Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent at 07:30.
We'll let you know how the rest of the day's weather is looking shortly and there'll be news, sport, travel and other updates through today.
That'll also include more of your photos of Staffordshire and Cheshire - so keep them coming in on email, Twitter, external and Instagram, external.
Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 17 August 2016
We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 tomorrow, but keep an eye out here for more updates this evening and into the morning.
On Midlands Today from 18:30: Court action threat over business 'tax'published at 17:58 British Summer Time 17 August 2016
Sian Grzeszczyk
Staffordshire Reporter, BBC Midlands Today
More this evening on Midlands Today on the news that nearly 200 shop owners are facing court summons after failing to pay into Newcastle-under-Lyme's business improvement scheme.
The Business Improvement District - or BID as it's known - is meant to promote the town centre and is funded by charging traders a levy on top of their business rates.
But not all support it - in one example Craig Woodward, who runs a restaurant in the town, says: "A lot of businesses are struggling in Newcastle and it's just like another extra charge."
Newcastle's not the only area to have such a scheme across the Midlands and I'll be looking at whether firms think they're worth the money on BBC One from 18:30.
In photos: Lichfield Cathedral from the airpublished at 17:53 British Summer Time 17 August 2016
Here's a view of Lichfield Cathedral you don't often see - Midlands Air Ambulance tweeted these photos of the site from one of their helicopters.
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Baseball bat used in attempted burglarypublished at 17:48 British Summer Time 17 August 2016
Lee Blakeman
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Two men have forced their way into a house in Stafford, armed with a baseball bat, and , externaldemanded money.
Image source, Google
It was on Corporation Street last night, Staffordshire Police say, adding that the occupier of the home stopped them entering the living room.
The force says both men then left the house - they say no-one was hurt in the attempted burglary.
Biker hurt in crash now 'stable'published at 17:39 British Summer Time 17 August 2016
BBC Radio Stoke
A motorbike who was hurt in a crash with a car in Featherstone, Staffordshire this morning is now in a serious but stable condition in hospital, external, according to police.
Staffordshire Police say the 37-year-old woman from Bilston had serious lower leg injuries after the collision at the junction of New Road and Baneberry Drive.
Football: Stoke look to strengthen defence after Wilson transferpublished at 17:33 British Summer Time 17 August 2016
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
A new central defender could be on the way to Stoke City, according to assistant manager Mark Bowen.
Image source, Getty Images
It's after Marc Wilson left for Bournemouth on Monday and Bowen says boosting their back four is a priority.
Quote Message
We're a bit light in that area now so I think it is an ongoing sort of pursuit of trying to strengthen the squad and the starting 11."
Mark Bowen, Stoke City assistant manager
Your pictures: Military weekend and Stoke-on-Trent sunsetpublished at 17:28 British Summer Time 17 August 2016
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Colin Jones shared this picture he took at the Cannock Chase Military History Weekend which took place just a few days ago.
Image source, Colin Jones
While this was taken last night of the sunset over Stoke-on-Trent by BBC Radio Stoke's Sarah Robertson.
It's always great to see the pictures you take of Staffordshire and Cheshire - keep them coming on email, Twitter, external and Instagram, external.
Image source, Sarah Robertson
Untidy allotment holders are being told to 'clear up or get off'published at 17:23 British Summer Time 17 August 2016
Leek Post and Times
Untidy allotment holders are being told to "clear up or get off". Leek Town Council is cracking down on "untidy" allotment holders across the seven sites which the council looks after in the town., external