It Never Rains But It Pours

17:47 Monday 4th March 2013
Drive BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

[C]HRIS MANN: The Environment Agency is urging the Government to do more to prepare for extreme weather, in the wake of figures showing there was flooding in one day of every five in 2012, but also drought in one day in every four. Lord Smith is warning that Britain needs to prepare and adapt to avoid flooding and drought disrupting daily life. He says better protection is needed for homes and businesses. The report highlights how rivers such as the Ouse, the Tyne and Tone went from their lowest to their highest levels since records began, in the space of just four months. Craig Woolhouse is from the Environment Agency. (TAPE)
CRAIG WOOLHOUSE: Well we saw last year that total contrast between drought in the first three months, when many people had restrictions on their water use, through to over 8,000 homes being flooded through a sequence of flood events in the last nine months of the year, right across England and Wales. So a real contrast, and almost half last year were either drought or flood. So if that’s the future model that we’ve got to think about, then we’ve got to prepare better to cope with those variations in our climate, and be ready to live with that. We can build flood defences to help protect homes and businesses, protect agricultural land, and we can provide storage reservoirs so we’ve got enough water during drought. But I think it’s going to take all of us to shift our thinking to cope with the changing climate over the next ten, twenty, thirty years.
CHRIS MANN: Well the Environment Agency, you in fact, are tasked with preparing us and looking after us when these things happen. As you said there was flooding but there was also drought. Were you taken unawares by what was coming up?
CRAIG WOOLHOUSE: I think everyone has been surprised by the real shift from drought to flood last year. It’s something we haven’t experienced in the last hundred years of record. It has been quite unprecedented, that shift from very low flows in rivers to very high flows, some of the highest on record, some of the lowest on record. So that has been a surprise. I think the floods, we’ve seen 8,000 homes flooded, but we’ve also had the benefit of the 200,000 homes protected through the flood defences we’ve built. (LIVE)
CHRIS MANN: Craig Woolhouse there, from the Environment Agency.
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Immunis – Peterborough’s Zombie Apocalypse

07:50 Monday 4th March 2013
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: Now picture the scene. Zombies have taken over the planet, and very important landmarks and people in Peterborough are under attack. Well that’s the premise behind a new web comic called Immunis. It’s seeking funding. It’s been dreamt up by two people from Peterborough, Anthony Ashley and Sean Reidy. Morning chaps. So you’ve been dreaming about zombies.
CREATOR: Constantly.
PAUL STAINTON: And you’ve written it all down into a comic, but you need some cash.
CREATOR: Yes we do. We’re looking to raise money to kickstart it, if you like.
PAUL STAINTON: So tell us all about it. Tell us what happens. Tell us what’s going on in this comic. Continue reading “Immunis – Peterborough’s Zombie Apocalypse”

2015 A War Of Words

08:38 Friday 1st March 2013
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

[P]AUL STAINTON: So, the LibDems are cock-a-hoop this morning after holding on to Eastleigh in Hampshire in the Parliamentary by-election, caused of course by that resignation of former Cabinet Member Chris Huhne. Mike Thornton retained the seat with a much reduced majority, whilst their Coalition partners the Tories were pushed into third place by the rise of Ukip, who recorded their best ever Westminster result, made in Ramsey of course, master minded by Lisa Duffy. Labour finished an incredibly distant fourth. Well the LibDem’s Leader Simon Hughes was a relieved man. (TAPE)
SIMON HUGHES: I’m very pleased as well as relieved of course. We worked well. We didn’t squeak in by 50 votes or 500 votes. It was a majority of nearly 2,000. Mike was an excellent candidate. He had a credibility locally to fight a good campaign. It was a consolation that, in government, this was the first time since we’ve been in the Government, we defended one of our seats. (LIVE)
PAUL STAINTON: Well, victory for the LibDems, but Ukip are claiming the moral victory, annd Ramsey councillor Peter Reeve hailed the result as a huge step forward for the Party. (TAPE)
PETER REEVE: Before, Ukip was very much seen as a party against the EU. But people are actually paying attention to what we’re saying. The media’s giving the coverage to what we’re saying. And I think when people look at us and actually get a chance to really appreciate what it is that Ukip are saying, they suddenly realise that, oh my goodness, there’s a party saying exactly what I think. (LIVE)
PAUL STAINTON: Well as I mentioned, Labour finished a very distant fourth, a result they say is “impressive” considering their previous results in that constituency. So is this just a protest vote, or is it a defining moment in UK politics? Have people had enough of the status quo, and are beginning, like they are in Italy, to look for alternatives? Let’s speak to Stewart Jackson, the Conservative MP for Peterborough. Are you worried this morning Stewart? Continue reading “2015 A War Of Words”

Another Financial Disaster For Peterborough Council

07:20 Wednesday 27th February 2013
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

[P]AUL STAINTON: City Council officials have admitted that the solar panel project on the old Freemans building in Peterborough isn’t working, and the Council still doesn’t know what’s wrong with it. Peterborough City Council borrowed just under a million pounds so they could fit these panels on the former factory in Westwood Peterborough, but the panels have never actually worked, since being installed, and the Council chiefs have been unable to say when it will be fixed. Well Johnny D. is at the site of the building this morning. Continue reading “Another Financial Disaster For Peterborough Council”

Energy Plans Could Bankrupt Peterborough

08:07 Tuesday 26th February 2013
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

[P]AUL STAINTON: Delays in getting approval to build a renewable energy plant in Peterborough could undermine the whole of the City Council’s budget for next year. Plans to build one of the biggest solar and wind energy parks in Europe have been delayed because of an anomaly found during a land survey at Newborough Farm, just north of the city. The Council hope the project will make over £100 million over the next 25 years, but the findings on Newborough Farm, and a further delay on the survey on America Farm, have delayed the whole project, which could derail the Council’s budget. Mike Goodliffe is one of the tenant farmers who could lose land if the plans are approved. He said it’s common knowledge the land has artefacts buried under it. Continue reading “Energy Plans Could Bankrupt Peterborough”

Careless Whisper

07:40 and 08:20 Monday 25th February 2013
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

[P]AUL STAINTON: We’ve also been talking about housing this morning as well, and asking whether the housing boom is back on, at least a little mini resurgence. That’s after estate agents said that sales were up massively. Mark’s called in. Morning Mark.
MARK: Morning Paul. You alright?
PAUL STAINTON: I’m alright. We’re asking this morning is it easier to buy a house now? What’s your experience? Continue reading “Careless Whisper”

BBC Sly Dig At UKIP Candidate In Eastleigh

17:55 Thursday 21st February 2013
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[C]HRIS MANN: It’s the last week of campaigning in one of the most closely watched by-elections for years. David Cameron has been in the Hampshire town of Eastleigh, which will be electioning a new MP, after the Liberal Democrat Chris Huhne admitted lying about a speeding offence. He’s just one in a long line of senior politicians who’ve descended on the town to try and win votes. David Howard reports. Continue reading “BBC Sly Dig At UKIP Candidate In Eastleigh”

Peterborough For Sale

08:16 Monday 18th February 2013
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

(MUSIC: ANY OLD IRON)

PAUL STAINTON: If you live in the North of the county you might have to start learning Cockney. Bridge Street, wreck your feet says David Bailey. Grin and bear, Cathedral; Square says Catherine. It’s always closed – it’s the bish bash bosh, the Whittlesea Wash. You get the idea, a bit of Cockney. Well Peterborough’s MP has slammed plans that would allow a London borough to build houses in Peterborough. The City Council is in talks with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The idea is that it might help young Londoners get on the housing ladder. Marco Cereste joins us now. Morning.
MARCO CERESTE: Hello Paul.. How are you?
PAUL STAINTON: I’m .. I’m fine.
MARCO CERESTE: Good. Continue reading “Peterborough For Sale”