LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Good Afternoon and a very 'Happy Christmas Eve-Eve' to one and all.

Can't believe it. All the shopping's done. All the food's in. Just got a bit of wrapping to do now which I'll knock off when I get in later tonight. (And it is later tonight - the late bulletin's on at twenty five past eleven.) And all for one day. Seriously, why do we do it? Because it's fun, that's why. Whether you're with your family, round at your mate's or having a nice quiet one with the best of the year's TV... I hope you have a wonderful time.

That's all to come. There's the small matter of this evening's news programme to negotiate first.

And it starts tonight with pilots attempting to negotiate their way down onto the runway at Heathrow, in the face of the craziest of crazes that has only got worse this year. Increasingly often, pilots have been coming into land only to have a complete idiot firing a laser pen up into the cockpit from the ground. Even the low-powered laser-pens could completely disorientate the pilot, while the more powerful models could damage their eyes permanently. We've been up with the police in their helicopter, taking a look at their clever kit which can spot up exactly where the pens are being shone from.

Now, spare a thought for all those people who had plans to be elsewhere this Christmas. By elsewhere I mean somewhere significantly different to where they are now. Well, you know, people who were going to travel somewhere before the big day (don't know why I didn't say that in the first place) and can't because of the weally wintery weather we've been having. I'm still struggling to believe this but I'm told that earlier in the day the queue at St Pancras station (think Eurostar) stretched for over 2 miles. That's a big queue. Even longer if you're in it with small children.

And then the story of Eileen and Tom Allen from Hampshire whose son Martin disappeared 30 years ago. He was just 15 at the time. They were living in Kensington when he just disappeared. There was a huge police operation at the time, following a possible sighting of Martin with a man on the tube. But after all these years, they still don't know what happened to him. And they want to know. They really want to know.

We'll cover that and we'll also have a report on the crisis centres that are set up every Christmas for the capital's homeless people. We're told 8 thousand volunteers are giving their time and expertise to help people less fortunate than themselves this year. Very laudable - and we all take our hats off to them.

China figures in one of our reports tonight - the story of a man from Kentish Town, Akmal Shaikh who was caught carrying a substantial amount heroin through a Chinese airport. His punishment? The death penalty. In six days' time. The Prime Minister has joined the chorus of people appealing for clemency from the Chinese government, in light of the fact that Mr Sheikh has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder - an extreme form of depression which leaves him suffering from delusions.

We'll also have the final part of our special series looking at Londoners serving on the front line in Afghanistan.

And to play out tonight - something Christmassy...

See you at six,

Ben & Nina

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LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Good Afternoon to you.

And if it is a good afternoon where you are, spare a thought for those who are fighting on the front line in Afghanistan, looking after those on the front line, keeping them fed and watered too. It is a massive operation and it will carry on regardless of Christmas. Well, this week, as we most of thoughts turn to decorations, fancy food and exciting presents, we're going to be shining the spotlight on all those who won't be enjoying the fruits of the festive period with their friends and family. Our reporter Ronke Phillips and one of our cameramen, Mike Field, are in Camp Bastion tonight where they're reporting on some members of the Territorial Army who normally live and work in our part of the world but this Christmas are on duty in a much more hostile part of the world. Keep your fingers crossed as we're then hoping to link one of them up with her colleagues at Brixton Prison.

We'll then have the latest on the woman who was questioned at Southwark police station last week. She organised for someone to come and look after her baby. But the police officers there then gave the little girl to, er, someone else. Someone not known to the family. A stranger in fact. Who then left the police station with her. The good news, the excellent news, is that the baby has been found and she's both safe and well. The bad news is that this happened. The Met are, unsurprisingly, looking into it.

Christmas - and the prospect of a less than jolly one - underpins another of our stories. A number of homeowners over Barnet way have lost their gas supply because of a flood. That's no central heating, not hot water, no cooker. How does a flood cut off your gas? We're trying to find out. The thing is - a lot of these people were given a little electric heater to combat the worst of the cold - but that then shorted their electricity supply too. And Christmas is just four days away now...

Someone who probably personifies the true message of Christmas is The Reverend Simon Boxall. His adopted daughter, Hosie, died when she jumped out of a window in Blackheath after two girls bullied her into it. It was a dreadful story and the two culprits were convicted of manslaughter last month. Most of us in the Reverend's position would struggle to say anything less than scathing about the pair of them but he has publicly forgiven them, because he said, someone has to break the cycle of bitterness. And he and his wife feel it should be them.

We've another story which suggests the spirit of Christmas isn't only something you read about in Dickens' novels.

You may remember we told you about some burglars who broke into a house in Islington recently and stole a TV, computer games and Christmas presents - right in front of a nine year old boy. Bailey Preston has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair, so was powerless to intervene. Well, when we broadcast the story we had a lot of people getting in touch, telling us how appalled they were. And a lot of them did more than that.

Oh, and we've also got some sewer workers singing a Christmas song. In the sewers. Now that's what I call Christmas.

See you at six,

Ben & Nina

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those of Independent Television News Limited unless specifically stated.
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or entity to which they are addressed.
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Please note that to ensure regulatory compliance and for the protection of our clients and business,
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Thank You.

London Tonight Tonight

Hi there.

We've dedicated a large chunk of tonight's programme to the resolution of the court case into the murder of Tulay Goren, the fifteen year old girl from east London who disappeared in 1999. It's a case we've been keeping a close eye on for some months and today her father, Mehmet Goren, was found guilty of her murder at the Old Bailey. His brothers, Cuma and Ali Goren - Tulay's uncles - were found not guilty of murdering her. Tulay was the victim of an 'honour killing' after she had a relationship with a man her father disapproved of. Tonight, as well as a report from Lewis Vaughan Jones who's been following the court case closely, Phil Bayles has an exclusive report from the remote area of Turkey from where the Goren family originally hail. He's been looking at the background of Mehmet Goren and speaking to his family about the traditions, culture and attitudes that may have influenced a father into murdering his teenage daughter in the name of so-called 'honour'. Tulay's body has never been found.

Our second special report comes from Ronke Philips who's been investigating a new unit at Scotland Yard, set up to look into the increasing number of 'honour killings' in the capital. It's already achieved successes, not least in challenging the attitudes of police officers.

Also tonight, the heartbreaking story of yet another family's loss as another soldier dies in Afghanistan. Rifleman James Brown, from Orpington in Kent, was just 18 when he and a comrade died trying to stop bombs going off in a packed marketplace. Rifleman Brown, who had only been in Afghanistan for a matter of days before he was killed, becomes the 30th serviceman from London and the south-east to die in the conflict.

Off the back of that story...will someone explain to me why a petition to give some of our soldiers the freedom of the borough of Epsom has been snubbed by the local council? More on that later.

Matt and Katie.

Weather blog

Good evening,

 

When it comes to the weather I think that for most people in the UK our instinct is to complain & we'll be given plenty of opportunity to do that over the next few days. Topics obviously change with the seasons (a sunless summer/autumn storms/the recent wet weather) & the main theme on the train in to London this morning was the ice in the roads in our neck of the woods.

 

Apparently the roads were pretty treacherous yesterday afternoon & near lethal this morning. I'm guessing that this applies to the more minor roads, because all the local councils have had ample warning of the current cold snap & the gritters should certainly have been out in force. They'll be out again now because the most significant snow of the winter so far will be hitting the south-east later tonight. It may well look like a winter wonderland when we all climb out of our beds tomorrow, but if we're not to have a collective sense of humour loss (something I'm never guilty of....) the roads will need to be passable.

 

Hope to see you later,

 

Robin 

 

London Tonight Tonight

So, it's been snowing.

Not the sort of snow that brought London to a rather embarrassing standstill on 2nd February, giving lots of children (big and small) an excuse to dodge school and work and go snowballing and sledging instead. Alas, anyone hoping to get home this evening and rush straight out for snowballing is going to be sorely disappointed. Still, Mr McCallum tells me there may well be more to come tomorrow. As I speak, Robin is gathering his coat and scarf, ready to head off to Leyton to bring us the weather and a word or two on the gritters ready to hit the roads tonight.

So, that's Robin's duties laid out.

Our top story tonight (Murray Dron on duty) is Peter Tobin's conviction - found guilty today of murdering Dinah McNichol, from Tillingham in Essex. He was already in prison for murdering two other women, one of whom was found buried beside Dinah at his former house in Margate. Police are now relaunching 'Operation Anagram' which was investigating whether Tobin has many more victims to his name.

Piers Hopkirk has been working on the story of the RAF Nimrod that crashed in Afghanistan in 2006. The Government apologised for "failings" today to the families of 14 people who died. How would you feel if an official report into such a catastrophe ruled that it was an "avoidable accident"?

Sharon Thomas will bring us the background to an extraordinary statistic. It's been reported that one in five London drivers have been involved in an accident where some idiot has dropped something from a bridge onto a car passing below. She's been speaking to the partner of a lorry driver who died after it happened to him on the M3.

There was a crash in Battersea today - involving a lorry and a bus, a double-decker bus, that is - which ended up on its side. More than 20 people were injured so we sent Lewis Vaughan Jones down to get the full story.

Marcus Powell's brief is to bring us the low-down on one of those stories which turn your stomach. A grandmother who's going blind and who was fleeced by a conman of her life savings. About a million pounds' worth. Police reckon the man who took it all is somewhere in the south of France.

Carolyn Sim has been to Gatwick today to see someone sing - and she's just assured me that the Dagenham Diva (aka Stacey Solomon) can sing really rather well. She was promoting an internet competition to see who's the best at karaoke. From the X-factor to Karaoke in less than two weeks. There's fame for you. I'm kidding. She's getting paid to do it. I'd love to get paid to sing. I wouldn't bet on it.

And from the X-Factor to the 'aaah-factor'. Liz Wickham has been meeting three triplets who were born three months prematurely. All are now thriving thanks to the wonder team at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. And their parents have said thank you. By raising a quarter of a million pounds for the baby unit. There won't be a dry eye in the house. Or is that hospital.

See you at six,

Ben & Lucy

PS: By the way, our job is to keep things together. And interview the man who made "I don't believe it" a national catchphrase.

Weather blog

Good evening,

 

Snow's great. Especially at this point in December. As those of us who are perenially disorganised begin the panic of present buying, filled with self hatred at not having learnt from previous experience & resenting the fact that there are other people on the pavements too, it provides a welcome glimpse into how Christmas should look according to the cards & the movies. The practical horrors of last minute shopping are anaesthetised by soft white flakes falling from the sky & the frosted landscape demands that we take a moment to appreciate the magical transformation.

 

Then, of course, reality kicks in & the practicalities of getting to & from work/school/etc. overshadow everything else & the magic becomes tarnished at roughly the same pace as the snow turns grey & slushy. But then each time there is a fresh fall, our spirits are raised again & the cycle cranks into action one more time.

 

This will be the pattern over the next few days as the cold cuts, the frost bites & the snow flurries. Enjoy.

 

Hope to see you later,

 

Robin 

 

London Tonight Tonight

Good afternoon all.

First, tonight: police who say they broke up an Al-Qaida terrorism cell after catching a man filming on the Underground have released footage he took on his mobile phone. It follows a story Marcus covered for us last week about complaints police are using anti-terrorism laws to stop people taking photographs in London. So, with the police saying they may have averted a major atrocity - where do you stand now on just how far the police should be able to go? Marcus has the story for us.

Next, a man found guilty of a violent attack on a gay couple in their home in south east London back in March is facing life in jail tonight. Gerald Edwards was killed while his partner, Chris Bevan, only survived after having his heart massaged as he lay on the blood-covered floor of his flat. He was left with "catastrophic injuries" and police have commended his bravery in giving evidence by video-link to help bring 46 year old David Kilcullen to justice. Chris talks to us about the attack and the devastation of losing his partner of 18 years.

Also, as the World's leaders meet in Copenhagen to discuss climate change, Boris Johnson told delegates at the summit of his plans to make London the greenest city in Europe. And, as Boris rubbed shoulders with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the 'Johnsonator' also claimed that Londoners would soon all live within a mile of a charging point for an electric car...More power to him...

Elsewhere...the head teacher who suspended 300 children when he took charge of a failing Dagenham school has been knighted after turning it around and speculation about the future ownership of West Ham United continues following a bid by former Birmingham City owners, Davids Sullivan and Gold.

And, Lucy's been to meet former 'Sex Pistols' frontman, John Lydon, as he prepares to tour with the reformed 'Public Image Limited'. One of those interviews you might be a bit nervous about beforehand, but Lucy says he was totally charming, or utterly butterly wouldn't melt, perhaps? Sorry about the jokes, I can't believe they're not better...!

See you at Six

Matt and Lucy

Weather blog

Good evening,

 

Our local golf club is under new management. It's recently had a multi-million pound makeover to include an upgrade of all the sporting facilities, a rebrand & a new chef.

 

Of course there are, despite all these improvements, rumblings of discontent from the old guard who have a rather more traditional approach to the golf club concept. Interestingly, they are not unhappy about the inclusion of pilates classes or the new juice bar, it's the fact that there is now an army of high chairs in the dining room heralding a move away from the old gentleman's club atmosphere towards 'family dining'.

 

I do understand this resisitance to change, after all none of us adjusts easily, but in their shoes I would be much more troubled by the bold new sign at the entrance gates which proudly declares 'Sunday lunches; now being served every Sunday.'

 

There's a good chance play will be interrupted over the next few days because snow is on the way. Any time from tomorrow lunchtime onwards. Perhaps the dining room -despite the high chairs- will provide the ideal refuge.

 

See you later,

 

Robin 

 

LONDON TONIGHT

Afternoon all.

Not sure about you, but I'm starting to feel increasingly Christmassy. I spent last night cooking some stuff to put in the freezer ready for a family do on Boxing Day and stirred away happily, humming along to some classic Christmas tunes. What's your favourite? A bit of Chris Rea, 'Driving Home for Christmas'? 'Stop the Cavalry' by Jona Lewie? What about the Pogues and Kirsty Maccoll, 'A Fairty Tale of New York'? Classics! Actually, I think I'm the only person I know who'll even admit to liking 'Mistletoe and Wine'. At least Cliff was actually singing about Christmas.

Not for you? How about something more recent? What about last year's Christmas number one by Alexandra Burke? Or the year before when Leon Jackson was at the top of the charts? 2006? Leona Lewis. 2005 - Shane Ward. You get the idea. The Christmas chart is now almost certain to be topped by wheover wins the X-Factor and it's a source of severe irritation to many. When I was growing up, waiting to hear who had the Christmas number one was as much a part of the festive traditions as paper crowns, forgetting the batteries and numerous failed attempts to light the Christmas pudding (tip - light a ladle full of brandy before pouring over the pud, thus minimising the chances of setting fire to the table cloth.)

Now, every few days recently, my feelings of festiveness have been enhanced by my walk past a new ice sculpture at St. Pancras station on the way home. So far, I've taken snaps on my phone to show the kids of a massive Christmas tree and a glistening Big Ben. Really impressive. But, what do you think the latest offering is? A huge present? Carol singers? Father Christmas? The Nativity scene? No...it's a life size sculpture of the X-Factor judges - adding further fuel to speculation that Simon Cowell won't rest until he's given a live television address every Christmas afternoon and children write to him with their wish-lists instead of Father Christmas.

Actually, that's a bit unfair. A quick look at the Christmas number ones over the past 60 years show everything from Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' in 1975, to Pink Floyd's, 'Another Brick in The Wall' in 1979 and 'Return to Sender' by Elvis Presley in 1962, which, unless it was written by a disgruntled child about his present from Santa, isn't a Christmas record either? The X-Factor might be stopping other songs getting to number one at Christmas, but it isn't stopping anyone else releasing them. There's no shame in making the top ten!

So...while a sculpture of the judges is a little random, I'll grant you, I'm going to go with it. Partly because I love the show and can't wait for this weekend's final (how often do you get a programme you can sit with your seven year-old daughter and both enjoy watching?), partly because it's really impressive, and partly because we've sent Chrissie down to take a closer look and possibly try her hand a doing a sculpture of her own. Goodness knows what will greet me on the way home tonight!

See you later

Matt and Nina.
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Any views or opinions are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent
those of Independent Television News Limited unless specifically stated.
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Thank You.

LONDON TONIGHT

Hi there,

Really busy afternoon so today's blog will be delivered in the style of the famous Andre Previn (or rather, 'Andrew Preview') sketch from the classic 1971 Morecambe and Wise Christmas special. If you havn't seen it, YouTube it, it's a classic.

On the programme tonight...

1. Rupert Everett and Colin Firth join Lucy on the red carpet at the premiere of 'St Trinian's 2'.
2. Robin has the weather.
3. Warnings that 144 ticket offices on the Tube network could be shut, costing 12 hundred jobs.
4. A man from East London found guilty of conspiracy to murder after he plotted to blow up planes mid air.
5. Police using anti-terrorism laws to stop innocent photographers from taking pictures in the capital.
6. And a new West End show to celebrate the life of the one and only Eric Morecambe.

There you go...all the right stories, not necessarily in the right order. "More tea Ern? Ho Ho!"

See you at Six

Matt and Nina
Please Note:

Any views or opinions are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent
those of Independent Television News Limited unless specifically stated.
This email and any files attached are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual
or entity to which they are addressed.
If you have received this email in error, please notify postmaster@itn.co.uk

Please note that to ensure regulatory compliance and for the protection of our clients and business,
we may monitor and read messages sent to and from our systems.

Thank You.

London Tonight Tonight

Good afternoon,

What do a cat, some squirrels and Elton John's trousers have in common? They all feature on tonight's programme, of course (I could feel the company lawyers hovering over the panic button as they read that sentence). Before all that though, on the show tonight: the debate over a third runway at Heathrow rumbles on with campaigners challenging a report by environmentalists that says it wouldn't necessarily compromise long term UK emissions targets. Also, a London woman convicted of drugs smuggling in Laos has begun her appeal. And the independent review into the death of Baby P has found that the clinic where he was seen just two days before he died was understaffed at the time.

Also...after the immortal phrase on last night's programme, 'Tests show the Mr. Squiggles Go-Go Hamster may have toxic fur.' Tonight we have a story about a woman whose house has been over-run by squirrels...real ones. Actually, it really isn't a laughing matter for Sandra Munoz from Clapham, who's had to redecorate from top to bottom.

We're heavy on the entertainment tonight too. First up, Yusuf Islam -- previously known as Cat Stevens -- is playing the Royal Albert Hall later as part of his first tour for over 30 years. In the early 70s, Cat Stevens was an international superstar following hits like 'Wild World', 'Moon Shadow' and 'Father and Son' (It wasn't a Boyzone original!). In 1977, at the height of his fame, he converted to Islam after nearly drowning and later auctioned off all his guitars for charity. Now, Yusuf Islam is back on stage here in his home town, performing new material as well as some old classics.

Pop Trivia fact number 1 for you: In 1965, Cat Stevens wrote, 'The First Cut is the Deepest', but sold it to P.P. Arnold for £30 who went on to have a massive hit with it in 1967. Since then it's been covered by everyone from Rod Stewart to Leona Lewis.

Pop Trivia fact number 2: Cat Stevens was due to make his stage re-appearance at Live Aid in 1985 but was bumped from the line-up at the last minute because the concert was over-running (Elton John's fault, apparently?)

Talking of Elton, he's on the show tonight too. Well some of his trousers are, a few shirts, no doubt, some platform shoes and the odd pair of huge specs. A load of classic clothes from the largest wardrobe in music goes under the hammer for charity in what's surely the most flamboyant jumble sale in pop history. We sent Glen down to have a good old rummage through. Well, he's roughly the right size and if the cap fits...!

See you at Six.

Matt and Katie

Weather blog

 

Good evening,

 

I have a new 7 - day travel card (I've loaned the ITN limo that's usually assigned to me to Katie who says it's halved her journey time from the Pound Shop where she's sourcing all her Christmas gifts to the newsroom) but it doesn't work. Despite having a full 6 days still to run it won't open any automated barriers. As such I'm dependent on the kindness of strangers to operate the barriers manually. Some are delightful, some not. Some make me wait while they finish a conversation, some swing into action at once.

 

Inevitably it's all a test of my patience, not helped by the fact that I'm frequently made to feel as if I'm attempting to travel illegally, so I've decided to embrace the challenge. From now on I will approach my journeys as research into how helpful staff are at stations & once the results are analysed & collated I will pass on my findings to you. They'll probably bring you more joy than the weather, although having said that from Thursday onwards things are starting to settle down quite nicely. It'll be drier & brighter, but colder.

 

Hope to see you later,

 

Robin.

 

London Tonight Tonight

Nightmare start to the week. Someone drove into a railway bridge somewhere near Luton and travel chaos ensued. I got into the office about an hour and a half later than usual so brevity is the key to today's blog. Luckily, all the bosses were in a planning meeting when I skulked in, so I think I got away with it by sitting down and starting to type purposfully... until confessing all on the blog, of course.

Most of you will recognise the desperation of a nightmare train journey and if you use the Jubilee Line regularly, you might want to sit down before you read the next bit: We've reported many times on the delays to improvement work as well as the millions of pounds in overspend. But now, Tube Lines - the company responsible for the work - says it needs more time to finish the job. And apparently that means the line could be shut for a further jaw-dropping 28 weekends?! Boris Johnson's not happy and there's a bit of water to un-muddy about whose fault it is. All, we hope, will become clear later.

In our top story tonight, Marcus Powell speaks to the family of murdered student Meredith Kercher. Marcus was in Perugia as the trial reached its conclusion at the weekend. Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito were found guilty of murder but Meredith's family, now back home in Coulsdon in Surrey, have been talking about the life sentences they were served with when Meredith was taken from them two years ago.
We'll also hear from the family of 16 year old Ben Hitchcock who was stabbed to death in south London. It's still an unsolved murder and his family are renewing calls for help to catch his killer.

Also tonight...chess. It's coming back into fashion apparently. Remember the good old days when international chess was an east meets west Cold War affair? I remember watching chess live on telly in the 80's - how dull must that have been? This story sparked a bit of a discussion in the afternoon meeting as to how many movies have featured chess scenes. 'From Russia With Love' is the obvious one. They play a kind of chess game with holographic monsters in 'Star Wars', not sure if that counts? The best piece of instant recall though came from Paul, the boss, who remembered that 'The Grim Reaper' plays chess with a knight in 'Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey'. That's the level of our afternoon meetings, just so that you know...

See you at Six.

Matt and Katie

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

So everyone - it's Friday.

How on earth did that happen? Seriously, it doesn't seem five minutes that I was desperately trying to get to sleep last Sunday night because the Monday morning alarm clock was set to go off at 4.30am... in time for me to see a rather large Christmas tree roll into Trafalgar Square.

If you watched last night, you'll have seen 540 little bulbs go on - lighting up 68 feet of Norwegian Spruce in all its glory. If you didn't, get yourself down there for a look. It's splendid. Be quick though - if time keeps racing past like it has this week, we'll be taking it down before you can say "But I don't like brussel sprouts".

Now, today's programme's Christmas offering comes in the form of two rap stars who are performing at the Jingle Bell Ball at the 02 this weekend. Tynchey Stryder and Chipmunk. I've yet to find out if we'll call him Mr Munk, or if he'll let us call him Chip. They are both giants in the world of rap music and we're looking forward to having a chat.

The other slice of showbiz - while we're on the subject - is served up in the form of a report on a young girl called 'Stacey'... Cue uncontrollable screaming and applause for one of the four acts still standing in this year's X-Factor songfest. This weekend, four go down to three. Stacey's a Dagenham girl and we've been back to her roots.

Two parents from Walton on Thames drove up to Heathrow today to meet their son, flying back from a rather unexpected trip to Iran. Ollie Smith was the skipper on the boat which drifted into Iranian waters, landing all 5 of the crew members in an Iranian prison. They're all out now - much to their relief of their families who went to meet them at Heathrow.

What else? What else?

Well, we'll have a look round the Thamesmead estate in East London was hailed as THE place to live back in the 60s and 70s. A number of documentaries have been made about the place, charting life on the estate over the years and a doco is about to released. We've been talking to the man behind it and to one of the residents who featured in the very first film made all those decades ago.

A bit topsy-turvy this - but our programme begins in Perugia, where the jury has gone out to decide if Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito murdered Surrey student Meredith Kercher. It's been a long trial and there's a lot of evidence to consider.

And the story we'd like you to share your opinions this evening on is Islington Council's decision to reduce the speed limit on nearly all its residential roads to 20 mph. Good idea? Watch our report and then let us know what you think.

So - lots of us to work on, so I'd better do my bit.

See you at six,

Ben & Nina

Please Note:

Any views or opinions are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent
those of Independent Television News Limited unless specifically stated.
This email and any files attached are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual
or entity to which they are addressed.
If you have received this email in error, please notify postmaster@itn.co.uk

Please note that to ensure regulatory compliance and for the protection of our clients and business,
we may monitor and read messages sent to and from our systems.

Thank You.

London Tonight Tonight

Hiya,

First up tonight, three of our councils have been named, shamed and ordered to improve their care homes. Southwark, Bromley and Surrey are among the lowest-ranking councils in England according to the Care Quality Commission. Elsewhere in London, the picture is much better, but one council criticised has hit back at what it calls a 'seriously flawed' report. Emma Walden will try to get to the bottom of it for us.

Also tonight: News of a worrying trend in burglaries and hope for the family of a man left with severe brain damage after an attack in Crete, as they fight for justice. And a stark warning from a fire safety expert that home improvements could be putting us at risk.

Now, when is the right time to put up the Christmas tree? Too early and it's drooping by mid-December, too late and you fail to maximise the festive feeling. I'm not in tomorrow and the afternoon is set aside for buying and decorating the tree. Do you go for real or artificial? If you do go fake, do you buy green, silver, red or even black? There are some weird and wonderful trees out there. I saw an upside down one in a shop the other day, with the pointy end at the bottom. What on earth is that all about? Supposed to be artistic, no doubt? One colleague, who shall remain nameless, has bought a white tree with no needles on it? Surely that's just a painted stick? What is wrong with good, old-fashioned tradition?

The tree at Trafalgar Square, which we showed you hoisted into position (the right way up) earlier in the week, is now fully decorated and ready to be switched on. Ben Scotchbrook has been to Norway to follow the tree's journey to the capital. This is the 63rd year that Norway has gifted a tree to London as a thank you for our support during World War II. There you go - proper Christmas tradition. I'll be doing the same tomorrow - a real tree, even if it is bereft of all needles by Christmas Eve. If it is, I might have to paint it white, turn it upside down and call it 'modern'.

See you at Six

Matt and Katie

Weather blog

Good evening,

 

The lights are being illuminated this evening on the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree & I'll be there later on. Day by day London is looking increasingly Yuletastic.

 

The child in me would love the weather to do what it does in the movies at Christmas time & for there to be a light covering of washing powder white snow & stars twinkling in a winter sky.

 

Sadly we'll have to put up with cloud & spells of rain & perversely before too long it'll also be turning milder. Luckily December nights provide long hours of darkness which do a reasonably good job of masking disappointing & unseasonal weather, so as the lights go on tonight I'll be ignoring the cloud & the damp & imagining "earth as hard as iron, water like a stone" & the snow lying "round about, deep & crisp & even".

 

Sometimes it's good to be shallow.

 

Hope to see you later,

 

Robin 

 

London Tonight Tonight

Good afternoon.

As well as reporting on the release of the five British yachtsmen detained in Iran, including one who hails from Surrey, we'll bring you the shocking statistics from housing charity Shelter. They name Barnet as the worst place in the country if you're waiting for a council house saying it could take an astonishing 33 years for waiting lists to be cleared. Redbridge and Brent fare almost as badly. Lewis Vaughan Jones will have more for us.

Also, we'll report on a vigil held in Norway overnight calling for action over the murder of Martine Vik Magnussen in London last year. The prime suspect has fled to Yemen, which has no extradition agreement with Britain. We'll also have the curious case of the West Hampstead shop owner taking on the might of European football over the name of his business...sounds like a load of old Golden Balls to me.

Now, there was a time when folk music was thought to be the preserve of pipe smoking, sweater wearing types in organic sandals. Not any more. A new wave of talented folk influenced singer-songwriters are playing to sell-out crowds of young, cool people. Now, I've never been cool. You can tell that by the three uses of the word 'cool' in the last two sentences. If further evidence is required, look no further than my choice of magazine at the station this morning: Rolling Stone, NME, GQ, Empire? No, I went for 'The Good Food Chrismas Special'. Not very rock and roll, but the honey-glazed parsnips chould nail the Christmas lunch for me this year. On the folk front, Lucy's been to meet the next big thing, 'Mumford & Sons'.

And if all that isn't enough to make you watch - how about Glen Goodman's report on auditions for a new burlesque show in the West End? I've just seen him and he looked a little flustered. That must be worth tuning in for?!

See you at Six

Matt and Katie.

Weather blog

Good evening,

 

Katie mentioned Gonks on last night's programme. She had them on her desk for luck when sitting exams.

 

Matt claimed not to have subscribed to such nonsense (I don't buy it & will conduct a search of his briefcase when his back is turned) but he did -reassuringly- share the same panicky reaction to Maths as the rest of us.

 

I have to confess to not just one but an entire family of Gonks when I was at school (I was young & far from home) & I am convinced that they were entirely responsible for any small exam success I may have had; especially in Maths & Sciences which have always defeated me.

 

In fact I'm feeling a little defeated by the weather at the moment. The South East of the country has just endured its wettest November since 1940 & after a brief but cold respite yesterday it's turning wet all over again. So insp i red by last night's chat I now plan to mount a search for lucky Gonks in the hope that they might improve my weather bulletins in the way they did my exam results.

 

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

 

See you later,

 

Robin 

 

London Tonight Tonight

Hello all.

The Christmas spirit I found yesterday lasted approximately four hours. As usual, I had half an hour to kill at St Pancras on my way home last night and in one shop, they've just started a new 3 for 2 promotion. Great, except that I'd bought a load of presents at full price there last week. How irritating is that?! Talk about penalising the organised (or those who spend too much time waiting for trains). I brought it up with the manageress and showed her my receipt, but she said there wasn't really a lot she could do about it. Humbug!

No wonder London's commuters have been revealed as a ruthless bunch of eyes-down-headphone-wearing travel mercenaries who have to psyche themselves up, just to board the Tube - they must have made the same mistake as me. We'll have more on the London Assembly report that says overcrowding brings out a 'survival of the fittest' mentality among commuters, later.

Also tonight, hundreds of mourners gathered in central London for the funeral of Darren Chant, from Walthamstow, who was one of five British soldiers shot dead by a rogue Afghan policeman last month. The Regimental Sergeant Major with the Grenadier Guards leaves behind three children and a pregnant widow.

And we'll be talking in a somewhat eclectic mix of musical talent as Spandau Ballet join us to talk about their recent revival as they prepare to take their tour global. The interview has actually been pre-recorded, so I can tell you that they were really nice guys. Hard to believe that wranglings over royalties meant they spent years not talking to each other, let alone performing together. I did cynically wonder if they would arrive separately, turn it on for the cameras, and then go their separate ways, barely speaking to each other. But they seem to be having the time of their lives together.

Also on the show, a very unlikely duo with The Quo's Rick Parfitt teaming up with Rolf Harris on a Christmas collaboration. Maybe that will get me back in the mood???

By the way, I have a plan re: the shopping - You get the cheapest item free, so I'm going to take everything back for a full refund. Then, I'm going to buy back the three most expensive items thus getting the cheapest - which was £18 - for nothing. Then, I'm going to buy back the other two items, but only after adding a third to the basket, getting that free too. Neurotic? Maybe, but it's the principle!

See you at six

Matt and Katie