BBC TV News Review - Monday 23rd July

It was a special edition of the BBC News last night at 10; as such, our normally studio-bound anchor-man, Hugh Edwards, was at Gloucester for this FLOOD CRISIS.

Dressed in the reporter's prerequisite Berghaus storm proof jacket and stood in front of swollen waters, Hugh told how ten thousand homes had been affected. We saw an arial map of the flood zone along with helicopter views of the flooded areas. 100 sailors were shown, marching to assistance. An eye witness was interviewed telling how the water rose three feet in an hour. Furthermore, "People are clinging on - relying on bottled water" and we saw images of ladies panic buying in the supermarket. One advised she was "getting water to survive" and had filled numerous pots and pans at home.

We moved on round the country, our first stop was the Sweet family (phonetic spelling?). This couple and their sugar coated adorable children were pictured preparing for the worst. All their furniture, including settee, had been piled up and they were ready to head upstairs to safety. In Tewkesbury we saw an elderly lady, Edith Nation, getting a meal delivered to her home. No breaking this Nation. Anyway, we were warned that "much water from the hills is still to arrive" but there is a government Cobra meeting being held.

Cue Nick Robinson, the BBC's chief political editor. Nick looked grave as he stood in his immaculate cream raincoat and told of Walham power station and the fears it may need to be closed down, resulting in loss of electricity and water to further homes. Nick seemed to think the contingency plans would be to send in water by the lorry load but, and he grimaced at the camera, "no power for five days at least.

Over to Upton on Severn we sailed, to "catch up" with Dot Jones and her family. Dot was apparently featured a few nights ago after the familys caravan holiday was ruined due to flooding. As such, they are living in a hotel, free gratis, although Dot is helping out the staff by opening packets of biscuits and similar other minor duties. The rest of her family seemed happy to be playing Monopoly in the hotel dining room. We closed with the board game as Dot told how "there was too much take and not enough give" - in this country.


We went back to Hugh who told how he had spent his day "watching people wading through water". I saw his lip curl slightly at this statement, whether in amusement or perhaps boredom and resentment. I certainly was getting bored but it went on and on. More cows in a flooded field; we saw a flooded office, curiously, the monitor was on the floor. Part time fire brigade officer were observed, fortifying an old peoples home with sandbags. Some of the pensioners were frightened we were advised, but "staying calm". We later saw some of them being bussed off to safety.


We then had a rundown from three potentially "at risk" areas. All the location reporters stood in front of raging rivers. One, Rajesh Mirchenandi, told how he had "seen a new kitchen, not even installed, ruined". That is how much was actually happening.


Back to Nick Robinson where he told how Gordon Brown had met with our flood defence team ealier in the day. We saw Gordon with military personnel; I assume they are the team. Nick told of his further worries; by now he had moved to the Thames, and the camera was positioned at a severe downward angle in order to make him look like the Man from Atlantis with an umbrella. The angle mellowed slightly and we saw the backdrop of an arched bridge and the Houses of Parliament. Staying with politics and flooding, it was time for Menzies Campbell, who, speaking from a temporary refugee camp in a school gymnasium, told how the "horse has gone" and mumbled about a "door". He appeared to have forgotten the saying, one can only wonder why.



















If only everything in life was black or white










Hugh said he would be back later with some more dramatic pictures and we berthed with Natasha in the studio for the "rest of the days other news".

It was still politics though and a potential storm brewing about David Cameron's visit to Rwanda despite the flood damage back home. This was discussed and we saw Cameron meeting officials over there. He told how this visit would tackle some of our home issues - at source. He ran through our home issues - immigration, floods, terrorism, global warming and crime. One wonders which of these Mr Cameron believes is sourced from Rwanda. Anyway, this was not discussed and we saw dozens of natives, tribal chanting and beating the earth with hand held digging implements. They are basically attempting to create a soil which will grow crops. Cameron was then pictured, laying a gigantic bag of flowers at a memorial site.


George Galloway next - thrown out the Commons. We saw a short clip of George but very few words were heard.


Elections in Turkey - images of street celebrations were shown.

Tony Blair next. We saw him striding through the arched doorway of the King David Hotel in Israel as part of his new Middle Eastern job. Yesterday he was in Jordan and tomorrow he will meet with the Palestinian President. However, he will not meet with Hamas and so we got to meet them instead. Our reporter travelled under protection to their headquarters where we saw their leader, Ismail Hanegen, interviewed. Images of shanty town slums were shown and we heard of terrible poverty and mass unemployment. Most Palestinians don't believe Blair can deliver we were advised.





The Hindu's bullock, Shambo was back in the news. The appeal over it's death sentence has been reversed and now it is to be destroyed. However, back in May when it was first reported, the Hindus vowed to create a human shield to prevent this happening - so we shall see.


That was the rest of the days news and we went back to Hugh for a discussion into the cause of this "Summer of Floods". A few potential reasons were mulled over before it was time for the promised dramatic pictures. We flew with RAF rescue 128 where a family of travellers were saved. The family was comprised of numerous women and children and as the helicopter landed, the children huddled together, sobbing and weeping. An old lady in a wheelchair was then shown, being carried to the helicopter. A young girl was pictured holding another's hand as - "a child helps bring another to safety". We closed inside the helicoper, an adorable little gypsy boy-child, waving at the camera.
















Always a seller

ITN called it the Great Flood and I saw a Mr Binns carried out his house. I couldnt take any more, sorry.

cheers.