Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Plans for multi-million-pound leisure centre improvements   

An ambitious £23million leisure centre improvement plan has been on the agenda at Fenland District Council this month.

We’ve also announced grants totalling more than £55,000 boosting arts, culture and heritage opportunities across the district awarded from the second round of the Fenland Culture Fund. 

Further grants are now available, this time for eligible homeowners to help with fuel costs and keeping homes warm. And there’s advice and support available for people struggling with the cost of living, at an event in March town.

The council is pushing forward with plans to redevelop another Wisbech High Street building. And is seeking views on new planning controls to tackle overconcentration of shared homes (‘Houses in Multiple Occupation’ or ‘HMOs’) in part of the town and a proposed new country park space in March.

Crime prevention and community safety tips will be available at a Chatteris event. And Fenland Community Safety Partnership is asking ‘how safe do you feel in Fenland?’

Free family Easter activities, and sessions for adults who want to lose weight, have been added to low-cost social and fitness sessions for all in Fenland. And excitement is mounting for the return of March’s St George’s Fayre.

All of that on top of the usual service delivery carried out by the council from dealing with bins, waste and recycling to delivering housing services, planning, licensing, looking after the local environment, community support and other leisure functions.

Plans for multi-million-pound leisure centre improvements move forward, as the George Campbell Leisure Centre swimming pool reopens

Fenland district councillors have paved the way for an ambitious £23million leisure centre improvement programme after endorsing a new, district-wide ‘Fenland Inspire!’ investment campaign.

At the Fenland District Council Cabinet meeting on Monday, February 24, elected members agreed to push ahead with significant enhancement proposals for all four of the district’s leisure centres – including work to pave the way for a swimming pool for Chatteris.

It comes as the swimming pool at the George Campbell Leisure Centre in March reopens following extensive repairs and improvements.

Picture above: Fenland District Council and Freedom Leisure representatives, March dignitaries and elected members and some of the team that carried out repairs and improvement works gather for the reopening of the swimming pool at March’s George Campbell Leisure Centre.

Picture below: The repaired and improved George Campbell Leisure Centre swimming pool in March.

Council pushing forward with plan to redevelop another Wisbech High Street building

Fenland councillors have agreed to take the next step in a long-held plan to build on a site in Wisbech High Street.

Fenland District Council’s Cabinet agreed on Monday, February 24, to press ahead with the next stage of a plan to build on the plot at 11 and 12 High Street.

Following the meeting, Cllr Chris Seaton, portfolio holder for transport, heritage and culture, said: “This project is about us as a council stepping in to take action where buildings in private ownership have fallen into such a state of disrepair that they are a blot on our town.

“We’ve created an opportunity to make a real and lasting difference to the appearance of Wisbech High Street and we’re delighted now to be in a position where we can push forward with this plan.”

See more: Council pushing forward with plan to redevelop another Wisbech High Street building

Free family Easter activities, and sessions for adults who want to lose weight, added to low-cost social and fitness sessions for all in Fenland

Free family Easter holiday activities, and sessions for adults who want to lose weight, are being added to the programme of exercise and fitness classes for all in Fenland.

They’re the latest addition to Fenland District Council’s Active Fenland programme of free and low-cost exercise and fitness classes, which include everything from dance classes to fall prevention strength and balance classes for older people.

Free 12-week ‘Active for Health’ programmes for adults who want to lose weight, which can allow eligible participants a free 90-day gym and leisure centre access pass, can now be booked. The sessions, delivered in partnership with Huntingdonshire District Council, are open to people with a a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or over, or 23.5 and over in ethnic minorities (excluding white minorities). 

Free family running sessions for adults accompanied by children aged 12 plus will be held:

• Tuesday, April 8 and Tuesday, April 15, 9.30am to 10.30am, meeting at Wisbech Park, Lynn Road, Wisbech PE13 3AB (booking is essential)
• Wednesday, April 9, and Wednesday, April 16, 10.30am ro 11.30am, meeting at West End Park, March, PE15 9LT (booking is essential).

Find all the latest sessions and details of how to sign up at: Free family Easter activities, and sessions for adults who want to lose weight, added to low-cost social and fitness sessions for all in Fenland

Read more news from FDC – Click Here

It’s that time again, when many are complaining of ‘illegal/inconsiderate’ parking, hot spots and schools as usual.

I and many other Councillors are getting regular complaints, we’ve been here so many times, including our regular feedback through Neighbourhood Watch members.

By now I would hope that everyone know’s – we do NOT have civilian parking wardens (yet), and that our local police are responsible for parking issues (they don’t like and don’t want it – takes up their time).

I understand that a fully flegded PC is coming to Whittlesey to ask questions that have been submitted by Councillors……whether it produces results well we wait and see.
Many residents live on streets where there is limited parking.

Those who get tickets don’t like it either and complain.

Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) is bogged down at Cambridgeshire CC and has been for sometime (years).

One of the most coomplained about area’s – St Mary’s Street Whittlesey (day & night)

All other Fenland towns have similar issues.

And many many more…..

Have some good photo’s please send them to me…..

The Hermitage, in St Mary’s Street, Whittlesey, was rated ‘good’ across all areas including caring, safe, well-led, and responsive by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Read more by Clicking Here…..

Click Here


Are you From Whittlesey? Join us at Manor Fields every Friday from 5.30-7 PM for Kick & Chips!

A fun, friendly kickabout for all ages—

Friend to many, father and grand-father, Cliff Watson passed away one year on this day.

RIP

Watch this space there maybe a similar opportunity coming to Whittlesey (early days).
Note of course our Manor Field – ‘Fishing Platforms’ for all, was the idea of Roy Bridson, who approached Friends of the Manor’. Robert Windle and myself raised over £14,000 for the project, there was no WTC or FDC money involved. Maybe we should have waited (No).

The March scheme is out for consultation, some idea’s projects may come about and some may not.

“‘The Other Woman’” – Cert 12A

Stars Cameron Diaz

Funny, Smart and a real piece of enjoyment for all.

Cameron Diaz leads a knockout casting this irreverent comedy about love, lust and the laws of karma.

However, the betrayed beauties become friends and the three-timing man gets taught a lesson.
The more the trio of women learn about Mark, the worse it gets, and the more fun they have without him…!

No admission charges are made for these regular winter events with refreshments served during an interval.

Donations are much appreciated to offset operating expenses.
Card transactions now available if preferred.

If you value “cinema” events in your Town and would like them to continue, please try to come along.

Your smiling faces when attending encourage us to continue!
We really value your support!

This is the last event before we take a break, we will be back in the Autumn.