Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

My apologies for those not interested…..
However those who are, I hope that you will make time to vote today – I am realy wishing that you will vote ‘For The Person’ not the ‘Political Party’ – having said that several people I have come across are convinced that is the way to go.

Not so in many other parts of the country – Why does Whittlesey have to be different I wonder.
Polling Stations are open and remember you will need to take some form of identification with you.

I understand that the Postal Votes sent in so far are well below expectation.

(click on picture to enlarge)

Thank you to all those who vote for me – GERSTNER

Some shops have made an effort, WTC has today put up ‘bunting’ around the market square. Remember there are (2) planned ‘Free’ music events being put on for the public, this Saturday and Sunday.

We are all keeping an eye on the weather!

In the near future, all the lighting, fencing and surface of the Manor Netball Courts are been replaced/upgraded. Today Lighting Technicans were attempting to replace some of the broken lighting (they did have trouble) – they showed me photo’s of 10 sets of lighting around the Manor Centre/Swimming Pool which has been damaged due to – yes you guessed it – Vandalism – stones being thrown to smash the lens and then the lamp.

The good news being that when the lighting is replaced it should be fairly strait forward and LED should be more efficient and better than the current set up.
Hopefully they will have mesh guards to protect them.

The ‘Trolls’ have no idea?

It was reported to me late yesterday, the minor vandalism on the Wooden Bower Bridge.
This morning I had to find out who the Bridge asset it is…by experience I had contacts and within my advising the issue Cambs CC Highways got back to me, that they would investigate.
On my travels this afternoon (15:00) there was a Cambs Highways Engineer at the bridge,
fenced off the dangerous part and will return in the next couple of days to make repairs.
He told me – had they have sent their contractors out to investgate – initial cost £400.00
The prople responsible for this vandalism (remember I must not even point a finger on who it may be) don’t realise what this is costing us the rate-payer.

To the ‘Trolls’ – this is what some of us do as unpaid – volunteers (Town Council) almost daily.

So along with the Facebook Trolls, Crime reports and as below, more vandalism, this time on the small wooden bridge which goes over the Bower at the bottom of Briggate East, having slats kicked out, with luck local resident found one slat and put it back, the other still missing, more grafitti, some very unpleasant graphics in the small park off Churchfield Way.
All reported, all takes time and effort and as always a cost to us – the Ratepayer.

I’ve had several contacts recently about ‘illegal and inconsiderate’ parking – mostly a daily occurance, those who have been ticketed recently think they have been treated unfairly, and in this incident below, the Police have been involve with several vehicles parked in this position. It is not illegal to park on a payment (Cambridgeshire) unless it is a hazard.
The lorry has to squeeze past the vehicle and then negotiate the keep right signage.

This signage has been damaged on numberous occasions.

‘They’ know ‘who’ they are!

Trolling the present and would be candidates in a not very nice way.
Why did these FB Warriors not stand for election as I have invited on many occasions, ‘If’ they think they can do better or make changes to our lives.
‘They’ just won’t give up. There is nothing wrong with criticism or constructive questioning, but abuse should not be tolerated.
This is the reason why I don’t allow comments on this web-blog. I am open and transparent and always contactable and will always reply but not to abusive trolls.

Today is the final (40th) Truckfest at the Peterborough Showground.

When on leave from my Merchant Navy travels, instead of being like many of my mates, playing snooker or relaxing, I went off and got another job (I liked earning money),
today I like spending it.

I found a job with Mr Peter Squires the Director of Central Security, who had just secured a contract with Peterborough Showground, Peter said I had some sort of ‘potential’ and therefor gave me the best site – The VIP Gate and Tent. Not only in the warm and dry, but the added bonus of VIP food and drink?.

In all I did about 10 Truckfests and many other events when at home.
Sadly Peter passed away and the company disolved.
One particular moment stands out – I had to meet Barry Sheene (Motorcyclist) at the VIP Gate, however when he arrived there was no transport to take him to the VIP arena.
Stan – Stan ??????-man, who drove the wagon emptying the then cess pits offered Barry a lift –
Barry smiled at Stan and took up the offer and was gladly seen waving from Stans rather smelly truck.
That was 1985 probably at the events peak.

There were be plenty of famous faces in the expected 100,000 plus crowds at Truckfest. Geoff Capes, Emlyn Hughes, John H. Stracey, Barry Sheene, Noel Edmonds, Bob Harris, Linda Lusardi, David Wilkie and Jim Bowen are just some of the personalities who were there and me in the VIP Tent 38 years ago…..

A much better story and elections?

TLC given to the return of Cricket at The Manor Field – coming soon

The electorate will decide this Thursday, who will represent you at Fenland District Council (all wards contested) and at Whittlesey Town Council (4 Wards uncontested and 2 Wards St Andrews Ward and Coates & Eastrea to be contested).

My stance has always to vote for the ‘person’ not the party, I am not here to rubbish other candidates, who in general have put their necks on the chopping block and are prepared to have a go….That said, there are candidates who have been ‘parachuted’ in from outside the area – who wouldn’t know the names of roads or areas in and around our town and villages.

As you would expect I have a ‘team’ whom I thank for putting out over 2,000 leaflets and with – only one complaint! – in a vast area which I did post here last week.
Our town is growing and will continue to grow in the next 4 to 8 years, as many know we are not alone in trying to get our fair share of monies out of the decreasing pot.
Much of this funding emanates from central government, our MP and Combined Mayor have to lobby for much of this funding, but it ‘we’ at ground level who can lobby upwardly.

As most of you are aware, I have been elected with a lady from Peterborough (Diana Dickinson – conservative) for the Town Ward of Whittlesey South, I hope to continue in supporting our whole community as best as I can and hope the other candidates if elected follow the very good work done by this present Council.

Not everything can be fixed, no magic wand and never make promises you can not fulfil.

Out and about, people asking for help with usual – ‘Potholes’, Parking Issues, and appointments at The New Queen Street Surgery to name a few – I dealt with them all….

I hope this Thursday you will use your vote please vote – Roy Gerstner Independent.
(Party politics have no place in local issues)

Where Do You Vote in Person Whittlesey South
(you will need to bring valid ID – criteria should have been sent to you)

Area WS1     St Andrews Parish Hall, Parkinsons Lane, Whittlesey, PE7 1BZ

Area WS2     Manor Leisure Centre, Station Road, Whittlesey, PE7 1UA

Area WS3     Pondersbridge Village Hall, Oilmills Road, Pondersbridge, PE26 2TR