More news coming tomorrow from tonights WTC Finance & Policy Committee meeting…
Disclaimer: These observations are not the ‘official’ minutes of the meeting, these are supplied by Whittlesey Town Council, normally (1) month following the meeting and can be viewed on their website.
Well somewhat ‘HAPPY’ – I have been campaigning and lobbying for many years to have a ‘deposit’ scheme placed on items which ‘people’ rubbish our environment with.
I do NOT profess to be a Tree Hunger (I like trees).. but for 10+ years I’ve been cleaning up other peoples rubbish which ‘they’ discard around our town.
On a wider subject – this is a national and world problem, and for sometime major players like Sky TV have been highlighting the issues surrounding plastics for example.
Years of lobbying some very deaf ears, has just maybe made an impact, with the Chancellor/Government of the day – now seriously looking into tackling the issue/problem.
2 Billion Coffee Pods thrown away – difficult to recycle – into landfill
2 Billion Coffee Cups thrown away – plastic membrane – difficult to recycle.
4 Billion Plastic bottles thrown away – difficult to recycle.
Billions of cans thrown away – much ends up in Landfill
Billions of Polystyrene Take-away containers – difficult to recycle – again Landfill
On and on and on….when and where will it stop.
Of course if everyone was responsible ‘we’ wouldn’t find tons of these items discarded in and around Whittlesey and our Villages.
I don’t like paying taxes more than anyone else, but with a deposit scheme one could recoup most of any tax placed on the above and if I collect other peoples discards I could make a ‘profit’
I sincerely hope that the Government is at last serious at tackling the problem it is about time.
Stories all over this weekends papers.
As a foot note: The press and to an extent the Chancellor has been a bit mislead by the mighty ‘Coca-Cola Company’ – For quite some considerable time -they were totally against any pro-active idea of a ‘deposit scheme’ on bottles and cans – but as late as this year – have now ‘appeared’ to have changed their tune….which I am very HAPPY about.
So we await the Chancellors speech later this week….
Sky News – Chancellor Announcement
Independent – Chancellor Announcement
BBC Blue Planet II (BBC1)
This is a somewhat very shortened version of ‘what’ and ‘where’ the event happened….
My good friend Ron ‘Sweeney’ Todd, shown on the left of the picture at a recent meet up. John now well into his 80’s, recalls what happened during a voyage on ‘London Majesty’ during the early 1960’s….
What actually could have taken place is really ‘Film’ material…!!
Our company London & Overseas Freighters (LOF) was a successful Independent London/Greek Shipping Company, was well known to take the odd ‘risk’ – and on this occasion they chartered the ship to the Russian Government to carry crude and refined oil products to the embargoed ‘Cuba’ – this was to be a very risky venture to say the least.
The initial cargo was loaded in the Ukraine port of Odessa, and the slow ‘secret’ voyage stopped off in Ceuta North Africa (not so secret) for supplies, fuel and extra crew.
As the vessel progressed across the North Atlantic – the Officers and Indian Crew were becoming very nervous as there were all sorts of reports that the Americans were becoming more aggressive in ‘finding’ shipping that were breaking the embargo.
As the ship transited into the Caribbean well south passing Trinidad – so to be as far away from the vast US Naval Base in San Juan Puerto Rico, the Chief Officer Mr. Pullford lost his nerve, he persuaded the two apprentices Smith and Mayman to go with him in the early morning in the ships ‘Jolly Boat’ -.-
The story which Ron relates is somewhat magical to us ‘Old’ Sea-dogs….
How can a small ‘Jolly Boat’ be launched from a ship doing about 11 knots…. no one really knows, however the Chief Steward had a part to play – he was the one who ‘assisted’ the feat of magic.
London Majesty – © Roy Gerstner
The first anyone knew, was when the Chief Officer (Pullford) didn’t arrive for his watch at 0400, the Second Officer sent the watch-keeper to wake up the Chief Off – alas he found an empty bunk, the Captain was called and a search of the accommodation revealed the ‘missing’ (3).
The ship was stopped and the American authorities notified in San Juan, the ship turned around and by now it was day-light. At about 10am the Americans had found the ‘Jolley Boat’ with the 3 occupants and told the ship their position, within 2 hours the 3 were back on the ship.
The Americans let the ship proceed to Cuba along with its cargo and crew. There was no way the 3 miscreants could be repatriated from Cuba and after some several weeks discharging the cargo, the vessel back loaded Molasses destined for Russia.
Mr. Pullford and the two apprentices were off-loaded on the return to Ceuta and flown home. Mr. Pullford was dismissed and eventually owned shops in the Newcastle area.
He built and sailed a boat around the world later in his life.
Mr Smith became a Banker.
Mr Mayman was saved by his Reverend Father who pleaded with the Company that he was lead astray.
He remained with LOF until the company was sold in 1997 eventually becoming Captain Mayman and after his LOF days was unfortunate to have had a couple of mishaps on his vessels he is now retired.
Picture shows Bob Mayman in 2015
The company being the ‘bad boys’ during this era, continued to charter their ships to the Russian Government over a number of years.
Life at sea was never boring or without excitement or incident – I was lucky to have travelled over 1 million nautical miles and travelled to over a hundred countries.
Like to read more…then why not look at my other website
http://www.lof-news.co.uk
I developed the history and artefacts of LOF since the company was sold in 1997 – I have developed this website for nearly 20 years.
I have a multitude of ‘Salty Stories’ maybe I’ll do another one later on.
After yesterdays post I have been contacted (Thank you) by around 15 residents who have had similar calls from the ‘FAKE’ HRMC.
One elderly lady did continue with the call thinking it to be genuine – but realised when ‘they’ required much more personal information she terminated the call.
Also doing the ’rounds’ is a ‘FAKE’ SMS message – telling you of an impending Parcel Deliver….. they don’t know your name, and you are not expecting a Parcel – please terminate the call.
Both of these scams have been around for years, but over the past few days – appear to be hitting the Whittlesey area.
It is important that you let your ‘Elderly Neighbours’ aware of these calls –
Please do it – Today.
There is currently a telephone scam where a recorded message is left, allegedly from HMRC, stating that HMRC are bringing a lawsuit against the individual and is going to sue them. The recipient is asked to phone 0161 8508494 and press “1” to speak to the officer dealing with the case. This scam is becoming widely reported and seems to be targeting older people. Please do not reply to the message.
HMRC takes security very seriously but you need to be alert. If you cannot verify the identity of the person making the call you should not disclose your personal details. You should report these incidents on the Action Fraud website, or you can call them on 0300 123 2040 (Please note this number will be charged at your normal network rate). They are open Monday to Friday 09:00 – 18:00.
Please don’t get scammed – if you don’t know whether you owe the taxman money or are entitled to a refund – invest in getting proper professional advice.
People claiming benefits here in Whittlesey, ‘normally’ are registered at Peterborough.
Initially ‘new’ claimants and those whose circumstance change will be transferred to this new ‘benefit’ There is controversy about the new benefit – I am not here to comment on this but to help and guide those who may need help – to be able to get that help.
Both Peterborough and (Wisbech) Rural Cambs Citizens Advice are well geared up for the influx of people they expect to seek help.
If you or someone you know may need help or advice the CAB should be their first point to get advice -it will cost nothing – it is free.
Here in Whittlesey the CAB visit most Fridays at the Library – get there early to obtain a time slot, they are very limited and it is on a first come first serve basis.
(09:30 – 12:30)
Universal Credit can only be applied for ‘on-line’ and again there are ‘free’ computer and internet available at the Library.
Wisbech has drop in sessions 09:30 – 12:30 Monday to Thursday
Follow-up appointments for advice, if needed, are only made after a drop-in or telephone gateway assessment
There is a vast array of information available on the CAB website
https://www.citizensadviceruralcambs.org.uk/
Advice line 09:30 – 15:30 Monday to Friday
This is a message sent via eCops.
This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau).
Have you installed the latest software updates?
Install the latest software and app updates on all of your devices. These updates often contain important security upgrades which help protect your device from viruses and hackers.
Do you want to know more?
CyberProtect now has pages on Facebook and Twitter. Follow us now for more advice and support.
www.Facebook.com/cyberprotectuk
www.twitter.com/cyberprotectuk
RG Note… After all my devices updated earlier today, I experienced all sorts of issues the rest of the day, slowdown, crashes and pages not loading.
After several re-starts most of the ‘issues’ have settled down.
After last weeks Town Council meeting, where I hoped there would be a ‘robust’ debate on whether our pretty substantial contribution to Fenland/Whittlesey CCTV was:
1/ Value for money.
2/ How effective the system is.
3/ Whether the Police are supporting the system.
There was NO robust debate on this occasion.
I have been asked by someone ‘anonymous’ to clarify my comments…no problem..
As chairman of Whittlesey Neighbourhood Watch, I am guided by its members and as such relay any concerns they may have.
One has to look at the Pro’s and Con’s of Town Centre CCTV systems.
Advantages.
1. Deter Crime.
This is the biggest and the most obvious benefit of installing security cameras.
Once they are placed, you will be able to see their effect on people almost immediately.
Even if they are placed discreetly, you will start feeling a sense of security, which is priceless.
The mere sight of the camera staring back at would be criminals and the sheer thought of getting caught red-handed are intimidating enough for mischief-makers to be on their best behaviour as they would know that their identity and illegal activity have been captured.
2. Monitor Scenarios and Activities.
Fenlands CCTV system is a 24/7 365 operation based in a ‘secret’ location – Wisbech
3. Gathering Evidence.
Having cameras installed in strategic places comes in handy when you need to monitor actions of people or during an event. High-quality video capabilities, the clear images makes them more efficient than ever at recording a series of happenings.
This is particularly helpful when dealing with a legal scenario, wherein the eye witness may have forgotten a certain important detail or may be providing with an accurate account of what really transpired.
With a security camera, the legal authorities can see the series of events as they really unfolded.
Incorrect, inappropriate or fabricated claims made by suspects can be sorted out
4/Maintain Records.
As previously stated , FDC’s CCTV system provides recordings 24/7 365 days….and is manned 24/7
Disadvantages.
1. Privacy
For information about this subject please read link – Information Commissioners Office.https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/cctv/
New RIPA Rules
All councils have to abide by ‘rules’
2. Cost.
Town Councils who subscribe to the system have to pay for a service level agreement which in Fenlands case lasts for 3 years.
3. Vulnerability.
Clever and not so clever low life/criminals know many ways to circumvent CCTV, we have been subjected to this in the past. I’ll not go into the technicalities here but it doesn’t take a lot to find ‘how’ to avoid being ‘captured’
4. Missing information.
Fenlands system is getting quite ‘old’ and as far as I am aware does not have a 360° capability. Camera’s on occasions pointing in the wrong direction when incidents occur.
Fogging and misting up has been issues in the past.
The above is not a conclusive argument for or against the system and only highlights part of the scenario –
Only last week – Chatteris Town Council singed up for a ‘New’ 3 year Service Level Agreement with FDC.
I would ‘think’ that Whittlesey will follow at next months Town Council meeting – that doesn’t stop – Robust debate – and that’s how I started the argument.
If you are interested in helping keep your neighbourhood/street safe with your neighbours, why not join Whittlesey Neighbourhood Watch contact me – my details are on the top tool bar.
or –
Come along to the next NHW meeting at:
Whittlesey Town Council Offices (side door – up the stairs)
Grosvenor House (Opposite the Bus Station/stop)
on –
Friday 24th November at 7pm
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has identified a number of reports where job seekers are being targeted by fraudsters trying to obtain personal and banking details from them, or requesting money to secure accommodation.
Individuals registering with job seeking websites or searching for jobs on The Student Room website are being contacted by bogus recruitment companies/businesses asking them to complete application and interview forms which request personal details and banking details, as well as copies of identity documents. In some instances the applicant is invited along for interview, either in person or over the phone, to make the process look as legitimate as possible. This is impacting on students and graduates looking for work both in the UK and overseas. Some job seekers, as well as divulging personal details, have paid money to the fraudsters in order to secure a bogus rental property alongside the job offer.
How to protect yourself:
What to do if you’re a victim:
Well (2) weeks in fact, very nice lady and gent from ‘Lithuania and their daughter running a new convenience stop….hope they can make a go of it.
