Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Has summer arrived! – I did go into our town centre at around 10:45 and yes it was somewhat ‘quiet’ – picked up later.
Nice to see a few shops and our War Memorial with a Union Flag and Bunting around the railings.
Some good news as usual is that out or some 120 shops/businesses in our town, only 6 or so are unoccupied, well below the national average.
All clean and tidy for tomorrow’s Busfest, Business Forum Fayre (Manor Centre) and BeerFest (Falcon Hotel)

Market Street being closed to traffic as the Buses line up in the early morning.

Why not have a stroll to the Manor Centre and see what’s going on as part of the day.
Lots to see and free rides and entertainment both for adults and children.

You’re welcome to say hello to me at the Neighbourhood Watch Table and ask any question or concerns you may have.

More good news Connie – has now surpassed her target for raising funds for ‘Sue Ryder Foundation’ at tomorrow’s charity walk in/around Thorpe Hall.
Thank you to all those who sponsored locally in cash and those who supported her on ‘Just Giving. Not too late to make a donation – Click Here

At this weeks NQS (New Queen Street Surgery) Patients Participation Group meeting, one of the subjects was ‘Missed appointments’ on average around 4 a day – not only could these ‘slots’ be used by other patients – who are extremely frustrated at not being able to get an appointment – It would be courteous just to make a phone call to cancel the appointment.

Another nice photo from a correspondent  –  click on picture to enlarge.

This afternoon ‘Min Mean’ and her team were tidying up their Planter Project at the end of High Causeway as part of the U3A group which sponsors and looks after this planter – well done ladies….

An incredible vista of flowering weeds (Alamy) along the Bower Towpath – Ok nice at present but will be causing problems before too long.
Nice to see this year 1 Duck with its 4 Duckings…

An update on Connie’s Charity Walk – this Sunday 5 Kms (not miles as before) – Supporting :-

Sue Ryder provides hospice and neurological care for people facing a frightening, life-changing diagnosis.
We do whatever we can to be a safety net for our patients and their loved ones at the most difficult time of their lives. We see the person not the condition.
Charity Registration No. 1052076
So far she has collected locally £101 in Cash and has also raised £110:00 on the JustGiving website – She is hoping to raise £250:00 so nearly there – Come on Whittlesey – spare a £Fiver or two for this good cause.

Please make a donation  https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/connie-gerstner

For those who maybe not be watching the Royal Wedding or Football this Saturday,

Whittlesey Rotary Charity Beer Festival
Falcon Hotel, Whittlesey, PE7 1BH
7-11, Friday, 12-11 Saturday, 12-4 Sunday Local beers and ciders.
Supporting the Young Peoples Counselling Service, MIND and local charities.

Business And Community Fayre
The date has been set for the above at the Manor leisure centre Whittlesey it is may the 20th a Sunday courtesy of Fenland district council.
This links with the bus fest and the rotary beer festival.
Stalls of all sorts of business will be on display offering services, retailing, craft stalls and food outlets.
There will be displays for the children and a great family day is promised.

http://www.whittleseybusiness.co.uk

The vehicles will be used to operate the network of ‘Free’ Bus Services which consist of Four routes to:
Peterborough
Ramsey
Thorney
March (via) Turves
This is a great day out for all from enthusiasts to families.

See Web-Page for more information and details:

http://www.easternbusgroup.co.uk/busfest.html

The New Queen Street Surgery Patients Participation Group are doing very well, set up to act as an ‘interface’ between Doctors/Surgery and its Patients, I am one of the original founders of the group.
We get to hear directly from the management – their issues and challenges that they have in an ever expanding population, we in turn inform the surgery of not only our concerns, but feedback we get from the patients at large.

The PPG is NOT a forum for complaints – there is a set mechanism in place for patients who wish to complain.
There was 15 attendees at this evenings meting a good turnout.

The group have raised awareness of the Surgery and has also raised money to buy various items for the benefit of the patients, the most recent was a cooled fresh water machine.
One item always brought up is that of getting appointments….this is nothing new and the surgery/doctors and management are very aware of this concern.
Did you know that 15% of appointments – patients do not turn up, that equates to several slots that could be used by other patients – every working day…..
You will be able to meet some of the PPG at their ‘Awareness Week’ 4th to 9th June –
They will also be at the surgery on Saturday 7th July during the NHS 70th anniversary Year.
More news in a few days….

Sorry to report the demise of the Jenner Health Centre PPG – I don’t know the details but what I do know is that their patients no longer have any avenue or representation to either their Doctors or Management in the same way that they had previously.