Well yet again another very busy week, my Sister-In-Law and her youngest (daughter) arrived last Monday – we went to pick them up at Gatwick (Bank Holiday) luckily we had gone the night before. My S-In-L has been twice before and her (3) sons have finished Uni here in the UK – and on completion I said – Not a lot to do here in Whittlesey – I’ll buy you a Rail Ticket around Europe 30 days / 28 Countries see what you can do…. Well with only a couple of hick-ups (Stolen tickets and Pick-Pockets) they got on OK.
So when it came to the niece (Yi-Lin) I said No way on your own – so she has brought Mother along – who loves to travel.
My fault – on arriving home after our Christmas Cruise(Bronchial Pneumonia) – I had left it to the last minute to order the tickets….No 2nd Class left – I had made the promise to sponsor the journey…..so I had to make good my promise – So 2 x 1st Class tickets round trip 30 days / 28 Countries had to be bought (Ouch £££) – anyway a trip of a lifetime planned.
We took them back to London Thursday night to catch the Eurostar out of St Pancras on Friday morning…..
All off safe and sound…This evening en-route Berlin.
Parking issues again at the head of debate not only in Whittlesey, but most other Market towns around Peterborough have raised the same issues.
Our Church Street/Ramsey Road ‘issues’ continue – that said, the vehicle which is parking at present on the ‘double yellows’ has a ‘Disabled Badge’ displayed and therefor is NOT illegally parked. I wonder though how many with ‘Disabled Badges’ have actually read all the rules/regulations on accepting their cards.
All 34 pages to read – I doubt very much – I have read the document and I do abide by ALL the rules contained there-in.
More ‘Slippage’ – What am I talking about – well the for-every delay in Resurfacing of Ramsey Road – lets see now – was it sometime last year it was going to be done!!!! – then it was January, then March and now I hear that it ‘should’ be done in July (This Year)
Tomorrow night (2) meetings to attend – I can’t be in (2) places at once so probably will attend the New Queen Street Surgery – Patients Participation Group Meeting.
Building up for the Business Forum Fayre and BusFest next Sunday – All free to go along.
Sister-In-Law visiting us in Whittlesey 2009 came all the way from Kuala Lumpur to help collect rubbish and litter around Whittlesey – What has changed I wonder !!!!
Koo MF Koo Connie
Posted inNews|Comments Off on Trending Last & Next Week -.-
Below are reports from FDC – CCTV, Environment and Street Scene Reports, of note are the amount of Fly-tipping in Fenland (Whittlesey low) and enforcement notices handed out.
Click on Pictures to enlarge….
Posted inNews|Comments Off on WTC – Further Papers Given to Council
Whittlesey NHW comes under the umbrella of Fenland Policing, under the (new) Policing areas, Fenland is part of the Northern area (Peterborough).
Whittlesey NHW are a stand-alone, separate group, but as Peterborough are our ‘Neighbours’ – and what goes on there has a direct impact on us in Whittlesey.
Unfortunately some of guest speakers could not attend.
Deputy Police & Crime Commissioner Cllr Ray Bisby (Who I met a couple of weeks ago), gave the audience of around 50 an update and future plans the PCC hopes to put in place.
The main thrust being more ‘Police’ availability and assets joined with other ‘Blue Light’ services. As I hope everyone is now aware, the office of the PCC does not and cannot dictate operational side of policing.
[metaslider id=”7620″]
Ray emphasised that ‘moral’ within the Cambs Policing was very good.
Supt Martin Brunning gave a very good talk on ‘Public Protection’ one example being how ‘exploitation’ on young people – carrying and delivering drugs by train – coming to Peterborough to deliver and sell their goods.
He stated that under the ‘new’ policing model – more police were available for front line duties and quotes that 6 weeks ago – Peterborough would have had 24 uniformed officers on shift, today 32 were on shift.
On his remit, priorities – were Domestic abuse, Child abuse and exploitation and Criminal exploitation (Drug Mules as an example)
He stated that of the 30th April – There was a ‘New Dawn’ for Cambs Policing and asked the group to review results in 6 months time.
Peterborough NHW had 27 new schemes running during 2017-18
Excellent demonstration by Cardea First Responders
If you would like to be a ‘Better Neighbour’ why not join the largest voluntary organisation in England – Neighbourhood Watch – help to keep you, your neighbours and street safer.
Visit Whittlesey NHW Website @ https://www.whittleseynhw.org.uk/
A vast amount of information (local) – with regular updates.
If you would like further details or information:
Contact : Robin Sutton e-mail – Click Here
Posted inNews|Comments Off on Peterborough NHW AGM
We have all heard….. Never see the Police around for some considerable time.
We have all read …… Reasons from The Chief Constable, Police & Crime Commissioner and Local Policing Teams the way that ‘Policing and Crime is changing in this modern day.
I attend dozens of meetings a year with various parts of the criminal justice system and fully understand ‘some’ of the issues’ our Police force are encountering.
I’ll not bore you with statistics – there are a lot – the most impacting (That is also true of Health Care funding in Cambs) being we are the 3rd lowest funded area in England from Central Government. I think it is the duty of ALL our MP’s representing our County to press for a fairer share.
I am told that if we were to receive more money another County would get less.
Tomorrow (Saturday) Myself and Robin Sutton (NHW Secretary) will attend Peterborough NHW AGM at Cardea. We hope to meet up with our senior officers covering Fenland.
Peterborough of course has plenty of its own problems – but that should not stop us from trying to get our points over.
Posted inNews|Comments Off on Policing in Cambridgeshire
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. I have corrected (2) items regarding Cllrs who attended below in Red.
Agenda to this meeting was published on this site – 09th May
12 Councillors in attendance Cllr Whitwell was in attendance – Cllr Curtis arrived late – absent, Wicks + Garratt (No apology)
11 members of the public in attendance.
Outgoing Mayor Cllr Ralph Butcher presented a cheque to The British Heart Foundation.
This meeting incorporates the AGM of the Parish of Whittlesey, which is conducted before the main meeting.
As in the past not a great deal was discussed – there is a public forum but no one spoke at this time.
At the main meeting:
1/ Cllr Julie Windle was elected as Mayor of Whittlesey for the coming year, her husband Robert will be her consort.
2/ Cllr David Mason was elected as Deputy Mayor for the coming year.
3/ Police matters, (no police in attendance) – a good discussion took place about ‘Parking Issues/Concerns especially that ‘illegal parking’ – feedback from the Neighbourhood Sergeant was not very positive, that said, it is understood that Police resources are limited.
(I have covered this and will do so again) – various options were considered including writing to the Chief Constable.
The issue of ‘Heron Foods’™ having to ‘Park on the A605’ to make deliveries was again addressed and was of concern.
4/ Various reports which will come in Part II – later.
5/ At the public forum, (limit 15 minutes in total) – Mr Stephen Hodson informed the council of impending new planning regulations coming into force – and he wished that the Whittlesey Business Forum would be included in the list of ‘Stakeholders’ for the impending ‘Masterplan’ (Whittlesey).
Mr Peter Baxter – delivered his concerns of upgrading of the Water Tower recreation play equipment – in that little or no debate on 10,000+ vehicles passing by – polluting gasses and particulates has been given little no weight. Children especially he noted were more at risk.
RG – I reconfirmed the arguments made earlier about Parking/Traffic concerns in Whittlesey, the possible options including ‘Civil Enforcement’ – I and many realise the situation is and will only get worse. I quoted that Hampton had employed their own Civil Enforcement Officer to cover a variety or roles – not just parking.
What is the point of Double Yellow Lines – if it can not be enforced.
I asked for an update on the Saxon Pit concerns to be covered in Ward Matters – later.
I pointed out that recently the WTC website is not updated in a timely way – appreciating that the Clerk works limited hours and that their website is administered by a 3rd party.
There are simple solutions and the public rely on ‘official websites’ for accurate information.
Mr Robin Sutton gave a good presentation about WTC adopting ‘Green Dog Walkers
‘CCC David Connor’ gave an update on the Kings Dyke Crossing – Some progress is moving forward – The test bore-holes samples proved all clear and no concerns flagged
All being well – he informed that subject to the detailed plans and costs – construction (should) start in October 2018
6/ Debate and discussion took place on WTC finances and the way they are being reported.
The official auditor praised the council on its submission.
7/ Other business: Must Farm ; Members were not happy with the consultants reports, and have asked them to go back and make the Must Farm project its priority. Green Dog Walkers ; Cllr D Laws informed the council of the initiative to encourage a Green Dog Walkers campaign (also promoted by Robin Sutton earlier) – no cost to the council. Neighbourhood Plan ; Cllr D Laws informed that an appetite for more housing and development may be considered – however this would need to go out to public consultation
she stated that if the wishes of the electorate/residents were for no further ‘increase’ above that which is already planned – then the council must abide by those wishes – this will cause some delay in the overall delivery of the NP. Property Working Group ; The ‘new’ council offices (Old Police Station) council are looking for a name of the building and will be asking local schools/children for their input. Community Rail Partnership ; Cllr Alan Bristow updated council on the recent public consultations held in Whittlesey and that he thought the majority of those he had spoken too – preferred ‘Option 2’ (This was well covered in an earlier posting on this site) Syrian Refugees ; Cllr David Mason informed that they had received donations of furniture, bedding and curtains etc. Kings Dyke Layby ; Cllr Ralph Butcher informed that various partners/stakeholders had been contacted in respect of the HGV’s using the Layby and the ongoing (years) of drivers toileting the site, leaving bottles of urine and human excrement around the area.
The police, our MP, Cambs Highways, Fenland District Council are just a few who have been contacted and meetings are to take place to seek a way of addressing the issues/concerns. Ward Matters ; Cllr Chris Bodden, did answer my request about the issues (on-going) of None conforming (none hazardous) waste being found at the Saxon Brickworks.
The Environment Agency are still awaiting some test results – he had been contacted recently about the ‘smell’ returning and though that this ‘could’ be when the operator was removing the ‘suspected materials’.
He thought that the EA would be taking some form of action against the operator – but noting nothing specific has been received to date.
Next meeting 13th June 2018
e&oe Roy Gerstner.
Posted inNews|Comments Off on Report on WTC Meeting Wednesday 09th May 2018 (Updated)
On the 20th May – my wife Connie will be taking part in a Charity Walk for the ‘Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice’ – the walk will be 5 miles and she is looking for our community to help fund-raise for this event.
She has done other events the most demanding was an abseil down the ‘Woolworth Building in Peterborough.
If you would like to sponsor Connie and donate as much or as little as you can to a very worthy organisation , who I am sure we know of someone or family that have benefitted by these fantastic people….
You can do so by visiting Just Giving website
Correction to my original article (I was away at the time) There was notification on the WTC Website – which advertised the closure at 22:30
Residents going to or returning from Peterborough last night at 10pm was greeted by the road being blocked off and closed – drivers told the man doing the closure that it had been advertised for 10:30 to which his answer was ‘I couldn’t give a toss I’m closing the road’
By now there was 20+ vehicles from the Peterborough side all somewhat upset and angry at the attitude of the man carrying out the job.
When drivers said they would remove the barriers – he threatened them with photographs and police action, by this time – drivers from the Whittlesey side had already removed the barriers from that side –
Jobsworth man shouting to people they would have to do the detour – by now too late.
Some phone calls later, he blamed Anglian Water for the misunderstanding.
I have seen the notices – advertising this closure.
Well on this occasion people power won the day – unfortunately my correspondent(s) did not take any photographs of the incident – or Mr Jobsworth.
Maybe our Town Councillors should investigate this incident there are Health & Safety issues on both sides of the argument and if as reported ask Anglian Water for a full apology… (Blaming the contractor of course).
Posted inNews|Comments Off on Bedlam & Altercations @ Kings Dyke Crossing – Update
Here below is the agenda for this Wednesday’s Full WTC meeting, there are several items on the agenda, of importance, some of which decisions have already been made prior to this meeting……
I am hoping to attend.
The open day at Lattersey Nature Reserve went well I understand, I did go out ‘Litter-Picking’ but my access to the field was a bit muddy so didn’t go in.
[metaslider id=”7532″]
Posted inNews|Comments Off on A Good Day Had by ALL
Tony & Deirdre Poynder left Whittlesey @ 30 Ramsey Road over 30 years ago.
Tony was a Navigating Officer in the Merchant Navy, he moved to work with Townsend Thoresen Ferries out of Dover.
He was the Liaison Officer on the ‘Herald of Free Enterprise’ – fortunately he was not on duty on the night of 6th March 1987 when disaster struck when the ferry capsized due to the bow doors being left open, killing 193 passengers and crew.
Tony continued to work for P&O Ferries until the mid-90’s when he took early retirement and set up his own consultancy – dealing with Maritime safety.
He and Deirdre only come back to Whittlesey very occasionally to visit Deirdre’s mother grave in Doddington.
We have always kept in touch and we did meet them recently when we were in Kent.
A very good dinner at ‘The Dog-In-A-Doublet’ this evening.
Tony & Deirdre have just become first time Grand-parents.
Tony and his family originally lived at Portland Place Whittlesey.
Tony P RG Deirdre P Connie G
Posted inNews|Comments Off on Welcome back Tony & Deirdre
Well yet again another very busy week, my Sister-In-Law and her youngest (daughter) arrived last Monday – we went to pick them up at Gatwick (Bank Holiday) luckily we had gone the night before. My S-In-L has been twice before and her (3) sons have finished Uni here in the UK – and on completion I said – Not a lot to do here in Whittlesey – I’ll buy you a Rail Ticket around Europe 30 days / 28 Countries see what you can do…. 
Well with only a couple of hick-ups (Stolen tickets and Pick-Pockets) they got on OK.
