Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Ghostrider.

Whittlesey Rifle Club President and Paralympic legend Matt Skelhon added a brilliant European silver medal to his record at the WSPS European Championships in Osijek, Croatia last week (6th October 2025).

Competing in the R3 10m Air Rifle Prone event, one of the most precision-based target shooting disciplines, Matt battled through a tough qualification and a world-class final to claim silver. The R6 50m Prone Rifle event, held outdoors, didn’t bring another medal this time, with colder than expected conditions likely affecting scores.

Matt told the club that he was very happy to win silver in his first major since the Paris Paralympics.

Club Chairman David Ransome added: “Seventeen years at the elite level, five Paralympics behind him and a sixth ahead is a superhuman achievement. This silver is a powerful reminder that Matt is still right at the top of his sport. A European Major silver represents amazing consistency and a real inspiration for our club competitors and volunteers.

Photo Permissions Matt Skelhon.

Sent on behalf of Whittlesey Rifle Club
Whittlesey Rifle Club | Facebook

Ghoster @ WRC.

So lucky to have had 3 good visits to the Iguazzu Falls, this week, so lucky to have visited Nigera Falls (twice) and  the Victoria Falls.
One more maybe on the bucket list?

Ghosting Elsewhere…..

Saxon Pit on the BBC – Health Review, Enforcement & Fast-Moving Permit Process
Many residents will already be aware of this week’s BBC and TV coverage on Saxon Pit, reflecting long-standing concerns about dust, noise, smell and health impacts. This puts Saxon Pit under a public spotlight at a critical regulatory moment.

BBC Look East Lunchtime and Evening News 09/10/25. You can watch again for 24 hours.
Screenshot – credit BBC News Look East

They also ran this story: “Whittlesey dust and noise is miserable, says resident” – BBC News. Whittlesey dust and noise is miserable, says resident – BBC News

Behind the headlines, several important developments are converging:
1) The planning application to expand operations and we now know is seeking to allow open-air IBA crushing has been live since 2024 and will not be heard by CCC’s Planning Committee until 2026.

2) The EA permit variation for the same activity was launched suddenly on 17 September, with a short consultation period. It was only extended to 31 October following public pressure and a letter from our MP–
 https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1WBTBuLDNi/?mibextid=wwXIfr

3) A planning breach involving unpermitted IBA contaminated metal processing near the lagoon (pumped into Kings Dyke without a permit) has already been confirmed by CCC.

4) The UKHSA health review is under way but, according to the regulators’ own minutes, its scope is limited: It will not examine whether regulatory exposure limits are adequate.
There is no public consultation element.
Only a summary of findings will be released.
We still don’t know what samples have been taken or what
tests are being carried out.

This means the review may focus narrowly on whether operators meet existing rules, not whether those rules are fit for purpose.

In the BBC story the operators chose not to comment. Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC’s) communications team also suggested some noise complaints may relate to other sources such as the railway and roadworks. While that may be factually accurate in isolated cases, we believe these are the exception, not the rule.

Does it look like Whittlesey’s roads are being repaired overnight on a regular basis to you?
It is now more important than ever that residents report issues and comment on the permit and planning applications.
This is a critical moment for public engagement. If you care about how this site is regulated, please use your voice.

We’ll continue to track the process closely and share verified updates as they emerge.

EA consultation link: PE7 1PJ, Johnsons Aggregates and Recycling Limited, EPR/DP3131NM/V002: environmental permit consultation – Environment Agency – Citizen Space CCC planning portal link: Simple Search (Search for CCC/24/091/VAR).

The usual small print, how to report issues and a help request: –

We will never give your data to third parties and will only email you relevant information about Saxongate. If you wish to be removed from the mailing list just reply to, stop or remove to this email.

We also need to grow our membership so please do pass on our details. People can contact us on this email or via Facebook if they wish to join :- https://www.facebook.com/SaxonGatePE7 or email saxongate2022@gmail.com

If you have any photos or videos or logs of issues (from your homes, gardens, roads or public land) please let us know and share them with us.
If you suffer any noise, smells or dust please continue to report it to the Environment Agency 24/7 on 0800 80 70 60.
You can also email envhealth@fenland.gov.uk or call 01354 654321. This can be the best route for long term issues.
See = https://www.fenland.gov.uk/nuisance for noise, smoke, smell, dust.

AB Ghosting.

Taking a recouperation and rest for a day or two, after my somewhat very challenging health issues over the past 12 months…been carrying on as best as possible.

Update – EA Consultation Extended.
Please note that since our earlier statement, the Environment Agency has extended the consultation period on Johnsons’ permit variation to 31 October 2025 (previously 15 October).

This gives residents an extra two weeks to review the proposal and submit comments.

Follow This Link To Consultation Enviro Agency

Ghostbuster AB.