Updates: Unfortunately the event has been cancelled due to poor ticket sales.
Pity – but maybe the Childrens events went better.
Star Wars the latest film is planned to come to the library on Friday 17th September. Ticket sales have been very slow … come on… A fantastic film here on our doorstep.
Like lots of things use it or loose it …. tickets going cheap at the Library.
Dear Fenland Voluntary Group,
You are invited to:
Getting Support and Funding : an event for small community groups, clubs and sports groups.
On 8 September at Wisbech Council Chambers from 10:30am – 03:00pm
This is an opportunity for community and voluntary groups to find out more about the support and funding opportunities available to them.
The Big Lottery Fund, Cambridge Community Foundation, the Healthy Fenland Fund, Living Sport and Tesco’s Bags of Help will all be there and there will lots of opportunities to chat with them about your project or and its funding needs. There will also be a series of presentations which will include:
11 am Living Sport works across Cambridgeshire with sports and activity clubs. They will talk about where and how small groups and clubs (those with an income of £10,000 or less) can getting funding for their activities including from Trusts, local businesses and fundraising activities.
12 am The Healthy Fenland Team will give a presentation about the support they give to help communities set up groups and develop projects. Groups can also apply for a fund of between £250 and £5,000 for health based activities, (this being a very broad definition).
Katie Dean from Ground Works will give a presentation about the Tesco Bags of Help Fund and how it supports community participation in the development and use of open spaces.
1 pm Jamie Conway from the Big Lottery will talk about what groups need to do to be funding ready. He will explain what documents, accounts and policies funders would expect to see and how groups and clubs can ensure they not only tick all the right boxes but also make a good impression to aid their funding bid.
2 pm CCVS will moderate questions from groups and clubs to funders. This will be a good opportunity to pick up lots of information and tips on making successful funding bids.
There is no need to book – just come along on the day.
What ‘short’ memories – ‘some’ social networkers have…. what I am on about – Well in the early spring, the state of the ‘Hedge’ along Arnolds Lane was encroaching on people wanting to either walk, use pushchairs or mobility scooters. The Community Payback Team gave the ‘Hedge’ a real good cutback – there was consternation on ‘Social Networking’ that
Kenny and the Team had killed the Hedge and it would be no more.
Here is a picture taken a couple of days ago to prove otherwise, and yes I did see a load of different birds flying in and out of the Hedge….any comment!
On another whining topic (Must not say such a word) No mention of the fantastic work done by Whittlesey Town Council in sorting out the Funthams Lane Road – People think that Councils can work miracles overnight – this project involved many different parties, and in the big scheme didn’t really take too long – yes I will hold councillors and people to account as I am accountable – but as the public know I will always give credit when it is due and it is in this case.
There was either NO or minimal cost to WTC the road was tarmacked by the Environment Agency.
When I did a tour of the ‘New’ Roadway on Saturday, I did not meet any vehicles going or coming towards the Millennium Bridge and the Boat People.
However I did meet 3 vehicles still using the Cycle-Route from the Field of Dream Football Pitch – 2 of the vehicles I recognised as those belonging to ‘Guess Who’ – the River Boat People – so after all the work the Council has done, to make the Funthams Lane entrance fit for purpose – the ‘Boat People’ appear not to want to use it (On the occasion I witnessed). We can only wait and see how good the ‘New’ Vandal Proof’ Gate will work to deter those who still insist on using the Cycle Route for Vehicle access to their boats.
I am extremely grateful to the Whittlesey branch of the Royal British Legion – who today for the first time have raised the ‘Red Duster’ on their flag pole behind the War memorial.
The fact that the men and women who served in the Merchant Navy who kept our island nation afloat during both World Wars.
Merchant Navy day is supported by the Merchant Navy Fund. It aims to highlight the work done by UK sailors and supports their families.
Last year more than 200 local flag hoisting ceremonies were organised in the UK.
Roy Gerstner in 1972 aged 21 just prior to joining the
Mv Benlawers (Thomson Bros of Leith) at London KG V docks.
We were chartered by the Red Cross to collect and take aid to the people of Vietnam – I was employed by the Red Cross to organise and assist with setting up all the communications bases that were required as well as being the Electronics Officer on-board the ship.
We picked up aid in many countries on our way to what was Siagon (Ho Chi Minh City) whilst transiting the Mekong Delta, a ‘friendly’ shell hit us, fortunately no one was killed.
My friend Simon Coates was injured but survived.
In 2017 we will be returning to Vietnam the first time I have done so since 1974.
My very good friend ‘Ben Killeen’ from ‘Gallows Hill’ Ennies, Limerick. Sailed during the 2nd World War, was frequently bombed and blown up, the worst occasion in Tripoli 1944.
Ben sadly passed away in June this year aged 93. I met Ben on a few occasions and he was a fantastic man of history and detail. I am honoured to have known and befriended him.
Madeleine and Ben Killeen with myself in 2014, I made a special visit to see him.
He got up at 4am to get ready to meet me.
We spent many hours reminiscing over his long life at sea – He insisted in giving me a farewell present – A bottle of Tullamore Irish Whiskey – which I still have today – unopened.
Merchant Navy Day – 03rd September 2016 – Again my thanks to the Whittlesey Branch of The Royal British Legion.
ps The flag is Ex ‘London Victory’ 1984
Late this afternoon, I witnessed what was the most serious/stupid thing for a long time.
Besides, ‘somebody/someone’ vandalising picnic benches which WTC very kindly installed for all to enjoy.
The Teenagers (about 6 or 7 of them) were ‘heating’ up deodorant canisters – then puncturing the can to set the whole can off like a projectile.
Now I am not sure if these ‘Teens’ can read or not – but there are normally warning signs on canisters about safe ‘disposing’.
I’ve just done a search on ‘You Tube’ and there are a number of Kids playing about with 
Cigarette Lighters and various canisters….frightening.
I did inform the Teens of the potential extreme dangers they were playing with – whether it sank in or not I don’t know. I would hate to find out later that one or more had lost a limb or their sight.
Reported to our Police – maybe further education required….
Mr Jason Ablewhite – The Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has now made it ‘official’ that Whittlesey Police Station will close for good.
I reported the very subject on this website on 29th June this year. I have been accused by a number of people, that I had got my facts incorrect ….Well I got the information direct from a Fenland Police Inspector – who said on 29th June that they were at the 90% of making a final decision – I would think that was pretty conclusive.
The PCC is looking at ways to reduce costs (Where have we heard this before). Cambs Police have an estate of around £35 million which cost around £4 million a year to run.
He states that there is a saving by selling or leasing police buildings that are underutilised or not needed then this seems sensible to do so.
Whittlesey Police Station is one of the buildings under review and, after careful consideration, the Constabulary determined it will not be required operationally and will be closed in October.
Now this is where Jason Ablewhite is incorrect in his assumptions.
He is under the impression that ‘we’ in Whittlesey have a full force of a Sergeant, PC and 2 PCSO’s…. well yes on paper – but in practice – never. We are very lucky to see our PCSO (s) once in a blue moon!!!!! – yes I accept on a 999 situation the reactive offices can be on the scene within a fairly short time – depending on priorities.
Finally Jason Ablewhite states ‘Should you have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact me’ (His details are at the top of the page)
Another ‘nail’ for the residents of Whittlesey (Chatteris Police Station also closed).
As I have stated many times – cuts – we have not seen the really BIG axe to come our way yet.
You may have read last weeks article about the possible (probable) cuts in Minor Injury Units, everyone is looking at ways of reducing costs.
Whittlesey Police Station opened on the 3rd of October 1968 and has served Whittlesey well for 48 years –
It appears that ‘some’ people’ have accused me of miss-information and inaccuracies on this website…..sorry I do NOT do miss-information and inaccuracies – I leave this for others to do.
I will post further information later this evening….Remember only 18% or so voted in Fenland elections for the PCC
Jason Ablewhite won that election and is the current Police & Crime Commissioner….
This afternoon (30th) we said our final farewell to Nancy Goude.
Her relations from Malaysia and Singapore joined Connie and myself to witness her ashes scattered at the Fenland Crematorium near March.
We will remember with great fondness and a great loss to many she had made lifelong friends with.
R.I.P.
A nice number of people attended the funeral of Nancy this afternoon with 4 relations from Malaysia and Singapore. A number of her late husband’s (Reg) relation also attended.
Our Whittlesey Clergy Rev Nigel Whitehouse conducted the service at the Fenland Crematorium – the eulogy was composed and read by myself.
Afterwards we spent a few hours reminiscing the life of a well know businesswoman and friend at the Black Bull in Whittlesey – Thank you to Rose for the reception.
Nancy & Reg in Penang Malaya around 1955 the year they were married.
Myself and Nancy around 1990 outside her shop in my original ‘Ipoh’ Trishaw.
Alas I no longer have the Trishaw – but we had a lot of fun with it – riding it around Whittlesey – with some rather bemused looking faces of local people
Farewell Nancy R.I.P.
Tracy Dowling – The Accountable Officer of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group – CCG had a no win chance of making a case last night.
I arrived at 18:30 and the venue was packed I got the last seat. I estimate in excess of 200+ attended, with many outside as there was no more space.
The meeting got off to a very heated start – with mainly Doddington residents complaining of the venue – the Village Hall which is larger was already booked.
MP Steve Barclay stood at the rear of the hall, the only other Whittlesey resident I saw was WTC Councillor Martin Curtis.
Tracy Dowling went through the Powerpoint presentation pretty quickly – and was frequently interrupted with questions not always about the subject that was on the agenda? See below the presentation.
A great number of questions were put to Tracy Dowling and she very expertly answered them all – some not to the liking of some of the audience.
Martin Curtis asked a question which I thought was a bit irrelevant as it concerned him being the ‘(Ex)Leader of Cambs CCC which is a bit historical now.
The CCG as a delivering group (Our own local GP Gary Howsan is now the Chairman) have inherited a £250 Million debt and overspend and the current management/committee have to address this.
The Cambs Times© has an in depth article today 24th August.
More information about the Cambs & Peterboro’ CCG can be found on this link Click Here
Earlier this year I have been to 3 other meeting regarding the CCG looking at ‘how’ they can save money….I accept no one wants to loose any services, but the do nothing option will only make things worse. Maybe our own Gary Howsan can work a miracle some how.
FDC’s leader John Clark along with Mike Cornwell, Will Sutton – in attendance there may have been others that I did not see.
From March Kit Own, Andrew Donnelly and Labour Councillor Martin Field.
The only time Steve Barclay spoke was a sentence to say that the Government had ‘Ring Fenced’ NHS funding – I think he was there to hear and listen to the concerns of the residents.
I dare say the say emotive meetings will take place at the other Towns being evaluated.
I have been following with great interest the ‘possible’ closure of Minor Injury Units in Wisbech, Doddington and Ely.
Maybe people in Whittlesey think that if this goes ahead – it will no affect us here – Wrong….
There are around 40+ Thousand people in Wisbech alone – they will not all head for Kings Lynn – many will head towards Peterborough.
This puts even more strain on a service which at the least is struggling to cope now.
MP Steve Barclay has made some remarks and has received leaked information from a ‘whistleblower’ indicating that the only option is to close the MIU in all 3 places.
So is this yet another case where the ‘unelected’ make the decisions – then go out as they have – for a consultation – which looks like it gets binned?
I plan to attend and listen first hand to what the CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) –
I expect the meeting to be ‘heated’
Lets give some congratulations to WTC for a change – Like it or not – todays Music on the Market Square was from what I saw and heard a big success… The ‘sound’ didn’t travel too far to upset that many people. It was a very good atmosphere, families enjoying picnics, and was well organised.
On my travels I collected the ‘usual’ big bag of rubbish – sorry but whilst I am collecting it – I will report what I collect –
The weather stayed dry – the forecast fortunately was wrong….
