Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

I was out and about around various parts of Whittlesey for a few hours this afternoon, all seemed normal for a Sunday afternoon. Just after I arrived home the Air Ambulance landed somewhere near the Manor Field. Whilst I was there, the youths were having a good time in the Skate Park, there was a big Bowls match going on and people and children enjoying the play area.

There was not many people at the Fun Fair being held in the Ivy Leaf Car Park, work on the Bridge near Aliwal Road is progressing, and a ‘Happy’ man Darren caught a nice ‘Chub’ in the Bower, the lively fish tried a couple of times to escape whilst he attempted to weight in ~ justover 3 Lbs and then it was put back into the river.
Hoping for a quiet week ahead….

Myself (younger days) and Nancy Goude (younger days) outside her shop ‘Nancy Fashion’
Our remembrance of our dear friend who passed away 11th August 2016

A good week in many respects…
Yes I almost couldn’t believe my eyes, when – All (3) Public Toilets are open for business.
For how long – well lets hope forever, but going on the history I wouldn’t hold your breath for too long.

The ‘Travellers’ who were encamped at Whittlesey Railway station last week, have moved on, I see there was a ‘notice’ placed on the fencing nearby which covered the whole car park area – yes they have left a ‘small’ amount of rubbish which hopefully cleaned up.

The #Bridge# – Over the Kings Dyke Crossing takes another giant leap forward, with the announcement that the contract for the preferred bidder has been agreed and is due to be signed in the near future.

Good work by our local Police team in respect of bringing to court the suspect who maybe responsible for damage to a great number of vehicles some 11 days ago.
Irrespective of the Police advice for Social ‘Trolls’ to curtail their opinions in naming and posting photographs – they continued to do so.
It has been explained that this is against the law – it is only a matter of time – that one or more of these ‘Trolls’ will be prosecuted – I also understand that there has been several individuals who have received ‘private’ warnings where libel has been threatened.

Further to my article last week on new businesses opening, my apologies to Sarah W @ ‘MealHeart’ who has been open now for some 3 months.
Sarah’s father is Tony Watts a well know, now retired local window cleaner.

MealHeart is open 6 days a week (Closed on Mondays)

I have not yet tried myself but several I have spoken too have been very positive.

Finally I was sent this early this week and as long as it does not contain any libellous insinuation to anyone I am happy to pass it on.

Breaking news just released from our own County Councillor David Connor.

“It has been agreed by The Economy & Environmental Committee at Cambridgeshire Council Council to Approve the design and construction contract to the approved bidder.
Further details will follow.”

Comment by R.G. This is extremely good news for ‘95%’ of Whittlesey residents who favoured a crossing during the consultation period.

News from the BBC©
Fiona Onasanya to use wages to combat Peterborough fly-tipping.

We are holding a series of workshops to start an informal discussion with you on the future of libraries in Cambridgeshire. As a key stakeholder, you are invited to join us to explore the challenges and opportunities for the County Council’s service and help shape the future of the service.
We want to explore ideas for new models that meet the needs of our communities and are financially sustainable, and need your ideas and suggestions to inform this work and say how libraries can continue to thrive. The Government has recently published ‘Libraries Deliver: Ambition for Public Libraries in England 2016 to 2021’ which we are using as a framework to refresh our own strategy over the coming months.

Workshops will be held on:

• Monday 21^st August 18:30 – 21:00
  Huntingdon Library, Princes Street, Huntingdon PE29 3PA
• Tuesday 22^nd August 18:30 – 21:00
  Cambourne Sports and Social Club, The Pavilion, Brick Lane CB23 6FY
• Wednesday 23^rd August 18:30 – 21:00
  March Library, City Rd, March PE15 9LT
• Thursday 24^th August 18:30 – 21:00
  Ely Library, 6 The Cloisters, Ely CB7 4ZH
• Friday 25^th August 18:30 – 21:00
  Cambridge Central Library, 7 Lion Yard, Cambridge CB2 3QD

Please feel free to pass this invitation to other people who would be interested in attending any of the sessions.
These workshops are not the only opportunity to get involved, and are just the start of a conversation.
We will be running further workshops around the county in September, and if you are unable to attend we will provide information after the workshops on the County Council website and you can email us any questions or comments at LibraryServices@cambridgeshire.gov.uk  Please get in touch if you would like to invite us to meet with a particular group.
We hope you can join us,
Please RSVP by Wednesday 16^th August to LibraryServices@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Christine May
Interim Service Director
Infrastructure Management and Operations
Cambridgeshire County Council

So again, after all the ‘noise’ on social media about the Animal Experience – which by the way had nothing to do with Friends of Whittlesey Library – but received a lot of flack which in some cases bordered on abusive.
The event as can be seen is now sold out.
Thanks to all those who bought tickets to support the event – which was sponsored by Whittlesey Town Council and is another event to be proud of supporting children in our community.

Tonight Friends of Whittlesey Library (FOWL) held a committee meeting of which I am member, 8 of us to support our local Library.
Funding from Cambs CC for libraries is in short supply again this year and I understand there will be NO new books purchased.
All magazine subscriptions will now be cancelled and they are looking at perhaps stopping Newspapers in the future although no decision as yet.
The next event that FOWL will be putting on will be ‘Pennyless’ – a Folk Group, which will be held on the 7t October at 7pm
(Tickets not on sale as yet and I understand will be £5 inc nibbles & a raffle).

We were informed on how library services are advancing with Open Access in some areas, whereby the public can access a library using their Library Card – outside normal working hours – we don’t think this will be coming to Whittlesey.

The friends will be supporting the annual Christmas Tree Festival.

A separate post will shortly be done on a consultation on the future of Library Services.

Julie Bailey (Police, Community Safety Officer, Fenland)
Over the weekend there has been various vehicle crime reported to us. The reported incidents occurred in the area’s of Crescent Road, Whitmore Street, Feldale Place, and High Causeway. Cambridgeshire constabulary are appealing for information in relation to these incidents. If you have been a victim and haven’t reported it to us please could you call the non emergency number 101. If you have information in relation to these incidents e.g. you are a resident in these roads and have CCTV that might provide us with information in relation to these crimes, or you saw or heard anything that you feel can help us please e-mail whittlesey.npt@cambs.pnn.police.uk.  We would like to reassure residents reporting these crimes that you can speak to the Police in complete confidence and should not fear any reprisals.
Please could we ask that this is NOT discussed on social media, we completely understand your frustrations and that you want to vent your anger publicly however we want to catch the offenders and secure convictions and unfortunately discussions of who the offenders are could hinder our investigations. Thank you for your continued support.
Sent on Behalf Sgt Lugg and team Julie Bailey Crime Reduction and Community Safety Officer Fenland.

So it’s good-bye to one of the dynamic duo – best Street Cleaners/Operatives we’ve ever had.
Sam has decided he likes a 5 day job on the Dust Cart!
This now leaves ‘Lilly’ Pete Savage – who again I can only give great accolades in his excellent work ethic here in Whittlesey.
Let us hope we get someone who is just as dedicated as Sam as a replacement – at some time – sooner – rather than later.
(FDC) are notorious in being somewhat slow in recruiting suitable applicants!!!

Tell us something we don’t know.
Policing is and has changed over the past 5 years.
The type of Policing and the types of crimes are changing.
40% of crime now is Cyber/Internet based crime.
Police are and need to be more mobile.

As with incidents in the last couple of weeks in our own town…. social media is quick off the mark, however posting photographs of suspects, making statements online – and winding others up – does no good what so ever.
Investigations are severely jeopardized and prejudicial to what the Police can and can not do.
As I have stated so many times…..Please Report ALL crime, then there is a RECORD and trace on incidents. The Police can only act on reported crime NOT on what goes on social media.

What started late last week with one caravan, has now expanded to several other vehicles arriving by yesterday afternoon.
I have been in contact both with FDC Street Scene who inform me that ‘The Travellers & Diversity Manager’ is aware and did visit the site last Friday.
The land is Railway and British Transport Police have also been informed.
I have no issue of them being there temporarily – however someone close by is leaving a hell of a lot of Rubbish – this is what I object  too – someone and at our/my cost has to clear up the mess left behind.

Local Police Team are also aware.