Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Another very long meeting at Police HQ Hinchingbrooke with many ‘Stakeholders’ – 3+ hours and as usual not a lot of decision making – the list of outstanding topics gets longer.
There are a couple of items that do need to be placed in the public domain.
(1) There is to be….yet another strategic review of Cambs Policing, as happens Policing is for-ever changing with the demand and circumstances that are placed upon the Force.
Whilst the review has not started yet – brings a great amount of uncertainty within the Force.
Demands on finances and resources are forever a big topic for all stakeholders involved.
(2) The Police & Crime Commissioner is seeking views on a Police with Fire Service consultation which I will cover in my next post.

The section below is copied from the Cambs Police Federation Magazine ‘June’ edition –
makes frightening reading if it is to be believed.

Local historian Maureen Watson gave a historical talk to the Whittlesea Society on Monday evening. Yesterday (Tuesday) she gave her 2nd talk about the local area – Coates, where she was brought up. Maureen and husband John lived in one of the oldest houses in North Green until recently when they moved to Eastrea (All 1+ mile).
There is still some disagreement as to ‘What’ the Public House on South Green was called!
I knew it as the ‘Rat Hole’ / The Stag & Hounds, however Maureen reckons it was ‘The Canterbury Arms / ‘Rat Hole’ – I’ll ask Mrs Viv Ellington who still lives next door to where the Pub used to be – she has lived there for over 60 years.

Next session – Tuesday 18th July @ 2pm – Eastrea Village Centre – Talk about Eastrea

 
Roy G aged 6 with ‘New Bike’      Roy G aged 4 with his ‘pet goose’ on South Green Coates
South Green – Looking ‘North’

At last the agenda has appeared see below.

I would as I normally do, post up the Agenda for this Wednesdays meeting, however as has happened before NO AGENDA on the WTC website, is this now the ‘norm’ I may ask – or just another ‘technical’ issue.
There are strict rules on governance of advertising Council meetings, and although not required as such to put on their website, I was to understand that the much ‘lauded’ WTC website would have ALL information about Council business posted on it.
Reliability and responsibility is one of the key factors on running ‘websites’ and if this does not happen – people turn away for using it….
This website regularly gets well over 1,000 hits/views per day – perhaps because of its Reliability and responsibility….
Come on WTC – get the act together please – get a grip of the situation and take responsibility!!!!

I understand the ‘usual’ items are to be discussed, Policing updates and Kings Dyke crossing update etc  …. If and when the agenda becomes available to the general public – naturally I’ll post it up.
I am planning to attend the meeting.

It won’t happen to you…..and pigs fly! – Just doesn’t matter how careful and how much protection you use again cyber criminals, you can only do so much.
Once your email is out – someone will sell it and that’s the start of things to come.

Please find attached the newest edition of the ambassador newsletter. In a (slight) change to this month’s advertised content and to support the Citizen’s Advice Scams Awareness Month this newsletter will focus on online frauds and scams and the best ways to keep yourself and community safe from online fraudsters.
While it would be impossible to cover every scam that is out there in a two page newsletter this month’s ‘little blue box’ has advice on how to prevent Auto-Fraud and the Cambridgeshire Constabulary Facebook and twitter accounts and also on ecops – the online messaging services around auto fraud as advertised. For those who would like further information on all the other types of scams and frauds out there Actionfraud have a searchable A-Z guide on their website and you can also find the Little Book of Big Scams, the Little Book of Big Scams Business Edition and the Little Book of Cyber Scams available for download on the Cambridgeshire Constabulary website.
In August Get Safe Online and Cambridgeshire police will be having their Get Safe Online Live event in conjunction with the Cambridge Thai Festival on Parker’s Piece Park, Parkside road, Cambridge. We will be there both on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th August 2017.

To visit Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s website please follow this link:
http://www.cambs-police.co.uk/index.asp

There is a ‘toggle’ arrow at the bottom of the page to move to the next pages.

July 2017 newsletter

NHW member KC forward this obvious spam e-mail from what is thought to have been Amazon…

From: Amazon [mailto:76503370@amazon.com-updatedetails.com]
Sent: 06 July 2017 15:25
To: Removed by webmaster
Subject: Customer Service: Important account information 88749766

Dear Customer (Real websites will normally address you by your name)

Starting this month Amazon online is no longer keeping personal data on his server more than six months. For this the account must be validated and payment methods verified every six months. Every account that is not verified in this period will be suspended in 48 hours from this email was sent. For avoiding problems with transactions or buying products from our site , please follow button to confirm your account.
The procedure for disabling the account according to the Terms and Conditions of Usage, will take place in 24 hours after this email was sent. – The verification procedure invoked requires a very short time for the customer. – The generated button above is active for 24 hours only. If during this period the customer does not make the validation of his online account the account will be disabled.
It will then say Verify Now

D0 Not Click on this link – Naturally I have removed the actual link….If you hover your mouse over the actual link (Do Not Click)
You will see the ‘properties of the link’ It would not resemble a ‘Real’ Amazon Address.
What does a disabled account mean: – The user will not be able to purchase products from Amazon or from partner stores that post a product on Amazon. – All deliveries will be cancelled for the user. – The user will not be able to sell or advertise his products on Amazon site. – Once the account is disabled the user will not be able to create or use another account in his name.
Thank you for your understanding and apologise for any inconvenience that this may create.
Amazon Customer Service Team.
The graphics are very good but there are give-aways.  Always be careful.

I use ‘links’ here on this website, I create them myself – and always check to make sure they take you to the correct web address.

Well what can I say, from being very well organised, with lots of groups in support of the event, The Fens Magazine/Natasha Shiels, The Whittlesey Business Forum and sponsored by many businesses around the town.
With excellent weather for the 5 mile ‘Whittlesey Walk’ our Neighbourhood Watch Group set up our ‘Watering Hole’ at The Vine’ in Coates, with passing visitors nonagenarian Jeanne Beaumont and a near nonagenarian Violet Ellington, our station was ready and waiting.
I having litter picked the whole route on Friday, good to see Cllr Eamon Dorling with his Litter Truck at the rear, which means I will not have to do it again.
Our thanks also to the Army Cadets who ensured all safely crossed the main road in Coates and Eastrea.
We are hoping that the event will grow and become an annual event!
Opened by Deputy Mayor Cllr Mrs Windle – all participants received a medal for their efforts.
I dare say in time, we will find out how much was raised by the event.

Best of all – we all had Fun, Fun, Fun….and enjoyed ourselves, my thanks to Lynne A,
Jeanne B and Sue T for their help today and of course The Vine for their excellent facilities.

Of course it wouldn’t  be weekend without me updating on the situation regarding the
‘Closed Toilet’.
We had 2 months or so with (3) toilets ‘Out of Use’ due to vandalism, this left just the Disabled Toilet ‘In Use’ – 2 months to fix, then we have had (1) Toilet that’s been Out of Use for the best part of nearly 4 months.
When asking questions of my Councillors, I get varying excuses, some valid but most not.
‘They’ our Councillors – appear – NOT to be embarrassed in the least that this relatively minor issue is taking so long to sort out.
I will continue to make issue of this ’embarrassing’ situation for as long as it takes.
I do plan to raise this ‘Issue’ again at this weeks coming WTC Council meeting…maybe it will have ‘Fixed’ itself by then –  if NOT – What is the latest event of excuses I wonder.
NOT embarrassed – Well I am!

Pictures taken yesterday (07th July 2017)

The numbers attending the Charity Walk tomorrow are a little disappointing – around 50 or so at present with some hopefully last minute registrations.
This had been a very well advertised event both here and through many other media.
All for (2) local charities…here in Whittlesey….come on stop moaning on social media and do something worthwhile…..

Here is tomorrow route with some interesting facts..

Being supported by many ‘Local’ businesses and organisations, from NISA – Army Cadets – Neighbourhood Watch – Whittlesey Business Forum & The Fens Magazine….

Well, I Litter Picked the 5 mile route today on my 4×4 mobility scooter!!!.. it was a bit hard going in places, but I hear that the event seems to have created some interest….
Not too late to join in on the day, just turn up on Sunday Morning in sturdy foot ware and £5 registration for the charities and away you all go.
I and 3 kind ladies will be at the ‘Watering Hole’ – The Vine in Coates, with – you guessed it – Water ….

For the sedate crowd here is the route in pictures from Lattersey Nature Reserve to returning.
By the way, I had been gone for around 1½ hours, by which time another Low Life had dumped a load of rubbish in the Lattersey Nature Reserve Car Park – whilst the Recycling Centre was open!!!!!..
   
   
   
   


I cleared up what I could but had to leave some behind, I have contacted the Wardens who will clear up the rest.

Picture 12 shows a cream coloured building in Coates facing end onto the road, I used to live opposite this building in 1952 -1961
The building is an Ex Public House – The Stag & Hounds – locally known as ‘The Rat Hole’

Looking forward to seeing as many ‘charitable people’ on Sunday Morning…. Peace and Quiet along this route…..

I am writing to inform you that there has been an increase in various types of vehicle crime across Fenland and neighbouring forces. High performance vehicles are being targeted as vehicles of choice to be stolen (BMW, AUDI etc.), please ensure that if you are an owner of this type of vehicle please take a few minutes to read the following..
Please ensure that they are locked securely, make sure that your vehicles immobiliser is on, if you have additional alarms fitted that they are working and even consider a steering lock for added security.
Works Vehicles We are again seeing works vehicles being targeted, tools are being stolen from works vehicles, please try to make your tools less desirable to the criminals paint them pink and mark them with your details. Criminals want to take things that don’t belong to them and want to pass them on don’t make it easy for them.
Where possible remove tools from vehicles, I appreciate that this can be inconvenient and time consuming however surely loss of business disruption to customers is a bigger inconvenience. If you must leave them in the vehicle store them in a double locked heavy duty box, that is attached to the floor of the vehicle, use closed shackle padlocks, also double lock the van doors although this might seem unsightly its an added barrier where possible please park vehicle in a position that makes access difficult or impossible! Domestic vehicles Please could I remind you to take a few extra seconds to ensure no valuables are left inside your vehicle and that it is locked. Don’t let criminals win!

Thank you for taking the time to read the above. If you have any information regarding any of the above please contact us on the non emergency number 101 or you can call crime stoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 Many thanks Julie Bailey Crime Reduction and Community Safety Officer Fenland.

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) and Action Fraud have recently noticed a rise in the reporting of pets, and in particular puppies and kittens, being advertised for sale via popular online auction websites. The fraudsters will place an advert of the pet for sale, often claiming that the pet is currently held somewhere less accessible or overseas. Upon agreement of a sale, the suspect will usually request an advance payment by money transfer or bank transfer. However, the pet does not materialise and the fraudster will subsequently ask for further advanced payments for courier charges, shipping fees and additional transportation costs. Even if further payments are made, the pet will still not materialise as it is likely to not exist.

Tips to staying safe when purchasing pets:

• Stay within auction guidelines.
• Be cautious if the seller initially requests payment via one method, but later claims that due to ‘issues with their account’ they will need to take the payment via an alternative method such as a bank transfer.
• Consider conducting research on other information provided by the seller, for example a mobile phone number or email address used by the seller could alert you to any negative information associated with the number/email address online.
• Request details of the courier company being used and consider researching it.
• Agree a suitable time to meet face-to-face to agree the purchase and to collect the pet. If the seller is reluctant to meet then it could be an indication that the pet does not exist.
• A genuine seller should be keen to ensure that the pet is going to a caring and loving new home. If the seller does not express any interest in you and the pet’s new home, be wary.
• If you think the purchase price is too good to be true then it probably is, especially if the pet is advertised as a pure-breed.
• Do not be afraid to request copies of the pet’s inoculation history, breed paperwork and certification prior to agreeing a sale. If the seller is reluctant or unable to provide this information it could be an indication that either the pet does not exist or the pet has been illegally bred e.g. it originates from a ‘puppy farm’. A ‘puppy farm’ is a commercial dog breeding enterprise where the sole aim is to maximise profit for the least investment. Commercial dog breeders must be registered with their local authority and undergo regular inspections to ensure that the puppies are bred responsibly and are in turn fit and healthy. Illegally farmed puppies will often be kept in inadequate conditions and are more likely to suffer from ailments and illnesses associated with irresponsible breeding.
• When thinking of buying a pet, consider buying them in person from rescue centres or from reputable breeders.
• If you have been affected by this, or any other type of fraud, report it to Action Fraud by visiting  www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.