Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

On Wednesday the 12th May 1976 it was my parents ‘Silver/25th Wedding Anniversary’, Connie and I got engaged to be married on the very same day.
The following Saturday 15th, we had a really good party with around 200 people in the House/Garden and Garage, depending on the age group. The ‘Party’ carried on throughout the night, and various ‘guests’ were found the next morning, including one ‘friend’ who slept on the Mature Heap’ – what happy, carefree and stress free days….!!!

Alas both of my parents have passed on, but Connie and I celebrated at Vesuvio’s here in Whittlesey last night. We always enjoy the food and service.

Maria and Pepe are big supporters of many organisations in and around Whittlesey.
Rated #1 out of 18 in Whittlesey on TripAdvisor©

Reports from FDC departments to WTC

Click Here for Local Crime Report

Click on Picture to enlarge – Click a 2nd time to enlarge again…

As usual Click on Pictures to enlarge….

Disclaimer: These observations are not the ‘offical’ minutes of the meeting, these are supplied by Whittlesey Town Council, normally (1) month following the meeting and can be viewed on their official website.

Not the best of welcomes! with a dumped settee and chair immediately adjacent to the Town Council Offices last night, still I dare say if you want something moved quickly the perpetrator knew what they were doing.
That said, my report of a dumped settee along Funthams Lane last week has been removed by FDC’s Rapid Response Team.
Well done them and my thanks….

Last nights meeting started at 7:00 pm with what is annually the ‘Parish Council Meeting’
This lasted all of 6 minutes.

At 7:30 13 Councillors present (apologies from Cllr Mrs Windle), 6 Members of the Public.
The Town Council monthly meeting, started with the election of the Mayor for the coming year. Cllr Alex Miscandlon was re-elected (3 Councillors abstained from the vote).
Cllr Ralph Butcher re-elected as Deputy Mayor.
Next was the presentation of the Mayors Charity Cheques, this year going to two very worthy local groups.
(1) East Anglian Air Ambulance & (2) Whittlesey Emergency Food Aid.

The Police report, has already been published on this site yesterday and other reports will be posted in Part (2) later today.
There was then a somewhat lengthy (40 minutes) debate on various appointments for Town Council Committees, most of the appointments being the same as last years!

Next came the Public forum, where Eastrea resident Mr Bernard Gray-Esson raised points about vandalism in Eastrea and the ‘lack of’ Police engagement, issues with contacting the Police and Human excrement problems at Kings Delph Layby.
I supported Mr Gray-Esson in advising Councillors that over 10 Tons of Rubbish had been removed from this Layby and it was now time that all bodies/agencies took notice of this issue and if it could not be addressed – then the County Council Highways should perhaps look into closing the Layby? (Later in the meeting Cllr Boden said he concurred with the points raised – he was concerned that by closing the Layby – could move the problem elsewhere).
I also advised the Councillors of the forthcoming ‘Internet Scam Event’ by FDC & NHW on Friday 27th May 10:00 – 13:00 Whittlesey Market Place or opposite the Police Station.

There were no other speakers – the anticipated appearance (Hearsay) that a Tesco representative would be giving a talk on a future planning application did not materialise?

Cllr Mrs Laws gave an upbeat update on the Neighbourhood Plan (NP), progress is being made in getting professional help/assistance and financing the project.

Cllr Ray Whitwell updated the Councillors on the issues of the Green Wheel Cycle route.
(See previous posts on the website)

The rest of the meeting was as per the agenda.
Nothing was mentioned about the Kings Dyke Bridge/Crossing.

Here is better information about the Ukulele Workshop event.

The outgoing Police & Crime Commissioners Newsletter see link below.
Some good factual information.

Newsletter

Click Here  – Visit Whittlesey NHW

Crimes since last meeting are 60 compared with 55 last year. 27 of these crimes are theft from vehicle; most theft of items from but some being catalytic convertors. We had extra patrols in place with officers being drafted from Wisbech, March and Peterborough.
We made good use of social media and asked the local schools to send out parent mail all to encourage people to lock their cars and not leave tempting items in sight.
The mini crime spree lasted a couple of nights then stopped as quickly as it started.
We have had no house burglaries reported but have had 2 sheds being broken into. 

Incidents have risen to 249 from 214 last year. This may be because “101” waiting times (from what I’m told) are much shorter than they used to be – as I type you would get through in one ring) and there is now a call back facility that was added earlier this year. 

We have one particular area that is having repeated issues with young people hanging around, I won’t say where this month as we have plans afoot and I don’t want to jeopardize them.
The speed gun has been returned to us having had its annual calibration – if anyone would like to come out with us and target a particular road on their ward then please get in touch.

Patrols continue along High Causeway – tickets are being issued.
The team remains based at Whittlesey Police station with a sergeant, a PC, 2 PCSO’s and our Special Constabulary Sergeant.

Whittlesey NHW will be going out with our PCSO to conduct speeding within the area.
If you have a specific area/road of concern please contact me (R.G.)

To visit Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s website please follow this link:

http://www.cambs-police.co.uk/index.asp

After the very successful ‘Opera Dudes’ last Saturday, the Friends of Whittlesey Library (FOWL) are putting on ‘Ukulele’ lessons. There will be a ‘taster’ session prior to the short course.
Begins Saturday 25th June @ 10:00
There will also be a Coffee Morning at the Library on the same date/time.
If interested please register at the Library.

Click on picture to open and enlarge for opening hours.

Dr Richard Spires delivering his presentation yesterday. Another very important point he raised was that of ‘Wastage’ – People stocking medications and not using them. I remember my late father had drawers worth of medications and I am sure he was not alone.
This is one area that can or maybe addressed in order to save money.
One thing for certain as remarked yesterday – even if after these relatively minor cuts/changes there will be some swingeing cuts to come – I am talking about Pharmacy/Prescription services.

This will be just ‘One’ area we know will be affected – there are and will be many others.
The only area I know there to be NO cuts is that of MPs Pay – but of course that was done by ‘an independent panel’ Oh Yeh – How independent.

Now the election for the Police & Crime Commissioner is over, I note that on this occasion for the Cambs PCC position that for the whole of Cambridgeshire the turn-out was 30:56% – this is pretty good – however for the Fenland Region the turnout was only 18:23% which shows the level of interest for Fenland. I accept that the publicity other than that on the web and a couple of hustings was pretty abysmal.
The electorate is apathetical for elections in general – and this election was no different.
The 81% of those who didn’t or couldn’t be bothered to vote, are normally the most vocal when it comes to complaining…..but there we are – what’s new.
More information on the results can be found on FDC’s website by Click Here

This event has been well advertised, both here and many other forums. I attended along with 14 other members of the public, which included New Queen Street Patients Participation committee members and (2) WTC Councillors.

There was confusion from some of the public who thought it was about ‘Closing Down Pharmacies’ – No No No – I will add at the end the consultation link where if people are interested can fill in the questionnaire. I have done this before.
Doctor Richard Spires gave an excellent presentation and pre-empted some of the questions that may have be asked.

The ‘crux’ of this consultation is about having to save money – (How many times have we heard this) – But is it a reality unfortunately like it or not.
Some items that are prescribed such as pain killers, can be bought over the counter for example. Other areas which were being looked at are contained in the presentation notes below.

I asked (2) questions which Dr Spires answered very well.
1/ Is this the beginning of the short edge of the wedge? –
Answer – Yes – Vast savings have to be made – and these detailed here is only a small
proportion of what has to be done.
How big is the wedge of course?

2/ Why is it that some medicines/prescriptions are available for free in Scotland and some
parts of England but not here in Cambridgeshire?
Answer – Like many things it is a ‘Post Code Lottery’ as who get what and when – it is a
Government decision?

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Click Here CCG Have Your Say

The CAB service is back at the Library/Learning Hub on Fridays.
Unlike before when ‘customers’ arrived and signed in – and waited in turn –
Now – You have to get a numbered ticket from the counter.
There are only 4 time slots available
.
Therefor if you are NOT one of the first 4 – you will not be seen on that Friday.
Below is the web link to the Rural Cambs CAB Service.

http://www.ruralcambscab.org.uk/

Naturally when I am informed of any developments within my articles/posts, I am more than happy to make corrections and or updates.
Our Neighbourhood Police Team, informed me today (09th) that there were in fact 8 sets of signage informing drivers of the Railway Crossing Closure.

They believe that the ‘White Vans’ may have been Network Rail contractors.
The Police Van was at the level crossing on several occasions during the day (Not whilst I was there)

So several calls to report ‘issues’ at Kings Dyke Crossing (Remember Station Road Crossing is also closed). So ‘zoomed’ up there on my mobility scooter to witness some idiotic drivers…. Whilst I sat there (1 hour from 15:15 to 16:15) I witnessed 53 vehicles driving right up the last barrier and turning around to go back (towards Whittlesey direction).
There was 22 vehicles that came from the other direction then turned back towards Kings Delph.
2 vehicles (Both White Van Man) decided the rules were not meant for them and drove around the barriers and crossed the Level Crossing (Gates were open).
(See above)
From the Kelly Vision Round-about (A605) there are 8 advanced warnings that the road was closed – so why did so many people (53 in just that one hour) attempt to ‘see’ if the crossing was open…..
Are these the same people who say they are never informed? – Didn’t bother to read the advance notices.
Now I must comment that on WTC Website there is a Road Closure link (Empty) – but then again if the Council are not advised (They normally are) then we are NOT informed.
No excuses for the White Van Man…. I am but a humble observer – it is NOT my job to police the road – we have paid officials to do that. (See correction above)

I just hope there is a camera monitoring the crossing…..