An interesting letter from Cambs CC
confirming the ‘challenges’ and criteria
required to get a ‘Bypass’
The traffic stats are proof of the amount of traffic In/Out of Whittlesey.
The stats can probably only go one way – upwards.
©Cambs County Council
©Cambs County Council
Article from? – sorry don’t know.
Christmas Panto @ SHS 1965 I think.
A full house, and a very nervous Roy Gerstner playing
Piano Accordion as a ‘warm up’ to the main event.
Names mentioned, Keith Bielawski is still living in Whittlesey. He has reinvented a trio and sings quite a few venues locally. Speaking with him a few weeks ago, he has a CD out and is hoping to perform on a cruise in the near future.
Peter Savic, lives away from Whittlesey and was involved in Scientific work.
I played the Piano Accordion from the age of 7 through to about 21. I attained a Higher Diploma in Music and played in many competitions around the country – I did not win any?
During my last year at SHS, besides having a morning, evening and Sunday Paper-rounds, Working 2 – 9 pm at Morleys Petrol Station, I managed to play my Accordion at various venues around Whittlesey on Saturday nights.
A couple of Saturdays in each. I remember, The Boat, Letter B, The Angel, Nags Head in Eastrea and The Vine in Coates.
I was earning twice as much as my School Mates who were in work.
Alas I still have the trusted Accordion, and for years keep threatening to start playing again, however it takes years of practice to become a good musician of any instrument.
One Day maybe….
I spent the money I had saved for my first Motorbike – a 1961 Royal Enfield Crusader Sports (250cc). On the road on my 16th Birthday….
Leaving School, all had to be given up – I went of to Tech College in North Wales and then onto Liverpool – swinging 60’s – During one of my Summer breaks I worked in a Pontins Holiday Camp in Camber Sands – Sussex. I was ‘The Cocktail Barman’ – where pubs and bars closed at 10:30 – Holiday Camp bars stayed open until 2 to 3 in the morning.
Happy Days….No Stress….
Fraudsters are targeting members of the public who are expecting to make a payment for property repairs. The fraudsters, via email, will purport to be a tradesman who has recently completed work at the property and use a similar email address to that of the genuine tradesman. They will ask for funds to be transferred via bank transfer and once payment is made the victims of the fraud soon realise they have been deceived when the genuine tradesman requests payment for their services.
Protect Yourself:
If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it online at: http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud or by telephone on: 0300 123 2040.
Information received from Whittlesey Police @ 14:02,
Last night 5 thefts from vehicles in Whittlesey mainly around the ‘Bellmans’ area of town.
NHW is about being a better Neighbour in your community. It does not involve a great deal of time or work.
NHW Whittlesey are a volunteer group who meet every 3 months. They get regular updates from the Police and the e-cops system. It costs nothing.
If you think your area may benefit from having a co-ordinator, why not sign up.
I can send you details – my contacts are at the top bar.
So …… When Connie & I were in Rarotonga ‘The Cook Island’ in 1995, the authorities said I needed a ‘Driving Licence’ in order to drive on the ‘one circular road’ around the Island.
NO test required – just handed over the money? – have photo taken (Yes I know its a bad photo).
As I was at the Ministry of Tourism – a corrugated tin building – I asked a ‘few’ questions about local infrastructure – a nice lady said she could not help, but she knew someone who could!.
I was taken to the next room, where I met – The Minister of Tourism’ – who decided to take me around the Island, showing me the (1) Generator that was working, the Banana plantation where all the ‘waste’ was used.
I was then introduced – to ‘The Chief of Police’ (A New Zealander), who showed me around his 
Police Station – All cells were FULL – why I asked – well all domestic issues and alcohol fuelled. No sooner than a cell became vacant – it was reoccupied very rapidly.
A lovely 6 days of Polynesian culture, food and music.
The only time I have ever seen a Dog – unzip a banana and eat it! – it fell off a tree besides our bungalow….the dog – knowing that if it did not get the banana – something else would!
When the Queen visited The Cookies in 1974, she was introduced to their ‘local God of fertility’ – coin and notes – apparently she was not very impressed….I’ll stop at this point….
Above one of my memento’s a Cook Island Silver $
©RG 2016
After yet another raft of complaints about inconsiderate parking… here is a photo taken a couple of days ago.
Nice Horse & Cart, owner having a swift one in the ‘George’®
Parked on the correct side.
No Horse manure evident.
Horse very happy.
©RG
Environmental & CCTV Report – Police Report
Click on pictures to enlarge.
I hear there are a lot of issues with inconsiderate parking around AJS, this is very historic.
Since we have NO Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator in the whole area, I would suggest to the complainants to contact their local Councillor or follow up with the Police themselves.
There was 4 members of the public – including myself.
All councillors except Cllr J. Windle. (personal reasons)
After the presentation of the Citizen of the Year Award, there was the CCTV and Police report (coming later).
An absolute fantastic presentation by Cathy Carlisle (Head Teacher AJS) and Jonathan 
Digby (Principal SHS Academy) on a multitude of successes and plenty of ‘vision’ for the future of education in our area.
Their presentations took around 50 minutes – so I can not compress into a short note.
Basically, ‘most’ of our primary schools will ‘join’ up seamlessly with Sir Harry Smith Academy. This will have benefits in teaching, staff levels and support.
The (Government) want all schools to become an academy.
Mr. Digby is very passionate about the schools in our area, having met him on occasions, it is wonderful to have such a Head Teacher – with ‘vision’ and determination.
Mr. Digby has been Head of SHS for 8 years and this commitment and continuity shows in Ofsted reports and results pupils are achieving at the school.
Public Forum – I brought to the attention of the Council – The Vision 2020 and beyond for Wisbech and asked ‘Where is Whittleseys Vision’. I also congratulated Mr Digby on his achievements at the school.
There was a lengthy debate on Financial Regulations regarding funds held in accounts by the Council and this was passed by a majority vote.
The other major update, although time was running out was a shortish update by Cllr D Laws on the Neighbourhood Plan (NP) at last I’ve heard someone else use the word ‘Vision’ for Whittlesey – I am over the moon. There is some movement in asking for help and assistance in getting things going. This is going to be a very long progress.
The other quite lengthy debate concerned the Anaerobic Digestion Plant at land adjacent to Horsey Toll Farm (Peterborough City Council) – WTC recommended refusal (2nd time).
Finally there is a ‘New’ Group forming ‘Mud Walls’ trying to keep our heritage and history of these walls in/around Whittlesey. If you are interested in joining this group, please get in touch and I’ll pass on your details.
Rest of meeting was business as usual – Tonight I heard the word ‘Vision’ on 7 occasions.
Roy Gerstner
Whiitlesey Police Station is to close from 18th April for 3 weeks. Don’t know the reasons but am trying to find out?
Update @ 14:02 – Informed The station is closed for this period due to staffing levels – there are not enough people to cover Wisbech and March so (Chris) our enquiry officer is helping out.
We are still here (PCSO Ian Moll)
3 hours from start to finish – Agenda published here on the 08th April, this précis will as usual be in several parts and is NOT the official minutes of the meeting – they will appear on the WTC website in a months time.
I arrived early to witness the ‘Citizen of the Year’ award which this year goes to…old school friend and well known Whittlesey Lad – Mr Richard Exton. Well deserved and Richard has done quite a lot with organising the Straw Bear Festival for many years, he helps with ‘In Bloom’ and has provided logistical help with Street Pride in the past.
(l) Mayor Alex Miscandlon with (r) Richard Exton
Richard attended Sir Harry Smith secondary school during the 1960’s.
He has lived in Whittlesey all his life. When not doing some ‘part-time’ jobs, he and Enid go off for a motoring holiday into Europe.
Richard is ‘adventurous’ he does not own a Sat-Nav, prefers to do it the old fashion way – read a map.
Richard will be 65 in January next year – Retiring – maybe…..
There is some movement forward, – It all takes time, Now new signage is in place informing that the ‘Route’ is for those indicated on the signage.
Naturally there is access for owners of land or animals.
I understand that those ‘Car owners’ who use this access have no excuse as to the ‘rules’. It will be monitored.
At last nights meetings at Police HQ/Hinchingbrooke, I attended and as usual the ‘Police’ are going through a ‘lot’ of changes? – Staff moving, Staff leaving, and a lot of uncertainty along with the Police & Crime Commission elections.
There are only ‘4’ candidates on this occasion, all standing on a Political platform. There is a ‘Husting’ tonight at the Fleet in Peterborough organised by Peterborough NHW. All 4 will be there, I can not attend as at WTC meeting tonight.
We were in formed by Mr Charles Kitchin (Centre in picture) that there is a lot of Senior level changes also happening. Charles is not sure if his position will be secure.
Who-ever is elected takes over on the 12th May after a short handover period.
The successful candidate has 1 year to produce a ‘Police & Crime Plan’ – which I find amazing !!! – I am sure any candidate worth his/her worth would have already been well on their way to producing such a plan….I wonder?
15 Officers in Cambridgeshire are being trained on the use of ‘Drones’ whether any of our Fenland/Whittlesey Officers are included I don’t know…
The Police priorities are Burglaries and Child exploitation.
