Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

My friend Kevin Bassam sadly passed away on Friday 22nd September, Kevin & I went to SHS school together in the 1960’s and hung out on our Motorbikes from 1967 for a few years. Always pleased to see me and help in any way he could, he had suffered with various health problems over many years.
Kevin trained as a motor mechanic at Mercedes Benz and then joined with running a business with his father. Trading from Peterborough Road – KB Motors have been established for over 25 years – with his son – Paul.

Connie and I send our sincere condolences to Janet and the family – the funeral arrangements will come later.

(l-r) Frank, Kevin B, & Paul B.

School friend, Boy Cubs, Scouts, Eastrea Paperboys and Nautical Salt – with a wonderful wife – Andrew and Sue Overton celebrated their ‘Ruby’ wedding anniversary yesterday.
A very nice get together with friends and family including Dad – Bert at 92 years young.

Here on the left is : (l-r)
Andrew O, Stuart R, Paul M,
Lorna G and RG about 1967

Firstly congratulations to Natasha at ‘The Fens Magazine’ who won 2 awards at this weeks
FENLAND ENTERPRISE  BUSINESS AWARDS 2017 – one for the magazine itself and one for her personally. Local business ‘Kellysion’ – who won Retailer of the year.

This should make ‘Whittlesey’ proud, that these two businesses have achieved this fantastic accolade.

Another excellent event at NQS -Flu-Clinic by the Patients Participation Group (PPG)

I managed to sign up 18 new interested  patients in joining the group. Our ladies had a fantastic cake stall – which sold out.
   

The Neighbourhood Watch Meeting last night went well, and we covered many of the current on- going issues, I informed the group that there has been some small success, in the respect of the ‘Youth(s)’ who carried out 14 acts of vandalism in/around Feldale & Victory Avenue some weeks ago, has admitted to the magistrates his offences and is awaiting sentencing later this month. This latest incident has caused residents a great concern and the Police are aware of this.

This is an actual picture of one of the vehicles ‘attacked’ by ‘AB’

Our crime statistics unfortunately are a bit skewed as 80% of our reported crime was carried out by just 3 individuals – all of whom have now been charged.

Yesterday also saw certificates and presentations at The Library for the Reading competition. MP Steven Barclays was in attendance and Deputy Mayor Cllr Mrs Windle.

CCTV  – fixed well maybe, some considerable time in ‘fault-finding an issue with the CCTV – maybe they should have asked me! – anyway hopefully the job is done and the camera now works – we pay enough for it through our rates!.
Every year when FDC ask for ‘its’ contribution towards the CCTV – ends in a somewhat serious debate (as it should) about value for rate-payers monies.
I hope that  come next year that serious debate is given to this.

Finally for this week-end update – The Hero of Aliwal on-going renovations are progressing – slowly – I see that ‘glass’ has now arrived and local plasters have arrived –

The New Vets building is taking shape and it is all looking good.

Another local business investing in our local town – thank you.

Yet another busy – very exciting week – with lots happening – I am taking a rest for a while – See you soon…..

Ticket sales for The Friends of Whittlesey Library – next event – are going a tad slow….
Another fantastic event I am sure – an evening of ‘Folk’ music – from ‘Pennyless – Tickets only £6:00

7th October – Door open 7pm for Music to start 7:30

Tickets available from the library….

Click on picture to enlarge.

Quarterly Neighbourhood Watch  Meeting
(No connection with WTC’s Neighbourhood Plan)

Friday 22nd September at 7pm – WTC Offices, @ Grosvenor House (On the road to the Co-Op), side entrance and up the stairs.

There will be an update from Chairman Roy Gerstner
Re crime statistics and a good result in respect of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage carried out by a local youth.
Updates about our own NHW Website full of lots of info.
Updates from Co-ordinators.
Click Here Whittlesey NHW

This is an open meeting and the public are invited to attend – Why not be a part of the ‘Largest Voluntary Organisation’ in the UK – Not only be a Good Neighbour – be a Better Neighbour – Help make our community feel safer.

Below is a link to the latest newsletter from Police and Crime Commissioner, Jason Ablewhite.
In this edition, you can find out about what the Commissioner is doing to support people from re-offending and what the Independent Custody Visitor scheme does.
PCCs Updates

At last nights Whittlesey Business Forum Meeting – 2 charity cheques were presented to the groups nominated, ‘Defibrillators for All’ and ‘YPCS’, two local groups carrying out good work in and around our town and villages.
The charity walk which took place on the 09th July, was enjoyed by many that took part.

At  many meetings including last weeks WTC meeting the very emotive subject of ‘never’ or hardly ‘ever’ seeing the Police Camera Van in/around Whittlesey – of course ‘if’ you don’t speed then there is nothing to be concerned about – so as luck  would have it – as we were on our way out today – who is spotted – none other than said Camera Van.
They normally only stay in one location for around 20/30 minutes and then move on.
Here is the proof for todays event…..

The ‘laser’ cameras that are used have a considerable range anything up to 500 metres…

Tonight Wednesday 20th September 2017
Whittlesey Business Forum meets at:
The Falcon Hotel – @ 6pm.

At tonights meeting….
Why not come along and network with other businesses within our town.

• Welcome and Apologies
  Minutes of the previous general meeting on 19^th July, 2017
  Matters Arising
  Members introduction
  Membership & Treasurer’s Report
  Guest Speaker; Gary Johannes of Inspired to Change – Questions
  Fenland District Business Awards
  Charity Walk – cheque presentations
  Trade & Community Fayre – Review
  Christmas Party. Friday 15^th December at Falcon Hotel
  Whittlesey Festival Report
  Social Media update
  Bridge update
   Railway Station
  Christmas Extravaganza
  Next Meeting 18^th October 2017
  Any other business

Flu Clinics this & next Saturday 23rd & 30th September 08:30 – 11:00
(Corrected Times – thanks R.D)

Seasonal flu is a highly infectious illness caused by a flu virus.

The virus infects your lungs and upper airways, causing a sudden high temperature and general aches and pains.

You could also lose your appetite, feel nauseous and have a dry cough. Symptoms can last for up to a week.

We offer ‘at risk’ groups the flu vaccine at a certain time each year to protect you against the flu virus.

You may be invited for a flu jab if you are:

• over 65 years of age
• pregnant
• or have:
  • a serious heart or chest complaint, including asthma
  • serious kidney disease
  • diabetes
  • lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroid medication or cancer treatment
  • if you have ever had a stroke

Unfortunately, nasal spray vaccinations will NOT be available at flu clinics this year.  We will contact those eligible once our delivery arrives to arrange an appointment.  We apologise for any inconvenience caused.  Thank you.

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

The presentation from Mr William Boardman from GCE was postponed due to him having personal commitments, not sure ‘what’ the change of ‘use’ of land next to AB Texel on Eastrea Road is about and will have to wait until the next meeting.
Ref F/YR14/0706 there was some discussion on supporting this application (St Mary’s Church Hall development) as it is very much keeping with the present and adjoining properties, however there has been some disagreement in Section S106 monies which help pay and offset costs say to education or transport, when this application came to FDC they refused it.
Of the other applications : The loss of the Cash Machine (ATM) from NatWest  was of concern, however there is not a lot that can be done about it, and there are at least 5 other Cash Machine (ATM’s) in town.

Date of next meeting : 04th October 2017

Invitation for you to come along on Saturday 30th September 2017 from 10.30-12.30 to Eastrea Village Hall to enjoy a coffee, tea, cake and even a sausage roll or two.

The government has down graded the threat to ‘Severe’ – see previous post on ‘Threat Levels’