Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

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.

Rather unusual cycle coming through town on Friday…

Besides Aliwal Bridge

Businesses in Whittlesey seem to cycle opening and closing, but mostly when shops close for what-ever reason, it doesn’t take long before another opens – the shops may not be everyone’s likings but empty shop units does not instil confidence in an area.

Not a comprehensive list of ‘Newish’ Shops – so apologies if you are one that I have missed out.
One or more food/take-aways I didn’t get pictures of.

So is our area on the up again – I hope so and wish all new businesses every success – now we ALL have to support them.

Sorry but I do not do vapourizing (No Smoko No Fire)

From Sgt Richard Lugg South Fenland PST

1. Residents in their wards and ascertaining if they were a victim of crime and encourage them to report it by calling 101. This is not just a crime number gaining exercise.
   This is about collecting evidential gold for our investigation.
   The more crime reports we receive the more chances we have of targeting the offenders and achieving better results upon prosecution.
2. See if anyone (who was not a victim) has any information as to what happened last night. They can contact us at Whittlesey.npt@cambs.pnn.police.uk
3. If they have any incidents caught on CCTV.
4. Help reassure the public that the local policing team are aware and are dealing with as expeditiously as we can.
5. Help reassure the public that there will be no repercussions if they help us.
   Thanks in advance.
   All updates will be via the correct NHA process.