Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

A nice number of people attended the funeral of Nancy this afternoon with 4 relations from Malaysia and Singapore. A number of her late husband’s (Reg) relation also attended.
Our Whittlesey Clergy Rev Nigel Whitehouse conducted the service at the Fenland Crematorium – the eulogy was composed and read by myself.
Afterwards we spent a few hours reminiscing the life of a well know businesswoman and friend at the Black Bull in Whittlesey – Thank you to Rose for the reception.

 
   
Nancy & Reg in Penang Malaya around 1955 the year they were married.

Myself and Nancy around 1990 outside her shop in my original ‘Ipoh’ Trishaw.

Alas I no longer have the Trishaw – but we had a lot of fun with it – riding it around Whittlesey – with some rather bemused looking faces of local people

Farewell Nancy R.I.P.

Tracy Dowling – The Accountable Officer of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group – CCG had a no win chance of making a case last night.
I arrived at 18:30 and the venue was packed I got the last seat. I estimate in excess of 200+ attended, with many outside as there was no more space.
The meeting got off to a very heated start – with mainly Doddington residents complaining of the venue – the Village Hall which is larger was already booked.
MP Steve Barclay stood at the rear of the hall, the only other Whittlesey resident I saw was WTC Councillor Martin Curtis.
Tracy Dowling went through the Powerpoint presentation pretty quickly – and was frequently interrupted with questions not always about the subject that was on the agenda?  See below the presentation.
A great number of questions were put to Tracy Dowling and she very expertly answered them all – some not to the liking of some of the audience.
Martin Curtis asked a question which I thought was a bit irrelevant as it concerned him being the ‘(Ex)Leader of Cambs CCC which is a bit historical now.
The CCG as a delivering group (Our own local GP Gary Howsan is now the Chairman) have inherited a £250 Million debt and overspend and the current management/committee have to address this.
The Cambs Times© has an in depth article today 24th August.

More information about the Cambs & Peterboro’ CCG can be found on this link Click Here
Earlier this year I have been to 3 other meeting regarding the CCG looking at ‘how’ they can save money….I accept no one wants to loose any services, but the do nothing option will only make things worse. Maybe our own Gary Howsan can work a miracle some how.

FDC’s leader John Clark along with Mike Cornwell, Will Sutton – in attendance there may have been others that I did not see.
From March Kit Own, Andrew Donnelly and Labour Councillor Martin Field.

The only time Steve Barclay spoke was a sentence to say that the Government had ‘Ring Fenced’ NHS funding – I think he was there to hear and listen to the concerns of the residents.

I dare say the say emotive meetings will take place at the other Towns being evaluated.

I have been following with great interest the ‘possible’ closure of Minor Injury Units in Wisbech, Doddington and Ely.
Maybe people in Whittlesey think that if this goes ahead – it will no affect us here – Wrong….
There are around 40+ Thousand people in Wisbech alone – they will not all head for Kings Lynn – many will head towards Peterborough.
This puts even more strain on a service which at the least is struggling to cope now.
MP Steve Barclay has made some remarks and has received leaked information from a ‘whistleblower’ indicating that the only option is to close the MIU in all 3 places.

So is this yet another case where the ‘unelected’ make the decisions – then go out as they have – for a consultation – which looks like it gets binned?

I plan to attend and listen first hand to what the CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) –
I expect the meeting to be ‘heated’

Lets give some congratulations to WTC for a change – Like it or not – todays Music on the Market Square was from what I saw and heard a big success… The ‘sound’ didn’t travel too far to upset that many people. It was a very good atmosphere, families enjoying picnics, and was well organised.
On my travels I collected the ‘usual’ big bag of rubbish – sorry but whilst I am collecting it – I will report what I collect –
The weather stayed dry – the forecast fortunately was wrong….
     

After 20 days driving some 4,000 miles of the Canadian Rockies, I wouldn’t say I was ‘looking’ for rubbish…but when you’re like me – nearly 10 years of collecting Rubbish in Whittlesey – your ‘Eyes’ are like Radar – So in my 4,000 mile journey, how many pieces of litter/rubbish did I see – I’ll tell you 4 – that’s four – 4 not 400 or 4,000….Clean is Clean – get caught dropping or throwing litter in Canada – No questions asked $2,000 fine – can’t pay – certainly Sir or Madam, how about 12 months in Jail….

The culture of the people is different – I found they were ALL proud of their country, state, city, town or village.

I’ve been out twice this week  and found without trying a great big bag full of litter in and around Whittlesey – does it make me proud – well yes it does – because I know there are lots of decent like minded people like myself who want to do their best for our Town and Villages – but while Fenland drag their political heels – ask how many have been prosecuted – only a handful in 10 years – We will carry on regardless…..
I love clearing up after other people – Therapeutic.

Further to my earlier posts, there will be 4 relations of Nancy coming to her funeral this coming Friday.
There will be a ‘wake’ afterwards at the Black Bull Market Street Whittlesey (Parking at the rear) from 16:30 onwards.

I see there is a ‘lot’ of interest in ‘Mandalay Park’ (rather posh!) – why don’t our ‘social networkers’ just ‘Google’ Mandalay Park’ and a proliferation of information comes up?

Do NOT confuse with a very nice holiday resort in Australia…..

I lived at the bottom of Commons Road for a number of years and my late father was there for over 40 years.
Not so long ago – it was called ‘Little Beirut’ because of the state of the place….
Going back in history since the Social Networkers don’t know – this area was in fact – a
Rubbish Tip for many years, sometime in the 50’s or early 60’s it became a ‘Caravan Park’, several owners tried unsuccessfully to develop the ‘field’.
A Mr Green came along a few years ago, put in planning permission – several versions later they were passed and he hardly complied with any of the condition of the application.
Around 8 or 9  Planning Officers later (FDC as usual toothless) – Several Builders employed by Mr Green disappeared from the scene for various reasons.
Mr Green has sold out.
New owners are completely different? – going by the ‘Lovely Wall’ they put up – 10,000 bricks – how do I know – I asked the guys building the wall – simple when you know how?
Would I pay £185,000 for a ‘Static Mobile Home’ – Click Here Zoopla + Ongoing charges, there is some plus in that it should be an over 55’s ‘Park’ and restrictions on animals….
Now if the site was in Australia by the sea with the sun shining 300+ days a year –  well I maybe tempted!!!!! – and there are a few people in Whittlesey who would like to see me go there…..well well well…..

15 Year old missing girl from Whittlesey

If you have seen or know the where-abouts
please call the Police on 101

 
Picture ©Cambs Times

The funeral/cremation of our dear friend Nancy will take place at:

Fenland Crematorium
Knights End Road
March
PE15 0YJ

01354-650577

Friday 26th August 2016
At 14:30

Arrangements by H.E. Bull Whittlesey

No Flowers please.
Further details to follow.

Unfortunately there has been some misinformation doing the rounds on ‘social networking in Whittlesey.
There will be an official update/announcement probably tomorrow evening on this website.
As I am the executor of Nancy’s estate & affairs – this will be the only place to get the correct information.
As far as the facts of Nancy’s death is concerned this is a family matter.

A repeat of a photo taken in June this year, under happier circumstances.
A wonderful ‘Chinese Steamboat’ prepared by my wife Connie –

Nancy 2nd from the right.

Known locally for over 60 years ‘Nancy’ sadly passed away at 09:20 this morning.
Having just returned from our holiday, we had caught up with her, where she informed us she was feeling unwell. Yesterday (Wednesday) she was admitted to A&E at PCH undergoing some checks. This morning at around 09:00 we were telephoned to say that she had deteriorated – by the time we arrived at the hospital – she had passed away.
Nancy – on the right – Happy celebrating her birthday last year
See June Post

Further details when known.

I see that after many attempts to ‘secure’ the gate, someone has now cut the whole fixing off and the gate is now – useless….
I also understand that the contractors ‘Thorys’ are to resurface Funthams Lane in order that the access route to the ‘Millennium/Whistling Bridge’ is fit for purpose.
Lets hope so.

Once all is in place – I and many others hope that people who were driving vehicles along the cycle route will now respect this being what it is – and if need access to the Millennium/Whistling Bridge’ will do so via Funthams Lane.