Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

With so much happening I can not publish everything, here is a reminder of just some things to do this Bank Holiday Week…
   
From the Lattersey Nature Reserve Open Day -tomorrow Sunday 28th – The Circus at the Manor Field – or just enjoy a vast array of Buttercups in the Manor Field.
A lot happening at the Kings Dyke Nature Reserve later in the week>

I apologise to all about ‘harping’ on about this issue – but it would seem I am the only one..
After is it now 9 or 10 weeks (1) Toilet is still Out of Use…
I looked at the ‘new’ locking mechanism that has been put on the other (2) toilets and have my doubts as too how robust they are! – we shall have to wait and see..
Whilst on the Market Square had a good talk with the Street Scene Officers who were doing a survey and campaign of ‘one of my favourite subjects ‘Littering’ – still ‘they – FDC’ are making small progress.
It would appear (My informant was not these Street Scene Officers) that FDC and Peterborough City Council (PCC) are about to join forces in regards to enforcement of Littering etc…hopefully more regular patrols and ‘enforcement with prosecutions will take place – I and my ‘friends’ can not wait quick enough – bring it on!!!!!

I’ve been a ‘good boy’ and listened to her who must be obeyed! after 2 weeks of virtual house arrest, my operation recovery seems to be going to plan – well so far, the other issue of a serious torn tendon and ripped bicep can not at present be addressed.

So my 5 hours in town today I saw dozens of mainly well wishers, catching up with what’s happening.
Current MP Mr Steven Barclay was in town today, doing his pre-electioneering, and was engaging with a number of people outside the Co-Op when I caught up with him – as usual Steve Barclay was every pleasant and ‘convincing’ I did give him 3 questions.

1/ The Conservative/Coalition brought in raising the age for people to retire. In my wife’s case she lost out over £20,000 worth of pension as she will not be able to retire until she is nearly 65. (No answer) She worked for nearly 40 years expecting to retire at 60!
2/ We the ‘newish’ pensioners wishing for some respite in the governments austerity program look like we will loose out in the Winter Fuel allowance, I’ve only had one payment and doubt if I’ll see any more? (Means testing)
3/ My campaign for a ‘deposit scheme’ for Bottles/Cans/Plastics etc was not well looked at when I wrote him a letter early this year and posted on this site – we agreed to look into this further if/when he is re-elected. (To be continued)
I would have like to asked him about DLA/PIP below – but I’d had my 5 minutes!

1/ Those hundreds of thousands of people who were on Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and now have to undergo an extremely intimidating process of application and interviews, have a rejection rate of over 60% but when it goes to an ‘Independent appeal’ over 80% have their cases overturned. There is something fundamentally wrong with the process.
Along with the vast ‘over spent’ the government have paid ‘Capita’ to oversee the process.
By the way I am not in receipt of either DLA or PIP (Personal Independence Payment).
2/ The vast amount (£Billions) on overseas aid – I have seen at first hand where ‘some’ of this money ends up and it is not to those for which it was intended?
So there you have my 5 minutes worth of stardom – I don’t who else may have asked Steve Barclays questions or what they were.

As ‘everyone’ knows I am always Fair and a little later met the Labour Group on the Market Place – their candidate Mr Ken Rustidge was equally pre-electioneering and I gave him the same questions and  more or less got the same answers!!!!! – except for the winter fuel allowance which ‘Labour’ have said they would keep under its present criteria.
Mr Ken Rustidge 2nd from the left, tells me he from the Oldham area but lives nearby Spalding, after Whittlesey he was off to Wisbech.

Interestingly whilst SB was in town there were 2 Police Officers and 2 PCSO’s roaming about, when SB departed so did all the Policing – I am not making judgement just stating what I saw…..

The UK threat level has been raised to Critical. AC Mark Rowley urges people to be calm but vigilant
https://news.npcc.police.uk/releases/terror-threat-raised-to-critical-national-policing-response …

Irrespective of where we live and work – report anything that may be suspicious,
It may not seem important – but the Police work like Jig-saws – putting together information and intelligence.

Action Fraud has received the first reports of Tech-Support scammers claiming to be from Microsoft who are taking advantage of the global WannaCry ransomware attack.
One victim fell for the scam after calling a ‘help’ number advertised on a pop up window. The window which wouldn’t close said the victim had been affected by WannaCry Ransomware.
The victim granted the fraudsters remote access to their PC after being convinced there wasn’t sufficient anti-virus protection. The fraudsters then installed Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, which is actually free and took £320 as payment.

It is important to remember that Microsoft’s error and warning messages on your PC will never include a phone number.Additionally Microsoft will never proactively reach out to you to provide unsolicited PC or technical support. Any communication they have with you must be initiated by you.

How to protect yourself

• Don’t call numbers from pop-up messages.
• Never allow remote access to your computer.
• Always be wary of unsolicited calls. If you’re unsure of a caller’s identity, hang up.
• Never divulge passwords or pin numbers.
• Microsoft or someone on their behalf will never call you.

If you believe you have already been a victim

• Get your computer checked for any additional programmes or software that may have been installed.
• Contact your bank to stop any further payments being taken.

Report fraud and cyber crime to Actionfraud.police.uk

We still have a few places left on our;
Duties of Trustees: understanding the basics course this Thursday (May 25) in March.
This half day event has been specifically designed for community group trustees who are new to the role, or who have been trustees for some time, but would benefit from revising some of the key trustee roles and responsibilities.

25 May 9:30 – 12:30 at March Town Hall, Market Square,
March PE15 9JF
This course will provide trustees with an overview of their role and responsibilities including:
What Public Benefit means and how that makes an organisation charitable
• Roles and Responsibilities of Trustees
• Safeguarding the charity’s values, aims and objectives
• How Trustees should manage the strategic decision making such as
budgets, finance and policies

You can find out more and book your place here
or call us on 01223 464696

You may also be interested in our brand new course:
Storytelling for Impact June 6 1:30 – 15:45 at the Meadows Community Centre, 1 Saint Catharine’s Road, Cambridge, CB4 3XJ

Your charity’s stories are your lifeblood. They are the glue that bind your supporters to your cause and move other people to get involved. Told well, they can help you win partnerships, sponsors, fundraisers, ambassadors and patrons.
Come and learn the craft of good charity storytelling. Learn how to identify your heroes, and tell the tales of the challenges they overcome and how you help them to do this. Come away with content to get you started from this interactive, practical masterclass. Bring your smart phone as this session will use images, sound and video – not just words.
The trainer for this event is Natasha Roe from Red Pencil
Find out more and book your place here.

If you would like more information about any of our training or our other services for voluntary groups please call us on 01223 464696.
Kind regards,
Frances
Frances Carter
Administrator
Office 01223 464696

We can all help and support the victims of the Manchester terrorist attack by donating on the JustGiving Website:

Supported and Sponsored by:
The Manchester Evening News, who’s initial target was £50K and stands at present at £69K

You can donate by going to the Just Giving Website:  Click Here

A good time had by all I hear – Hundreds had a very enjoyable day – well done to the organisers.

Thanks to KC for the photos……

Further to my earlier post of the 19th – regarding the (2) suspicious gentlemen ‘selling’ Gutter Cleaning at a somewhat inflated price – I now attach 2 photos of them with their van – registration WJ54 VGN. I have received a good response and feedback about these ‘gentlemen’ who have toured the Town and Villages, they normally look for an ‘easy’ job.
They have allegedly done minor damage to some people roof tiles.
They technically may not be breaking any laws – but are certainly very direct and at times intimidating with their sales techniques….
As posted again on the 19th ‘Bogus Callers (2) there is an excellent leaflet to help people understand potential problems.
I have copied our local policing team with this same information.
There are several more reliable and safer people to use.

You have been warned.

Less than 10 minutes on the front and same on the back – £50:00 Maybe HMRC (The Taxman needs to know who these guys are)

Well unfortunately I am still laid up confined to rest, hopefully this week a visit to PCH consultant will release me from house arrest…that said I have a 2nd visit for a badly torn tendon in my shoulder….that’s life.
So we’ve had a very successful BusFest I am told and the weather remained dry and sunny… Toilets, well 2 out of 3 is not bad, my correspondent sent me a photo on Friday to say there was still one toilet still to be repaired….I wonder after 8+ weeks what the issue is now.

The other major concern that I reported – The planning application for an anaerobic waste plant at Horsey Toll Farm is scheduled to be heard by committee on Tuesday 4th July at Peterborough Town Hall at 1:30pm. I have not heard if or what representation might be made by either WTC or FDC councillors.. But if all is well – I do plan to attend this meeting – Many in Stanground/Park Farm/Cardia are hoping the application is refused – The implications are many for us in nearby Whittlesey – If you scroll down to my post of the 18th May there is much more to read and research.
Here is what WTC received from our PCSO in regards to crime happening locally and what ‘they’ are or not doing about it.
‘Someone’ (Not me) asked whether we should run a photo competition – ‘Spot the PCSO’ as our latest seems very ‘invisible’ (again others comments) – I do support our Police whenever I/we can – but to say it is difficult is an understatement.
Here is his report…

Finally – I would not normally promote other councillors blogs/websites – however since ‘the majority’ of our councillors seem only to engage with the public come election time – (I stand corrected – there are Councillor Surgeries) or like at General Elections – since there seems to be only (1) councillor who ‘regularly updates his electorate/ward (Delph Ward) maybe see what Cllr Eamonn Dorling has to promote.. including his recently added attendance record.
(I wonder what/where or even suggest where that came from?)
Visit Cllr E Dorling Website

WHITTLESEY & DISTRICT BUSINESS FORUM
Falcon Hotel, London Street, Whittlesey, Peterborough, PE7 1BH.
General meeting Wednesday: 24^th May, 2017.
At Falcon Hotel 6.00 for 6.30pm
Visit WBF Website

Have a Good Week…..

In the last week Two Rough looking characters were knocking on doors, selling themselves to clean up guttering & soffits, the price they asked for was £60:00 but were open to negotiation – (2) of our elderly neighbours took up the offer – I have them on CCTV and they spent less than 15 minutes on one job and 10 minutes on the other job. If you want this task doing there are a couple of suggestions:
(1) Your friendly window cleaner who you know – may well be up for the job, or may know a ‘friend’ who can do it.
(2) Try one of the ‘Handymen’ out of the monthly magazines that we all have delivered. I am sure you will get a better job done.

  
  
Click on picture to enlarge….

       https://www.whittleseynhw.org.uk/