Remembering Derek Brightley

REMEMBERING... Derek Brightley

Whittlesea resident, Derek Brightley, passed away recently, aged eighty-eight. Derek was born in Turves on March 30th, 1931 and had one sister and two brothers.

The whole family moved to Whittlesea where he met Davina, his wife-to-be, and took an interest in dancing. After his National Service he started work in Fletton’s brickyard, becoming a senior foreman, whilst Davina trained to become a teacher.

monthly and distributed to enjoyed by many people.

At a sad time like this, we understand that it is not

After getting married, Davina taught in Whittlesea and Derek joined the Police Reserve which he served for twenty years. He helped to set up the Neighbourhood Watch in Priors Road, and also joined the British Legion, selling poppies for many years. They had one son, David, who joined the RAF Police as a dog handler, seeing action in Afghanistan during his thirty years in the Force. Derek’s last employment was with BT, and his final year was spent in Keneydon House in Whittlesea with dementia, where the staff were excellent, particularly Derek’s carer, Rebecca. Sadly, Derek succumbed to cancer.

Davina concludes, “He was a lovely husband and I miss him dreadfully. I can look back on my happy marriage and think how lucky I was and what

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good memories I have.”

easy to deal with everything following the loss of a loved

one. However, one thing which we feel might help you come to terms with your loss is to share with others some information and some of the many memories you may have.

So, if you would like us to include a piece about your loved one, maybe including some photographs, please get in touch with us and we would be delighted to share it with our many readers, (at no cost to yourself!) by publishing it in our next issue. Please call Paula on 07903 776211 or e-mail marketing.discovering magazines@gmailcom

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Matters

A MESSAGE FROM

THE TOWN MAYOR

My first contribution as the new Mayor and leader of Whittlesey Town Council has to be one of thanks. My initial thanks go to my fellow councillors for placing their confidence in me by electing me for an unprecedented second term in office, my first spell being 2013-2015. However, it would be remiss of me not to pay tribute to my predecessor, Cllr Mrs Julie Windle, who has just completed two years of exceptional dedication as Mayor. During that time Julie, with the unstinted support of her husband and consort, Robert, has not only represented Whittlesey in civic engagements in Cambridgeshire and the adjoining counties but has engaged herself in many aspects of the local community while leading the town council in the numerous day to day tasks required to ensure a smooth running of the administration. As we all know, the earlier part of this year has seen an unprecedented situation caused by the terrible coronavirus epidemic which has spread across the world, and in the UK alone at time of writing claimed more than forty-five thousand lives. However, this catastrophic situation has brought out the best from many with the health workers quite rightly topping the list of those who have gone beyond the call of duty on behalf of others. Key workers in industry, commerce and schools have played their part but we must not forget the many acts of kindness shown by our local community to our neighbours, many of whom have found themselves self-isolating for long periods and cut off from their family, friends and social circles. There have been many organisations who have stepped forward and lent their talents in the cause of others but two who stand out in our town during the present crisis are Helping Whittlesey and Whittlesey Emergency Food Aid, both of whom are eternally grateful for the many donations of food and cash to enable them to function effectively. With its many volunteers, Helping Whittlesey has maintained regular deliveries of food and other essentials to those citizens who could not leave their homes and in conjunction with local food suppliers has provided literally hundreds of cooked meals on a weekly basis.

Discovering Whittlesea, Benwick Road Ind. Est., Benwick Road, Whittlesey, Peterborough, PE7 2HD editor.whittlesea@discoveringmagazines.co.uk

Since 2014 Whittlesey Emergency Food Aid has helped countless families in the town and surrounding villages who have found themselves in distress and their work has continued throughout the recent crisis and will continue well beyond. Assistance can be given in confidence by in the first instance contacting either Brian Smithyman or Marija Lysak on 01733 752093. I would also like to single out for special praise Fenland District Council who have worked tirelessly to ensure that funding from central government has reached those businesses and organisations that otherwise may well have folded under the recent economic pressures. We have experienced dark times in Whittlesey of late and we are not out of the woods yet. Unfortunately many of our regular festivals and events have been cancelled as a result of the present situation and this has impacted not only on pleasure for our community in general but also on the businesses who depend on these events for their income. During these harsh times I would ask that we continue to look out for each other and support the local businesses wherever possible. There is indeed light at the end of a very long tunnel and considerable financial investment will be made in Whittlesey in the coming months and years, more of which I hope to inform you of in the next edition of this magazine, so watch this space!! Cllr David K M Mason

Mayor and Leader Whittlesey Town Council

MAJOR TOWN FESTIVALS

ARE CANCELLED

Two of Whittlesey’s major annual events have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. This year’s Whittlesey Festival, scheduled for September, has been called off, as has next year’s Straw Bear Festival, planned for January 2021. In a statement on behalf of the Whittlesey Festival steering and partners groups, Brian Smithyman, chairman, said: “The committee has not taken this decision lightly as the festival has grown year on year to become a major family event in the town’s calendar; drawing many thousands of people to visit our town and spend most of the day enjoying the host of attractions and events and visiting the many shops who choose to open. “With all the uncertainty it was felt we could not justify the expense or time involved in its organisation. Hopefully, we will be able to return in 2021 to once more present something this town can be justifiably proud of.” Roger Boon, director, Whittlesey Straw Bear Festival, said: “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic still present in general circulation and as there are no announced guidelines regarding ‘mass gatherings’ set by the UK government, we regret to announce that as festival organisers we have made the decision to cancel the 2021 festival. “We feel very fortunate to have actually held our 2020 festival in January and as event organisers are truly saddened to have to make this announcement. We have spent significant funds running the 2020 festival and money made at that event would normally be progressively spent or pledged to cover infrastructure, performing artists and other costs of staging the next festival. “By cancelling now, we can secure festival funding for future years, when we are assured that the event can take place. As a not-for-profit organisation we have limited reserves so we must act prudently.”

WHITTLESEY COUNCILLOR

SURGERIES TO RESUME

Whittlesey Town Council will be resuming their Councillor Surgeries from Saturday September 5th 2020.

They will be held in Peel House at 8 Queen Street from 9.30am to 10.30am on the first Saturday of every month throughout 2020. If you have any matters of concern and wish to discuss with a councillor, then please come along and let us know.

RESIDENTS ASKED TO

HAVE THEIR SAY ON CONSERVATION AREA Residents are being asked to have their say on a review of a Fenland village conservation area, including a revision to its conservation area boundary. Fenland District Council has reviewed the Coates Conservation Area to better understand the character and significance of the area and assess whether the boundaries are up-to-date, to help preserve and enhance the area in future. Now it has published a draft Coates Conservation Area Appraisal and management plan – and is seeking the public’s views. The appraisal includes a minor amendment to the conservation area boundary and proposals for the area’s future management. Residents can share their views on the documents via a public consultation running until Wednesday, August 5th. Visit: www.fenland.gov.uk/consultations Conservation areas are areas of special architectural and historic interest, formally designated by local authorities to recognise their interests and provide them with protection. Cllr Chris Seaton, Fenland District Council’s portfolio holder for heritage, said: “As part of our duty to preserve or enhance conservation areas, it is important to understand what makes it a special place and we do this by producing conservation area appraisals. “An appraisal identifies features which make a positive or negative contribution to the character or appearance of the conservation area and are an important tool to help the council ensure they are properly looked after.” Any comments or suggestions on the draft documents should be submitted by 5pm on Wednesday, August 5th. They can be submitted by emailing: conservation@fenland.gov.uk or sent to: Conservation Section, Fenland District Council, Fenland Hall, County Road, March, PE15 8NQ.

Matters

NEW WAYS TO PAY FOR

COUNCIL SERVICES

Fenland District Council has introduced a new way to pay for council services, giving residents more choice and convenience when paying their bills. From July 13th, people have been able to make payments for council bills and invoices, such as council tax, at their local Post Office and at around thirty shops, petrol stations and newsagents, which display the PayPoint sign, across the district. Paying for bills at Post Offices and PayPoint locations is in addition to being able to make

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payments via direct debit, online via www.fenland. gov.uk, the council’s contact centre on 01354 654321 and the council’s customer service centres and community hubs. To make a payment at a Post Office or PayPoint outlet, customers simply need to present their barcoded bill to the retailer and confirm how much they would like to pay. The retailer will then provide a receipt and the payment will be credited within three working days. For more information, visit: www.fenland.gov.uk/paypoint

Thanks Customers For Continued Support

One of Whittlesey’s best-known full delivery, installation and removal of retailers is now fully back items. We welcome people into the store and have in business following the coronavirus epidemic. returned to our normal opening hours, providing our full range of services. All the staff are back, and we have the necessary PPE measures in place in the Kellyvision KCS Limited is delighted to be once store such as signage, sanitisers and social distancing again satisfying local customers’ requirements that are now required to keep everyone safe.” who they want to thank for their continued Lee said that there has been a lot of interest in all support during the crisis. aspects of the business, citing kitchens and televisions Company Secretary Tina Cawood said: “We as examples of increased customer demand. have been overwhelmed by the support we have Kellyvision was founded in 1983 by Mr Kelley received from our customers, both old and new. Shipp and has built up an enviable reputation It has been an absolutely fantastic response from across the region since by meeting its customers’ them, and we want to say a massive ‘thank you’ to changing needs from televisions, videos and audio them. It was a particularly worrying time when the equipment to all domestic home appliances lockdown first started back in March and everyone including built-in as well as free-standing items was unsure of what was going to happen but the and now has a range of kitchens on display too. support we have received has been amazing.” Kellyvision is located at 26-28 Broad Street, Director Lee Cochrane agreed: “Following a short Whittlesey PE7 1HA and is open Monday-Friday period of furloughing we started to take telephone from 9am-4.30pm and Saturday from 9am-1.30pm. orders and dropped goods off at our customers’ Tel: 01733 208787. Email: sales@kellyvision-kcs.co.uk homes but now we are so pleased to be able to offer www.kellyvision-kcs.co.uk

HOME ENTERTAINMENT AND DOMESTIC APPLIANCE SPECIALIST 26-28 Broad Street, Whittlesey PE7 1HA Tel: 01733 208787 sales@kellyvision-kcs.co.uk | www.kellyvision-kcs.co.uk