Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

I have asked ‘experts/farmers’ how to deal with the serious Thistle issues at the Manor Field, they are all in agreement, the only way to deal with is by fencing off and treating the area with Herbicides, also known as weed killers, which are substances used to control or eliminate unwanted plants, often called weeds.
They work by disrupting the growth or development of these plants, ultimately leading to their death or suppression.
Herbicides can be selective, targeting specific weed species while leaving desired plants unharmed, or non-selective, killing a wide range of plant life.

Members of the public complained when herbicides were used so FDC stopped using them.
So if you know the answer, I and many would like to hear it please…..

Taken today – half the area has been mowed down, but are the roots and seeds still in the ground waiting to re-germainate.

Thistles/Thistles and more more Thistles…. (Thistle wine anyone)

I attended the Bus Event most of the day, and met up with many, there were queuing all day for the ‘Free’ rides to Ramsey/Thorney and Turves.
The weather held up without any rain, by 2pm the numbers thinned out.
Overall a good event for Whittlesey and congratulations to Matt Page and his Team.

(click on picture to enlarge)

Road Closure for Sunday 08th June.

The once ‘Wild Flower’ Meadow, has not materialised for the last 2 years, Wild Flowers can be very tempremental – relying on water and weather conditions, but this year only produced a vast ammount of Thistles.
Lots of comments and some ‘complaints, below is what Cllr/leader FDC Chris Boden sent out to a resident.

“One person’s wildflower can be another person’s weed!”

A glyphosate-based weed killer was initially applied several years ago to manage perennial weeds prior to seeding the area with a wildflower mix. Following complaints in 2021/22, the use of herbicides in the meadow was discontinued.
This change has contributed to the increased presence of perennial thistles over recent seasons.

The perimeter of the meadow continues to be maintained as part of FDC’s regular groundskeeping schedule, with mowing occurring twice monthly.
The meadow itself was cut this week, I understand, to help control the spread of thistles, and this will continue throughout the season. 

Fenland District Council is actively exploring alternative, herbicide-free methods for managing the meadow. These may include revised mowing schedules and/or the use of organic treatments to suppress thistle growth.

RG Note :- I understand that around 50% of the area has been mowed down,
I’ll have a look tomorrow on my travels…
Below the preparations in place April 2025

Success in 2022

The Whittlesey Festival Committee held their coffee morning today and was well attended, music, cakes and savouries as part of the fun event.
£750.00 raised toward ‘Free’ rides and entertainment for families and children at this years event.

If you would be  able to  put this information on your web site, it will be able to inform more people than I can, 07946 – 895003, Amazon Scam, 07882 – 231933 a call I received this morning allegedly from Immigration , wanted to know if I needed call in English or Chinese, the same number also  a H M R C Scam.
Thank you – From BB.

     
Cllr Boden ©RWT                  Cllr Bibb.