Last month Barry Dowler, Warden of Burwell Village College, and I had a useful exchange of views with Acting Inspector Andy Cordery to do with vandalism at Burwell Village College. We were assured that there would be a greater uniformed police presence at vulnerable times and more effort made to spot the trouble makers and deal with them.

I took the opportunity to ask for more activity on speeding checks which Inspector Cordery agreed should be included in his efforts to have more visible policing. As most of the culprits are local this is an early warning for those travelling the B1102, wherever you join it.

Because the restrictions signs either side of Lode Crossroads are in sight of each other, there is an opinion that this encourages motorists to continue at more than 40 mph. Accordingly I have suggested to the Highways Dept. that they might widen the distance between the two signs.

Back to strictly police affairs, it is good to learn that Emergency calls on 999 have produced an officer on the spot within twenty minutes on nine out of ten occasions. Let me know if you are the one out of ten who don't get this response:

Meanwhile, police recruiting continues and we hope the numbers will increase in this sector by numbers greater than the officers we lose through retirement or ill health. If you see two constables patrolling your village, then one is either a Special or a recently trained full time officer.

I am interested in your views on the possible introduction of 20 mph limit within our villages. There would have to be a lot of support from people as well as backing from Parish Councils. Already I can sense interest within Burwell, Swaffham Prior and Bulbeck, and of course, those who live on the High (main) Streets in other villages, e.g. Bottisham.

Those days I tend to avoid joining new pressure groups but I was so indignant at the last pension increase of 75p. and the further lack of interest in the older members of our communities shown by our Chancellor of the Exchequer that I have paid a £5

life membership of Friends of the Anglian Pensioner which is affiliated to the National Pensioners Convention. This body keeps members in touch with what is happening on the pensions front. For instance, seventy five MP's (41 Labour, 32 Lib. Dems and 2 others) stood up for the

pensioners when they voted for an amendment to the Pensions & Social Security Bill which called for the restoration of the link between the State pension and average earnings. Surprise, surprise, the amendment failed.

I have a feeling that pensioners ought to put more pressure on the Government and I am looking into ways of doing this locally. Every other main section of our population seemed to be recognised in the Chancellor's recent financial statement. I don't see why the older pensioners were left with so little:

Meanwhile, both Cambridgeshire County Council and East Cambs. District Council go out of their way to offer help to people who may not be claiming all their benefits and entitlements. If I can help to obtain advice, let me know.

I hope those who were able to take holidays had a happy time with good weather.