Fundraising tea party puts smile back on Wisbech mayor's face after accident upset

A Fenland mayor is seeking legal advice over social media claims he failed to stop after a two vehicle crash involving himself and a young family.

Councillor Aigars Balsevics, Mayor of Wisbech, said he has been deeply upset by the allegations, which came at a time when he was already facing personal problems, which resulted in him taking a week off from his mayoral duties.

There has been much speculation on Facebook over what happened following the August Bank Holiday Monday collision in Lynn Road, which resulted in damage to both cars.

But Coun Balsevics firmly denies the accusation that it was a ‘hit and run’, insisting he gave his name and contact details to the family involved at the scene and promised to get back to them with his insurance details when he had gone home and found them.

He admits that it was not until the following morning, that he eventually found the details and contacted the other party, Ryan Alexander and his partner Charlea Woolley, who were travelling with their baby at the time of the crash.

Coun Balsevics, who was back in action as mayor on Sunday, said: “I couldn’t find the documents straight away as I have a lot of paperwork and because of everything that has happened in my personal life I was feeling tired and so I went to sleep. As soon as I woke up the next morning I found my insurance details and rang to give them to the other people. I did not hide my car, as has been suggested on Facebook, it was parked in the pub car park, like it always is.

“I am seeing a solicitor for advice, because what has been said about me on social media has damaged my reputation and people keep saying I did a ‘hit and run’ - but that is not true, I stopped straight away.”

Ms Woolley agreed Coun Balsevics did stop and give his contact number straight away, but they were concerned when he then drove off and seemed to “simply disappear” and did not get in touch with them to give his insurance details for so long afterwards, particularly as they had failed to get the registration number of his Audi car.

However, Coun Balsevics put the upset behind on Sunday afternoon when he donned his mayoral robes to host a fundraising tea party for 30 paying guests at Wisbech Castle.

He said: “It has been a very difficult time for me personally, and the accident and all the speculation on social media left me feeling very depressed. I needed time to sort myself out and so I took a week off.

“There is nothing unusual about needing time off when you are not feeling good. Last year the mayor had two or three months off and I covered for him.

“I am feeling better now and yesterday’s tea party was a great afternoon. We raised nearly £500 for my charities and everyone had a good time.”

He was accompanied at the party by his daughter. He welcomed everyone and outlined his chosen charities and why he was supporting them.

He said:“I am keen to promote youth sport and keeping fit especially gymnastics, swimming and tennis – favourite sports of my own children. I am also a huge fan of the work that the Rosmini Centre do to support our diverse community with English as a second language; this in turn assists greatly with community integration and cohesion.”

Coun Balsevics said he is also keen to support charities helping the town’s homeless.

The afternoon also included entertainment by Castle volunteer, Amanda Scott, who is known as the ‘Singing Gardener’, while fellow councillor and Castle volunteer Dave Topgood gave guided tours of the vaults.

In all £490 was raised during the afternoon, which with a donation from Alex Knowles, of Knowles Transport, means the fundraising total for the mayor’s charities currently stands at £1,000.