Opinion: Stop ignoring Welney’s warning signs and Fenland give solid no to ‘compulsory’ veganism

Drivers have been risking themselves and their vehicles by driving through the flood water across Welney Wash.

I don’t know what they are thinking as they tackle the inches-deep (and in places quite fast-flowing) water in their family saloons.

Maybe they simply can’t read and therefore don’t realise the road is closed. Maybe they think someone is lying to them and that the road is not flooded at all and therefore it’s fine to drive along.

Perhaps they simply like the challenge of seeing if they can make it from one side to the other without getting stuck.

Of course, the fact the road is closed is hugely frustrating, especially with a lengthy detour as the only alternative for drivers to take – so that could be the real reason.

After all, nobody likes to drive miles out of their way if they don’t have to – especially if the route is one they use every day.

But whatever the reason, I think people need to be a little more sensible.

The brilliant volunteers of Welney Flood Watch give an update daily on the water’s depth having given up their time to measure it and post the information on social media.

They are unpaid and provide an invaluable service to drivers who may be sceptical of the flashing and other warning signs that are put up around the area.

However, the real concern is not that those taking the risk are putting themselves in potential danger (that’s up to them), but that often emergency services are called out to rescue them.

Recently seven fire crews and a rescue boat were called to help someone stranded in the flood waters. That’s seven crews that are not able to respond to another emergency, simply because someone was stupid enough to ignore warning signs.

That’s potentially lives put at risk in a house fire, or someone left trapped in a car longer than necessary after a crash, all because a chancer thought they could make it across a flooded road.

So if you do have to travel the Welney Wash Road heed the signs and take the detour or failing that check the Welney Wash Floodwatch Facebook page for the latest information and stop putting unnecessary strain on our emergency services.

They have enough to deal with, without having to rescue some numpty who thought they knew better than a warning sign…

Fenland District Council has unanimously voted to keep meat and dairy products on the menu at its events.

In a move dubbed a ‘win for common sense‘ councillors made our local council the first in Cambridgeshire to support the Countryside Alliance’s campaign to support local farmers and block councils from becoming ‘vegan’.

For transparency, I’m not a vegetarian, but I have family members who are both ‘veggie’ and ‘vegan’ and so I have heard all the arguments about why choosing a plant-based diet is a good idea.

There is little doubt that meat production is playing its part in global warming – especially when you consider the slashing and burning of forests to make way for grazing.

The air miles that meat travels to reach our tables is also a concern.

That’s why I have tried to cut down on the amount of meat – particularly red meat – we eat.

Then of course there is the cruelty side of things – particularly when you look at dairy products and the fact calves are normally taken away from their mothers hours after birth.

Other councils across the country, including Cambridge City Council, have announced they are moving towards banning meat and using plant-based catering.

However, I’m not convinced that forcing a meat-free diet on people is the way to garner support.

Surely educating people about the facts and enabling them to make an informed choice is a better way forward.

So I hope that Fenland District Council will help people to learn the benefits of a vegetarian or vegan diet by offering tasty options of both at its events – alongside the meat of course.

If people learn to enjoy plant-based dishes, they may either decide to give up meat entirely by themselves, or at the least decide to cut down their meat and dairy consumption – which has got to be a win.

Freedom of choice has always got to be better than drachonian measures that have the potential to lead people to rebel and do the opposite of what is being forced on them…

We are now in the final countdown to Christmas.

I love it – I love the tree, the food, the presents (fingers crossed for one or two), the panto and most importantly having my family around me.

I know how lucky I am to enjoy all of the above, and my heart genuinely goes out to all those who will not be enjoying this festive season.

Whether it’s because money is tight, a loved one will be missing for the first time this year, or simply because they have no one to celebrate with.

That’s why I’m in awe of volunteers such as those at the Baptist Chapel in March who this year have stepped into the breach to serve up a festive feast for anyone who is on their own on Christmas day.

It is a fantastic gesture to give up their day to ensure others can have a more joyful time and encapsulates the true meaning of Christmas – so well done to them...