Opinion: The world needs more Kayla’s...

Plans to redevelop an area of Wisbech that has been dubbed an eyesore after being left derelict for years are currently hanging in the balance.

Why? Because the possibility of important archaeology relating to the town’s medieval period could lie beneath the site, which is owned by Fenland District council.

It’s laudable that the county’s chief archaeologist is concerned about what might lie beneath the surface on the land on Nene Waterfront – we should preserve our history.

What is not so laudable is the fact that Fenland District Council, who is applying to develop the site with a care home, commercial spaces and houses, has not thought about the history of the site and that a report on the archaeology there was so poor it was described as “unprofessional” by the county archaeologist.

The county’s chief archaeologist, who is recommending refusal until a proper report is produced, has also pointed out how simple it would be to draw one up, stating it will cost little and take only a short time.

So the question is why has Fenland Futures Ltd – the trading arm of Fenland District Council – not done the job properly in the first place?

This site is in the heart of Wisbech, located overlooking the river and yacht harbour, so getting it cleaned up and developed should be a priority of the council, therefore providing an “unprofessional” report, that could scupper those plans is quite simply not good enough.

Come on Fenland officers do the job right and let’s get this site sorted, it would be horribly ironic if Fenland’s own planning comittee was forced to refuse the application.

I await to see the outcome of the planning meeting and whether or not the council’s archaeology expert can produce the goods on time...

Most people when they are seriously sick focus on themselves and the battle they are facing – but not young Kayla Hay.

Oh no, the eight-year-old from Chatteris, who has fought a rare strain of childhood leukaemia and thankfully is now in remission, decided she needed to do something about her disease.

So, despite going through gruelling rounds of treatment which left her sicker than the cancer, the plucky schoolgirl set about raising money for specialised research into her form of leukaemia.

And boy did she do a good job – in fact she has raised in excess of £14,000 from a variety of events and fundraising ideas – most of which were her own.

I am in awe of Kayla and what she has achieved since she was diagnosed, and it is fantastic to know that she is now in remission and I pray she stays that way, the world needs more Kayla’s – selfless and brave – well done…

Chatteris Midsummer Festival is fast approaching and this year visitors are in for a special treat – a ‘flashmob’ dance.

But this won’t be just any old dance, oh no – it’s the Charleston.

How marvellous, and it is hoped that as many of the townsfolk and others as possible will join in on June 24.

School pupils have already been learning a basic routine and now there is a free event where people who want to learn and be part of the ‘flashmob’ can get to grips with the routine too.

What a fabulous idea – a tea dance and a chance to learn this entertaining dance has got to appeal to all those Strictly Come Dancing fans out there – so hopefully loads of people will sign up and get those legs swivelling and arms flapping – it is going to be a sight to behold come the day…

Many Citizen readers, especially those in the Wisbech area, use the Queen Elizabeth Hospital at King’s Lynn – when the need for specialist health treatment is needed.

So it is fantastic news that the QEH has been put on the government’s list for new hospitals this week.

What I do hope though, is that now it’s on the list the money is forthcoming so work can begin as soon as possible – there are tales that other places have been waiting a while for their cash.

How staff must feel as they walk around an old building being held up by countless props I don’t know – it must be a bit disconcerting.

Having buckets littering corridors to catch rain water as it leaks in is also a worry, so the sooner the new hospital is built the better.

Let’s hope our own MP Steve Barclay – the current Secretary for Health – can stump up the cash quickly...