Three limos seem to have appeared on Chariot Way - are these available to take for a spin by residents?  Seriously though, does anyone know how long they're going to be there, as they're blocking the road a little bit...

Feel free to go and make the point to the Martin Grant sales office - some other residents already have and the landlord is apparently being made aware that his tenants are generating concern.

I can guarantee that nothing will happen unless people make their concerns known to Martin Grant (who have apparently already lost one potential sale!).

"Three limos seem to have appeared on Chariot Way - are these available to take for a spin by residents?  Seriously though, does anyone know how long they're going to be there, as they're blocking the road a little bit..."

Hi all! Sooty here and before  go any further can I than Nick for his effort and commitment in putting this Community website facility together and for his time devoted to it enabling us to all have a cosy chat!x

I have helped develop several websites across this City to compliment Neighbourhood watch schemes I initiated and implemented. I also was a driving force behind E-Cops and was part of the experimental service seven/eight years back which started in Chesterton. We helped that develop with meetings at Hinchingbrooke to were it has now achieved National recognition and today is seen as an acceptable means of communication between communities nationwide....quite proud of that one actually!

I share the above so my fellow posters/readers can see I am au fait with this kind of communication and medium. Hopefully it also helps assess any concerns folk may have as to my community intentions! As I have lead the Arbury Carnival procession for the past 4 years with one of my Limousines then I hope my 'time served' is enough for you all to see I am deadly serious about ensuring this new Community a) integrates and b) has its own identity....and most importantly gets 'heard' by those that be.

Limousines......ok....as this thread started with that then I will deal with those concerns first. I would like to offer this though...I have no problems with transparancy or talking openly on the internet with neighbours. However....some of the concerns raised by you all could have been addressed face to face...no problem. That is always the way forward for any community looking to attract supporters....the personal touch. This internet can be impersonal and also a million words will not replace 1 eye contact...I find! That said...Limousines...let's talk.

I own 11 companies...one of them being a production/promotion company which can be found here www.matso.tv This business deals with high profiled folk. If you look at the limousines there is no signage/advertising on them. In the main my cars are paid for by them along with Government contracts and  many Embassies in London. Therefore the general public is not my usual market place. As I was a school governor for 5 years and have been involved in many children issues affecting this City then I do serve the public through School Proms and family occasions....the quality end. That I do by choice and not neccessity...so we aren't a 'limo company' as such. The public face can be found here www.skooters.cc/international.html 'Skooters' is a pallet distribution company which serves blue chip businesses Europe wide....we have 17 vans supporting that...but I had to put the public face of the limousines somewhere...so this was it! I have a fleet of 9 limousines altogether with 3 usually hanging around here. I have a Hotel in Great Yarmouth which is served by another and satellite businesses in Kings Lynn Bury St Edmunds and Aylesbury. 2 cars are based in London to serve Euro MPs and Embassy folk. Why 3 here? Well...believe it or not...they are the peoples cars who permanently live here! My son has moved in...he has his own and is the youngest limousine driver in the Country aged 20! I'm proud and he could have been driving knicked cars at that age as we all know! Theresa is a good friend who has worked with me for 3 years...and she has moved in and owns the pink one! Argggggh.....pink one...I agree....it only attracts screaming kids/women and gays!! Now...seeing as my mother has been gay all her life and I have been a governor at a Junior school and certainly lurve women then I have no prejudice....but a pink car is...well...a pink car init! Horrific....but in demand i'm afraid! The third one is one I bring as a normal car when I stay here...it has the SOOTY X number plate on and is my mobile office! A black one appears on occasion and that is a guy en route and stopping over occasionally but usually there will be 3 around at the most. Martin Grant have provided space for us down the currently unused road so they are 'off road'. 
As someone mentioned above....there is nothing anyone could do if I chose to park them on the road....but I ain't that sort of guy and want to integrate not alienate.

Just a note on all of the vehicles mentioned. None of them have signage...that's because of my main business which is as an International researcher and investigator. I have a partnership with a reputable Solicitors practice based in Cambridge. I tend to focus on serious issues affecting this Country and support Sky/BBC/ITV and cable companys with documentary material. Iraq/Afghanistan and Eastern Block issues have been taking up most of that time in recent years. Much of it is collated covertly....and plain vans and limo's come in handy to film/record the unsuspecting and naughty! Locally we have succesfully pursued Cambridgeshire County Council and other local authorities throughout the nation in claiming over £5 million in compensation for paedophile activity enacted in childrens homes over the past 30 years. It's a side thing i've done which locally has helped over 230 victims receive some recompence....so far.....(ouuuuch I hear 'officials' in big buildings scream'!!hehe!). No fee's have been levied by me for this work.......it's a community thing...Cambridge is my home see...X

When taking this property on I did consider the logistics involved....but seeing as selling/buying and general house movement has stopped then I thought it no problem for the foreseeable future to have them around the 'empty' back...and neither has Martin Grant.
However...they can be temporary. I have 5 properties around Cambridge and they can be relocated at any time. But...like last night....Theresa gets a call from Emma Bunton....not name dropping its just the way it is....she wanted collecting in 1 hour....and she was 1 hour away!!! So we need to have our 'company cars' close by....no different to Taxi's and firms cars I see parked around the estate. Therefore I would appreciate folk seeing them as their 'everyday' car!

As for are they available to residents?....yes they are! Ask any kids that are regular around here and they will tell you I have said for £10 each we will take them for a spin in the Town valued at £300!!...with a minimum of 8 to make it worth our time and effort.....they are on the case! That money collected will be put into a shoe box for re-investment back into this Community as I see fit. My choice and it ain't up for discussion. Any disadvanteged/disabled or deserving families/children out there in this community then please contact me and it will be a pleasure to bring a smile to their faces...for free!

All of my assets and experience are at this Communities disposal. I have been 'out of town' for around 3 years...but now I have this property then I am more than happy to 'get involved'. The local police from Impington and Cambridge are happy too. My relationship with them over the years has seen positive results for all communities I have supported. Crack/drug dens were all finished in Chesterton through my ground level connections. I am politically well connected too as well as have access to local and national media and bring all of that potential to your door....for free. I know a Community officer has been appointed by the City Council and again look forward to being of assistance to her and them as and where required.

My vision?......looking out from my patio....I see a fantastic fete/carnival taking place on the green/circle! I can play music 'LOUD' from my patio which I don't get to do often these days since retiring from being an International DJ 8 years ago. So a bit of self interest really.....and if it means mobilising/supporting and assisting your good selves in making this Community work for such a Carnival/fete to happen...then I would be honoured and pleased to do so. As for the issues raised lately by our local media including Emma from Anglia TV this week...then yes...there are issues that need addressing. The County Council will be deeply concerned I am back within their juristiction and them mine. I have direct contact with all 5 major authorities in Cambs and over 500 Concillors email addresses. We have had 'discussion' over major issues in the past 10 years or so.....I don't see anything of real worry over here that we and they can't resolve. I do want to meet those of you who are familiar with the issues we face as a Community and wish to be briefed on them as to how I could and will help. This Internet is not the best place for us to do that and so look forward to a call from one of you to initiate what I hope to be a fruitful partnership/relationship to benefit us all.

To assist with your understanding of where I am coming from then feel free to visit any of my websites....and when going to the Matso.tv one then click the graphic equaliser at the bottom of any page....it takes you to a 'secret' community focused website....all research and reports have been done by myself and it attracts around 35,000 hits a week....mainly from local government computers nationwide....wondering if i'm coming for them next...hehehe!!x

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LUV
SOOTY
X

I'm not gay but me mam is...i'm just friendly when given the opportunity to be so...X

Internet.......all of us routed through the Science Park exchange won't get more than 2mb. As for the current figures you are all getting...i've had my folk on it this morning...BT have discovered a fault...and are rectifying it. I'm payiong for an 8mb facility yet  was getting 128 connection with 45/85 up & down.....mad stuff! In 4 hours that has now quadrupled and we will get another call from them in the morning...so will keep you posted on how that is improving...X

07710 805360/ C.223999

Sooty - thanks for the support and the explanation.

"The main issue here is the setting of standards/levels of expectation. As an occupant of Martin Grant you will have one allocated parking space as I understand that is all Martin Grant provided for any of their properties. To park 3/4 limos, cars, vans, trailers etc is taking advantage of the current situation where people either can't do anything to prevent or, or can't be bothered. You are setting an example that must not be replicated across our community or else all our lives will be made miserable by parking issues."

Setting an example is a brilliant point Nick, something I notice you have done since arriving in the Community as this website testifies...X  In 1990 I was the first occupant of a new development in Chesterton. The very principals you promote are the ones I followed and set back then. That Community evolved as folk arrived into a pleasant and considerate environment that had a 'togetherness' in approach. Today it is still regarded as a desirable place to live and I gladly take some credit for that legacy. 
Therefore mate I can't argue with you! It's a rareity as most folk who stick their head above the parrapet are able to be shot down...however...based on your mature and considered response then I would gladly stand by your side in arms anytime you chose to 'go over the top'!x

As for Martin Grant...I don't want to appear that i'm being pedantic mate but I am not an 'occupant' of Martin Grant...they are a supplier to me. I give 110% across the board to customers from any of my business yet only expect 100% from those whose services I pay for...they are falling way short of my requirements and expectations. I read the 'maintenance' thread and have similar experience...ie no maintenance is being provided. We have paid up front for a year...that needs re-addressing and they will be held to account. They were briefed about 2 limousines before I decided to take the property on. They had no problem with it. Whilst I appreciate they do not give a to** about you or this Community ultimately...they were more than happy to 'sell you out' to suit their interests. As a successful 'salesman' of 30 years experience I did speak to the 'sales' person who suggested she had lost sales through the limousines. After a friendly chat discussing 'sales' issues it was obvious that such an excuse was ridiculous. Now I suppose the fact the 'job' in itself has been over selling the market for years and they have got their come uppance then the 'credit crunch' is the next excuse i'd be expecting to hear from non performers. Yet folk like me who don't rely on the system and don't have credit cards are buying left right and centre!!! It's a bit silly trying to sell to folk who can't afford to pay the extortionate interest and over priced property prices anyway methinks! The system has told them that...and look around........it's like Vic Reeves has said a joke or summink!hehe!
I also said in advance that the limousines would be temporary and possibly until xmas as I am looking for secure storage/parking for 4 Limousines locally. I have a personal vehicle that is due to be returned to me after a full refurbishment... www.skooters.cc/images/excalibur6.jpg  

...it's worse than 'pink'...It's like Marmite...you either luv it or hate it! I hate Marmite but enjoy my Excalibur!x I am wanting to have it based in Cambridge and whilst Limousines attract attention...this stops folk dead...and therefore want it 'out of the way' until I need to go to Tesco's or scour boot sales for vinyl records! It is being finished over the next 4 weeks and I am genuinly looking for a suitable facility to park it and the other limousines. Understand the challenge this presents but I will sort it...I promise....X

"I appreciate that you have now made the effort to store them off them road, but I don't think it would be considered acceptable for anyone to park their own personal or business limousine on Orchard Park, given the parking issues that will be inevitable. Given your multiple businesses etc, surely you can find somewhere commercial to park/store all these vehicles?"

I can't dictate to anyone else what car they drive Nick...or where folk chose to live! I have interest in a property in Knutsford, Cheshire. It is the 'premiership' belt and if you don't have a Limousine amongst your cars then you aren't 'normal'! I accept tho'  the thrust of your point. That is why I have made effort to take them 'off road'. Most folk wouldn't dare park them down a dark unlit alley....but my consideration is the Community and not my vehicles and their well being. I also have 2 Bentleys and an interest in an SLR McClaren but you won't see them over here as that wouldn't be acceptable to me....but they look 'normal' in Cheshire!x

"To be clear, your limo's are not the only issue...we are also trying to tackle residents and contractors parking on the Safe Route, bins and rubbish being left outside of people's property boundaries, satellite dishes and TV aerials being erected illegally (by residents and builders!) as well as the host of issues that many already know about. "

I will support all of your concerns in that paragraph. Due to the meltdown of the financial system as folk knew it....then it is even more important that we the residents self police this environment as the so called professionalism from Developers/Estate Agents and Management etc has been erased since they have found out they don't exist and aren't blessed with good q dos or 'status' as they thought they were any longer! I held a seminar with several local bank managers this Monday.... HSBC/LloydsTSB/HSBOS & Barclays were represented....none of them know if they will have a job/company to go to next week...the 'system' as we know it is in collapse...those who were deemed as being in a respectable position are now seen as fodder Therefore our rubbish and Community issues are not of interest to anyone else out there other than us...they have their own sh*t to deal with....count me in!x

"At this time, we are right on the cusp of the setting of expectations, and the decisions that are made by residents, and the standards that they set now are the ones that will live with us for many years to come."

We speak the same language mate. As said...the philosophy you teach and doctrines you want to live by get my full support. When I was the first occupant of the mentioned estate in Chesterton...I welcomed all newcommers physically as they arrived. I have had a luvly German couple do this so far. I proudly wear a Union Jack shirt/jumper often when doing my business...I would like to think the British way still includes the personal touch as set by the German couple. This thread/discussion could have taken place 5 weeks ago and anyone would have found me approachable...accomodating...and friendly to get on with. 
Those who went around me to Martin Grant perhaps lost sight of the fact they are temporary yet 'we' are permanent. Equally Martin Grant or anyone else out there doesn't speak for me or my interests. I can also assure you all that their interests aren't conducive with mine. Emma called me to feature on the news the other day but I couldn't do anything or speak up about stuff as i am not versed with all the issues! I did the next best thing and sent her to you and Anne as you had been long term and active residents. She said you 'did the business' and I appreciate that done on my and others behalf...X

Perhaps a coffee and chat to get to know each other and for me to be brought up to speed on issues affecting us all would be the sensible next step for us both Nick. 

Thanx again for your considered and sensible reply...X

LUV
SOOTY
X