Peter Martin has been a keen walker around Cambridge since retiring 12 years ago.
Peter Martin
So when Eileen Hawkins asked him to do a stocktake of signs for Neighbourhood Support, he didn’t hesitate to say yes.
The 84-year-old former dairy factory and marine engineer walked every single street last year, mapping the location of old and faded neighbourhood signs.
He logged hundreds of signs – some, the organisation’s Community Engagement lead, Eileen, said she did not even know existed.
“We are lucky to have volunteers who go above and beyond to make our community stronger, safer and more connected.”
Thanks to Peter’s work, Neighbourhood Support now has a complete list of signs needing replacement. In recognition of his effort, Eileen successfully nominated him for the national body’s volunteering awards.
“He helped us move forward with refreshing our community signage and keeping our streets well-marked as a warning to criminals,” said Eileen.
Peter downplayed the effort.
“I go out walking most days anyway unless the weather’s no good,” he said.
“It wasn’t every day, but it was most days. I went to places I’d never been to before – or was unlikely to – down side streets and cul de sacs. I managed to get a good list together.”
Peter noticed a lot of newer subdivisions had no signs at all.
“There might be now, but not then.”
How a Neighbourhood Support sign should look.
Peter and wife Eunice emigrated to New Zealand in 1968. They settled in Cambridge with their two daughters in the mid-1970s. Originally from Westerham in Kent, Peter recalls seeing Sir Winston Churchill around the village. Chartwell House – Churchill’s home from 1922 until his death in 1965 – was on the outskirts of Westerham and the Chartwell suburb in Hamilton is named after the house.
Neighbourhood Support established in Cambridge 14 years ago.
Since then, more than 3000 households have signed up and erected signs in their streets.
“A lot of signs are now blank,” said Eileen.
“What Peter has done is extraordinary. He took it upon himself to walk every single residential street in our town. This was a task that required not only time and energy, but a deep commitment to the wellbeing of our neighbourhoods.
“We talk a lot in Neighbourhood Support about guardianship – about the presence of people, signs and cameras. It’s about making your street look busy.”
One of the signs Peter Martin spotted on his walking stocktake.
Eileen said she is finding it difficult to keep up with the new subdivisions and urged residents to contact her to get Neighbourhood Support underway.
“It’s so important to get those networks active. We need them to protect themselves and their neighbours. That connection is vital.”
She gave the example of a recent incident in Oaklands where a car was taken. Within minutes the subdivision’s What’s App group was active with messages – and the car was found.
Both Peter and Eileen are convinced that signs – especially when they are clear and well maintained – deters burglars.
“Burglars see the signs and think ‘who’s watching me?’” said Peter.
“And they realise someone, somewhere is watching them all the time.”
Peter Martin with the certificate presented to him by Neighbourhood Support.
