Tuesday 31 January 2017

BikeWise 2017 : save the date….

Bikewise (It's On) Web Banner image 2017

Death of a retired Police Officer : Sergeant Thomas Arthur Scales

It is with regret that we have to announce the death of a retired Police Officer : Sergeant Thomas Arthur Scales, who died on 22nd January, 2017 at 82 years old.
Mr Scales leaves widow Cathleen Scales.
Mr Scales served until the 26th December, 1985.
The service will be held at Durham Crematorium on Wednesday 1st February, 2017 at 1.30pm.  This service is not private.
The family have requested family flowers only, however, donations if so desired can be made to the Macmillan Nurses.
Our thoughts are with the family at this sad time.

Saturday 28 January 2017

Policing the Gala - Student requires help

roy-lambeth-durham-miners-galaI'm an undergraduate history student at Durham University and currently researching for my dissertation on the Miners' Gala. I'm looking for former policemen who have partaken in policing the Gala to interview, and so Durham Constabulary directed me towards NARPO. The perspective, memories and opinions of anyone who would be willing to be interviewed would be greatly appreciated.
If there is anyone who would be interested in being interviewed then feel free to contact me via this email address.

Regards,
Gabriella Matkin
gabbymatkin@hotmail.co.uK

State Pension top up – Less than 3 months left to apply

State Pension top up lets those who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016 boost their State Pension income by up to an extra £25 per week in return for a lump sum contribution.

The extra amount is index linked, guaranteed for life and in most cases inheritable by a spouse or civil partner. The scheme is open for a limited period, until 5 April 2017.

For details visit www.gov.uk/statepensiontopup

Volunteer Drivers for St Cuthbert’s Hospice ?

St CuthbertsWe are looking to increase the number of volunteers at St Cuthbert’s Hospice and we are particularly struggling to recruit volunteer drivers at present and I wondered if this could be a role that members of NARPO may be interested in and if you would be able to assist with communicating our need to them please?
To give you some background about the Hospice, we provide expert care and support to adults in North Durham with life-limiting illnesses, as well as supporting their families and carers.  We are a registered charity and all of our care and support services are provided free of charge to patients, which is only possible because of community support.
There are two areas where drivers can volunteer :
 
Patient Drivers : support our Day Hospice by bringing guests from home to the Hospice and back again, either using their own cars or one of the Hospice’s vehicles.

Retail Drivers : support our retail operation, using the Hospice’s van to collect and deliver donated goods to our 9 retail outlets across County Durham. For the Retail role we have regular slots available (weekdays 9am-3.30pm) and are also looking for people who would be happy to be contacted on an ad hoc basis to cover volunteer absences.

If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to let me know. We have an Education Suite that we could offer as a venue for a meeting so that any interested members could visit the Hospice and find out more about us.
If this is something your members could help me with in any way, I would be very grateful.

Jude Smith
Volunteer Co-ordinator
St Cuthbert's Hospice
Park House Road
Durham
DH1 3QF
 
Direct Line: 0191 374 6169
Main Switchboard: 0191 386 1170
Email: jude.smith@stcuthbertshospice.com

Wednesday 18 January 2017

Death of a retired Police Officer : Chief Superintendent 299 William Ernest Newby

Bill NewbyIt is with regret that we have to announce the death of a retired Police Officer : Chief Superintendent 299 William Ernest Newby, who died on the 11th January 2017, he was aged 85 years.
He does not leave a widow but leaves a daughter Julie.
William Newby retired from Durham Constabulary on the 31st December 1987.
The funeral service is taking place on the 3rd February 2017 at 11.45am at All Saints Church, Newton Hall, Durham, this will then be followed by the cremation service at 1pm at Durham Crematorium.
The funeral service is not private.
Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to the Eden House residence fund, Bishop Auckland, cheques are to be made payable to Helen McArdle Care.
Our thoughts are with the family at this sad time.

Wednesday 11 January 2017

Older Drivers…

Older DriversThis paper describes the licencing and medical fitness rules for drivers over the age of 70, and summarises recent Government statements on older drivers and the recommendations of the Older Drivers Task Force.

Driver licensing rules in the UK ultimately derive from the EU. It is as yet unclear what the impact of Brexit might be on driver licensing and testing: it seems likely that the UK would adopt a system compatible with that across the EU in order to retain the benefits of mutual recognition.

For at least the last ten years there have been stories in the media about possible changes to the licensing and/or testing requirements for older drivers. However, despite the speculation, there have been no recent changes to the requirements for older drivers.

Since the 2015 General Election the Government has published a road safety statement and a motoring services strategy, both of which referred to the need to support older drivers and ensure that they are safe. The independent Older Drivers Task Force reported in July 2016. The Government is currently considering its recommendations, which included:

  • the automatic requirement for drivers to notify the DVLA at age 70 of any medical condition that may affect safe driving should be raised to 75;
  • DVLA should require evidence of an eyesight test at age 75 and encourage vision checks every two years, particularly from age 60; and
  • the Government should support an evaluation of driving appraisal courses offered by the public sector and those in the private sector who wish to participate.

Information on associated matters involving driver licensing and fitness to drive can be found on the Roads Topical Page of the Parliament website.

Download the full report (pdf 236.25kb)

Federation Group Insurance Scheme

Durham Police FederationDurham Police Federation now have their own website which Has some great information on current policing issues.

One thing which most retired officers need to contact the Federation about is the Group Insurance scheme, our website now has a page Durham Federation (on the menu bar at the top of the homepage) which will take you through to links to the relevant documents you may need to download or view.

Many Thanks to the staff at the Federation office for supplying us with this information.

Durham Police Federation National Conference Report

Click to view Conference Special report

Please click on the image above to read/download a four page report from Durham Police Federation on the National Conference of 2016

Tuesday 10 January 2017

Death of a retired Police Officer : DC Cecil COXON

It is with regret that we have to inform you of the death of a retired Police Officer :  DC Cecil COXON : born 07/11/45 who died on 4th January 2017 at home with his family.
Cecil joined Durham Constabulary in 1967 as PC841 & was initially posted to Darlington  before transferring to Durham City. He transferred to Cleveland Police in 1971 where he spent the rest of his career in CID & RCS.
He leaves behind wife Helen Coxon, son, serving Police Insp David COXON, daughter Suzanne Coxon and son Richard Coxon.  He also has 12 grandchildren.
The funeral service will take place at 1.00pm on Tuesday 17th January, 2017 at St Andrew’s Church, South Church, DL14 7JU. This will be followed by the committal at Durham Crematorium, South Road, Durham, DH1 3TQ at 2.00pm. Friends are welcome to attend either or both services.
The family have confirmed that they would request family flowers only, donations if so desired can be made to St Cuthbert’s Hospice, Durham.
Our thoughts are with the family at this sad time

Friday 6 January 2017

AGM of Durham NARPO : Monday 9th January 2017

 AGM-2017
Date for your Diary…….
Monday 9th January at 1930hrs
The Annual General Meeting of Durham NARPO, with guest speakers from Force Executive,PCC and Federation.
All members welcome to attend and participate
Ideal time to meet your old colleagues and friends.
Please try and see if you can attend, meet / vote for who you want on the committee and see the hard work they are doing throughout the year on your behalf
There is a bar at the premises & light refreshments are provided
The meeting will be held at the Durham Indoor Bowling Centre, Pity Me, Durham, DH1 5GE
 

View Durham Indoor Bowling Club in a larger map


Monday 2 January 2017

Death of a retired Police Officer : Robert (Bob) Lawson

Bob Lawson

It is with sadness that we announce the death of a retired Police Officer :  Robert (Bob) Lawson who died on December 28th 2016 (1942-2016)
Bob was a career detective serving at Sunderland (Durham Constabulary until 74 amalgamation) and then with the RCS.
Bob was a loving husband to Elizebeth for 52 years, and father to Wendy and David.
His funeral will be held 12.30pm on Wednesday, 11th January, 2017 at Sunderland Crematorium followed by a reception at Ramside Hall.
Our thoughts are with the family at this sad time

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