Invitation from Sunderland NARPO ( Beacon of Light social meeting)

The Sunderland Branch of NARPO hold a social meeting on the THIRD THURSDAY of each month at The Beacon of Light which is situated near The Stadium of Light directly adjacent to The Aquatic Centre.

They have a court booked for 1 hour from 11.00am but normally meet about 10.30am in the ground floor cafe for a coffee.  For anyone who hasn’t been it's a fantastic facility and the court can accommodate 4 table tennis tables, 2 pickleball courts, a badminton court and a five-a-side football pitch.

It is emphasized that not everyone participates and there is no pressure to do so.  Some just come for the craic and to spectate.  They have been going since July 2024 and normally have around ten to fifteen regular attenders.

It is an alternative to the more formal NARPO meetings.  As the event can obviously cater for more, the committee have asked me to offer the hand of friendship to your members if they want to pop along even if it's just as a recce.  There is no charge and no need to contact in advance, simply turn up.

There is a cafe that does toasties etc if anyone is peckish.

If anyone is considering accepting this offer, would you please notify either Stuart Ingram – Durham@narpo.org.uk or Ray Jones Durham2@narpo.org.uk in order that we can monitor the take up and advise the Sunderland Branch, out of courtesy.

Dates for your diary for the next meeting's are Thursday 18th September and 16th October.

There is no social meeting planned during August due to school holidays and the centre being fully booked

Use the attached address for The Beacon:

https://beaconoflight.co.uk

Death of Retired Police Officer: Detective Constable 1644 Geoffrey (Geoff) Wall

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of retired Police Officer: Detective Constable 1644 Geoffrey (Geoff) Wall, who died at St Teresa’s Hospice, Darlington on 12th July 2025, aged 72 years.

Geoff joined Durham Constabulary in1984 and started his Police career at Peterlee.  He also served as a Detective Constable at Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle.

Whilst at Barnard Castle, Geoff worked with fellow officers investigated the theft of a small, pearl encrusted mouse in 1994.  He led the enquiry into the theft of the £90,000 mouse for many years, working closely with the Metropolitan Police after Victoria and Albert Museum staff came forward with information.

A legal battle then ensued, to identify the owner of the mouse, one of only six in the world.  Eventually, some eight years after the theft and following some repairs, the exhibit was returned to Bowes Museum in the year of the Queen Mother’s death, she having been patron of the museum.

Geoff later became a dedicated source handler, retiring from the force on 6th January 2006.

After his retirement, Geoff was recruited as a civilian investigator, working on ‘Cold Cases’ in Northern Ireland for several years.  He also worked on the Hillsborough Enquiry.

Geoff is survived by his wife Elaine, son Scott and his wife Ali, daughter Courtney and her husband Kev, grandchildren Phoebe, Jack, Robyn and Eydis.  Also, brother David, who is also a retired Durham Police Officer.

A funeral service is to be held at 1.30pm Tuesday 5th August 2025 at Wear Valley Crematorium, Coundon, Bishop Auckland DL14 8PE

Family flowers only, donations in lieu of to St Teresa’s Hospice.

After the funeral, friends are invited to join the family at Barnard Castle Golf Club, Harmire Road, Barnard Castle DL12 8QN

Our thoughts are with Geoff’s family and friends at this sad time.

Death of a retired Police Officer: DC Raymond Wilcox

It is with regret that we have to inform you of the death of a retired Police Officer: DC Raymond Wilcox, aged 81 years.

Ray died in hospital on the 8th July 2025 after a long battle with diabetes.  

He joined Durham Constabulary as a 16 year old Cadet in about 1959.  

His Police career is not fully available as his current wife Annette, did not meet Ray until after his Police Service ended. 

It is understood that he served as a Uniform Constable before spending time on the dog section and then CID. 

His rank on retirement is believed to have been Detective Constable. He retired from the police service in 1993 and lived in Newton Aycliffe till moving to Shaftesbury in Dorset in 2011.

Ray has two sons from his first marriage, Steven and Stuart and one grandson, Will.

The funeral is to be held at Salisbury Crematorium , Barrington Road, Salisbury, SP1 3JB at 12 noon on Tuesday 5th August 2025.  Former colleagues will be most welcome to attend.

Family flowers only please.   A collection will be taken after the service and donated to "Diabetes UK".  

Anyone wishing to donate towards the collection is asked to contact the Funeral Director, Merefield & Henstridge on 01747 853532.

Annette would be pleased to receive correspondence from any of Rays former colleagues.  Please contact the Branch Secretary for details.

Our thoughts are with Annette and the family at this sad time.

Death of retired Police Officer: Chief Supt. Alfred (Alf) Charlton

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of retired Police Officer: Chief Supt. Alfred (Alf) Charlton, who died at his home on 8th July 2025, aged 96 years.

Mr Charlton is survived by his son Geoff, sister Grace, grandsons Daniel and Philip, three great grandchildren and other extended family.  Alf was pre deceased by both his wife Joan, who died in 2019 and his daughter Gill, who died in 1996.

Alf joined Durham County Constabulary as a Cadet in March 1945. He was appointed as a Constable on 30th April 1949.  

Throughout his long and varied Police career he had 14 different stations / departments / positions including:- Helicopter Observer, Sgt Instructor at Cadet Training, Research Dept, Sub Divisional Command at three stations & Deputy Divisional Command at two Stations. He was head of of Acc. Prevention 1963 to 1968, Motor School 1969 to 1972 & Traffic Dept. Operations Durham County including during the Miners Strike of 1984. 

In 1956 he was awarded the Queens Commendation for brave conduct.  He was Commended three times by the Chief Constable and once by the Magistrates.

In 1983 Alf was the Chairman of the Superintendents Association Durham County. He was also the National Chairman of the Federation of British Police Motor Clubs  for many years.

Alf retired from Durham Police as Chief Superintendent on 30th April 1984. 

During his 41 years of retirement his expertise was globally acknowledged and he travelled far and wide to pass on his knowledge.

Alf's funeral service is to take place at 10am on Wednesday 30th July at Durham Crematorium.  

The service is not private.  Family flowers only please. Any donations in lieu of floral tributes may be deposited on leaving the Crematorium. 

The family wish for the donations to be given in Alf's memory to Cancer Research UK and Safe Lives.

C2C or Sea to Sea Charity Bike Ride

C2C or Sea to Sea Charity Bike Ride

The UK's most popular challenge cycle route, the C2C is often thought to stand for ‘Coast to Coast’, but the name is actually short for ‘Sea to Sea’. The iconic route travels 137 miles between the Irish Sea and the North Sea, from Cumbria to Tyneside, passing through the northern Lake District before climbing the Pennines and descending to the railway paths of County Durham.

On September 26th,  Andrea Clayton and other retired colleagues are intending to ride the C2C in aid of Support Breast Cancer & Police Treatment Centre's

To learn more and to support the ride please click on this link

https://givewheel.com/fundraising/8495/charity-coast-to-coast-c2c-cycle-ride/

Durham NARPO - Branch Meeting

 Durham NARPO - Branch Meeting 

The next meeting of Durham NARPO will take place at 7.30pm Thursday 10th July 2025 at Bishop Auckland Hospital Social Club and NOT as stated in the Winter 2024 edition of the Durham Peeler, which gave the date as 17 July 2025.

Bishop Auckland Hospital Club: 32A Escomb Road, Bishop Auckland DL14 6TZ