Death of Retired Police Officer: Chief Inspector Anthony (Tony) Joseph Noakes

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of a retired Police Officer: Chief Inspector Anthony (Tony) Joseph Noakes, who died at Wellburn Care Home, Ovingham, Prudhoe, Northumbria on Tuesday 21st April 2026, aged 100 years.

Tony joined Durham County Constabulary in 1955, being appointed Police Constable 575.  He was posted to Blaydon and was sworn in at Gateshead Magistrates Court, two weeks prior to him attending his initial training at the District Police Training Centre, Newby Wiske, North Riding.

Upon completion of his initial training, he was posted to Chester-le-Street, where he lived in digs before moving into a Police House in George Street.

His Police Service saw him serve at East Herrington, Silksworth, Meadowfield and Hartlepool.

He also served a time on Traffic working from Newton Aycliffe, when the first section of motorway was opened in the north-east in 1965; a short section of some 10.5 miles between Scotch Corner and Aycliffe.

Prior to his move to Hartlepool around 1969/70, Tony was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

In 1974, due to the Local Government Act 1972, Tony chose to transfer from Durham County Constabulary to Cleveland Police rather than move back into Durham.

During his service at Hartlepool was promoted to Inspector and later to Chief Inspector and oversaw the building and commissioning of the new Police Station in Avenue Road, Hartlepool, which opened in 1968.

Tony retired from the Cleveland Police in 1985, after 30 years Police service.

Prior to joining the Police Service Tony was called up to join the Armed Forces in February 1943, at the age of 17 years.  After undergoing entry and training for the Royal Marines 42 Commando at HM Dockyard in Chatham, Kent.  He later joined HMS Tyne, sailing from Greenock to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), to be based at the naval base of Trincomalee.  He later joined HMS Pheobe to undertake patrols in the Bay of Bengal, Nicobar Islands and Andaman Islands.

He served in Burma when the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.  He was part of the Royal Marines detachment that were detailed to proceed to Penang Island (Malaya) to observe and police the Japanese surrender on 15 August 1945, Victory over Japan, known as VJ Day.

Tony was then deployed to Malta, as part of the Mediterranean fleet, before deploying to Palestine in 1947, where he served until 30 June 1948, when a party of Royal Marines oversaw the formal exit of the British from Palestine.  On that day, Tony was given the honour of being the Royal Marine to lower the Union flag for the last time, at the official exit ceremony in Haifa.

He later returned to Malta prior to returning to England where he was stationed at HMS Ganges, Ipswich; he was demobbed in September 1955. 

Tony is survived by 4 children, 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. 

He is predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Beryl, who died in December 2012, aged 83 years.

A funeral service is to be held at 1030hrs on Friday 15th May at St Mary and Thomas Aquinas church, Stella Road, Stella, Blaydon upon Tyne, NE21 4LR followed by cremation at West Road Crematorium and Cemetery, West Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 2JL.

Donations in lieu of flowers to the Salvation Army or Royal Marines Association.  This can be done via a tribute site for Tony that has been created for anyone to leave their thoughts and memories.  It can be accessed at https://anthonynoakes.muchloved.com

After the funeral, friends are invited to join the family for A Celebration of Tony’s Life at Garesfield Golf Club, Chopwell, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE17 7AP from 12:30 onwards.

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

Orgreave Inquiry

Important Advice Notice:
As some of you may already know, following the extremely lengthy inquiry into the Hillsborough Disaster, an Inquiry regarding events at the Orgreave Coking Plant in June 1984 has begun. As this is a live inquiry, I would urge all Police Officers/ Retired Officers to refrain from engaging in any social media posts.

Raymond T Jones
Durham NARPO Chairman

Death of Retired Police Officer: Superintendent Denis (Denny) Edwin Fowler (Northumbria)

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of retired Police Officer, Superintendent Denis (Denny) Edwin Fowler, who died on Thursday 26th March 2026, aged 84 years.

Denny originally joined Durham County Constabulary and later transferred to Northumbria Police, from where he retired at the rank of Superintendent.

Denny is survived by his wife Sheila, son Steven, daughter Kay and grandchildren Jess and Amy.

A funeral service is to be held at 12.00 noon Tuesday 21st April 2026 at Durham Crematorium, South Road, Durham DH1 3TQ

Family flowers only.

After the funeral, friends are invited to join the family at Durham Rugby Club, Hollow Drift, Green Lane, Durham DH1 3JU

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

Durham NARPO meetings 2026/7

 Here are the proposed dates and venues for the years Durham NARPO meetings.

We have tried to adhere to our meetings being on the second Monday of the months in which we meet however the Hospital Club is not open on a Monday so we will move to the second Thursday for the two meetings at Bishop Auckland.

Thursday 14th May 2026: 7.30pm Bishop  Auckland Hospital Club, 32A  Escomb Road, 

                             Bishop Auckland, DL14 6TZ

Monday 13th July 2026: 11am Masonic Hall,  34 North Street, Ferryhill DL17 8XH

                              NOTE DAYTIME MEETING

Thursday 10th September 2026: 7.30pm Bishop Auckland Hospital Club. 32A  Escomb Road

                             Bishop Auckland DL14 6TZ

Monday   9th November 2026: 7.30pm  Masonic Hall, Station  Road, Chester Le Street,  DH3 3DU

Monday 11th January 2027: 7.30pm Masonic Hall, Station  Road, Chester Le Street,  DH3 3DU

Monday  8th March 2027: 7.30pm  Masonic Hall, Station  Road, Chester Le Street,  DH3 3DU

Death of Police Widow: Isabella Forrest

It is with regret that we inform you of the death of Isabella Forrest of Darlington, widow of the late Superintendent  Robert Forrest.  Mrs Forrest died peacefully at home on 6th April 2026 aged 101 years. 

Mrs Forrest is survived by her daughter, Kathryn (Kate)  Hatton, and son Robert.  Grandchildren David and Anthony Forrest and Michael, Sarah and Carl Hatton and ten great-grandchildren.

The funeral will take place at Darlington Crematorium at 1pm on Wednesday 29th April followed by a wake at Blackwell Grange.

Anyone who knew Mrs Forrest is very welcome to attend.

Family flowers only please.

Out thoughts are with the family at this very sad time.

Death of Police widow: Fleur Coppock

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of Police widow, Fleur Coppock, who died at St Cuthbert’s Hospice, Durham on Friday 20th March 2026, aged 86 years.  She is the widow of Inspector 2147 Trevor Coppock, who died in June 2016, aged 81 years.

Fleur was born in 1939 in Bradford. She emigrated as a teenager to New Zealand before spending time working in the USA as a Mother’s help, then working in Bermuda and returning to the UK where she met Trevor in Harrogate.  She worked in the legal profession until retirement.

Fleur and Trevor started a family in Toronto, Bishop Auckland before moving to Harperley Hall.  They eventually settled in Durham and enjoyed holidays abroad with Arizona and Venice being 2 special places.

Fleur is survived by daughters Alison and Helen.

A funeral service is to be held at 11.45 Thursday 23rd April 2026 at St Oswald’s Church, Church Street, Durham DH1 3DQ

Family flowers only, donations in lieu to City of Durham Wildlife Trust.

After the funeral, friends are invited to join the family at St Oswald’s Institute.

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

Death of Retired Police Officer: Police Constable 1526 Martin Hall

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of retired Police Officer, Police Constable 1526 Martin Hall, who died at St Cuthbert’s Hospice, Durham on Friday 27th March 2026, aged 80 years.

Prior to joining the Police Service, Martin was an exceptional schoolboy sprinter and a member of the Houghton Harriers; he also enjoyed cross country running and football. 

In 1962 he became a Durham Police Cadet, billeted at Hardwick Camp, Sedgefield.  Then on 29th June 1964 he was appointed as Police Constable 1526 with Durham County Constabulary.  Following his initial training, he was posted to Bishop Auckland.

In 1967 he transferred to the Traffic Department, mainly working the south of the county.  Martin was an extremely dedicated Traffic Officer, subscribing to a Road Traffic Encyclopaedia to keep up to date with legislation.  He also carried out Acting Sergeant duties from time to time.

In 1988, he was one of two Traffic Officers chosen to crew an unmarked patrol car, fitted with a forward-facing video camera, a new concept within the force.  He crewed the vehicle, with county wide coverage, right up to his retirement in November 1993.

Martin joined the Institute of Advanced Motorists in April 1985 and was actively involved with local groups over many years and recently received a Certificate of Appreciation from IAM RoadSmart for his time, efforts and commitment, as an examiner over the past 30 years.

He has also been an Associate Member of the Institute of Road Transport Engineers (North Eastern Centre) for many years and has served as a Committee Member, Vice Chairman and Chairman.

After retiring from the Police Service, Martin joined the Durham Branch of the National Association of Retired Police Officers.  He was later elected onto the Committee and was Vice Chairman for the past 6 years.

Martin is survived by daughters Susan and Anne, grandson Alex, brother-in-law Geoff and sister-in-law Angela.  He is predeceased by his wife Carole, who died in August 2017.

A funeral service is to be held at 1.30pm Thursday 16th April 2026 at Durham Crematorium, South Road, Durham DH1 3TQ

Family flowers only, donations if desired to St Cuthbert’s Hospice, Durham.

After the funeral, friends are invited to join the family at The Green Tree, 41 Tudhoe Village, Spennymoor DL16 6LE

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

Death of Retired Officer: Police Constable 1516 Jeffery (Jeff) Robert Blair

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of retired Police Officer, Police Constable 1516 Jeffery (Jeff) Robert Blair, who died tragically at James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough on Tuesday 10th March 2026, aged 55 years.

Prior to joining the Police Service, Jeff served in the RAF commencing October 1988.  He received his recruitment training at RAF Swinderby and trade training at RAF Shawbury before being posted to RAF Finningley in Air Traffic Control.  During the first Gulf War, Jeff was temporarily posted to RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus under the Emergency Reinforcement Scheme, working in Station Operations.  For this service he received the Gulf War Medal.

Following his return to the UK, Jeff was posted to RAF Pitreavie Castle, Edinburgh, one of the RAF’s two Rescue Co-ordination Centres.

After leaving the RAF in September 1995, Jeff joined Durham Constabulary. After initial training he worked at Crook on Response for over 15 years before moving to the Neighbourhood Policing Team.  A few years later he moved to Response at Darlington, from where he retired in October 2017, due to ill health.

A period of self-employment was then pursued with him starting up his own courier business, which was abandoned due to ongoing back problems.  He then worked at Newcastle Airport for a short while, in Security.

In December 2019, Jeff began work as a Court Bailiff for HM Courts & Tribunal Service.

Jeff is survived by Nicola, his partner of 17 years, their 2 sons, Ethan and Aidan also daughter Heather and sons Andrew and Adam and parents Bob and Margaret.

A funeral service is to be held at 2.30pm Thursday 9th April 2026 at Wear Valley Crematorium, Coundon, Bishop Auckland DL14 8PE

Family flowers only, donations in lieu to Bishop Auckland Rugby Union Football Club.

After the funeral, friends are invited to join the family at Chilton Community Sports & Social Club, Darlington Road, Chilton DL17 0EY

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

Death of Retired Police Officer: Inspector 929 Ian Jamieson

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of retired Police Officer: Inspector 929 Ian Jamieson, who died peacefully at home on Saturday 28th March 2026 aged 78 years after a long illness patiently borne.

Ian joined Durham Constabulary on the 22nd January 1968. His first four years of service were on foot patrols / panda duties in Darlington. 
In 1972 he was transferred onto the Serious Incident Squad (AO61) based at Hartlepool.
In 1974 he transferred to Special Branch.
In 1981 he was promoted to Sergeant and posted to Spennymoor.
From 1982 to 1990 he was a D/Sgt on Special Branch.
From 1990 to 1992 uniform Sergeant in Durham City.
In 1992 he was promoted to Inspector and posted to Newton Aycliffe.
In 1996 he was transferred to HQ Community Safety Department where he remained until his retirement on 21st January 1998.
His special interests were fell walking, dancing and badminton.

Ian is survived by his wife June and their sons Lee and Peter. Brother Brian, Daughter in laws, Nina and Andrea. Step Sons Andrew and Richard, and Grand daughter Kay and the late Adam.

The funeral service is to be held at The Ferryhill Methodist Chapel, 2 Market Street, Ferryhill, DL178JL at 11.45am on Wednesday 22nd April 2026. 

The following Committal at the Crematorium is Private for family only.

Family flowers only please. A collection will be held at the service and at the gathering afterwards and proceeds will be forwarded to the charity “Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis”.

After the service friends and former colleagues are invited to join the family and share happy memories at The Green Tree, 41, Tudhoe Village, Spennymoor DL16 6LE

Our thoughts are with Ian's family and friends at this sad time.