Death of a Retired Police Officer: PC 1021 John Jameson Henderson

It is with regret that we advise you of the death of a retired Police Officer: PC  1021 John Jameson Henderson who died peacefully at home in Nairn  on 15th May 2026 aged 100 years.

John was born on the 8th May 1926.  After Military service he joined Liverpool City Police in April 1948 where he was posted to Laurence Road Police Station;  

He joined Mounted branch in Liverpool in May 1953 and then later transferred to Durham County Constabulary mounted branch at Harperley Hall.  In 1957 he was posted to Stockton-on-Tees Mounted Branch and in 1961 returned to Harperley Hall retiring on the 16th December 1979

John is survived by his wife Sheila and two daughters Clare and Jill.

The funeral is private.

Our thoughts are with Johns family at this sad time.

Death of Retired Police Officer: Policewoman 700 Susan (Sue) Snowdon (nee Winship)

It is with deep regret that we retrospectively inform you of the death of retired Policewoman 700 Susan (Sue) Snowdon (nee Winship), who died on Saturday 30th August 2008 at Darlington Memorial Hospital, aged 54 years.

Sue joined Durham County Constabulary in 1972 and worked at Newton Aycliffe, Spennymoor and Shildon.

In 1981 she married John Snowdon, a farmer of High House Farm, North Bitchburn (now The Dairy Barn - Ice Cream Parlour & Tea Rooms) and East Thickley Farm (aka Elephants Trunk), Spout Lane, Shildon; she retired the same year.

In 1982 Sue gave birth to daughter Helen, who went on to follow her mother’s chosen career, joining Durham Constabulary in 2001.  Helen, now McLean, is Detective Constable 1934 working at Durham City with 25 years’ service.

Tragically Sue collapsed whilst out shopping in Morrisons Supermarket, Bishop Auckland and died a week later.

A funeral service took place at Durham Crematorium on Thursday 4th September 2008.

Sue’s husband John died in 2017

Wear-Tees Summer BBQ

Wear-Tees Summer BBQ

Bishop Auckland Rugby Club

Thursday 2nd July from 5pm onwards

Nice choice of marinated chicken, pork loin alongside jacket potato and salad / coleslaw..
Vegetarian option available (please advise in advance what you would like)
Plus choice of desserts ..

Raffle with all proceeds going to the family of Jeff Blair who very sadly lost his life whilst working as a Bailiff. RIP Jeff 🙏

£10 a ticket to cover cost of the BBQ.
Everyone welcome.

Please get your tickets from:
Kieran Reed
kieranreed2004@yahoo.co.uk

Death of Police Widow: Veronica Knott

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of Police Widow, Mrs Veronica Knott of Sunderland who died in hospital on Friday 8th May 2026, aged 88 years, following a short illness.

Mrs Knott was the widow of retired Superintendent Graeme Knott, who died in service on 1st April 1978.  His service spanned Sunderland, Seaham, Durham, Hartlepool, Regional Crime Squad and Aykley Heads.

She is survived by son Stephen, daughter-in-law Carolyn and grandson Craig.

A funeral service is to be held at 09.30am on Thursday 28th May 2026 at Sunderland Crematorium, Chester Road, Sunderland SR4 7RS

The family have requested ‘Family flowers Only’ please.  A collection will be taken at the service and donated to Dementia Research.

Following the funeral, friends are invited to join the family for refreshments at ‘The Ashbrooke’, Stannington Grove, Sunderland SR2 9JT

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

Sunderland NARPO - Beacon of Light social meeting

The Sunderland Branch of NARPO hold a social meeting on the THIRD THURSDAY of each month (unless they are unable to book for that day) 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 a £3 voluntary contribution per session (to help cover the cost of hiring the court & equipment) via a 'honesty box' and no need to contact in advance, simply turn up.

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

This social meeting is regularly attended by retired Durham officers

The next meeting three meetings are on :

Thursday 28th May 2026

Thursday 25th June 2026

Thursday 16th July 2026

Address for The Beacon of Light: Stadium Way, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland SR5 1SN

Please Note:

From Sunderland NARPO Chairman Colin Dobson: "As from 26th August 2025 car parking charges have been introduced. 

Currently 0-2 hours: Free, 2-4 hours: £4, 4-8 hours: £8 and 24 hours: £10.
IMPORTANT: Payment will be taken via the EVOLOGY cashless parking app.

I would suggest that to save time you download the app to your phone and REGISTER AND CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT. 

If you intend staying for more than 2 hours then the first payment shown in the app is for £4.25 for 4 hours ie the free 2 + 2 hours.

Durham NARPO next Branch Meeting - Thursday 14th May 2026

The next Branch Meeting of Durham NARPO is at 7.30pm Thursday 14th May 2026 at Bishop Auckland Hospital Social Club, 32 Escomb Road, Bishop Auckland DL14 6TZ