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 Ray Jones, Durham2@narpo.org.uk in order that we can monitor the take up and advise the Sunderland Branch, out of courtesy.

This social meeting is regularly attended by retired Durham officers

The next meeting is on Thursday 19th February.

Use the attached address for The Beacon:

https://beaconoflight.co.uk

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.
The next meeting is this Thursday 19th February 10.30am for 11.00am. 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.
As Narpo funds the actual event this is the only expense on the day, excluding any refreshments. What I will say is that the craic and camaraderie is priceless."

Death of Retired Police Officer’s Wife: Margaret Anderson

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of retired Police Officer’s wife, Margaret Anderson, who died at St Cuthbert’s Hospice, Park House Road, Durham on Saturday 31st  January 2026, aged 77 years.

Margaret is the wife of Police Constable 1316 Kenneth (Ken) Anderson, who retired from Durham Constabulary in March 2003.

Margaret was born in 1948 in Hythe, Kent, the eldest of three daughters. Following the family’s move to the North East, she attended Pelton School before beginning a career in the Civil Service.

She was known for her kindness and strong commitment to family life. Alongside a full social life, she enjoyed travel, gardening, and a wide range of creative activities. Margaret faced illness with strength, dignity and courage, and throughout her life remained a much-loved presence to her family, friends and all who knew her.

Margaret is survived by husband Ken, sons Philip and David, daughters in law Emma and Kristy and grandchildren Sam, Libby, Neeve, Olivia, Cara, Sophia and Jake.

A funeral service is to be held at 11.30am Thursday 26th February 2026, at Durham Crematorium, South Road, Durham DH1 3TQ

Family flowers only, any donations in lieu to be shared between Cancer UK (Sunderland Branch) and St Cuthbert’s Hospice, Durham.

After the funeral, friends are invited to join the family at the Masonic Hall, Station Road, Chester le Street DH3 3DU

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

Death of Retired Police Officer: PC 1524 William (Billy) Thornton Leng

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of retired Police Officer: PC 1524 William (Billy) Thornton Leng, who died at Pavillion Nursing Home, Houghton le Spring on Friday 16th January 2026, aged 81 years.

Billy joined Durham Police Cadets in 1960, at the age of 16 years, before joining the regular force in 1962.  Initially posted to Chester le Street and then Washington, he trained as a dog handler, covering Durham and Chester le Street from the Sherburn Dog Section base.  In 1971 he and his dog came 1st at the Tyneside Summer Exhibition.  The following year he and his dog came 4th in the National Police Dog Trials.  Billy also attended a Home Office Course at Keston, Surrey, where he qualified as an Instructor in Police Dog Training and took up this role at Harperley Hall Dog Training School, up until his retirement.

Prior to retirement in 1986, Billy was awarded the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

Billy is survived by wife Pamela, daughter Susan and son in law’s Ian and Craig, grandchildren Philip, Jonathan and Anna and great grandchildren Codie, Harry and Ophelia.  He is predeceased by daughter Alison.

A funeral service is to be held at 11.30am Monday 16th February 2026 at Durham Crematorium, South Road, Durham DH1 3TQ

Family flowers only, any donations in lieu please, to PawsUp.org.uk

After the funeral, friends are invited to join the family at The Honest Lawyer, Croxdale Bridge, Durham DH1 3SP

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

Death of Retired Police Officer: Police Constable 1083 William (Bill) Kay Huscroft

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of retired Police Constable 1083, William (Bill) Kay Huscroft, who died at his home on Saturday 3rd January 2026, aged 88 years.

Bill joined Durham County Constabulary on 29th April 1963, his first posting being Newton Hall.  He later covered his beat on a motorcycle.  Later in his service he transferred to Section 3 Motor Patrols, Meadowfield, which later became Traffic Patrols (North).  Bill also served a period with the Accident Unit.

During his service he was awarded the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and a Commendation.

He retired from Durham Constabulary on 19th August 1993.

In his spare time Bill carried out many house building projects and renovations.  Another passion of his was fishing; he also took his grandchildren trainspotting.

Bill is survived by wife Marie, daughter Karen, son in law Chris, daughter Maxine, grandchildren Michael, Craig, Ryan, Daniel and Amanda, great grandchildren Mason, Lewis, Jessica and Ella.

A funeral service is to be held at 1.00pm Tuesday 3rd February 2026 at Durham Crematorium, South Road, Durham DH1 3TQ

Family flowers only, any donations in lieu to Parkinson’s UK.

After the funeral, friends are invited to join the family at The Travellers Rest, Front Street, Witton Gilbert, Durham DH7 6TQ

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

Death of Police Widow: Dorothy Anne Hudson

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of Police Widow, Dorothy Anne Hudson, who died at James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough on Monday 29th December 2025, aged 75 years.

Dorothy was the widow of Inspector Howard Hudson, who died on 22nd May 2018.

Dorothy worked as a paediatric nurse on Bishop Auckland General Hospital children’s ward for her entire working life, a job she loved.

She loved dancing; ballet and tap in her younger years and latterly, line dancing.  She also choreographed several shows for both Spennymoor and Shildon operatic societies, which she and Howard were part of before they moved into amateur dramatics with the Bondgate Players in Darlington.

Dorothy is survived by stepdaughter Kathryn and step granddaughters Alice and Molly, brother Christopher, sister in law Jenny, niece Catherine and nephew Ian; she was predeceased by step granddaughter Cara.

A funeral service is to be held at 3.30pm on Wednesday 21st January 2026 at Wear Valley Crematorium, Coundon, Bishop Auckland DL14 8PE

Family flowers only, any donations in lieu to the British Heart Foundation.

After the funeral, friends are invited to join the family at Woodham Golf and Country Club, Burnhill Way, Newton Aycliffe DL5 4PN

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

NARPO Subscription Increase & Police Pension Increase

NARPO subscriptions will increase from the 1st January 2026

Full members & members will increase from £26.76 to £27.84

Additional Members and Widow/ers remains at £7 & £5 respectively

Police pensions are expected to rise by 3.8% from April 2026, based on the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) for September 2025, though this is subject to formal confirmation by HM Treasury, usually in March 2026, with the increase applied in April to maintain purchasing power. This inflation-linked increase applies to public sector pensions in payment and ensures pensions keep pace with the cost of living, with partial increases for pensions in payment for less than a year.

Next Durham NARPO Branch Meeting, takes place at 7.30pm, on Monday 12th January 2026

A quick reminder that the next Durham NARPO Branch Meeting, takes place at 7.30pm, on Monday 12th January 2026 at Chester-le-Street Masonic Hall, Station Road, Chester-le-Street DH3 3DU.

Death of Retired Police Officer: PC 1482 Arthur Charlton

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of retired Police Constable 1482 Arthur Charlton, who died at Bishopgate Care Home, Hexham Street, Bishop Auckland on Tuesday 23rd December 2025, aged 87 years.

Arthur joined Durham County Constabulary on 1st April 1963 and after initial training, was posted to Durham, where he remained until 1969.  In 1967 he joined the Dog Section and became operational in that role.  He was posted to Hartlepool 1969-71 and Bishop Auckland 1971-89, where he also performed Acting Sergeant duties.  From 1989 until retirement on 31st March 1993 Arthur was a Police Dog Training Instructor at Harperley Hall.

During his police career, Arthur was awarded the Queens Police Medal, won the Matt Wilkinson Award and given a Chief Constable’s Special Commendation for bravery.  He also won the Dog Handler of the Year on numerous occasions and trained three different police dogs to reach the Regional Police Dog Trials.

Arthur is survived by daughter Andrea, son-in-law Ian, granddaughter Catherine and brother George.  He was predeceased by his wife, Irene in 2009 and twin brother Robert in 2011.

A funeral service is to be held at 10.30am Saturday 17th January 2026 at Durham Crematorium, South Road, Durham DH1 3TQ

Family flowers only, donations in lieu please to The Thin Blue Paw, a charity for serving and retired police dogs.

After the funeral, friends are invited to join the family at The Black Horse Inn, 4 Attwood Terrace, Tudhoe, Spennymoor DL16 6TD

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

Happy New Year......