Thanks to the enthusiastic co-operation of Chief Constable Jon Stoddart, his Executive Officers, Strategic Planning personnel and our Durham Executive Officers, we have over the last three years, fostered a unique, close and harmonious partnership between serving and retired officers and staff.
Our reunions are open to ALL members of Durham Constabulary i.e. police and police support staff both serving and retirees. This year, in view of two other important attractions such as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games, we brought our event forward a month to Sunday, 20th May, 2012 (We didn’t want to be accused of weakening support numbers for those events…..!
The main entertainment and attractions included the musical spectacular by Durham Constabulary Band, an equally great recital by the Durham Police Choir, action demonstrations by the Dog Section, conducted tours of Control Room, the Regional Police Helicopter created quite a stir of interest, and businessman, Bill Tonks voluntarily brought his vintage MG TC 1946 ex Kent police sports car.
On arrival everyone had their photograph taken to be collected and mounted in an excellent modern programme of events. The main attraction to most of course was simply to meet friends and have a good old exchange of “war stories” – fortunately, everyone had a clear name tag presented to make it easier to “recall” (when you put your spectacles on) the names of familiar faces from the distant past – strange how others get older whilst you don’t seem to have aged a day…?
Delightfully informative displays were on hand from the Durham Constabulary Archives; The Blue Knights, N.A.R.P.O. Committee (who also ran an extra ordinarily successful raffle, raising £312.00 toward the running costs of the event); and a display of artist’s impressions of the proposed new Durham Constabulary H.Q. which hopefully will get the go ahead soon.
Chief Constable Jon Stoddart, A.C.C. Michael Banks, their families and ALL Chief Superintendents were in support of the estimated 180 happy people who had the good fortune to attend. Altogether, everyone had a wonderful afternoon and were appreciative of the hard work that went in to making of such a lovely day.
Extracts from Letters of appreciation :
Victor (ex P.C. 1667) Brown & Mary Brown. “What a grand time we had at the reunion on Sunday. The organisers made a splendid job of making sure there was never a dull moment, whilst allowing plenty of opportunity to catch up with old colleagues. I met folks who remembered me but were “total strangers” and folks I’d known, but denied we’d ever met! All good fun though.”
Barry & Elsie Wood: “Our thanks to all who arranged the re-union for retired officers last Sunday. Another smashing day where memories for names were tested and good to see some of the old faces again. We enjoyed it.”
Tommy Tipler & family: “It would be totally remiss of me if I didn’t record our appreciation of all the efforts of the NARPO Committee and H.Q.Staff who gave up their time to make the afternoon such a remarkable success. Well done. It was well worth the 180 mile round trip.”
(To view the pictures in the album at a larger size then click on an image)
Those of you who are attending should have or will be receiving a ticket through the post which will be exchanged for a name badge at the reception desk upon arrival at HQ. Arrival is from 1330hrs.
According to an AA survey of eight major insurers, half of them would not quote anyone who has been given three points for the CU80 offence, while the other half would raise their premium by 20%.
Spokesman Ian Crowder said: ‘Insurers are taking mobile phone offences very seriously. Their opinion is a motorist might break a 30mph speed limit without noticing but no one sends a text message, email or makes a phone call behind the wheel by accident.
‘It might seem severe but when operating a mobile phone you don’t have both hands on the steering wheel, you aren’t looking fully at the road and can’t change gears safely.’
More than 170,000 motorists a year in England and Wales are caught using their phones while driving.
Car insurers are refusing to cover motorists caught using a mobile phone at the wheel – even first-time offenders.
Auto Express magazine has found that some insurers will increase policy prices for offenders even more. A spokesman for Adrian Flux said: “Rises would vary from insurer to insurer, but could be anywhere from 15 per cent to 50 per cent or even a refusal.”
This tough stance extends to other offences, too. The table (below) spells out the AA’s findings, and as you can see, even a minor speeding violation – an SP30 – will send premiums soaring.
Seven of the eight cover providers contacted by the AA admitted that would be enough for a premium rise, and one wouldn’t even offer a quote.
Research suggests that premium hikes for speeders can be far higher than even the 9.3 per cent quoted by the AA.
A spokesman for LV said: “Typically, if a new customer had a speeding conviction in the last year, then their premium could rise by 10-20 per cent.”
The news will surprise many drivers, as traditionally insurers have opted not to penalise those with three points on their licence. A similar AA survey in 2009 found that 50 per cent of insurers would overlook a minor speeding offence.
When companies where asked why motorists’ premiums are now being hiked for this. An AA spokeswoman explained: “When speed cameras were first introduced, everyone was getting caught and insurers took a more lenient view, but now motorists are used to cameras, insurers won’t ignore three points.”
Direct Line said it was down to stats, with a spokesman adding: “Drivers with motoring convictions are 40 per cent more likely to claim than those with no convictions.”
An Association of British Insurers (ABI) spokesman said providers were hardening their view. “With the rising costs of claims, insurers hike premiums even in response to a motorist’s first three points,” he explained.
When asked why motorists caught using their phone at the wheel were penalised more harshly than speeders, even though three points are dished out for both offences. An AA spokesman said: “Anecdotal evidence suggests motorists caught using a mobile are twice as likely to make a claim than with other offences.”
Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, added: “Using a mobile phone while driving is a deliberate act. Many drivers may accidentally drift over a 30mph limit without realising. But no one accidentally makes or answers a call or text.”
How convicted drivers are being hit in pocket
The AA obtained quotes from eight unnamed insurers on its panel to see the effect of different offences on premiums. It based the figures on a 40-year-old man driving a Ford Mondeo.
Offence assumptions:
SP30 (speeding) – three points and £60 fine
CU80 (handheld phone) – three points and £60 fine
CD10 (careless driving) – six points and £100 fine
| Insurer | Clean | 1 x SP30 (3pts) | 2 x SP30 (6pts) | 1 x CU80 (3pts) | 1 x CD10 (6pts) |
| A | £298.15 | £332.73 | No quote | No quote | No quote |
| B | £312.79 | £344.07 | No quote | No quote | No quote |
| C | £331.33 | £366.2 | £398.92 | £376.72 | £423.44 |
| D | £378.2 | £395.98 | £509.06 | £499.22 | £504.52 |
| E | £391.5 | £441.22 | £491.33 | No quote | No quote |
| F | £491.28 | £508.63 | £532.55 | £563.99 | £588.55 |
| G | £434.17 | £466.73 | £494.95 | £495.39 | £505.81 |
| H | £434.44 | No quote | No quote | No quote | No quote |
| Avg increase | 9.3% | 23.6% | 18.5% | 24.4% |
Robin, who served with Durham Constabulary for 30 years, was on the point of retiring in 2008 when the chance arose to work in the Middle East.
He was invited to act as a specialist advisor with the Abu Dhabi force in the United Arab Emirates, working alongside several other Durham officers already based in the oil-rich Gulf state.
On his return to the UK last year, Robin decided to chart his experiences in a book called “Dust and Dreams – a window on the United Arab Emirates”, which he describes as part diary, part travelogue and part history.
The book touches on the difficulties of bringing a Western performance management ethos into a different culture, but concentrates on the wider picture of life in a rapidly changing Arab country.
Drawing on his law and ancient history degree, the author illustrates how the headlong rush to make the Emirates a hub for culture, sport and tourism sometimes sits uneasily with its traditions and relatively recent poverty.
“I had planned to travel in my retirement but this gave me the chance to work and travel at the same time,” said Robin. “The book is more about what I saw and experienced on my travels round the Emirates than the job I went there to do.
While we were there you had the start of the Arab uprising and yet, in that troubled part of the world you have a country now celebrating 40 years still united, which people said would never work, and yet it has.”
“Dust and Dreams” is available from The People’s Bookshop (0191 384 4399) in Saddlers Yard, Durham for £9.99. It can also be ordered through Amazon and at authorsonline.co.uk
All author’s royalties are going to “Plan”, a global children’s charity tackling poverty and suffering in some of the world’s poorest communities.
Email received via NARPO HQ from Alice Fisher of the British Legion :
Each year, in early November some 30,000 Legion volunteers take to the streets with poppies and collecting boxes, raising millions of pounds for the Poppy Appeal. The money collected at this time and from numerous other fundraising activities throughout the year, goes to providing help and support to serving and ex-Service men and women and their dependants. Without volunteer collectors out there on the streets, without appeal organisers planning the collections, this great cause - that helps thousands of ex-Service men and women every year - would grind to a halt.
I am hoping that you could circulate the attached flier amongst your organisation as November is fast approaching and our need for new volunteers to assist us is as great as ever. This year’s collection runs from October 27th to November 11th 2012.
Additionally if there are other ways you think your members would like to be involved I would love to discuss this further.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards
Alice
If you feel you could offer any assistance to the British Legion or want further details please email : AFisher@britishlegion.org.uk
A funeral service will be held on Friday 27th April 2012 at 10:15 at All Saints Parish Church, Durham Road, Lanchester (DH7 0LJ)
Please note this is the Church of England Church on Durham Road in Lanchester and not All Saints RC Church which is also in the village.
The service will be followed by cremation at Mounsett Crematorium, Dipton at 11:00.
There are to be family flowers only however donations in lieu of flowers if so desired have been requested for Marie Curie Cancer Care
The 3rd Retirees Reunion and Social Afternoon Spectacular - Sunday 20th May, 2012
Durham Constabulary H.Q. Aykley Heads, Durham. 1.30pm to 5pm.
Many of you will have already experienced this great social get together, organised as a joint event by Durham Constabulary and Durham N.A.R.P.O. Committee.
Just in case you haven’t heard about it, we invite ALL members of Durham Constabulary, police and police support staff both serving and retirees past and present, to come along and enjoy a truly friendly and sociable afternoon. A great deal of planning by the Force Strategic Management team, the N.A.R.P.O. Committee members and a host of willing volunteers once again promises to make it an afternoon to remember. A number of you have in the past missed out, believing that you don’t know many people now, but here you have the opportunity to renew old acquaintances and friends. It is also an opportunity to socialise with serving officers and Staff who continue the proud traditions of Durham Constabulary.
We are concerned that many of our retired police staff personnel may not be aware (even now!) of the now annual social occasion. If you know any past employees, please share with them this information and give them the opportunity to share it too.
There will be entertainment by the Durham Constabulary Band and Choir, demonstrations by the Dog Section and Motor Patrols, displays by Durham H.Q. Archives, N.A.R.P.O. Beamish Museum , the Blue Knights and more.
Light refreshments will be provided (but please don’t expect a full meal – times is hard…!); a superb raffle organised by N.A.R.P.O.; a souvenir programme and your own personal photograph to commemorate the occasion and best of all, the friendly atmosphere and “war stories” that only old friends can generate between each other. You’re only here once, so why not make the most of this joyous and friendly event.
Please Note:
To Order your ticket(s) – contact the people below
Retired Police Officers (non NARPO) and Retired Police Support staff, please order from:
Colin Appleby, 21, Lea Rigg, West Rainton, Houghton le String, DH4 6SR. Tel No. 0191 5846178.
Email: appleby.colin@btinternet.com
N.A.R.P.O Members including Widows, please order from:
Mrs. Angie Crawford, 8, Warwick Place, Peterlee, SR2 2EZ. Tel No. 01915180996. Email angiechilton@yahoo.com.
Serving Police Support Staff and Serving Officers please order from
Amanda Dodds or Amanda Wilson, Strategic Management Department.
Photo’s below from the 1st re-union in 2010
Can anyone help out one of our readers, Gavin Bake, who is trying to locate photographs of the old Police station in Bishop Auckland, which was located in Bondgate and was demolished in the 1970's.
Gavin is hoping to compile a painting and needs some help with photographs.
If anybody has any photo’s or can help Gavin please email us at durhamnarpo@gmail.com and we will forward any replies to him. Hopefully we might be able to publish a copy of Gavin’s artwork in the future
Chairman Alan Watson has once again been hard at work over the past few months putting together the latest edition of the Durham Peeler.
Dear All,
Any member adversely affected by the use of the Home Office Circular and Guidance upon reaching 65 years or over should be receiving communication from their respective Forces within the next month. Anyone so affected who does not hear from their Force within a month should contact NARPO HQ.
His Honour MR JUSTICE SUPPERSTONE has ruled that there is no statutory basis in the Police [Injury Benefit] Regulations to support a different approach to a Regulation 37 review at different ages.
At Paragraph 42 of the decision MR JUSTICE SUPPERSTONE opined:
In my judgment, the appropriate relief to grant in the circumstances of this case is a declaration that the section in the Guidance headed “Review of Injury Pensions Once Officers Reach Age 65” and paragraph 20 of the Guidance on Medical Appeals are inconsistent with the Regulations and unlawful. There is no justification for adopting a different approach to regulation 37(1) in respect of a former officer who reaches the age of 65 than in the case of a review for former officers of a younger age.
ERIC EVANS President of NARPO commented:
NARPO particularly welcome this recent decision by His Honour Justice Supperstone and now urgently calls on those Forces that have used the Home Office Circular and Guidance to callously and systematically reduce the injury pensions of those who have been injured serving their local communities, without any consideration of their individual circumstances or needs, to put right this wrong immediately. Those adversely affected have suffered for long enough and Forces should act quickly to put their minds at rest. NARPO will be monitoring Forces to ensure that the problem is rectified forthwith.
The full judgement is available on our website Injury Pensions page.
Regards
Steve Edwards
Deputy Chief Executive
National Association Of Retired Police Officers
38 Bond Street
Wakefield
WF1 2QP
01924 331251
On the 9th September 2011 we posted an article in relation to an E-Petition in relation the the RPI to CPI change : http://www.durhamnarpo.com/2011/09/rpi-to-cpi-e-petition-to-view.html
The e-petition 'Public & Private Pension Increases - change from RPI to CPI' has recently reached 109,392 signatures and a response has been made to it.
“This e-petition has reached 100,000 signatures. The Government has notified the Backbench Business Committee in the House of Commons who will consider its suitability for debate when Parliament returns in September. This e-petition will remain live, and people will be able to continue adding their signatures. The Backbench Business Committee have announced that a debate relating to this e-petition will take place on Thursday 1 March 2012 in the Chamber of the House of Commons. Further information about the debate, and on the workings of the Backbench Business Committee, can be found on the Committee's website at http://www.parliament.uk/bbcom The Government will post a further response to this petition following the debate.”
We have an idea that this is probably Bishop Auckland or Castle Eden football team – year unknown.
Can anyone shine any facts on this quaint photograph please. In particular does anyone claim ownership of this photo?
Government Inspection Durham Constabulary H.Q. 1974 (Traffic Patrols North)
Fred Purser; Norman Lee; Derek Sayers; Jack Blair; George Robson; ?; Ken Garbutt; John Curry; ? ; Ian Irwin; ?; Jack Fidiam;
? ; ? ; Fred English; Norman Davison; Bill Bramfitt; Eric Brown; ?; Eddie Stangroom; Duncan Adamson; Gordon Balderstone; John Knaggs; Bill Sanderson; ?; Chris Dryden; Trevor Morgan; Geoff Carlon; Kenny James; Ronnie Tarn; Dick Hunter.
(Click on the image to view it bigger or to download it)
Many Thanks to Dick Barton of Northumbria for forwarding this picture from his Cadet Training days in Durham in the early 70’s.
The Five Cadet houses were made up of cadets from Durham, Northumbria, Cleveland, North Yorkshire & also some Junior Firemen.
Sgt Ray Clish & PC Alan Goad were in charge of Bede House and the Commandant of the the Cadets was Supt Ray Basham who had just replaced Supt Hugh Blenkin
Back Row - Bob Brown (Durham), John Davies (Cleveland), John Herron (Durham), Ian Snowball (Northumbria), Alan Ashman (Durham), Colin Pearson (Durham), Jeff Willis (Durham), Ian Sharp (Northumbria).
Middle Row - Harry Smith (Durham), Dave Collier (Cleveland), Dick Barton (Northumbria), Ian Bestford (Durham), Steve King (Northumbria), Jim Rowntree (Northumbria), Mick Forbes (Fire Brigade), Ian Aitchison (Durham)
Front Row - Mick Perks (Durham), Chris Catnach (Northumbria), PC Alan Goad (Durham), Sgt Ray Clish (Durham), Supt. Ray Basham (Durham), Harry Stephenson (Durham), Dickie Jane (Northumbria), Gordon Roberts (Northumbria), John Proud (North Yorks)
Click on the image or the link below to sign this petition :
The Air Ambulance Service is forced to meet rising fuel prices year on year including VAT.
The Air Ambulance Service have saved successive governments millions and millions of pounds funded by charitable donations given by the general public to run what has proven to be an essential service.
Whilst the Lifeboat Service has been exempt from VAT on fuel costs since 1977, a similar privilege has not been afforded to the Air Ambulance Service; We call on the government to have an urgent review of this situation and in doing so We call on the government to return in the form of grants to Air Ambulance Service providers all the future VAT which the Treasury collects from them so that the Air Ambulance Service is in practice exempt from paying VAT in the same way as the Lifeboat Service.
Corner (Trainer); McCrae; Argyle; Myles Beautyman; Harry Bennett; McCormack; Ted Scott (Manager)
Bell; Harry Lockerbie; Tommy Nevins; Bill Greenhalgh; McEwan
Many Thanks to Jack Fidiam for providing this photo.
Back row: Jack Fidiam; Jim Connolly; Barry Bell; John Wilson (S/land); B. Bowmaker (S’land); Eddy Bell; Terry O’Connor; Charlie Moore.
Fr.: Albert Scott; Fred Taylor; Ronnie Bell (S.Shields); Albert Johns; Dave Hills (S/land); Bobby Allon; Jim Walton (S. Shields)
Many Thanks to Jack Fidiam for providing this photo.
Back row: ? Gregory; “Pop” Pedley; Joe Hepplewhite; Benny Wright; Frank Allen; Miles Beautyman; Ted Scott; Bob Scott; Bill Tempest.
Front row: Jimmy Greaves; Supt. Headen; ???; Supt. Fred Foster; Supt. Moore; ??? ; Ron Allen
Many Thanks to Jack Fidiam for this photo – if anybody can ‘fill in’ any of the missing names please leave a comment or email durhamnarpo@gmail.com with the details
The following message is circulated on behalf of the Police Treatment Centres :
Due to the current long waiting list at Harrogate anyone who is from Cleveland, Cumbria, Durham, Northumbria, or PSNI forces (or who lives within these geographical locations) will be allocated a place at AUCHTERARDER even if their preference is for treatment is at Harrogate.
With effect from Monday 6th February 2012 any application form received from the Durham force will be automatically allocated Auchterarder (subject to clinical assessment)
The Police Treatment Centre implemented this interim measure in June last year, and it proved to be successful in reducing waiting times for treatment, and enabling officers quicker access to treatment.
If there are unique and significant circumstances why an officer should be admitted to St. Andrews rather than Castlebrae they should submit these in writing (email accepted) either via Welfare with the application form or submissions can be made directly to the Centre. Each case will be considered on an individual basis by the clinical and administrative teams.
Please book early!
The 3rd Retirees Reunion and Social Afternoon Spectacular - Sunday 20th May, 2012
Durham Constabulary H.Q. Aykley Heads, Durham. 1.30pm to 5pm.
Many of you will have already experienced this great social get together, organised as a joint event by Durham Constabulary and Durham N.A.R.P.O. Committee.
Just in case you haven’t heard about it, we invite ALL members of Durham Constabulary, police and police support staff both serving and retirees past and present, to come along and enjoy a truly friendly and sociable afternoon. A great deal of planning by the Force Strategic Management team, the N.A.R.P.O. Committee members and a host of willing volunteers once again promises to make it an afternoon to remember. A number of you have in the past missed out, believing that you don’t know many people now, but here you have the opportunity to renew old acquaintances and friends. It is also an opportunity to socialise with serving officers and Staff who continue the proud traditions of Durham Constabulary.
We are concerned that many of our retired police staff personnel may not be aware (even now!) of the now annual social occasion. If you know any past employees, please share with them this information and give them the opportunity to share it too.
There will be entertainment by the Durham Constabulary Band and Choir, demonstrations by the Dog Section and Motor Patrols, displays by Durham H.Q. Archives, N.A.R.P.O. Beamish Museum , the Blue Knights and more.
Light refreshments will be provided (but please don’t expect a full meal – times is hard…!); a superb raffle organised by N.A.R.P.O.; a souvenir programme and your own personal photograph to commemorate the occasion and best of all, the friendly atmosphere and “war stories” that only old friends can generate between each other. You’re only here once, so why not make the most of this joyous and friendly event.
Please Note:
Avoid disappointment and order your ticket(s) early. Be there!
Retired Police Officers (non NARPO) and Retired Police Support staff, please order from:
Colin Appleby, 21, Lea Rigg, West Rainton, Houghton le String, DH4 6SR. Tel No. 0191 5846178.
Email: appleby.colin@btinternet.com
N.A.R.P.O Members including Widows, please order from:
Mrs. Angie Crawford, 8, Warwick Place, Peterlee, SR2 2EZ. Tel No. 01915180996. Email angiechilton@yahoo.com.
Serving Police Support Staff and Serving Officers please order from
Amanda Dodds or Amanda Wilson, Strategic Management Department.
Photo’s below from the 1st re-union in 2010
Love the fresh air? Enjoy being in the countryside and pulling on your boots to discover just what you have on your doorstep?
Ramblers have groups covering the entire U.K. , with a like- minded membership of people who enjoy walking. Our groups have organised walks which can cater for all abilities. A three mile stroll or a full day adventure – the Ramblers will be able to help.
You can take part in any of the 38,000 organised and led walks. You will receive a quarterly glossy magazine “ Walk” (worth £3.80/ issue)
And you will qualify for a 20% discount off your first purchase at Cotswold Outdoor.
NARPO Members qualify for a 20% discount on whole year membership fees.
Individual membership is only £24.80 ( usual cost £31.00) or £32.80 for a joint membership ( usual cost £41).
To take advantage of this great offer, visit www.ramblers.org.uk/join and quote code U12Y1W
For more information contact Sam Newby-Ricci on 07799 134 710 0r sam.newbyricci@ramblers.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ramblers and Twitter: twitter.com/RamblersGB
This correspondence was received from NARPO Head Office and relates to members with AXA Travel Insurance obtained through NARPO
”Dear Colleague,
We will shortly be coming up to the renewal date for the above (1st May) and in an attempt to try and by-pass some of the problems we had at last automatic renewal I would ask if possible that you would consider including something in your next branch newsletter or however you communicate to your branch members.
This is a 2 fold exercise.
Firstly : It reminds those members not wishing to renew to cancel their Direct Debit Instruction with their bank, but they also need to inform this office (Alan Dockerty on 01924.331256) – if they do not follow this through the money will be automatically taken from the member on the 17th May and policy documents issued by AXA,
Secondly : Any member expecting to automatically renew needs to receive:
Without receipt of these two documents they are quite simply not on the automatic renew data file and they will not be covered for travel insurance, we had some members last year travelling abroad thinking they had been automatically renewed but had not received either of these documents – they were not covered.
Reminding members now, might just save problems as above but might also save the office time issuing refunds if they didn’t mean to stay in the scheme.
For information the new rates from 1st May 2012 to 30th April 2013 will be:
Single £120.00
Joint £165.00 (Includes single parent)
Family £175.00
The prices include the NARPO administration fee.”
Light buffet afterwards. All members or prospective members are invited to come along & enjoy
If you don't know where to go, Click On This Link and you'll see a map of the location and you can get driving directions to it.
January 2012 edition of Copper Plate) can be viewed by clicking on the image.
You can view older editions of Copper Plate by clicking on the menu bar above or by CLICKING HERE
We are delighted to let you know that our fame is certainly spreading, both on the web and in the Durham Peeler Magazine. We are now reaching Afghanistan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, U.S.A., Chile, Israel and even British West Hartlepool! You will be delighted to know that we have now had more than 55,000 ‘hits’ on the web page’s and over 180 regular recipients of death notifications of serving and retired officers. These recipients also receive advanced notice of up to the minute events. If you’d like to join the list, let us have your e mail details and specific points of interest. It always pays to be informed. (send email to Bob Brown at durhamnarpo@gmail.com)
If you have recently retired on pension, why not take up membership of N.A.R.P.O. and receive the Durham Peeler Magazine (Twice/year), the National NARPO News magazine (4 times/ year) Social Events, really competitive Insurance rates and opportunity to attend the 6 bi-monthly meeting where you enjoy a great atmosphere, meet old friends and colleagues and keep up to date with things that affect your pension. Enough? Well when the meeting ends, have a drink and light refreshments. Not only all this but you also get the Annual NARPO Diary All for £18.48/ year
HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone may it be a prosperous, healthy and successful New Year. And above all…..Keep smiling
Alan S. Watson
Chairman, Durham Branch N.A.R.P.O.
(To download a NARPO application form please CLICK HERE)
NARPO will be issuing a new style membership card to all existing and future members in early January 2012.
The National Executive Committee has given some considerable thought to how we might improve and modernise the image of our organisation. Most recently the Executive Committee has considered the membership card itself and we felt that a more durable card with a modern design could help in improving that image for new and existing members alike.
We hope that members will find this card more convenient than the card it replaces. As you may know many of the advice lines and service providers, which we provide for members, require a membership number before they will complete any transaction. In the past this has led to many members calling us for that number. We hope that a more durable card, which is similar to a credit card in size, will be more convenient for them to retain in a handy place. The front of the card contains the member name and number. We believe this new card will help to reduce those calls and speed up access to advice and other services.
Most, if not all, of the services we offer are outlined on our website, which also contains significant advice on pensions and contact details for local branches amongst other things. The reverse of the card has all the National Office contact details and our website address, which we hope will make contacting us quicker and easier.
The production and circulation of cards for existing members is being handled for us by the company which has supplied the new card system. Their clients include many well known British institutions including the B.B.C, HMRC, DVLA and Greater Manchester Police.
We are hoping for a smooth transition to this new card system but recognise that in circulating cards to 82,000 existing members there may be the occasional problem but we are confident with your help we will be able to resolve these in relatively short time.
New members are being issued with the new cards as from 30 November 2011.
In short, the Appeal has been ‘kicked out’ and the reasons given by the Judges are shown in the document – albeit one judge did actually support the motion, but this was a minority view.
If you want to read the JBB Circular 031/2011 then click on the image and then either view or download the document.
On Tuesday, 7th December 2011, Steve Webb MP, the Minister of State for Work and Pensions, made a statement in Parliament confirming that it was the Government’s intention to increase the second state pension and thus as a consequence public sector pensions including police pensions, where appropriate, by the September 2011 Consumer Price Index figure of 5.2%, which will be applied to our pensions in April 2012.
Any body help out with this one ??
We received a query from a Uri Smus from Israel, who has been reviewing articles from a collection of magazines called Classic 999.
This picture appeared in issue 3 (June 2004)
Uri is wanting to know if anybody can shed some light about our vehicles at this particular time and the livery (which apparently was part of a Home Office initiative to make police vehicles more visible) and also asks if anybody has any other photo’s of Austin Westminster's or Jaguar Mk2s in this particular livery.
Was the photo taken at Newton Aycliffe and who is the cadet ??
If anybody has any relevant info then either leave a comment on this article or send an email to durhamnarpo@gmail.com so that we can reply to Uri.
To: All Branch Secretaries
NEC Members
21.11.11
Dear Colleague,
Thanks to a kind offer from Lord Wolf of Barleugh and his family, NARPO have access to two of the family villas for an initial period up to September 2013.
Villa Endymion is situated in Bloemendaal a pretty town on the outskirts of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Villa Scylla is situated in the suburbs of Lavena Ponte Tresa directly on Lake Lugarno, Italy near to its border with Switzerland.
The villas will be managed on a day to day basis through a charitable trust the Endymion Preservation Society (EPS). NARPO have agreed to manage the booking process to enable our members to take advantage of this generous offer. Access to the villas will be free to NARPO members and their party and neither EPS nor NARPO are making any charge for either the access to the properties or the administration of the booking process.
Costs of the travel arrangements to and from the villas will of course be members’ responsibility. It will also be members’ responsibility to ensure that they have adequate travel insurance to cover, in particular, for medical emergencies and unforeseen cancellations. There will be no charge for gas and electricity at the villas as this will be provided by EPS as will adequate bedding and towels for guests. Guest will however be expected to be as modest as is reasonable in their use of power and treat the properties with the respect a family home deserves. Those visiting the properties will have to leave a deposit against breakages with the caretaker, which will be returned on departure providing no damage has occurred during the visit.
Bookings will initially be for a one or two week period and changeover day will be Friday.
We have a dedicated page, villas@narpo.org on our website at www.narpo.org. This page contains further details of the properties, their locations and some suggested travel arrangements. There are also copies of ‘Housekeeping Brochures’ for each of the properties. Members will be required to complete and sign the appropriate brochures before bookings can be confirmed. You should be able to download these documents from our website. Hard copies of the brochure are available from the National Office.
We will only be taking booking in writing either by email using the dedicated booking address at villas@narpo.org or by letter to villas@narpo.org, 38 Bond Street, Wakefield, WF1 2QP. Members should include the number of people in their party when they initially apply for a booking. The final decision on bookings is entirely a matter for NARPO and we will be as fair as is possible but also be seeking to provide this service to as wide a range of members as is possible over the period that we have access to the villas. Preference will be given to parties which meet the sleeping accommodation available at each villa, initially on a first come basis. We can only take and confirm booking for the current month and the three months following that current month. For example in November 2011 we can take bookings up to the end of February 2012, in December 2011 up to the end of March 2012 and so on. We will not entertain applications that are in advance of those periods. We will only provide acknowledgements of successful bookings, that acknowledgement will include a requirement to complete the relevant ‘Booking Brochure’. Bookings will be confirmed immediately on receipt of a properly completed Housekeeping Brochure.
This is a new venture for both NARPO and EPS and one which we hope will improve and develop over time to allow our members access to this delightful accommodation situated in prestigious locations. Members need to bear in mind that the accommodation is of traditional design and has not been regularly occupied for some time. We will be happy to receive any feedback about your experiences in respect of both the booking process and at the villas with a view to improving within reason the free service we are jointly offering you with our kind benefactors.
Yours sincerely
Clint Elliott QPM
Chief Executive
Computers can ‘drive us up the walls’ at times, and we have had a few enquiries from people who are struggling to put a comment to an article so……. hopefully this will help
 1. First click at the bottom left hand corner of the article where in blue, it says 0 comments (this could be a number if comments have been previously left)
|
 2. A white coloured box will then appear, beneath Post a Comment this is where you can type in your comment
|
 3. Next click on the upside down triangle to the right of where it says Comment as : select profile A box will then appear and by using your mouse select Name/URL
|
 4. Where it says Name : type your name i.e Joe Bloggs then click on Continue
|
 5. Finally click on the Post Comment box below where your name is. Your comment will then be sent to the website and will need to be approved by Durham NARPO before it appears on the website. If you still are having trouble, then simply send an email with the comment you want putting on the article to : durhamnarpo@gmail.com and we will put it on for you. Hope this helps… |
Request from TV production company:
“Here at Topical Television was are in production on a series called 'Crime and Punishment' looking at the changes in policing and prisons over the past 50 years . The series is for BBC 1 daytime and will transmit early next year.
One of the short films we are making for the series is on the History of Women in Policing within which we are looking to interview several retired female officers to tell their stories and share their career memories. We are keen to have accounts from several different officers from throughout the last 50 years if possible. Maybe two friends that were in the force together or women who served at different levels of the force, PC'S through to Superintendents. Anyone who has a story to tell especially if it involves key moment or changes in policing over the last 50 years we would love to hear from them.”
Sophie Dunn
Researcher
Topical Television
61 Devonshire Rd
Southampton
Hants. SO15 2GR
Tel: 02380 712233 / 07909946713
 Hardwick House 1972 Back Row : Dave Armstrong (N’bria) Brian Rowley (N’bria) Geoff Rumford (Dur) Chris Hodgson (Dur) Lenny Graydon (N’bria) Stuart Johnson (Dur) Brian O’Neill (N’bria) Paul Murphy (Dur) Stuart Brown (Dur) Gary Bulman (N’bria) Middle Row: Brian Scott (Dur) John Bianchi (Dur) Dave Smith (Dur) George Walker (Dur) Bill Crosby (Dur) Jim Thompson (Dur) Brent Howard (N’bria) Mike Connolly (N’bria) Anton Nichol (York & Yorks NE) Tony Garton (Hull) Frank Whittle (Dur) Keith Poulton (Dur) Front Row: Gary Phillips (Dur) Dave Vickers (Dur) John Bassett (Dur) George Hickman (Dur) Sgt PJ Smith (York & Yorks NE) Supt Hugh Blenkin (Dur) PC Ronnie Lambert (Dur) Alec Francis (Dur) Alf Bowman (Dur) Ronnie Bright (Dur) Richard Hamshaw (York & Yorks NE) |
 Hardwick House 1973 Back Row : Brian Henderson (father of Jordan,) Stuart Brown, Jim Robinson, Neil Hobson, Keith Armstrong , Denny Pygall, Alan Sinden, Y&YNE?, Brian Rogers Y&YNE, Joe Baker, N’bria? To the left hand side is Steve McLean and in front of him Paul Wood Middle Row: Ian Hall, Y&YNE?, Brian Scott, N’bria?, Eric Robson (Junior Fireman), Keith Poulton, Alan Winn N’bria?, George Walker, N’bria?, Y&YNE?, Mike Connolly (N’bria) Front Row: John Bianchi, Chris Hodgson, Geoff Rumford, Sgt PJ Smith, Supt Ray Basham, PC Ronnie Lambert, Gary Phillips, Dave Smith , Paul Murphy |
Durham NARPO committee meet tonight at Bishop Auckland Hospital Club, Escomb Road, Bishop Auckland
Meeting starts at 1930hrs.
Light buffet afterwards
All members are invited to come along and enjoy
Back : WPC Karen Nicholson, PC George Nixon, PC Alan Goad, Sgt John Smith, Sgt Dave Cromarty, Sgt Ray Clish
Front : PC Ronnie Lambert, Sgt Frank Pickering, Insp. Colin Neal, Supt. Ray Basham. Sgt Ralph Atkinson, PC Derek Hall
 Durham Police Cadets Rugby Team 1974 - Winners of the County Colts Cup Back : ?,Brian Gibson, Colin Crathorne,Keith Lowery, Pop Robson
Centre : Neil Patrick, Richard Smithson, Tommy Thompson, Neil Hobson, Bob Brown, Harry Stephenson, Syd Wareham & Graham Alderton
Front : Denny Pygall, Eric Suddes, Fraser Gill, Supt. Ray Basham, Sgt George Nixon, Dickie Gardner,Alan Sinden & Malcolm Patterson
|
Durham Police Cadets Rugby Team 1973
Back : Tom Fortune, Dave Collier, M Moorhead, Dickie Jane, John Proud
Middle : Chris Catnach, Ian Snowball, Alan Sinden, Fred Wright, J Massey, Pop Robson, Denny Pygall
Front: Neil Hobson, John Bianchi, Eric Suddes, Sgt George Nixon, Supt. Ray Basham, Fraser Gill, Charlie Kay, Bob Brown & Gary Phillips
(Click on the images to view/download them)
|
