Police World 1 2017

IPA News

Thames Valley welcomes IPA France by Michael Vince MBE, Treasurer - 7 Region

Richard Buckingham (left of photo) with Ashley (3rd from left).

South African visitor South African IPA member and Retired Reserve Police officer, Ashley Herbst recently visited his family in Upper Bucklebury, near Newbury. He was invited to a local walk and pub lunch with members of the Reading Police ‘E Division’ Old Comrades Association. Ashley was hosted by Thames Valley Branch member Richard Buckingham. Ashley took the opportunity to visit the Thames Valley Police Museum at the Training Centre, Sulhamstead near Reading.

At our social in the Livermead House Hotel, Torquay, we welcomed IPA France members Eric and Valerie Calvet and their dog “Whiskey”. Eric is a senior Sergeant with the Scuba Team, in Paris (Brigade Fluviale) Police Nationale. Region Chairman John Bull presented Eric with an IPA paperweight

and Eric reciprocated by giving IPA France badges to many UK members. During the evening we dined on an excellent 4-course meal with a ‘Boris Karloff’ look-alike pianist providing the background music. The social continued in the bar with fond tales and local beers.

Group photo Eric (light blue shirt) with Valerie (blond hair)

IPA Devon Branch visit Seaton Tramway The magic of a tram ride is enhanced when poured into a half size scale model. Seaton Tramway runs on a 2’ 9” narrow gauge electric tramway and features replicas of many classic British tram cars, number 19 being the only one from the old Exeter Tram system. Our day started with Sunday lunch in the station cafe at Colyford (free parking always attracts!) and then in sunshine we were able to ride on the top deck for 3 miles down the wide River Axe Valley from Colyton, through Colyford where the track crosses the road with car passengers taking photographs and waving, and along the estuary with its bird hides and abundant wildlife to the beautiful seaside town of Seaton. Our party then split up with a choice of old town shops, cafes and ice creams, the beach with its boats and harbour, the offer of the newly opened Jurassic Centre complete with sound effects or, if you were not up to too much exercise, the pub. The smiling faces on the return journey told its own story!

Region 11 recognize selfless dedication John Spence has been a member of Surrey Branch since he joined the IPA in 1990, very early on John got involved at a Branch level holding first Secretary and then the Treasurer position. In 1996 John became Treasurer for Region 11, a position he has held continuously for two decades now. On retiring John moved to Scotland with his wife Lou where they own their own hotel. Despite putting in incredibly long hours every day at the hotel and also facing serious health issues in 2013 John has never let his IPA duties slip and in fact travels from Scotland down to the south east of England for every Region meeting - and he does not claim mileage. Region 11 wanted to recognize John’s outstanding service and selfless dedication to our friendship association over the last two decades which we felt epitomizes the motto of our great friendship association ‘Service Through Friendship’, as a result at our half yearly Region meeting held at the Warren

50 years membership Norman Rimmer, a member of Rochdale & District Branch, joined the IPA in 1963.

He received his 50 year membership certificate at a recent function. The photograph shows Norman and his wife May receiving the certificate from Neil Baldwin. Norman also celebrated his 90th birthday earlier this year. Congratulations Norman.

on the 1st of October 2016 it was with great pride that Donna Powell, Region 11 Chair and Tom Witney, Region 11 Secretary surprised and presented John with life membership of the IPA. John said ‘I’m astounded & surprised, very proud and honoured, thank you’.

POLICE WORLD Vol 62 No. 1, 2017

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