Police World Edition 4 2015

Article

Visitors to Section UK

Insp Jane Alford-Mole and Bob with (left to right) PS Owen Jones, PC Ryan Williams, PC Tim Walsh, PC Robert Champness, PC Matt Beards, PC Rich Dave.

Steve and Bob

Una and Bob

H eike, Ingo, Ben and Phil Steck from Section Germany spent time in Scotland before travelling through England (and calling into IPA HQ and meeting staff from the International Admin Centre). On their return home, they wrote an appreciative letter to Yvonne McGregor, Secretary of Region 1 and offered an invitation to anybody visiting South Germany to contact them. ‘Thank you very much for the lovely Dinner-Date we had! It was really great and we all enjoyed it very much. We had a fantastic time in Scotland and had another great week after we left you. We hope you are both well. Please let us know if you plan to come over to Germany. You are always welcome! If anybody of your friends, from the IPA or Scottish police plan to travel to South Germany and needs help, advice or information, give them my mail address or mobile number. They can always get in touch with us.’ Contact can be made with via Yvonne on 1region@ipa-uk.org Police World was pleased to receive news from overseas members who have visited the Section this year.

Bob and Rab

B ob Milton, from Orange County, California, was hosted by Devon Branch IPA members while researching his ancestry in Cullompton and Teignmouth areas of Devon Branch. In May 2015, I was blessed with the opportunity to spend 8 full days in England researching my family history. Through the terrific efforts and generosity of so many IPA members, a lifelong dream that had been in the planning stage for two years came to fruition. The geographic focus of my search was Devon, including the town of Exeter, Cullompton, Tiverton, Bradninch and eventually Plymouth. Sight seeing was not my main purpose but when I was not visiting churches, records repositories and the old family neighbourhoods, my hosts took me to terrific places like the Devon County Show, historical sites and of course – Pubs. I had some incredible meals. I rented a car and was hosted first by Steve and Una Blundell. What wonderful people. They were gracious and trusting enough to put up with a total stranger but treated me like family. They helped with research, introduced me as if a long lost relative and took me to wonderful places. I was able to meet with the local law enforcement and go on a ride along. Thank you to Inspector Jane Alford-Mole and her team for their hospitality. After a week with Steve and Una, I drove to the coast to stay with Rab and Jenny Peattie. Once again, I cannot say enough about their kindness and hospitality. I was treated like family.

Robert ‘Rab’ and Jenny Peattie

Rab took to me Slapton Ley (a lesson on WWII), the Cherub (supposedly the oldest pub in England, Beacon Quay (D Day staging), and the Pilgrim or Mayflower Steps – where the Pilgrims boarded the Mayflower for the new world. I found the scenery in south England breath taking, the people warm, friendly and welcoming and the beer, cider and Guinness amazing. I was constantly reminded how much the Brits love the Americans and my accent. This was truly a trip of a lifetime, not only for the research I accomplished but for meeting and making great friends who I will always cherish and keep in contact with for years to come. Bob Milton Orange County

Photo shows: (back) Ingo Steck, (middle left and right) David and Yvonne McGregor, (front) Phil Steck and older brother Ben. (Heike took the photo).

Interested in Hosting?

Let your Branch Secretary know so they can inform you of any requests.

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POLICE WORLD Vol 60 No. 4, 2015