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Volunteer Police Cadets
Leicestershire Cadets
compete in
German Soap Box
Derby
A partnership between IPA Leicestershire Branch, the City of Leicester Town Twinning Association (CLETA)
and Leicestershire Police has enabled a group of eight Volunteer Police Cadets (VPCs) to take part in the
annual soapbox derby held in Leicester’s twin city of Krefeld, Germany.
O
ver the August Bank Holiday weekend
, the cadets were given
a high profile send-off by the Chief Constable of Leicestershire,
Simon Cole QPM (IPA Member).
In Krefeld, the cadets visited Community Youth Training workshops where
they helped prepare two soapboxes, decorating them with POLICE logos and
flashing blue lights. They worked in unison with German students and were
able to have a practice session down the only hill in the vicinity of Krefeld: a
beautiful forest location on the outskirts of the city.
At the soapbox derby we were joined by Vice President Sean Hannigan.
The cadets paraded in uniform for the City of Krefeld Oberburgermeister
(City Mayor), Frank Meyer, who put on a superb picnic for our group. He
was thrilled to be presented with a Leicestershire police helmet by IPA
Leicestershire Chairman, Clive Wood.
The cadets arrived at the start line to a rapturous applause from the
thousands of spectators. They only had two minor crashes during their
many downhill runs. The cadets handled the occasion well and gave a good
account of themselves. No bones were broken and they all returned home
in one piece! Comments from some of the cadets, one mum and the Cadet
leader, Sergeant Danny Graham:
Cameron Bills said: Just wanted to send a thank you to all of the organisers
of our trip to Krefeld. I had a brilliant time and enjoyed it. The experience will
be one I will not forget.
Oliver Stretton said: I would like to say a huge thank you to you and the IPA
for such a fantastic experience in Germany!
Ali. (Rosie McGahan’s Mum) said: I would like to thank you for looking
after Rosie in Krefeld and for the experience she has been so fortunate to
experience.
Article
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POLICE WORLD
Vol 62 No. 1, 2017