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Article
Hospitable
inHastings
Regular readers of Police World may recall that in 2012 Donna Powell
attended the 50th anniversary celebrations of Section USA. Whilst at
this friendship event she met Rich Duran, a retired LAPD officer from
Los Angeles, California. They exchanged details offering to host the
other if the opportunity arose. It did - Donna tells the story.
L
ast year as part of my one-girl Californian
road trip I flew into LA in late September
where Rich picked me up from the
airport, hosted me for several nights at his home
and took me all over the surrounding area. Rich
was a true ambassador of the IPA spirit.
In early 2014, Rich contacted me to say he was
coming to Europe, initially visiting Denmark then
flying into London, and was wondering whether he
could spend a few days in my part of the world.
The answer was an absolute yes!
I began to send Rich various links to tourist
attractions in my area so he could advise me on
what he would like to see and do.
Rich was very flexible and his only request via
email was he wanted to play 'historical' crazy golf
on Hastings seafront - Rich implied that I should
get ready to lose!
Rich arrived and was instantly impressed as he
had not realised that I actually lived on the coast.
That afternoon we played crazy golf where we
were joined by my friend, and Sussex branch
member, Emma Bailey. It was this afternoon that
Rich learnt a valuable lesson as he came last at
crazy golf - with my somehow stealing the winning
position! We then returned back to my house
where we were joined by Emma’s fiance and
IPA member, Jon Gillings. I cooked a traditional
Sunday roast dinner for all of us. The pressure
was on as Rich had never experienced a roast
dinner but I pulled it off successfully.
The next day I took Rich westbound where we
visited Eastbourne and enjoyed fish and chips on
the seafront - looking out to sea. We then headed
up to the South Downs National Park and I was
once again reminded how beautiful and special
this part of the world, that I call home, really is.
On Tuesday, I took Rich eastbound where he
visited Battle Abbey and the site of the famous
1066 Battle of Hastings. We then went to Rye
where Rich enjoyed an afternoon cream tea.
I think the highlight of the trip for both of us was
when a local shop proprietor in Rye told us about
the Johnson Memorial - a US War Memorial at
Ham Street in Kent. This memorial honours the
memory of 23 year old 1st Lieutenant William H.
Johnson - an American pilot during the Second
World War. As it was only a short distance away
we visited and paid our respects. This War
Memorial will now feature on all my tours with
American friends.
We concluded Rich’s visit by having a lovely
dinner at one of my favourite local public
houses, the 17th Century Queens Head,
in Icklesham. It was an absolutely glorious
afternoon and the views were
outstanding.
In conclusion, for me
this is a real example
of what the IPA is
all about and I look
forward to welcoming
more friends to my
part of the world in
the future.
Donna Powell
,
Chair 11 Region
Rich Duran at Battle Abbey
At Battle police station
The Johnson memorial
Crazy golfers
POLICE WORLD
Vol
59 No. 4, 2014
Details of all events including: friendship weeks, seminars, rallies, sporting events,
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