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The Returning
Thank You
Roger A Falkingham
, West Yorkshire Secretary
In 2014 Region One member Euan Forbes produced two special battles
of Whisky to celebrate the 100th birthday of our founder, Arthur Troop.
Due to conditions beyond Euan’s control, these special bottles had to
be hand delivered. On hearing of the specials, Section USA, magazine
editor, John Thelen who lives in Colorado Springs made enquiries about
purchasing two bottles of the 25 years old malts.
D
ue to restrictions on distribution the whisky could not be exported
. In June 2015, West
Yorkshire Branch Secretary, Roger A Falkingham in company with his wife Helen were
intending on re-visiting Colorado and Wyoming to meet up with old friends. Roger spoke with
John and told him that he had no objections to carrying the limited editions specials in his baggage
in 2015.
John then contacted Euan and purchased two 25 year malts. Roger then discovered the delivery
system and that Euan and his wife Sheena were to stay in a hotel near Nottingham and suggested
that in true IPA friendship that the couple stay at the Falkingham household just outside Leeds.
In June 2015 Roger and Helen journeyed to
Colorado and visited John Thelen and gave him
the two bottles of whisky. The whisky was later
auctioned to provide funds for a murdered Police
officer’s family in that state.
As a way of saying thank you in true IPA fashion,
Euan and Sheena Forbes offered space in
their home in Aberdeen should the need arise.
Roger, who was a founding member of the IPA
motorcycle group had planned to ride the famous
NC500 route around the Highlands of Scotland
and subsequently this was to be the first two
weeks in September 2017.
Roger and Helen set off from their home near
Leeds and rode firstly to Crossford on the north
bank of the Firth of Forth, then up to Aberdeen
and spent two nights with Euan and Sheena.
They then rode north and followed parts of the
NC500 route which included the famous John
O’Groats; mainland Britain’s most northerly point
at Dunnet Head and the beautiful Applecross bay.
They rode south and spent a night in Falkirk
visiting the famous Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies
(which were manufactured in Yorkshire). Arriving
home safely after ten days and 1703 miles.
Roger at Grannies
Heilan Hame
Euan giving Roger
the special whisky
Roger presenting the whisky in
Colorado Springs to John Thelen
Roger presenting Euan with
a gift to say thank you
The Falkirk Kelpies
The Falkirk Wheel
Article
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POLICE WORLD
Vol 63 No. 1, 2018