14 / 32
Going
Underground
Denis Hunt
, 4 Region Secretary
2016 saw the first Iconic Event for No 4 (Wales) Region when we ascended to the top of Wales at Snowdon.
It follows that the Iconic Event 2017 would see us descending to the bottom of Wales so to speak, together
with a bit of historical culture.
D
espite the weather being wet
, it failed
to dampen our enthusiasm for the start
of the weekend events. Here we were at
the Royal Mint to learn how the generous Welsh
people produce millions upon millions in UK
coin coinage to give away to the rest of the UK.
In fact we also produce coinage in international
currencies, plus various medals including the
Police Long Service, all to be given away through
our generosity.
Our guide for the tour was retired South-Wales
officer, Phil Bryant. Our Region Secretary Denis
had worked with Phil’s father many many years
ago, which only goes to show how old Denis now
is. For those who have never visited the Royal
Mint, the sight of all those thousands upon
thousands of one pound coins churning out of
the chute directly in front of you really raises the
urge to lean forward and grab a handful. A shame
about the big glass screen and alarms between
you and the cash though.
Prior to our leaving the Mint, Phil did assure us
that he would join the IPA once he had reviewed
it all on the website. He certainly had a fair
knowledge of the Association already as he
reminded us that IPA members used to attend
the Training Department and chat to the newly
qualified Probationers when he himself was once
an instructor.
We then all headed east, accompanied by the
rain, towards the market town of Abergavenney.
Here we gathered for a fine meal at an Italian
Restaurant. Several of the party remained in,
or close to the town overnight, whilst the other
members decided to return to their homes for a
decent night’s sleep prior to the following day’s
events.
First thing Sunday morning saw the group
gathering on a wind and rain swept hillside above
the historic Valleys town of Blaenafon. This is an
area of immense history from the days of the
Industrial Revolution and beyond. Here we all met
at the world renowned industrial museum of Big
Pit, formerly one of the biggest and deepest
coal mines in the country and now preserved to
enable the public to get a simple taste of mining
for the ‘black diamonds’. Hence we say were
going to the bottom of Wales for the 2017 Region
Iconic event.
Before descending 300 feet via the cage, we
were stripped of all our articles that contained
batteries, including key rings, phones, watches
and even the pedometers that people wear to
identify their walking distance. We were advised
in great seriousness by our guide Bill that the
form of battery contained in these items could
easily set off a gas explosion. So no one was
going to argue against that statement.
Next we were kitted out with the helmets &
headlights. Indeed, wearing the helmet was not
for show. Once you are down in the actual mining
areas you constantly hear the guide calling out
‘duck’ – and that’s not to tell you that there are
low flying fowl in the area. The constant sharp
‘crack’ of helmets hitting the low roof area
and the occasional cussing was a reminder to
listen what you were being told. Very often the
roof height dropped to around five foot, making
walking uncomfortable for taller people. However,
POLICE WORLD
Vol 63 No. 1, 2018
Article
14