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Thoughts on a
World Congress
David Moore
, Cheshire
Having been unable to attend the past three IPA world meetings, it was a
privilege to attend the recent World Congress in Albena, Bulgaria.
I arrived a couple of days early but even so was able to meet and be greeted
by an old friend Olga Birkina the first evening. There is nothing more
pleasing than to be greeted with open arms when entering a new hotel in a
foreign land by old IPA friends and this is what I have encountered on many
occasions over the past twenty five years attending such meetings The
week was spent in the company of many old friends from many countries as
far afield as Australia and New Zealand, Israel, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Norway,
Sweden. Canada, Finland, Estonia, Germany, France, Belgium and so
many others.
Being greeted as though it had only been yesterday instead of a few years.
It was also an opportunity to meet new friends who were attending a World
meeting for the first time and to talk about IPA and what it meant. To tell
them to enjoy it, to talk to and make new friends and acquaintances. To
share their company. The formal opening ceremony and the business
meeting is important and to be enjoyed but nothing gives more pleasure
than someone attending for the first time saying: “I didn’t realize how much
IPA is; I’ll remember the people and experiences; I will certainly come again;
The evening parties when everyone is celebrating and sharing friendship
together.”
I have been lucky being able to attend so
many world IPA meetings and to meet so
many varied and wonderful friends from
throughout the world.
I wish I could share all the memories
with you all but one thing I would suggest
is that if you get a chance, attend one of
these world meetings and experience
the memories I have.
You will never regret it.
The next one – Rotterdam, Holland in
September next year.
Town twinning
Clive Wood
, Vice president responsible for the
professional portfolio
My branch Leicestershire is twinned with the city of
Krefeld in Germany. Last year we managed to reignite our
relations by taking a group of police cadets to take part
in the annual soap box Derby. I’m sure you will recall the
article in
Police World
.
A similar group took part again recently and it was great to
hear about the young people enjoying the opportunities the
trip provided. At the invitation of the Lord Mayor in Krefeld
a small group of town twinning and IPA members went
over to help celebrate German reunification day. We had
an excellent time. We were shown fantastic hospitality. The
Lord Mayor made a big thing of our visit in his speech at
the music event and we were invited to join him and other
dignitaries including the assistant British consul at a drinks
reception. The mayor also made arrangements for us to we
shown around the Kaiser Wilhelm museum and a guided
tour of Linn Castle.
Some of us will be returning later in the month to help
our IPA Krefeld branch friends celebrating their 60th
anniversary. I am sure this will be another fantastic trip and
one I will tell you about later.
So finally I just think it is worth finding out if your branch has
any arrangements for Twinning as if you do I’m sure you will
have an excellent time.
Founder
’
s Day
Unveiling
At this year’s Founder’s Day gathering at IPA UK
HQ a commemorative blue plaque was unveiled,
by non-other than Kevin Troop, our founder’s son
(centre in photo).
The plaque marks the founding of the International
Police Association by Arthur Troop on 1 January
1950. Full coverage of the day in our next edition…
POLICE WORLD
Vol 63 No. 1, 2018
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IPA News