Page 25 - Police World Edition 1 2014

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25 POLICE WORLD Vol 59 No. 1, 2014
IPA News
Let’s Get Social...
Kent Branch Catch Some Air
Kent branch visited Greenwich, South-East
London and took flight over the river Thames
on the Emirates Airline cable car. The group
enjoyed the views across the river on a non-
landing ‘flight’.
Earlier in the day the group took a guided walk
through Greenwich Park. The tour included
information on
the history of the
park, the Royal
Observatory, The
Queen’s House and
The Naval Museum.
Members then had
free time to browse
the museum and
to see the ceremonial barge - which was built in
1732 for Frederick Prince of Wales. Barges such
as this inspired the idea for Queen Elizabeth’s
Diamond Jubilee river pageant.
After a short walk in to Greenwich town and
lunch the group reconvened ‘at the blunt
end’ (as the guide, Carol, described it) of the
Cutty Sark. The name is an
18th-century Scot’s word for
“short chemise” or “short
undergarment”. After an
extensive renovation project the
ship has been converted into a
very impressive museum - with
plenty of educational activities
for adults and children, to learn
about life at sea in ships such
as this.
The vessel is now held up by 24
jacks to keep her keel off the
ground. Before the renovation
she rested on her keel and as a result
her shape was changing due to the
weight. Now that she has been raised
three metres off the ground, visitors can
walk underneath her in a light and airy
‘glass room’
Mick Abbott, Kent branch
A Defining
Moment in
Edinburgh
A party of 12 members from Freiburg
branch, South West Germany, flew into
Edinburgh during November 2013, for a
weekend visit.
Stuart Blaikie and I took the visitors on a
whistle stop tour of the city and then for lunch
in a country pub.
That night we arranged a Scottish themed
meal in the Mercat Bar, Edinburgh. Twenty
nine of our branch members were off on
a flying visit to the Faroe Islands. However,
eleven local members were there to greet
our visitors, including Andy Wright, 1 Region,
Chair, with his wife Shirley, plus Andy and
Mary Morton from Central Scotland branch.
After our piper had played in the haggis we
had speeches and gifts. It was then during the
meal that a memorable moment was created.
One of our visitors asked me to clarify a word
on the menu. “Yes,” I said, “Venison, it is the
meat from deer.” This to blank faces. I then
said, “Stag.” Also to blank faces. I raised my
arms and extended my fingers in the shape
of antlers and started to mimic a stag. At this
point, Barbara Ziesenitz a German speaking
local member on her first IPA outing, informed
me that they were asking me what the words
‘horseradish sauce’ meant. I had probably
just performed the first impersonation of
horseradish sauce ever!
Among the other highlights for the visitors
was a trip to see Scotland play Japan in an
international rugby match at Murrayfield. To
assist them they were each given a ‘See You
Jimmy Hat’, which is fast becoming the branch
trade mark, and a small Saltire flag to wave.
The German visitors thanked their hosts for
making them feel so welcome and for the
assistance in making their visit a success.
Rod McNeill, Lothian and Borders branch
Lothian and Borders branch with their guests
Kent branch at the Cutty Sark museum
Interest in Section UK’s Facebook Page
peaked on 29 September 2013 with
1,655 total reaches and 131 likes on the
same day.
The ‘Love our Logo’ theme, where we’re
seeking out photos of the logo being
depicted in unusual places, is attracting
attention. The most popular photo so far*
is a photo of the logo being worn by a
camel! It’s reached 633 Facebook users.
The logo on bottles of wine produced in
commemoration of Scarborough Branch’s
twinning with Ludwigsburg Branch reached
599 people.
The most popular posting of the quarter
was a news item relating to the end of the
World Police & Fire Games posted on 13
August – it reached 2,700 people.
Another article reached 2,000 people.
“ We’re on the hunt for IPA’s tallest
member” featured a photo of Leeds
member Roger Falkingham. Roger is 6ft
8 inches / 203.20 cm tall and was 7ft 4
inches / 223.52 cm to the top of his helmet
(Roger is now retired). It was posted on 8
October and so far*, we’ve not received a
posting bettering Roger’s height.
The sister page, 100 years, 100 ideas, is
also gathering a few more followers now
ideas of how to celebrate Arthur Troop’s
Centenary Year are being posted.
To follow Section UK on Facebook, visit:
www.facebook.com/www.
ipauk.org
*Data as of 18/11/2013