Page 8 - Police World Edition 1 2014

Article
POLICE WORLD Vol 59 No. 1, 2014
The Real Feel
Gurmit Kaur, the Chair of Nottinghamshire branch, reflects on the
highlights on her branch’s 55th anniversary festival celebration.
The honour of taking the role of Chair
of the branch was a new and most
rewarding experience and I hope this
article captures some of the key moments and
highlights of our IPA anniversary celebration.
The plan was to guarantee that guests got a true
and unforgettable feel of what Nottingham has
to offer.
With plans in place we awaited excitedly the
arrival of our guests. We welcomed thirty three
visitors from USA, France, Germany, Finland,
Hungary, Italy and not to forget our member from
Cambridge. All were raring to experience the land
of Robin Hood along with its local ale and great
entertainment.
At our pre-welcome evening guests met with
their hosts. Our dear Hungarian colleagues,
who arrived via Stanstead, were late. They had
hired vehicles and decided to take a detour
around Cambridge before driving to Nottingham.
Organisers had a ‘slight’ panic attack as they had
to get their rented vehicles to the car company
before close of business on the Thursday evening.
Having to travel during peak traffic is no easy
task. It was with the quick thinking of a couple
of our IPA members, Tony Berrington and Henry
Kowalczuk, that saved the day. They were able
to go to the rescue, as the Hungarians were
truly lost. Other guests were totally oblivious
and enjoying a glass or two of wine and nibbles.
Thankfully they returned the car just in time and
were able to join with their hosts.
Some of the hosts gathered at Gerrard
Glemmet’s home for a buffet evening where they
started to build on their relationships and shared
experiences of work and life. I understand that
for some party goers sleep was no option as
some did a night shift.
Surprisingly, all arrived
at the official opening
the following
morning.
The official celebration started on the Friday
morning in the beautiful surroundings of the
Gedling Civic Centre, in Arnold, Nottingham. The
Mayor of Gedling, Bob Collis, and the Police Crime
Commissioner, Mr Paddy Tipping, gave wonderful
warm opening speeches to welcome everyone.
The Mayor also presented gifts.
Then it was off to Sherwood Pines Activity Centre
for cycling, zip wire tree top experience, segway
or just a gentle stroll around the beautiful
surroundings. A couple of our guests even
squeezed in a visit to Sherwood Forest and a took
a ‘must’ photo of the Major Oak tree along with
the IPA gnome from USA.
This was followed by a hog roast and Ceildh
music and dance at the White Post Farm, where
family and friends joined in with our guests. A
total of ninety-nine people
were in attendance.
As I clicked away
with my camera
I captured
people enjoying
themselves and
sharing stories.
They were
such a fun
bunch of people who showed no hesitation
in getting on the dance floor and potentially
embarrassing themselves - so much so I felt I had
to join in too!
The following day, Saturday, most of the guests
made their way to Denby Pottery in Derbyshire.
They were given the opportunity to put their
clay modelling skills into practice by moulding
frogs. They were also able to watch a cookery
demonstration of British food.
The British theme did not end there as the
evening took guests back in time to the medieval
Andre and Diane Bak
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