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B
ob Milton, from Orange County,
California, was hosted by Devon Branch
IPA members while researching his
ancestry in Cullompton and Teignmouth areas
of Devon Branch.
In May 2015, I was blessed with the opportunity
to spend 8 full days in England researching my
family history.
Through the terrific efforts and generosity of so
many IPA members, a lifelong dream that had
been in the planning stage for two years came to
fruition.
The geographic focus of my search was Devon,
including the town of Exeter, Cullompton, Tiverton,
Bradninch and eventually Plymouth.
Sight seeing was not my main purpose but when
I was not visiting churches, records repositories
and the old family neighbourhoods, my hosts took
me to terrific places like the Devon County Show,
historical sites and of course – Pubs. I had some
incredible meals.
I rented a car and was hosted first by Steve and
Una Blundell. What wonderful people. They were
gracious and trusting enough to put up with a
total stranger but treated me like family. They
helped with research, introduced me as if a long
lost relative and took me to wonderful places.
I was able to meet with the local law enforcement
and go on a ride along. Thank you to Inspector
Jane Alford-Mole and her team for their hospitality.
After a week with Steve and Una, I drove to the
coast to stay with Rab and Jenny Peattie. Once
again, I cannot say enough about their kindness
and hospitality. I was treated like family.
Rab took to me Slapton Ley (a lesson on WWII),
the Cherub (supposedly the oldest pub in
England, Beacon Quay (D Day staging), and the
Pilgrim or Mayflower Steps – where the Pilgrims
boarded the Mayflower for the new world.
I found the scenery in south England breath
taking, the people warm, friendly and welcoming
and the beer, cider and Guinness amazing. I was
constantly reminded how much the Brits love the
Americans and my accent.
This was truly a trip of a lifetime, not only for the
research I accomplished but for meeting and
making great friends who I will always cherish and
keep in contact with for years to come.
Bob Milton
Orange County
H
eike, Ingo, Ben and Phil Steck
from
Section Germany spent time in Scotland
before travelling through England (and
calling into IPA HQ and meeting staff from the
International Admin Centre).
On their return home, they wrote an appreciative
letter to Yvonne McGregor, Secretary of Region
1 and offered an invitation to anybody visiting
South Germany to contact them.
‘Thank you very much for the lovely Dinner-Date
we had! It was really great and we all enjoyed it
very much. We had a fantastic time in Scotland
and had another great week after we left you.
We hope you are both well.
Please let us know if you plan to come over to
Germany. You are always welcome! If anybody
of your friends, from the IPA or Scottish police
plan to travel to South Germany and needs help,
advice or information, give them my mail address
or mobile number. They can always get in touch
with us.’
Contact can be made
with via Yvonne on
1region@ipa-uk.orgInterested in
Hosting?
Let your Branch Secretary know so
they can inform you of any requests.
Visitors
to Section UK
Police World was pleased to
receive news from overseas
members who have visited the
Section this year.
Photo shows:
(back) Ingo Steck,
(middle left and
right) David and
Yvonne McGregor,
(front) Phil Steck
and older brother
Ben. (Heike took
the photo).
Una and Bob
Bob and Rab
Steve and Bob
Robert ‘Rab’ and Jenny Peattie
Insp Jane Alford-Mole and Bob with (left to right)
PS Owen Jones, PC Ryan Williams, PC Tim Walsh,
PC Robert Champness, PC Matt Beards, PC Rich Dave.
12
POLICE WORLD
Vol 60 No. 4, 2015
Article