Police World Edition 2 2013

IPA News

Keep an Eye on the The notice board is an area of the

On becoming the new West Mercia branch Secretary I decided to pay a visit to Len Washer - one of the stalwarts and founding members of the IPA. whose love and passion, commitment and energy has been one of the corner stones of 5 Region and the IPA. Intrigued by the history of the

Rochdale Go International In need of some form of pre-Christmas enjoyment, members from Rochdale branch were joined by a few friends from Lancashire branch and headed to the beautiful town of Dol de Bretagne for shopping at a traditional French country market. The group then decided upon a detour to Mont Saint Michel, a rocky island about half a mile off shore near the town of Avranches. With an international incident, involving lamp post and our coach, averted, the next stop was the centre of St Malo, a beautiful walled city, founded as a monastic settlement in the sixth century. Members explored the town’s cobbled streets, soaking up its historical atmosphere and noting the amazing amount of wonderful eating places. Tired but happy after the exertions of the day we boarded our ship for the return voyage home. The weekend’s adventure encouraged the two branches to promise that something similar will be arranged for the future - watch this space. Frank Pearson , Rochdale branch Section UK's website for posting members’ messages and requests. It is intended only for messages of a non-profit making nature, such as penpals, youth exchange, career development requests etc. To add a message to the notice board please email your request to: noticeboard@ipa-uk.org Your request will be entered on the notice board. Please note, your personal email address will be included on the noticeboard so that members can contact you regarding your message or request. Contact will be member to member. The types of requests are expanding and can cover areas such as memorabilia, collecting, youth exchanges, accommodation and pen pals etc. When request involving members' children, eg youth exchanges are published, personal contact details must be provided but will not be published. Contact between members will be managed by staff at the British Section Admin Centre (BSAC). Remember to visit the website on a regular basis to ensure you keep up to date with the latest news and offers available. For publicity posters and materials visit: www.ipa-uk.org/Publicity- Documents Members are free to download and print material to assist in transmitting the Association’s message. Finally the Useful Document page is an area designed to house items such as stationery, certificates, manuals and guides - visit: www.ipa-uk.org/Useful-Documents

IPA and the future of the branch, I met with Len to

Len Washer and Carole Markham

discuss what it was like for Len back in the day when he was

Secretary. I was also keen to discover first hand the challenges that he faced and how he set out to make a difference. As we spoke Len's pride in the IPA shone through. We discussed his achievements being recognised by Chief Officers, his own personal pride in his endeavours, his frustrations at the struggles of communication between members and finding the common interests that bring people together. To mark his achievements and contribution to the IPA Len was immortalised in 2010 as the central character for the 60th anniversary picture painted by Jedd, the police artist. A fitting tribute to a man who has put so much love into this organisation and continues with that support. In Len's day, email did not exist. All contact was via letter, tapped out on a typewriter, helped occasionally by willing typists, but more often than not Len did this task too. Perhaps you could say Len was also one of the first publicity officers, not just a Secretary as he promoted the IPA. Len even ran off by hand one of the first magazines called “the Circle” to reach his captive audience. Often Len would have to balance these tasks between his work as an operational officer. The same problems that exist today - the hours of work, finding the time, to be able to reach all members in good time for events, to appeal to the vast array of ages and interests of the membership - yet still making it a club to join for the fun of shared friendship. These were the days when an overseas trip was a rarity, package or bargain holidays were not common place - the IPA gave a chance to travel, learn and communicate with colleagues. An experience that is priceless, just like Len. Today the IPA competes with the ease of travel, modes of travel, the speed and availability of the worldwide web. Laptops, email, mobile phones of which many are little computers in their own right make contact quicker. The technology may have grown however communication is still an issue. The apathy wall still meets the energy wave, yet without causing ripples, we still try to find a common foothold where people of all ages, with differing interests, can come together and discuss Auld Lang Syne, have fun, learn together and simply enjoy the pleasure of like-minded company. Some even meet their other halves via the IPA, and Len is no exception. I discovered that Len and his lovely wife Jeanne had a shared love of the IPA too. The proof of the pudding was in the revelation that Len and Jeanne are still in touch with friends made through the IPA some forty years later, some of those friends are at Section UK Admin Centre (BSAC). Sharing true IPA love and in the spirit of friendship Len offered to help, guide and support me. Wishing me well, he said that it took him fifteen years to get things going! We sincerely hope that we can get West Mercia energised in a little less time but with a lovely team like Len and Jeanne to show us it can be done, there is always hope. Carole Markham (West Mercia Branch Secretary)

Monthly Dining Club Planned for 2013 In 2013, Scarborough branch is developing a monthly dining club where members are determined to eat their way around the world at a different restaurant venue every month. The plan is to start with Indian food followed by Brazilian. There are also plans to hold a 10 Pin bowling event and a Beach BBQ and, if tickets are still available, the branch will take a small crowd to one of the local music festivals - see page 31.

Police World Vol 58 No.2 2013

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