Police World Edition 1 2014

IPA News

Lost in Translation Lothian and Borders branch Meeting and Greeting Group is now five members strong and are looking for more persons willing to help. It has also had two offers to undertake home hosting. A branch spokesman said, “ We are all working hard to develop this group who represent the friendly face of the IPA and would welcome any further offers of assistance.” In particular, they would like to hear from any member with foreign language skills who can, on occasion, assist with the translation of written communications. If you are able to help in this please contact: lothian-and-borders@ipa-uk.org

Long Service Awards At the Caravan and Camping Group ‘Ice Cream’ Rally in Staffordshire, members were honoured for long service. Dennis Twomlow recieved his award as he has been a Caravan

Dennis (left) receives his award

and Camping Group committee member for 34 years. The second award was in the form of a card signed by all group members present at the rally for Len and Olwyn Doncaster on their 60th ‘Diamond’ wedding anniversary. The couple are long term members of both the group and IPA Thames Valley branch. Did you know? The rally is called the ‘Ice Cream Rally’ because it takes place on a farm in Haughton that have a herd of Jersey Cows. They produce the most wonderful ice cream made with cream from their own herd.

Len and Olwyn

Central Scotland Police Memento

Calling all Photographers Aside from the Section UK photography competition, there is an opportunity for members to take part in IPA’s International intphotography@ipa-uk.org by 30 March 2014 clearly indicating

that it is for the International Competition. For rules of entry please visit: www.ipa-uk. org/News/Calling-All-Photographers--- International-Photography-Competition Top prize is є200 and a certificate.

Photography Competition. Entries must be submitted directly too Section UK. As an additional incentive to take part, Section UK will offer additional prizes. There are 2 categories: Open and Police at Work . Please send your entries by email to

On 1 April, 2013, the Police Service of Scotland was formed, merging the 8 Scottish forces in to one. Central

Scotland police issued a limited

Roger Makes

edition book entitled Central Scotland 1975-2013 - which was produced and advertised for sale within the force. Central Scotland branch recently gifted copies of the book to all its retired members, most of which were hand delivered. The book is a memento for what was the second smallest police force in Scotland with details of the history, main events, stories and people that were memorable during the existence of Central Scotland police. Chair of Central Scotland branch, Andy Wright, said “We hope the retired members of Central Scotland police enjoy reading the book and that it brings back fond memories of the people and stations (many of which are now closed) within the former force area. Some well known faces are within the publication as well as funny stories, lots of pictures and details of significant incidents such as the Polmont Railway Disaster in 1984, the miners’ strike in the 1980’s and Dunblane (1996). Serving officers had access to the book on the police intranet, so the committee decided to purchase and distribute the book to retired members as they did not have access to the police computer systems.“

Time for a Cuppa Roger Falkingham, Secretary of West Yorkshire branch, responded to a travel request for possible assistance from an IPA member and his wife from Western Australia who were to visit the UK. The result for Roger was the memory of sharing a friendly cup of tea with two new friends from Australia. Roger said, “I first checked the time difference between Leeds and Perth, Western Australia, and then telephoned the member at his home address. I spoke with his wife, Meredith Taylor, who told me it was wonderful to talk to someone so soon after sending off the request and that her husband, Travis, was still at work.” Later, Roger spoke to Travis Taylor, who is a serving police officer with a traffic division, and learned that last year they came to the UK and purchased a Moto-Guzzi Norge 1200cc motorcycle

The Taylors with Roger

to use for vacations in the UK. The bike had been stored at an address in Stevenage. Roger became a Facebook friend with Travis and his wife and through this the couple were able to contact many IPA members in the UK ahead of their trip. They arrived in the UK in mid July and started their vacation by riding to Lincoln and on to Rotherham to meet up with a distant family member, as Travis planned to trace his family name in the UK. It was while en route from Rotherham that they called at Roger’s home where they exchanged gifts and had a pot of tea - Taylor’s of Harrogate? Yorkshire tea of course! “Must be a relation somewhere along the line?” , added Roger. From Rotherham the couple headed to Gretna Green and on to the Scottish Highlands.

POLICE WORLD Vol 59 No. 1, 2014

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