Police World Edition 1 2014

IPA News

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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.

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

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. 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. “ We’re on the hunt for IPA’s tallest member” featured a photo of Leeds

Lothian and Borders branch with their guests

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

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’. 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

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

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

Queen’s House and The Naval Museum. Members then had free time to browse the museum and

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

Kent branch at the Cutty Sark museum

POLICE WORLD Vol 59 No. 1, 2014

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