POLICE_WORLD_4_2016

Cultural

Unveiling of UK Cyprus Emergency Memorial

Over 500 people gathered, some with Standards at ‘The Carry’, at the National Memorial Arboretum on 21st August 2016 to dedicate the new Cyprus Memorial. The large piece of rock from the Troodos Mountains in Cyprus had been airlifted back to the UK by the RAF. T he Memorial gives names and details of those that lost their lives, both British Serviceman and Police Officers. A very moving service which ended “We will remember them” . Mick Luke , President Section UK

The Police Roll of Honour Trust (our National IPA Charity) played a huge part in the event and Chairman Sidney Mackay laid a wreath on their behalf. After the service Sara and I caught up with him and Steve Lloyd, the Trust Manager who was also the standard bearer during the service carrying the British Cyprus Colonial Police Standard. The Trust’s work is never ending and support from the IPA both in terms of donations and help is gratefully received. I asked Steve Lloyd to keep me informed as to other memorials that maybe dedicated in the future so that the IPA could be present at them. The Trust relies on donations and volunteers to undertake their work and I would urge you to read up on the Charity on their website.

It was very moving for Sara and I to see armed services veterans, serving and retired police officers, relatives and families of those that had served in Cyprus and dignitaries commemorate the losses. The Memorial was unveiled by Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon GCB, CBE with enormous credit going to David Littlemore who gave the opening address and was the instigator in making the Memorial happen Wreaths were laid and I was very honoured as President to represent Section UK in laying a wreath to those that had made the supreme sacrifice.

Nijmegen March This year marked the 100th anniversary of Vierdaagse, the International four-day March in Nijmegen, Netherlands. The dates were 19th to 22nd July and on Friday 22nd July 42,557 walkers proudly walked along Via Gladiola to the finish. T he weather made the event quite difficult this year with high temperatures and humidity on all four days with an incredible thunderstorm and heavy rain on the morning of the last day. Walking the 55km route from Section UK were Kurt Schenk, Andre Dique and Dan Rookes. Walking the 40km route from Section UK were Spike & Helen Elliott and Donna Powell. Section UK IPA member Lee Douglas was part of the 55km support team and experiencing Nijmegen for the first time. Donna Powell , Sussex Branch

The museum was staffed by operational Police Officers who when I introduced myself at the reception and showed my IPA membership card couldn’t have been more welcoming. We were offered refreshments and shown around the museum which had three distinct areas covering the early history of policing from pre European days to the emergency in the 1950/60s and finally the present day. The staff were interested in the IPA, what it is and what it does and the country which is growing at an unbelievable rate could prove fertile ground for a new section. Unfortunately I had not brought any memorabilia with me but that did not seem to bother them and we were presented with a Malaysian National Police memorial mug. I would recommend anyone going to KL to give the museum a visit as it shows a police force built on British roots which has developed into a modern and efficient 21st century force with a similar ethos to our own Police Service. Pat Bailey , Region 8 Norfolk

Pictured are members of Section UK, front row L to R: Helen Elliott, Donna Powell, Dan Rookes; back row L to R: Kurt Schenk, Andre Dique and Spike Elliott.

POLICE WORLD Vol 61 No. 4, 2016

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