'Serving those who have served'

Autumn Edition.

This is the 27th Edition of YOUR very own NEWSLETTER – August 2009.

We keep the print of this Newsletter as large as possible to assist our members

with failing sight.

WELCOME TO ALL NEW MEMBERS.

We now have over 1905 members registered.

A warm NARPO welcome is extended to all new members named below,

who have joined us since April 2009.

NAME	SUB BRANCH	NAME	SUB BRANCH
Adrian Walker	Northern	Robert Woodward	Cannock
Andrew Hill	Northern	Garry Holmes	Burton
Nicholas Guymer	Burton	Aynsley Cooper	Northern
Kevin Mann	Burton	Howard Norman Asbury	Tamworth
Clive Stuart Reynolds	Northern	Simon John O’Brien	Lichfield
Jane Christine Jepson	Northern	John Charles Hembry	Tamworth

Can we wish you all a long and healthy retirement?

Remember – ‘you can’t buy time’ – enjoy as many holidays and activities as you can afford!

SINCERE APOLOGY. Please accept our apology for the quality and content of the previous Staffs Knot, which you should have received recently. This was in fact only the ‘draft copy’ which was accidentally sent to our printers at Wakefield HQ. It was printed and sent out before the mistake was realised. We hope this replacement edition will make up for that one but you may not get another until January 2010.

NEW NARPO OFFICES

After almost 2yrs we have finally been allocated new office facilities located within Stone Police Station. Office telephone number with voicemail is 01785-234156. Des can still be contacted on his home number and also on email. If you leave a message for him on the voicemail he can access this at any time and will get back to you ASAP.

-2-

APPOINTMENT OF NEW CHIEF CONSTABLE

The new Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police was appointed on 29^th July 2009.

He is Mr Michael Cunningham 48yrs with 22yrs Police Service, previously DCC with Lancs Police.

His start date is as yet unknown. We send him our congratulations and look forward to a good working and social relationship with him as he will automatically become our

Staffs. NARPO Branch President.

Dates for your diary.

Tamworth Social Luncheon. Sunday 6^th September 2009 at Drayton Manor Park Golf Club. 12.30.pm for 1.pm lunch. Tamworth Winter Social Dinner at Drayton Manor Park Golf Club, will again be held in January 2010 at a date to be fixed.

Contact Roger Dix on 01827 311220, if you wish to join either or both functions.

West Bromwich Christmas Social - Monday 7^th December 2009.

West Bromwich Royal Naval Club 7.30.pm / 8.pm. Buffet & Entertainment. Please call Secretary Terry Barton on 01902 495249 to reserve your place. A great night is guaranteed.

Stafford Sub Branch Christmas Party – Thursday 17^th Dec 2009.

White Eagle Club, Riverway, Stafford. Meet again this year at The White Eagle Club, Riverway, Thursday 17^h December. 7.pm.

The Committee asks members to bring this to the notice of all other interested colleagues and support staff.

Inform Stafford’s Assistant Secretary Nigel Cooper on 01785 660560 or Roy Clarke on 10785 259159, who will add details to the invitation list.

Northern Sub Branch Christmas get to-gether.

Northern: To be held at the Director’s Suite Port Vale Football Club on Thursday 26^th November 2009. 7.30pm for 8pm Evening dinner and Caberet. Tickets £22.50 on sale from 1^st September. All enquiries to John Wowra. (SeeJohn’s poem on page 5)

BRANCH REUNION LUNCH 2010.

Staffordshire County Showground. Saturday 10^th April 2010. 12 noon for 1.pm.

BRANCH AGM with FREE Afternoonn Tea. Sunday 9th May 2010, The White Eagle Polish Club, Riverway, Stafford. 1.pm for 2.pm Meeting.

NARPO Holiday Group – Majorca for 2 weeks from 11^th May 2010.

Were YOU Injured on Duty?

Members affected will now know the outcome of our negotiations with Staffordshire Police, which was resolved almost 2 years ago. When such a member reaches the age of 64 years he/she will receive a letter from HQ HR Department informing them of the proposed reduction in their IOD Pension which will come into effect on their 65th birthday. The letters will advise the recipient to contact their NARPO representative if they wish to contest the course of action proposed.

PLEASE, PLEASE contact Chairman Gerry Robinson, Treasurer, Reay Pearman or Co-opted member Kevin Bridgewood for help and advice. You may be worrying unnecessarily.

-3-

INJURY ON DUTY AWARDS - Police Dependants Trust.

Would all members who are receiving an injury on duty award pension please note the importance of registering yourselves with the Police Dependants Trust.

The trust is especially for those injured on duty, for widows and children of officers killed on duty and for dependants of officers injured on duty.

Grants that are most used from this trust are Special Purpose Grants, for items such as stair lifts or modernisation of houses for the disabled etc.. There are property grants in the sum of £1,400 to £1,900, funeral grants and children and young person’s educational grants for people on low incomes to name but a few BUT you must register to be eligible.

If you have not registered we would suggest that you do so asap, better to be safe than never. Find their address on the Web or call Secretary Des Lockwood.

ARE YOU A BENEVOLENT FUND MEMBER?

As many of you have been members of this fund for some time it is recommended that you check they have the correct details of the person you wish to receive the death benefit on the occasion of your unfortunate demise. To do this all you have to do is write to the person listed below who will inform you of the nominated person and give you the opportunity to change the details as necessary.

Mrs Yvonne Johnson. Justice Service, Staffs Police, Weston Road, Stafford ST18 0YY

Tel No 01785 23 52 54

Join our E-Mail Club.

If you have not already registered your e-mail address with Reay Pearman, Des Lockwood, AND Gerry Robinson, you should now do so. Please join us!

E-MAIL CLUB MEMBERS ALERT. Des Lockwood’s appeal.

A few months ago I had a major breakdown with my computer when a virus damaged my Window’s application. I was told by the repairer that the only way to clear this virus was to wipe my computer clean and reload everything. Having agreed for the repairer to do this I omitted, (thinking that they would do it automatically) to ask them to back up my NARPO files on the computer. This resulted in me losing all of your 508 e-mail contact addresses. I have over the last few months tried to get them back on but I am still a number of e-mail addresses short.

If those of you who were on this list have not received an e-mail from me for some time then please e-mail me so that I can put your address back on the list. Just for your information an e-mail was sent out on 17^th August 2009 so if you did not get it then you will have to contact me.

Sorry for any inconvenience. Des Lockwood. Branch Secretary.

POLICE LIFE INSURANCE SCHEME

All members please note that from 1^st April 2009 there was an increase in your monthly subscriptions to this scheme.

Single: New rate £12.50 per month

Joint: New rate £24.30 per month

Any enquiries re this matter to the Police Federation Office. Tel. 01785 24 22 15

-4-

2^nd NARPO HOLIDAY – Majorca 2010. Tue 11^th May for two weeks.

Arrangements have been finalised with Midland Co-Op Travel Agents.

We have got a good deal and 37 members who have been made aware by e-mail have already booked in and have paid their deposits. ( Cheaper than 2 years ago! )

The two-week holiday is at the Hotel Pollensa Park, Puerto Pollensa, Northern Majorca, by air from Birmingham Airport. This is a 3 star rated popular hotel used by many British tourists and serves an excellent selection of food for all tastes.

We are going on a half board basis for an all-inclusive price of £537 per person sharing, £677 single room. Coach fare to and from B’ham Airport appox £25 extra.

Members wishing to join us on this holiday will have the opportunity, if they wish, to join a walking group in the mountains of northern Majorca, led by a local walking expert Richard Strutt, on three occasions. Burton members Ralph Seville and John Ravenscroft will also lead several shorter walks from our Hotel

If you would like to see a copy of the Walking Programme available to us look at the website of walks Leader Richard Strutt, insert ‘Mallorcan Walking Tours’ in Google and his site will come up first in line. If you do not have e mail, send Gerry a stamped , self address envelope and he will send you one by return of post.

For a BOOKING FORM please call Chairman Gerry Robinson on 01785 212394. Immediately. We initially reserved 40 places but can go up to 45 if necessary.

OLD POLICE BIKERS.

1^ST Ride Out !!!!!! reported by Nigel Cooper (Stafford sub-branch)

On a very sunny day in June (fine weather riders now) eight mainly “old” Police patrol bikers took to the mean streets on a mix of Japanese, German and British machinery for their inaugural trip to “look up” Trevor (Speedy) Wetherill in the depths of rural Hereford.

Very ably piloted by Tim Jones (the one with a sat nav) the party made their way through the winding roads of Shropshire and Herefordshire to enjoy a BBQ and a very convivial ‘catch up’ with tales of ‘doing it on two wheels’(mainly) up to 40yrs ago. Mention was made with humour on some of the characters in the ‘job’ at that time.

The party returned to the County safely and all intact hopefully without any formal photographs to follow in the post !!

Here’s to the next trip – looking up OPB’s somewhere in Spain – so those of you that can still pull your leathers on contact Nigel.

2009 NARPO Conference – Scarborough, North Yorkshire

Friday 11^th September.

Eight Staffordshire NARPO delegates will be attending conference this year. Amongst the motions to be discussed will again be the question of Injury on Duty Award Reviews, the future with Care First, Regional Welfare Training. Staffordshire are involved in three conference motions. We are totally opposed to the alleged ‘welfare services’ of ‘Care First’ which do not provide any services which we can not get FREE in Staffordshire. We are supporting a motion to set up ‘Trustees’ for our national organisation and we are proposing a motion that National NARPO support 8 Regional Welfare Training days instead of the usual 3 national ‘contact’ courses they currently organise either in the south or the north of the country.

-5-

Northern NARPO Xmas Social

Think of the old days, the laughter, the banter,

Then think of us as we contemplate Santa.

Christmas you shout, it’s too early for us,

But it’s our last chance to tell of the fuss.

A 3 course meal with wine or ale.

In the Director’s Suite, up at Port Vale.

We’ve even gone and spent some money,

On a professional comic, who John says is funny.

When your food has settled and the drink has been downed,

Back by demand is the Starlight sound.

As 60’s singers go they’re the best by far.

You can dance, or watch, or go to the bar.

The recession has bit so it isn’t too dear,

We’ve kept it the same as it was last year.

So have a think and if you want and are able.

Gather your friends and book up a table.

Northern NARPO Xmas Social, Directors Suite, Port Vale

7.30pm for 8pm Thursday 26^th November 2009

Members and Guests Tickets £22.50 per head on sale from 1^st September

To book or for further information call

01782 2562123 or 07929 338250 or 07776 293056

Welfare Matters. It does to us!

Remember that the welfare of our fellow members is the priority and responsibility of all our members old and new!

Staffordshire NARPO prides itself in putting into practice our national motto ‘Serving those who have served’.

We try at all times to assist and help all members in the ‘hour of need’ BUT we cannot help or assist unless we are told. No problem is too much for us to tackle - if we don’t know the answer ourselves, we certainly know someone who can. Please feel free to call your own Sub Branch Secretary who will help you all he or she can or by putting you in touch with one of our volunteer ‘welfare support members.

IF we don’t know, we can’t help can we!

-6-

Members Called to Higher Service since Last Staffs Knot.

Your Branch Committee records with regret the deaths of the following members.

Our sympathy is extended to all the bereaved families.

Title.	Name.	Sub Branch/ Area	D of B.	Died.
Ret’d Pc.	Harry ROBINSON	Northern	02.04.1930	24.03.2009
Ret’d Ch. Supt.	Frederick Arthur EDWARDS	Burton	17.05.1915	13.04.2009
Ret’d Ch. Insp.	William J HANCOCK	Burton	20.04.1928	22.04.2009
Ret’d Insp.	Anthony TRICKETT	Northern	11.11.1948	30.05.2009
Ret’d Pc	Marshall D KENDALL	Wombourne	02.11.1918	12.06.2009

Widows & Wives of members called to Higher Service.

Your Branch Committee records with regret the deaths of the following members.

Our sympathy is extended to all the bereaved families.

Mrs	Emmie KENT	Northern	11.08.1921	10.04.2009
Mrs	June FERNEYHOUGH	Stafford		16.05.2009
Mrs	Joan BROWN	West Bromwich		12.06.2009
Mrs	Irene SINKER	Northern		12.03.2009
Mrs	Joan MATTIN	Northern	24.02.1921	09.07.2009

YOUR 2009 Sub Branch Secretaries & Meeting dates all at 7.30.pm/8.pm.

Rosemary Poole.

01283 567112.

BURTON. 14^th Oct. 09. Marston Club, Burton.

Ian Rawlins.

01543 579920

CANNOCK. 12^th Nov.09.

Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Cannock. Informal Social.

Bob Scrimgeour.

01782 503755.

LEEK. 3^rd Nov. 09

The Swan Inn, Leek.

Linda Hicken.

01922 452572

LICHFIELD. 16^th September 09. Lichfield Rugby Club.

John Wowra.

01782 256213

NORTHERN. 6^th Oct. 09.

Longton Police Club.

Janet Stubbs

01785 223276.

STAFFORD. AGM 13^TH OCT 09. White Eagle Club Stafford

Joe Baker.

01827 66582

TAMWORTH. 3^rd Sept. 09.

Hopwas Sports and Social Club.

Terry Barton.

01902 495249

WEST BROMWICH. 7^th Sept .09 Royal Naval Club.

Geoff Sproson.

01902 844416.

WOMBOURNE. 6^th Oct. 09

Wombourne Police Club.

BRANCH Executive.

Sat. 10^th Oct. 09. at Police HQ Stafford.

Editorial Notice.

Our next issue is planned for early January 2010. Please forward your articles for publication to
Chairman Gerry Robinson: gerryrobinson@narpo-staffs.co.uk before 20 December 2009.

'Serving those who have served'

Widows & Wives of members called to Higher Service.

Our sympathy is extended to all the bereaved families.

Mrs

Mrs

Mrs

Mrs

Mrs

Back to Previous Page Updates and contributions for the Webpage - Contact the Webmaster Mr Joe Molloy - Email: jpmcoppice12-narpoweb@yahoo.co.uk

Back to Previous Page

Updates and contributions for the Webpage - Contact the Webmaster Mr Joe Molloy - Email:
jpmcoppice12-narpoweb@yahoo.co.uk