LICHFIELD SUB BRANCH NEWS

Last update 21Jan2012

The Lichfield NARPO Annual Christmas Lunch was held on Wednesday 14th December 2011 was well attended by 59 members. This was yet another successful and enjoyable event. Vic Turton took a number of photographs at the event and a selection are attached hereto: Click to view slide show.

Meeting on the 20th. July. The Lichfield NARPO Sub Branch meeting on Wednesday 16th November 2011 was well attended by approximately 45 members. The opportunity was taken to celebrate the 90th birthday of our Chairman and Sub Branch founder member, Ron Hill. A buffet was provided and a good time was had by all. A presentation was made by the branch secretary, Des Lockwood who also said a few words of appreciation. Vic Turton took a number of photographs at the event and a selection are attached hereto: Click to view photo album.

Meeting on the 20th. July. Our July Meeting was well attended, and we saw some new faces, so hopefully our Members are on the increase. Unfortunately Des Lockwood could not attend, so we did not receive any News on Branch or National Matters. The Meeting was quite short, so that the Members could enjoy the Buffet, and Trifles etc., made by some of our lady members which went down very nicely. An enjoyable evening was had by all. Unfortunately I forgot my Camera, so will not be able to post any photo's on the website of our Summer Buffet. Regards, Linda

Meeting on the 18th. May. Our Chairman, Ron Hill held a minutes silence in remembrance of departed Members, Arthur Ashford, William Bull and Kenneth Hillman. Ron then welcomed Bill Rogers back to the fold after suffering a serious illness, and also 4 new members which included an 'old' Staffs Police Officer who had remained in the West Midlands on its formation in 1974. So if there are any more West Midlands Officers out there, who previously served with Staffordshire Police prior to the amalagamation, who wish to attend our Meetings you will be most Welcome. Mention was also made of the recent death of Retired PC Maxi Clews, who had been a Traffic Patrol Driver at Aldridge, but he had remained with the West Midlands Police on its formation. Des Lockwood, Branch Secretary attended the Meeting and brought us up to date with current matters, including the recent Re-Union Lunch and AGM. The increase in membership, probably due to the recent Retirement of Officers faced with enforced termination under Regulation A19. The new NARPO Office which will be situated at Stafford Police Station, which is ready to move into. The ongoing battle of pension rises being linked from RPI to CPI, two Barristers are going to fight on our behalf. The Summer buffet will take place at the next Meeting on the 20th. July. Regards, Linda.

The March Meeting of Lichfield Sub Branch was well attended and we welcomed new member, John Williams, and his Wife, Margaret. Unfortunately our Chairman, Ron Hill was absent, having recently undergone an operation, his place at the helm was taken by Phil Goodwin. A moments silence was held in Memory of one of our older members, Edna Pike, who died recently, and whose funeral was held in February when a number of Members attended. A Donation to the Alzeimhers Society was approved by the attending Members through the sponsorship of Inspector Mark Churton from Staffordshire Police, who would be running the London Marathon with other Police Officers. Ralph Seville gave details of a visit arranged by Burton NARPO to the National Arboretum, Alrewas on Tuesday, 31st. May, 2011, all Members are welcome to attend. Des Lockwood, Branch Secretary also attended the Meeting, and brought the Meeting up todate with National and Local Matters, including the job losses, and closures of Police Stations within Staffordshire Police. Joe Molloy, Staffs. NARPO Webmaster was also at the Meeting, and reported on the popularity of the website, and in particular the Photographs. We are always looking for new members to join us at Lichfield Rugby Club, whether you have retired recently or way back when. Our next Meeting is on Wednesday, the 18th. May, we look forward to seeing some new faces.

Lichfield Sub Branch Meeting and AGM was held on Wednesday, 19th. January, 2011, and was well attended by old and new Members. A Minutes Silence was held in Memory of Wallace 'Wally' Bithell, who died on the 26th. December, 2010, a number of the Lichfield Sub Branch Members had attended his Funeral. Our Chairman, Ron Hill gave an update on Welfare Matters concerning two of our older Members who were now in Residential Care Homes, and that contact would be maintained. The Chairman also thanked the Secretary, and Treasurer of the Sub-Branch for their work over the past 12 months. The present Committee was re-elected unapposed for the next 12 months. The Christmas Lunch had been enjoyed by those attending, and re-booked for 2011. Des Lockwood, Branch Secretary updated the Meeting on current matters affecting the Members, he also informed the Meeting that the Branch Committee had met with the Chief Constable on the 26th. November, and the Chief outlined where Staffordshire Police was going, and he had been given permission to invoke Rule A19, but he didn't know if he would use it. At the conclusion of the AGM a Buffet was enjoyed by those present.

Our November Meeting was well attended, despite the England Football Match on television. Ron Hill, our Chairman welcomed two new Members, Brian Willetts, and his Partner, Paula, and we hope that they will continue to attend the Meetings. We are, fortunately attracting some 'younger' Members, and hope to do so in the future. Two of our older Members have given us cause for alarm, both being hospitalised, and have been visited by the Chairman and Secretary, but hopefully they will continue to make good progress. Our Social Secretary gave details of our first trip of 2011, which will take place in May, and will be to Hereford, via Ludlow. Our Christmas Lunch takes place on Wednesday, 15th. December, at St. Matthews Sports and Social Club, Burntwood, anyone wishing to attend should contact the Secretary, or Treasurer, asap, or by the 1st. December at the latest. Congratulations to Vic and Betty Turton, who celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on the 22nd. October, they were given a Bouquet and Card by the Members. Des Lockwood, Branch Secretary gave an update on Conference, and the ongoing battle concerning the Pension Rises being linked to CPI, and not RPI, and other matters. Our next Meeting is our AGM, and is on Wednesday, 19th. January, 2011, 7pm for 7.30pm, a Buffet will be provided.

The September Meeting was somewhat depeleted as their were quite a number of Members on Holiday, including our Chairman, Ron Hill. The Chair was taken by Phil Goodwin, who had pleasure in welcoming a new Member, recently retired from the Force, Mark Prince. Welfare wise, assistance was given, and visits made to one of members who collapsed and was admitted to Hospital, happily he is now back at home, and was visited by our Chairman to see if he needed any further help. Contact is being maintained with our other elderly members to ensure they are given assistance if required. A number of Members together with family and friends went on our second trip of the year to Aberystwyth on the 8th of September. This included a trip on the steam railway from Devils Bridge into Aberystwyth. Unfortunately no-one from Branch attended the Meeting so no update was given on Conference. Our Christmas Lunch will take place on Wednesday, 15th. December at St. Matthews Sports and Social Club, Burntwood, details of the Menu not available at present. Our Treasurer will require payment at the November Meeting, and Members will be receiving a letter from the Secretary with further details.

Our July meeting was the second Summer Buffet for the enjoyment of our members. Sandwiches, etc., and strawberries and cream were provided from the Lichfield NARPO funds, the strawberries freshly picked by Linda. Unfortunately, none of the Branch Representatives were able to attend, as they were in Wakefield attending a Welfare Course. The Members were made aware of the latest information regarding Pensions, i.e. future rises being linked to the Consumer Price Index, and not the Retail Price Index, which could mean we lose out. On a more enjoyable note, Ron Hill, our Chairman, and his Wife, Eveline were presented with a bouquet of flowers on the occasion of their Diamond Wedding Anniversary, something that Ron had kept a secret, but, as Linda told him, we have spies everywhere. We also congratulated Mary and Arthur Wilkins, who celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversay on the 23rd. June, and Arthur and Marie Ashford, had celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary on the 1st. July. Both couples had received cards and bouquets from the members on the appropriate dates. Photo's of the above will be posted on the Lichfield web page. (When I get round to sending them). Our next coach trip will be to Aberystwyth on Wednesday, 8th. September, 2010, leaving Lichfield Rugby Club at 0830hrs. Please get in touch with Phil Goodwin or Graham Stenton if you wish to go.

Lichfield May Meeting. Another good turn out at our May Meeting, with Des Lockwood in attendance, and also Joe Molloy, Staffs NARPO's new webmaster. Unfortunately one of our older members, Olive Bithell aged 87 years had passed away on the 15th May. A Minutes Silence was held in her memory. Good News was that another of our older Members had returned home after a period in Hospital and Respite Care, contact would be maintained. A number of our Members had enjoyed a visit to Bath on the 12th. May. Our next trip is to Aberystwyth on the 8th. September, 2010. Des updated the meeting on the AGM, and the Re-Union Lunch, as well as other matters. Joe Molloy took over as webmaster 7 months ago, and was busy updating the website, which included a directory of tradespeople as recommended by Members themselves. Joe informed the Meeting that those with access to the internet could see photographs of the Staffs NARPO Bench dedication at the Alrewas Arboretum.

Our March Meeting was well attended after a disapppointing turn-out for the Meeting and AGM in January. A Minutes Silence was held in memory of Roy Cope who had passed away recently. Our Chairman informed the Meeting that two of our elderly members had been in Hospital, fortunately not life threatening, and contact would be maintained should they require any further assistance. Des Lockwood, Branch Secretary updated the Meeting on current matters, both local and nationally.

On Wednesday 20 January 2010, Lichfield Sub Branch held its annual general meeting. Ron Hill was re-elected as Chairman, Phil Goodwin as Treasurer and Linda Hicken as Secretary. Unfortunately, whether it was due to the weather, or the Football Match involving Aston Villa being shown on TV, we hadn't got as many members attending as we usually do. Following the Election, a Buffet was enjoyed by those attending, including Des Lockwood, and his Wife, Pat. No Welfare issues to report.

On Thursday 16 September 2009, Lichfield Sub Branch held its latest meeting. At the Lichfield Sub-Branch of NARPO, Welfare of members is of the utmost importance. Contact is maintained with elderly members who can no longer attend meetings. Recently two members, who have been ill, have received Get Well cards and gifts from the Lichfield members, something that has been done for a number of years. Transport to hospital appointments etc., for those that cannot attend under their own steam is arranged by contacting the Secretary.