August - eastkentnarpo.org.uk
Transcription
August - eastkentnarpo.org.uk
East Kent NARPO Newsletter “Eis Servire Qui Serviverunt” www.eastkentnarpo.org.uk Ramsgate Reunion Luncheon Thursday 15th September at Royal Temple Yacht Club, Marine Terrace, Ramsgate. 12noon for 1pm lunch Number 149 August 2016 DON’T FORGET Chicken Breast stuffed with Spinach D e al R e un io n o n Wednesday 10th August at 7.30 pm. The venue is Elizabeth House, 32 St. Mary’s Road, Walmer, CT14 7QA ~~ DON’T FORGET Menu Pate with Melba and Chutney ~~ Apple/fruit crumble and Custard ~~ Tea/Coffee & Mints Subsidised at £15 per person - £8 widows (Service not included) Branch Christmas Luncheon 2016 Ramsgate Reunion Lunch on 15th September. Tickets are still available. See details on page 8 Lunches Application forms on Page 8 Thursday 8th December 2016 12 noon for 1 pm Ashford International Hotel Simone Weil Avenue, Ashford TN24 8U Menu Honey-baked carrot& red lentil soup (v) Pressed ham hock, split pea & parsley terrine, honey & mustard dressing, chicory leaf salad ~~~~~~ Ashford Reunion 2016 See page 4 IN THIS EDITION • Chairman’s Column: Page 2 Creamed Roquefort & roasted pear salad, watercress pesto (v) Traditional roast turkey, bacon-wrapped chipolata, sage & onion stuffing, • Editorial: Page 3 roasted root vegetables, roast potatoes • Ashford Reunion: Page 4 Warm wild mushroom& brioche press, roasted root vegetables, truffle • Skeleton & Attorney Quotes: Page 5 cream (v) Baked cod, chorizo & roast garlic parmentier potatoes, crispy fried kale ~~~~~~ Steamed Christmas plum pudding, brandy sauce Black Forest torte, brandied cherries & cherry syrup Ginger brûlée tart, whipped sweet cream, citrus fruit compôte Subsidised at £15 per person - £8 widows © 2016 All rights reserved. The East Kent NARPO Branch Newsletter is published by the Branch Executive Committee. Opinions expressed by contributors are theirs, and not necessarily those of the Branch Committee. EO&E. Printed in Broadstairs by Seward Copyshop Church Street St Peters Broadstairs CT10 2 TU • Obituary for Frank Halse & Summer Lunch: Page 6 • Cappadocia: Page 7 • Woes of an Admin D?S: Page 8 • Small Ads & Message from Tony Masters: Page 9 • Obituaries: Page 10 • Life Membership for Bill Eggleton: Page 11 • Branch Directory: Page 12 East Kent NARPO Newsletter Chairman's Column Summer is upon us or is it? I can’t remember a season like it, the old saying “don’t cast a clout ‘til May is out “has been extended to the end of June! This will be held on 15th September, tickets can be obtained from Tina Sloman our event’s organiser at £15 per head. Please support us and I look forward to seeing you at one of our events. still available for the Lunch at the Royal Yacht Club, Ramsgate. Terry Barham has moved address in Worcester Neil Walker has moved address in Ashford Babbacombe Corrine Shaw, Devon to Staines-on-Thames Raymond Scott, Bekesbourne to Westgate-on-Sea Ian Newman, Battle to Duffield, Derbyshire Brian Rushford, Lympne to Herne Bay Jinaketu Gridley has moved address in Eastbourne Paul Cooke, Whitstable Skegness to Alan Wall, Scotland to Sandwich Joyce Booty has moved address in Faversham Joanne McCann has moved address in Herne Bay This corner is for those who have access to the internet Don’t forget to tell us if you have a Can I remind you that tickets are Graylingham, Linconshire Bob Pollard The National NARPO Conference will be held in September at Torquay, a proposal to reintroduce the rules has been delayed until 2017 so we will have plenty of time to consider our response. A report on the conference will appear in the next newsletter. reunion last year it will be held again on 1st September at the same venue – more details in the newsletter. Paul Kent, Doddington to Tony Holley, Dartmouth to Govett from West Kent NARPO and I were invited to attend the Police Federation Open Meeting at Maidstone to spread the message to officers of the benefits of NARPO. The Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott was present. We took the opportunity to invite him to the next meeting of Kent Chairs of NARPO so we could hear his vision of Kent Police and let him know the views of our members and he has accepted our invitation. Due to the success of the Ashford On The Move Kind Regards Nigel special wedding anniversary coming up, if you are celebrating a golden or diamond wedding so we can all share in the celebrations. Page 2 In this edition: Web Corner http://www.snopes.com/ fraud/fraud.asp This web site provides an insight to all the scams that exist and enables you to check and see whether the origin or content of an email you’ve received is genuine or not. By going onto Snopes you can search your query and it will identify bogus emails or indicate whether an item is suspect. Note: Most public libraries will have access to the web; you may have to book in advance East Kent NARPO Newsletter Editorial It doesn’t seem like five minutes since this column welcomed everyone to a happy new year and by the time you all read this it will be August already. So what’s happened in the last eight months? Tim Peake orbited the earth countless times, we had a wet spring, Jeremy Corbyn fell out with the opposition on both sides, followed by England football plunging down the world rankings. Then we had a wet June during which we voted for Brexit and David Cameron resigned. So not a lot really, just another typical year; pretty wet! The new email system seems to be working to the benefit of those who are on the database. If you are not receiving these emails and would like to then contact me and I will include you. In the absence of the old ‘Get Well Soon’ column: On behalf of the membership I would say to all that are not in good health, that our thoughts are with you. With regard to the Christmas lunch the social events secretary Tina Sloman asks that you provide her with the names of the people attending and their individual menu choices. Moving on to important things. I Dave Ashwell have raised this one before and again would emphasize that this newsletter relies on participation from the members in providing articles, stories, memories, skeletons etc to make the newsletter a success for all. At this point in time I am not getting very much material at all. The Editor would be most grateful for assistance in this matter. Editor You will see that I have included on page 6 an extended obituary; that of Frank Halse aged 104 years and the last Kent officer with a three figure force number. His life was, to say the least, eventful. This years summer lunch was held at Boughton Golf Club. It attracted just thirty eight members and guests. From a membership of over 1200 it does show the level of interest, or lack of! These events are subsidised with your money. I would again ask you to suggest other activities that you think would be of interest to the membership, Welcome to New Members Maureen Skingle, Dover Page 3 This Irishman bought a donkey from a farmer for £100. The farmer agreed to deliver the donkey the next day. The next day he drove up and said, 'Sorry son, but I have some bad news. The donkey's died.' The Irishman replied, 'Well then just give me my money back.' The farmer said, 'Can't do that. I've already spent it.' The Irishman said, 'OK, then, just bring me the dead donkey.' The farmer asked, 'What are you going to do with him?' The Irishman said, 'I'm going to raffle him off.' The farmer said, 'You can't raffle a dead donkey!' He said, 'Sure I can. Watch me. I just won't tell anybody he's dead.' A month later, the farmer met up with the Irishman and asked, ' What happened with that dead donkey?' George Lawton, Hythe Keith Stallan, Ramsgate Christopher MacalpineDownie, Whitstable Lydia Watson, Herne Bay He said, 'I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at £2 each and made a profit of £898' The farmer said, 'Didn't anyone complain?' Peter Stamp, Challock Phillip Pryce, Ham Street Susan Coleman, Margate Wendy Sherwood, Minster, Ramsgate He said, 'Just the guy who won. So I gave him his £2 back.' This Irishman now works for the Royal Bank of Scotland Patricia Tester, Chard David Hopwood, Sturry Jacqueline Pearson, Dover Acknowledgements The Matt Cartoons © are copyright and reproduced by kind permission of Matt/The Daily Telegraph. Large Print Large print Newsletters are available by arrangement with John Piears [see page 12] for any member who is visually impaired. The Newsletter is double the normal size. East Kent NARPO Newsletter Page 4 ‘The Final Inspection’ The policeman stood and faced his God. Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shining Just as brightly as his brass. And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear, And sometimes, God forgive me, I’ve wept unmanly tears. “Step forward now, policeman How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To My church have you been true? I know I don’t deserve a place Among the people here. They never wanted me around Except to calm their fear. The policeman squared his shoulders and said, “No Lord, I guess I ain’t, Because of those of us who carry badges can’t always be a saint. If you’ve a place for me here, Lord, it needn’t be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don’t…. I’ll understand. I've had to work most Sundays, and at times my talk was rough, And sometimes I’ve been violent, Because the streets are awfully tough. There was a silence all around the throne Where the saints had often trod. As the policeman waited quietly, For the judgement of his God. But I never took a penny, That wasn’t mine to keep…. Though I worked a lot of overtime When the bills just got too steep. “Step forward now, policeman, You’ve borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven’s streets, You’ve done your time in hell.” After the success of this event last November arrangements have been made to hold another reunion for East Kent members on Thursday 1st September. Hopefully this will now be an annual event held around this date. This again will take place at lunchtime at the Willesborough Windmill Barn in Ashford, commencing at 12 noon. A buffet will be provided for those attending, together with tea and coffee. It is hoped that this will again be well attended by members. I would ask members to let me know if they will be attending so that catering requirements can be efficiently organised and to contact me by telephone or email Tel: 01233 627340 - email: [email protected] Numbers are limited to around 45/50 max because of the size of the premises so first come first served. Access to the Windmill can be made via free car parking just off Cornes Close which is off Silverhill Road in Willesborough. The postcode is TN24 0LG. East Kent NARPO Newsletter Page 5 Skeletons I was reminded recently by my old chum, retired 5618 John ( Biffo ) Griffiths of a time when we had fun. A long long time ago, in a far off land called Sheppey, both he and I on no.2 Support Group out of Nackington were on foot patrol in uniform in Leysdown, neither of us could recall exactly what we’d done wrong! I believe we were 6-2 nights, winter time, ‘high’ profile policing due to rowdy behaviour, (theirs not ours ) reassuring locals of a ‘high’ level of Police presence. Donning our full length Gannex’s, or is the plural Ganni? resplendent in our helmets, Kent’s finest walked bravely but timidly side by side, in the gloom, hand in hand (I made that bit up) along the ‘High Street’, Leysdown reassuring. “ I'm bored Biff” says I, “so am I” says ‘e. So like naughty boys we hatched a plan, giggling I put Biff on my shoulders, obviously with his full blessing and assistance, he clambered aloft, I didn't just pick him up and plonk him there like some giant King Kong in uniform. So dear reader, now picture the scene if you will, Biff sitting on my shoulders, proudly wearing his helmet, his Gannex completely covering me, only my trousers, boots and the bottom of my Gannex showing beneath his Gannex, as we leant against a lamppost. Imagine the locals wonderment as they drove by gawping at this 9ft copper leaning nonchalantly, “Geez, look at the size of that copper” they must have been thinking and then us sauntering off, Dixon of Dock Green style at the regulation pace along the street, “ I wouldn't want to tackle that Gavver” they'd say………...yes folks, we’d go off duty on many an occasion from the 2’s with ‘Facial Cramp’ from laughing!! There was no rowdiness reported on Sheppey that night, not after our ‘high’ profile Policing. Ex 5681 Kev Stones. Editor - Our thanks to Kevin for sharing his past service history. There must be many more ˛stories’ from the distant past that can be shared; anonymously if so required. Your secrets are safe with me being ex SB. U.S. Attorney Quotes These are from a book called ‘Disorder in the American Courts’, and are things people actually said in court, word for word, taken down and now published by court reporters that had the torment of staying calm while these exchanges were actually taking place. ATTORNEY: Can you describe the individual? WITNESS: He was about medium height and had a beard ATTORNEY: Was this a male or a female? WITNESS: Unless the Circus was in town I'm going with male. ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all? WITNESS: Yes. ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory? WITNESS: I forget.. ATTORNEY: You forget? Can you give us an example of something you forgot? ATTORNEY: Were you present when your picture was taken? WITNESS: Are you shitting me? ATTORNEY: Are you sexually active? WITNESS: No, I just lie there. East Kent NARPO Newsletter Page 6 Obituary of Frank Halse Former Sergeant 958 Frank Halse passed away on 2nd May 2016. At the time of his passing he was 104 years old and had been drawing his pension for just three months short of 50 years.... His young son Doug (who is in his late 70's) tells us that Frank was still a NARPO member so never lost his connection with his old Police days. Frank was our last remaining former officer with a three figure force number. Frank was born in Hackney, in 1912, the youngest of 7 children. His father James was a member of what passed for the Metropolitan Police at the time; in fact he was a mounted branch officer, and apparently he kept his Police horse tethered in the front garden of the terraced house the family lived at in the city. After leaving school Frank became a manager at an Asphalt company in the docklands, but in 1933 Frank joined the Army. He became a member of 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards. In his time with the Guards, Frank undertook duties at Buckingham Palace, St, James Palace, the Tower of London, and he participated in the Trooping of the Colour. He took on a training role, but this was not so much Army training, he was in fact used as a tutor to guardsmen who needed to be taught the basic 3R's which perhaps goes to show the educational calibre of some of the soldiers in those days. In 1936 he had joined the Kent County Constabulary and was serving at Southborough. In 1937 he was serving at Horsmonden & Tonbridge. In 1939 at the start of the war he was recalled to the Army at Purbright. We don't know exactly where Frank served, but his son seems to recall his father being a red cap which is indicative of him being in the Military Police. In 1942 Frank went to Sandhurst and received a commission and by the end of the war he had achieved the rank of lieutenant. We know that in 1943 he was serving at Catterick, and in 1944 he was posted overseas and involved in the training of soldiers in Italy. He was a firearms range officer and a specialist in Aircraft recognition. A memorable anecdote is that following his commission Frank was in charge of a unit responsible for arranging the security at one of the venues where Nazi war criminal Rudolph Hess was interned following his infamous flight to Scotland in May 1941 and his deportation to stand trial at Nuremburg. Frank was "demobbed" in 1945, and he rejoined the Police Force serving at Cranbrook. His son Doug has a memory of his father riding an old velocette motorcycle at the time (quote... "like the one out of Heartbeat. " ) Sadly further information about Frank's service in the Police Force is rather scant. He certainly served at Strood, where the family lived in a Police house, and went on the serve at Chatham, and as already mentioned he ended his time with Kent Police as the station Sergeant at Rainham. His retirement from the Police was not the end of Frank's working days. He took a part time job working in a solicitors office where he was responsible for preparing the papers for court. Frank finally retired in 1977 aged 65. Summer Lunch at Boughton Golf Club The lunch was held on Thursday 30th June at the golf club and 38 members attended. Numbers were down on last year but this did not detract from an excellent 3 course lunch being enjoyed by all. A raffle was held with several lucky winners. The event was the first organized by our social event’s new organizer Tina Sloman and was a great success. East Kent NARPO Newsletter Page 7 Cappadocia A while back our Chairman, Bob Pollard and his wife Dottie took a trip to Cappadocia in Turkey. Here he recounts their experiences. In the NARPO magazine there had been included an envelope concerning a tour of Cappadocia, (pronounced Cappadokia), Turkey so Dottie and I decided to go and see what it was like. We had been to Turkey before and enjoyed the country and so late February we boarded a Free Bird Flight at Gatwick and set forth. The Holiday had been advertised at basic price of £149 and a supplement for specific weeks and we had to pay an extra £20 each for the week we had chosen. The price was for Bed and Breakfast and on arrival every one of our party upgraded to full board for an extra £195 per person for the week. This included all dinners, 5 lunches, entry to several sites and a Turkish night on which I will expand later. We arrived in Antalya where the weather was cool but warmer than back home, the Gypsophilia hotel complex was very nice and we spent two nights there. Once we had mastered the air conditioning we enjoyed good food and started to get to know our fellow travellers. It was clear that the vast majority were of our age group and several turned out to be retired cops so an immediate rapport was built. The holiday had been advertised with several organisations such as the Women’s Institute and RSPB, National Geographic. Day 2 entailed a visit to Aspendos which is the best kept outside theatre in the world. Dating back to Roman times with steep sides and a central arena. This was followed by a visit to the Roman Aqueduct which stretches for over 20 miles. Then on to the Star Belkis restaurant and the delights of river trout. The day was rounded off by a visit to a Mosque at Minoulgat where we able to go inside and look around. The ladies had to cover their heads and shoes were taken off before entering. Day 3 was an early start following a 5.50am breakfast and we set off up into the mountains and encountered thick snow on the passes which were 1800 metres above sea level. We visited the Mausoleum at Econium (Konya) and paid a visit to the underground city and a Caravansary which dated back to ancient times and were stop overs for the trade caravans. Be warned the underground city was cramped and anyone who does not like enclosed spaces might be a little wary. Fascinating to see how people lived in the rooms in the hillsides and then onto the Hotel Yiltok for 3 nights. A nice hotel (4 star standard). Day 4 was again an early call as half our party decided to take a balloon flight, (Optional) there were in excess of 40 balloons taking off over the amazing naturally sculptured rock formations and the views were fantastic. The ability of the pilot to manoeuvre the balloon into tight spaces and almost touch the ground was exceptional. Unlike back home the balloon landed on the back of a trailer rather than the ground so a nice soft landing! The flight was preceded by a light breakfast and we were back at the hotel for 0830 to partake of more food if required! 0930 on the road again to Camel Valley to admire the fantastic formations at closer quarters and take photos , the Magic Chimneys and Churches cut into the rocks were a sight to see. Further stops at the Valley of Love aptly named for its phallic rock structures .After lunch the day was rounded off with a visit to see the Whirling dervishes. An experience we tried and I would heartily recommend was a visit to Turkish bath which included a full body massage and sauna and being soaped from head to foot – truly invigorating! (25 Euros each and well worth the money) Day 5 – A visit to a carpet weaving centre, very interesting and deep pockets required to purchase these excellent carpets which came in all shapes, colours and sizes. All Hand made. There was a leather shop and Dottie purchased a handbag at a very reasonable cost. Lunch at the Ramada Hotel was very nice. A visit was then made to the Goreme open air museum to see some more churches, and back to the hotel for the Turkish Evening. Following dinner we were all transported across the river to the venue built into the caves. All drink and snacks were free as part of the package and local dance groups , a mock Turkish wedding which involved some of the audience and a magical whirling dervish display complete with LED lights , the evening was rounded off by an exotic belly dancer who invited members of the audience to practice their moves. Great fun was had by all. The evening concluded about 2230 and back to the hotel. Day 6 was taken up travelling back to Antalya and a one night stop at our hotel. (4 Star quality hotel with a nice restaurant, it was extremely busy). Day 7 involved a visit to the Bazaar in Antalya (very colourful) and a visit to a Jewellery factory where several made purchases of exquisite jewellery and followed by lunch. A visit to a leather factory was arranged and then onto our final hotel in the centre of the city, close to the airport. (This was the lowest grade hotel and was just somewhere to rest prior to going home) Day 8 – early start to catch our flight at 0505 from the Airport back to Gatwick. Conclusions - A lot to take in, in a week but a good impression of a country gained, steeped in history and yet looking forward at the same time. Overall good value for money. There are other trips organised and we hope to return to visit Istanbul and Troy. Bob Pollard East Kent NARPO Newsletter Page 8 TICKET APPLICATIONS: CHRISTMAS LUNCH 2016 / RAMSGATE REUNION 2016 Name……………………………………………………………………………………………………. Address…………………………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………..Post Code ………………………..Telephone………………………... Please send………….tickets @ £15 (same for guests), widows £8 for the Christmas Lunch AND/OR £15.00 for Ramsgate Reunion. widows £8. Cheques to be made payable to ‘NARPO East Kent Branch’. Please enclose an SAE for your tickets, and post the completed form to Tina Sloman, 5 Lime Tree House, St Lawrence Ground, Old Dover Road, Canterbury, CT1 3NY. Tel: 01227 763760: E Mail: [email protected] will be a vegetarian option. Please indicate — any seating preference, - if transport is required or is offered, and if you would like a location map for the venue: Tina requires names attending and menu choices for each person for Christmas Lunch If you do not wish to cut the application form (s) this Newsletter, you can download & print off the form from the branch web site www.eastkentnarpo.org.uk The Woes of being an Admin D/S Terry Gabriel recounts one of those days when Admin D/S at Dover: On one occasion I had the misfortune of reading a crime report submitted by an officer alleging ‘ criminal damage’ to the wing mirror of an expensive foreign car. The officer who completed the report had written a rather muddled explanation of what had occurred and so I returned the report to him for an explanation which I might easily understand. I was particularly interested to know about the position of the car when it was damaged in order to determine whether the damage to the wing mirror was malicious or could have been caused accidently by a passing vehicle, in which case it should properly be recorded as a Road traffic matter. When I received the report back from the officer, he had written the following: ‘A left hand drive car with its nearside close to the pavement on the other side of the road’. To this day I still haven’t got a clue what he meant. Fortunately in those days we weren’t governed by computers and ‘performance’ targets, so I wasted no further time and the matter was ‘filed’ in a small round ‘filing’ cabinet next to my desk. Complaints to the Council Our kitchen floor is damp. We have two children and would like a third, so please send someone round to do something about it. I am a single woman living in a downstairs flat and would you please do something about the noise made by the man on top of me every night. This is to let you know that our lavatory seat is broke and we can't get BBC2 The man next door has a large erection in the back garden, which is unsightly and dangerous. East Kent NARPO Newsletter Page 9 Members wishing to place an advert should send the details to me together with a cheque for £5 which will be for welfare purposes. Please make cheques payable to ‘The National Association of Retired Police Officers East Kent Branch’ and forward to Mr. D. Ashwell, Windmill Lodge, Mill Lane, Willesborough, Ashford, Kent TN24 0QG. Services offered by advertisers are not specifically endorsed by this Branch. The Editor reserves the right to refuse or withdraw advertisements at his discretion and does not accept liability for clerical or printer’s errors, although every care is taken to avoid mistakes. Advertisements in the East Kent NARPO Newsletter are accepted only on the understanding that the advertisers warrant that the advertisements do not contravene the Trade Description Act 1968, the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and the Business Advertisements (Disclosure) Order of 1997 and conform to the British Code of Advertising Practice. Madeira For that special holiday for two this modern apartment with uninterrupted breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, is within 5 minutes walk of the beach, bars and restaurants. Set in the picturesque village of Canico, the apartment has all the modern facilities including many English TV Channels, and internet access. The capital of Madeira, Funchal is only 13km away, accessed by a 30 minute bus ride from outside the apartment. Guests will be met at the airport on arrival by taxi to the apartment at an additional cost of 25 Euros each way. Cost: £500 for two weeks - £275 for one week. For full colour brochure and details Tel: 01303 779272 Church Bulletins For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs. Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days. Former Detective Inspector Tony Masters, member of East Kent Narpo, sadly lost his wife Susan who died suddenly in April. Our welfare representative, Gerry Skinner, has been in touch with Tony over the past few months offering help in his hour of need. Tony recently contacted Gerry via email thanking Gerry for that help and providing an insight as to how he has coped with his loss. Tony would be pleased to pass this message to friends and colleagues and would welcome contact. His message follows: Hi Gerry, I first of all want to thank you for the contact we had very soon after Sue’s death. It was very difficult at that time, as you obviously understand, but I do appreciate the contact and help that you provided. I’m not sure what was arranged about giving out the notification on the East Kent Narop news but I would like to notify all colleagues, friends and contacts of Sue’s sudden death. I would also welcome any contact from our past friends and contacts just to be able to keep in touch, being so many miles from our previous life. I am happy for you to pass on my contact details both email and telephone to those who may enquire. I expect you have had enough experience of my situation involving other colleagues to know that time does heal but not very easily. The grief does subside slowly and with time and friendly contact the sorry becomes less frequent. We all deal with it differently. I have joined a local bowls club with the help of my neighbour a retired Lincoln bobby, a very good friend and neighbour!! I have joined a local walking group and they are just fantastic, so welcoming and understanding. A couple of other local clubs also help me to get away from the difficult times. Overall my situation is slowly improving but not without the help and friendliness of those who have crossed our paths in years past. I would be more than happy for you to pass on this message to friends and colleagues. Thanks again for your kindness, Kind regards and very best wishes, Tony Masters. Please contact Gerry Skinner via email at [email protected] should you wish to make contact with Tony. East Kent NARPO Newsletter Page 10 OBITUARY NOTICES It is with great regret that I inform you of the following deaths. We send our sympathies to their families. Please note: Information available at the time of publication is often very limited. Aslett, Basil John, former Kent officer 2702 aged 86 years of Sturry, died on 21st June 2016. Basil joined Kent County Constabulary at the age of 29, in 1958. Having completed his basic training at Sandgate he was posted firstly to Tunbridge Wells and then to Margate and finally to No3 ATO at Nackington where he spent the rest of his service, retiring in July 1984. Bruce, Robert B.E.M. former Detective Constable 4694 aged 64 years of Dover, died on 28th June 2016. he leaves a widow, Susan. Robert was born on 16th November 1951 He joined the Force in January 1971 and retired on May 2001 having served mostly in Dover, then in Thanet and Traffic. His final years were in Special Branch. Robert won the British Empire Medal for his charity work for the Royal Marines at Walmer. Fiander, Rhoda of Herne Bay died on 8th April 2016. Rhoda was the widow of the late former Chief Inspector 2095 Ray Fiander Fretwell, Brian Laurence, former Kent officer 3499 aged 79 years died on 18th June 2016. Brian had lived in Spain for the past fifteen years. Brian joined Kent Police in June 1958 serving as the “beat-bobby” for Eastleigh and Sandwich and finally serving in Dover before retiring in May 1986. He played for the Kent Police football team. Gray, Clifford former Constable 2154 aged 87 years of Rochester, died on 14th April 2016. Clifford joined Kent Police in August 1952 and served at Northfleet, Gravesend and Rochester. After service on Traffic at Rochester he took on the role of undercover motorcyclist with the Regional Crime Squad during the 1970’s and finally served as a beat officer in Rochester before retiring in August 1982. House, Dennis former Kent Officer 2257 aged 91 years of Faversham, died on 21st June 2016. Dennis joined Kent Police in October 1953 serving initially at Gillingham before moving in 1961 to Brasted, Sevenoaks where he served until his retirement in 1980. Lloyd, David former Kent officer 8525 aged 51 years of Ormskirk, Lancashire died on 3rd June 2016. David joined Kent Police in April 1989 serving in Herne Bay and Canterbury before retiring in September 2001. He had battled with Multiple Sclerosis for some 16 years. He was living in Lancashire and was a member of the East Kent Branch of NARPO and also of Lancashire NARPO. Masters, Susan Mary of Lincoln and wife of former Detective Inspector 4279 Tony Masters died on 17th April 2016. Roberts, Donald James former Sergeant 2208 aged 89 years of Nacton, Suffolk died on 11th May 2016. Donald joined Kent Police in January 1953 serving in Sevenoaks and Edenbridge before retiring in April 1978. Following his retirement Donald and his wife Doreen moved to Dorset where he was ordained as a Church of England Minister in 1986. Streeter, Michael John former Kent officer 3962 aged 69 years of Rochester, died on 29th May 2016. He leaves a widow Linda. Michael joined Kent Police in November 1966 serving at Ramsgate, Dover, Rochester and River Policing for Medway/ Thames and Coast until 1984 and FHQ. In 1986 he worked within Fingerprints Dept until his retirement in 1989. He continued working within this department in a civilian post until 1990 when he became a Coroners Officer for Medway & Swale, he finally retired in 2008. Watson, Peter former Chief Inspector 1967 aged 94 years died on 10th June 2016. Peter joined Kent Police in August 1950, serving at Dartford, Broadstairs, Deal, Chatham and Gravesend before being seconded to the then Flying Squad - Internal Investigations. He returned to Maidstone before retiring in July 1980. Peter lived in Canada for the past thirty years East Kent NARPO Newsletter Obituaries continued from page 10 Page 11 Life Membership Awarded Westgate, Bridgette of Hythe died on 30th April 2016. She was the widow of the late Inspector 1957 S.F. Westgate who died in July 2003. Her son is Tony Westgate, who is a member of East Kent Branch of NARPO Wolley, Robert former Constable 5832 aged 63 years of Lincoln , died on 23rd June 2016. Robert joined the Force in November 1975 and retired in January 1989. Wright, Doris Kathleen of Hawkinge died on 29th May 2016. She was the widow of former Constable 2607 Peter Wright. Drake, Margaret aged 88 years of Deal died on 2nd July 2016. She is the widow of the late PC1559 R.A. Drake who served at Faversham, Canterbury and Deal. Our congratulations to Bill Eggleton on being awarded life membership of NARPO in recognition of his many years of service to the Branch. Bill who represented Folkestone Rural and was the event’s organiser was presented with his certificate of life membership by Bob Pollard, Branch Chairman on 6th July at his home address. Bill was delighted and surprised to receive the award and expressed his gratitude for being recognised in this way and sent his best wishes to all members of the branch. EVER WONDER … Evans, Freda widow of the late former Inspector 1333 Arthur Evans died on 2nd June 2016 Great Quotes When the white Missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said 'Let us pray.' We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land. ~ Desmond Tutu Are there specially reserved parking spaces for "normal" people at the Special Olympics? If the temperature is zero outside today and it's going to be twice as cold tomorrow, how cold will it be? If it's true that we are here to help others, what are the others doing here? Do married people live longer than single ones or does it only seem longer? Do you cry under water? America is the only country where a significant proportion of the population believes that professional wrestling is real but the moon landing was faked. ~ David Letterman How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage? Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground? The East Kent Branch of NARPO Serving those who served www.eastkentnarpo.org.uk Branch Directory Page 12 Chairman: Bob Pollard 01227 363594 [email protected] Vice Chairman Peter Reynolds 01227 765948 [email protected] Norman Liggins 01304 852265 [email protected] Mrs. Lynn Gridley 47 Park Avenue Deal CT14 9AW 01304 364806 [email protected] Mrs. Diane Witney 01227 766215 [email protected] Branch Secretary 1 Ash Grove St. Margaret’s at Cliffe Dover CT15 6JE Treasurer Membership Secretary 16 Meadow Road Canterbury CT2 8EU Obituary Snowball Gerry Skinner 01227 272357 [email protected] Newsletter Distribution John Piears 01843 845425 [email protected] Newsletter & Website Editor Dave Ashwell 01233 627340 [email protected] Welfare Co-ordinator Gerry Skinner 01227 272357 [email protected] Deputy Welfare Co-ordinator Phil Wood 01797 364410 [email protected] Picture Gallery