Durham NARPO Newsletter : Winter 2020

Durham NARPO Newsletter Winter 2020

Durham Cathedral through 'The Way' sculpture at Wharton Park Durham NARPO Website: durhamnarpo.org.uk Chairman: Raymond Jones Email: rayjones2341@gmail.com Tel: 01325 327165 Secretary: Stuart Ingram Email: durham@narpo.org Tel: 01388 814768 Treasurer: Susan Knaggs Email: susan0065@gmail.com Tel: 0191 388 4052 1 Graylands, High Rickleton, Washington NE38 9HF

Please be aware that this newsletter is being circulated to retain some degree of contact with the members of the Durham Branch of NARPO. It is not meant to be a replacement for our well appreciated ‘Durham Peeler’ magazine.

Unfortunately, we have experienced problems and difficulties in progressing the printing of the magazine and pulling together our willing group of Committee Members who package the publication in readiness of its biannual circulation.

This has resulted in the loss of the Summer and Winter 2020 editions of the Durham Peeler. We would hope to reinstate the full publication of the magazine as soon as circumstances allow.

Whilst the magazine is out of circulation, do remember that our website blog is regularly updated.

Well what a year 2020 has turned out to be. Who would have thought that come 23 March, the whole world would be in turmoil due to the previously unknown virus, Covid-19.

We sincerely hope that the ever-changing restrictions, advisory and legislative, has kept the majority of you safe, avoiding the symptoms of this dreadful virus.

The lockdown and isolation requirements that have been placed upon us all by senior governmental doctors and advisors have had dramatic effects upon those living alone. We do hope that everyone has family, friends and neighbours who are able to help with contact, shopping and medical necessities. Please let us know of anyone who is having any welfare problems, that you feel we may be able to assist with.

The restrictions and difficulties encountered in visiting our loved ones, especially those who are resident in Care and Nursing Homes, and those hospitalised has added even greater stress and anxiety upon those concerned.

Those who were planning family weddings have seen plans shelved due to severe attendance restrictions and in some cases the closure of venues.

Funerals have probably been affected more than anything else. It is a sad time when we lose a close family member, but something which we know is inevitable for us all. However, the severe restrictions placed upon attendance numbers have caused headaches for bereaved families who, on occasion, have had to choose who to allow to be present at the service.

Whilst we do try and circulate the deaths of our friends and colleagues, we are reliant upon a number of Durham Constabulary departments to notify us of these losses. We also check some of the local newspapers, but if the obituary fails to mention that they were Police Officers and the name is not familiar to us, these can often be missed. If you know of anyone’s death, please let us know.

Please Note: The GOV.UK’s ‘Tell us Once’ scheme DOES NOT notify the Police Pension Providers in England. Notification to Durham Constabulary should be directed to Police Pay & Pensions Department, Police Headquarters, Aykley Heads, Durham DH1 5TT (Tel: 0191 375 2218).

A Consumer Prices Index of 0.5% has been published for Sept 2020; Police Pensions will therefore rise by this figure in April 2021.

NARPO Full Member subscriptions for 2021 will increase by 11p to £21.59.

Take care of yourselves and others; stay safe and well.

The Branch Officers and Committee send you all our very Best Wishes & Seasonal Greetings.

Ray Jones

Message from the Chief Constable:

POLICING, I have always thought, is really good in a crisis.

Time and time again, circumstances arise in which our incredible officers and vital support staff get the chance to prove themselves.

The Covid-19 pandemic is an extraordinary crisis which few foresaw, and did not come with a manual.

As should be expected, we prepare and we drill for all eventualities so that when the time comes we are rehearsed and ready.

But for all the preparation and planning, until the day actually comes you cannot be truly certain whether you will rise to the test. I am pleased to say that, over the last few difficult months, Durham Constabulary has done just that.

We learn, we adapt and we carry on.

Inspectors from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary have just completed an inspection of Durham, where they examined our response to the pandemic and the service we continue to offer to the public. They highlighted the positive attitude of all of our staff in stepping up to the challenges that the pandemic has presented; not least our work to safeguard people at the height of lockdown and the way in which we ensured our officers had the right advice and PPE to enforce the regulations.

As usual, Durham Police stepped up to what has been a huge challenge and we continue to do so as we continue with the virus. Throughout, our officers and staff simply got on with the job they do best: preventing crime, catching criminals and keeping our communities safe.

It has been far from easy – our officers and staff are only human and they are just as susceptible to Covid-19 as everyone else.

We have had to reshuffle our pack and learn new ways of doing things: some of which have been so successful that they will continue to be in place long after the virus has been consigned to history.

What makes it possible to rise to that challenge is not only the resilience shown by our officers but also the incredible and constant support we have received from residents from all corners of County Durham and Darlington. Whether out and about on patrol or in the stations, our officers have been overwhelmed by the regular good wishes offered by members of the public from all parts of society, not to mention the cards, flowers and chocolates! Long may it continue.

If anything, events of the last year have convinced me that the bond between the police and public has never been stronger and that bodes well for the future. I am very proud to lead such a fantastic police force.

Jo Farrell

“I FLEW A SPITFIRE�

For my 75th birthday I treated myself to a flight in the rear seat of a twoseater, dual controlled, Spitfire.

Together with my wife Hazel and two sons we drove down to Biggin Hill in Kent where we met my sister-in-law at the Heritage Hanger at the airfield.

After we had viewed a video about the dangers of flying in an aircraft that was a year older than me, and how to escape in the event of a problem including the use of a parachute, I was kitted out and then briefed by Don my pilot (he has the best job in the world), we went to the aircraft. The aircraft was marked up with invasion stripes and Don explained that it had taken part in D-Day and shot down a ME 109. After the war it had been converted to a trainer.

After having been strapped into a very tight seat in a small cockpit, and the canopy closed, I looked down at the dials and the control column together with firing button, although no guns were fitted, (just as well), the engine started and we Tony in the Spitfire's Rear Cockpit taxied to the runway, the revs went up and the roar from the Merlin engine was loud as we took off.

We flew over the Kent countryside on a clear sunny day and when we got to Leeds Castle, Don did a tight circle around it. We then headed towards the coast and Don said I could take control. The control column

was light to the touch and could almost have been flown with one finger.

I was flying a Spitfire.

I had to make some gentle turns around towns because the old aircraft has to avoid overflying them.

When we neared the coast, Don took back control and we flew along the white cliffs and over Dover harbour, before climbing into a wing over and heading back along the coast.

Don then asked if I was ready for the aircraft to do a roll, he then rolled the aircraft, at which I said that was “B****y great,� so he did two more rolls before heading back inland. I again took control as we headed up towards the Thames estuary, before Don again took over as we turned towards London, and then again south, to a gentle landing at Biggin Hill.

After landing we were shown around the hanger where they overhaul and restore Spitfires, including a one from the Greek air force that had been in a museum for over 30 years, another belonging to the RAF Memorial Flight, and one that had just arrived from the USA in a crate.

Tony (Right) and Don (Pilot)

Then to a nearby Pub for lunch.

A very memorable day which left me smiling for a week.

Tony Burn

Retired Sergeant Laurie Cummings – 2020 Update I had my 79th. Birthday on the 14th. January, 2020, and do not feel any older!!!

On the 10th. February, 2020, I flew back to Sharm-el-Sheik, Egypt, where I have lived most of the time for the last 15 years and will continue to sub-aqua dive on most days until my probable return to the UK on the 4th. June, 2020, ready for my athletics meetings.

Up to that date I have achieved 12,665 sub-aqua dives at depths up to 30 metres where I continue to carry out one of my other hobbies of Underwater Photography and Underwater Videography.

Ready for a dive in the Red Sea, Sharm-el-Sheikh

All of my dives are recorded, signed and

countersigned by the appropriate diving centre (which is usually the Dive & Discovery Dive Centre) based at Hadaba, Sharm-el-Sheikh.

Whilst out in Sharm I still continue to road Taking part in a 5km run at Sedgefield run every day and vary my distances from 5k to 10k. You can imagine the heat out there in Sharm which can reach approximately 45/50 degrees during the summer season.

Every morning (except a Saturday and Sunday) I do an hours training at the gym which consists of speed work on the treadmill, weights, and free standing exercises, this is followed by a road run varying from 5k to 8k and even these have to include hill training and fartlek training (runs where you go fast for a certain distance and then slow down for another distance).

When back in the UK I compete in 5k Park Runs. These are runs which are held in most areas of the country and always commence at 9am each and every Saturday. I have taken part in 147 runs so far and have managed to break 65 age category records. The areas that I have covered in the races include Durham County, Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmorland, Yorkshire and a few areas down south.

5k Park Runs are the best thing that ever happened in this country as it helps people of all ages and sizes to take part and increase their fitness.

I would advise anyone interested in keeping fit to participate in the Park Runs. They are free, so at last we have got something for nothing!!!!

I also wear body armour, from time to time, taking part in displays in Southern England, organised by my son.

On a lighter note I have now been retired from Durham Constabulary since 1994 (26 years!!!).

Laurie and son prepared for battle

At the moment I am in the age category 75-79 and next year I will be 80 and so will move into the over 80`s category!!!!!

2019

Colleagues Lost Since the Publication of the Durham Peeler’s Winter 2019 Edition

15/10/2019 26/10/2019 25/11/2019 08/12/2019 14/12/2019 17/12/2019 26/12/2019 26/12/2019 30/12/2019 31/12/2019

Insp C/Insp DC PC PC PCVC Mrs Mrs C/Insp Mrs

Bryan Edward LENG (FM) David MARTIN (AM) William SAMPLE (NM) Maurice Douglas CLUER (FM) James Kenneth JENNINGS (FM) Adam Ronald HOGG (FM) Sybil AMOS (WM) Marjorie LITTLE (NM) Alan RUTHERFORD (NM) Janet ANDERSON (MW)

90 72 71 97 73 68 94 78 85 60

2020 01/01/2020 03/01/2020 11/01/2020 17/01/2020 20/01/2020 26/01/2020 03/02/2020 10/02/2020 11/02/2020 12/02/2020 19/02/2020 20/02/2020 21/02/2020 24/02/2020 20/03/2020 04/04/2020 06/04/2020

Mrs PC PC PC DSupt Insp Sgt PC PC Mrs Mrs Mrs Sgt DC Mrs Mrs Sgt

Joan Doris ARMSTRONG (WM) Kathleen (Kathy) Mary BROWN (NM) Frank HOPE (FM) Alan REED (FM) Brian Hunter TURNER (FM) Alan KINGSTON (FM) Cyril HIND (NM) Michael (Mike) HESLOP (NM) William FINNIGAN (NM) Elizabeth Jane BAINES (WM) Dorothy S HALL (WM) Joyce WILSON (WM) Geoffrey HALL (FM) Gordon EDDY (FM) Eunice STOKOE (WM) Dorothy FARRELL (FMW) William SIMPSON (FM)

65 90 81 85 76 88 75 50 92 93 78 70 89 93

09/04/2020 10/04/2020 11/04/2020 14/04/2020 16/04/2020 21/04/2020 26/04/2020 01/05/2020 23/05/2020 23/05/2020 29/05/2020 30/05/2020 18/06/2020 24/06/2020 26/06/2020 13/07/2020 05/08/2020 05/08/2020 09/08/2020 14/08/2020 01/09/2020 06/09/2020 07/09/2020 07/09/2020 15/09/2020 26/09/2020 13/10/2020 Key:

Sgt PC Mrs Mrs PC Mrs PC Mrs DC Mrs Sgt Sgt Insp Mrs Mrs Supt Insp DC Insp Sgt PC PC Insp PC PC Supt

John Osborne DAVISON (NM) Philip GRIEVESON (NM) Ethel Ruth TURNBULL (WM) Ester Reeves HALLETT (WM) Arthur James SMITH (NM) Jessie Hunter GRAY (WM) John WILSON (FM) Linda Ann KNEVITT (NMW) Katherine B SPARROW (CALLANDER) (NM) Margaret (Peggy) LAWSON (WM) Stephen BELL (NM) Stewart McDADE (FM) Ian THEW (FM) Lesley SHAW (nee BRIGHOUSE) (FMD) Leslie George FLEMING (NM) Elsie RICHARDS (FMW) James McALOON (NM) Henry (Harry) ROGERS (FM) Graham JOHNSON (FM) Arthur F STEPHENSON (AM) Colin BARNES (FM) Barrie COWEY (FM) Michael James ALDER (NM) Edward JACKSON (FM) William Cuthbertson MALTMAN (NM) George Michael KEEN (FM) Raymond BRAMMER (FM)

FM – Full Member AM – Associate Member WM – Widow Member FMW – Full Member’s Wife NM – Non Member FMD – Full Member’s Daughter NMW – Non Member’s Wife

80 71 82 81 87 104 74 64 94 68 73 78 56 93 69 62 89 62 90 84 80 59 91 86 82 89

Young Police Officers On Tuesday 4th February 2020, I attended the funeral of a dear friend and colleague, Alan Reed, Ex-PC 298 of the Durham County Constabulary.

I first met Alan in September 1959 when we both got off a bus at Whitburn to visit the Police Surgeon for our Medical Examinations. We walked to the doctor’s house and were admitted by the housekeeper, who showed us into the front room, to wait.

When the old doctor came in, he looked at us and said, “Are you the boys from the Army?” We said we were and he asked our Regiments.

Alan gave his as the Royal Military Police and I gave mine as the Coldstream Guards, upon which he said, “If you are good enough for them you are good enough for us”.

That was the extent of our examinations and we both served long terms in the Durham Force.

Back Row: Front Row:

Newcastle ????

Carr

Coyle

George Hartley

Hawkins (3rd Coldstream)

Alan Reed

As a young man I was mad about motor bikes, I had a big, heavy, 350cc Panther of my own and when I was posted to Edmondsley in 1961 I was given the ‘Beat Bike’, a 125cc BSA Bantam, what a comedown, it could hardly get up the bank from Blackhouse to Edmondsley.

I was very jealous of Vince Threadgill on the Witton Gilbert beat, he had a green coloured BSA 250cc C15 Gold Star.

In those days Police HQ was at Aycliffe and motor bikes had to go there for service; what a struggle it was to ride the Bantam to Aycliffe.

One day I arrived at Aycliffe for service and was told that the Bantam was due for replacement.

George astride a Royal Enfield Clipper

I asked the mechanic, I believe his name was ‘Ammy’, what I was getting. He pointed to a row of six brand new Royal Enfield 250cc Clippers, all with full fairing, and said, “Take your pick”.

I chose the one with Reg. No. 675 LPT and rode back to Edmondsley, a very happy young Police Officer.

George Hartley

The Matt Wilkinson Trophy - 1968 Awarded to Detective Constable Keith Readman Doesn’t time fly? Just ask Keith Readman, who reflects that in November, 1968 (over 50 years ago...!), he, as a young 27 years old Detective Constable, serving in Hartlepool Divisional C.I.D. together with his good friend and colleague, the late Tom Whitton and other uniformed officers responded to an activated burglar alarm at the Dovecote Saleroom, Lynn Street, Hartlepool.

This proved to be no straightforward break in! Well known burglar, Eddie Carhart and a fellow criminal accomplice, had broken into the premises. Whilst one man was quickly arrested at the scene, Carhart sought to escape by climbing out onto the roof.

By the time Detectives Tom Whitton and Keith Readman arrived, it was clear that the fleeing criminal was effectively trapped on his rooftop ‘perch’. In desperation, he was throwing a steady stream of roof tiles down at the police and a crowd of bystanders who had been attracted to the scene.

Carhart quickly exhausted the available supply of missiles within easy reach and he was forced to retreat further across the roof. As he did so, he slipped and started to slide feet first down the sloping roof, coming to an abrupt stop with his legs dangling over the edge and in grave danger of falling some 60 feet into the yards below.

It became apparent to the officers that the only way to reach the hapless Carhart, was to climb out via a small skylight window directly above him, within the loft space above the third floor.

Altogether this was a precarious situation and demanded drastic and urgent action! D.C. Readman, assisted by other officers, utilised a chair to enable him to climb out and lying face down, reaching out; Carhart was just out of reach and in imminent danger of falling!

With adrenaline pumping, D.C. Readman agreed to crawl further down the roof with colleague Brian Price holding his ankles from the skylight, enabling him to take hold of the terrified man’s wrists! - So far, so good?

The fire brigade had been called and were attending and the courageous officer felt reassured that all he had to do now was hang on for a short while, being held by the safe hands of Brian Price who was the divisional football team goalkeeper.

Things did not however go to plan- the portable extending ladder brought by the fire brigade proved shorter than anticipated - whilst those involved and in dire need, were tiring physically & mentally drained!

Eventually, the firemen made a rope noose and lowered it down the roof and secured it around the legs of Carhart, allowing those in the loft to pull the exhausted pair to safety through the skylight.

Carhart was arrested and removed from the shop. Suddenly, he head-butted one of the policemen for no apparent reason, much to the disgust of D.C. Readman, who recalled that other people there, including members of the public, were outraged and several shouted that he should have been left to fall as he didn’t deserve to be rescued!

Keith Readman had sustained deep scratches to his stomach from nails on the roof.

Edward Carhart appeared at court, found guilty and sentenced to imprisonment after he admitted breaking into the shop and assaulting a policeman.

Detective Constable Keith Readman was commended by Chief Constable Alec Muir for his courageous action in rescuing the burglar.

Later, at Durham Police Headquarters, Aykley Heads, he was awarded the Matt Wilkinson Memorial Trophy, presented by Mrs Mabel Wilkinson. Chief Constable Muir stated the award was in recognition of the most outstanding and courageous piece of police work in the last year.

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