Durham Peeler : Winter 2021

Phone: 01325 327165 E-mail: Durham2@narpo.org Web : www.durhamnarpo.org.uk

DURHAM PEELER Winter 2021 Durham Branch N.A.R.P.O Magazine

EDITOR’S CHAT Well, this is my first attempt at publishing our well-loved branch magazine, the Durham Peeler. I only hope that it comes somewhere near the polished and quality magazine previously put together by our wellrespected previous editor, Alan WATSON. Alan continued as editor right up to its previous edition, ‘Winter 2019’, despite his health issues and I am very grateful to him for the guidance, support, wealth of expertise and material passed on to me. I’m sure that I speak for all of our members and readers in sending him and his wife, Sue, our best wishes for the future and many happy times with their dog, Piper.

The hand-over of the editorial post did not take the path that either Alan or myself envisaged due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

As we all know this brought about huge changes to our lives globally. Covid suddenly became an everyday word that no-one welcomed and turned our lives upside down.

Front Cover: Chief Constable Jo Farrell, Call Handler Michael Wallace, Insp Ed Turner, Sgt Pete Tate & Police Federation Branch Board Secretary, Kevin Wilson at the site of the Durham Constabulary Plaque at the Police Memorial at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire

This caused the stoppage of our publication, due to business restrictions, social contact and distancing amongst other, far more serious, matters involving the health and in many cases death.

Those who were unfortunate to contract the virus and survive, endured varying degrees of ill-health, many requiring hospital admissions with lengthy stays, with some on life support machines. And, of course as we know all too well many did not survive and families were unable to arrange their funerals as they would have liked, addition immensely to their grief.

I am aware that our branch lost members, excolleagues, family and friends to the dreadful virus - my heart goes out to all that were affected.

As a branch of NARPO, I am pleased to say that not only have we managed to kick-start the Durham Peeler publication, but have recommenced our bi-monthly meetings; our first been held at Bishop Auckland Hospital Social Club on Thursday 16 September 2021 (please see the dates for our future planned meetings at Durham Indoor Bowling Club).

We currently have a branch membership of approximately 830; this includes full members, General Manager members, widow/ers, associate, additional and life members, this includes our branch officers and committee, which number some 13. Unfortunately, it is not possible to keep in personal touch with everyone, although amongst the officers and committee a fairly large number of members are known to us.

Could I please ask for your help! If you know of any of our Police Family, whether they have been police officers or police staff who are unwell, in need of help of some kind or have suffered bereavement, please let us know and we can at least send them a card to let them know that we still care about their welfare.

I would also be grateful if you could all make sure that we hold your current details, especially your address and, if possible, contact telephone numbers and email addresses.

It would also be useful to provide dates of birth in order that we may help you celebrate milestone birthdays, with a card. In addition, please let us know if anyone is coming up to significant wedding anniversaries.

Well, we are approaching winter time, which I am always reminded of once the clocks have changed, signalling the end of ‘British Summer Time’. This generally brings with it colder weather, frosts and snow (but for us older generation – not as deep or long a duration as we knew it).

On a happier note, it also means that as Christmas approaches with, hopefully, the opportunity of meeting up with our families and close friends.

May I take this opportunity to pass on the best wishes of our Branch Officers and Committee to everyone and hope that you all enjoy a joyous Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. Take care of yourselves and others; stay safe and well.

Ray Jones

Chairman & Durham Peeler Editor Email: Durham2@narpo.org

Further Reminder: The GOV.UK’s ‘Tell us Once’ scheme for notifying deaths DOES NOT notify the Police Pension Providers in England and Wales. 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 (CPI) of 3.1% has been published for Sept 2021: Police Pensions will therefore rise by this figure in April 2022.

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A message from the

CHIEF CONSTABLE Students returned to Durham this month: the annual migration of young people which marks the cycle of the city’s year just as much as the leaves turning brown or the evenings growing shorter.

The arrival of thousands of young people looking forward in hope to a brighter future is a reassuring sign that normality is slowly returning after a year which has been like no other. And it has been a year which none of us will forget.

The Covid pandemic put policing to the test: an unprecedented emergency for which there was no blueprint and introduced us all to a host of new concepts with which we sadly became all too familiar: social distancing, R-rates, tiers and lockdowns.

Our officers and staff did what they do best: we learned, we flexed, we adapted and we grew.

I have never been prouder of my dedicated officers and staff for the way they took on the challenges thrown at them by Covid and continued to serve the public and protect our communities to the best of their ability and in difficult circumstances.

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The most satisfying thing has been the way in which they, as well as policing the pandemic, carried on with “business as usual” – catching criminals, protecting the public, preventing crime. For example, Government inspectors have particularly praised our work in successfully tackling organised crime, despite the difficult and unusual circumstances our officers were working under.

But as we hopefully begin to leave behind the darkest days of the pandemic and emerge blinking into the sunlight, we cannot rest on our laurels and instead must immediately look forward to the new challenges which lie ahead of us, both for policing in general and Durham Constabulary in particular.

Our focus is, and always will be, on tackling high harm crime, those offences which do the greatest damage to the individuals and communities we serve.

We will do whatever we can to ensure that women and girls feel safe on our streets, regardless of their age or where they live, and we will work closely with our partners across the criminal justice system to ensure that perpetrators are brought before the courts.

We will address anti-social behaviour in our towns and villages so all residents in all our communities can live without fear of nuisance and criminal behaviour. And we will ensure that our rural communities and the distinct policing challenges they face are at the heart of our thinking as we move forward.

Those are three of the biggest issues facing our force in the months ahead and we will be robust in tackling them: one of Durham’s most cherished values is courage and we should never be afraid to take on an issue because it is difficult or controversial.

We will also learn from the valuable lessons of the last year: to deal with difficult issues yes, we need to be disciplined, committed and relentless, but we will need to be adaptable, flexible and open to change and new ideas.

Like those students we are welcoming to our city, we will learn and we will move forward towards a more hopeful future.

Jo Farrell

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CHARITY CONCERT 2021

Available from the Town Hall Reception, on the night, or from the named below.

Stuart Ingram Tel: 07989 333025 Email: durhamconstabularymvc@gmail.com Profits to be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support

PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE NUMBER AFFECTED BY THE CORONAVIRUS AND A RECENT BEREAVEMENT, A DECISION HAS BEEN MADE TO WITHDRAW THE CHOIR FROM THE CONCERT; THE BAND WILL APPEAR AND PLAY AS NORMAL AND “THE SHOW WILL GO ON”.

Durham Constabulary Band & Male Voice Choir Spennymoor Town Hall, Thursday 16th December 2021, 7pm

DURHAM BRANCH COMMITTEE

2021

Hon President: (Ex Officio) Chief Constable Jo Farrell

Chairman & Durham Peeler Editor: Raymond T Jones Tel: 01325 327165 Mob: Mob: 07535 261063 Emails: Durham2@narpo.org rayjones2341@gmail.com

Vice Chairman: Martin Hall Tel: 01388 816617 Mob: 07866 824177 Email: martinhalliam@hotmail.co.uk

Secretary: Stuart A R Ingram Tel: 01388 814768 Mob: 07989 333025 Emails: Durham@narpo.org sji1179@btinternet.com

Treasurer: Susan K Knaggs Tel: 0191 388 4052 Mob: 07932 613031 Email: susan0095@gmail.com

Welfare Officer: Mike McGuire Tel: 01740 238694 Mob: 07486 065460 Email: mikej.mcguire@sky.com

Committee: Bill Bramfitt, Tony Burn, Mel Davison, Bob Gadd, Audrey Ledger, Jeff Miller, Alan Watson

Website Manager: Bob Brown Tel: 0191 377 1791 Mob: 07767 324896 Email: 1093brown@gmail.com 6

NARPO DURHAM BRANCH MEETINGS

2021 / 2022

Monday 8th November 2021

Durham Indoor Bowling Club

19:30hrs

Monday 10th January 2022

Durham Indoor Bowling Club (AGM)

19:30hrs

Monday 14th March 2022

Durham Indoor Bowling Club

19:30hrs

Please Note the days for our Bishop Auckland Meetings are now Thursdays and not Mondays Thursday 12th May 2022

Bishop Auckland Hospital Club

19:30hrs

Thursday 14th July 2022

Bishop Auckland Hospital Club

19:30hrs

Thursday 12th September 2022

Bishop Auckland Hospital Club

19:30hrs

N.B. Our Branch meetings take place on alternative months and are open to all.

BRANCH MEETING VENUES:

Durham Indoor Bowling Club: Bishop Auckland Hospital Club:

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Abbey Road, Pity Me, Durham DH1 5GE 32A Escomb Road, Bishop Auckland DL14 6TZ

Well, what a month September was:

268 YEARS IN JUST 3 DAYS! 20th September 2021 Freda BROWN, widow of the late Chief Superintendent Douglas BROWN, celebrated her 103rd birthday. Freda is a resident of a Care Home in Durham and was visited by her niece, Joan MASON. Joan informs us that Freda likes nothing better than to relive her past as a policeman’s wife.

Once notified of Freda’s birthday, a card was sent from all at the Durham Branch of NARPO.

21st September 2021 John FRANKS of West Auckland celebrated his 100th birthday. John retired in 1973 from his post at Bishop Auckland as a Scientific Aids Officer (SAO), as Scenes of Crime Officers (SOCO’s) were then known.

John, who does not own a computer, applied to join the Durham Branch as a result of our recruitment letters, which were sent out at the end of last year.

John and his wife, June, were visited on his birthday by the Branch’s Chairman, Ray Jones and Secretary, Stuart Ingram.

On behalf of the Branch, they gave John a birthday card and a M&S Gift Card and June a cyclamen plant display in a wicker basket.

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A card from ‘Elizabeth’ had been received the previous day (well when your profile is on the postage stamp, you can probably have your mail delivered whenever you wish!).

John is no stranger to correspondence from Her Majesty, in fact this was his 3rd card. John and June received previous cards on their 60th (Diamond) and 70th (Platinum) wedding anniversaries.

The couple were married in 1947, the same year Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh; some 74 years ago.

22nd September 2021 This day marked the Blue Sapphire (65th) wedding anniversary of one of our Branch Life Members, Bill STAPLEFORTH and his wife Pamela.

Again, a card on behalf of the Branch was sent to the couple.

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FORMER REGIONAL SENIOR EXAMINER (RSE) NO.2 REGION (North East England) Jim Muter

I joined Durham Constabulary as a Police Cadet in September 1965.

My parents didn’t have a car or could drive, so I don’t know where the love of driving came from!

I had a Standard Motor Cycle Course whilst in the Cadets, but had some driving lessons on my weekends off. I saved up for the deposit on my first car, an Austin A40 Farina by hitching lifts and saving my bus fares!

I was posted to Blaydon on becoming a Constable and got a Driving course a year and a half into my service and got the bug!! Next was an MG1100 to make my bug go faster.

I applied for Traffic after my 2-year probation and was successful and posted onto Section 1 North Traffic with a Hillman Hunter GT in black and white. Very impressive for a Newcastle supporter!

I had 13 very happy years on Traffic, during which my Crew Mate at the time Jim Porter saw an advert for ROSPA Examiners. He said there’s a canny job for you! So, I did as I was told. Not many argued with big Jim! Sadly, we lost him in March 1982 when he was shot and murdered at West Auckland. A great loss to all who knew him.

ROSPA had just taken over from The League of Safe Drivers in 1979 and I was the first Examiner appointed by the Chief Examiner Mike Collins, who travelled up to Durham to meet me and I was asked to do a 1-hour drive. After a chat over coffee, I was appointed.

I’m sure this helped in my next move within the Police as I applied to join the Driving School in 1980. After a very intense 6-week course I was accepted, but had to wait 3 years for a vacancy.

The proviso from the Head of Training was, “You can’t have time off during courses for all your sport lad!!” At the time I was playing football, running cross country, tennis and squash! I said, “Don’t worry Sir, I can do all those after work and at weekends” The highlight of my tennis career being to qualify for my first National Championships which were held for the first time ever at Wimbledon.

I won the Men’s Singles plate event after 2 very strenuous, but happy days.

In 1989 the Police Driving School ran Advanced Driving lectures on Roadcraft, at the end of which I was approached by 3 interested parties, who asked, “What do we do now?” So, we meet at a local pub and The North East Group started!

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My friend and colleague from the Driving School, Barrie Barnett was the RSE; he died suddenly and I was asked if I would step in, temporarily to cover the post, that was back in 2010. I was elected President of our Group a few years ago when they decided against just a figure head, as in the past, and I was happy to accept.

I looked after 20 Examiners. Test applications came to me from the RoSPA HQ at Birmingham and I distributed them to the nearest Examiner. The completed test reports came back to me for checking before their onward journey to HQ. I was active within the local Group as a Tutor, but obviously handed over to another Examiner for the test.

After 13 happy years in the Driving School at Durham, I had progressed from the bottom rung, doing L drivers and Standard Courses, to running Advanced Courses. I also qualified, at the Cardington Training Facility. as a Delegated Examiner to examine Police personnel for all classes of Police vehicles, Cars, M/Cycles, PCV and LGV. I later attended the Met Driving School on a VIP Protection Course and returned to run these courses for Durham Officers.

I eventually retired in March 1997 and had a very interesting leaving do. Having been the office practical joker for many years, I was expecting a surprise! And what a surprise! The Driver Training School was split between Newcastle and Sunderland supporters and at the end of my speech in the HQ lounge, the door burst open and in came 4 people dressed in Sunderland football kits, led by their captain, Kevin Ball.

I was then showered with many Sunderland football club gifts. The final one being a brick with my name on it that was to be placed in a wall at the newly opened Stadium of Light!!!

(Jim tells me that his will instructs his sons to ‘get that brick out of the wall’) So, I was then off to Northumbria Police Driving School as a Civilian Trainer. I started in June, but by January, the Inspector in charge moved on and his post was civilianised and I was given the job.

There were 8 Trainers, a mix of Police Officers and Civilian Trainers, but 13 years later, I had built the team up to 31 and we were delivering many more courses than when I joined. Then came “Voluntary Redundancy” and 12 of us left as part of the Force’s money saving issues.

My next job was a “White van man”, delivering car parts for Andrew Page, who had a depot 5 minutes’ walk from my home. This lasted for 18 months, by which time my wife decided that I had “done enough!”

I am an active member of the Tyne Tees MX5 owners club and take part in their runs out in my Mark 1 Eunos, ’Mickey’.

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Also, a Group of us, Advanced Drivers, Ex Police Officers and Driving Instructors take off at 9am every Sunday morning between April and November to keep our skills up for 3-4 hours over the Durham Dales, Cumbria, Northumberland and North Yorkshire.

April is also a special month for my wife Denise and I; as of April 11th 2020, we’d been married for 50 very happy years. Apart from her “Sporting Widow” period and now a home bound wife on Sunday mornings! She’s been in ‘Mickey’ twice in my 6 years of ownership.

Both times the 3-mile trip to Tesco, but never again. Apparently, it messed up her hair!!

Guinness Word Record Attempt at Elvington Airfield, York for the longest line-up of convertible cars - June 2021 (Awaiting Official Confirmation)

My other commitments are walking our 3 little dogs, suffering as a Toon supporter, barbecuing for the family in the summer and recently teaching my eldest granddaughter to drive. She passed after 3 months with 3 minors, which I wasn’t happy with her for!!!

I am currently helping the High Sheriff of Durham, Peter Chandler, with a project to try and get more young drivers in Durham interested in the advantages of being an advanced driver.

He is hoping to attract a couple of high-profile young people in the area to undertake training and testing, that could be publicised in the local and national press. Fingers crossed.

I was also involved in an ITV programme, “The 100-year-old driving School” that was a collaboration between ROSPA and ITV. Needless to say, I was subject to lots of comments.

The best of which came from my eldest son, one Friday night, when he sent me a text to say “Get onto Gogglebox now Dad! You’re on! Fame at last!!

Jim Muter 12

CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT RAYMOND DINNING Raymond Norman DINNING joined Durham County Constabulary as a Police Cadet, on 24th July, 1950, serving at Chester-le-Street Divisional Headquarters, Communications Room and Town Office, until August 1952 when he was “Called Up” for Military Service, which he served in The Royal Air Force.

A Young PC Thomas Farmer (L) with Cadet Raymond Dinning (R) On completion of his Military Service, he returned to the Durham Force, where he commenced his Initial Training and Probationary Service in December 1954. Twenty days later he was posted to Chester-le-Street CID and appointed a Detective Constable (The youngest appointed Detective Officer the Force has ever known).

He served as a Divisional Detective at Chester-le-Street until promotion to Detective Sergeant in March, 1963, when he was posted to HQ CID. 13

On the direct instructions of Chief Constable, Alex Muir, Ray was tasked to form and develop a new Department, which was to be known as the Criminal Intelligence Department, with a Regional operational responsibility for the Northern Force areas. These being Durham, Northumberland, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, East Yorkshire, York City and Hull City.

April 1965 saw the formation and inauguration of the Regional Crime Squads, throughout the United Kingdom. On the same date, Detective Sergeant Dinning was posted to the Darlington Branch Office of The No 2 Regional Crime Squad and the Criminal Intelligence Department which he founded was merged, as a Unit within the No.2. Regional Crime Squad, Headquarters Administration.

During that time, Ray became involved with the Scotland Yard Murder Rooms and was subsequently trained by Officers of that Command, in their systems of Murder Investigation and Administration. Having developed his expertise, he was appointed and designated as the No. 2. Regional Squad Murder Room Administrator with a responsibility to administer, when requested, all murder investigations within the Region, He returned from his secondment, back to the Durham Force in 1970; was promoted to Detective Inspector and posted to the Gateshead Divisional CID, as Deputy to the Divisional Detective Chief Inspector and directly commanding initially the Wickham Sub Divisional CID and then the Gateshead Sub-divisional CID. During this period, he wrote the Durham Manual and trained Officers within the Force in the setting up and running of Major Investigation Administration Systems. (This being the forerunner to what ultimately became the nationally known “Holmes System” developed together with and using Computer Technology).

January 1972 saw him promoted to Detective Chief Inspector and a return to secondment on Regional Crime Squad, where he became the Officer Commanding the Mid Durham Branch of No 2 Regional Crime Squad. This post he held for almost four years, when he was recalled to the Durham Force to develop and take command of the Discipline and Complaints Department under the Direct Command of the then Deputy Chief Constable, John Hallett and latterly Kenneth Henshaw.

A promotion to Superintendent came in 1977, remaining as Departmental Commander of the Discipline and Complaints Department, which he reorganised to take account of the new Internal Investigative Procedures and Administration brought about by the Police Act 1976.

He was posted in 1980 to Detective Superintendent, Deputy Departmental Head of the Force CID under the command of Detective Chief Superintendent Clayton Whittaker.

November, 1981 saw him once again seconded to No. 2 Regional Crime Squad, with the rank of Detective Chief Superintendent as the Regional Commander of the Squad.

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Some 3 years later he returned to Durham Constabulary to take on the post of Divisional Commander of the Chester-le-Street Division. This recall was part of the Chief Constable’s planning strategy, anticipating the forthcoming retirement of the Deputy Chief Constable, Thomas Davison FARMER, who was due to retire in January 1985.

The arrangement being that on this retirement, Chief Superintendent Raymond Dinning was to be appointed Temporary Assistant Chief Constable. An appointment agreed by The Police Committee and approved by Home Office. In January 1985 he was posted to Force Headquarters and appointed Temp. Assistant Chief Constable (Ops) remaining in post for several months awaiting the final approval of substantive rank.

Senior Officers: DCC Thomas Davison FARMER (L) & Temp ACC Raymond Norman DINNING (R) Unfortunately, however, the Home Office subsequently realised that, under Police Regulations, a temporary Executive Officer of the Force had not met the criteria for his substantive promotion. Frank Taylor of Manchester Police applied for the post of Deputy Chief Constable and was subsequently appointed. This resulted in the return to their previous substantive ranks of the two officers who held the temporary ranks; Ray therefore returning to his former Post of Chief Superintendent, Commander of the Chester-le-Street Division of the Force.

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During his time as Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Ray, directed by the Chief Constable, commenced procedures for the re-organisation of the Durham Force, to bring about the formation of only two Divisions. This project was completed and brought into being in January 1989, with the formation of the North and South Divisions of Durham Constabulary, with Chief Superintendent Dinning Commanding the North Division.

Ray retired from the Police Service in June 1989, however, for many years after he retained the position of President of No2. Regional Crime Squad Association until it was disbanded.

Sadly, Raymond Norman Dinning died on 13th October 2021, aged 87 years.

Ray’s wife, Margaret Rose, former PW 48 DAWSON died on 27th April 2017, aged 81 years.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II PLATE

Charity Auction

This Commemorative Plate was owned by the late Stephen Regan, Durham Constabulary dog handler and trainer. The plate is No. 134 of a Limited Edition of 3000.

It is offered to the highest bidder in a blind auction (closing date 31 January 2022) with the winning bid being donated to his family’s chosen charity, the Alzheimer’s Society. Please submit sealed bids to the Branch Secretary.

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WINTER 2021

CROSSWORD

US CRIME SERIES

Cryptic Clues Across

Down

5 17

Crossword kindly compiled by Bill Bramfitt

ANOTHER YEAR IN THE LIFE OF OUR RUNNER / DIVER

2020 proved to be a trying year because of the start of Covid.

At one stage Judy and I thought we were never going to get a flight back from Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt, but at last managed to get a flight back to the UK in late December, 2020.

2021 started off with the restrictions on the Leisure Centres and so I decided that the only way of keeping the fitness regime up was to run around the perimeter of our house and garden several times.

Bear in mind that I had to run for about 5k on each training session around the house and garden!!! So, imagine this was the beginning of January, 2021, and the weather was rather cool to say the least.

Judy had the bright idea of me training on the Oak Leaf running track. We went there every morning and the track at the best of times was covered in ice (not the best conditions to be training on a running track).

To be honest Covid had done me a favour because it prevented me from attending the Aycliffe Leisure Centre which unfortunately had to close because of the restrictions.

We had made up a training schedule which brought into play speed work for every day of the week except a Sunday which I used as my rest day.

My times for these schedules literally just got better and better especially with Judy being the time-keeper and recorder. She pushed and pushed me to almost my limit!!! I did not realise just how fast I could run.

I joined Darlington Harriers Athletics Club and became a member of the North-East Masters Athletics Association where I was quickly absorbed into the Track League.

I did several track and road run competitions, in particular, 5k`s and 3000m runs. The record breaking then commenced and I broke the UK records for the 5k and the 3000m, plus I became the fastest man over 80 years of age in the world and also the fastest man over 80 years old in the UK 5k race by 5 minutes.

At last, on the 24th July, 2021, the Park Runs re-commenced and took advantage of the Sedgefield 5k Park Run which resulted in me breaking the course record for the category 80 85-year-olds by 2 minutes 24 seconds.

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The next Park Run was at Spennymoor (Jubilee Park) on the 31st July, 2021, where I completely blasted the record by an amazing 18 minutes and 54 seconds (it is hard to believe but I did it).

On the 1st August, 2021, I took part in the Darlington 10k road race where I was just short of beating the World Record for my age category.

To date I have now competed in 151 x 5k Park Runs and have managed to break 70 of the category records. I will continue to compete in the Park Runs and various other events as they available.

On a lighter note, I have now been retired from Durham Constabulary since 1994 (27 years).

I enjoyed all my 31 years of police service and the 27years of retirement and do not know where the time has gone. I just do not have enough hours in the day to do what I want to do.

My diving has taken a step back as I have not been able to get out to Sharm-el-Sheikh because of the flight restrictions and Covid. I miss my diving, underwater photography and videography.

Laurie Cummings 19

MIKE’S LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT Our Previous Chief Constable’s Tale I have been retired for two years now and although the pace of life has certainly slowed from my time as Chief Constable in Durham there is still more than enough to keep me busy.

I will never forget my last day in policing at my retirement celebration at the Emirates Stadium in Chester-le-Street. My family were there to hear the Lord Lieutenant Mrs. Sue Snowden announce that I had been awarded the CBE. Rather amusingly she awarded Maggie a row of medals…. for putting up with me. That piece of leg-pulling epitomises County Durham: we are professional but we can have a laugh, especially at ourselves.

In retirement I wanted to do something to support my passions of improving public service, restorative justice and drug reform in a voluntary capacity. So was pleased and honoured to take up roles as a trustee at Changing Lives, the Restorative Justice Council and the Prison Reform Board.

Mike’s final day at the BBC preparing for his newspaper review

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Although we expected retirement life to be a bit quieter, nothing could have prepared us for Covid 19 and the national lockdowns. My charitable and academic commitments very quickly moved on line. We then learnt a completely new language of Zoom, Teams and ‘You’re on mute!’

The recent fuel crisis has served to remind us all that travelling makes us less productive and is becoming increasingly unsustainable.

One of the first live events Maggie and I attended in August was the dinner commemorating the 50th anniversary of Superintendent Gerry Richardson’s murder.

He tackled an armed gang who had just robbed a jewellery store on the Strand in Blackpool and was fatally wounded. I served with the brave officers who confronted and arrested the robbers after they had seen Gerry die.

The Gerry Richardson Trust has now helped over 19,000 youngsters in and around Blackpool, so his legacy lives on. Sadly, Maureen his widow died last year but it was good to see the Blackpool NARPO branch organising the 50th dinner and also seeing some of the people who worked with Gerry honouring his sacrifice, sharing stories about his leadership and fondly reminiscing about his sense of humour.

I am still active in the North East as a Deputy Lieutenant, a member of the Board at Durham Agency Against Crime and Changing Lives, the Advisory Board at Newcastle Law School and as a leadership mentor at Durham University.

I have bumped into several former colleagues in County Durham of late, including Ray at a petrol station in Bishop Auckland. But please note I have grown a lockdown beard, so you may not recognise the person who has just said hello.

Mike Barton

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July 1997

LAW AND ORDER SECOND PLACE:

Durham Constabulary

I recall the days when Police vehicle livery was designed in-house, probably with the help of (3M) the manufacturer of the adhesive, reflective materials used and a local printing company in Bishop Auckland (Pentlands).

The livery was adhered to vehicles by the staff of Headquarters vehicle workshops, the likes of Chris CARMICHAEL. Following a meeting between a representative of 3M and Workshop Manager, Eric SLATER, the force was persuaded to enter the 1997 International Police Vehicle Design Contest.

This was an annual event, jointly sponsored by LAW and ORDER magazine and 3M, and had been held since 1988, although I believe this to have been our first entry.

In 1997 I was attached to the ‘Accident Investigation Unit’, as it was then known; my crewmate was none other than our Branch Secretary, Stuart INGRAM. Stu and I seemed somewhat magnetic to each other during our Durham Constabulary careers; following each other around, we both worked at Bishop Auckland as Probationers, then to Coundon Section before transferring to Traffic Patrols (South) and finally ending up with the Accident Unit, transferring on the same day.

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Our magnetism gained magnitude around 1995 when we finally became crewmates.

The force was required to submit colour photographs of our entries and Stu and I were tasked to do the honours with our vintage, well used, but very reliable, Yashica twin-lens reflex camera, using 120 roll-film (standard equipment on our Accident Unit vehicles).

We were at an earlier date provided with brand new photographic kits using a digital Bronica camera and lenses. These kits had a short life with the ‘Unit’ as they seemed to be very sensitive to the adverse weather conditions of rain, snow and cold. This had the effect of firing the flashgun prior to the shutter being operated and then not firing it when the shutter was opened.

Needless to say, we went back to the Headquarters Photography Department to do a swap and retrieve our beloved Yashica.

For the competition we decided to use Durham’s trademark landmarks, the Cathedral and Castle as a backdrop for our 2 models, Range Rover and Jaguar Traffic Patrol Cars.

There were some 300 entries from American Police Departments, 5 from Canadian States 6 forces from England (Surrey, Metropolitan, Durham, Lancashire, South Yorkshire and Hampshire) and 2 from Scotland (Tayside and Central Scotland).

The competition, involving different types of vehicles, was divided into various categories, with Durham being entered into the ‘Agency Not in the USA’ category.

The winner of Durham’s category was the Metropolitan Police and their Vauxhall Omega 3.0 Litre Estate car, taken at night and using an illuminated ‘Heathrow’ sign as a background.

Durham finished in 2nd place and Lancashire were 3rd, depicting a Volvo 850 T5 Estate car in the foreground of ‘Lytham Windmill’.

It was said that the rear chevron design, which was widely used in England translated well on Durham’s vehicles. The judges commenting further that the markings brought American (horizontal side stripes) and European (back end) influences together.

An accompanying statement Eric SLATER stated, “The Constabulary Operations Department are always looking for added safety”.

Ray Jones 23

COLLEAGUES LOST SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THE DURHAM BRANCH NEWSLETTER WINTER 2020 05/05/2020 31/10/2020 03/11/2020 03/11/2020 03/11/2020 06/11/2020 07/11/2020 11/11/2020

Mrs Mrs PC Mrs C Insp Mr PC Mrs

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Sgt Mrs

10/12/2020

DC

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Mrs Miss Sgt Mrs

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Insp Insp C Insp DC PC DC Sgt DC Sgt PC Supt PC

Margaret JOHNSON (NM) Sybil Diana LIGHTLE (WM) Francis DOWDLE (FM) Patricia Ann HILLS (WM) William Maurice KENNEDY (FM) Randolph RIPLEY (FM) Frederick McHENRY (FM) Jean HALL (NM) (Widow of George HALL) Stephen Joseph REGAN (FM) Muriel REED (NM) (Widow of PC John Douglas REED) Patrick Joseph FARRELL (FM) (Durham NARPO Committee Member) Arthur NEWSOME (NM) Joan WOOD (NM) (Widow of Sgt John WOOD) Gordon W GALLEY (FM) John James WOODWARD (NM) Janet WILLIAMS (PS) (Former PC) June ASPINALL (WM) Elizabeth MITCHINSON (PS) Ian Derek RICHARDSON (FM) Georgina SCRAFTON (NM) (Widow of PC George SCRAFTON) Brian Hamilton WRIGHT (FM) Geoffrey Alan COLLING (AM) Arthur GILL (FM) Graeme RAPER (NM) Robert Samuel WOMBWELL (FM) George William STOREY (FM) Alfred BROWN (NM) David RIPLEY (NM) David STEEL (FM) Peter Norman WILLIS (FM) Robert Francis HALL (FM) Leslie Stuart DOWNS (FM) Graham HALL (FM)

98 96 80 82 89 97 89 91

Coxhoe Carlisle Chester-le-Street Darlington Brandon Durham School Aycliffe Tow Law

90

Crook

88

Spennymoor

83 72

Belmont

90 69

Nottingham Cheshire

95 90 70 95

Low Fell Bishop Auckland Darlington Consett

87 74 77 58 92 85 81 63 70 83 77 74 62

Gateshead Eaglescliffe Darlington Spennymoor Bishop Auckland Darlington Darlington Darlington Meadowfield Spennymoor Darlington Southport

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PC Sgt Mrs Mrs

Graham HALL (FM) Norman LEE (FM) Eunice MILLER (FMW) Denise FORREST (FMW) (Wife of Sgt Mike FORREST) D/Sgt Keith Ian MITCHELL (FM) Insp Arnold JAMES (FM) PC Frederick Hewitson GILL (FM) Mrs Winifred GETTINGS (WM) DC Alan COURTNEY (FM) C/Supt Raymond Norman DINNING (FM) PC John Alfred DAVIES (FM)

KEY: FM - Full Member AM - Associate Member WM - Widow Member NM - Non-Member FMW - Full Member’s Wife PS - Police Staff NMW - Non-Member’s Wife

25

62 87 67 71

Southport Durham Spennymoor Meadowfield

65 95 80 93 74 87 84

Lanchester Darlington Darlington Castleside School Aycliffe Chester-le-Street Catchgate

Traffic Patrols

LYKE WAKE WALK TEAM 1975

The above photograph, supplied by Ken Anderson and taken by Ray Jones, shows some of the Police Officers and civilians of the team prior to tackling the 40-mile hike across the North Yorkshire Moors, starting at Osmotherley and finishing at Ravenscar.

Whilst we have most of the names of those in the photograph, we are unable to identify others, if you can help, please contact the editor.

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

Winter Crossword 1. Highway Patrol 2. Hawaii 50 3. Blindspot 4. Cagney & Lacey 5. Magnum PI 6. Remington Steele 7. Hill Street Blues 8. Bones 9. Moonlighting 10. Columbo

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McMillan & Wife Dragnet Ironside Perry Mason Charlie’s Angels Miami Vice / McCloud Cannon CSI New York KOjak 26

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