International Police Association Birmingham, West Midlands branch August 2010 Servo Per Amikeco Who else thinks this year is flying by? I am sure Our committee put a huge amount of effort most people say that as we get older, the days, into arranging the day and the feed back has months and years seem to fly by even quicker than been excellent. The food at Tally Ho was first before, but this year the theory seems even more class and the celebrations went without a appropriate. The IPA calendar has been extremely hitch. busy on a local, regional and national basis and Our secretary Martin Sewell had organised an IPA this newsletter will hopefully keep you updated themed quiz and various prizes were awarded. with some of the events and recent news. Additionally, two raffles took place.... the first with an array of prizes, raised £60 for the branch The Birmingham branch celebrated its 45th year and the second 'Jedd' raffle raised £245. This money was split equally between the branch funds and the UK IPA has recently celebrated its th and Help For Heroes fund. We have received a Diamond Jubilee, 60 anniversary. We will cover letter of thanks from HFH for the kind donation. some of the celebrations in this newsletter and One of the raffle prizes (a lovely bottle of Scottish maybe even another newsletter in a few weeks Malt whisky) was kindly donated by a former time. branch Chair Brian Perkins who had made the trip down for the weekend from Scotland. This prize Anniversary meal was won by Bill Sweet if memory serves The branch anniversary meal was a great success correctly! and after all the planning, 45 people attended a The main prize (of the Jedd framed print) was lunch at Tally Ho on Sunday 23rd May 2010. How drawn by our IPA president's wife, Anne Connor strange that we ended up with 45 people attending and the lucky winner was Josie Taylor from Harborne Police Station. our 45th anniversary meal? The picture had been donated by Pam Gurgil, a We were blessed with fantastic weather on friend of Margaret and David Sewell. A letter of probably the hottest day of the year so far. We thanks has been sent to Pamela for the kind were entertained by an excellent keyboard player donation. and various other activities added to the day …. As well as Brian and Jill attending from Scotland, i.e. a quiz, a table display of IPA memorabilia and guests of the camping and caravanning section a slide show of IPA branch events over the years. Margaret and John Davies attended from Wales. A number of special guests were invited; IPA President Steve Connor and his wife Anne travelled up from London. Sadly the other special guests that could not make it included Jack Grinham and Mr and Mrs Len Washer. Len is the longest surviving IPA member and was a founder member of the organisation with Arthur Troop. Many of you will have seen Len's image featuring in the Diamond Jubilee IPA picture, painted by the famous police artist Jedd (John Edwards). Len was also the first Birmingham branch Chair, but sadly due to recent health problems he could not make the event. He sent his best wishes to the branch and his message of support was read out by our Josie Taylor (centre) receiving her wining prize from current Chair Andy Gregory. the branch Vice-Chair Karon Heap and Chair Andy Gregory Special Award A number of key decisions were made at the For those of you who could not attend the event, a NCM, (which will be covered in the 'Police Chair's special recognition award was presented to World' magazine and on the IPA website); David Sewell for his fantastic commitment to the however, it is worth reminding members that IPA over the years. one of the main changes is that other members can now be accepted. PCSOs, SOCOs (or FSIs) and civilian investigators can now join the IPA as full members. This sees a big change for the organisation and hopefully more people will now consider joining. We believe we have the first ever PCSO member within our branch. Suresh Retnasingham (who many of you will know as Sid) has been a member for many years as a special constable, however, before taking on his job as a PCSO a few years ago, he joined as an IPA life member. Dave Sewell receives his award from branch Chair Guildford cathedral rededication Andy Gregory and IPA President Steve Connor The IPA stained glass window rededication was an excellent event and attended by IPA David was presented with a certificate and an members from across the world. It was seen engraved pen by Andy Gregory and the IPA as one of the main Diamond Jubilee President Steve Connor and his citation read as celebrations and well attended by a number of follows: Chief Constables and special guests. Chair's Special Award and Certificate of Merit awarded to David Sewell …... for his commitment to the International Police Association in his fifty-three years of membership. David Sewell has carried out a variety of roles at branch and regional level and continues to strive to improve matters for the members. David attends all the regional meetings and now plays a vital role on the regional finance sub- committee. David arranges many branch activities and takes minutes at all of the branch meetings. All of the branch members have benefited from David's considerable commitment to the IPA. National Council Meeting The annual NCM was hosted by Region eleven Baron Imbert (former commissioner of the this year and took place during a few hot days in Metropolitan Police) delivered an excellent June. The event coincided with a rededication of speech, as did President Steve Connor and the IPA stained glass window at Guildford Reverend Jan Moore, the Police Chaplain cathedral on Friday 18th June 2010. from Surrey Police. The speech will hopefully be printed in a regional newsletter next month. AsName agreed Change at the AGM in January, the Turning Japanese branch name has now changed from Branch member Dave Cheshire has recently had a 24 May 2010 to 'Birmingham, West fantastic trip out to Japan, meeting IPA colleagues Midlands' branch. and again we hope to publish an article in the future. Prior to attending, Dave made contact with New Joiners in 2010 (to end of August) IPA member Carl Ames in Germany for advice. Carl lived in Japan for many years, prior to James Henry Gibbs – West Midlands Jonathan Peepall – Birmingham, West Midlands returning to the UK and joining West Mercia Scott McGarrigle – Birmingham, West Midlands Police for eight years. Carl now lives with his Jack Dobbinson – Birmingham, West Midlands family in Germany, yet was able to give Dave David Cross – Birmingham, West Midlands much advice about travelling through Japan. Karen Withy - Birmingham, West Midlands Kevin Knight – Coventry & Warwickshire Dave is a martial arts expert and was going to Paul Deeley - Birmingham, West Midlands Japan to take part in a tournament and Carl's Michael Horton – West Midlands advice was invaluable. We understand that Dave's Matthew Tite – West Midlands trip was hugely successful and he even had some Alexander Smith – West Midlands Gary Bullock – West Midlands bouts against Japanese officers. It just goes to show what great networking opportunities there are being an IPA member (a German and Japanese speaking Brummie with a Japanese wife, now Update on Stratford house living in Germany, gives advice to a Brummie going to Japan to fight in a martial arts Due to a very busy year with organising the tournament ?????). cycle ride and the anniversary meal, the 'IPA House' sub-committee has been unable to progress the concept of an IPA holiday home in Stratford. It is anticipated that the regional London – Brighton cycle ride sub-committee will progress this later in 2010 Nine members of the Birmingham branch and early 2011. have just completed a gruelling 54 mile cycle You may have seen on the IPA website and in ride in aid of charity. The London to Brighton the recent Police World magazine, that an IPA cycle ride in aid of the British Heart house has now been opened in the historic Foundation takes place annually and over town of Colchester. If you wish to book the 27,000 cyclists make the journey from property, then please contact IPA Fox Road Clapham Common to the south coast through for details. picturesque villages and countryside. Youth exchange Branch member Martin Hall has updated the committee that his teenage daughter has recently stayed in France with the family of an IPA member. Additionally the Hall's have recently hosted a member of the French family. Hopefully this mutual exchange will result in an article for the branch newsletter or Police World magazine in the future. Martin was also hoping to take part in the London – Brighton cycle ride, but had to cancel at the last minute following a nasty cycling accident on the way home from work. We wish Martin a full recovery and hope he is back in the saddle soon! The team consisted of Karon Heap, Other snippets: Martin Sewell, Mark Sheehan, Graham Wright, Mark Stokes, Bill Burrows, Phil Branch member Nigel Oseman recently visited Stacey, Chris Bradley and Andy Gregory, New Zealand with his wife and met with IPA with ‘back-up’ drivers Karen Burton and colleagues. We hope to circulate an article in the Chris Edgeworth helping transport the near future. team, bikes and equipment to and from the event .